Charlie Cook
Many years ago in a land far away, Ypsilanti, Mich., I packed up my Camaro and after giving away many things, including a dining room set, I drove to Denver and went to work for KLAK. There I met a fellow disc jockey who would become a lifelong friend and also a future and ex-wife.
This was my first really good job and I learned a great deal about being a disc jockey and the friends I made there are still people I talk to every week. That little AM station in Denver spawned three Country Radio/Disc Jockey Hall of Famers by the way. Not many (if any) single stations can claim that.
Years later, that then current and now still ex-wife and I, packed up, gave away furniture again and headed east to another radio job. This time Wheeling, W.V. There I met a competitor who would become my 30 year business partner in McVay Media.
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. (That represents many other car packings and belongings purgings.)
The radio business is very similar to the record business in that there are always other opportunities that appear more attractive in the minute. The difference is often that the radio guy must put miles on his car when he changes jobs. In the record business, the new office in just a block or two away.
Well, on Dec. 22, 2013 I packed up my car, gave away a TON of stuff, and left Morgantown, W.V. for Nashville. It seems like I have been doing this for decades because I have. This is the last time. With that knowledge, I am truly excited about working with the great staff at Cumulus/Nashville. I’m even thinking about selling my car so that I won’t be tempted.
As I look back, I must say I made two great friends those many years ago and coincidentally I am back with both of them here in Nashville. The ex-wife…not so much.
Many young broadcasters ask me how to move up in the business. I have three suggestions.
1. Buy a big car.
2. Be willing to give away a lot of your stuff.
3. Make friends at each stop.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow
.)
Industry Ink (1/13/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonCountry Radio Seminar has added three panels to the CRS 2014 agenda. “Amplify Your Average Quarter Hour with Word-of-Mouth,” “Brand Like A Rock Star” and “Time Management in the Digital Age” are newly released educational presentations that have been added to the three-day event.
During “Brand Like A Rock Star” (Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, from 9:00-9:50 a.m.), Steve Jones will speak on the keys to branding businesses, based around his bestseller book, Brand Like a Rock Star. Andrew Curran (President of DMR/Interactive) and Fletcher Keyes (Program Director for Today’s Q106/WWQM in Madison, Wis.) will co-host the panel “Amplify Your AQH with Word-of-Mouth,” (Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.), which includes discussion on how Country stations are empowering the audience to generate new levels of engagement and success. The session “Time Management in the Digital Age” (Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, from 9:00 – 9:50 a.m.) will focus on career coaching, management skills and working efficiently in the radio and recording industries. President/CEO of Petra Coach, Andy Bailey, will lead the presentation.
CRS 2014 will be held Feb. 19 – 21, 2014, in downtown Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit countryradioseminar.com.
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Sugar Hill’s previous public relations director, Jess Draper, has accepted a position outside the music industry. She can be reached at jessddraper@me.com.
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“When it comes to breakfast in Midtown, there just aren’t many options,” says founder Kelly Black. “We wanted a menu that celebrates southern favorites like steak & eggs & fried chicken & biscuits. We also wanted to add healthier options like free range eggs, steel cut oatmeal, multigrain pancakes & parfait to give fresh choices on kick starting your day. Who said southern couldn’t be healthy?”
For more information, visit therownashville.com.
• • •
Recording for Jones’ first album with the label will begin in January. It will be the follow-up to his 2012 EP, No Spring Chicken.
Joshua Scott Jones Prepares Solo Album, Single
/by Jessica NicholsonJones, who wrote many of the tunes for Steel Magnolia’s debut album, co-wrote “Honk (If You’re Tonky)” with songwriter Josh Alford. Jones’ debut solo album, titled The Healing, will release later this year. The project is a personal and emotional account of the singer’s journey since he and Steel Magnolia partner Meghan Linsey won CMT’s music competition Can You Duet in 2009.
“Honk (If You’re Tonky),” is available for purchase at iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, Rhapsody, Zune, Spotify, Google Music, and other online outlets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfv5ikbvP5w&feature=youtu.be
BMI to Present 3rd Annual Crested Butte Festival
/by Caitlin RantalaBMI will present the third annual Crested Butte Songwriters Festival on Friday, Jan. 17 – Saturday, Jan. 18 in Crested Butte, Colo. The show will be hosted by Storme Warren.
Performances include Dean Dillon, Scotty Emerick, Kree Harrison, Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon, Kendell Marvel, Casey Beathard, Due West, Stephanie Lane Stephenson, Tyler Hansen, Steve Snyder and Lizzy Plotkin.
A benefit concert with all performers will be held on Saturday night, Jan. 18. Tickets are available at Center for the Arts (970-349-7847), The Toggery in Gunnison (970-641-0844), and The Adventure Center in Mountaineer Square (970-349-4554).
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Friday, Jan. 17
6 p.m. at Talk of the Town
Lineup to be announced
8 p.m. at The Eldo
Lineup to be announced
10 p.m. at Kochevars
Lineup to be announced
Admission is a $5 donation for entry for all Friday night shows
SATURDAY, Jan. 18
IN-THE-ROUND BENEFIT SHOW
7:30 p.m. at Center for the Arts
All performers – schedule to be announced
Bush, Steele, Lauderdale Join 30A Songwriters Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonThis year’s event will feature Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Jeffrey Steele, Jerry Douglas, Jim Lauderdale, Loudon Wainwright III, Ani DiFranco, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Richard Thompson, Shawn Mullins, John Oates, Rusty Young (Poco), Jonathon Edwards, Jesse Harris, Craig Fuller (Pure Prairie League), John Gorka, Mary Gauthier, James McMurtry, Bob Schneider, Glenn Phillips Band, Matthew Sweet, Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers) and Tinsley Ellis.
Highlights of the festival include two days of headlining concerts at the outdoor amphitheater at Gulf Place, VIP dinners at WaterSound Beach Club (with Chef Joe Truex of Watershed and singer-songwriter Bush), Grayton Bar & Grill (with Chef Steven Satterfield from Miller Union and singer-songwriter Mullins), a full schedule of in-store appearances and CD signings at Central Square Records, and more.
Festival weekend passes are now available for $190 and can be purchased at 30asongwritersfestival.com, or locally in South Walton, Fla. at the Cultural Arts Alliance office and at Central Square Records in Seaside, Fla.
Don Williams To Release 'Reflections' March 11
/by Jessica NicholsonReflections features cuts from Townes Van Zandt, Merle Haggard and Jesse Winchester. Garth Fundis signed on as co-producer on the project.
Album tracks including “Stronger Back,” “Back to The Simple Things,” and “Working Man’s Son” celebrate the strength and integrity of everyday men and women, while “I’ll Be Here In The Morning” and “I Won’t Give Up On You” are narratives of love.
Weekly Chart Report (1/10/14)
/by Michael_SmithMusic City Center's First Quarter Brings Significant Economic Impact
/by Jessica NicholsonNashville’s Music City Center
Since opening its doors in May, Nashville’s $585 million, 1.2-million-square-foot Music City Center has generated a $26.4 million economic impact. In the Music City Center’s first quarter of operation, the space has hosted more than 100 events and more than 18,000 hotel room nights, according to tvsdesign.
Music City Center was created by architecture firms tvsdesign, Tuck Hinton Architects and Moody Nolan, as well as the construction team of Bell/Clark/Harmony, and the Nashville mayor’s office.
“There was a lot of care taken to create a place that reflects the best features of the city and brings them down to the human scale,” said Kevin Gordon, principal with tvsdesign. “We’ve designed convention centers all over the world, including three of China’s largest convention centers and four of the five most popular U.S. convention centers. There really isn’t anything else like Music City Center in the world.”
Artist Updates (1/10/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Woody Bomar (Green Hills Music Group), Brandi Simms (CMA Senior Director of Membership), Danika Portz, Leslie Mitchell (Grin Like A Dog Songs).
Artist/Songwriter Danika Portz celebrated the holidays by becoming a member of The Country Music Association. Portz is from Remsen, Iowa and now resides in Nashville. She is joined here by her co-publishers, CMA members Woody Bomar (Green Hills Music Group) and Leslie Mitchell (Grin Like A Dog Songs). Portz is sponsored by Bettie Page Clothing of Las Vegas.
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Katie Armiger
Katie Armiger has partnered with iHeartRadio’s “Country Artist of the Month” series for January. The partnership will give fans a first look at the music video for her single “Safe.” The online premiere is available for viewing across all Clear Channel Country station websites beginning today (Jan. 10).
Armiger partnered with video director Justin Baldoni and the Long Beach Fire Department to create a dramatic video depicting the sacrifices of first responders and their families. Armiger has launched an awareness campaign called Project Feel Safe to honor our nation’s first responders.
• • •
Anna Wilson
All proceeds from digital downloads of Transfer Records artist Anna Wilson‘s new single, “Spirit,” will be donated to Women’s Ski Jumping USA to assist Visa women’s Ski Jumping Team’s coaching, travel, training and equipment on their road to the Sochi Olympic Games next month.
“It only takes $0.99 to be a part of history and help an athlete achieve their dream. Please download ‘Spirit’ and you can be a part of this incredible journey and help these ladies get ready to fly,” Wilson said.
Next month marks the first time women ski jumpers will be able to compete in the Olympic Games. Women’s Ski Jumping USA and top athletes from around the world pushed for over a decade to see their sport be included in the Games.
For more information, visit annawilson.com.
The Johnny Cash Museum To Host Birthday Bash
/by Jessica Nicholson“We are thrilled to bring back the Johnny Cash Birthday Celebration and even more so to bring it to Nashville for the first time,” says founder Bill Miller. “We have a long tradition of bringing Johnny’s fans together with his family, friends and peers in an intimate celebration of his life.”
Those appearing throughout the celebration include:
John Carter Cash
Joanne Cash (Yates)
Tommy Cash
W.S. Holland
Joe Cash
Johnny Western
David Roe
Tickets for the celebration are $55 and can be purchased online at johnnycashbirthday.com.
Charlie Cook On Air: How To Move Up In The Business
/by contributorCharlie Cook
Many years ago in a land far away, Ypsilanti, Mich., I packed up my Camaro and after giving away many things, including a dining room set, I drove to Denver and went to work for KLAK. There I met a fellow disc jockey who would become a lifelong friend and also a future and ex-wife.
This was my first really good job and I learned a great deal about being a disc jockey and the friends I made there are still people I talk to every week. That little AM station in Denver spawned three Country Radio/Disc Jockey Hall of Famers by the way. Not many (if any) single stations can claim that.
Years later, that then current and now still ex-wife and I, packed up, gave away furniture again and headed east to another radio job. This time Wheeling, W.V. There I met a competitor who would become my 30 year business partner in McVay Media.
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. (That represents many other car packings and belongings purgings.)
The radio business is very similar to the record business in that there are always other opportunities that appear more attractive in the minute. The difference is often that the radio guy must put miles on his car when he changes jobs. In the record business, the new office in just a block or two away.
Well, on Dec. 22, 2013 I packed up my car, gave away a TON of stuff, and left Morgantown, W.V. for Nashville. It seems like I have been doing this for decades because I have. This is the last time. With that knowledge, I am truly excited about working with the great staff at Cumulus/Nashville. I’m even thinking about selling my car so that I won’t be tempted.
As I look back, I must say I made two great friends those many years ago and coincidentally I am back with both of them here in Nashville. The ex-wife…not so much.
Many young broadcasters ask me how to move up in the business. I have three suggestions.
1. Buy a big car.
2. Be willing to give away a lot of your stuff.
3. Make friends at each stop.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)