Radio Ink: America’s Morning Show, Curb Records, Americana Music Assoc.

Glenn “Qtip” Johnson

Glenn “Qtip” Johnson

Qtip Johnson Joins America’s Morning Show

Cumulus announces that America’s Morning Show hosted by Blair Garner has signed on new Executive Producer Glenn “Qtip” Johnson. He takes the producing reins starting June 15.

Johnson most recently hosted mornings on WCYQ/Q100 Country in Knoxville, Tenn. for Scripps Broadcasting. Prior to that, he was morning host (as “Qtip”) for Cumulus Top 40 station WABD in Mobile, Ala. He also hosted the morning show for Dittman Broadcasting’s WABB in Mobile.

Americana Airplay Chart

Nash Country Weekly is now publishing the Americana Airplay Chart in its magazine. The Americana Airplay Chart sits prominently on the weekly chart’s page, alongside Billboard’s Top 10 Country albums and singles and the Top 10 CMT and GAC videos.

“We are excited to have our chart included in the premiere edition of Nash Country Weekly,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “It’s a fantastic contrast to the mainstream commercial names you will see on other charts. The Americana Airplay Chart represents a diverse array of American roots music styles and is probably the only chart where country music enthusiasts can find Ray Wylie Hubbard, The Mavericks, Dwight Yoakam, Asleep at the Wheel celebrating the music of Bob Wills, and Eilen Jewell all on the same page.”

Nathan Cruise

Nathan Cruise

Curb Hires Cruise

Curb Records announces that Nathan Cruise will join the Promotion Department on Monday, June 15, overseeing responsibilities in the Southeast.

“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be back at Curb!” exclaimed Cruise. “I am such a fan of the artists and staff at the label and look forward to being a part of their success! Big time thanks to Ryan [Dokke] and Taylor [Childress] for this opportunity!”

Ryan Dokke, VP of Country Promotion added, “Through his years in radio promotion, Nathan has proven himself time and time again to be a professional at bringing great ideas and excitement about country music to our radio friends. We are extremely excited to add him to our team.”

Concurrently, Annie Sandor, who previously handled the SE, will assume NE regional duties. Cruise can be reached at NCruise@curb.com or 615-496-6356.

All Eyes (And Ears) On Tonight’s CMT Music Awards

2015-CMT-Music-Awards-FeaturediHeartMedia will simulcast tonight’s CMT Music Awards live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville starting at 7:00 p.m. CT. It is the first-ever live radio broadcast of the Awards and will be heard on over 120 iHeartMedia country radio stations and online here.

iHeartMedia personalities and shows recently participated in exclusive radio remote broadcasts in Nashville. The Bobby Bones Show, CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan, The Michael J Show, The Boxer Show, and The Crook & Chase Countdown interviewed award nominees and stars including Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, and more.

The show will be hosted by Erin Andrews and Brittany Snow and will include performances by Eric Church, Jake Owen, Sam Hunt, Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum and Luke Bryan.

Curb Taps Lori Hartigan For West Coast Promo

Lori Hartigan

Lori Hartigan

Industry vet Lori Hartigan has been added as West Coast Promotion Rep for Curb Records. She will succeed Joe O’Donnell, who recently announced his retirement.

“I’m excited to be on the front lines with an amazing team of professionals at Curb, led by (Curb VP of Radio Promotion) Ryan Dokke,” said Hartigan. “This position offers me the opportunity to continue what we started with Dylan Scott and Ruthie Collins, jump into promoting extraordinary developing artists like Mo Pitney, as well as work with hugely talented artists in Lee Brice and Rodney Atkins. Promoting artists that I truly believe in makes this job for me.”

Dokke added, “There isn’t anyone more passionate, committed, and capable of handling the west coast promotion of Curb Records’ artists than Lori Hartigan. She brings a wealth of experience and an unmatched determination to this role! We are very excited to have her and her skills joining our team.”

Lori Hartigan can be reached at lhartigan@curb.com and (760) 929-1019.

Weekly Chart Report (6/5/15)

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

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‘MusicRow’ Challenge Coins Celebrate No. 1 Hits

MusicRow distributes its No. 1 Challenge Coin to the artists and songwriters who have achieved a No. 1 hit on the CountryBreakout Chart. These are some of the recent presentations. See the complete list of recipients here.

Diamond Rings And Old Barstools

Pictured (L-R):

Pictured (L-R): Barry Dean, Jonathan Singleton, Luke Laird

The writers for Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings And Old Barstools” received their coins after the song went No. 1 on May 7, 2015.

Roller Coaster

Pictured (L-R): Troy Stephenson, Michael Carter, Sherod Robertson

Pictured (L-R): Troy Stephenson, Michael Carter, Sherod Robertson

Songwriter, producer, and Luke Bryan’s band leader, Michael Carter receives his Challenge Coin for Bryan’s song “Roller Coaster.” It went No. 1 on the CountryBreakout Chart on September 11, 2014.

Sippin’ On Fire

Pictured (L-R):

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson, Rodney Clawson, Matt Dragstrem, Cole Taylor, Hill Management’s Jeri Cooper.

Florida Georgia Line’s “Sippin’ On Fire” hit the top of the CountryBreakout Chart on May 21, 2015. The songwriters accepted their coins at the Big Loud Shirt office in Nashville.

Weekly Chart Report (5/29/15)

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

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Weekly Chart Report (5/22/15)

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

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iHeartMedia To Pay $1 Million FCC Fine

bobby bones show crew 2015

The Bobby Bones Show crew.

The FCC has fined iHeartMedia $1 million for airing fake Emergency Alert System (EAS) tones on the syndicated “The Bobby Bones Show.”

The program originates from WSIX Nashville and is heard on 80-plus affiliated stations.

According to the FCC: “During the October 24, 2014 episode of ‘The Bobby Bones Show,’ iHeart inserted into the program an audio clip containing EAS tones, including Emergency Alert Notification (EAN) codes that aired during the first nationwide test of the EAS on November 9, 2011. The transmission of those EAN codes, in turn, engaged the EAS equipment of certain other EAS participants, ultimately causing a multi-state activation of the EAS.”

In addition to agreeing to pay the fine, iHeartMedia will set up a three-year compliance and reporting plan.

Use of EAS tones in the absence of an emergency or test of the system is prohibited. The FCC states: “Unauthorized use of actual or simulated EAS tones risks desensitizing the public to the tones’ association with life-saving information, and such ‘Cry Wolf’ mimicking of EAS tones present a real threat to public safety.”

Full FCC statement here.

Cumulus Unveils Talent Competition: NASH Next

nashnextCumulus has announced an artist development competition called “NASH Next” to recognize and release music from top undiscovered country talent. NASH Next marks the latest expansion of the popular entertainment and lifestyle brand, and NASH’s second launch into the recorded music business, joining the NASH Icon label.

NASH Next features a nationwide talent search through online submissions, which will be promoted on more than 200 Cumulus radio stations. The grand prize winner will be signed to the new NASH Next record label, with each of the top 10 recipients participating in a 2016 NASH Next concert tour.

Online engagement between fans and artists/bands will be measured and counted in the talent competition. “Country is firmly established as the most popular music format and through NASH Next we are connecting directly with the fans and talent who are most engaged with the Country lifestyle,” said John Dickey, Executive VP of Content and Programming for Cumulus.

Beginning June 15, the NASH Next website will open for registration to artists and bands, as well as the fans who will judge them through a series of challenges that run through November. The winners will be decided based on a combination of three music industry judges, a “Spin Index” of social media activity and voting on the NASH Next website.

NASH Next will be based at the NASH Campus in Nashville.

Weekly Chart Report (5/15/15)

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

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