Average Joes Entertainment recording artist Matt Stillwell (R) visited with WJVL/Janesville, WI's Justin Brown promoting his new single, "Ignition." WJVL listeners were also treated to a short acoustic set at Wiggy's Saloon in downtown Janesville.
RADIO NEWS
• Longtime WATZ/Alpena, MI Music Director Susie Martin has retired after 18 years with the station and her last day was April 30. Going forward she can be reached at susie-martin@charter.net. Taking over her music duties is Phil Wenzel, who can be reached at pgwenz@gmail.com or 989-354-8400 x 304. Music call times are Tuesdays 1:30 – 4 pm ET and Wednesdays 2 – 4 pm ET.
• WQNZ/Natchez, MS Operations Manager Mark Porter has taken over Music Director duties following the exit of Mickey Alexander. Reach him at countryboy@95country.com.
• Rob Grayson has been named Program Director for WKBQ/Covington, TN after the departure of Jimmy Hicks. He can be reached at rob.grayson@us51country.com or 901-619-2468.
SPIN ZONE
There’s no need to apologize for this one: Eric Church has earned his second CountryBreakout No. 1 song with “Springsteen,” on the day after his birthday. Jason Aldean’s “Fly Over States” flies over a couple spots to land at No. 2, followed by Luke Bryan’s “Drunk On You.” Also muscling for top of the chart status are Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl” and Zac Brown Band’s “No Hurry.” And everyone’s on the move: Eli Young Band, Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Toby Keith all benefit from some extra spins.
It looks like one of those good weeks to be a promotion rep. A big section of songs is earning triple digit spins, positions are mostly improved, and newcomers are buzzing toward the Top 20. Rachel Holder’s “In Your Arms” is now at No. 20, followed by Thomas Rhett’s “Something To Do With My Hands” at No. 21, Jana Kramer’s “Why Ya Wanna” at No. 24, and Dustin Lynch’s “Cowboys and Angels” at No. 26. Also making big gains are Keith Urban’s “For You” at No. 19, and George Strait’s “Drinkin’ Man” at No. 43.
Blake Shelton had (literally) a zero to 60 week with his new single “Over.” Right in his wake at No. 61 is “Pontoon,” the latest from Little Big Town. Lee Brice is coming off a huge hit with “A Woman Like You.” It’s currently outside the Top 80, but get ready for a big debut from “Hard To Love” next week.
Frozen Playlists: KIAI, KYKX, WBKR, WJVL, WKWS
Upcoming Singles
May 7
Randy Houser/How Country Feels/Stoney Creek
Michael Dean Church/That’s How We Roll/MDC Records
Bucky Covington/I Wanna Be That Feeling/eOne/New Revolution
Lewis Copeland/She’s Got It Going On/Phull/Jeff McClusky/Turnpike
Jason Thomas/Roll On/MD Records
May 14
Jessie James/Military Man/Show Dog-Universal
Due West/Things You Can’t Do In A Car/Black River
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 60
Little Big Town/Pontoon/Capitol – 61
Neal McCoy/Shotgun Rider/Blaster – 66
Scotty McCreery/Water Tower Town/19/Mercury/Interscope – 76
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 390
Dierks Bentley/5-1-5-0/Capitol – 388
Keith Urban/For You/Capitol – 377
Toby Keith/Beers Ago/Show Dog-Universal – 307
George Strait/Drinkin’ Man/MCA – 295
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 30
George Strait/Drinkin’ Man/MCA – 21
Little Big Town/Pontoon/Capitol – 21
Neal McCoy/Shotgun Rider/Blaster – 15
Edens Edge/Too Good To Be True/Big Machine – 14
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb – 13
Jon Pardi/Missin’ You Crazy/Capitol – 12
Greg Bates/Did It For The Girl/Republic Nashville – 12
Kelly Clarkson/Mr. Know It All/19-RCA – 12
Montgomery Gentry/So Called Life/Average Joe’s – 11
Jerrod Niemann/Shinin’ On Me/Sea Gayle/Arista – 10
Keith Urban/For You/Capitol – 10
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb – 199
Lucas Hoge/Give A Damn/Animal House – 197
Adam Gregory/High On You/Calusa Entertainment-GMV Nashville – 191
Jaida Dreyer/Guy’s Girl/Soundstream – 178
Clinton Gregory/Bridges/Melody Roundup – 164
Don Gosselin (WNOE/New Orleans OM/PD) joined The Band Perry during the filming of the trio’s new music video for, "Postcard From Paris." Gosselin is pictured behind the wheel, Kimberly riding shotgun, and Neil and Reid in the backseat.
UMG Nashville’s Lauren Alaina appeared with label mate Easton Corbin at KFDI/Wichita’s Listener Appreciation Show. (L-R): KFDI’s Carol Hughes, Lauren Alaina, Mercury regional Jill Brunett
Kellie Pickler recently stopped by WSIX Nashville to co-host the morning show and promote the title track from her album 100 Proof. (L-R): WSIX morning show host Billy Greenwood, Pickler, WSIX midday personality Amy Paige, and BNA/Columbia's David Friedman
Charlie Cook On Air: Radio Chips in Cell Phones
/by contributorBut we all have our own agendas and in this one case I am not such a small government guy. I would love to see the government mandate the addition and activation of radio chips in cell phones. I am happy to admit to being self-serving here. I guess it would be redundant to say I am self-serving and I don’t care.
We know House members have met with smartphone manufacturers in the last two weeks and while the government may not force this issue, just scheduling the meeting may very well push the phone folks in the right direction.
Adding a radio chip would save lives, be a real convenience and would be fair. One of the best parts of having a radio chip in your cell phone is you get the local weather, news, sports and music without having to worry about eating up your data plan.
I lost my smart phone about 6 weeks ago while on a road trip. I ran across the street to a Best Buy and picked up a “load as you go” Nokia phone and was pleasantly surprised to learn that this $25.00 phone came with radio included. I found my $400 smart phone a few days later at Delta’s lost and found at Hartsfield. Yeah I have a million radio station apps and all of the push apps on the smartphone. But when I am on the treadmill and I want to listen to the Mountaineers game, I can do it on the cheapo phone. The Mountaineers cannot be streamed by their local affiliates.
And I am not using up my data plan.
When enjoying a beautiful West Virginia afternoon, hiking the magnificent mountains, and I want to check the local weather forecast, I can also do it on this cheapo phone. (Okay, I have never actually hiked the beautiful West Virginia Mountains, but I would feel much more comfortable doing do so if I had a radio on my cell phone.)
What about the safety issues? I have never heard an Amber Alert on Pandora. Spotify has yet to warn me of a tornado in the area. What happens if the school bus is going to be 2 hours late? Darn! I missed that announcement on Last-FM.
I mentioned fair above. Usually people cry “unfair” when they have no case to make, but players like Pandora and Spotify have lobbied the auto manufacturers to include them on the dashboard while CD makers were blindsided and lost their space in new Fords.
Radio has the right to lobby smartphone makers to get on the handheld units. But you have Consumer Electronics President Gary Shapiro saying that mandating radios in cell phones is, “not in our national interest.” WHAT!? Allowing al Qaeda to set up a recruitment booth in Times Square is not in our national interest. Releasing killer bees on the Mall in Washington, DC during the 4th of July celebration is not in our national interest. But not being able to tune in Brad Paisley on my cell phone while I grill hot dogs on my deck, really? Heck, the NAB and RIAA can not agree on what day it is most of the time and they BOTH think putting radios in cell phones is a good idea. They know this is good for both of their businesses. At the recent NAB meeting in Las Vegas, the talk was about HD Radio on phones. Think of the additional 40 or 50 options in a city like LA. Mr. Shapiro must be looking for new ways to warn the nation.
We are a society of choices. We watch television shows on our phones and tablets. We listen to push and pull audio on our smart phones.
Does it make me a self-serving SOB to want to hear “God Gave Me You” by Blake Shelton while I read his tweets on the same device?
Americana Music Assoc. Recruits Stellar Line-Up For Fundraiser
/by Sarah SkatesClockwise: Rosanne Cash, John Leventhal, Jim Lauderdale, John Oates
Rosanne Cash, John Oates, Jim Lauderdale and John Leventhal will perform at the Americana Summer Celebration at Blackberry Farm resort. The fundraiser for the Americana Music Association will be Friday and Saturday, July 20-21.
“We are honored that artists of this caliber will be participating in our Americana Summer Celebration,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “This event has become an important fundraiser and highly anticipated precursor to our ever-growing fall festival in Nashville. We’re curating our third musical weekend at Blackberry Farm and it just gets better and better.”
The weekend will highlight pairs of performers. Cash will perform with producer husband Leventhal. Oates and Lauderdale will take the stage together.
Blackberry Farm is a luxury property situated on 9,200 acres in the Smoky Mountains. The Relais & Châteaux resort is home to an award-winning culinary program and wine cellar. It was voted the No. 1 resort in North America for 2011 by Travel + Leisure readers in the World’s Best awards.
For reservations, please contact Blackberry Farm at 1-800-557-8864 or reservations@blackberryfarm.com.
Weekly Chart Report (5/4/12)
/by FreemanAverage Joes Entertainment recording artist Matt Stillwell (R) visited with WJVL/Janesville, WI's Justin Brown promoting his new single, "Ignition." WJVL listeners were also treated to a short acoustic set at Wiggy's Saloon in downtown Janesville.
RADIO NEWS
• Longtime WATZ/Alpena, MI Music Director Susie Martin has retired after 18 years with the station and her last day was April 30. Going forward she can be reached at susie-martin@charter.net. Taking over her music duties is Phil Wenzel, who can be reached at pgwenz@gmail.com or 989-354-8400 x 304. Music call times are Tuesdays 1:30 – 4 pm ET and Wednesdays 2 – 4 pm ET.
• WQNZ/Natchez, MS Operations Manager Mark Porter has taken over Music Director duties following the exit of Mickey Alexander. Reach him at countryboy@95country.com.
• Rob Grayson has been named Program Director for WKBQ/Covington, TN after the departure of Jimmy Hicks. He can be reached at rob.grayson@us51country.com or 901-619-2468.
SPIN ZONE
There’s no need to apologize for this one: Eric Church has earned his second CountryBreakout No. 1 song with “Springsteen,” on the day after his birthday. Jason Aldean’s “Fly Over States” flies over a couple spots to land at No. 2, followed by Luke Bryan’s “Drunk On You.” Also muscling for top of the chart status are Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl” and Zac Brown Band’s “No Hurry.” And everyone’s on the move: Eli Young Band, Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Toby Keith all benefit from some extra spins.
It looks like one of those good weeks to be a promotion rep. A big section of songs is earning triple digit spins, positions are mostly improved, and newcomers are buzzing toward the Top 20. Rachel Holder’s “In Your Arms” is now at No. 20, followed by Thomas Rhett’s “Something To Do With My Hands” at No. 21, Jana Kramer’s “Why Ya Wanna” at No. 24, and Dustin Lynch’s “Cowboys and Angels” at No. 26. Also making big gains are Keith Urban’s “For You” at No. 19, and George Strait’s “Drinkin’ Man” at No. 43.
Blake Shelton had (literally) a zero to 60 week with his new single “Over.” Right in his wake at No. 61 is “Pontoon,” the latest from Little Big Town. Lee Brice is coming off a huge hit with “A Woman Like You.” It’s currently outside the Top 80, but get ready for a big debut from “Hard To Love” next week.
Frozen Playlists: KIAI, KYKX, WBKR, WJVL, WKWS
Upcoming Singles
May 7
Randy Houser/How Country Feels/Stoney Creek
Michael Dean Church/That’s How We Roll/MDC Records
Bucky Covington/I Wanna Be That Feeling/eOne/New Revolution
Lewis Copeland/She’s Got It Going On/Phull/Jeff McClusky/Turnpike
Jason Thomas/Roll On/MD Records
May 14
Jessie James/Military Man/Show Dog-Universal
Due West/Things You Can’t Do In A Car/Black River
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 60
Little Big Town/Pontoon/Capitol – 61
Neal McCoy/Shotgun Rider/Blaster – 66
Scotty McCreery/Water Tower Town/19/Mercury/Interscope – 76
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 390
Dierks Bentley/5-1-5-0/Capitol – 388
Keith Urban/For You/Capitol – 377
Toby Keith/Beers Ago/Show Dog-Universal – 307
George Strait/Drinkin’ Man/MCA – 295
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 30
George Strait/Drinkin’ Man/MCA – 21
Little Big Town/Pontoon/Capitol – 21
Neal McCoy/Shotgun Rider/Blaster – 15
Edens Edge/Too Good To Be True/Big Machine – 14
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb – 13
Jon Pardi/Missin’ You Crazy/Capitol – 12
Greg Bates/Did It For The Girl/Republic Nashville – 12
Kelly Clarkson/Mr. Know It All/19-RCA – 12
Montgomery Gentry/So Called Life/Average Joe’s – 11
Jerrod Niemann/Shinin’ On Me/Sea Gayle/Arista – 10
Keith Urban/For You/Capitol – 10
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb – 199
Lucas Hoge/Give A Damn/Animal House – 197
Adam Gregory/High On You/Calusa Entertainment-GMV Nashville – 191
Jaida Dreyer/Guy’s Girl/Soundstream – 178
Clinton Gregory/Bridges/Melody Roundup – 164
Don Gosselin (WNOE/New Orleans OM/PD) joined The Band Perry during the filming of the trio’s new music video for, "Postcard From Paris." Gosselin is pictured behind the wheel, Kimberly riding shotgun, and Neil and Reid in the backseat.
UMG Nashville’s Lauren Alaina appeared with label mate Easton Corbin at KFDI/Wichita’s Listener Appreciation Show. (L-R): KFDI’s Carol Hughes, Lauren Alaina, Mercury regional Jill Brunett
Kellie Pickler recently stopped by WSIX Nashville to co-host the morning show and promote the title track from her album 100 Proof. (L-R): WSIX morning show host Billy Greenwood, Pickler, WSIX midday personality Amy Paige, and BNA/Columbia's David Friedman
Gonzales and Dorman Launch Triple Crown
/by FreemanRich O'Toole
Former Nine North Records regional promotion staffers Doc Gonzales and Jim Dorman have announced the launch of Triple Crown Promotions Company, an independent promotion outfit. Will Robinson, also previously with Nine North, has also joined the team.
Triple Crown’s first artist project will be Rich O’Toole, who is releasing his single “Drunk Girl” to country radio.
Reach out to Gonzales at doc@tc-promo.com, Dorman at jim@tc-promo.com, and Robinson at will@tc-promo.com.
No. 1 Party: George Strait’s “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright”
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured L-R: ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, UMG's Brian Wright, Sea Gayle Music's Liz O'Sullivan, Al Anderson, Chris Stapleton, UMG's Royce Risser, Tony Brown and ASCAP's Mike Sistad.
Producer Tony Brown took a seat at the grand piano in ASCAP’s lobby and played the iconic theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey to call to order the crowd at the No. 1 party for “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright.” It was the first of two events celebrating George Strait’s 59th No. 1, and although the King was not in attendance, he is one of the few artists deserving of such an introduction.
“Love’s Gonna Make It Alright” songwriters Al Anderson and Chris Stapleton were present to accept honors at the celebration on Monday (4/30).
ASCAP writer Stapleton received praise from Sea Gayle’s Liz O’Sullivan, CMA’s Brandi Simms, and CRB’s Bill Cody. Brown, along with UMG Nashville’s Royce Risser and Brian Wright, were additionally recognized.
Anderson, who writes for Big Yellow Dog, said “I’m proud to have a George Strait cut, it’s like a holy grail.” Echoing that feeling, Stapleton added, “It’s a humbling thing to just to have any song cut by somebody, but to be picked up by George and for it to go No. 1 is amazing.”
Afterward BMI writer Anderson was honored at an intimate rooftop reception at the organization’s offices. Shortly after the festivities, Anderson and his band the World Famous Headliners headed out of town for the Key West Songwriters Festival.
Pictured (L-R): MCA Nashville’s Van Haze, producer Tony Brown, MCA Nashville’s Joe Putnam, Erv Woolsey Management’s Dottie Oelhafen, co-writer Al Anderson, MCA Nashville’s Ken Robold, Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace, and BMI’s Clay Bradley. Photo: Steve Lowry
Lambert and Little Big Town Added to 2012 CMA Fest
/by Caitlin RantalaLambert will perform on Thursday, June 7, and Little Big Town will perform on Saturday, June 9.
Also during the Nightly Concerts at LP Field, Sarah Darling, Nashville School of Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner), Oak Ridge Boys and Julie Roberts will each perform the National Anthem.
The current lineups for the Nightly Concerts are as follows in alphabetical order:
Thursday, June 7:
Jason Aldean, Glen Campbell, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, and Zac Brown Band. National Anthem performed by the Nashville School of Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner).
Friday, June 8:
The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Ronnie Milsap, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood. National Anthem performed by the Oak Ridge Boys.
Saturday, June 9:
Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, and Kenny Rogers. National Anthem performed by Julie Roberts.
Sunday, June 10:
Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, The Mavericks, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, and Rascal Flatts. National Anthem performed by Sarah Darling.
Tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts are $40 (plus applicable handling fees) for general admission in the upper deck of LP Field. Fans can purchase tickets at Ticketmaster.com or CMAfest.com.
Four-day ticket packages are also available, from only $125 per person plus handling fees. Four-day ticket package categories correspond to varying levels of seating at LP Field and include admittance to all four Nightly Concerts as well as all daytime Festival activities, including the Fan Fair Fall where artist autograph signing sessions are held. Children 3 years and younger are admitted free. For information on ADA seating, please call 1-800-CMA-FEST.
Women Rock for the Cure Hosts Pink Trash Ball Tonight
/by Eric T. ParkerAmong the festivities are a fashion show presented by Betsey Johnson Nashville with cancer survivors as models. Musical performers at the event include Tiffany, The Voice’s Brian Fuente, Baby Daggers, Black Market Research and DeeJay Silver.
Tickets are still available here, including VIP packages.
Separately, the organization is planning a 2012 Young Survivors Retreat for September 21-23.
Last year, the event brought 22 women from 10 states to the Deer Run Retreat Center in Thompson Station. The weekend included nutrition, fertility, relationships, and beauty classes as well as a private songwriters performance night. Art and yoga sessions were also available. The retreat is free of charge and open to women between the ages of 18-40 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Applications will be accepted starting in June.
Additionally, Women Rock for the Cure is looking for young survivors to participate in upcoming promotional video shoots. To be connected with the organization to receive more information, click here.
Alan Jackson To Debut Music On Opry
/by Sarah SkatesJackson’s album, Thirty Miles West, will be released June 5 and is the first project via the partnership between ACR (Alan’s Country Records) and EMI Records Nashville. It is available for pre-order on his website. Fans who pre-order will receive a free instant download of current single “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore” and be entered to win a personalized autographed guitar.
Event Safety Alliance Working To Set Industry Guidelines
/by Sarah SkatesThe ESA will team with the music industry and government agencies including Homeland Security, OSHA and NFPA to create The Event Safety Guide US. Among the focuses of the book and organization are communication among event staff, staging inspection strategies, and training/certification programs for workers.
Following the tragedies of 2011, many professionals have sought ways to prevent future disasters. These efforts have included training by the National Weather Service, creating chains of command for events, and inserting language into contracts that alleviates financial risk for canceling or delaying a concert based on safety concerns.
Jim Digby, production manager for Linkin Park, is acting as Executive Director of the ESA.
The ESA is using the UK’s The Event Safety Guide, aka The Purple Guide, until a US version can be created. Click to download a PDF of The Purple Guide.
A website with resources and news is at eventsafetyalliance.org.
ESA members
Steven A. Adelman, Adelman Law Group, PLLC
Ken Barber, Clair Brothers Audio
Matt Bettenhausen, AEG Live
Keith Bohn, TOMCAT USA
John Brown, Brown United Staging
Lyle Centola, Production Manager
James Chippendale, Doodson Insurance Brokerage
Benny Collins, Production Manager
Jim Digby, Production Manager
Mary Lou Figley, Stageco
Tim Franklin, Structural Engineer
Charlie Hernandez, Production Director
Hadden Hippsley, Production Manager
Ken Keberle
Steve MacFadyen, Pollstar
Tim Roberts, Event Safety Shop, Ltd.
Karl Ruling, PLASA
Stuart Ross, Red Light Management
Roger Sandau, Doodson Insurance Brokerage
Ron Stern, Production Manager
Lady A Partners With Lipton for Tornado Victims
/by Caitlin RantalaTo honor the town, on May 16 Lady Antebellum will hold a special performance and community celebration at the KFC YUM! Center in nearby Louisville, KY. Lipton is giving an opportunity for fans around the country to get involved by creating a special destination, www.rebuildinghenryville.com, where people can learn more about Henryville, donate to the rebuild and share words of support for the community. For every $1 donation received, Lipton will match up to $50,000.
The Henryville project originated as part of Lady Antebellum’s contest offering their fans the chance to win a prom performance. After reviewing numerous submissions, the band chose Henryville for their inspiring story following extensive tornado damage.
“Lipton was already working with Lady Antebellum on an exciting new campaign to spread positivity and bring fans together when we were introduced to the community of Henryville,” said Heather MacNeil, Lipton. “We were moved by the community’s sense of unity and in the spirit of ‘Drink Positive,’ we immediately jumped on board to support the rebuild effort.”
Tickets for the Rebuilding Henryville performance at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. are also available at Ticketmaster.com. All donations and concert proceeds will go to the New Hope/Indiana Bankers Association for the Disaster Relief Fund.