Weekly Chart Report (9/16/16)
Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Weekly Chart Report (9/9/16)
Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Industry Ink: Belmont University, AmericanaFest, Silverado Records
Belmont University Selects Inaugural Recipient Of Miranda Lambert “Women Creators” Scholarship
Anna Vaus
Belmont University Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business student Anna Vaus has been selected as the first-ever recipient of the ‘Women Creators’ scholarship, established in 2015 by Miranda Lambert.
The scholarship was created to honor a female Belmont student who is majoring in music business, songwriting or entertainment industry studies, and is actively working towards pursuing her dream of working in the music industry. The scholarship will provide Vaus with more than $40,000 in scholarship funds beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year.
Originally from San Diego, Vaus was inspired toward music early on from her father, Grammy-winning artist, Steve Vaus (also known as Buck Howdy.) She has opened for Hunter Hayes, Lonestar, Billy Ray Cyrus, LeAnn Womack and Phil Vassar, and made her Bluebird Cafe debut in February. Vaus is currently a junior at Belmont, majoring in songwriting with a minor in music business.
Lambert established the Women Creators scholarship in an effort to encourage outstanding women to follow their passions and pursue careers in the music industry. Eighty candidates completed an online application and submitted original music. The Curb College had a selection committee review the applications and the top six finalists were sent for Lambert’s review.
AmericanaFest Announces Radio Panels
Americana Music Festival & Conference has announced is initial lineup of radio panels. Panels will focus on topics including making a transition from Americana to AAA, AMA chart mechanics, attracting younger audiences to Americana radio, managing volunteers, adapting to the digital delivery of music and working with on-air programming software options.
An additional panel will focus on how radio stations can partner with local and online retail to spread their brands. The Songlines Music Meeting will allow attendees to participate in a simulated Music Meeting, to listen to a dozen mostly yet-to-be-released new songs that the room will score and discuss in detail. Radio, TV, and internet programmers will discuss why they make the choices they make.
AmericanaFest will take place Sept. 20-25 in Nashville. To register, visit eventbrite.com.
Silverado Records Signs Melissa Mickelson
Melissa Mickelson
Silverado Records has signed Melissa Mickelson. The label will re-release her 2015 self-titled EP, which features a rendition of the Barbara Mandrell classic “I Was Country (When Country Wasn’t Cool).” A new EP is slated to release in 2017.
“Melissa is an incredibly fun and energetic personality, and we’ve really enjoyed getting to know her,” said Silverado Records A&R Director Aaron Chesling. “We can’t wait to share with you some new music she’s been working on, and letting her amazing personality bubble through the music,” he added.
“Melissa’s next project is setting up to be a very fun and realistic look at who she is as a person, and we couldn’t be more excited about that,” said Silverado Records CEO Scott Thomas. “The more you get to know her, the more you want to hang out with her and hear what she’s working on musically. Our team is very excited to be a part of growing her fan base and sharing some great Country music from her,” he said.
Mickelson added, “I am so excited to join the Silverado Records family! It is a dream come true to have found a place where I can be myself and allow my music to reflect who I really am. They’re an amazing team of people who believe in me. Working together, I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
iHeartMedia Surprises Nashville With Classic Country Station
iHeartMedia Nashville’s new classic country station, The BIG Legend 98.3, launched commercial-free today (Sept. 2) at 5 p.m. CT. The station was previously alternative station Alt 98.3 and the switch came as a surprise.
The station is iHeartMedia Nashville’s second BIG Country Brand, joining Nashville sister station The BIG 98. The new classic country station competes in the Nashville market against Cumulus’ 95.5 Nash Icon, as well as 650 WSM-AM, home to the Grand Ole Opry.
The BIG Legend 98.3 launched with songs from Alabama, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Reba, Travis Tritt, and more.
“We’re excited to announce the launch of a pure Classic Country radio station brand for the city where this music was born and lives on so strongly today,” stated Rod Phillips, Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Nashville and iHeartCountry’s Brand Manager. “This new station is the perfect match to our sister station, The Big 98, WSIX that made these songs so famous through the years.”
Weekly Chart Report (9/2/16)
Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Marv Green Collects Three MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins
Pictured (L-R): THiS Music’s Anna Weisband, Marv Green, and MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson
Songwriter Marv Green visited the MusicRow office this week to accept three MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins.
Three tracks penned by Green topped the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart in 2014, including Sara Evans’ “Slow Me Down,” Chris Young’s “Who I Am With You,” and Tim McGraw’s “Shotgun Rider.” In May, Green extended his publishing deal with THiS Music and Warner/Chappell.
Since 2014, every artist and songwriter who achieves a No. 1 single on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart receives a coin.
Gator Harrison Named Sr. VP For iHeartMedia’s Nashville Market
Gator Harrison
Gator Harrison has been named Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia’s Nashville market, effective immediately. The six-station Nashville cluster includes WSIX-FM, WUBT-FM, WNRQ-FM, WNRQ-HD, WRVW-FM and WLAC-AM.
Harrison will report to RSVPP and iHeartCountry Brand Manager Rod Phillips. Harrison replaces Michael Bryan, who is pursuing another role within the company, according to iHeart spokesperson Kevin Wong.
Harrison will continue to serve as brand coordinator for the Nashville-based iHeartCountry team, which has more than 145 country broadcast radio stations across the U.S.
“We’re thrilled to have Gator join us and oversee programming in Nashville,” said Dan Endom, Region President for iHeartMedia Nashville. “Gator built his network and experience in the industry from the ground up and his proven track record makes him perfectly suited to lead our Nashville station brands’ programming.”
Harrison previously worked as the Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Chattanooga where he oversaw all aspects of on-air and online programming for the market’s five radio station brands.
“The Tennessee community has been great to me throughout my career, and I can’t wait to make them proud in Nashville,” said Gator. “iHeartMedia Nashville is home to six leading radio station brands that I can’t wait to work with and help them continue to connect with listeners every day.”
“The ability to live out my dream of assembling and developing this group of world-class air talent and programmers in Nashville has been something close to an unimaginable experience. To say I’m proud is an understatement. It’s also gratifying to know I’m leaving iHeartMedia-Nashville in terrific hands. Gator Harrison is a great friend, an exceptional programmer, and a strong leader,” said Bryan. “Meanwhile, I’ve spent years growing and developing my own skills and relationships, expanding on my passion for the music and my desire to help foster talent. I’ll be taking all of this on my next adventure and look forward to sharing more soon.”
Abe Stoklasa Accepts MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin For “Fix”
Pictured (L-R): Big Yellow Dog CEO/Partner Carla Wallace, Abe Stoklasa and MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula
Big Yellow Dog songwriter Abe Stoklasa earned his first MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin for “Fix,” a chart-topping single for Big Loud Records recording artist Chris Lane. The title reached the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart on July 21, 2016 after a 30-week climb.
“Fix” was written with Sarah Buxton and Jesse Frasure, who each earned a coin as a writer on the song. Publishers include Round Hill Works, Big Loud Proud Crowd, Bux Tone Music, Rio Bravo Music, Telemitry Productions, and Year Of The Dog Music. As the performer, Lane accepted his coin in July, just days after the song topped the chart.
“If it wasn’t for Carla, I don’t know where I’d be,” Stoklasa told MusicRow of his Big Yellow Dog publisher Carla Wallace. “Any opportunity she got, she would introduce me. She had faith early on and was unabashed about it.”
Referencing his “Fix” co-writers, he added, “Sarah and I have had a lot of success together and it’s hard to get in Jesse’s room lately because he’s been so in-demand.”
He continued, “I definitely spent a lot of time trying to write Dallas Davidson songs or Craig Wiseman songs and there’s a reason I failed at that—I’m not them. I needed to find what I’m good at and more importantly what nobody else was doing. I’ve found my skill-set and how it can be new to the marketplace.”
Carla Wallace (L) with “Fix” songwriter Abe Stoklasa (R). Photo: Molly Hannula
CMA Broadcast Awards Finalists Revealed
Pictured (clockwise from top left): Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase; Lon Helton; Blair Garner, Kelly Ford, and Chuck Wicks.
The Country Music Association revealed the finalists for its Broadcast Awards on Wednesday morning (Aug. 31).
Cam, who is a first-time CMA Award nominee this year with nods in the Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year categories (both for “Burning House”) notified the CMA Broadcast Awards finalists for Personality and Radio Station of the Year with personalized video messages.
In the Broadcast Personality of the Year category (National), Cumulus’ America’s Morning Show (Blair Garner, Kelly Ford, and Chuck Wicks) was nominated as well as Westwood One’s Country Countdown USA (Lon Helton), and iHeartMedia’s The Crook and Chase Countdown (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase).
Major Market finalists include KKBQ – Houston-Galveston, Texas, KWJJ – Portland, Oregon, WKLB – Boston, WMZQ – Washington, D.C., and WSOC – Charlotte-Gastonia, North Carolina/Rock Hill, South Carolina.
“My friends in radio have been supportive of my career from the very beginning,” said Cam. “They are the ones getting our music out there and helping us reach new fans. I’m so happy I get to deliver the good news about their CMA Broadcast Award nominations – it’s so important to take the time and celebrate all the hard work put in.”
The winners will be notified in mid-October and will be acknowledged at The 50th Annual CMA Awards to be held Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) and broadcast live by the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host.
“Much of the sustained success of our format and rise of country’s newest stars can be attributed to the passion and drive of these key radio professionals,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “They pioneer the grassroots efforts in communities across the nation to keep Country Music listeners excited and engaged with the genre.”
The categories are established by market size based on population as ranked by Arbitron. Entries for Broadcast Personality of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement, and biographical information. Candidates for Station of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings history, community involvement, and format leadership.
CMA members who are full-time, on-air personalities, and CMA member radio stations in the United States and Canada were eligible to enter. The entries are judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions.
CMA BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR:
National
“America’s Morning Show” (Blair Garner, Kelly Ford, and Chuck Wicks) – Cumulus
“Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One
“The Crook and Chase Countdown” (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase) – iHeartMedia
Major Market
“Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Jeff “Maverick” Bolen, and Kia Becht) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
“Dave and Veronica Morning Show” (the late Dave McKay and Veronica Alfaro) – WQYK, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla.
“The Michael J Show” (Michael J. Stuehler) – WPOC, Baltimore, Md.
“The Q Morning Zoo” (Tim Tuttle, Kevin Kline, and Erica Rico) – KKBQ, Houston-Galveston, Texas
“Tanner in the Morning” (“Rob Tanner” Lamb, Willa Hamrick “Catherine Lane”, and “Chris Allen” Gordon) – WSOC, Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, S.C.
Large Market
“AJ & Ashley In The Morning” (AJ Maguire and Ashley Stegbauer) – WWKA, Orlando, Fla.
“The Big Dave Show” (David Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“The Boxer Show” (“Boxer” Brandon Nasby) – WCOL, Columbus, Ohio
“The Randy, Jamie, and Jojo Show” (Randy Carroll, Jamie Martin, and JoJo Meza) – KAJA, San Antonio, Texas
“Woody and the Wake-UP Call” (Woody Johnson, Dan E. Zuko, and Kayla Hanley) – WCOL, Columbus, Ohio
Medium Market
Brent Michaels – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
“The Gator & StyckMan Program” (Gator Harrison, Greg “StyckMan” Owens, and “Cowboy” Kyle Croft) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Ken, Kelley, and Daniel” (Ken Hicks, Kelley Bradshaw, and Daniel Wyatt) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Maverick and Lulu in the Morning” (Maverick Johnson and Luanne “Lulu” Krysz) – WCTQ, Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.
“Tom and Becky” (Tom Owens and Becky Palmer) – WBBS, Syracuse, N.Y.
Small Market
“Afternoons with Cash” (Cash Williams) – KTTS, Springfield, Mo.
“Barrett, Fox & Berry” (Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry) – KKNU, Eugene-Springfield, Ore.
“Ben and Arnie” (Arnie Andrews and Ben Butler) – WCOW, La Crosse, Wis.
“The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green) – WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
“Scotty & Cara in the Morning” (Scotty Cox and Cara Denis) – KCLR, Columbia, Mo.
CMA RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
Major Market
KKBQ – Houston-Galveston, Texas
KWJJ – Portland, Ore.
WKLB – Boston, Mass.
WMZQ – Washington, D.C.
WSOC – Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, S.C.
Large Market
WCOL – Columbus, Ohio
WCTK – Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, R.I.
WQDR – Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
WWKA – Orlando, Fla.
Medium Market
KATM – Stockton, Calif.
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
WBBS – Syracuse, N.Y.
WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.
WYRK – Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Small Market
KORA – Bryan-College Station, Texas
KTTS – Springfield, Mo.
WCOW – La Crosse, Wis.
WKML – Fayetteville, N.C.
WKSF – Asheville, N.C.
Deric Ruttan, Ben Hayslip Receive MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins
Pictured (L-R): Deric Ruttan, Ben Hayslip
Hit songwriters Deric Ruttan and Ben Hayslip visited the MusicRow office on Tuesday, Aug. 23, when they were honored with their latest MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins.
Ruttan picked up his first MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin for co-writing Blake Shelton’s “Came Here To Forget.”
Hayslip was celebrated for co-writing Dustin Lynch’s “Mind Reader” and Luke Bryan’s “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day.” Hayslip’s previous No. 1 hits on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart include Brantley Gilbert’s “Small Town Throwdown” and Jason Aldean’s “When She Says Baby.”
Pictured (L-R): THiS Music GM/Partner Rusty Gaston, Deric Ruttan, Ben Hayslip, Warner/Chappell Executive VP Ben Vaughn, and MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson