Valory Music Co. Names Adam Burnes As Midwest Director, Marketing & Promotion
The Valory Music Co. SVP Promotion George Briner has named Adam Burnes as Midwest Director of Marketing & Promotion. Effective June 6, Burnes will begin promoting the label’s artists Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, Justin Moore, The Mavericks, Eli Young Band, Tara Thompson and Levi Hummon.
“We’re excited to be adding Adam to the Valory team,” said Briner. “He comes to us with years of radio experience and a huge knowledge and passion for music. A great combination to enter the world of music promotion. Be prepared to Fear The Beard!”
“The Valory Music Co. has created an environment and track record that I just had to be a part of,” said Burnes. “Hit artists, #1 singles, exciting new music… I can’t wait to get started!”
Burnes has spent 22 years in radio programming for a variety of formats, including Country, Top 40, Hot AC, Rhythmic CHR and Active Rock. He will be based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and can be reached at [email protected].
Country Radio Broadcasters To Honor Randy Travis, Carole Bowen
Randy Travis
Randy Travis and Carole Bowen are set to be honored at this year’s Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards ceremony. Travis is the recipient of the 2016 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award, while Bowen is the recipient of the 2016 President’s Award. Josh Turner will pay tribute to Travis with a special performance.
Both honors will be presented during the Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards ceremony, which will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. A cocktail reception will take place at 6:00 p.m. with the induction ceremony to follow at 7:00 p.m.
“This annual event has proven to be one of the most special nights of the year in our industry, as we recognize and honor the greats in our business,” said CRB/CRS Executive Director, Bill Mayne.
The CRB Artist Career Achievement Award is presented to an individual artist or act that, through their creativity, vision, performance or leadership has made a significant contribution to the development and promotion of country music and country radio.
Travis commented, “To be chosen by the Country Radio Broadcasters for a Career Lifetime Achievement Award is an honor quite unlike any other. The artist’s and the broadcaster’s relationship is one of unspoken respect. I appreciate so much the kindness I have been shown over the years by radio; and, I have enjoyed the many interviews I have had the opportunity to do with so many of the stations across the country. You have each become a part of my success and allowed my fans an opportunity to know me better—as an artist and as a person. Thank you for believing in me…and in my body of work. It is YOU which I take my hat off to.”
Carole Bowen
Bowen has spent 15 years on the CRB Board of Directors. During that time, Bowen was a member of the board’s Executive Committee, holding an officer position as longtime secretary for the organization. Bowen’s more than 30 years of successful radio and sales experience at WKIS in Miami played a role in shaping the success of CRS.
Bowen commented, “I am deeply honored and humbled to be this year’s recipient of the CRB President’s Award. This organization has had a tremendous impact on me both professionally and personally. Serving within this organization has enabled me to learn from the brightest minds in Country Radio and Country Music. It has always been a labor of love and I am very proud to have contributed to the success of Country Radio Seminars and CRB.”
The June 22 Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony will also induct the 2016 Class of Country Radio Hall of Fame recipients. This year’s previously announced inductees are Blair Garner, Mike & Dana Schuff, and Lisa Dent in the On-Air category, and Mick Anselmo, Kerby Confer, Jack Reno, Tim Roberts and Jim Slone in the Radio category.
“Freeform” Local Radio Station WXNA To Launch In Nashville
WXNA-LPFM, a non-profit, listener-supported community radio station will make its on-air debut in Nashville on June 4 at 10:15 a.m. CT. Special programming will include WXNA’s local, volunteer DJs appearing on air on Saturday and Sunday to preview the station’s programming.
The freeform format will include more than 120 hours of locally generated programming, which will debut when the station’s regular schedule begins Monday, June 6.
“WXNA will feature more than 80 programs designed to be as exciting, varied and unique as Nashville’s music, art and cultural scenes,” programming director Randy Fox says. “There will be individual specialty shows focusing on the many flavors of rock’n’roll, soul, country, funk, jazz, blues, electronica, traditional pop vocals, movie soundtracks and much more. We’ll also feature a variety of talk shows that will examine community issues and culture, food, health issues, Nashville’s stand-up comedy scene and many other topics.”
The “Low Power, High Voltage Radio” station will broadcast at 101.5 FM, with effective power of 100 watts. The station is expected to reach 425,000 listeners in Nashville’s urban core, with an additional 215,000 listeners in its coverage area, as well as additional listeners through online streaming and the TuneIn app.
“The letter X signifies many things,” WXNA board president Heather Lose says. “I like to see it as a physical symbol of a meeting place or a crossing point. We want WXNA to be a cultural meeting place for all the voices in our city, dedicated to free expression, community-building and preservation of all genres of music. WXNA’s success is not guaranteed. We have gotten this far—which is a big accomplishment—and we are grateful to everyone who has helped. From this point forward, we will need Nashville’s continued love and support to maintain, grow, and allow WXNA to reach its full potential.”
Heather Davis Joins NASH FM 103.3 As Host Of Middays
Heather Davis
Cumulus Media has announced radio personality Heather Davis as the new host of middays for WKDF/NASH FM 103.3 in Nashville.
Davis joins NASH FM 103.3 from Curtis Media’s Country-formatted WQDR-FM in Raleigh, North Carolina. Prior to that, she hosted mornings on Country station WGNA-FM in Albany, New York, and hosted middays for Townsquare Media’s Country 106.5 WYRK in Buffalo, New York. Davis is a graduate of North Carolina State University.
Charlie Cook, Operations Manager, Cumulus Media-Nashville and Vice President, Country, for Cumulus Media said, “The minute I heard Heather’s audio I knew that she was the sound we need on WKDF. I love her varied on-air experience and she is a social media monster, which is so important today. We are looking forward to Heather joining radio’s best company in one of America’s best cities.”
Davis added, “I am so incredibly excited to be joining the NASH 103.3 team. It’s a dream come true to be living and working in the home of country music. I can’t wait to experience my first CMA Music Fest and all that Nashville has to offer.”
Davis replaces longtime WKDF radio personality Becca Walls, who recently resigned from the position earlier this month.
MusicRow Challenge Coins: “Dibs,” “Somewhere On A Beach”
This week, MusicRow celebrated several Nashville songwriters whose compositions skyrocketed to the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart.
MusicRow honored Jason Duke, Ryan Griffin and Josh Kerr for Kelsea Ballerini‘s “Dibs,” which topped the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart on Dec. 10, 2015. Joining them for the celebration were industry executives from Dan Hodges Music, Black River Publishing and Black River Entertainment.
Duke, Griffin and Kerr co-wrote the song with Ballerini, who accepted her MusicRow Challenge Coin during MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Awards in February.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Troy Stephenson and Sherod Robertson; Dan Hodges, Dan Hodges Music; Michelle Attardi, Dan Hodges Music; Jason Duke; Ryan Griffin; Josh Kerr; Dave Pacula, Black River Publishing; Kelly Bolton, Black River Publishing; Gordon Kerr, CEO Black River Entertainment, MusicRow‘s Craig Shelburne
Pictured (L-R): Songwriters Jason Duke, Ryan Griffin, and Josh Kerr.
Another gathering was held this week for songwriter Josh Mirenda, who co-wrote Dierks Bentley‘s “Somewhere on a Beach.” The song topped the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart on April 21. Mirenda co-wrote the song with Michael Tyler, Jaron Boyer, Alexander Palmer and Dave Kunico. Tyler and Boyer received their coins in April.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, songwriter Josh Mirenda, and MusicRow‘s Troy Stephenson.
Since 2014, MusicRow has distributed No. 1 Challenge Coin to the artists and songwriters who have achieved a No. 1 hit on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart.
Brad Paisley Debuts “Without A Fight” Featuring Demi Lovato
Brad Paisley has teamed with pop star Demi Lovato for his latest single, “Without a Fight.” The single is the first release from Paisley’s upcoming 10th studio album for Arista Nashville.
The track was co-written by Paisley, Kelley Lovelace and Lee Thomas Miller, and co-produced by Paisley and Luke Wooten.
Paisley and Lovato will perform the national television debut of “Without a Fight” on Tuesday, May 24th, on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC, 11:35 p.m./10:35 p.m. CT.
Paisley backed Lovato on guitar during her performance of “Stone Cold” during the iHeart Awards on April 3. He debuted “Without A Fight” on America’s Morning Show radio program.
Brad Paisley debuted “Without a Fight” on ‘America’s Morning Show’ on Friday, May 13. Pictured (L-R): Kelly Ford, Brad Paisley, Chuck Wicks and Blair Garner