CO5 Teams With Azar's Ride Records

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CO5 Records has teamed with Steve Azar’s Ride Records, handling radio promotion duties for the independent label. The CO5 camp is hitting the ground running, taking on Azar’s new single, “Hard Road.”
This development follows the exit earlier this week of Ride promo staffers David Shaw and Jamice Jennings.
“Hard Road” is the third single from Azar’s Slide on Over Here album. It is the follow-up to his Top 20 hit, “Sunshine,” which also produced a No. 1 video.
Co-written by Azar and James House, the new single is “a song of hope” explains the singer. “We all go through hard times in life, but so often we get through them with the help of others. It’s great to know that when the weight becomes too dang heavy, there’s someone in your life to carry the load for a while.”
Azar’s career has charted hits including “Waitin’ on Joe,” “I Don’t Have to Be Me (Til Monday),” “You’re My Life,” “You Don’t Know a Thing,” “Moo La Moo” and “Sunshine.”
He is headed to St. Augustine, FL later this month to play in the 11th Annual Murray Bros. Caddyshack® Charity Golf Tournament.

CO5 Expands Newmark's Role

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David Newmark

CO5 Music is expanding the role of VP of Business Development David Newmark to include VP of Country Promotion responsibilities. He held this position prior to heading business development, and is again taking on the duties following the exit of Denise Roberts, who left CO5 to join Lytle Management.

Newmark will be hiring at least one new regional promotion rep.

The announcement was made by CO5 co-CEOs Tracy Brown and Todd Sievers.

Newmark can be reached at 615-469-1756 or [email protected].

Artist Action

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(L-R): Gracin, contest winner Shelagh Brown, album engineer Aaron Chmielewski


Average Joe’s recording artist Josh Gracin used a unique radio promotion to find a duet partner for a song on his new album. Radio stations across the country encouraged listeners to send in their video entries for consideration. Gracin and his team sorted through countless submissions until they found Shelagh Brown.
Gracin surprised the fellow Michigan native live on Kalamazoo’s B93 (WBCT) with the news that she had been selected to join him in Nashville to record his self-penned, “Only When It Rains.” The song is slated for his album Redemption, due out this summer. See behind-the-scenes video here.
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Guy Penrod


Guy Penrod turned to Facebook for his latest promotional contest. The “March Madness Song Tournament” lets fans vote on their favorite Penrod track. A total of 46 titles from his solo and Gaither group careers were nominated by fans; with the top 16 most-popular songs rounding out the bracket. The winner gets an Apple iPod Touch, loaded with Penrod’s music.
In 2010, Penrod’s combined album sales exceeded 100,000 units of new release Breathe Deep, and The Best of Guy Penrod. Moving 54,000 units, Breathe Deep was the best-selling new Southern Gospel CD last year, and the second best-selling new Country Gospel CD.
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Pheromone/MegaForce/Sony Red recording artist Greg Hanna is gearing up for his next venture into U.S. radio with “Makin Love Real,” which goes for adds next week. He has enlisted the help of veteran radio promoters Rick Kelly, Sarah Matlock, Lisa Smoot, Jen Trail, and Jerry Duncan. Marco Promotion’s Craig Bann will handle video promotion. Webster & Associates is on board for publicity duties.
Hanna has charted several singles in his native Canada, including his 2005 Top 10 hit “In My Head.” He had success on the MusicRow chart with his last two singles: “It’s A Man’s Job,” and “What Kind Of Love Are You On.”

Lytle Management Adds Denise Roberts

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Denise Roberts


Radio promotion executive Denise Roberts has joined Lytle Management Group where she will be heading up radio and tour promo campaigns for its artists. The hiring was announced today by President John Lytle.
Gary Allan is among the artists on Lytle’s roster, and Roberts will coordinate promotion efforts with Allan’s label home UMG Nashville.
“Gary Allan and I are honored to have a music professional the caliber of Denise Roberts join our team,” said Lytle. “Her experience across the record and radio worlds makes her a great fit for this job.”
Roberts was most recently VP Country Promotion at CO5 Music. She held that post since September 2009, overseeing the company’s regional promo staff. Her other career stops include a similar job at Stoney Creek Records, and Director of National Promotion for Universal South.
Roberts can be reached at [email protected] or 615-770-2688 (office) or 818-679-5479 (cell).

Weekly Chart Report (3/11/11)

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Rebel Dawg Records artist Eric Lee Beddingfield treated WGLR/Platteville, WI MD and self-avowed Barbara Mandrell fanatic Ryan McCall to a visit to Mandrell’s former home The Fontanel Mansion & Farm recently. Jaime Dudney, daughter of Mandrell and Ken Dudney, gave the two a personal tour of the home where she grew up and where she now serves as the director of hospitality. (L-R): Beddingfield, Dudney and McCall.


SPIN ZONE
Hearty congratulations again to the folks over at Stoney Creek Records, as Thompson Square notches a second week on top of the CountryBreakout Chart with “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not.” Brad Paisley’s “This Is Country Music” is in hot pursuit at No. 2, followed by Darius Rucker’s “This” at No. 3 and Jason Aldean’s “Don’t You Wanna Stay” at No. 4. But be on the lookout for Zac Brown Band’s “Colder Weather,” which makes a huge leap to No. 5 with a gain of 309 spins.
The ascent of Thompson Square to No. 1 speaks to the rise of a new class of young talents. We have already witnessed the exciting breakthroughs of twentysomethings Taylor, Carrie and Miranda, of course. But interestingly, nearly 50% of the chart’s Top 40 belongs to relative newcomers who are only two albums or less into their careers.
Some, like The Band Perry (“You Lie,” No. 12) and Easton Corbin (“I Can’t Love You Back,” No. 19), have tasted a little No. 1 success and appear positioned for bigger stardom in coming months. Others, like The Dirt Drifters (“Something Better,” No. 36) and JB & The Moonshine Band (“Perfect Girl,” No. 39), are just beginning that journey. The list also includes hopefuls Ashton Shepherd (“Look It Up,” No. 27), Josh Thompson (“Won’t Be Lonely Long,” No. 35), and Carter’s Chord (“A Little Less Comfortable,” No. 37).





Upcoming Singles
March 14
Kenny Chesney/Live A Little/BNA
Kip Moore/Mary Was The Marrying Kind/MCA
Due West/When The Smoke Clears/Black River
Sabastian Roberts/It’s Still Country To Me/Homage Records
Taylor Swift/Mean/Big Machine
Rachel Holder/Chocolate/All Entertainment
March 21
the JaneDear girls/Shotgun Girl/Warner Bros./WMN
Ashley Gearing/Five More Minutes/Curb
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New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Little Big Town/The Reason Why/Capitol — 54
Taylor Swift/Mean/Big Machine — 56
the JaneDear girls/Shotgun Girl/Warner Bros./WMN — 75
Steve Azar/Hard Road/Ride — 76
Amber Hayes/Wait/Funl — 77
Johnny Rivers/New Home/Soul City — 78
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Kenny Chesney/Live A Little/BNA — 597
Taylor Swift/Mean/Big Machine — 422
Toby Keith/Somewhere Else/Show Dog-Universal — 413
Keith Urban/Without You/Capitol — 342
Eli Young Band/Crazy Girl/Republic Nashville — 340
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Frankie Ballard/A Buncha Girls/Warner Bros. — 193
Emma King & The Heartsets/I’m Not Forgotten/PLC — 190
Derek O’Bannon/Thinkin’ Bout The Wedding Night — 183
Leah Seawright/On The Backroads/Skytone — 180
Daniel Warren/Only For A Moment/Chaprielle Music — 175
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Taylor Swift/Mean/Big Machine — 35
Eli Young Band/Crazy Girl/Republic Nashville — 29
Little Big Town/The Reason Why/Capitol — 25
Leah Seawright/On The Backroads/Skytone — 18
Chris Young/Tomorrow/RCA — 17

ercury’s Randy Montana dropped by WXCY in Maryland to play for the staff. (L-R): Brittain Rew, WXCY Mktg. Dir.; Mercury’s Sally Green; WXCY PD Dave Hovel; and Montana.


CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan was in Indianapolis, IN recently for its last stop of the CMT Radio Live Tour. Alan and affiliate WFMS broadcasted live and hosted a concert with Luke Bryan and The Harters. (L-R): Jean Williams, Dir. CMT Radio Networks; Stephen Linn, Sr. Dir. Music Programming & Promotion; Leslie Harter; Luke Bryan; Cody Alan, host CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan; Michael Harter; and Scott Harter.


Warner Bros./WMN band The Dirt Drifters flexed their muscle on their recent visit to KSKS/Fresno. The band was able to pull out a victory in a cut-throat 5-on-3 arm wrestling match against the morning show and PD Mac Daniels. (L-R): WMN VP Promotion Bob Reeves; TDD’s Jeremy Little, Nick Diamond, and Matt Fleener; Daniels; the morning show’s Gnarly Charley; TDD’s Jeff Middleton; morning show’s Jody Jo Mize; and TDD’s Ryan Fleener.

Dan Bowen Named WSM-FM PD

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Dan Bowen


Dan Bowen has been tapped as Program Director of WSM-FM Nashville. He is leaving his post as Airplay Direct’s VP of Radio Strategies after only a few months.
Bowen replaces Russell Penuell at the Cumulus station.
Cumulus Senior VP of Programming Jan Jeffries made today’s announcement. “We have known Dan personally and competitively in previous markets over the past decade,” he said. “Dan was our No. 1 choice for this coveted programming position. Dan’s extensive programming track record, gold standard work ethic and life-long love for Country is impressive.”
Bowen commented, “I’m proud to be joining the team at Cumulus Nashville and look forward to working with SVP of Programming, Jan Jeffries to build upon the heritage of WSM-FM. This time of change in Nashville radio presents tremendous opportunity to jumpstart one of the greatest and most famous stations in Country radio.”
Bowen’s experience includes time as VP of Strategic Marketing and Communications at the CMA. In the radio world, he spent 11 years at Atlanta’s WSTR as PD. He has also been PD of KWMX, KHHT and KQKS in Denver, and served a decade at WNCI in Columbus, OH.

Cumulus To Buy Citadel For $2.5 Billion

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Cumulus Media has reached an agreement to purchase rival radio broadcaster Citadel. The deal is valued at $2.5 billion in cash and stock.
Cumulus, under the leadership of chairman and chief executive Lew Dickey, had made bids for Citadel in the past. Those offers were rejected but led to exclusive negotiations in recent months.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Cumulus is the second largest radio station owner in the U.S., followed by Citadel as the third largest. Once combined the companies would own 572 stations across the country.
The largest radio broadcaster in the nation is Clear Channel Communications, with more than 800 radio stations.
The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.

Industry Ink Wednesday

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>>Warner Music Nashville is bringing back its successful Pickin’ On The Patio series. The party for industry guests lets the label showcase its rising artists. This summer’s dates will be May 26,  June 23, July 28, Aug. 25, and Sept. 22.
>>WKDF/Nashville has upped morning host Marty McFly to Program Director. He will continue his AM gig as well.
>>Carly Horvat‘s Back Porch Productions is offering backstage hospitality and artist gift bags. The company recently hosted Josh Thompson, Chuck Wicks, Thompson Square, Katie Armiger, Stealing Angels, and others at the Country Music Is Love Concert at the Hard Rock in Nashville.
>>BMI has created a discounted music license for members of the Specialty Coffee Association of America. The program gives them copyright clearance to perform live and recorded music at discounts of at least 30% less than BMI’s previous fee schedule, reducing the cost from about $332 per year, to about $230.
>>The MTSU Department of Recording Industry is seeking music businesses to have a table at its Career Day. The event is Thursday, March 17 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Bragg Mass Communications Building. For details or to register visit www.rimcareerfair.com.

CRS Attendance Up 22%; CRB Board Announced

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CRS 2011 overall attendance numbers show a 22 percent increase over last year’s event. The total number of 2,649 registrants were divided into 2,004 full registrants (attendees, exhibitors, panelists and sponsors) and 645 participant registrants. Participant registrants are attendees that register for individual CRS events or purchase single day seminar passes. Total attendance for CRS 2010 was 2,181 and CRS 2009 was 2,106.
Additionally, changes to the CRS Agenda Committee and CRB Board of Directors have been announced. The newly elected CRB Board officers and CRS Agenda Committee leaders are as follows:
CRB President: Mike Culotta (WQYK/Tampa, Fla.)
CRB Vice President: R.J. Curtis (Country Aircheck/Nashville, Tenn.)
CRB Secretary: Carole Bowen (WKIS/Miami, Fla.)
CRB Treasurer: Jeff Walker (AristoMedia/Marco Promotions/Nashville, Tenn.)
CRS 2012 Agenda Chair: Annie Sandor (Curb Records/Miami, Fla.)
CRS 2012 Vice Chair: Clint Marsh (Talking Stick Communications/Warsaw, Ind.)
Three members who were previously appointed by the CRB President have been elected back to the CRB Board of Directors. Clarence Spalding (Spalding Entertainment/Nashville, Tenn.) and Johnny Chiang (KKBQ/Houston, Texas) were elected to 3-year terms, and Dan Halyburton (RadioTime / Palo Alto, Calif.) was elected to a one-year term.
Other CRB Board members re-elected for three-year terms include: Carole Bowen, R.J. Curtis, David Haley, Clay Hunnicutt, Royce Risser, Tim Roberts and Jeff Walker.
Skip Bishop (Sony Music Nashville/Nashville, Tenn.) was elected to fill a one-year term.
Newly re-elected CRB President Mike Culotta also appointed three new CRB Board members: John Esposito (Warner Bros./Nashville, Tenn.), Brian O’Connell (Live Nation/Nashville, Tenn.) and Jerry Phillips (Big River Broadcasting/Florence, Ala.).
Continuing their terms on the CRB Board are: Jim Asker, Tom Baldrica, Becky Brenner, Joel Burke, Natalie Conner, John Crenshaw, Mike Dungan, Keith Kaufman, Renee Leymon, Mike McVay, Charlie Morgan, Joel Raab, Denise Roberts, John Shomby, John Zarling and Director Emeritus Charlie Monk.
“CRS 2011 was a tremendous success for our Board, our attendees and the Country radio industry,” says CRB President Culotta. “From the insightful Country radio research presentation, to our CRS smartphone applications, to the new Connections Lounge, this year’s seminar integrated a lot of new ideas to ensure Country Radio Seminar remains innovative and relevant as we move forward towards next year’s CRS 2012.”
CRS 2012 will be held Feb. 22-24, 2012, at the Nashville Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.  Visit www.CRB.org for more information about Country Radio Seminar and the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.
To view an online photo gallery of events and panels from CRS 2011, visit: www.flickr.com/AristoPR

Valory's Briner Adds West Coast Duties

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Valory Music Co. VP of Field Promotion George Briner has added West Coast radio promotion to his label duties. Briner will be relocating to Denver, CO to begin his new responsibilities.
“To have the opportunity to work from Denver, Colorado and continue to do what I love and support the great music coming from The Valory Music Co., is a wonderful opportunity for me,” says Briner.
Briner is a 25 year veteran of country radio promotion and was recently upped to his current position after being Valory’s Dir. National Promotion/Northeast/Midwest Promotion & Marketing. Reach him at [email protected].