Keith Urban Launches Greeting Card Collection

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A birthday card from the Keith Urban collection that features Urban's single "Long Hot Summer."

A birthday card from the Keith Urban collection that features Urban’s single “Long, Hot Summer.”


Keith Urban fans now have a new way to give music as a gift this summer–not through an album, download or concert tickets, but through greeting cards.
Urban has teamed with Hallmark Gold Crown stores to offer a collection of Hallmark Keith Urban sound cards that includes 12 cards, ranging from celebrating birthdays and friendship, to sending love and encouragement. Priced at $4.99, each card in the line features a 15-second sound clip from some of Urban’s songs such as “Long, Hot Summer” and “Sweet Thing.”
“For me, a card, like music, has the ability to make an emotional connection,” says Urban. “I love knowing that these cards, and my music, will mark such meaningful moments in so many people’s lives!”

The Blackbird Academy to Reveal Facility with Katie Couric

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Pictured (L-R): Robert Novogratz, Cortney Novogratz, Martina McBride, John McBride and Gavin DeGraw. Photo: Brian Totoro

Pictured (L-R): Robert Novogratz, Cortney Novogratz, Martina McBride, John McBride and Gavin DeGraw. Photo: Brian Totoro


Together with wife Martina McBride, John McBride plans to reveal his recently prepared Blackbird Academy on Katie Couric’s Katie tomorrow (July 17).
Husband and wife design team Robert and Cortney Novogratz, widely known for Bravo-TV’s 9 by Design, HGTV’s Home by Novogratz and numerous publication appearances, helped prepare a 30-person “Learning Laboratory” to be revealed on the syndicated daytime TV show.
In anticipation for the audio school’s first class this fall, custom-built classrooms were constructed around the campus of the world-renowned Blackbird Studio. The Blackbird Academy will offer comprehensive instruction and virtually unlimited hands-on access for students. Co-directors and industry veterans Kevin Becka and Mark Rubel have designed a curriculum in anticipation of becoming the educational gateway to the recording and live sound industries.
“Opening a school has been a dream of mine,” said John McBride. “After talking with hundreds of Blackbird Studio interns and hearing about their experiences, I believe we can provide a better and more affordable educational solution than what is currently available.”
For more information, visit the Blackbird Academy’s official site, email, or call at 1-855-385-3251.
For MusicRow’s exclusive interview with McBride about the academy, click here.

Artist Photos (7-16-13)

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MCA Nashville singer/songwriter Drake White made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday night. The Hokes Bluff, Ala. native performed his single “The Simple Life” with the legendary Opry band and an acoustic version of “Always Want What You Can’t Have;” both songs will appear on Drake’s debut album due out early next year.

Drake White

Drake White

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Thomas Rhett was joined by Jason Aldean onstage for “Dirt Road Anthem” and “1994,” Aldean’s single that was co-written by Rhett, during Aldeans’ recent record-breaking concert at Boston’s Fenway Park.

thomas rhett1

Pictured (L-R): Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett

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Amy Grant will make a West coast media run this week, in support of the release of her best-selling and first studio record in a decade, How Mercy Looks From Here. Her trip kicks off with a visit to the highly-rated morning show KTLA on July 16, followed by an appearance on Tavis Talks, which airs July 17 . On July 19, Amy will appear on ABC’s popular lifestyle show The Chew alongside hosts Mario Batali, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly, Daphne Oz and Michael Symon.

Photo courtesy ABC Publicity.

Amy Grant on the set of The Chew. Photo courtesy ABC Publicity.

 • • •
Cold River recording artist Katie Armiger and Season 3 winner of The Voice Cassadee Pope meet backstage in Houston, Texas before 100.3 The Bull’s 2nd Annual Girls With Guitars show at the Arena Theater. Armiger and Pope were among 11 female performers who took part in the event.
Pictured (L-R): Katie Armiger, Cassadee Pope

Pictured (L-R): Katie Armiger, Cassadee Pope

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RCA Nashville’s Bush Hawg performed a showcase over the weekend at Boston’s House of Blues. While in Beantown the guys took a tour of the city on the famed Duck Boat and visited with Charlie Cook, Director of Programming and Brand Management for West Virginia Radio Corporation Corporate Offices and President of McVay/Cook and Associates. Cook is also a MusicRow contributor.

Pictured (L-R): Bush Hawg’s Shaun Ames, Alex Wilshire, & Craig Hand; Charlie Cook (Director of Programming and Brand Management West Virginia Radio Corporation Corporate Offices & President of McVay/Cook and Associates); Bush Hawg’s Ben Helton, Russ Caldwell & Jim Phipps. Photo: Angelynn Edwards Tinsley

Pictured (L-R): Bush Hawg’s Shaun Ames, Alex Wilshire, & Craig Hand; Charlie Cook (Director of Programming and Brand Management West Virginia Radio Corporation Corporate Offices & President of McVay/Cook and Associates); Bush Hawg’s Ben Helton, Russ Caldwell & Jim Phipps. Photo: Angelynn Edwards Tinsley.

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Kip Moore, Brett James, Miranda Lambert, Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Gary Overton and Bob DiPiero get together backstage during the CMA Songwriters Series event at Royale in Boston on July 11.

Pictured (L-R): WKLB Program Director, Mike Brophey; WKLB Music Director, Ginny Rogers; Moore; songwriter and CMA Board Member Brett James; Lambert; Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO and CMA Board Member, Gary Overton; and songwriter, CMA Songwriters Series host, and CMA Board member, Bob DiPiero. Photo: Natasha Moustache/CMA

Pictured (L-R): WKLB Program Director, Mike Brophey; WKLB Music Director, Ginny Rogers; Moore; songwriter and CMA Board Member Brett James; Lambert; Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO and CMA Board Member, Gary Overton; and songwriter, CMA Songwriters Series host, and CMA Board member, Bob DiPiero. Photo: Natasha Moustache/CMA

Bridgestone Arena No. 7 In U.S. For Concert Attendance

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Bridgestone ArenaNashville’s Bridgestone Arena ranks seventh in the United States (and 23rd in the world) for concert attendance, according to Pollstar’s Mid-Year Ticket Sales report. Bridgestone joins Barclays Center, Wells Fargo Center, Staples Center and other venues in the Top 10; last year, Bridgestone Arena ranked in eighth place.
Buildings in the U.S. Top 10 include:
1. Barclays Center (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
2. Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)
3. Philips Arena (Atlanta)
4. Staples Center (Los Angeles)
5. SAP Center at San Jose (formerly HP Pavilion) (San Jose, Calif.)
6. American Airlines Center (Dallas)
7. Bridgestone Arena (Nashville)
8. Sprint Center (Kansas City, Mo.)
9. Madison Square Garden (New York)
10. Toyota Center (Houston)

Artist Updates (7-16-13)

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Members of Way Out West Records’ group LiveWire caught up with Country Music Hall of Fame entertainer Roy Clark before their performances at the July 4 OilPatch Festival in Drumright, Okla. All artists participating in the festival, including Shawna Russell, Bo Phillips, the Red Dirt Rangers and Rick Reiley of the Tuesday Night Music Club and the Dust Bowl Brothers, signed Boulder Creek Guitars. The guitars were later auctioned with proceeds going to the Red Cross to benefit the victims of recent Oklahoma tornadoes.

livewire1

Pictured (L-R): LW’s Brad Allen; Scott Kwapiszeski and Cory Shultz; Roy Clark; LW’s Bobby DeGonia; Danny Bell; Andy Eutsler and Landon Rolfe.

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cassadee pope wasting all these tears video

Cassadee Pope


Cassadee Pope will world premiere the music video for her debut Country single, “Wasting All These Tears,” on CMT and CMT.com tomorrow (July 17). The video will air across VEVO on Thursday (7/18).

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shuggah pies

The Shuggah Pies


The Shuggah Pies, comprised of sisters Amy, Angela and Courtney Krechel, released their self-titled debut EP today in conjunction with 3 Ring Circus Music. The EP was recorded in Nashville and can be found at digital retailers including iTunes, Amazon MP3, Google Play and others.
The Shuggah Pies began working with award-winning songwriter Jeffrey Steele and his publishing company 3 Ring Circus Music five years ago. Their tour calendar includes dates opening for Tim McGraw, Hunter Hayes, David Nail, Love and Theft, Jana Kramer, Scotty McCreery, Brantley Gilbert, and others.

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dailey_vincent

Dailey and Vincent


Dailey & Vincent will celebrate the first live broadcast of “Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman” during their concert on July 198 at the Ryman Auditorium. The show will air on Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction channel at 7:30 p.m CDT via satellite on channel 61. The concert will be rebroadcast on Saturday, July 20 at 6 p.m. EDT and on Sunday, July 21 at 12 p.m. EDT.

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Sarah Darling 2012

Sarah Darling


 Sarah Darling has teamed up with DJ and Remix Producer, DJ DU to add an electronic dance flavor to her summertime single, “Little Umbrellas.” The dance club version marks DJ DU’s first commercial remix release and is available via iTunes and other digital retail stores. Preview here.

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Lawrence

Tracy Lawrence


Tracy Lawrence is set to perform at the Grand Ole Opry on Friday, July 19 in Nashville. He will perform his new single “Footprints On The Moon” from his upcoming studio album, Headlights, Taillights and Radios.

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Darryl Worley

Darryl Worley


Darryl Worley’s Tennessee River Run, presented by Bumpus Harley-Davidson, will bring Ronnie Milsap to downtown Savannah, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013. Milsap, whose hit songs include “Smoky Mountain Rain,” “It Was Almost Like a Song,” “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me,” “Stranger in My House,” “Any Day Now” and dozens more, will join Worley and special guests Brandon Lay, Jami Grooms and Donica Knight.
 
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Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby Reunite for Live Album and Tour

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Cluck-ol-henRicky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby will release 11 new tracks in a Skaggs Family Records live project titled Cluck Ol’ Hen on Aug. 20. The project (track listing below) was originally recorded when the two toured in support of their first collaborative album, Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby (2007) with Skaggs’ Kentucky Thunder band.
Hornsby and Skaggs plan to hit the road for 13 dates this fall on the Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky Thunder Tour in promotion of the forthcoming project (see complete list below).
The pair blends Hornsby’s piano and songwriting to Skaggs’ mandolin, guitar, bass, fiddle and banjo on traditional mountain music and classic Bluegrass represented with three Bill Monroe tunes. Providing the title track is the vintage fiddle tune “Cluck Ol’ Hen.”
Cluck Ol’ Hen is currently available for pre-sale at skaggsfamilyrecords.com. Skaggs’ autobiography is also set to be released the same month.
Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky Thunder 2013 Fall Tour:
Oct. 3 – Carmel, Ind. – The Palladium
Oct. 4 – Cincinnati, Ohio – Taft Theatre
Oct. 5 – Nashville, Tenn. – Ryman Auditorium
Oct. 18 – Los Angeles – Royce Hall – UCLA
Oct. 19 – Scottsdale, Ariz. – Virginia G. Piper Theater
Oct. 20 – Tucson, Ariz. – Fox Tucson Theatre
Oct. 24 – Broken Arrow, Okla. – Broken Arrow Performing Center
Oct.25 – Overland, Kan. – Carlsen Center
Oct. 26 – Salina, Kan. – Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts
Nov. 1 – Milwaukee – Potawatomi Bingo Casino
Nov. 2 – Burnsville, Minn. – Burnsville PAC
Nov. 20 – Huntington, N.Y. – The Paramount
Nov. 21 – Morristown, N.J. – Mayo Performing Arts Center
Cluck Ol’ Hen Track Listing:
1.  Intro: How Mountain Girls Can Love
2.  How Mountain Girls Can Love
3.  Intro: Toy Heart
4.  Toy Heart
5.  Intro: Bluegrass Breakdown
6.  Bluegrass Breakdown
7.  Intro: Darling Corey
8.  Darling Corey
9.  The Way It Is
10.  Intro: The Dreaded Spoon
11.  The Dreaded Spoon
12.  Gulf Of Mexico Fishing Boat Blues
13.  Intro: Sally Jo
14.  Sally Jo
15.  Little Maggie
16.  Intro: Little Maggie
17.  White Wheeled Limousine
18.  Intro: Cluck Ol’ Hen
19.  Cluck Ol’ Hen

Industry Ink (7-16-13)

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Songwriter Keesy Timmer has signed with Nashville publishing company Blue Guitar Music.

Pictured (L-R) are: Sam Ramage, Chief Creative Officer, Blue Guitar; Lori Maxwell, CFO, Blue Guitar; Danny Pool, owner of the publishing company; Mike Kraski, General Manager, Blue Guitar; Daniel Wood, President, Blue Guitar and Timmer (seated).

Pictured (L-R) are: Sam Ramage, Chief Creative Officer, Blue Guitar; Lori Maxwell, CFO, Blue Guitar; Danny Pool, owner of the publishing company; Mike Kraski, General Manager, Blue Guitar; Daniel Wood, President, Blue Guitar and Timmer (seated).

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CAA’s John Huie spoke at SOLID‘s third general assembly meeting of the year, held at BMI.

Pictured (L-R): Kate Dore, SOLID Secretary, Kent Wolfenbarger, SOLID Education Chair, Ryan Huie, SOLID Member, John Huie, Brittany Adkins Schaffer, SOLID Education Co-chair, Brian O'Neil, SOLID Vice President, Sarah McGrady, SOLID President, Michelle Kammerer, SOLID Treasurer

Pictured (L-R): Kate Dore, SOLID Secretary; Kent Wolfenbarger, SOLID Education Chair; Ryan Huie, SOLID Member; John Huie; Brittany Adkins Schaffer, SOLID Education Co-chair; Brian O’Neil, SOLID Vice President; Sarah McGrady, SOLID President; Michelle Kammerer, SOLID Treasurer.

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npg logoNPG PR has hired publicist Meg Ryan. Ryan will be based in Nashville and will aid in day-to-day public relations activities such as tour press, strategic planning, media relations and overall client management for NPG PR’s eclectic roster of music, corporate, television and event clients. Ryan’s background includes time at Sandbox Entertainment, Big Machine Label Group and most recently SunFire Entertainment.

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cmasongwriters1The CMA Songwriters Series returns to Joe’s Bar in Chicago for a special night on Aug. 1 at 8:30 p.m./CT. Celebrating its ninth remarkable year, the CMA Songwriters Series features guests Matraca Berg, Kristian Bush, Bobby Pinson and Bob DiPiero, who will also serve as the evening’s host. Tickets are on sale at joesbar.com.

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fly free festival logoTennessee will be home to a new music festival beginning in October. The Fly Free Festival 2013 will take place in Adams, Tenn. on Oct. 11-13. The lineup includes Papadasio, Moon Taxi, Cloud Cult, Jeff The Brotherhood, RJD2 and others. For more information, visit flyfreefest.com.
 
 
 
 

Ashley Monroe To Tour With Train, Hunter Hayes

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ashleymonroesliderAshley Monroe has a heavy touring schedule for the rest of 2013, joining two tours in support of her album Like A Rose, co-produced by Vince Gill and Justin Niebank.
Monroe began her trek with Train‘s Mermaids of Alcatraz Tour on July 11; the 25-date tour will wrap Aug. 14 in Auburn, Wash. Monroe will join Train lead singer Pat Monahan for a duet of their single “Bruises,” followed by a performance of her own material.
In October, she will join singer-songwriter-guitarist Hunter Hayes as part of his CMT On Tour: Hunter Hayes Let’s Be Crazy Tour. The outing launches with a performance in Knoxville, Tenn. on Oct. 10 and wraps on Dec. 7 in Kansas City, Mo.
Like A Rose features nine songs all co-written by Monroe; her co-writers include Hall of Famer Guy Clark, Liz Rose, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna and co-producer Gill.
For a full list of tour dates, visit ashleymonroe.com.

Kenny Rogers To Headline Concert for Cumberland Heights

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Kenny-Rogers1

Kenny Rogers


Legendary singer-songwriter and 2013 Country Music Hall of Fame® inductee Kenny Rogers will headline the 16th Annual Concert for Cumberland Heights on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 8 p.m. at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, July 19, at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Ryman box office and ryman.com.
Proceeds from the concert will support the John Hiatt Fund for Adolescent Treatment at Cumberland Heights, which aids adolescents ages 14 to 18. Cumberland Heights offers young people residential, primary and extended care treatment in addition to outpatient services.
An online auction will also run from July 19 – Aug. 2 on the ticket page at ryman.com. Rogers fans and Cumberland Heights supporters can bid on VIP packages including front row tickets, meet and greet passes and signed Kenny Rogers memorabilia.

Marconi Radio Award Finalists Announced

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radioshowThe National Association of Broadcasters has announced the finalists for the 2013 NAB Marconi Radio Awards honoring radio stations and on-air personalities for excellence in broadcasting. The winners will be revealed Sept. 19 at the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner & Show, held during the 2013 Radio Show at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
COUNTRY STATION OF THE YEAR
KCLR-FM Columbia, MO
KKBQ-FM Houston, TX
WDSY-FM Pittsburgh, PA
WGSQ-FM Cookeville, TN
WUSN-FM Chicago, IL
LEGENDARY STATION
KFI-AM Los Angeles, CA
KIIS-FM Los Angeles, CA
KYW-AM Philadelphia, PA
WBBM-AM Chicago, IL
WEEI-FM Boston, MA
NETWORK/SYNDICATED PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Argelia Atilano, Univision Radio Network
Delilah, Premiere Radio Networks
Steve Harvey, Premiere Radio Networks
Tom Joyner, Reach Media
Petros & Money, Premiere Radio Networks
MAJOR MARKET PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Carter Alan, WZLX-FM, Boston, MA
Boomer & Carton, WFAN-AM/FM, New York, NY
Ryan Cameron, WVEE-FM, Atlanta, GA
Eric & Kathy, WTMX-FM, Chicago, IL
The Musers, KTCK-AM, Dallas, TX
LARGE MARKET PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Amos Brown, WTLC-AM, Indianapolis, IN
Chris Carr & Company, WUBE-FM, Cincinnati, OH
Cornbread, WIL-FM, St. Louis, MO
Laurie DeYoung, WPOC-FM, Baltimore, MD
Kym Sellers, WZAK-FM, Cleveland, OH
MEDIUM MARKET PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Roger Todd, Tom O’Brien, Melissa Moran & DJ the Trucker, WPCV-FM, Lakeland, FL
Brian Byers, WSOY-AM, Decatur, IL
Brian Gary, Todd Harding and Susan Moore, KUAD-FM Fort Collins, CO
Mark Ericson and Karen Kiley, WOKQ-FM Portsmouth, NH
Jermaine “Funny Maine” Johnson, WBHJ-FM Birmingham, AL
SMALL MARKET PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Alex & Cora, WAXX-FM, Altoona, WI
Cosmo & Whitney, KTXY-FM, Columbia, MO
Brian Lee & Chris Wolfe, KZOQ-FM, Missoula, MT
Susan Littlefield, KZEN-FM, Columbus, NE
Monk & Kelly, WGSQ-FM, Cookeville, TN
SPANISH FORMAT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Milton Andrade Cardenas, KLNV-FM, San Diego, CA
Diamond Boy Luis, WLZL-FM, Washington, DC
Rafael Orlando, WYUS-AM, Milford, DC
Javier Romero, WAMR-FM, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Armando Ulloa, “El Chiquilin,” KLZT-FM, Austin TX
MAJOR MARKET STATION OF THE YEAR
KROQ-FM Los Angeles, CA
WBEB-FM Philadelphia, PA
WINS-AM New York, NY
WJMN-FM Boston, MA
WMMR-FM Philadelphia, PA
LARGE MARKET STATION OF THE YEAR
KSTP-FM St. Paul, MN
WCCO-AM Minneapolis, MN
WPRO-AM Providence, RI
WWL-AM New Orleans, LA
WXYT-FM Detroit, MI
MEDIUM MARKET STATION OF THE YEAR
KRMG-FM Tulsa, OK
WDGL-FM Baton Rouge, LA
WGCV-AM Columbia, SC
WMEE-FM Fort Wayne, IN
WMGX-FM Portland, ME
SMALL MARKET STATION OF THE YEAR
KCLR-FM Columbia, MO
KCVM-FM Cedar Falls, IA
KICD-AM Spencer, IA
WKDZ-FM Cadiz, KY
WLEN-FM Adrian, MI
AC STATION OF THE YEAR
KBIG-FM Los Angeles, CA
WFEZ-FM Miami, FL
WTMX-FM Chicago, IL
WWDE-FM Virginia Beach, VA
WWRM-FM Tampa Bay, FL
CHR STATION OF THE YEAR
WFBC-FM Greenville, SC
WKSW-FM Cookeville, TN
WRDW-FM Philadelphia, PA
WVAQ-FM Morgantown, WV
WXNY-FM New York, NY
NEWS/TALK STATION OF THE YEAR
KTMY-FM St. Paul, MN
WBT-AM Charlotte, NC
WBZ-AM Boston, MA
WPRO-AM Providence, RI
WSB-AM Atlanta, GA
RELIGIOUS STATION OF THE YEAR
KFSH-FM Los Angeles, CA
KKJM-FM Sauk Rapids, MN
KKLA-FM Los Angeles, CA
KLRC-FM Siloam Springs, AR
WCAO-AM Baltimore, MD
ROCK STATION OF THE YEAR
KSHE-FM St. Louis, MO
WBAB-FM Long Island, NY
WDRV-FM Chicago, IL
WRAT-FM Belmar, NJ
WZLX-FM Boston, MA
SPANISH STATION OF THE YEAR
KGBT-FM McAllen, TX
KLOL-FM Houston, TX
KLNV-FM San Diego, CA
WKAQ-FM San Juan, PR
WYUS-AM Milford, DE
SPORTS STATION OF THE YEAR
KTCK-AM Dallas, TX
WBZ-FM Boston, MA
WIP-FM Philadelphia, PA
WSCR-AM Chicago, IL
WXYT-FM Detroit, MI
URBAN
WEDR-FM Miami, FL
WHUR-FM Washington, DC
WKYS-FM Washington, DC
WTLC-FM Indianapolis, IN
WVEE-FM Atlanta, GA