'MusicRow' No. 1 Song

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Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line


Arguably the hottest duo in music today, Florida Georgia Line, lands atop our pre-Thanksgiving MusicRow Chart with “Stay.”
With five writers, Joey Moi, John Fred Young, Chris Robertson, Jon Lawhon and Ben Wells, the title has become top-selling Country track this week, having moved a total of 371k to date.
Not only is the band moving singles, but this week also marks the release of the eagerly anticipated Here’s To The Good Times: This Is How We Roll, deluxe version of their debut album. The double-disk project includes six additional tracks, six music videos and six behind-the-scenes videos.
And talk about swag, Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard took home four CMA Awards trophies at the start of the month, in addition to winning their first American Music Award this past Sunday (Nov. 24). On top of all that, the boys are nominated for eight ACA Awards on Dec. 10; the duo is also scheduled to perform at the awards show.
To catch them live, the duo will be out headlining their Here’s To The Good Times Tour through December on top of a slew of appearances through 2014. But feel free to watch them perform right now in the Peter Zavadil-directed music video for “Stay,” below.

Charlie Cook On Air: Is Radio A Flight Risk?

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Charlie Cook

Charlie Cook


If you spend more than an average amount of times on airplanes, the news this month about being able to keep your cell phones and tablets on even when taking off and landing was great news. Not because it was all that much of an inconvenience to turn your electronic devices off for those few minutes but because it keeps ordinary Americans from being criminals.
Flight attendants acted like you should be hauled off the plane and beaten to an inch of your life if you failed their orders. I actually always did turn off my phone. It just wasn’t that big of a deal to me, but scores of travelers hid their phones for those 15 minutes at the start and ending of the flights.
There is currently discussion about allowing you to talk on your cell phone while in flight. This is the actual reason they ban guns from flights. I guarantee you that there would be shootings onboard otherwise. Right now I seem to ALWAYS get the seat in front of two chatty Cathys. What if it took only one chatty Cathy? Yikes. Additionally, do you notice how much l louder people talk when on a cell phone? Add to that the sound of the airplane and every third person trying hold their own “private conversation” and you’ll have chaos.
Okay, I have a solution to this situation. Today flyers are not allowed to listen to radios on board flights, which is a totally senseless rule.
Radios are not transmitters. They are one-way devices. They receive a signal from the ground. A signal, or signals that are already out there in the atmosphere in almost every square inch of America. The same America that they fly over and over and over all day, every day. If the signals were an issue we would already know about it.
Airplane electronics are so robust that they can withstand lightening strikes. But not Lightening 100 in Nashville?
If they allow phones, which quite frankly can be used as trigger devices for bombs in luggage in the cargo area of the plane, but not radios that bring only joy and entertainment to the masses from small town to big cities, well I don’t know what to say.
Think of all the fun a plane full of ordinary Americans would have if they were listening to morning shows on early flights. Think about how relaxing midday flights would be with great Country music stations from city to city as you wing through the air. Flyers could listen to Rush Limbaugh live and land having been challenged about the issues of the day. Even late night flights would be great, hearing new music challenges and the “Top 9 at 9” each evening.
I know that many of you might think that devices like I-Pods and phone music libraries already provide a way for travelers to hear this music. Well, everyone wants variety and unpredictability and that comes from well programmed radio stations. These weary travelers don’t want the same old stuff over and over and over.
Now I would be willing to have radio just piped in overhead throughout the entire flight but there may be some who want to sleep during the flight. I suspect so many sleep today because radio is not available and that may change, but I’m courteous if nothing else.
If not overhead, then everyone can use headsets and enjoy radio as it was meant to be heard. FREE, everywhere and all of the time.
Yes, Virginia, I believe we have found something to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving….weekend.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)

Sirius XM Prime Country Celebrates 'Deana Day'

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deana carter111Deana Carter is preparing for the Dec. 2 release of Southern Way Of Life. On Tuesday, Nov. 26th, Deana Carter takes over on Sirius XM’s Prime Country 58. Aptly called “Deana Day,” the channel will showcase Carter music throughout the day, featuring exclusive performances throughout the 24-hour block.
The singer-songwriter will head to New York to perform a two-night stand at the famous Joe’s Pub on Dec. 4-5 as part of the critically-acclaimed CMA Songwriter Series.
“I am so anxious to share this new music with everyone,” says Carter. “I know it has been a really long time since I have released anything and a lot of people are hitting me up on my socials wanting to know. Well, Cyber Monday it is. This has been a very cathartic process for me. I am so proud to be able to say that this is the debut on Little Nugget Records as well,” she continues.
Carter recently made her Grand Ole Opry debut, and launched Little Nugget Records, a tribute to her father’s Nugget Records.
For further information, visit deana.com.

CMT and Clear Channel Media To Partner; Cody Alan Named "After MidNite" Host

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clear-channelCMT and Clear Channel Media have joined forces to develop programming and events for its TV, radio, and digital properties. The new partnership will create the largest Country platform in radio and TV, with access to CMT’s 92 million households and Clear Channel’s 89 million listeners per month. The venture will allow cross-promotional opportunities across Clear Channel’s 125 stations in 105 markets and on iHeartRadio, the company’s free digital music service that recently reached the 40 million users mark, as well as on CMT’s multiple properties, including CMT Pure, CMT.com, and to the network’s seven million social media fans.
“I like to think there was an inevitability to this partnership,” said Brian Philips, President of CMT. “We know CCM+E’s leadership and we share their excitement and tenacity in working with music and talent to bring the most exciting entertainment to all of these platforms. On a personal note, I am ecstatic to once again work with former colleagues John Sykes and Tom Poleman, among CCM+E’s many forward-thinking creative executives. Country is enjoying a big moment. Clear Channel and CMT will capture it, celebrate it and spread the excitement across America to hundreds of millions.”
“We’re excited to join with CMT in this multi-faceted alliance, which will create one of the most powerful platforms in Country music,” said Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. “By leveraging our combined national broadcast, digital and event content, we’ll now have the opportunity to reach even more Country fans than ever before and provide even more unique experiences with music and artists, while also delivering unmatched results for our partners.
As a result of the new partnership, CMT radio personality Cody Alan has been named the new host of Premiere Networks’ syndicated show After MidNite, which has been rebranded as CMT After Midnite With Cody Alan. He’ll make his debut on the new show Jan. 6th. The program celebrated its 20th year this year and reaches nearly two million weekly listeners on its over 200 stations, and will now be available on iHeartRadio. The show will originate from CMT Radio studio in Nashville.
“I feel like Jimmy Fallon right now!,” said Alan. “To be named host of such a highly regarded late-night franchise is an exciting and humbling honor.  We’ll bring new energy, lots of star power and deep resources only CMT and Clear Channel can deliver.  And with this new partnership, I can’t wait to give fans 360-degrees of country music coverage, across multiple media platforms.”
Premiere will be the exclusive distribution partner for CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan, effective Jan. 1, 2014. Premiere will handle all syndication and sales for the program. Details for a one-hour weekend program hosted by Alan will be announced later.

'MusicRow' No. 1 Song

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JakeOwenThis week, the title track from Jake Owen’s forthcoming RCA Nashville release, Days of Gold, tops our MusicRow Chart prior to next week’s (Dec. 3) of Owen’s full-length album release.
Songwriters Jaren Johnston and Neil Mason helped wet the appetite of Owen’s fans hungry for new music with the 12-track album’s first single.
From a production aspect, MusicRow recently talked with Joey Moi about his contributions to the 2013 release. “Jake’s such a good singer, but we needed to brand Jake in a way. He has a special gift with his voice. The best way to answer that is for him to find those songs that accent his voice.”
And what about the music video? Owen left his 2013 Malibu Wakesetter at home for a 2014 model, which was featured in the video. But who wouldn’t want a chance to get on the lake any way you can? As Owen’s trademark become increasingly synonymous with water activities, director Mason Dixon primed fans with part one of a to-be-continued music video. The ending teases two lake-goers jumping in a raised Chevy truck, headed for Daytona Beach at dusk. Watch the “Days of Gold” music video below.
Pre-order the album at Target for four additional tracks.

BMLG Hires Halpern As Sr. Director, Special Projects/Radio Promotion

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Marni Halpern

Marni Halpern


The Big Machine Label Group has added Marni Halpern for the newly-created role of Sr. Director of Special Projects/Radio Promotion. Halpern will work across the entire Big Machine Label Group network.
“Marni is an incredible promotion executive who brings years of experience, a wealth of knowledge, an incredible passion for airplay domination and is a lightning bolt of fresh energy that adds mightily to our cache of weapons for 2014,” said Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta.
In the early 90s, Halpern began honing her skills at Roadrunner Records, working with college radio promotion. She followed with stints at Motown Records and Epic Records as the Northeast Regional before spending five years as the VP of Pop Promotion for Atlantic/Lava Records. Most recently, Halpern returned to Epic Records for a seven-year tenure as VP of Pop Promotion. She can now be reached at [email protected].

Weekly Chart Report (11/22/13)

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SPIN ZONE

Boston native and Red Sox fan, Joel Crouse (L) strikes a pose with WIL/St. Louis MD Danny Montana after a performance at Wild CountryBoston native and Red Sox fan, Joel Crouse (L) strikes a pose with WIL/St. Louis MD Danny Montana after a performance at Wild Country.

With the upcoming release of his fourth studio album, Days of Gold, on Dec. 3, Jake Owen is certainly enjoying “Days of Gold,” which tops MusicRow’s chart this week with 3199 spins. Meanwhile, Florida Georgia Line’s “Stay” comes closer to the top of the chart, landing at No. 2. Cassadee Pope’s “Wasting All These Tears” jumps to No. 3, while Zac Brown Band’s “Sweet Annie” leaps to No. 4. David Nail’s “Whatever She’s Got” moves to No. 5. Rounding out the Top 10 this week are The Band Perry’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely” at No. 6, Cole Swindell’s “Chillin’ It” at No. 7, Dierks Bentley’s “I Hold On” at No. 8, Lady Antebellum’s “Compass” at No. 9 and Scotty McCreery’s “See You Tonight” at No. 10.
Luke Bryan’s “Drink A Beer” is the greatest gainer for the third consecutive week, spilling onto No. 18 with another 448 spins. Jason Aldean’s “When She Says Baby” rises to No. 37 with an added 420 spins, while Toby Keith’s “Shut Up and Hold On” rushes to No. 36 with an extra 249 spins. Forbes recently named Keith 2013’s highest paid Country artist, with $65 million in annual earnings. Lady Antebellum’s “Compass” leads the band to No. 9 with 244 more spins. Finally, Florida Georgia Line’s “Stay” ascends to No. 2 with another 219 spins.
MusicRow’s chart welcomes debuts from four fantastic singers this week, with Thomas Rhett’s “Get Me Some Of That” debuting at No. 73, Billy Currington’s “We Are Tonight” at No. 75, Tim Sweeney’s “Baby I Try For You” at No. 77 and Ry Bradley’s “New Kind Of Lonely” at No. 80.
Frozen Playlists: KTJJ, KIAI, KKAJ, KZPK, WAAG, WXXK, KBOE

Kellie Pickler took time for a photo while signing her new album for fans after her performance at St. John's Town Center in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, Nov. 16. Pictured (L-R): Black River's Mike Wilson, WQIK's Cindy Spicer, Kellie Pickler, Black River's Megan Boardman & Greg McCarn

Kellie Pickler took time for a photo while signing her new album for fans after her performance at St. John’s Town Center in Jacksonville, Fla. on Saturday, Nov. 16. Pictured (L-R): Black River’s Mike Wilson, WQIK’s Cindy Spicer, Kellie Pickler, Black River’s Megan Boardman & Greg McCarn.


Upcoming Singles
November 25
Bush Hawg/More Than Corn/RCA Nashville
The Cadillac Three feat. Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley & Mike Eli/The South/Big Machine
Thomas Rhett/Get Me Some of That/Valory
Kip Moore/Young Love/MCA Nashville
December 2
Craig Campbell/Keep Them Kisses Comin’/Acoustic Peach-Bigger Picture
December 9
Brad Paisley/The Mona Lisa/Arista Nashville
Charlie Worsham/Want Me Too/Warner Bros.-WAR
December 16
Lindsay Ell/Trippin’ On Us/Stoney Creek
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Thomas Rhett/Get Me Some Of That/Valory Music – 73
Billy Currington/We Are Tonight/Mercury – 75
Tim Sweeney/Baby I Try For You/Oil House Records – 77
Ry Bradley/New Kind Of Lonely/Crimson Q Records – 80
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Jason Aldean/When She Says Baby/Broken Bow – 24
Tyler Farr/Whiskey In My Water /Columbia Nashville – 13
Toby Keith/Shut Up and Hold On/Show Dog–Universal – 12
Thomas Rhett/Get Me Some Of That/Valory Music – 11
Dallas Smith/Tippin Point/Big Loud Mountain-Republic Nashville – 10
Robby Johnson/South of Me/Contrast Music Records – 9
Luke Bryan/Drink A Beer/Capitol Nashville – 9
Billy Currington/We Are Tonight/Mercury – 9
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Luke Bryan/Drink A Beer/Capitol Nashville – 448
Jason Aldean/When She Says Baby/Broken Bow – 420
Toby Keith/Shut Up and Hold On/Show Dog – Universal – 249
Lady Antebellum/Compass/Capitol – 244
Florida Georgia Line/Stay/Republic Nashville – 219
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
John Karl/Old River Road/Pour Boy – 200
Bush Hawg/More Than Corn/RCA Nashville – 194
Jared Blake/Countryfied/Skiddco Records – 182
Angel Mary & The Tennessee Werewolves/Folsom Prison Blues/Verado – 182
Robby Johnson/South of Me/Contrast Music Records – 181
Dan + Shay recently visited WWQM on a Midwest-Northeast promo tour in promotion of the No. 55 Warner Bros. single, “19 You+Me.” Pictured (L-R): Dan Smyers, Fletcher Keyes (PD), Shay Mooney

Dan + Shay recently visited WWQM on a Midwest-Northeast promo tour in promotion of the No. 55 Warner Bros. single, “19 You+Me.” Pictured (L-R): Dan Smyers, Fletcher Keyes (PD), Shay Mooney.


 

Charlie Cook On Air: Eric Church Is Country's Rock Rebel

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Charlie Cook

Charlie Cook


I am on record as being one the biggest Eric Church fans out there. I have seen his show live a number of times and each time I am impressed with his passion and showmanship. I have said I find him to be one of the “dangerous” performers. When he is on stage your eyes are glued to him. He might do anything and you certainly don’t want to miss it.
Eric has always pushed the envelope with his music. Early that was a challenge for the promotions staffs as he was still finding his place in the format. The CD Sinners Like Me included the single “Two Pink Lines” that made some programmers uncomfortable. His second CD Carolina established him as a real “must play” on country radio even though “Smoke A Little Smoke” was again, dealing with a topic country radio would rather ignore. You can drink all you want but….
But “Love Your Love the Most” and “Hell on the Heart” were right in the groove and became his first Top 10 hits. Eric had arrived.
Then in 2011 he came with arguably the best CD of the year. Chief is a masterpiece. “Homeboy” was aggressive but by then country radio had said, “Bring it on Eric, you are a star.’ “Drink in My Hand,” more in line with the format’s themes, was his first No. 1 and “Springsteen” is one of my top five favorite songs ever. It was a fast No. 1, so apparently many people agree with me.
Eric was recently quoted as saying music is music. “I think that genres are dead,” he told CMT. “There’s good music. There’s bad music.”
I want to add there is music that works on the radio and appeals to masses and there is music that doesn’t. I think Eric Church can and should do whatever the heck he wants to do on his CDs. He has earned the right to write and record anything. He has been playing music for over 20 years and, as I said, he is one of the best performers in the format.
Eric states, “I’m a country music artist in Nashville, but Nashville is way, way, way bigger than country music.”
He is 100% correct. There are many other genres of music in Nashville…oops I used genre because there are elements that differentiate music tastes.
Eric Church and Charlie Cook. Photo: Charlie Cook

Eric Church and Charlie Cook. Photo: Charlie Cook


Eric is going to sell a heck of a lot of copies of his CD The Outsiders. He is going to sell a lot to people who identify themselves as fans of country music and a lot to fans who identify themselves as alternative, rock, pop, etc. What he isn’t going to do is have a lot of success on country radio with a song like “The Outsiders.” As I programmer I was excited to hear a new Eric Church song. I added “The Outsiders” to the stations I work with and there was some good and bad the first couple of days.
I edited the song, taking off the last 1:30 seconds of guitar riffs that stood out on the station. I thought shortening the song to 2:51 would make both sides happy. The unhappy side got louder and I watched the song quickly lose steam on the charts. My conclusion was other programmers were hearing the same complaints from their listeners.
I suspect that when the CD The Outsiders is released, I will purchase and download it. I will listen to it in the car with the volume at 11. That is because my tastes are a little bit different than the loyal listeners to country radio. You know, that genre that supports us all. I’m gonna listen to Frank Sinatra, Bob Seger and Blake Shelton. But I’m not gonna play them all on a country station.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)

"Muscle Shoals" Panel, Free Movie Screening Added to CRS Agenda

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muscle shoals111Featured musicians from the new award-winning documentary Muscle Shoals will present a panel called “Music Schoals: The Magic In The Music” at the 2014 Country Radio Seminar on Feb. 19. The panel will be followed by a screening of the movie during CRS After Hours.
The panel will include renowned producers and musicians Rick Hall, Jimmy Johnson, and Spooner Oldham, and musician Mac McAnally. These industry legends will discuss the impact Muscle Shoals has had on the music industry. Charlie Morgan will moderate the panel. To view a trailer from the movie, click here.
Following the panel, a free screening of the movie will be held during CRS After Hours. The film tells the story of the outburst of music in the Alabama town on the Tennessee River that started in the ‘60s and became known as the defining model for great rock, pop, R&B, soul and country music.
In addition to the “Muscle Shoals: The Magic in the Music” panel, CRS 2014 will include more than 20 educational panels and industry-leading speakers, including “Cracking the Code: Using Data to Discover the Hits,” “Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, Beats: It’s Their Country, Too,” “Marketing On A Shoestring Budget,” “Would You Like Sales Prospects to Call You?” and more.
CRS 2014 will be held Feb. 19-21, 2014 in downtown Nashville, Tenn. at the Nashville Convention Center. For more information, visit countryradioseminar.com.

Deadline Nearing For CRS Rusty Walker Scholarship Applications

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CRS2014-LogoThe application deadline for the Rusty Walker Scholarship program, created in honor of Country Radio Hall of Fame member Rusty Walker, is this Friday, Nov. 22.
Each scholarship includes a full CRS 2014 registration, airfare and accommodations for four nights (Feb. 18, 2014 – Feb. 21, 2014). Scholars will be recognized at the CRS 2014 opening ceremonies and will have the opportunity to choose from a select group of mentors, along with meeting CRS board members during the three-day seminar.
Each applicant must fill out an online application and submit a paragraph explaining why he/she should be considered as a Rusty Walker Scholar. Eligible applicants must be a full-time radio station employee and a first time CRS attendee. Three individual scholarships will be awarded, and winning recipients will be announced on Dec. 16, 2013.
CRS 2014 will be held Feb. 19-21, 2014 at the Nashville Convention Center in downtown Nashville. For more information and to apply, visit countryradioseminar.com.