October 16, 2017, Issue 572
2017 Fantasy Label Draft
Finally, the moment no one has been waiting for – our annual gathering of six radio professionals drafting their dream record label of artists and executives, fantasy football-style. As in years past, each of this year’s team owners take turns selecting one Male, Female, Duo/Group and Rookie artist, as well as a Label President and VP/Promotion. Fun, trash talk and a wee bit of encouragement are the point, as there’s no scoring per se. This is the time, however, when we take a look back at the prior year (full draft here) and Brad Austin choose the team that looks the best with the gift of hindsight. In the case of 2016, it was WIVK/Knoxville’s Nikki Thomas: Female: Kelsea Ballerini Male: Sam Hunt Duo/Group: Old Dominion Rookie: Brett Young President: Mike Dungan VPP: Shane Allen Brian Morelli Before we move on to 2017, a protest has been filed with the commissioner by Thomas’ fellow 2016 owner Gregg Swedberg of KEEY/Minneapolis. More on that later. Now we turn to this year’s team owners in their randomly assigned draft order: 1. WXCY/Wilmington’s Brad Austin 2. WKMK/Monmouth’s Brian Morelli 3. KKWF/Seattle’s Drew Bland 4. WTQR/Greensboro’s Casey Carter Drew Bland 5. WIL/St. Louis’ Danny Montana 6. KBEQ/Kansas City’s Todd Nixon (continued on page 7)
Tennessee Risky: Mercury’s Chris Stapleton and team host some radio visitors backstage in Nashville Friday (10/13). Pictured (l-r) are WSIX’s Ryan McKiddy and Gator Harrison, Red Light’s Chuck Swaney, Stapleton, Cumulus’ Charlie Cook, UMG/Nashville’s David Friedman, Morgane Stapleton, and the label’s Jack Christopher.
NSHoF 2017 Inductee: Jim McBride
We’re spotlighting one inductee each week, leading up to the Oct. 23 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala. Alabama native McBride’s name was a near-constant presence on the charts in the ‘80s and ‘90s. His cuts include Johnny Lee’s “Bet Your Heart On Me,” Waylon Jennings’ “Rose In Paradise,” and Alan Jackson’s “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Someday” and “Chattahoochee.” Like a lot of kids, I bought records. One day, I wondered, “What is that name below the song title?” I found out it was the songwriter. Every great song I ever heard made me want to write. I was living in this little mill village and I thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool if I could invent something Jim McBride someday?” And it turned out, it was songs.
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