Weekly Chart Report 8/18/17


Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout report.

‘American Country Countdown With Kix Brooks’ Switches Ranking Source to Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart

Westwood One has announced American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks will begin utilizing Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart as it counts down each week’s top 40 country songs in the United States, beginning the weekend of Sept. 9-10. Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart is based on actual radio play as monitored by Nielsen Music.

American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks had previously used weekly data from Mediabase since 2009, though Nielsen’s data originally served as the chart source for the program, beginning with American Country Countdown‘s inception in 1973 and running through 2009.

“We could not be more excited to have Billboard’s country radio chart back on the air, exclusively with American Country Countdown,” says Silvio Pietroluongo, Billboard’s vice president of Charts and Data Development. “Our partnership with Kix Brooks, a chart-topping legend himself, and the Westwood One team, will give country fans everywhere unparalleled insight into the week’s biggest country songs.”

Brooks said, “Having ACC and Billboard back together is long overdue. American Country Countdown was established on the Billboard chart information in 1973, so I’m thrilled that we were able to reestablish that history and relationship.”

Bryan Switzer, Westwood One’s VP/GM Music & Entertainment/Country, added “We’re thrilled to have reunited two iconic brands with American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks and Billboard. Through the years, both have earned the trust and respect of the listening public and the industry. It will be great to hear them together again each and every weekend.”

 

Weekly Chart Report 8/11/17

Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

iHeartMedia President Darren Davis Inks Four-Year Contract Extension

iHeartMedia Networks Group has announced a four-year contract extension with President Darren Davis. Davis will continue to report to Bob Pittman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iHeartMedia, Inc.

Under the new agreement, Davis will continue to oversee the success and close integration of the company’s extensive multi-platform assets, including the iHeartRadio Network, Premiere Networks, Total Traffic + Weather Network, and the NBC News Radio Network, as well as iHeartMedia’s in-house audio and visual creative agency. Davis will also continue as President of iHeartRadio, the fastest-growing digital audio service in the U.S. With over a billion downloads, iHeartRadio reached 100 million registered users this year.

“We’re pleased that Darren will continue to lead the integration of our Networks group that enables iHeartMedia to harness the unparalleled power, reach and scale of our digital and broadcast platforms,” said Pittman. “His twenty-five-years of experience working in every facet of iHeartMedia means he has a unique understanding of every aspect of our company — from our broadcast radio stations and iHeartRadio to our sales teams and partnerships, and how they can all work together to best serve our consumers, partners, affiliates and advertisers.”

“Since I was a kid, I knew I’d spend my life in radio,” said Davis. “I’ve seen a lot in the last twenty-five years as iHeartMedia has expanded into multiple platforms like the industry-leading iHeartRadio. There isn’t a day that goes by where I’m not amazed by iHeartMedia’s evolution, which is built on broadcast radio — my first love — and now provides one-of-a-kind programming, entertainment and opportunities to connect our advertising partners across our unparalleled range of multiple platforms in ways that no other company can. I’m thrilled to be continuing this journey.”

The executive began his career as an intern at iHeartMedia’s Adult Contemporary WASH-FM in Washington, DC in 1992, and celebrates his 25th anniversary with the company next month. He was named Program Director at WASH-FM at just 23 years old and has since worked as Regional Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Detroit and Chicago, Senior Vice President of Programming, and Executive Vice President and General Manager of National Programming before being named to his current position in 2014.  Davis also built and managed the Premium Choice national network and worked to develop iHeartMedia’s strategic national programming capabilities.

Nashville’s WJXA Names New Morning, Evening Show Hosts

Pictured (L-R): Brandon O’Brien, Ricki Smith, Anna Marie

Following a lengthy national search, WJXA-FM/Nashville (Mix 92.9) has named Brandon O’Brien and Ricki Smith to its morning show team. They will join current producer/co-host Clint Redwine in the morning drive beginning Aug. 21.

Following the realignment of the morning show, radio personality Anna Marie has been transitioned to nights.

O’Brien previously served as PD/Afternoon Drive host for WUSH-FM in Norfolk, Virginia, while Smith was the AM drive co-host at WARH-FM in St. Louis.

WJXA/WNFN Operations Manager Barbara Bridges said, “I’m so excited to add Brandon and Ricki to the Mix Morning Show! These two individuals have a ton of talent and this combination with Clint will elevate an already successful morning show to the next level. We’re thrilled that this all came together!”

Brandon O’Brien commented, “Not only do I live in the greatest city in the world, I will also have an opportunity to be a huge part of the Nashville community and work alongside some amazing and talented folks at Midwest Communications/Nashville!”

Smith said,“A personality looks for nothing more than what happens every day with this incredible team of talented people in Nashville. I’m totally pumped about being able to contribute to Mix 92.9’s continued success.”

According to WJXA-FM/WNFN- FM Operations Manager Barbara Bridges, “Anna has a 20-year track record of success with our female audience and our fans absolutely love her! The warmth and connection she will bring to a special nighttime show will be amazing. I can’t wait to hear what we can do when Anna gets rolling!”

Anna Marie added, “I’m so excited! I love my listeners and this move gives me the opportunity to get closer to them. We’ve had a wonderful 20-year relationship so far and now we get a new time and space to get together. I expect beautiful things!”

Weekly Chart Report 8/4/17

Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

Weekly Chart Report 7/28/17


Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

650 AM WSM To Launch Weekly Sports Talk Show With George Plaster

Pictured (L-R): Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher, WSM General Manager Chris Kulick, George Plaster, Belmont University Director of Athletics Scott Corley

 

George Plaster will return to 650 AM WSM beginning July 30 for a weekly sports talk radio show that will air each Sunday evening, beginning at 5 p.m. The call-in show, Sports Night, bears the same title of the previous long-running show Plaster helmed for 27 years on two Nashville radio stations. WSM Program Director Jonathan Shaffer will serve as show co-host.

The show will also be broadcast online at wsmonline.com, and via the station’s mobile app.

Plaster got his start in radio at 650 AM WSM as a reporter for the Waking Crew with host Ralph Emery. More recently, in addition to the role of sports talk show host, Plaster has been a radio and television play-by-play broadcaster for several college teams. He also serves as the Associate Director of Athletics for Belmont University, a position he will continue to hold in conjunction with his role at 650 AM WSM.

“No matter the season or year, there’s always great stuff to talk about in sports,” Plaster said. “I’m thrilled Jonathan is going to be part of the show with me, and I’m excited to get back in the studio and talk with the fans. I know I’ve got the station’s complete confidence in what I want to do and I know they’re going to allow me to do this the way I want to do it. That’s the only way I would have agreed to this show.”

“We’re excited to welcome George back to the airwaves of WSM,” Shaffer said. “When you have the chance to add a legendary talent to a legendary signal, you do it.”

“I always liked WSM because of its strong signal, and the thought that I’ve got a chance to talk to people in 38 states and half of Canada just intrigues the daylights out of me,” Plaster said.

 

Weekly Chart Report 7/21/17


Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

Curb Promotes RJ Meacham To National Director, Promotion And Chart Strategy

RJ Meacham

Ryan Dokke, Vice President of Promotion for Curb Records, announced today the elevation of radio promotion executive RJ Meacham to the position of National Director of Promotion and Chart Strategy.

“I couldn’t be more excited to elevate RJ to this new position at Curb Records. His passion for our artists, their music, and his joint leadership with Mike Rogers of our promotion team makes this well-deserved promotion a ‘no-brainer.’ Over the past year, RJ has helped cultivate key relationships with radio programmers and guided key chart strategies culminating in our No. 1 success with Dylan Scott’s “My Girl.” I look forward to working even more closely with RJ as Curb Records continues to expand into its next chapter,” comments Dokke.

Meacham will be responsible for formulating plans for the set-up and launch of the label’s new music and will manage chart strategies on behalf of the department’s promotion efforts. He will continue working with the label’s flagship artists to enrich their relationships with radio and will work with the regional staff to achieve airplay goals on behalf of the department.

“Being in the trenches with friends – new and old – this past year has been a blast. I’m excited about what we’ve accomplished so far and even more so about where we’re headed as a team. I’m grateful for being given the opportunity to assume even more responsibility and look forward to working closely with our staff – and radio – to bring Curb’s music to the forefront,” adds Meacham.

With over three decades of experience, Meacham has held key positions at several major labels (Monument, Asylum, BNA, Columbia, Sony), and has been influential in the set-up and execution of countless hit records, working with Kenny Chesney, Dixie Chicks, LeAnn Rimes, Hank Williams Jr., Tyler Farr, Kellie Pickler, Craig Morgan, Maren Morris, among others.

Meacham joined Curb Records in 2016 as Senior Director, Country Promotion & Chart Strategy, where he has been part of the team behind the chart success of the label’s current roster, including record-breaking artists Lee Brice, Jerrod Niemann and the recent breakthrough success of Dylan Scott’s No. 1 RIAA certified Gold hitsingle, “My Girl.” The single is one of only seven songs in chart history to reach the No. 1 slot after 46+ weeks.