Republic Nashville Adds Crystal Williams

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Crystal Williams


Crystal Williams has joined Republic Nashville’s Promotion team as Director Southwest Promotion. “I am so thankful for this opportunity and am excited to be joining a team of such passionate and talented people. Although I will miss my friends and family in Florida, I am looking forward to starting this new chapter in my life with Republic Nashville!” says Williams.
In this new role, she will be based in Austin, TX, coordinating radio promotion in the Southwest region. The Republic Nashville roster includes Martina McBride, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band and Sunny Sweeney.
Crystal began her career in radio at Quantum Communications, as an on-air personality, production assistant and in the promotion department. From there she went on to become an Assistant Engineer doing studio work at Destin Recording. Most recently, Crystal spearheaded entertainment initiatives at The Plaza Live in Orlando, FL, where she served as the Assistant Talent Buyer, Artist Liaison and Promoter.
Williams reports directly to National Director of Promotion, Matthew Hargis, and can be reached at 850.420.2243 or [email protected]. Congratulate her here.
 

Donna Hughes Joins Capitol/EMI Records Nashville

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Capitol/EMI Records Nashville has hired Country radio and television veteran Donna Hughes as National Director/Radio Syndication. Hughes will report directly to Capitol SVP Promotion Steve Hodges. In her new role, Hughes’ responsibilities will include spearheading national syndication, major contests/events, and special audio/video content for radio.
“Bringing Donna on board is a huge score for the Capitol/EMI family,” says Hodges. “I have admired her work in the past and am eager for her to get started in this position that has no boundaries and limitless potential. Her enthusiasm for the music and artists is tremendously infectious!”
“It’s hard to find words to describe how excited I am for this new opportunity…and for anyone who knows me, that says a lot!” says Hughes. “I’ve been in this wonderful business for 23 years, and I’m still a fan of the music and the artists that make the music – especially people like Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley and Alan Jackson. I have so much respect for Mike Dungan, Steve Hodges, and the entire Capitol/EMI team – I’m thrilled to be joining them.”
Prior to joining Capitol/EMI Records Nashville, Hughes served as Executive Producer of the nationally syndicated radio program GAC Nights: Live From Nashville; Senior Producer for Premiere Radio Networks and talent booker for the Jeff Foxworthy Countdown.  She also worked on the Rick and Rice show on Nashville’s Rockin’ Country 102.9, Crook and Chase, and Music City Tonight. In 2006, Hughes received the prestigious CMA Media Achievement Award. She is the first and only syndicated radio person to earn this award.
Starting June 15, she can be reached at [email protected] or 615-269-2046.

Weekly Chart Report (5/27/11)

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Randy Travis (L) recently caught up with CMT Radio Live’s Cody Alan at the CMT studio to discuss his new album, “Anniversary Celebration.”


SPIN ZONE
Nice girls rule, y’all. Taylor Swift’s “Mean” is the CountryBreakout Chart’s new No. 1 song, easing ahead of previous chart topper “You Lie” by nice girl-fronted The Band Perry. Blake Shelton’s red-hot and recently gold “Honey Bee” is at No. 3 and within striking distance. Rounding out the Top 5, both Toby Keith’s “Somewhere Else” and Justin Moore’s “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” pick up triple digit spin gains.
We’ve got a new country singin’ American Idol with Scotty McCreery, and the label powers that be aren’t waiting to get his music out there. In fact, the same applies to Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina. McCreery’s “I Love You This Big” and Alaina’s “Like My Mother Does” have been serviced to country radio, and the reports are starting to come in.
There hasn’t been any official word that Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood’s “Remind Me” is going to be a single, but programmers aren’t waiting for the memo. The superstar duo packed on the spins this week to become the highest debut at No. 61. Also debuting are Phil Vassar’s “Let’s Get Together” at No. 66, Ben Gregg’s “From Lonely To Love” at No. 79, and Jadi Norris’ “Workin’ Man’ Saturday Night” at No. 80.
Frozen Playlists: KBCR, KCJC, KNCQ, KTKS, KVOM, WAAG, WBKR, WCMS
RADIO NEWS
Michael Jennings has taken over MD duties for KWWR/Mexico, MO following the exit of Mark Robertson. Previously Jennings manned the Afternoon time slot, and now he will shift to Middays. Contact him at [email protected]. Reach out to Robertson at 573-819-3816 or [email protected].




Upcoming Singles
May 31
Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter/You And Tequila/BNA
Bobby Dean/Rebound/Lamon
Jaron and TLRTL feat. Big Kenny/Beautiful Lies (Jaronwood/Universal Republic/Nine North)
June 6
Jerrod Niemann/One More Drinkin’ Song/Sea Gayle/Arista
Big & Rich/Fake ID/Warner Bros.
Craig Campbell/Fish/Bigger Picture
LoCash Cowboys/You Got Me/R&J Records
• • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Brad Paisley feat. Carrie Underwood/Remind Me/Arista — 61
Phil Vassar/Let’s Get Together/Rodeowave — 66
Ben Gregg/From Lonely To Love/Cupit — 79
Jadi Norris/Workin’ Man’s Saturday Night/IGO Records — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Brad Paisley feat. Carrie Underwood/Remind Me/Arista — 393
Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter/You And Tequila/BNA — 379
Lady Antebellum/Just A Kiss/Capitol — 353
Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett/Knee Deep/Southern Ground/Atlantic — 296
Darius Rucker/I Got Nothin’/Capitol — 292
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Sarah Darling/Something To Do With Your Hands/Black River — 193
Jerrod Niemann/One More Drinkin’ Song/Arista — 186
Jody Booth/Golddigger/Vigilante Music
David St. Romain/Twenty Years Late/Aria/Turnpike — 143
Kip Moore/Mary Was The Marrying Kind/MCA — 141
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Brad Paisley feat. Carrie Underwood/Remind Me/Arista — 27
Darius Rucker/I Got Nothin’/Capitol — 18
Phil Vassar/Let’s Get Together/Rodeowave — 15
Joe Nichols/Take It Off/Show Dog-Universal — 14
Thompson Square/I Got You/Stoney Creek — 13
Jerrod Niemann/One More Drinkin’ Song/Arista — 12
Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter/You And Tequila/BNA — 10

Hunter Hayes (Atlantic/WMN) stopped into KSKS/ Fresno. His single “Storm Warning” is going for adds right now. (L-R): KSKS MD Jody Jo Mize, Hayes, and KSKS PD Mac Daniels.


Stealing Angels visit with John Sebastian of WWQM/Madison after performing in the area. (L-R): SA’s Caroline Cutbirth, John Sebastian, SA’s Tayla Lynn and SA’s Jennifer Wayne.


Easton Corbin played a lunchtime event at Toby Keith’s Bar and Grill Minnesota, just after finding out that KEEY/Minneapolis-St. Paul had come in No. 1 for ages 25-54. Champagne was in order. (L-R): KEEY’s Matt Tell, KEEY PD Gregg Swedberg, Corbin, KEEY’s JD Green, KEEY Mornings “Muss,” KEEY GM Mike Crusham

BRE Powers Up Promo Team

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Black River Entertainment Promotion VP Rick Baumgartner has added Brian Hatfield (Northeast) and Megan Good (Southeast) to the BRE promotion staff.

Brian Hatfield


Hatfield hails from WSKF-FM in Asheville, NC where he spent the last seven years in various positions. “I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Black River Entertainment promotion team,” says Hatfield. “I feel blessed to be working in a business that allows creative freedom and the opportunity to help talented people reach stardom. I truly can’t wait to introduce our new music to the MDs and PDs in the Northeast…and of course eat some good food.”

Megan Good


Megan Good arrives at Black River Entertainment via her position as Promotions Director for the Cumulus Nashville cluster, including WSM-FM. She also worked previously for Firefly Entertainment, who currently manages Taylor Swift. “BRE’s passion for music and dedication to their artists is infectious,” says Good. “I have no doubt this journey is going to be a fun and challenging undertaking and I’m looking forward to sharing all of the BRE excitement with radio stations across the Southeast.”
Both new hires will be based in Nashville and can be reached at [email protected] or [email protected]
According to Baumgartner, a West Coast position hire is “forthcoming.” Black River entertainment is home to Jeff Bates, Sarah Darling, Due West and Craig Morgan.
 

Photos From The Road (5/25/11)

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Corey Wagar stopped to visit with WCJW/Warsaw, NY, which was the first station to add her single “Hurricane.” (L-R): Wagar, WCJW PD Lee Richey, guitarist Gordon Brown


Aria Records Nashville David St. Romain continues to visit radio stations across the country to help promote his single, "Twenty Years Late." (L-R) Aria Records Nashville national promoter Kristen Cassidy, KWNR/Las Vegas PD Cary Rolfe, St. Romain.


Family trio Lucy Angel is visiting country radio in support of its new single "Serious,” and recently stopped at Hit Country 102.5 WMDH/New Castle, IN. (L-R): LA’s Emily Anderton, WMDH PD Shane Goad, LA’s Lindsay Anderton, LA’s Kate Anderton and WMDH’s Wild Bill

Submissions Open For CMA Broadcast Awards

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The Country Music Association has begun accepting online submissions for the 2011 CMA Broadcast Awards at Broadcast.cmaawards.com. Categories include Broadcast Personality and Station of the Year in four different market sizes (major, large, medium, and small), as well as CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year. Submissions are accepted until 5 p.m. CDT on June 30.
All entries must reflect performances and events between June 1, 2010 and May 31, 2011. CMA’s panel of judges, which includes more than 40 distinguished radio and industry professionals, will be able to view and evaluate each entry online. After the judges’ scores are submitted, Deloitte & Touche LLP® will tabulate the winners.
Winners will then be notified in early October and recognized at “The 45th Annual CMA Awards,” which will be held later this year in Nashville. The annual gala, which is known as “Country Music’s Biggest Night,” will be broadcast live on the ABC Television Network.
To submit an entry, CMA member radio stations and broadcast personalities in the U.S. and Canada should log on to Broadcast.CMAawards.com, where guidelines and instructions for entries are posted.
 

Weekly Chart Report (5/20/11)

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CMT Radio Live visits with John Rich as he prepares for the big “Celebrity Apprentice” finale this Sunday. (L-R): CMT Radio host Cody Alan, Rich


SPIN ZONE
No lie at all, The Band Perry’s “You Lie” takes over the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot, making this the sibling trio’s second consecutive No. 1. Taylor Swift is still chasing the Perry clan with “Mean,” which advances to No. 2. Toby Keith’s “Somewhere Else” gets a bump to No. 3, but within a hundred spins are Justin Moore’s “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” at No. 5 and Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee” at No. 6.
Make way for more summer smashes, people. Lady Antebellum’s “Just A Kiss” is already huge, rocketing up to No. 18 in its third week charting. In hot pursuit is Zac Brown Band’s Jimmy Buffett-assisted “Knee Deep,” which climbs onward to No. 20 in its fourth week. Songs with guest performers are a hot item, apparently, as Kenny Chesney’s “You And Tequila” featuring Grace Potter slides upward to No. 30 after three weeks. Also performing well are Billy Currington’s “Love Done Gone,” at No. 38 and Thompson Square’s “I Got You” at No. 43.
Darius Rucker’s latest, “I Got Nothin'” clearly has something, because it leads the pack of chart debuts at No. 67. Also making first appearances are Jonalee White’s “Sugar” at No. 76, Landon Michael’s “This Ain’t California” at No. 78, and Glen Templeton’s “I Could Be The One” at No. 80.
Frozen Playlists: KBCR, KRVN, KVVP, KWWR, KYEZ, Nashville XM 11, WCMS, WKWS, WTCM




Upcoming Singles
May 23
The Lunabelles/A Place To Shine/BNA
Shawna Russell/Get Right Or Get Left/Way Out West
Phil Vassar/Let’s Get Together/Rodeowave
Joe Nichols/Take It Off/Show Dog – Universal
Darius Rucker/I Got Nothin’/Capitol
Josh Kelley/Gone Like That/MCA
May 31
Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter/You And Tequila/BNA
Bobby Dean/Rebound/Lamon
Jaron and TLRTL feat. Big Kenny/Beautiful Lies (Jaronwood/Universal Republic/Nine North)
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Darius Rucker/I Got Nothin’/Capitol — 67
Jonalee White/Sugar/Lick — 76
Landon Michael/This Ain’t California/Big Dog Records — 78
Glen Templeton/I Could Be The One/Capstone — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Lady Antebellum/Just A Kiss/Capitol — 505
Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter/You And Tequila/BNA — 438
Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett/Knee Deep/Southern Ground / Atlantic — 282
Darius Rucker/I Got Nothin’/Capitol — 215
Billy Currington/Love Done Gone/Mercury — 213
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Sarah Darling/Something To Do With Your Hands/Black River — 202
Phil Vassar/Let’s Get Together/Rodeowave — 199
Jadi Norris/Workin’ Man’s Saturday Night/IGO Records — 198
Ben Gregg/From Lonely To Love/Cupit — 193
David St. Romain/Twenty Years Late/Aria/Turnpike — 180
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter/You And Tequila/BNA — 22
Darius Rucker/I Got Nothin’/Capitol — 16
Thompson Square/I Got You/Stoney Creek — 14
Lady Antebellum/Just A Kiss/Capitol — 11
Joe Nichols/Take It Off/Show Dog-Universal — 11
Phil Vassar/Let’s Get Together/Rodeowave — 10
Rachel Holder/Chocolate/All Entertainment — 10

Brett Eldredge visits with WKDF/Nashville staffers before an acoustic performance for the station. (L-R): WKDF PD Marty McFly, Eldredge, MD Matt Bradshaw


WIRK/West Palm Beach and Bud Light presented a concert The Plaza at CityPlace recently, featuring performers Corey Smith and Easton Corbin. (L-R): Smith, WIRK personalities Sammy Cruise and John O'Connell, Corbin


MCA's Ashton Shepherd poses with the staff of WUSY/Chattanooga. Shepherd's sophomore album "Where Country Grows" is due out July 12. (L-R) MCA regional "Uncle" Louie Newman; WUSY's Gator Harrison; Shepherd; WUSY staffers Bear, Mo (Melissa Turner), and Dex.

Zarling Promoted To VP

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Big Machine Records and Valory Music Co.’s Sr. Dir. New Media & Promotion Strategy John Zarling has been promoted to VP Promotion & Media Strategy for the Big Machine Label Group.
“John Zarling is my visionary soul brother,” says BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta. “He has literally been with me from the very first minute of the label and never veered from the plan or the commitment, even when all odds were against us. He deserves all the credit he gets and more. Congrats, my friend!”
In this expanded role, Zarling will continue to direct national promotion campaigns for the label group’s artists, which will now include Republic Nashville. BMLG National Dir. Radio Marketing Mandy McCormack will continue to report to Zarling.
“It has been an unforgettable opportunity for me to witness the birth of the Big Machine Label Group,” says Zarling. “It is overwhelming when I look back on the early days of the label and see how far things have come in such a short period of time. I feel so fortunate to have been part of this amazing team since day 1 and look forward to the next phase of the journey.”
Prior to joining the Big Machine team in 2005, Zarling spent six years with UMG Nashville, where he was eventually elevated to Manager, Charts & Syndication for MCA, Mercury and DreamWorks.
Congratulate him Here, or leave a comment below.

Mike Carpenter Named Cumulus Nashville GM

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Mike Carpenter


Radio veteran Mike Carpenter will take the helm as General Manager of Cumulus Radio’s Nashville stations on May 23. With over two decades of radio experience, Carpenter makes the move from Clear Channel where he served as General Sales Manager for many years.
“I am thrilled with the opportunity and the challenges that lie ahead,” states Carpenter. “I look forward to working with this incredibly talented staff and making our stations No. 1 in the market.”
Carpenter replaces the exiting Senior Vice President Mark Sullivan, who is transferring to Kansas City take over the General Manager and Mid-West Market Manager duties.
Cumulus Nashville is a radio conglomerate consisting of five stations: SuperTalk 99.7 (WTN), 92Q (WQQK), 95.5-FM WSM, Classic Hits 97.1 (WRQQ) and i106 (WNFN).

Bright Joins Diane Richey Promotions

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Diane Richey Promotions has announced the addition of Katie Bright to its staff. Bright was most recently part of the celebrated morning team The House Foundation with Gerry House on WSIX/Nashville, which she joined in 2010. Prior to that, she spent five years at WAXX in Eau Claire, Wisconsin where she co-hosted mornings with George House. Reach her at [email protected].