Tag Archive for: featured-2

Underwood, Songwriters Cheer Charttopper

/by

BMI recently toasted the creative team behind Carrie Underwood’s #1 hit “Undo It” at an intimate luncheon in Nashville.
The song was co-written by a cross-genre BMI powergroup: Underwood, her frequent collaborator Luke Laird, pop-savvy songwriter Kara DioGuardi, and hard rock hitmaker Marti Frederiksen.
“Undo It” marks Underwood’s thirteenth chart-topper and is the first trip to the top of the country charts for both DioGuardi and Frederiksen.

Pictured are (l-r, seated): co-writers Luke Laird and Kara DioGuardi, Carrie Underwood, and co-writer Marti Frederiksen; (l-r, standing) BMI’s Beth Laird, producer Mark Bright, Bug Music’s Sara Johnson, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls, BMI’s Jody Williams, and Sony Music Nashville’s Gary Overton. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI Nashville

DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/1/11)

/by

Welcome to Country Radio Seminar.
You registrants are going to be hearing a lot of great new music this week. Alas, very little of it was on my desk today. There are only a few real highlights.
One of them is Little Big Town. The group’s “The Reason Why” is hands-down the Disc of the Day
And I am always happy when I find a newcomer who shines brightly. Today, the DisCovery Award goes to singer-songwriter Caitlin Rose. She positively sparkles.
KEVIN DEAL/If You Hurt The Ones You Love
Writer: Kevin Deal; Producer: Lloyd Maines; Publisher: Piedrero, ASCAP; Blind Nello (track)
—Drenched in steel guitar, this is decidedly “old school” country music. His singing voice is a mite thin, but the song is so simple and straightforward that it really doesn’t matter.
THE JANEDEAR GIRLS/Shotgun Girl
Writer: Danielle Leverett/Deric Ruttan; Producer: John Rich; Publisher: Sony ATV/Danielle Leverett, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
—The sound is rather compressed, but there’s no denying the infectious drive of this open-road bopper. A winner.
CAITLIN ROSE/Own Side
Writer: Caitlin Rose; Producer: Mark Nevers, Skylar Wilson & Caitlin Rose; Publisher: none listed; Theory 8 (track) (www.thecaitlinrose.com)
—This singer-songwriter really turned heads with her debut EP a couple of years ago. Her first full-length CD is a minor masterpiece. This title tune trembles with yearning and loneliness. Her fragile-rose delivery is completely captivating.
LITTLE BIG TOWN/The Reason Why
Writer: Karen Fairchild/Wayne Kirkpatrick/Kimberly Schlapman/Phillip Sweet/Jimi Westbrook; Producer: Wayne Kirkpatrick & Little Big Town; Publisher: Warner Tamerlane/Tower One/Mad Mother/Manatt Phelps & Phillips, BMI; Capitol Nashville (track)
—The title track to this foursome’s current album is a chugging, relentless slab of sound. It goes without saying that the stacked vocal harmonies are delicious.
JULIE FORESTER/You Only Love Me When I’m Leavin’
Writer: Julie Forester/Mark Stephen Jones; Producer: Bill Warner; Publisher: Texoma Ten/Julie Forester/Harlan Howard, ASCAP/BMI; JF (track) (www.julieforester.com)
—Recorded live and analog—with no auto tuning—this has terrific presence and audio depth. Her soulful phrasing and the lumbering low guitars contrast beautifully. Music to get lost in.
CHARLEY PRIDE/Except For You
Writer: Ben Peters; Producer: Charley Pride; Publisher: Ben Peters/Songs for the Planet, BMI; Music City (track) (www.charleypride.com)
—Are you feeling the need for an ultra romantic love ballad? Step right up. Charley’s got the goods, complete with synth strings.
LUCINDA WILLIAMS/Buttercup
Writer: Lucinda Williams; Producer: Don Was, Eric Liljestrand & Thomas Overby; Publisher: Lucinda Williams, no performance rights listed; Lost Highway (track)
—Blessed, the latest CD by this supremely gifted writer-artist, kicks off with this drawling, bluesy, cautionary ode. He’s a no-account trying to get back in her good graces, and she’s having none of it. Loaded with Southern attitude and rocking sass.
SUSAN GIBSON/Tightrope
Writer: Susan Gibson; Producer: Gabe Rhodes & Susan Gibson; Publisher: Susing Gibsongs/Bug, BMI; FoxTheRecords (track) (www.susangibson.com)
—Susan was the writer behind the 1998 CMA Single of the Year, “Wide Open Spaces,” as performed by the Dixie Chicks. The title tune to her latest solo collection is a lilting little ditty full of lightly poetic imagery. The production surrounding her breathy soprano is minimal, acoustic guitar accompaniment with a tentative-sounding mandolin solo in the middle.
SCOTT GIBSON/Just Keep Drivin’
Writer: Scott Gibson; Producer: Mac McNabb; Publisher: none listed; MMX (track) (www.scottgibsonmusic.com)
—Recorded in Austin, this has a somewhat ragged, raw sound. His plain spoken delivery is adequate, but rather passionless.
BRADLEY MATTHEW/Common Man
Writer: Adrian David Payne; Producer: Les Butler; Publisher: Dreamer’s Road, BMI; CDX (track) (www.bradleymatthewonline.com)
—The track bops and swings. The lyric is a blue-collar dandy. Unfortunately, he can just barely sing.

Tuesday News

/by

Deborah Allen


>>Singer Deborah Allen has signed with Nashville-based Delta Rock Records and is planning to release the first single from the upcoming project this month. Allen produced eight of the 11 songs on Hear Me Now. Her longtime friend Bobby Braddock—and just-announced Country Music Hall of Fame inductee—produced the other three tracks.
Allen’s hits include like “Baby I Lied,” “I’ve Been Wrong Before” and “Rock Me.” She is a two-time Grammy nominee and recipient of multiple BMI Millionaire Airplay awards. She has written songs recorded by LeAnn Rimes, Brooks & Dunn, Tanya Tucker, and Patty Loveless.
Hear Me Now will be released as a joint venture with GMV Nashville, which is handling digital distribution. Delta Rock Records is located at 2 Music Circle S., Nashville, TN, 37203. The company can be reached at (615) 712-8079 or info@DeltaRockRecords.com.
>>The informational seminar “So You Want To Be A Touring Musician?” will be held Wednesday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257. Local 257 President Dave Pomeroy and Secretary/Treasurer Craig Krampf will moderate the event with panelists/ musicians John Deaderick, Rich Redmond, Pete Finney, and Eamon McLaughlin.
This is the second in a series of educational seminars at Local 257’s Cooper Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsors are Music Starts Here and the Nashville Muse. For details visit nashvillemusicians.org.
>>MusicRow sends condolences to songwriter Georgia Middleman on the passing of her father, Irving Middleman. He died Friday, Feb. 25 in San Antonio, Texas after a brief illness.
>>Dennis Entertainment has moved to new offices at 37 Music Sq. E., Nashville, TN 37203. They can also be reached at 615-369-0228.
>>The Nashville Opera is auditioning local men for secondary roles for the 2011/12 season. Looking for singers with some classical voice training. Email Karen at klhaas@nashvilleopera.org or call 615-832-5242 to request an appointment.

Country Music Hall of Fame Names New Class

/by


Reba McEntire, Bobby Braddock, and Jean Shepard will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Modern Era: Reba McEntire
Reba has sold more than 55 million albums worldwide, and to date has achieved 35 No. 1 singles. She has received 6 CMA Awards, and 2 Grammy Awards.
McEntire’s career got off to a slow start, but by 1984 she soaring. That year she won the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Award for the first time. She would go on to win this Award for four consecutive years (1984-1987), and is currently tied with Martina McBride for the most wins in this category. The year 1986 brought further honors, as she joined the Grand Ole Opry, and was named CMA Entertainer of the Year.
After getting a taste of acting from her music videos, Reba began exploring her options in Hollywood. She first appeared in the 1990 hit Tremors, and went on to be in many more films, as well as star in her own TV sitcom. Further diversifying, she launched a successful clothing and home goods line at Dillard’s.
But she was never far away from the music, continuing to chart huge hits throughout the ‘90s and into present day. Some of her best known songs include “You Lie,” “Rumor Has It,” “Fancy,” “Is There Life Out There,” “The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia,” “Take It Back,” “The Heart Won’t Lie” (a duet with Vince Gill), and “Does He Love You” (a duet with Linda Davis, which a CMA as well a Grammy Award).
She was unable to attend today’s event because she is in Tulsa, OK, where her father is in the hospital following a stroke. In a statement she said, “It is a wonderful honor and a very emotional time in my life.”
Veterans Era: Jean Shepard
Often called The Grand Lady of the Grand Ole Opry, Shepard charted 44 hits between 1953 and 1978, starting with her first hit, the Ferlin Husky duet “A Dear John Letter.” She has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years.
Hank Thompson helped Shepard get a deal at Capitol Records in 1952 and connected her with his producer, Ken Nelson.
She would go on to have hits with songs such as “Twice the Lovin’ in Half the Time,” “Don’t Fall in Love With a Married Man,” “The Root of All Evil (Is a Man),” and “The Other Woman,” all songs that presented a strong and, rare for that era, empowered female point of view, which later influenced artists including Loretta Lynn and Jeannie C. Riley.
In 1955, Shepard reached No. 4 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart with “A Satisfied Mind.” Her success continued throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s, including joining the cast of ABC Television’s Ozark Jubilee.
Songwriter category: Bobby Braddock
Bobby Braddock has been writing hit songs in Nashville for five decades, leaving an indelible mark on the city’s musical landscape. He is known for classics like “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” to more modern hits like “I Wanna Talk About Me” and the recent “People Are Crazy.”
Braddock moved to Nashville in 1964 and soon became the piano player for Marty Robbins. A year later, Robbins had a hit single with the Braddock-penned “While You’re Dancing.” Braddock released three major label albums and also performed in Country Music-themed movies, such as Music City U.S.A (1966) along with Loretta Lynn, and fellow inductee Jean Shepard.
His success continued in the ’90s with major hits like “Time Marches On” and “All My Old Flames Have New Names.”
His talents also extended to the producer chair, where he worked on Blake Shelton’s first five albums.
Braddock, who is also a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, responded at today’s event, “I feel like Minnie Pearl— I’m just so proud to be here.”

••••••
The Country Music Association revealed the 2011 inductees for the Country Music Hall of Fame today, (3/1) at a private press event hosted by Kix Brooks. For the first time ever, CMA invited the general public to watch the highly-anticipated announcement live via Ustream at CMAworld.com.
The three induction categories are:
• Modern Era (eligible for induction in this category 20 years after they first achieve national prominence).
• Non-Performer, Songwriter, and Recording and/or Touring Musician active prior to 1980 (rotates every 3 years).
• Veterans Era (eligible for induction in this category 45 years after they first achieve national prominence).
CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize noteworthy individuals for their outstanding contributions to the format with Country Music’s highest honor. After today’s announcement, there will be 115 inductees in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Paisley’s Video Paintbox Adds To Concert Production

/by

Brad Paisley brought his H2O Frozen Over tour to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Saturday night, playing a sold-out show to 13,500 fans. Pictured (l-r): Sony Music Nashville Sales VP Kerri Fox-Metoyer; Arista Nashville Promotion VP Lesly Tyson; Fitzgerald Hartley’s Bill Simmons; Niemann; Paisley; Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton, Promotion Sr. VP Skip Bishop, and Marketing Sr. VP Paul Barnabee. Photo: Ben Enos


Brad Paisley H20 Tour
Feb. 26, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
Brad Paisley is the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, so if you’re reading this you probably already know he’s a member of an elite club of artists that write great songs, play incredible guitar and sing convincingly. But if you haven’t seen his live show, then you still haven’t sampled his genius for presenting his music in an arena setting. Saturday night’s Nashville performance (2/26) was the last stop on his H20 tour that began shortly after last year’s May floods ravaged Music City.
Each song in the high energy two-hour set gets treated with a full production almost akin to the style of a broadway musical. But instead of dancers, costume changes and canvas backdrops, Paisley creates warm, engaging video “sets” that highlight, frame and sometimes expand the lyrics using animation and more. Often he deftly  blurs the lines between the two dimensional screen and those on the three dimensional stage. He also freely explores/prowls the venue’s extremities to get closer with “the people in the cheap seats.” The show even employs previously unheard musical interludes to bridge moments between songs. Video screens at concerts are hardly new, but Paisley has not only reinvented the process, he’s elevated it.
The effect of Paisley’s magic video paintbox—he creates many of these video segments himself—is mesmerizing but not distracting. Staging for the H20 tour  was sparse. Four circular risers provide a home for the band and directly behind them is a balcony, the rest is a giant video screen. And last but not least on stage  was Paisley himself, dressed in jeans, t-shirt and white hat—the epitome of one of the good guys.
Hit songs flooded the stage such as “Celebrity,” “Waiting On A Woman,” “Water,” “American Saturday Night,” “Welcome To The Future” and more. Alison Krauss came out to duet on “Whiskey Lullaby.” (Oh wait, that was only a video image.) “Letter To Me,” voiced with acoustic guitar was one audience favorite, among many.
The evening closed with a second encore—“Alcohol.” A portable bar was quickly unfolded and a busload of industry revelers poured out on stage to help celebrate the tour’s final performance. Sony Nashville label head Gary Overton and wife Jan were all smiles, and Paisley manager, “lovable” Bill Simmons could be seen sharing a celebratory hug with tour promoter Brian O’Connell.
• • •
Jerrod Niemann and then Darius Rucker warmed the crowd earlier in the evening. Predictably Niemann’s hit “Lover, Lover” was the standout, and closer for his set. Rucker opened smartly with “Alright,” which showed his experience and good vocal chops. Covers of “Family Tradition” and “Purple Rain” were excellent choices during his set and also took the crowd out of its seats.

Toby Keith Introduces Wild Shot Mezcal

/by

Sorry, horses, you still have to drink beer. Ever the entrepreneur, Toby Keith is launching Toby Keith’s Wild Shot Mezcal, a 100% green agave spirit that purports to be authentic. Very few Mezcal products currently exist in the market and Keith plans to capitalize on that with his version of the traditional Mexican drink.
“I have always been fascinated with Mexico and the drink Mezcal,” Keith says. “It is a part of my life. Mexico is a theme that runs through many of my songs, including my recent single ‘Bullets In The Gun.’ The tradition and history of Mezcal is magical to me, and dates back to 16th century warriors celebrating the defeat of their enemies.”
Mezcal varies from agave-based tequila in its preparation method and the inclusion of the agave worm in the bottle. Keith points out that the worm is not decoration. “It’s not there for the look,” he says. “It is there to be eaten. It is believed that the worm will bring wondrous experiences and every individual’s will be different.”
Wild Shot will be imported by Shaw-Ross, and a special pre-launch tasting event will be held in Nashville next week.

Is Digital Music Heading To The Clouds?

/by

Look up! Is it a bird or a plane? No. It’s the clouds.
The music industry waters are set to begin rippling again later this year, possibly as early as summer when, according to Financial Times, Apple, Google and Spotify jump into the cloud with music. Exactly what this will mean, may be a bit different for each of the companies involved and those that inevitably will follow. [“Cloud” is a simple metaphor to describe information and files placed on a server accessible from anywhere via an Internet connection.]
Spotify’s approach is clearest since its free and/or paid plan already is very popular in Europe. Users get free music streamed from the cloud in exchange for seeing ads or pay and get the music without ads. Google and Apple’s strategy is still unoffical. However, according to FT.com, Apple is planning to use the cloud resources it acquired last year from Lala, “mainly to allow users of its iTunes store to back up their collections and access them from any Apple device.” This method would support the paid download approach that Apple’s iTunes store has pioneered and popularized.
Google is anxious to launch a download store of its own, but is also interested in using the cloud to offer a digital locker where songs could be stored, much the same as the Apple plan, “to keep copies of their media in the cloud,” says FT.com. (Amazon already has its own digital store, but even with discounted pricing has been unable to steal appreciable market share from iTunes.)
Perhaps the most perplexing of all is the delay that Spotify has faced in trying to secure its U.S. launch which was supposed to begin in 2010. Sony and EMI have reportedly signed onto the service, but Universal and Warner Music are still in negotiations. Labels are concerned about how many free tracks users will be able to enjoy and if/how that might impact download sales. Many execs believe that Spotify will have a negative impact on sales without offering a large revenue stream in return.
With Warner and EMI both in play and up for sale, it is unclear how/if negotiations with Spotify might affect each company’s valuation.

SESAC Names Jason Ingram Christian Songwriter of Year

/by


(L-R): SESAC's Tim Fink, Jason Ingram, SESAC's John Mullins & Trevor Gale. Photo: Ed Rode


2010 CHRISTIAN SONGWRITER: Jason Ingram
2010 CHRISTIAN PUBLISHER: Sony/ATV Timber Publishing
-Performing rights organization, SESAC, named Christian songwriter/producer Jason Ingram as its 2010 Christian Songwriter of the Year at ceremonies held 2/24 at Nashville’s Hutton Hotel. Sony ATV Timber Publishing was named SESAC’s 2010 Christian Publisher of the Year. Over 25 songs were acknowledged at the awards dinner which was hosted by SESAC’s Tim Fink and John Mullins.
Ingram was honored for work in the Christian format with hits such as “Keep Changing The World” by Mikeschair, “Light Up The Sky” by The Afters and “Healing Begins” by Tenth Avenue North. Other SESAC winners included Christian songsmiths Cary Barlowe, Ian Eskelin, Michael Donehey, Regie Hamm and Tiffany Arbuckle Lee.
A simple but elegant version of  “Born Again,” one of the evening’s honored songs, was performed by Seth Mosley who wrote the song with his partner, Juan Otero. Mosley and Otero make up the writing team, The Wright Brothers. SESAC also took the opportunity to acknowledge and reward the #1 songs that topped Billboard’s Christian charts in 2010.

Technically Speaking

/by

>>Eminem has become Facebook’s the most “Liked” living artist, passing Lady Gaga to amass a total of 28.88 million compared to the Ga’s 28.87 million. The Detroit rapper is currently averaging more than 500,000 likes a day which means he will soon pass Michael Jackson who has about 29.1 million. Could this renewed popularity have anything to do with Eminem’s recent auto ad where he championed his home city? Regardless, Lady Gaga still leads the rapper in terms of Twitter followers and YouTube plays.
>> MySpace.com has a For Sale sign outside its offices. News Corp. bought the social media site five years ago for $580 million. A profitable 3-year deal with Google, signed in 2006, is believed to have earned the site $800 million. News Corp. is reportedly looking to sell or possibly take on a new partner.
>>According to the Wall Street Journal, ABC and the Academy Awards have successfully renegotiated a deal to keep the movie awards on the network through 2020. The previous contract was set to run from 2005-2014. WSJ notes that “award shows and other big live events have seen their ratings grow following years of on-and-off decline.” Ad sales for the Oscar’s show set to air this Sunday (2/27) are expected to reach close to $80 million according to WSJ sources. The Country Music Association Awards, its new Christmas Special and the annual MusicFest special are also on ABC.
>> Apple Insider.com and Financial Times report that Apple is positioning its possible cloud strategy as a form of insurance. Apple sees the cloud business as possibly undermining its single song paid downloads on iTunes. Spotify, a cloud service that offers free streaming music with ads is trying to secure the necessary licenses to launch in the U.S., but is making slow progress. Also in the wings, hoping to make an entrance, is Google. However, U.S. labels are concerned about streaming business models and have been acting as a bottleneck by withholding licensing permissions.

Weekly Chart Report (2/25/11)

/by


17 Music Entertainment's Matt Gary has been making the radio rounds in the Southeast and Midwest to introduce his new single, "I'm Just Sayin'," penned by Frank Myers, Gary B. Baker and Billy Montana, the title track from his CD 6-Pack. (L-R): Gary, WCTQ/Sarasota, FL MD Heidi Decker and WCTQ PD Tim Jones.


Whoa, where does the time go? Country Radio Seminar starts next week, so make plans to attend MusicRow’s annual Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, featuring special performances from Joanna Smith and Colt Ford. The event takes place Tuesday, March 1, 2:30-5 pm CT at Cadillac Ranch on Broadway. Email mstephens@musicrow.com for more information. Don’t miss this one!
SPIN ZONE
Lady Antebellum’s “Hello World” makes it two in a row, adding enough spins to maintain the No. 1 spot over Taylor Swift’s “Back To December.” And it looks like the moment has arrived for Stoney Creek’s Thompson Square, whose “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” gains 135 spins and jumps to No. 3 ahead of Brad Paisley’s “This Is Country Music” and Jason Aldean’s “Don’t You Wanna Stay.”
Kenny Chesney’s “Live A Little” is on the fast track to chart dominance. After capturing the biggest debut last week, it picks up the greatest spin increase this week and leaps to No. 31. Toby Keith’s “Somewhere Else”–also just two weeks old–has moved all the way to No. 37. Soon both singles will be battling against Ronnie Dunn’s “Bleed Red” (No. 16) and Keith Urban’s “Without You” (No. 21) for position.
Seems everyone has a new single out with CRS on the horizon. Eric Church’s “Homeboy” is moving quickly at No. 58, followed by Chris Young’s “Tomorrow” at No. 62. Gwyneth Paltrow is also back on the chart at No. 75 with “Me And Tennessee,” a duet with Country Strong co-star Tim McGraw serviced by Curb Records. Also debuting are Eli Young Band’s “Crazy Girl,” Bucky Covington’s “Hometown,” and David Nail’s “Let It Rain.”
Frozen Playlists: KWWR, WBYZ






Upcoming Singles
February 28
Jessica Ridley/Flaming Red/EMG/Universal/Nine North
Frankie Ballard/A Buncha Girls/Warner Bros./WMN
Chris Young/Tomorrow/RCA
Jason Thomas/I’m Your Radio/MD Records
Eric Church/Homeboy/EMI Nashville
Steve Azar/Hard Road/Ride
Emerson Drive/Let Your Love Speak/Quarterback
Toby Keith/Somewhere Else/Show Dog-Universal
March 7
Eli Young Band/Crazy Girl/Republic Nashville
The New Relics/Dixie Queen/Spinville/Blues Alley
Tonja Rose/Where Would Your Heart Be/Identical Entertainment/Turnpike
Little Big Town/The Reason Why/Capitol
Neal McCoy/New Mountain To Climb/Tate
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Tim McGraw & Gwyneth Paltrow/Me And Tennessee/Curb — 75
Eli Young Band/Crazy Girl/Republic Nashville — 77
Bucky Covington/Hometown — 78
David Nail/Let It Rain/MCA — 80
•  •  •  •  •
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Kenny Chesney/Live A Little/BNA — 536
Toby Keith/Somewhere Else/Show Dog-Universal — 398
Keith Urban / Without You / Capitol — 335
Justin Moore/If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away/Valory — 266
Eric Church/Homeboy/EMI Nashville — 231
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Colt Ford/Country Thang/Average Joe’s Entertainment — 223
Curtis & Luckey/Eye Candy/KMG Music Group — 217
Kate Russell/Damned If I Do/Urunga/Spinville Records — 217
Emma King & The Heartsets/I’m Not Forgotten/PLC — 190
Johnny Rivers/New Home/Soul City — 176
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Kenny Chesney/Live A Little/BNA — 27
Toby Keith/Somewhere Else/Show Dog—Universal — 26
Justin Moore/If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away/Valory — 21
Eric Church/Homeboy/EMI/Nashville — 19

Lucy Angel recently visited KGRT/Las Cruces, NM. (L-R): Lucy Angel's Kate, Las Cruces March of Dimes Dir. Becky Horner, Lucy Angel's Emily, KGRT MD Sheila Kirsch, and Lucy Angel's Lindsay.


Big Machine’s Eden’s Edge was in the Dallas office of Citadel Media on Tuesday (2/22) to share their music with employees. The group talked about growing up in Arkansas and meeting each other in college. (L-R): Carl Anderson, Sr. VP Programming and Distribution for Citadel Media; Eden’s Edge’s Cherrill Green and Hannah Blaylock; Gary Reynolds, PD Today’s Best Country; Kris Wilson, MD Today’s Best Country; Eden’s Edge’s Dean Berner; and Jeremy Robinson, The Jeremy Show.


Corey Smith stopped by WUSY in Chattanooga on Wednesday (2/23) to visit with US 101’s personalities and loyal listeners. Corey chatted with Brian Stewart and played a few songs on-air including new single,“Twenty-One,” soon to be released on Average Joe’s Entertainment. (L-R): Gator Harrison (OM/PD), Ken Hicks (morning guy), Brian Stewart (night guy), Smith, Mo & Dex (afternoon show).