(L-R): Dr. Don Carpenter, Eddie Edwards, Gaylon Christie, Lorianne Crook, Charlie Chase, and Bill “Dex” Poindexter
Gaylon Christie (Radio category); Dr. Don Carpenter, Crook & Chase, Eddie Edwards, Bill “Dex” Poindexter (On-Air category)
CRS President’s Award: Bob Romeo, Academy of Country Music CEO
CRB Career Achievement Award: George Strait
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM—Chapter 418
Brevity and wit were the characteristics of this year’s Country Radio Hall of Fame ceremony.
The annual Country Radio Seminar event was staged Tuesday evening (Feb. 26) at the Convention Center’s Renaissance Ballroom. This is an occasion that in past years has lumbered on for hours, with multiple musical performances and long-winded speakers basking in the sounds of their dulcet radio voices. This year, we were in and out of the banquet in about two hours. Another big difference was the fact that, for a change, almost all the tables were sold.
“We are so pleased to have this room full,” said Charlie Morgan. “It’s such a terrific way to begin this week.”
The Academy of Country Music’s Bob Romeo was given the President’s Award. “When I got the call, I was humbled and really speechless,” said the normally loquacious and humorous exec.
Tim McGraw and George Strait
Country Music Hall of Fame member
George Strait was honored with the artist Career Achievement Award. He has more No. 1 hits than any artist in history. As he took the stage, the ballroom attendees jumped up in an enthusiastic standing ovation, whooping and waving their napkins in the air.
“Thank you very much; I really appreciate this,” said the superstar. “It’s coming from radio, so I’ll definitely have a special place for this in my house. The country-music business is the best business in the world. It’s meant so much to me to have made so many friends over the years. I also want to congratulate the Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees tonight.
“That’s about all I’ve got to say,” concluded the famously terse cowboy crooner.
Paul Allen inducted
Gaylon Christie, who has been in country radio for 50 years. His Texas station, KUSJ, is categorized as “small market,” but it serves Ft. Hood, the largest U.S. military installation in the world. His listening audience there, alone, numbers more than 297,000. For many years, he was its owner/operator as well as its on-air personality.
“I hope sometime during your life, you feel as thankful and blessed as I do tonight,” Gaylon said to the crowd.
Sammy George did the honors for
Bill “Dex” Poindexter, who has won three CMA Air Personality of the Year awards for his work at WUSY in Chattanooga. In the peripatetic world of radio, he is unusual as a jock who has worked his entire career in his hometown.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” he responded following Sammy’s laudatory introductory remarks. “But he sounds like a helluva guy.” Dex lost his wife eight weeks ago, and bravely went on the air to share his deep feelings with his listeners.
Tim Roberts inducted
Dr. Don Carpenter, a former veterinarian who made his mark at stations in Joplin, Tampa, Des Moines and Pittsburgh before settling in at WYCD in Detroit. Don gave the evening’s most irreverent acceptance speech, indicating that he didn’t like country music except when it sounded like Southern rock and bragging that he had stars do interviews sitting on a toilet seat.
“For the past 30 years, all these P.D.’s [program directors] in here have been telling me I’ve been doing it all wrong,” said Don. “I still can’t figure out how I got here.”
WNOE program director
Don Gosselin introduced inductee
Eddie Edwards and praised him for helping to bring country music back to prominence in New Orleans. Eddie, who is also a member of the Louisiana Hall of Fame, gave the funniest speech of the night.
He played a little harmonica and quipped, “I smoked so much weed that Willie Nelson did my intervention,” then added, “That’s great wine. If I’d had one more glass, I’d have come up here as Randy Travis.
“People always ask me, ‘What made you choose radio?’ Well, look at me: I had very few career options….I have made literally hundreds of dollars, and I have dozens of t-shirts and hats. My daughter is a lawyer. I’m so disappointed in her: I wanted her to be a disc jockey.”
Tim McGraw, who is celebrating his 33
rd No. 1 hit this week, inducted
Lorianne Crook and
Charlie Chase. “Crook & Chase was born in 1983, and it’s been fantastic ever since,” said Tim. Actually, the team first came to radio in 1987, but who’s counting?
“They’ve always had a way of making artists and fans feel at home.” Tim told the crowd that he’s always had a crush on Lorianne and that he named his pet jackass after Charlie.
“We are here to help other people’s talents shine,” said Lorianne, who is a Nashville native. “It’s not about Crook & Chase. It’s about that artist. It’s about country music. It’s about the fans.”
“My buddy Lorianne Crook has made going to work a lot of fun,” said Charlie, who grew up next to the radio station in Rogersville, TN. “We discovered a partnership that is rare. Lorianne and I are honored and blessed to join all the professionals in the Country Radio Hall of Fame.”
Greeting the inductees with multiple standing ovations were
Mike Wilson, Mike Dungan, Bob Kingsley, Bob Paxman, John Esposito, John Huie, Eddie Mascolo, Ed Morris, Frank Mull, Matt Watkins, Jim Owens, Kyle Cantrell, Julie Talbot, Lon Helton, Peter Svensen, Tom Baldrica, Phil Sweetland, Vernell Hackett, Sean Ross, Chuck Aly, Adelaide Yoder, Kay Smith, R.J. Curtis and
Sherod Robertson.
Working the room were such artists as
Charlie Worsham, Kristen Kelly,
X-Factor champ
Tate Stevens, Toby’s daughter
Krystal Keith, Brett Eldredge, George Johnson and
Tracy Lawrence. We dined on steak, potato wedges, broccoli crowns, salad and apple pie and/or chocolate cake.
Craig Campbell and
Katie Armiger were booked to perform at the After Party.
(L-R): CRB’s Bill Mayne, Lorianne Crook, Tim McGraw, Charlie Chase, Bob Romeo and CRS Pres. Mike Culotta
Craig Campbell and Katie Armiger at the after party.
Taylor Swift Adds "Red Tour" Artists
/by Jessica NicholsonCrouse will join for 11 shows, Eldredge will open for 14 shows, Florida Georgia Line will perform for seven shows and James will perform in an opening slot for 14 concerts. Austin Mahone will join the bill for stadium shows. They join previously announced tourmate Ed Sheeran.
Swift’s Red tour will include 58 shows in 45 cities.
LifeNotes: Shelton Harrison
/by Jessica NicholsonShelton Harrison
Prominent concert promoter Shelton Harrison has died in Nashville, Tenn. at age 78. He died on Thursday (Feb. 21) following a long battle with cancer. Services were held on Monday (Feb. 25) at Williamson Memorial Gardens in Franklin, Tenn.
During his most active 20 years of concert promotion, he worked with numerous artists, including Marty Robbins, Dottie West, Kenny Rogers, Tom T. Hall, Larry Gatlin, Ronnie Milsap, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams, Jr., The Bama Band, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, T.G. Sheppard, Carl Perkins, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Ed Bruce, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Charley Pride, Shelly West, David Frizzell, Mel Tillis, Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius, Brenda Lee, Jeannie Sealy, Mel McDaniel, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, Vern Gosdin, Donna Fargo, Jean Shepard, Tanya Tucker, Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Barbara Mandrell, Louis Mandrell, Janie Frickie, Charlie Rich, Charlie Daniels, Justin Timberlake and others.
In addition to promoting traditional concerts and concert venues, Harrison innovated new events that served to expand the reach of country music while also benefiting public charities. One event was his 1976 creation of the Shelton Harrison Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament to benefit St. Jude Hospital, which featured golfers such as U.S. Open champion Lou Graham and other sports celebrities including Stan Musial and Bear Bryant.
Harrison was also a former Golden Gloves champion and professional boxer. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Brucene; daughter, Camille; and son, Shelley.
Carrie Underwood's Blown Away Tour Live on AXS TV
/by Jessica NicholsonUnderwood says, “I’ve had the opportunity to play in so many wonderful cities and venues on this tour and still have many more to go, but I am so excited that AXS TV has given us the opportunity to be able to share the concert experience live with fans at home. It’s going to be a great night!”
“Carrie Underwood and AXS TV share two undeniable traits: a love for live music and passionate country music fans. I am thrilled to personally welcome Carrie to the AXS TV cadre of live LIVE artists. Fans will not be disappointed by the front row seat we give them to The Blown Away Tour on March 3rd,” said AXS TV Chairman Mark Cuban.
“The Blown Away Tour” Live 2013 is not Underwood’s first appearance on AXS TV. She gave the network’s nightly live music news, trends and interview program, AXSLive, an exclusive backstage interview and live look in to “The Blown Away Tour” when it stopped at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, located in the heart of the network’s home campus, L.A. LIVE.
Watch the AXSLive backstage interview with Carrie Underwood.
Performers For ACM Weekend at Fremont Street
/by Sarah SkatesThe ACM Weekend at Fremont Street Experience is part of The Week Vegas Goes Country, which leads up to the ACM Awards, to be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, April 7 on CBS. Other events include ACM Party for a Cause and The ACM Experience.
Schedule for ACM Weekend at Fremont Street Experience
Friday, April 5, 2013—headliner Gary Allan, with performances by Sunny Sweeney, Joe Nichols and Kip Moore
Saturday, April 6, 2013—headliner Jake Owen, with performances by Chris Janson, Randy Houser, and Jana Kramer
On The Cover: Love and Theft (Feb/Mar 2013)
/by Caitlin RantalaAnd in a way, it is. Love and Theft is Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson’s first album since joining RCA Nashville, the home to many of their musical inspirations. “We feel like people will be hearing us for the first time,” says Eric.
Stephen agrees and credits the label’s storied history with helping to reenergize the band. “The history of RCA Records is incredible. Just knowing that we are on the same label as some of our biggest influences, like Elvis Presley, is an awesome feeling.”
That excitement is palpable throughout the 11 songs that comprise the album, a fluid mix of country melodies and sing-along choruses, all driven by Eric’s earthy voice and Stephen’s high-altitude tenor. The guys share lead vocals, harmonize like a church choir and bolster their songs with their own guitar playing. “We sound like brothers when we sing,” says Eric. “Stephen and I have always been on the same page as far as the vision for the band, and we feel like we have made the record we’ve always wanted to make.”
Produced by Josh Leo (Alabama, Nitty Gritty Dirty Band), Love and Theft is a nod to the duo’s varied influences. The rollicking first single “Angel Eyes”—which scored the twosome their first CMT Music Awards nomination for Duo Video of the Year—brings to mind Elvis Presley’s “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise.” The pair is equally enthusiastic about “Runnin’ Out of Air,” a tune they describe as “Maroon 5 meets the Eagles.”
Stephen and Eric’s experiences growing up in the Bible Belt help inform the new album, especially on the wild-child single “Angel Eyes,” which Eric co-wrote with Eric Paslay and Jeff Coplan. “Preacher’s kids seem to have the most rebellious side and get in trouble more,” Eric admits with a laugh. “That was kind of the inspiration for that. We wrote it from a personal place.”
With a renewed emphasis on organic sounds, their second album has brought Love and Theft closer to what it set out to be: a band that writes, records and performs honest, soulful country music.
“This record represents the way we sound live,” says Stephen, before—like the musical brothers they are—Eric completes the thought. “It shows a more mature, evolved Love and Theft but the core is still the same,” he says. “Our sound will always be driven by harmonies.”
Artist Name: Love and Theft
Label: RCA Nashville
Current Album: Love and Theft
Current Single: “Runnin’ Out of Air”
Current Video: “Runnin’ Out of Air”
Current Producer: Josh Leo (Alabama, Nitty Gritty Dirty Band)
Hometown: Eric: Matthews, N.C.; Stephen: Palm Harbor, Fla.
Management: Vector Management
Booking: CAA
Recent Hits: Gold-Certified, No.1 hit “Angel Eyes,” and current single, “Runnin’ Out of Air.”
Awards: The duo has been ACM, ACA, CMA and CMT-nominated
RIAA Certs to date: Gold-Certified, No.1 hit “Angel Eyes”
Special TV/Film Appearances: CBS Morning Show
Birthdays: Stephen: January 24th; Eric: December 21st
Interesting Facts:
Eric: I have a strange fear of turtles and one of my thumbs is a lot shorter than the other
Stephen: I love all forms of art
Outside Interests:
Eric: Hunting, fishing, running, and road biking.
Stephen: Hunting , fishing , being on or near the water. I love watching football and pretty much all sports. Having birthday parties and traveling.
Musical Influences:
Eric: The Eagles, Jackson Brown, Beatles, Alabama
Stephen: Johnny Cash, Elvis, The Eagles, Nirvana, George Strait
Favorite Record(s):
Eric: Hotel California
Stephen: Tyler Farr – “Redneck Crazy,” Randy Houser- “Runnin’ Out of Moonlight,” Family Force 5 –“Wobble,” Thomas Rhett – “Front Porch Junkies,” Lee Brice – “I Drive Your Truck,” Guy Clark – “The Guitar,” Florida Georgia Line – “Tell Me How You Like It”
Brad Paisley's Beat This Summer Tour to Launch May 9
/by Jessica NicholsonPaisley is proud to partner with Live Beyond by donating $1 from each ticket sale. Live Beyond is a Nashville nonprofit with a mission to provide medical care, clean water, nutritional support and development activities to impoverished communities in Haiti. Go to www.livebeyond.org for more information or to donate.
May 9 St. Louis, Mo. Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
May 10 Indianapolis Klipsch Music Center
May 11 Chicago First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
May 16 Holmdel, N.J. PNC Bank Arts Center
May 17 Boston Comcast Center
May 18 Hartford, Conn. Comcast Theatre
May 31 Toronto, ONT Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
June 1 Pittsburgh First Niagara Pavilion
June 2 Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Saratoga Performing Arts Center
June 6 Cincinnati Riverbend Music Center
June 7 Charlotte, N.C. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
June 8 Raleigh, N.C. Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
June 21 West Palm Beach, Fla. Cruzan Amphitheatre *
June 22 Tampa, Fla. Live Nation Amphitheatre *
June 23 Atlanta Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood *
June 28 Virginia Beach, Va. Farm Bureau Live
June 29 Washington, D.C. Jiffy Lube Live
July 12 Darien Center, N.Y. Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
July 13 Ft. Loramie, Ohio Country Concert at Hickory Hills Lake
July 20 Twin Lakes, Wisc. Country Thunder Festival Grounds
July 27 Dallas
July 28 Houston Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Aug. 1 Denver Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
Aug. 2 Salt Lake City, Utah USANA Amphitheatre
Aug. 16 Mission, BC Rockin’ River Festival-Mission Raceway Park*
Aug. 17 Brownsville, Ore. Williamette Country Music Festival *
Aug. 22 Mountain View, Calif. Shoreline Amphitheatre
Aug. 23 Sacramento, Calif. Sleep Train Amphitheatre
Aug. 24 San Bernardino, Calif. San Manuel Amphitheatre
* Lee Brice is not on this date.
Artist Updates (2-27-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Shuggah Pies performed a five-song set at the BMI Nashville offices on Jan. 24 for a diverse crowd of writers, publishers and young professionals. The trio is currently in the studio with producer Jeffrey Steele wrapping up their debut album. They released their single “I’m Ready” to iTunes late last year and have been playing road dates with Jana Kramer, Craig Campbell, and others.
(L-R): CAA’s Rod Essig; 3 Ring Circus’ Casey Le’Vasseur; The Shuggah Pies’ Angela Krechel, Courtney Krechel, Amy Krechel; Jeffrey Steele; BMI’s Jody Williams
• • •
• • •
The group will perform during the 7 p.m. show as part of a bill that includes Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, Steve Wariner and Montgomery Gentry.
“We are completely blown away!” said Parmalee member Matt Thomas. “What an honor to be invited into the ‘Circle.’ This is definitely a lifetime achievement for all us.”
“My first thought when I heard we were playing the Grand Ole Opry was, ‘My family is gonna be so proud!’” said Barry Knox.
• • •
Bobby Karl Works The MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards
/by Bobby KarlShowcase artist High Valley.
11th annual CountryBreakout Winners
Male Artist of the Year: Dierks Bentley, 127,652 spins
Female Artist of the Year: Miranda Lambert, 100,934 spins
Group/Duo of the Year: Zac Brown Band, 118, 356 spins
Breakout Artist of the Year: Kip Moore, 93,869
Independent Artist of the Year: Taylor Made, 35,409 spins
Label of the Year: Capitol Records Nashville, 597,897
CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year: Paul Ciliberto, WDNB/Liberty, NY
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 theMusicRow CountryBreakout chart during 2012.
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM: Chapter 417
Dierks Bentley
There was no bang from a starter pistol, no clang of a gong or ringing of a bell, but the 2013 CRS attendees are definitely off and running.
Hundreds surged into Margaritaville on Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 26), packing the venue’s upstairs event space for the MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards. Now in its 11th year, this gig has become the unofficial kick-off event of Country Radio Seminar.
The throng included Tracy Lawrence, The Roys, Robby Johnson, Sherry Lynn, Angel Mary & The Tennessee Werewolves, Tyler Dean, Brent Cobb, Shelly Mullins and Alex Flanigen schmoozing the likes of David Newmark, David Ross, Isabel Ross, Al Brock, Dan Mitchell, Regnia Hensley, Judy Harris, Christy Watkins, Brenda Larsen, Wes Vause, Teddi Bonadies, Steve Pope, Preston Schmidt, Susan Collier, Neil Spielberg, Chuck Dauphin, Frank Myers, Woody Bomar, Robbie Huff, Byron Gallimore, Renee Grant-Williams and hostess with the mostest, Margaritaville’s Tinti Moffatt.
Showcase artist Jaida Dreyer
“Repeat after me, ‘Welcome to CRS!’” shouted entertainer Jaida Dreyer to the crowd. Her debut album, I Am Jaida Dreyer was released that very morning. From it, she chose to sing the wry, minor-key “Confessions of an Ex Girlfriend,” her single “Half Broke Horses” and the bopping “If That Ain’t Love.”
(L-R): Sarah Skates, Sony’s R.G. Jones, Sherod Robertson
Also entertaining at the event were the three-part sibling harmony masters High Valley. The group, which is opening shows for Little Big Town this spring, sang the driving, energetic “Love You for a Long Time” and the anthemic “Call Me Old Fashioned,” then introduced a brand-new song, the throbbing “Rescue You.”
(L-R): Sarah Skates, MCA’s Van Haze, Sherod Robertson
Between performances, MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson handed out the magazine’s radio chart honors. This year’s Male Artist of the Year is Dierks Bentley, thanks to “Home,” “5-1-5-0” and “Tip It on Back.”
CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year Paul Ciliberto
“I’m a huge fan of MusicRow, so it is an honor to be here,” said Bentley. “And my fan club is on the front row! This is awesome.”
Accepting the Female Artist of the Year award for Miranda Lambert was Sony Music Nashville promo guy R.G. Jones. “Thank you very much for all your support, country radio,” he said. “I just wish I was as good looking as Miranda.” So do we.
ROAR’s Matt Maher and Chuck Swaney of Southern Ground Artists accepted the Group/Duo prize on behalf of the Zac Brown Band. MCA’s Van Haze got up to collect the Breakout Artist award on behalf of Kip Moore, who was busy shooting the video for “Hey Pretty Girl.”
(L-R): Sarah Skates, UMG Nashville’s Steve Hodges and Shane Allen, Sherod Robertson
(L-R): Sarah Skates, ROAR’s Matt Maher, Southern Ground Artist’s Chuck Swaney, Sherod Robertson
Can you believe this? Capitol Nashville Records won the Label of the Year award for the eighth consecutive time. The company had 11 of the 32 No. 1 songs on the MusicRow chart during the past year.
Independent Artist of the Year Taylor Made
“Thank y’all for playing our fantastic music,” said the label’s Steve Hodges, who was accompanied to the stage by co-worker Shane Allen.
The West Virginia-bred sibling trio Taylor Made was clearly delighted by its win. Their press releases now refer to them as “MusicRow Independent Artist of the Year Taylor Made.”
Radio Reporter of the Year Paul Ciliberto of WDNB in Liberty, N.Y. accepted his award by saying, “The best award of all is making true friends of so many in this room. I am truly honored.”
High Valley
Robertson bid us all adieu: “We appreciate you starting Country Radio Seminar week with us. Have an awesome CRS. Have as much fun as you can…legally.”
A-a-a-a-a-nd they’re OFF! Let the week of yakking and drinking and music begin.
(L-R): Sarah Skates, Sherod Robertson, Dierks Bentley and Steve Hodges
Jaida Dreyer
Photos by Isabel Ross and Caitlin Rantala. Click to see more event pics.
Academy of Country Music Radio Award Winners
/by Jessica NicholsonCody Alan won the National On-Air Personality of the Year award, for CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan. Alan also won the award in 2010 and serves as both the host and executive producer for CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan. He can also be seen weekly on CMT Hot 20 Countdown.
Winners in radio categories will be invited to receive their awards at a private reception in Las Vegas on April 6, the day prior to the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
NATIONAL Cody Alan – CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan
MAJOR MARKET Cornbread, Judi Diamond & Cap’n Mac – WIL-FM – St. Louis, Mo.
LARGE MARKET Chris Carr, Maverick & Statt – WUBE-FM – Cincinnati
MEDIUM MARKET Rowdy Yates, Sunny Leigh & Carly Rush – KVOO-FM – Tulsa, Okla.
SMALL MARKET Gator Harrison, Styckman & Cowboy Kyle – WUSY-FM – Chattanooga, Tenn.
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR WINNERS:
MAJOR MARKET WYCD-FM—Detroit
LARGE MARKET KAJA-FM – San Antonio
MEDIUM MARKET KUZZ AM/FM – Bakersfield, Calif.
SMALL MARKET KCLR-FM – Columbia, Mo.
Bobby Karl Works The Country Radio Hall of Fame Inductions
/by Robert K Oermann(L-R): Dr. Don Carpenter, Eddie Edwards, Gaylon Christie, Lorianne Crook, Charlie Chase, and Bill “Dex” Poindexter
Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees: Gaylon Christie (Radio category); Dr. Don Carpenter, Crook & Chase, Eddie Edwards, Bill “Dex” Poindexter (On-Air category)
CRS President’s Award: Bob Romeo, Academy of Country Music CEO
CRB Career Achievement Award: George Strait
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM—Chapter 418
Brevity and wit were the characteristics of this year’s Country Radio Hall of Fame ceremony.
The annual Country Radio Seminar event was staged Tuesday evening (Feb. 26) at the Convention Center’s Renaissance Ballroom. This is an occasion that in past years has lumbered on for hours, with multiple musical performances and long-winded speakers basking in the sounds of their dulcet radio voices. This year, we were in and out of the banquet in about two hours. Another big difference was the fact that, for a change, almost all the tables were sold.
“We are so pleased to have this room full,” said Charlie Morgan. “It’s such a terrific way to begin this week.”
The Academy of Country Music’s Bob Romeo was given the President’s Award. “When I got the call, I was humbled and really speechless,” said the normally loquacious and humorous exec.
Tim McGraw and George Strait
Country Music Hall of Fame member George Strait was honored with the artist Career Achievement Award. He has more No. 1 hits than any artist in history. As he took the stage, the ballroom attendees jumped up in an enthusiastic standing ovation, whooping and waving their napkins in the air.
“Thank you very much; I really appreciate this,” said the superstar. “It’s coming from radio, so I’ll definitely have a special place for this in my house. The country-music business is the best business in the world. It’s meant so much to me to have made so many friends over the years. I also want to congratulate the Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees tonight.
“That’s about all I’ve got to say,” concluded the famously terse cowboy crooner.
Paul Allen inducted Gaylon Christie, who has been in country radio for 50 years. His Texas station, KUSJ, is categorized as “small market,” but it serves Ft. Hood, the largest U.S. military installation in the world. His listening audience there, alone, numbers more than 297,000. For many years, he was its owner/operator as well as its on-air personality.
“I hope sometime during your life, you feel as thankful and blessed as I do tonight,” Gaylon said to the crowd.
Sammy George did the honors for Bill “Dex” Poindexter, who has won three CMA Air Personality of the Year awards for his work at WUSY in Chattanooga. In the peripatetic world of radio, he is unusual as a jock who has worked his entire career in his hometown.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” he responded following Sammy’s laudatory introductory remarks. “But he sounds like a helluva guy.” Dex lost his wife eight weeks ago, and bravely went on the air to share his deep feelings with his listeners.
Tim Roberts inducted Dr. Don Carpenter, a former veterinarian who made his mark at stations in Joplin, Tampa, Des Moines and Pittsburgh before settling in at WYCD in Detroit. Don gave the evening’s most irreverent acceptance speech, indicating that he didn’t like country music except when it sounded like Southern rock and bragging that he had stars do interviews sitting on a toilet seat.
“For the past 30 years, all these P.D.’s [program directors] in here have been telling me I’ve been doing it all wrong,” said Don. “I still can’t figure out how I got here.”
WNOE program director Don Gosselin introduced inductee Eddie Edwards and praised him for helping to bring country music back to prominence in New Orleans. Eddie, who is also a member of the Louisiana Hall of Fame, gave the funniest speech of the night.
He played a little harmonica and quipped, “I smoked so much weed that Willie Nelson did my intervention,” then added, “That’s great wine. If I’d had one more glass, I’d have come up here as Randy Travis.
“People always ask me, ‘What made you choose radio?’ Well, look at me: I had very few career options….I have made literally hundreds of dollars, and I have dozens of t-shirts and hats. My daughter is a lawyer. I’m so disappointed in her: I wanted her to be a disc jockey.”
Tim McGraw, who is celebrating his 33rd No. 1 hit this week, inducted Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase. “Crook & Chase was born in 1983, and it’s been fantastic ever since,” said Tim. Actually, the team first came to radio in 1987, but who’s counting?
“They’ve always had a way of making artists and fans feel at home.” Tim told the crowd that he’s always had a crush on Lorianne and that he named his pet jackass after Charlie.
“We are here to help other people’s talents shine,” said Lorianne, who is a Nashville native. “It’s not about Crook & Chase. It’s about that artist. It’s about country music. It’s about the fans.”
“My buddy Lorianne Crook has made going to work a lot of fun,” said Charlie, who grew up next to the radio station in Rogersville, TN. “We discovered a partnership that is rare. Lorianne and I are honored and blessed to join all the professionals in the Country Radio Hall of Fame.”
Greeting the inductees with multiple standing ovations were Mike Wilson, Mike Dungan, Bob Kingsley, Bob Paxman, John Esposito, John Huie, Eddie Mascolo, Ed Morris, Frank Mull, Matt Watkins, Jim Owens, Kyle Cantrell, Julie Talbot, Lon Helton, Peter Svensen, Tom Baldrica, Phil Sweetland, Vernell Hackett, Sean Ross, Chuck Aly, Adelaide Yoder, Kay Smith, R.J. Curtis and Sherod Robertson.
Working the room were such artists as Charlie Worsham, Kristen Kelly, X-Factor champ Tate Stevens, Toby’s daughter Krystal Keith, Brett Eldredge, George Johnson and Tracy Lawrence. We dined on steak, potato wedges, broccoli crowns, salad and apple pie and/or chocolate cake. Craig Campbell and Katie Armiger were booked to perform at the After Party.
(L-R): CRB’s Bill Mayne, Lorianne Crook, Tim McGraw, Charlie Chase, Bob Romeo and CRS Pres. Mike Culotta
Craig Campbell and Katie Armiger at the after party.