Weekly Chart Report (8/19/11)

/by


Toolpusher Recording artist Jason Sturgeon recently got the chance to promote his single “The Cover” at the 2011 Carlisle Truck Nationals event in Carlisle, PA. An avid car-lover, Sturgeon’s vintage Chevy truck was on display during the CMA Music Festival this past June. While in PA, Sturgeon got to hang out with some of his friends from country radio. (L-R): WGTY/Gettysburg PD Scott Donato, Sturgeon.


LIFENOTE
MusicRow extends its condolences to Mickey Alexander of WQNZ/Natchez, MS, whose father Charles Mitchel Alexander passed away last Sunday, August 14. He was 71. Funeral services were held August 17 at Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday, LA. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday (318-757-3636) to help with funeral expenses.
RADIO NEWS
Ross Alexander (no relation to Mickey) has taken over Music Director duties at KVAY/Lamar, CO. He replaces Chandra Hunter, who is exiting the station and getting married. Reach Alexander here.
• • •
SPIN ZONE
It’s been a short 10 week trip for Toby Keith’s “Made In America” to arrive at No. 1, which it accomplishes today after gaining 145 new spins. White-hot duets “You and Tequila” by Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter and “Remind Me” by Brad Paisley with Carrie Underwood are in hot pursuit at No. 2 and 3, respectively. Keith Urban’s “Long Hot Summer” is at No. 4 after only nine weeks, and Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” is still growing at No. 5.
While we’ve had several singles ascend to No. 1 in under 15 weeks, Toby’s 10 week feat puts him in a particularly elite crowd. In fact, the only other singles to claim a No. 1 song in under 10 weeks in the last three years are recent smashes: Brad Paisley’s “Old Alabama,” which managed it in eight weeks, and Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee,” which did it in nine. Widening the scope a bit, there are a handful of sub-12 week champs, including (surprise!) Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban.
A glance a the Top 40 reveals some possible future contenders as well. Miranda Lambert’s “Baggage Claim” is the week’s biggest spin increase with 538 new plays. It jumps to No. 29 in its third week charting, and this has all happened before its official going for adds date of August 22. The Band Perry’s “All Your Life,” another three-week-old title, isn’t far behind at No. 37.
Frozen Reports: WAKG, WIFE, WKTT, WKWS, WQNZ, WTCM, WYVY

Upcoming Singles: Add Dates
August 22
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia
Steel Magnolia/Bulletproof/Big Machine
Bomshel/HalleluY’all/Curb
Hali Hicks/Last Night of Spring/Phull/Jeff McClusky & Assoc/Nine North
August 29
Reba/Somebody’s Chelsea/Valory
Chris Cagle/Got My Country On/Bigger Picture
Risa Binder/You Made It Rain
Vince Gill/Threaten Me With Heaven/MCA
• • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Lady Antebellum/We Owned The Night/Capitol — 60
Eric Church/Drink In My Hand/EMI Nashville — 65
Reba/Somebody’s Chelsea/Starstruck/Valory — 74
Badhorse/It’s All Good/Global Maximus — 76
Tyler Farr/That’s What They’re Bitin’ On/BNA — 77
Steel Magnolia/Bulletproof/Big Machine — 78
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia — 538
Lady Antebellum/We Owned The Night/Capitol — 455
Eric Church/Drink In My Hand/EMI Nashville — 378
The Band Perry/All Your Life/Republic Nashville — 334
Taylor Swift/Sparks Fly/Big Machine — 330
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Buddy Jewell/Jesus, Elvis and Me/Diamond Dust — 203
LiveWire/Tater Fed/LiveWire Records — 200
Steve Richard/Love’s Gotta Go Somewhere/Force MP — 198
Kevin Fowler/Hell Yeah, I Like Beer/Average Joes — 197
Lauren Alaina/Like My Mother Does/19 Ent./Mercury — 187
Ira Dean/Beer or Gasoline/Average Joes Entertainment — 173
Jason Sturgeon/The Cover/Toolpusher/Spinville — 172
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Eric Church/Drink In My Hand/EMI Nashville — 35
Lady Antebellum/We Owned The Night/Capitol — 30
Badhorse/It’s All Good/Global Maximus — 19
The Band Perry/All Your Life/Republic Nashville — 19
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia — 17
Reba/Somebody’s Chelsea/Starstruck/Valory — 12
Martina McBride/I’m Gonna Love You Through It/Republic Nashville — 10
Justin Moore/Bait a Hook/Valory — 10

The JaneDear girls (Warner Bros./WMN) played at the KJ Heart Strings Concert in San Antonio earlier this week and visited with KAJA PD Travis Moon before the show. Their new single “Merry Go Round” is due out soon. (L-R): tJDg’s Susie Brown, Moon, and tJDg’s Danelle Leverett


Black River Entertainment’s Craig Morgan visited Nashville’s WSM-FM 95.5 August 2 to support his latest single “This Ole Boy,” which is at No. 53 on the CountryBreakout Chart. (L-R): WSM’s Rick Marino and Beth Brightwell; Craig Morgan


Hunter Hayes (Atlantic/WMN) finished up his final tour date on Taylor Swift’s Speak Now Tour last Sunday (8/14) in St. Louis, MO. (L-R) KSD morning personality Mason, KSD MD Dusty, KSD PD Steve Stewart, Hayes, KSD morning personality Remy

Jackie Campbell Joins Big Machine Label Group

/by

Jackie Campbell has joined the Big Machine Label Group as Director of Strategic Partnerships. In this new role, she will be based in Chicago.
Campbell brings with her 10 years of experience as Manager of Integrated Programs and Event Marketing for Chicago’s CBS Radio/US99.5. In this role, she helped develop and execute over 40 integrated marketing opportunities that generated over $3 million in annual non-traditional revenue for WUSN, WCFS and WSCR. She also helped create key partnerships with Live Nation and Nashville record labels, securing sponsorship rights for Kenny Chesney at Soldier Field and Rascal Flatts at Wrigley Field.
“Leaving my CBS Radio/US99.5 family after nearly 10 years was certainly not an easy decision, but this unique opportunity to work alongside Scott Borchetta, John Zarling, and the rest of the inspiring group at Big Machine Label Group was one I could not pass up,” says Campbell. “I look forward to joining the team and applying my NTR and sponsorship experience to BMLG and their incredible roster of artists and country radio.”
“I am really excited to welcome Jackie! Her passion, excitement and proven results make her the perfect addition to our team,” says John Zarling, VP/Promotion & Media Strategy. “As the climate within radio and the industry at-large continues to morph, Jackie will be a great asset for our label group and our artists pursuing partnerships with brands both on the local and national levels.”
Congratulate Campbell here.

CMT Adds New Sr. VP, Music Strategy

/by

Leslie Fram


CMT has hired industry vet Leslie Fram to serve as Sr. VP, Music Strategy, overseeing all music integration within the CMT brand, including original programming, CMT.com, CMT Radio and music video airplay across all media platforms. The former PD and morning show co-host of New York rock station WRXP will join the team Sept. 1, reporting to Pres. Brian Philips. She replaces the exiting Jay Frank who is launching a new initiative.
Fram first worked with Philips in the early 90s, transforming Atlanta pop radio station Power 99 into a trendsetting, alternative rock station, 99X. Fram spent a decade at 99X both on-air and as Assistant Program Director and Program Director. She has been honored for her radio work, and outstanding contributions to the industry by the TJ Martell Association and NARAS’s Atlanta Chapter, where she served on the Board of Governors. She is a Lifetime Achievement Inductee in the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame.
“Leslie Fram is beloved throughout the entire industry,” said Philips. “Everyone knows of her hard-driving passion for music, her unyielding integrity and her relentless work ethic. I have always believed that Leslie, in her soul, ‘belonged’ at MTV Networks, and she’s finally here!”
Fram adds, “This move just feels right for me on so many levels. CMT is on a creative hot streak, and I’m honored to join Brian Philips and his all-star team at the network. CMT is a big stage — 93 million homes! I am excited about the creative freedom I’ve been given to invent and innovate with music across all CMT’s platforms. I’m anxious to get to Nashville, reconnect with old friends, make new ones and blaze a new trail with CMT.”
Philips added, “Jay has helped CMT make great strides, leaving in place a strong music infrastructure. He’s a futurist and successful author with an entrepreneurial spirit, and we wish him huge success with his new venture.”
Fram joins CMT at a time of growth across several divisions: CMT Radio Network now has 160+ affiliates across the country; CMT Radio Live With Cody Alan, the nightly syndicated show is heard in over 100 markets; CMT Pure, the network’s 24-hour music video channel is now in 25 million homes; and music video hours on CMT are up 10% over the last year.

R&J Adds To Radio Team

/by

Chris DeCarlo


R&J Records has tapped Chris DeCarlo to head southeast promotion duties for its roster which includes Aaron Lewis, Andy Gibson, Margaret Durante, LoCash Cowboys, Rob Lane and Alexa Carter.
DeCarlo brings over 20 years of music business experience to the role. Her career began with Pittsburgh radio heavyweights WDVE and WDSY, then moved to promotion stints at A&M and RCA Records. Most recently, DeCarlo has run a voiceover and production house, DeCarlo-Mitchell Productions.
“We are so excited to have Chris on our team here at R&J,” says National Head of Promotion Tim McFadden. “We looked long and hard to find a professional with Chris’ credentials. I have known her since her very successful radio days and have watched her strong career in promotion. Chris is exactly who we needed to take charge in the Southeast.”
DeCarlo joins Bill Catino, Jon Conlon (West Coast), Bill Heltemes (Midwest), David Shaw (Northeast) and coordinator Kelsey Lantrip on the label’s promotion team. R&J Records was launched in June by acclaimed producer and label executive James Stroud.
DeCarlo can be reached at (412) 398-1212 or [email protected].

R&J Adds To Radio Team

/by

Chris DeCarlo

R&J Records has tapped Chris DeCarlo to head southeast promotion duties for its roster which includes Aaron Lewis, Andy Gibson, Margaret Durante, LoCash Cowboys, Rob Lane and Alexa Carter.

DeCarlo brings over 20 years of music business experience to the role. Her career began with Pittsburgh radio heavyweights WDVE and WDSY, then moved to promotion stints at A&M and RCA Records. Most recently, DeCarlo has run a voiceover and production house, DeCarlo-Mitchell Productions.

“We are so excited to have Chris on our team here at R&J,” says National Head of Promotion Tim McFadden. “We looked long and hard to find a professional with Chris’ credentials. I have known her since her very successful radio days and have watched her strong career in promotion. Chris is exactly who we needed to take charge in the Southeast.”

DeCarlo joins Bill Catino, Jon Conlon (West Coast), Bill Heltemes (Midwest), David Shaw (Northeast) and coordinator Kelsey Lantrip on the label’s promotion team. R&J Records was launched in June by acclaimed producer and label executive James Stroud.

DeCarlo can be reached at (412) 398-1212 or [email protected].

Weekly Chart Report (8/12/11)

/by



Deborah Allen (L) and KBCR/Steamboat Springs, CO MD Deb Duncan at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort on Sun. July 3rd, 2011. Allen’s current single "Anything Other Than Love" is currently at No. 66 on the CountryBreakout Chart.


RADIO NEWS
Dwight Lane has joined KRVN/Lexington, NE as Station Manager. Lane was previously with sister station KTIC/West Point, NE in the same capacity. Eric Brown will stay on as GM of KRVN and The Nebraska Rural Radio Association.
KRVN PD and morning host Stafford Thompson is stepping away to pursue a new career. MD Adam Smith will assume PD duties and is searching for a new host for the 93.1 The River Morning Show. Resumes and air samples can be sent to [email protected].
SPIN ZONE
It’s gridlock at the top of the CountryBreakout Chart as Trace Adkins’ “Just Fishin’” notches a second week at No. 1. But Toby Keith’s “Made In America” is only down 28 spins at No. 2, followed by Kenny Chesney’s “You And Tequila” only 14 spins below Toby at No. 3. But it’d be wise to keep an eye out for Brad Paisley/Carrie Underwood’s “Remind Me” in the next couple weeks. It’s red hot at No. 4 and still making triple digit spin increases. Jake Owen also has a hit on his hands with “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” which eases into the No. 5 spot.
Miranda Lambert’s “Baggage Claim” made a big impression last week when it debuted at No. 69. Now one of her fastest rising singles to date, the lead single from Four The Record has leapt up to No. 41 in its second week charting. Chasing Lambert are the siblings of The Band Perry, whose “All Your Life” picked up an additional 320 spins in its second week to move to No. 44.
Biggest debut of the week goes to EMI Nashville new face Eric Paslay. His first single “Never Really Wanted” makes its first appearance at No. 65 with a gain of 139 spins. Also debuting are Keith Bryant’s “Can’t Tell Somebody (Who To Love)” at No. 72, Cash Creek’s “Unlikely Angel” at No. 77, and Kevin Fowler’s “Hell Yeah, I Like Beer” at No. 79.
Frozen Playlists: KCJC, KFTX, KICR, KVOM, KVVP, KWEY, KYEZ, KYYK, WAXX, WDXX, WHWK, WIFE, WTHO

 



Upcoming Singles
August 15
Crystal Shawanda/Love Enough/Sun/Nine North
Brett Eldredge/It Ain’t Gotta Be Love/Atlantic/WMN
Casey James/Let’s Don’t Call It A Night/BNA
Tyrone Vaughan/Downtime/Kick It Up/CO5
Badhorse/It’s All Good (Global Maximus)
August 16
Wayne Mills Band/She Knows the Words to Every Song/Diesel Records
August 22
Steel Magnolia/Bulletproof/Big Machine
Bomshel/HalleluY’all/Curb
Hali Hicks/Last Night Of Spring/Phull/Jeff McClusky & Associates/Nine North-Turnpike
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Eric Paslay/Never Really Wanted/EMI Nashville — 65
Keith Bryant/Can’t Tell Somebody (Who To Love)/Jordash Records — 72
Cash Creek/Unlikely Angel/Ohana Music Group — 77
Kevin Fowler/Hell Yeah, I Like Beer/Average Joe’s Ent. — 79
Lauren Alaina/Like My Mother Does/19 Ent./Mercury — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia — 502
Blake Shelton/God Gave Me You/Warner Bros./WMN — 360
The Band Perry/All Your Life/Republic Nashville — 320
Justin Moore/Bait a Hook/Valory — 265
Keith Urban/Long Hot Summer/Capitol — 218
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia — 33
Justin Moore/Bait a Hook/Valory — 18
The Band Perry/All Your Life/Republic Nashville — 18
Eric Paslay/Never Really Wanted/EMI Nashville — 9
Montgomery Gentry/Where I Come From/Average Joe’s — 9
Reba/Somebody’s Chelsea/Starstruck/Valory — 9
Martina McBride/I’m Gonna Love You Through It/Republic Nashville — 8
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Tyler Farr/That’s What They’re Bitin’ On/Sony Nashville — 174
Ira Dean/Beer or Gasoline/Average Joes Entertainment — 170
Live Wire/Tater Fed/Live Wire Records — 163
Coleman Brothers/Beer—Thirty — 150
Jason Sturgeon/The Cover/Toolpusher/Spinville — 149

Sugarland’s Incredible Machine tour passed through Kansas City on August 7 and the duo visited with some of their friends in country radio. (L-R) KBEQ/Kansas City PD Mike Kennedy with Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush


Jordash Recording artist Keith Bryant stopped by John Davisson’s afternoon show on WHWK/Binghampton, New York to sing his hit “Ridin’ With The Legend.” Bryant is currently on an extensive East Coast promo tour to support his single “Can’t Tell Somebody (Who To Love).” (L–R): WHWK’s Rich Birdsall, Bryant, WHWK PD/Afternoons John Davisson and Mike Borchetta.


Taking a break (poolside) from the stage, The Band Perry joined some KKBQ/Houston loyal listeners for a little summer fun at the “All Your Life”guard Pool Party. TBP is pictured with fans, KKBQ’s Lisa Searcy, Republic Nashville’s Jimmy Harnen, KKBQ’s Johnny Chiang, Mark Krieschen, Christi Brooks and Judy Shelton Lakin. Photo Credit: Mark Gray, Courtesy of Republic Nashville

Charlie Cook On Air

/by

Social Engineering In Your Car

In the minds of engineers at Ford Motors, media is media is media. I read recently that they are eliminating CD players from their cars, starting with the Fusion. Now, it would be one thing if they were eliminating the CD player as a way to save money on production—kind of like the little surprise you get when you get a flat tire and look for the spare in your trunk for the first time.
But they are not eliminating the CD player for costs. They are doing their own version of social “media” engineering.
First there was no place to buy a CD as record stores closed. Soon there will be no place to play them as your dashboard closes. Well, not exactly closes, but rearranges. I have read that Ford is toying with either eliminating the tuner or moving it down the list of available media options. Yeah, your smartphone can do everything short of steering your car (for now, at least) but there are what, 80 million smartphones in the US? Even in a tough market weren’t there 250 million CDs sold last year? Arbitron says that 280 million Americans use the radio every week.
The problem is that as non-media folks attempt to predict the future they are wreaking havoc with the present. I mean, do we really need a car that parks itself? If I can’t laugh at drivers who cannot parallel park and then you take the CD out of my car, I got nothing during a commercial break on my favorite station.
All kidding aside, the CD was at least a guarantee that someone spent money on music. We know that a lot of the music that shows up on iPods and smartphones doesn’t always come through iTunes. We know that Country music listeners say that Country radio is the number one source for finding out about new music and new artists.
Ask my friend Charlie Anderson at Anderson Merchandising how he feels about the CD player disappearing from the automobile. Ask him if he thinks the FoMoCo engineers are seers, or prophets of doom.
Instead of eliminating the CD and the radio, how about disabling the smartphone’s texting function as soon as the engine starts? Or how about designing a car that keeps drunk drivers from starting it? Or making a darn navigation system that doesn’t talk down to me like I’m an idiot just because I get lost once in a while.
As a way of expanding your media options in the auto, what they are doing is erasing your choices. Choices that Americans are still making every day. Write your congressman, call your local radio station or just buy a Japanese car. Okay, don’t do any of those things. Well, maybe call your local radio station, and request a song.

CRS Accepting Country Radio Hall of Fame Nominations

/by

Nominations for the 2012 Country Radio Hall of Fame are now being accepted by Country Radio Seminar.
Interested parties may submit nominations here and each nominee will receive official applications later. Applications must be returned before September 9, 2011.
“No other event highlights the accomplishments and contributions of those who have meant so much to the Country Radio industry than the annual Country Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This is the time to be sure that worthy candidates are nominated and included in the process for 2012,” says CRS Hall of Fame Chairman Charlie Morgan.
Air-checks, press clippings, award listings and other materials may be included in submissions. Applications received after Sept. 9 will be considered for the 2013 Hall of Fame class.
The 2012 Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and induction will be held Tuesday, February 21 at the Nashville Convention Center. CRS 2012 will be held Feb. 22-24, 2012 at the NCC.
On-Air Personality Hall of Fame Criteria:
—Must have at least a 20 year on-air career in radio, minimum of 15 in the Country format.
—Significant contributions to the growth and development in the Country radio industry and ongoing contributions to the preservation and enhancement of Country music as an art form.
Radio Hall of Fame Criteria:
—Must have at least a 20 year career in radio, minimum of 15 in the Country format.
—Significant contributions to the growth and development of the Country radio industry and ongoing contributions to the preservation and enhancement of Country music as an art form.

Weekly Chart Report (8/05/11)

/by


Ronnie Milsap has been busy promoting the release of his album Country Again with a Satellite Media Tour, a visit with Cody Alan for CMT Radio Live, and an interview with Eddie Stubbs (who produced Country Again) on 650 AM WSM. The album’s first single is “If You Don’t Want Me To (The Freeze).” (L-R) Milsap, CMT Radio Live’s Cody Alan


SPIN ZONE
Every once in awhile, you land a big one. Trace Adkins has done just that with “Just Fishin’,” which ascends to No. 1 by jumping over Zac Brown Band’s “Knee Deep.” The big man’s latest gains 72 spins in its 21st week charting with 98 stations on board. Also advancing are Kenny Chesney’s “You and Tequila” at No. 3, Toby Keith’s “Made In America” at No. 4, and the Paisley/Underwood juggernaut “Remind Me” at No. 5.
Fishing is a pretty common theme for the summer country singles climbing the current chart. Bigger Picture’s Craig Campbell is promoting his second single, “Fish,” which moves to No. 33 with a gain of 160 spins. Newcomer Kelly Parkes is at No. 45 with “Girl With A Fishing Rod.” Right behind and red hot is Justin Moore’s “Bait A Hook,” which reels in 322 new spins and moves to No. 48.
Speaking of red hot, there are big debuts from The Band Perry and Miranda Lambert. TBP’s “All Your Life” is the fourth single from the group’s self-titled Republic Nashville album, and clocked in at No. 62 for the week’s highest debut. “Baggage Claim” is the first single from Lambert’s anticipated Four The Record album due November 1, and programmers spun it enough out of the box to earn the No. 69 spot with no prior reports.
LIFENOTE
Our thoughts and best wishes are with KBOE/Oskaloosa, IA PD Steve Shettler, whose mother recently suffered a stroke. According to Shettler, she’s showing hopeful signs of progress in the last few days. Reach out to him here.
Frozen Playlists: KBOE, KYES, KYKX, KYYZ, WAKG, WATZ, WKWS, WTCM, WTCR



Upcoming Singles
August 8
Danny Gokey/Second Hand Heart/RCA
The Band Perry/All Your Life/Republic Nashville
August 15
Crystal Shawanda/Love Enough/Sun/Nine North
Brett Eldredge/It Ain’t Gotta Be Love/Atlantic/WMN
Tyrone Vaughan/Downtime/CO5
Casey James/Let’s Don’t Call It A Night/BNA
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
The Band Perry/All Your Life/Republic Nashville — 62
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia — 69
The McClymonts/Wrapped Up Good/BSM — 75
Brad Wolfe/Love Ought To Be Perfect/Evergreen — 78
Ashton Shepherd/Where Country Grows/MCA — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia — 348
Blake Shelton/God Gave Me You/Warner Bros./WMN — 337
Justin Moore/Bait a Hook/Valory — 332
Taylor Swift/Sparks Fly/Big Machine — 297
The Band Perry/All Your Life/Republic Nashville — 293
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia — 31
The Band Perry/All Your Life/Republic Nashville — 26
Justin Moore/Bait a Hook/Valory — 26
Montgomery Gentry/Where I Come From/Average Joe’s — 14
Bradley Gaskin/Mr. Bartender/Columbia — 11
Mark Wills/Crazy Bein’ Home/Tenacity — 11
Tracy Lawrence/The Singer/Lawrence Music Group — 11
Martina McBride/I’m Gonna Love You Through It/Republic Nashville — 10
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Eric Paslay/Never Really Wanted/EMI Nashville – 200
Cash Creek/Unlikely Angel/Ohana Music Group – 200
Kevin Fowler/Hell Yeah, I Like Beer/Average Joe’s Ent. – 191
Keith Bryant/Can’t Tell Somebody (Who To Love)/Jordash Records – 178
Big & Rich/Fake ID/Warner – 162

WMN’s Frankie Ballard recently visited with KEGA/Salt Lake City. Ballard’s single “A Buncha Girls” is currently at No. 49 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. (L-R): KEGA MD Jon Watkins, Ballard, KEGA PD Alan Hague, W.A.R. West Coast Regional Rhonda Christensen

Charlie Cook On Air

/by

PPM Pitfalls

If you’re reading this, my second note for MusicRow, then last week’s article didn’t end my writing career right out of the chute. That is great for me as there is so much to say about the relationship between radio and records.
Last week I touched, briefly, on research and how it is used and misused by stations and researchers themselves. Comprehensive research is a valuable tool for everyone looking for the truth and a navigable direction for your label, artists, individual songs and radio stations.
There is no more comprehensive research for radio than Arbitron. I remember sitting in the audience at an Arbitron seminar where they detailed the People Meter process. I said to myself, “wow, what a great system. Truthfully track the listeners and report their listening.” The presenters then went on to explain the system and detail what it takes to familiarize them with the participants. Then I thought, “Who the heck would take this project on?” It is not easy and the results make half of the station’s personnel angry on some level.
The People Meter has caused concern in both radio stations and then at record companies, as so much of what we do impacts the other industry. Radio programmers in the top 48 markets in America are living with PPM measurement and many Country Stations are thriving. Wow, Americans like Country Music. Wow, Americans like music that they can understand with lyrics about life experiences that are similar to theirs. Wow, Americans want to be able to share their radio with their families on the way to school, shopping and church.
We should all be very pleased with the current success of Country radio stations in PPM markets but I am afraid that long term PPM could be bad for building artist careers. The way stations are reading PPM many of them are removing the passion for the artists. We have passion for individual songs without building a foundation for the artists.
Many stations have eliminated on-air interviews or moved them to the station’s website. Many stations have eliminated disc jockey interaction with the artist.
Radio people will remember that famous PPM experiment in Houston years ago around a Kenny Chesney interview on the two Country stations. One of the stations was clearly more successful with the interview, ratings wise. PPM allows us to look, minute by minute, to rating’s results.
Apparently unfocused and uninteresting interviews are bad. Uninteresting chatter is also bad at cocktail parties, during dinner, on the phone and in the workplace. If you want to hold someone’s attention say something interesting, concise and with a punch line.
Suggestion number one for artists for PPM markets: come with something interesting. Come with something that can be transmitted to the listener in short order. If I am going to play “A Buncha Girls” give me five bits of information about Frankie Ballard that I can communicate in 5-7 seconds. WYCD would want to tell listeners that Frankie grew up across the state in Battle Creek. What about that Frankie toured with fellow Michigander Uncle Kracker. That he has opened for (another Michigander) Bob Seger. In fact, Frankie performed in front of two sold out audiences in Nashville. Opening for Seger one night and singing the National Anthem at a Predators Playoff game a few nights later. He also opened for Taylor Swift.
Nothing earth-shattering but it is a beginning of building a picture of Frankie and he is coming to life.
Second PPM tip for record companies. And this one is off the wall. PPM has seen a resurgence of Classic Rock radio. I contend that there are two reasons. Familiarity and…long songs. PPM measures listenership differently. If you can score 5 minutes of listening in a quarter hour you get credit for the entire quarter hour. Not any 15 minute segment, but: 00 to: 15 or: 15 to: 30 and so on.
So many of the Classic Rock songs are near the 5 minutes that makes collecting that quarter hour’s listening pretty simple. Play the right songs and you have minimized opportunities for tune outs. If you can collect listening with one hit song instead of having to pair two hit songs, you’re more than half way there.
Country record producers can identify some music that should be re-edited to approach that 5 minute length. How many Country stations would object to “Need You Now”-Lady Antebellum being 5 minutes long? That would pretty much guarantee that quarter hour’s listening. “Remind Me”-Brad and Carrie is 4:31. Give me a 5 minute version. Everyone knew that was going to be a huge record.
In single Country Music station markets you can play as much music as possible and depend on the popularity of the music. In markets with more than one Country Music station it is the subtle things that gain the advantage over your competitors.