'MusicRow's' CountryBreakout Award Winners Revealed

The Band Perry accepts Group/Duo of the Year.

The Band Perry accepts the award for CountryBreakout Group/Duo of the Year.

The 2014 CountryBreakout Awards were presented earlier today (Feb. 18) at MusicRow’s CRS Meet & Greet at Margaritaville in Nashville. Industry members gathered to celebrate the unofficial kick-off to CRS and enjoy spectacular performances by Natalie Stovall and the Drive, and Native Run.

12th annual CountryBreakout Winners
Male Artist of the Year: Blake Shelton, 118,167 spins
Female Artist of the Year: Miranda Lambert, 94,465 spins
Group/Duo of the Year: The Band Perry, 116, 391 spins
Breakout Artist of the Year: Kacey Musgraves, 74,030 spins
Independent Artist of the Year: Tracy Lawrence, 41,032 spins
Label of the Year: Capitol Records Nashville, 552,807 spins
CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year: Kelly Green, WEIO/Huntingdon, Tenn.
Songwriter of the Year: Rodney Clawson
Click to see Bobby Karl’s complete coverage of the event.
 
Read all about the award winners in the new print issue of MusicRow, available for free at the Nashville Convention Center during CRS. Awards are based strictly on spins on the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart during 2013.
 

Academy of Country Music Announces Radio Winners

acm-awards-logo111featuredThe Academy of Country Music announced today the full list of radio award winners that will not be televised due to time constraints during the live telecast of the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards co-hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 8 p.m. live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
This is the first ACM National On-Air Personality of the Year Award win for Bobby Bones, Amy, and Lunchbox of The Bobby Bones Show, and third win for Lon Helton of Country Countdown USA.  Helton previously won this award in 2011 and 2008.
Winners in radio categories will be invited to receive their awards at a private reception in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 5, the day prior to the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR WINNERS:
NATIONAL (TIE)               
Bobby Bones, Amy, Lunchbox – The Bobby Bones Show
Lon Helton – Country Countdown USA
MAJOR MARKET—Paul Schadt, Meg and Geof – WKKT-FM – Charlotte, NC
LARGE MARKET—Lisa McKay – WQDR-FM – Raleigh, NC
MEDIUM MARKET—Andy Ritchie, Alison West, Jimmy Holt – WIVK-FM – Knoxville, TN
SMALL MARKET—Bill Barrett, Tim Fox and Tracy Berry – KKNU-FM – Eugene, OR
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR WINNERS:
MAJOR MARKET (TIE)
KUPL-FM – Portland, OR
WXTU FM – Philadelphia, PA
LARGE MARKET—WCTK-FM – Providence, RI
MEDIUM MARKET—WBBS-FM – Syracuse, NY
SMALL MARKET—WUSY-FM – Chattanooga, TN

Artists, Industry Toast Bob Kingsley's 40th Anniversary

(L-R) Wade Jessen- Billboard, Teddy Gentry, Blair Garner-NASH/America's Morning Show, Bob Kingsley, Randy Owen, Steve Wariner, Lon Helton-Country Aircheck, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Pete Fisher- VP & General Manager, Grand Ole Opry

Pictured (L-R): Wade Jessen, ‘Billboard;’ Teddy Gentry; Blair Garner-NASH/America’s Morning Show; Bob Kingsley; Randy Owen; Steve Wariner; Lon Helton, ‘Country Aircheck;’ Trisha Yearwood; Garth Brooks; Pete Fisher, VP & General Manager, Grand Ole Opry


WestwoodOne syndicated host and Country Radio Hall of Famer Bob Kingsley was honored last night (2/17) for 40 years in national radio syndication as part of American Country Countdown (1974-2006) and as host and owner of Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 (2006-present). Kingsley walked into the Grand Ole Opry House believing he was there to pay tribute to the Opry’s 89th birthday, when in reality it was an event to celebrate him.
“I could not have been more surprised,” said a visibly moved Kingsley, “and I could not feel more honored. I have made a career of country music radio because I love it, and to have my friends in the business, from artists and songwriters to industry executives, tell me my work has made a difference, well it means the world to me. And to have the people I work with day in and day out here to celebrate with me makes it all the more special.”
Nearly 50 artists participated in the evening, which included 25-plus taped video messages, along with in-person appearances or performances by Rhett Akins and Thomas Rhett, Alabama, Lynn Anderson, Garth Brooks, Eli Young Band, Radney Foster, Janie Fricke, Jack Ingram, Jewel, Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Will Robinson, Tom Schuyler, Red Stegall, Jeffrey Steele, Tanya Tucker, Steve Wariner, Lee Ann Womack, Wynonna, Trisha Yearwood, and Chris Young. Many of the artists who paid tribute commented not only on their professional relationships with Kingsley but also on their personal friendships.
He won CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year in 2001 and 2003, and the Academy of Country Music award for On-Air Personality-National in 2006. Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 can be heard on more than 350 radio stations around the world. He is also an ardent supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project.

Cumulus Expected To Announce Nash Brand Expansion Plans

nash logo111On Monday, (Feb. 17), Cumulus Media and American Media, Inc. announced a partnership to produce a 16-page section called Nash in AMI’s existing Country Weekly publication, effective in the Monday, Feb. 24 edition.
Lew Dickey said of the agreement, “We are excited to be partnering with AMI as we bring the NASH brand to life in print. We look forward to leveraging both brands to create an unparalleled experience for Country music fans and another important point of engagement for our clients.”
“This agreement is a transforming event for Country Weekly,” said AMI Chairman, President, and CEO David J. Pecker. “Partnering with Cumulus Media and combining their reach and voice with our expertise in print media will deliver an extraordinary consumer experience that is unmatched in the industry.”
Cumulus Media CEO and Chairman Dickey is expected to announce this week a plan to further expand his Nash-FM brand of Country music stations and stretch it across television, print, streaming audio, concerts and more, according to the New York Post. The website states the first step is an expected announcement that Cumulus is buying a 50 percent interest in American Media’s 20-year-old magazine, Country Weekly. The Nashville-based publication will be re-branded as Nash magazine.
The five-point plan for the company, after buying Dial-Global and its NFL, NCAA and Nascar rights last summer, is as follows:
• Form a dedicated Nash channel on digital radio service Rdio, which Cumulus recently purchased a major stake
• Launch a Nash Bash concert series
• Team with a cable channel to form the Nash Network
• Establish a home-goods line including furniture, paint and clothing.
• Explore a partnership with Dick Clark Productions to create a new Country awards show for radio.
According to the NY Post article, Dickey is reaching out to several television content companies which already possess Country-branded assets to explore partnership opportunities.

Weekly Chart Report (2/14/14)

 
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Florida Georgia Line Celebrates No. 1 Single "Stay" in Nashville

Pictured (l-r, front row): Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta, songwriter-producer and Big Loud Mountain partner Joey Moi, and Black Stone Cherry songwriters John Fred Young, Chris Robertson, John Lawhon and Ben Wells. (l-r, back row): Kentucky Headhunters' Richard Young, ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan and Michael Martin, Big Loud Mountain partner Craig Wiseman, Republic Nashville President and Big Machine Label Group EVP Jimmy Harnen, Florida Georgia Line's Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, publisher Robot of the Century Music's Doug Keogh, Warner/Chappell EVP Ben Vaughn, ASCAP's Ryan Beuschel and Big Loud Mountain partner Seth England. Photo by Ed Rode.

Pictured (L-R, front row): Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta, songwriter-producer and Big Loud Mountain partner Joey Moi, and Black Stone Cherry songwriters John Fred Young, Chris Robertson, John Lawhon and Ben Wells. (L-R, back row): Kentucky Headhunters’ Richard Young, ASCAP’s Michael Martin and LeAnn Phelan, Big Loud Mountain partner Craig Wiseman, Republic Nashville President and Big Machine Label Group EVP Jimmy Harnen, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, publisher Robot of the Century Music’s Doug Keogh, Warner/Chappell EVP Ben Vaughn, ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel and Big Loud Mountain partner Seth England. Photo by Ed Rode.


Music industry members gathered at the ASCAP offices on Wednesday, Feb. 12 to celebrate the team behind Republic Nashville duo Florida Georgia Line‘s four-week No. 1 hit single “Stay.” The song was written by Joey Moi along with Black Stone Cherry band members Chris Robertson, Ben Wells, Jon Lawhon and John Fred Young. The track was produced by Joey Moi, and marked Moi’s sixth trip to the top of the charts as a songwriter. It became the first Country chart-topping song for the members of Black Stone Cherry. The #1 party also helped to kick off ASCAP’s 100th birthday celebration on Feb. 13, 2014.
Among those in attendance were FGL’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Michael Martin and Ryan Beuschel, Big Loud Mountain’s Seth England and Craig Wiseman, Robot of the Century Music’s Doug Keogh and Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn.
“I’ve been working in rock n roll, so what a great way to make my first trip to Nashville,” said Robot of the Century Music publisher Doug Keogh. Moi stated, “We wrote a rock song that we never thought would be on Country radio.”
The song was included on Black Stone Cherry’s 2011 album Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, before Florida Georgia Line covered it for their debut album Here’s To The Good Times. “This was the scariest song for me to cut because I listened to [Black Stone Cherry’s] album and you just killed the vocals,” said Florida Georgia Line’s Hubbard. “It’s cool to have this kind of collaboration between a Country band and a rock band.”
“There are some blurred lines between Country and rock and  we are glad to be part of this movement,” said Ben Wells. Indeed, radio listeners and music buyers have responded enthusiastically to new sound; the label group awarded plaques to the group and songwriters to commemorate sales of more than 500,000 copies of the single.
It was full circle, as Black Stone Cherry member John Fred Young’s father is Kentucky Headhunters member Richard Young. Big Machine Label Group president and founder Scott Borchetta promoted the Kentucky Headhunter’s early singles. “This is crazy,” said John Fred Young. “For us to write a song when we were sitting at the house, and then for it to become a success on Country radio. Brian and Tyler are great guys, and we are so proud of the success these guys have had.”

Parmalee's "Carolina" Triumphs After Long Journey To Top of Charts

Pictured (back L-R): Sony/ATV Music Publishing's Tom Luteran, Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records’ Carson James, producer Kurt Allison, Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records’ Jon Loba and Benny Brown, producer Tully Kennedy, Gallo & Landers Music’s Jim Landers, producer David Fanning, BMI's Bradley Collins, Buddy Lee Attractions’ Kevin Neal, Revelry Music Group’s AJ Burton, Gallo & Landers Music’s Greg Gallo; (front l-r) co-writer Richard Beato and Parmalee's Scott Thomas, Matt Thomas,  Josh McSwain and Barry Knox. Photo credit: Steve Lowry

Pictured (back L-R): Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Tom Luteran, Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records’ Carson James, producer Kurt Allison, Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records’ Jon Loba and Benny Brown, producer Tully Kennedy, Gallo & Landers Music’s Jim Landers, producer David Fanning, BMI’s Bradley Collins, Buddy Lee Attractions’ Kevin Neal, Revelry Music Group’s AJ Burton, Gallo & Landers Music’s Greg Gallo; (front l-r) co-writer Richard Beato and Parmalee’s Scott Thomas, Matt Thomas, Josh McSwain and Barry Knox. Photo credit: Steve Lowry


BMI celebrated the team behind North Carolina band Parmalee’s two-week No. 1 hit “Carolina” Tuesday (Feb. 11) at the company’s offices in Nashville. Written by Richard Beato and Parmalee’s Scott Thomas, Matt Thomas, Josh McSwain and Barry Knox, the song earned all five writers their first No. 1 song. It has been a long journey for the band, but a fulfilling one. In February 2011, the band performed a final showcase for Stoney Creek Records, after enduring a near-fatal robbery attempt that severely injured Scott Thomas. “The label waited for Scott to heal, and we came down to do another full showcase [before signing Parmalee to a deal]. We are definitely a family band, and so we found the perfect family for us,” said his brother and bandmate Matt.
Among those celebrating were BMI’s Jody Williams, Bradley Collins, Sony-ATV’s Tom Luteran, BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records’ Benny Brown, Jon Loba, Chris Loss and Carson James and the entire promotions staff. “All No. 1 records are fights,” said Loba. “This one had a long journey, but represents how much this team cared about the artist and the song.” The song spent 44 weeks on its slow journey to the top of the charts, including several weeks at No. 40. “I don’t think anyone has seen a song chart quite like this,” said James. “We bought real estate at the No. 40 spot. The song fell off the chart twice and had to be put back on, but our staff was tenacious, and it paid off.”
The song marked the third No. 1 tune for production company New Voice Entertainment’s Rich Redmond, Kurt Allison, David Fanning, and Tully Kennedy. Publishers on the songs include Lonely Runer Music, B Knox Music, Slip Joint Music, Pooskie Music, Boogall Music and Revelry Music.
Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox announced that Avenue Bank would be making a donation to North Carolina Children’s Hospital.

Country Radio Seminar Adds Panel, Star Power

CRS2014-LogoCountry Radio Seminar has announced several updates for CRS 2014, held Feb. 19-21 at the Nashville Convention Center.
In addition to the already announced artists performing at the Grand Ole Opry show on Feb. 19, Charles Esten, Deacon from the ABC hit television series Nashville, and Sony recording artist, Chris Young have been added to the star-studded lineup. They join previously announced artists Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Old Crow Medicine Show and more.
CRS has also added a new panel set for Friday, Feb. 21 at 11 a.m., titled “Seven Essentials for Top Shows in the Digital Age.” International broadcast consultant, Valerie Geller will be the featured speaker for the panel and will discuss the checklist for entertaining, informing and inspiring radio shows.
The lineup for the Thursday Programming Mentoring Breakfast on Feb. 20 includes: Gator Harrison (WUSY), Lisa McKay (WQDR), Shelly Easton (WXTU), Mike Moore (KWJJ), JR Schumann (WWKA), Becky Brenner (Albright & O’Mailey & Brenner Consulting), Mike Preston (KKWF/Entercomm), Christie Matthews (KDXY), Tim Roberts (WYCD), Clay Hunnicutt (Clear Channel Media & Entertainment), John Shomby (WGH/Max Media), Jeff Kapugi (WUSN), Lance Tidwell (WWYZ), Bob Glasco (Glasco Media) and Mike Kennedy (KBEQ/Wilks Broadcasting).
The Friday Manager’s Breakfast, set for Feb. 21 and facilitated by Erica Farber, will include: John Zimmer (NAB/RAB), Chris Duncombe (Corus Entertainment), Travis Ploeger (SoundExchange), JJ Jobe (Rusty Walker Programming), Scott Huskey (Rusty Walker Programming), Judy Lakin (Cox Media Group) and Bill Rose (Nielsen Audio).

Bush Joins 650 AM WSM As General Manager

image001Radio veteran Randy Bush has joined legendary radio station 650 AM WSM as General Manager. Bush brings to WSM 39 years of radio leadership experience, most recently with Cherry Creek Radio in Great Falls, Mont. Prior to that, Bush held general manager positions at Signal Media in Little Rock, Ark. and Journal Broadcast Group in Tulsa, Okla.
“I’m delighted to welcome Randy to 650 AM WSM,” said Steve Buchanan, Opry Entertainment president. “He brings with him the experience, creativity, and passion needed to succeed in one of the most unique positions anywhere in country radio. Randy sees a world of opportunity at WSM and he is excited about continuing the station’s great legacy.”
“I am humbled and thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve as General Manager of WSM-AM, The Legend,” Bush said. “I can’t wait to join such a tremendous group of people.”
Bush officially assumes his new role with the award-winning station Feb. 17.

Lifenotes: Country Radio Disc Jockey Smokey Smith

smokey smith cash

Pictured (L-R): Smokey Smith and Johnny Cash. Photo: Snowflake Enterprises


Country Radio Disc Jockey Hall of Fame member Smokey Smith was buried Sunday (Feb. 9) in Des Moines, Iowa.
He died at age 91 on Feb. 3 due to complications from surgery following a brain injury. In addition to being a radio personality, Smith was also a recording artist, a television entertainer and one of the biggest country concert promoters of his era.
He was born Donald Charles Smith on Feb. 12, 1922 in Kansas City, Mo., and was raised in Lawrence, Kan. He was 16 when he began his radio career on WREN in Lawrence as a singer/guitarist for Ted West & His Range Riders in 1938.
Smith migrated to California in 1940 to work on airplane engines at Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in San Diego. He resumed his radio career a year later on the city’s KYOR station, working as both a musician and a disc jockey.
He thought that Don Smith was not a good show-business name. He smoked cigars constantly, so his band nicknamed him “Smokey,” which he much preferred.
Smokey Smith and The Gold Coast Boys recorded many country shows for the Mexican “border radio” stations that beamed megawatts of power into the U.S. during the 1940s. In 1946, the group began recording for Crystal Records.
The group scored its biggest hit with a version of Ted Daffan’s “I’m a Fool to Care” in 1946. Other songs recorded by Smith during the 1940s include “I Love You So Much It Hurts,” “Fading Away” and “Hobo Boogie.”
In 1950, he relocated to KRNT in Des Moines, and the station remained his home for years to come. When KRNT-TV came on the air in 1955, Smokey Smith became one of the Midwest’s country television pioneers as the host of his own show.
He was a key figure in the formation of the Country Music Disc Jockey Association in Nashville in 1953. He was the group’s Treasurer in 1958 when he urged it to disband in favor of forming a broader organization representing the industry, the Country Music Association. Smith held CMA membership card #4 and was a member of its founding board of directors.
Pictured (L-R): Smokey Smith with Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright

Pictured (L-R): Smokey Smith with Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright. Photo: Snowflake Enterprises


Back in Des Moines, Smokey Smith became one of the biggest concert promoters in the Midwest. Beginning in Iowa, he expanded his show territory to include Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois and South Dakota. Known as a “package-show” specialist, he put together multi-artist billings throughout his region.
As a concert promoter, Smith became known for his scrupulous honesty in his financial dealings with stars of the 1950s and 1960s. Among the artists he presented were Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Charley Pride, Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton, George Jones, Sonny James, Elvis Presley, Jean Shepard, Jimmy Dickens, Hank Thompson, Wanda Jackson and Tammy Wynette.
Smith left the concert business in 1974. He formed Smokey Smith Tours, taking busloads of tourists to destinations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
He remained a familiar face in Nashville throughout the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s at music-industry functions, particularly during Country Radio Seminars and at functions presented by R.O.P.E. (the Reunion of Professional Entertainers). It is said that he was more recognized in Nashville than he was in Des Moines.
He was inducted into the Country Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1982. R.O.P.E. presented him with its International Media Award in 2007. In 2010, he became the subject of an illustrated biography by author Terry Manley, Smokey Smith: The Legendary Life of Iowa’s Mr. Country Music.
Memorial contributions in Smokey’s honor may be directed to R.O.P.E. International, P.O. Box 2048, Madison, TN 37116-2048.