InstiGator Adds Director of Promotion

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Glenn Noblit

InstiGator Entertainment has tapped Glenn Noblit to serve as Director of Promotion for the new company. From his base in Longview, Texas, Noblit will report to Pres. Gator Michaels.

Noblit brings 12 years of radio promotion experience to his new post, including most recently working with Michaels at Davis Music Group where he was National Director of Radio Promotion and Marketing. Noblit has also served as Director of Southwest Regional Promotion at Warner Bros. Nashville, and National Director of Promotion at Lost Highway Records. His resume includes time as a promotion executive at Young-Olsen & Associates and AristoMedia’s Marco Promotion. He is a graduate of Belmont University’s music business program.

“Glenn is one of the best in the business,” said Michaels. “I have been fortunate to work with him for more than a decade and I’m proud to welcome him to the InstiGator team!”

“Gator’s vision, expertise and leadership are unmatched in this ever-changing industry,” added Noblit. “I plan on bringing an immense amount of passion, energy and commitment to our clients and country radio friends, teaming with them for much success. I’m fired up and ready to get started.”

Noblit can be reached at (903) 663-2799 and [email protected].

CountryBreakout Panelists Remember Sept. 11

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Ten years ago on September 11 I was an aimless college student at Auburn University, the thought of trying to make it in the music industry still at least 18 months from entering my brain. I remember one of my college roommates, whose bedroom was upstairs, called me from his private phone line right after the second plane hit. I recall thinking this was odd because a) he was normally asleep at that time of morning, and b) he only had to walk down a flight of stairs to tell me.

The whole day after that was kind of a blur. I don’t think our school canceled class, but it’s hard to imagine we got anything done under those circumstances. The sight of those buildings falling, the knowledge that thousands had perished between the planes and buildings, haunted my dreams for weeks. It was a strange time to be trying to join the professional world, as it was suddenly impossible to imagine a future that couldn’t quickly be brought to its knees by a group of horribly misguided individuals. Like most, I turned to TV and radio in those early days to try to make some tiny amount of sense out of the senseless. In this special feature, some of our CountryBreakout panelists recall their experiences on Sept. 11.

• • •

“I was programming WDXB in Birmingham. I lived in Athens, Alabama at the time and made a 90 minute one way trip to work each day. I was en route to work that morning when I heard the news break in. We went wall to wall news and shortly afterwards began a campaign to help raise funds for those affected.  For a profession I got into mainly because of the fun involved, it turns out that the most memorable events have been working through disasters like this and area tornado strikes.”
—Tex Carter, WHMA, Anniston, AL

• • •

“In 2001, I only remember our station reporting news updates and taking calls. I had just dropped my daughters at school and returned home to watch the second plane fly into the second tower. I was in disbelief. It didn’t even register to me that it was a terrorist attack until I continued to watch the coverage. I still can’t believe that something of that magnitude was and could still be possible.”
—Billy Brown, WZZS, Zolfo Springs, FL

• • •

“I was traveling back to the listening area from a four day vacation. Was listening AM news talk out of Houston the night before because they carry Monday Night Football. That Tuesday I had a doctor’s appointment and turned the radio on in the truck. I didn’t hear much at all except it sounded like the trailer for a new movie. It was when I walked into the doctor’s office and everyone was watching TV and crying that I knew something was wrong
—CW Simon, KMKS, Bay City, TX

• • •

I had been hearing the news all that morning before I got into work at KBCR so I was upset and concerned about my son. I really wanted to ditch work and just go get my kid and be with him that day. I remember just thinking of my son, how lucky I was to have him and just wanting to hold him and be with him. I picked him up after school and tried to speak with him a bit about the day’s events though it was no easy task to explain such violence and terror to a 7 year old
—Debbie Duncan, KBCR, Steamboat Springs, CO

• • •

We got a call saying ‘Did you hear someone shot a missile into the World Trade Center?’ We had a TV in the studio but they had not gone to full coverage yet so we changed to FOX and we were all just confused and watched live as the second plane hit. We were all speechless. We went on the air with the info as we got it and just did our best to inform and keep people calm. We were getting calls from government buildings saying they were locking down and/or closing for the day. We still played some music but became very aware of the titles we aired. We took calls and let people cry and express themselves. Off the air we were all calling our families to make sure they were aware of what was going on
—Dave Tyler, WTRS, Ocala, FL

• • •

“I was asleep when I got a call from my mother. When I answered the phone, all I heard was, ‘We’re under attack!’ I asked, ‘Who?’ She said, ‘The whole country!’ So I got dressed and got ready to do whatever it was that I was going to need to do. I remember I was on vacation that week, so I just soaked in the coverage; couldn’t take my eyes off of it”
Dave Spencer, WBKR, Owensboro, KY

• • •

“I was on the air and editing my newscast to run at 9, the tail end of the broadcast mentioned a plane had hit the World Trade Center. I edited the cast and went in to our newsroom to turn on the TV and was watching live when the second plane hit. I will never forget the feeling that washed over me as I realized that this tragic accident was actually an attack on our country. I took the station to live coverage immediately at that point and we remained on the air live until after the President spoke to the nation that night. I think the thing that I continue to recall other than the surprise was the feeling of shock and then unity that spread over our community as the events unfolded. Everyone banded together and immediately we hit the air with fund raising events and patriotic support.

Not knowing what else could be planned, several of us went home and returned to the station with our guns handy just in case! My news guy and myself remained at the station through the next day.

I have been on the air when the Challenger blew up, when Reagan was shot, while Charles and Diana were married and then when she died. I was on the air when war began in Iraq under both Bush Presidents, as well as when the Murrah building in Oklahoma City was attacked along with numerous tragic tornado and other weather events. I have been witness to or had the task of sharing major events with my audience as they unfolded throughout my career yet I will never forget 9/11 and the feeling of vulnerability of that day. I would think only Pearl Harbor would have been more difficult to bear.

Let us not forget the events of that day and be reminded as broadcasters of the awesome responsibility we bear in informing, encouraging and supporting our listeners through these times. We have a gift, we also have owe it to everyone who trusts and listens to be prepared and know what to do should something similar ever befall us again.”
—JR Runyon, KCNY, Conway, AR

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

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Click to view this weeks CountryBreakout Chart

Back for its second week in the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot is Keith Urban’s “Long Hot Summer.”

In true Keith Urban style, the song’s uptempo groove perfectly encapsulates what has been, by pretty much all accounts, one of the hottest summers in recent memory. It’s an oddly fitting juxtaposition with the unofficial season end following Labor Day, that bittersweet period of having to put the flip-flops away for awhile and start worrying how badly the BCS is going to hammer your team in the coming months.

Urban co-wrote the song with regular collaborator Richard Marx and noted after its release, “I like to have at least one good summer song on a record. There are certain songs that I write specifically trying to hear them on the radio or just in the car. I still love hearing music in a car more than anywhere.” “Long Hot Summer” makes the 18th total CountryBreakout No. 1 song for the remarkably consistent Aussie, who was just nominated for CMA Entertainer of the Year. See the song’s video, directed by Trey Fanjoy, here.

Weekly Chart Report (9/9/11)

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Toby Keith met with AfterMidnite's Robin Rhodes following a stop on his Locked & Loaded Tour Presented by Ford F-Series. His latest hit single, "Made In America" spent two weeks at No. 1 on the CountryBreakout Chart and appears on his October release Clancy's Tavern.

SPIN ZONE
CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee Keith Urban’s “Long Hot Summer” hangs on to the CountryBreakout Chart’s top spot despite a down-tick in spins, and George Strait’s “Here For A Good Time” zooms to No. 2 in prime position to take the top spot next week. Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” and Eli Young Band’s “Crazy Girl” both move upward in position to No. 4 and 5, respectively, and fellow Entertainer of the Year nominee Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” picks up a 260 spin gain to make a big leap from from No. 10 – 6.

New to the Top 10 are co-Big Machine Label Groupers Brantley Gilbert and Taylor Swift. Gilbert’s “Country Must Be Country Wide” adds 92 spins and moves to No. 9, while Taylor Swift’s “Sparks Fly” seems to have caught fire as it jumps from No. 13 – 10. Swift is up for CMA Entertainer of the Year as well as Female Vocalist, the latter of which puts her against reigning winner Miranda Lambert. The Texas firebrand’s latest single (from upcoming Four The Record) “Baggage Claim” is one of her fastest rising at No. 14. Also worth mention is Lambert’s trio the Pistol Annies with Angaleena Presley and Ashley Monroe. The group’s first single “Hell on Heels” is up to No. 65 this week.

CMA Awards New Artist of the Year Nominees Luke Bryan and Chris Young are both putting some muscle behind their latest singles. Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night To End” flies up to No. 46 in its second week charting, and Young’s “You” is at No. 56 after two weeks. Also nominated in that category is Eric Church, whose “Drink In My Hand” is looking very strong at No. 27 after a 370 spin gain. Those three will be up against The Band Perry, whose “All Your Life” is at No. 21, and Thompson Square, whose “I Got You” is at No. 7.

Frozen Playlists: KIAI, KMKS, KTTI, WAAG, WCJW, WHWK, WTCM, WYVY

Upcoming Singles
September 12
Kevin Fowler/That Girl/Average Joes
Chris Young/You/RCA
Ashley Gearing/Me, My Heart and I/Curb
Andy Gibson/Wanna Make You Love Me/R&J
Kimberly Patrick/Living Good/Lamon

September 19
Blake Wise/Can’t Live Without/Broken Bow
The Lost Trailers/Underdog/Stokes Tunes/CO5
JaneDear Girls/Merry Go Round/Warner Bros./WMN
Bill Gentry/This Letter/Tenacity
Courtney Stewart/Telling You/Lamon

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Zac Brown Band/Keep Me In Mind/Southern Ground/Atlantic — 55
Justin Haigh/All My Best Friends Are Behind Bars — 75
Coleman Brothers/Beer-Thirty/PVI — 77
Tyler Dean/That Smile/Curb — 78
Tyrone Vaughan/Downtime/Kick It Up — 79
Jesse Keith Whitley/Kentucky Thunder/Octabrook Records — 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Jason Aldean/Tattoos On This Town/Broken Bow — 445
Zac Brown Band/Keep Me In Mind/Southern Ground/Atlantic — 417
Eric Church/Drink In My Hand/EMI Nashville — 370
Luke Bryan/I Don’t Want This Night To End/Capitol — 351
Lady Antebellum/We Owned The Night/Capitol — 345

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Zac Brown Band/Keep Me In Mind/Southern Ground/Atlantic — 31
Luke Bryan/I Don’t Want This Night To End/Capitol — 26
Jason Aldean/Tattoos On This Town/Broken Bow — 22
Chris Young/You/RCA Nashville — 18
Andy Gibson/Wanna Make You Love Me/R&J Records — 17
Scotty McCreery/The Trouble With Girls/19 Ent./Mercury — 9
Eric Church/Drink In My Hand/EMI Nashville — 9

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
The O’Donnells/She Leaves The Light On/Song Valley Music — 205
Ronnie Milsap/If You Don’t Want Me To (The Freeze)/Bigger Picture — 181
Lauren Alaina/Like My Mother Does/19 Ent./Mercury — 179
Andy Gibson/Wanna Make You Love Me/R&J Records — 170
Chris Cagle/Got My Country On/Bigger Picture — 165

 

Jason Aldean Celebrates his No. 1 single "Dirt Road Anthem" with members of his promo staff as well as songwriters Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford.

Diamond Dust Records artist Buddy Jewell recently paid a visit to KFAV in Warrenton, MO. Jewell's latest single "Jesus, Elvis, and Me" is currently at No. 67 on the CountryBreakout Chart. (L-R): Buddy Jewell, KFAV's Steve Kaspar, Spin Doctors Promotions President Al Brock, KFAV PD Mike Thomas

Charlie Cook On Air

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Country Music and Sept. 11

This is not a weekend to write stuff about how to get a record played or how to move listeners from one quarter hour to the next. Obviously, if you have been reading my comments these last few weeks, I am not a professional writer. So there will be more compelling words written about 9/11/01 than I could ever muster.

In fact, I was asleep when the first plane hit. I lived in California and was oblivious to what was going on in Manhattan that morning. I have no connection beyond being a dumbfounded spectator from 3000 miles away.

I remember trying to contact our Westwood One colleagues in New York that morning. Like things were back to normal after the towers fell. Okay, it’s over; they’ll be back in the office after lunch. Duh. Like things were going to be back to normal in a few hours. Things are not back to normal 10 years later.

No, what I want to talk about today is how Country Music Radio and Country artists have responded in the last 10 years. When we think about 9/11 and Country Music the leading artists are Alan Jackson, Darryl Worley and Toby Keith.

Country artists have been supporting the troops and performing overseas since Gene Autry toured the Pacific in the 1940s. Toby has perhaps been the most active since 9/11—he walks the walk.

Toby’s 17 day Iraq tour in 2006 was one of his nine USO tours since the war began. That is almost one a year. That is total commitment to the troops. Think about this for a second. We are talking about taking time out of a hugely successful and busy schedule for one of the format’s biggest stars. It is nine times that Toby has gone into harm’s way to perform his music. He has done over 160 shows and is committed to continuing the tours.

In the old days, a Country artist’s performances introduced the music to soldiers that were not familiar with the genre. If you came out of Detroit or Chicago, Minneapolis or Milwaukee in the ‘60s to find your way to Southeast Asia, conceivably your first exposure to Country Music could have been Johnny Cash, Jerry Reed or Loretta Lynn playing for the troops.

If you have spent any time in the sandbox in the last 10 years, as an American Soldier, you likely already know about Toby and Trace Adkins and Craig Morgan. You know about them not only because of their commitment to travel the 6,700 miles from Nashville to Iraq but because Country Radio has kept these artists and their music in front of fans for all these years.

Country Music Radio has the reputation of being patriotic. Not only are many in the management of the business truly patriotic but we see the flags, tattoos and looks in the listener’s eyes telling us that this important to them. We hear the stories about how they saw Toby in Kirkuk.

So this weekend when we say thank you to the first responders that ran INTO the devastation and not away from it, like most of us would, let’s also say thank you to the hundreds of Country Music acts that have given up their time and energy to take the music across the world. Thank you to Country Radio who will most definitely step up this weekend and remind the listener about all of these acts and what they have done for the morale of the thousands of allied forces who have put their lives on hold so that we can enjoy Country Music shows in Boston, New York, DC and Pennsylvania.

Thank you Toby, Reba and Rockie Lynne and the many others who keep the spirit of Gene Autry, Hank Williams, and Conway Twitty alive and keep the spirits of the troops high.

Now, let’s pray they all come home safe.

Updates From WMBA and CRS

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WMBA Hosts Tequila ‘N’ Tiffany Open Enrollment
The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) will kick off open enrollment for 2012 on Tues., Sept. 13 at 6 PM at NSAI with a margarita mixer followed a by keynote from 80’s pop idol turned country singer Tiffany. Current members and interested female music business professionals are invited. Partners for the event include NSAI, Rent-a-Rita, Cuestion Spirits and Fiestas Catering.

WMBA is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering opportunities within the music industry through education, networking, industry involvement, community service and organizational fellowship. For more information, contact Membership Chair Betsy Walker at [email protected] or visit www.wmbanashville.org.

 

CRS Deadline For Custom Radio Liners
Radio stations who want to receive all-digital, custom liners must register for CRS 2012 by Friday, Oct. 7, 2011. Artists already confirmed to participate and record liners include: Kix Brooks, Luke Bryan, Ronnie Dunn, Eli Young Band, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Montgomery Gentry, Joe Nichols, Jerrod Niemann, Blake Shelton, Josh Thompson, Carrie Underwood and more.

CRS 2012 runs Feb. 22-24, 2012 at the Nashville Convention Center. Early Bird registration is available for a limited time for $399 at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com. Direct digital liner radio inquiries to Kristen McRary at (615) 327-4487 or [email protected]. For artist inquiries, contact Chasity Crouch at (615) 327-4487 or [email protected].

Michaels Launches InstiGator

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Gator Michaels

Longtime music industry executive Gator Michaels has opened full-service radio promotion company InstiGator Entertainment. “As I look to the future, I have decided to get back to what I do best,” he says. “Radio airplay is crucial for an artist’s career, and InstiGator will be the key to making that happen.”

Michaels’ extensive background includes a decade in country radio, followed by a long tenure in radio promotion. He spent eight years in the promo team at Warner Bros. Nashville, orchestrating hits for Faith Hill, Blake Shelton, Randy Travis, The Eagles, Big & Rich, Kid Rock, The Wreckers and many more. Michaels began his promotion career working as an independent promoter with Young-Olsen & Associates. While VP of promotion for Dreamcatcher Entertainment, his success included driving Kenny Rogers’ single “Buy Me A Rose” to No. 1, the first for an independent country act in over 15 years.

Mallory Opheim

Mallory Opheim will join InstiGator Entertainment as promotion coordinator, with more staff announcements expected to follow.

Contact them at [email protected] and [email protected].

InstiGator Entertainment
205 Powell Place
Suite 215
Brentwood, TN 37027

Office: (615) 312-8284
Fax: (615) 312-8285
www.musicinstigator.com

CMA Announces 2011 Broadcast Awards Finalists

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Final nominees for the nation’s top Country radio stations and broadcast personalities were delivered to Country Radio today, when the JaneDear girls revealed the 2011 CMA Broadcast Personality and Radio Station of the Year finalists live from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

The winners will be notified in mid-October and will be acknowledged at The 45th Annual CMA Awards, to be held Wednesday, Nov. 9 and broadcast live by the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year
National
“American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks” (Kix Brooks) –  Citadel Media
“Big D & Bubba Show” (Derek Haskins and Sean Powell) – Premiere Radio Networks
“The Lia Show” (Lia Knight)  – Dial Global

Major Market
“Ben & Matt Show” (Ben Campbell and Matt McAllister) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
“Edwards & Lee” (Chuck Edwards and Linda Lee) – WYCD, Detroit, Mich.
“Kelly Ford & Rider” (Kelly Ford and Mark Newman) – KYGO, Denver-Boulder, Colo.
“Laurie DeYoung Morning Show” (Laurie DeYoung) – WPOC, Baltimore, Md.
“Paul Schadt Morning Show” (Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, and Geof Knight) – WKKT, Charlotte/Gastonia, N.C.; Rock Hill, SC

Large Market
“Chris Carr & Company”  (Chris Carr, Jeffrey “Maverick” Bolen, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“Coffee, Country & Cody” (Bill Cody) – WSM-AM, Nashville, Tenn.
“Jeff Roper in the Morning” (Jeff Roper and Angie Ward) – WTQR, Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Pont, NC
“Jess, Brian, and Amanda” (Jess Tyler, Brian Phillips, and Amanda Leonardo) – WCTK, Providence/Warwick/Pawtucket, RI
“Q Morning Crew” (Mike Wheless, Marty Young, and Janie Carothers) – WQDR, Raleigh/Durham, NC

Medium Market
“Kevin Richards Show” (Kevin Richards) – WGNA, Albany/Schenectady/Troy, N.Y.
“Mornings with Brian and Kellie” (Brian Pierce and Kellie Michaels) – KFDI, Wichita, Kan.
“The 97 Country Breakfast Club” (Tom O’Brien, Roger Todd, Melissa Moran) – WPCV, Lakeland/Winter Haven, Fla.
“The Kat 103 Morning Show” (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) – KXKT, Omaha, Neb./Council Bluffs, Iowa
“Ellis and Bradley Morning Show” (Bill Ellis and Beth Bradley) – WSSL, Greenville/Spartanburg, SC

Small Market
“Barrett, Fox & Berry” (Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry) – KKNU, Eugene/Springfield, Ore.
“Bearman and Ken in the Morning” (Benny “Bearman” Martin, Ken Hicks, Daniel Wyatt) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Scotty and Carissa in the Morning” (Scotty Cox and Carissa Loethen) – KCLR, Columbia, Mo.
“The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green) – WKSF, Asheville, NC
“The Good Morning Guys” (Brian Gary, Todd Harding, and Susan Moore) – KUAD, Ft. Collins/Greeley, Colo.

CMA Radio Station of the Year
Major Market
KMLE – Phoenix, Ariz.
KNIX – Phoenix, Ariz.
WKKT – Charlotte/Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, SC
WMZQ – Washington, DC
WYCD – Detroit, Mich.

Large Market
KASE – Austin, Texas
KVET – Austin, Texas
WFMS – Indianapolis, Ind.
WQDR – Raleigh/Durham, NC
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio

Medium Market
KATM – Modesto, Calif.
KFDI – Wichita, Kan.
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
WBBS – Syracuse, NY
WYRK – Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY

Small Market
KCLR -Columbia, Mo.
KUAD – Ft. Collins/Greeley, Colo.
WKSF – Asheville, NC
WKXC – Augusta, Ga.
WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.

Weekly Chart Report (9/02/11)

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Amber Hayes (FUNL Music) Learns a 'Magic Beer Trick' during a visit to WBYT/South Bend, Ind. (L-R): Pat (owner of local Irish pub Mulligan’s), Hayes

SPIN ZONE
Keith Urban might be a prophet. About three months ago he tunefully predicted that it was “gonna be a long hot summer” and well, it definitely has been. The song moves up to the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot just as September arrives, and we’ve (thankfully) still got a little summer left in the tank.

Positions 3-9 hold fast, with Kenny Chesney’s “You And Tequila” on top of the heap at No. 3. Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” still looks strong at No. 5, tacking on a few more spins and closing in on Brad Paisley’s “Remind Me.”  Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” also has some legs, as it picks up a 180 spin gain and moves to No. 10.

Kudos to Capitol Records on an impressive debut for Luke Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” which lands at No. 70 in its first week being reported. Bryan’s labelmates Lady Antebellum also have a nocturnally-themed single called “We Owned The Night,” and it’s up to No. 30 in its third week on the chart.

Frozen Playlists: KITX, KXIA, KZTL, WDGG, WKWS, WQNZ, WTCM, WYVY

Upcoming Singles
September 6
Jason Aldean/Tattoos On This Town/Broken Bow

September 12
Kevin Fowler/That Girl/Average Joes
Chris Young/You/RCA
Ashley Gearing/Me, My Heart and I/Curb
Crystal Shawanda/Love Enough/Sun/Nine North
Andy Gibson/Wanna Make You Love Me/R&J

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Luke Bryan/I Don’t Want This Night To End/Capitol — 70
Chris Young/You/RCA Nashville — 74
Jason Sturgeon/The Cover/Toolpusher/Spinville — 78
Marlee Scott/Beautiful Maybe/CO5 — 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Lady Antebellum/We Owned The Night/Capitol — 456
Jason Aldean/Tattoos On This Town/Broken Bow — 381
Luke Bryan/I Don’t Want This Night To End/Capitol — 350
Eric Church/Drink In My Hand/EMI Nashville — 330
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia — 288

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Luke Bryan/I Don’t Want This Night To End/Capitol — 32
Jason Aldean/Tattoos On This Town/Broken Bow — 23
Lady Antebellum/We Owned The Night/Capitol — 22
Chris Young/You/RCA Nashville — 14
Eric Church/Drink In My Hand/EMI Nashville — 14
Steel Magnolia/Bulletproof/Big Machine — 13
Reba/Somebody’s Chelsea/Starstruck/Valory — 10
Tyrone Vaughan/Downtime/Kick It Up — 10

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Bomshel/Halleluy’all/Curb — 218
Cash Creek/Unlikely Angel/Ohana — 209
Justin Haigh/All My Best Friends Are Behind Bars — 205
Coleman Brothers/Beer—Thirty/PVI — 200
The O’Donnells/She Leaves The Light On/Song Valley Music — 195
Jesse Keith Whitley/Kentucky Thunder/Octabrook Records — 190
Tyrone Vaughan/Downtime/Kick It Up — 184

Warner Bros. Records artist Jason Jones recently stopped by CMT to give the staff a “Ferris Wheel” spin. The singer/songwriter treated staff to performances of songs from his forthcoming Brett Beavers-produced debut album, including his current single “Ferris Wheel.” (L-R): Jensen Arrowsmith (Warner Music Nashville Associate Director, Publicity), Stacey Cato (CMT Music Strategy), Jason Jones, Stephen Linn (CMT Music Strategy), Kelli Cashiola (Warner Music Nashville VP Brand Management), Justin Luffman (Director On-Line Marketing), Jennifer Danielson (CMT Music Strategy) and Cris Lacy (Warner Music Nashville VP A&R). Photo Credit: Courtesy of CMT

Frankie Ballard with US Army Black Knights—who parachuted in next to the stadium right before Frankie took the stage at the Appalachian Fair in Johnson City, TN

Casey James (BNA Records) was recently at KXKT/Omaha to share his debut single, "Lets Don't Call It A Night." (L-R): KXKT PD Erik Johnson, James and MD Hoss Michaels.

Charlie Cook On Air

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“Fans Like Free Media”

August is the month of state and county fairs. Headlining: bad food. Iowa has a new dish this year of Fried Butter. Really? Plain butter isn’t enough to drive up health care costs in the state?

State fairs are populated by not only by questionable gastronomic challenges but by scores of thrilling rides. Rickety roller coasters, ferocious Ferris wheels and titillating tilt-a-whirls. This August the real thrilling ride came, not from state fairs but the stock market.

But this is not a financial column. If it were, you might want to quickly turn away.

It is a column about Country radio and records and the listener/consumer. We know what the state and county fairs have in common with radio, records and the listener. Country performers make their careers in Pelham, AL; Pueblo, CO; and Sussex County, NJ. Country radio is broadcasting remotes and giving away tickets to listeners, who flock to the rides, snacks, petting farms and performances. It is often the best money spent, fun for one low price.

How does this tie into Wall Street? The fans are also flocking to free media.

Associated Press did an analysis of cable and satellite companies, after quarterly earnings reports, and found that consumers are abandoning their clickers in increasing numbers. The loss is not yet earth-shattering but it is the first down-tick in the industry. And this was for a reported quarter BEFORE the stock market scared the heck out of every wage earner in America.

It is also important to note that the consumer is not abandoning TV—just paying for it. They are finding their programming online. When the DVR has become one of the most important electronic toys in a household, what does a consumer’s willingness to forgo cable and watch programming online, on his own schedule, tell us about media consumption?

We know that older Americans have already gone away from purchasing recorded music as in the past. The last few weeks’ No. 1 debut country CD sales failed to top 150,000. We have adjusted our expectations so that this is a successful launch.

This is at the same time that Country Radio stations are setting new ratings highs. Listening to (free) radio is up almost everywhere. Atlanta has a combined cume of over 1.5 million. Detroit is just short of a million cume with only one station. Boston set a ratings record. Los Angeles has stabilized at over one million. Dallas, Chicago, Houston and the list goes on and on. Country radio is way up—free Country radio.

Nashville record companies would like to find another path to the listener, one without the gate keepers of program directors and consultants. But both industries can thrive with an even more powerful partnership.

The consumer is choosing free more often and radio and records can help drive this with creative cooperation. I am not asking for either partner to give up anything for free but what about Country radio and record companies thinking how to drive both listenership and purchasing.

In order to keep it free, maybe we need to find a sponsor that also benefits from the association. What is going to be important, however, is for radio and records to find something that we’re willing to share with each other. It is going to take more than giving an act exposure for a concert.

I like the conference room concerts that artists do for stations because we get to meet the act and bond a little, but stations should use these new acts for lunchtime or after work shows at a sponsor and invite listeners. It’s free for the listener and the station. Plus, it takes a committed record company expense and maybe turns it into an opportunity to build a base in the market.

I wrote awhile back about the lack of connection that radio is making with artists because of programmer reluctance to chance the PPM ratings system with additional talk. I said then and this was a recipe for decreased ratings down the pike. Committing your station to a new act, maybe not on air interviews but with a real chance to interact with the listener/consumer is better than a day at the State Fair.