Issue 572 - October 16, 2017 by Country Aircheck

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.

© 2 0 1 7 Co u n t r y A i rc h e c k ™ — A l l r i g h t s r e s e r v e d . S i g n u p f re e a t w w w. c o u n t r y a i rc h e c k . c o m . S e n d n e w s t o n e w s @ c o u n t r y a i rc h e c k . c o m

October 16, 2017

I carried the mail for 14 years before I moved to Nashville. I had given up on writing. I’d had a little bit of success, but not much, and I had never made the move. I realized I was going to be miserable someday, not knowing if I could have made it. [NSHoF member] Curly Putman and I had a mutual friend, and Curly told him, “You know, I think Jim could have made it if he’d moved up here.” When our friend told me what Curly said, I thought, “Okay, it’s now or never. You’re not getting any younger.” So I got serious about it after I had a hit with Conway Twitty (“A Bridge That Just Won’t Burn”), and moved to Nashville in 1981. Curly was my first mentor. He told me, “I can’t help you unless you let me be honest with you. Can you handle that?” There’s all kinds of rules about songwriting – and I can show you a song that breaks every one of them. If it sounds right, it’s right. Stuart Harris and I wrote “Rose In Paradise.” Judy Harris was pitching songs to Loretta Lynn. She said, “I know it’s not for you, but I want to play you a song.” Loretta said, “Oh my Lord, Waylon Jennings needs to hear that!” Don Lanier had brought Loretta to Judy’s office, and Don worked with Jimmy Bowen, who was producing Waylon. Don played it for Waylon, who’d just finished recording, but said, “If you’ll tell them to hold that song until I record again, I’ll cut it.” When he went back into the studio the next year, it was the first song he cut. Do you realize how unusual that is – for somebody to actually do what they said they were going to do, after that long? I have a huge stack of yellow legal pads. It’s fun to find the seeds of where some of these songs started. My family’s not allowed to look through them until after my death. (laughs) I make a mess. I write down anything that’s relative. Eventually, after the fourth or fifth page, there’s the finished song. When they wanted the lyrics to “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” for Alan’s Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit, I said, “This is embarrassing, but it’s on four sheets of paper.” They said, “Well if you change one thing, we don’t want it!”

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I’d had the idea for “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” for two years. I never aspired to be an artist. I hadn’t even done songwriter shows. But when I met Alan, he started talking about what he was going through – traveling and not making any money. I said, “I think I’ve got an idea.” So we basically wrote his story from that title. When I had writer’s block, I would rent old movies. They didn’t have all the pyrotechnics and flash. They carried the story forward with dialogue. After about the second month [of writer’s block], it would get a little scary. But it always came back. And the funniest thing is, when it comes back, you could pick up a rock and there’s a great idea underneath it. I wish I’d written Don Gibson’s “(I’d Be) A Legend In My Time.” To me, it’s everything a country song should be. I still find it hard to believe I’m going to be in [the NSHoF] with all those people who made me want to be a songwriter. It’s just a blessing. You don’t think about this during all those years you’re writing; you’re just trying to get the next cut. To think of where I started, just dreaming of doing something someday ... It’s like if you’re climbing a tree, this is the tallest tree in the forest. And the view is really good. I love the view. Read inductee Walt Aldridge’s profile here; read inductee Vern Gosdin’s profile here. –Wendy Newcomer

Chart Chat

Congrats to Kane Brown, Steve Hodges, Dennis Reese and the RCA promotion team on notching this week’s No. 1 with “What Ifs,” also featuring Lauren Alaina. The song is Brown’s first chart-topper. Writers are Matthew McGinn, Jordan Schmidt and Brown.

Kane Brown

October 16, 2017

MY TUNES: MUSIC THAT SHAPED MY LIFE Sons Of The Palomino’s Jeffrey Steele discusses his most influential music: 1. Creedence Clearwater Revival: I was eight the first time I heard “Born On The Bayou.” I freaked out and starting trying to mimic that voice. But I was taken with the songwriting, too. John Fogerty was from California. But he was writing about a place he’d never been to. His Jeffrey imagination took him there. Steele 2. Willie Nelson: He played a huge role in my writing. When I started getting cuts, I was writing songs with a lot of words and a lot of story. One of the secrets I learned from Willie was, he would sing behind the beat. I used that tool as a way to get more lyrics into my verses. 3. Allman Brothers: When I was a teenager, all I listened to was Brothers And Sisters and At Fillmore East. Growing up in California, I was really attracted to the southern rock vibe that didn’t exist in Los Angeles. I wanted to be in the south. 4. Jimi Hendrix: I had an 8 ft. poster of him on my ceiling. He was left-handed, and I’m a left-handed guitar player, too. I loved the experimental things he did. When I came to Nashville, all that experimental stuff of what you could do with the genre was in the back of my mind. 5. Merle Haggard: Across the board, he’s the greatest songwriter of all time. It’s the simplicity of how he wrote those songs and got those stories across. It’s hard to be simple, where your lyric still has meaning, but it’s not trite. • Highly regarded music you’ve actually never heard: I don’t think I’ve ever listened to Beyoncé’s, Jennifer Lopez’s or Britney Spears’ music. • “Important” music you just don’t get: The Hamilton soundtrack and other Broadway stuff. I’m just not attracted to that. It’s too over-the-top for me. • An album you listened to incessantly: Beck’s Guero. I’m fascinated by it. • Obscure or non-country song everyone should listen to right now: Air’s “Surfing On A Rocket.” I love the simplicity and power of it. • Music you’d rather not admit to enjoying: Esquivel. He’s a composer from the ‘60s. He does all these crazy things, musically. Sometimes I’ll walk into a coffee shop and have him playing on my phone. It’s like my own personal soundtrack to ordering coffee.

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And kudos to Stacy Blythe and the Big Loud crew on securing 61 adds on Chris Lane f/Tori Kelly’s “Take Back Home Girl,” topping this week’s board.

News & Notes

Adams has closed on the acquisition of the four-station Red Hills cluster in Tallahassee, FL that includes WWOF-FM. GSB has purchased WVES/Accomac, VA and is currently simulcasting Classic Country WOWZ/Chincoteague, VA as it plans to re-launch the station in November. Hernando WWJB-AM & W222CI/Brooksville, FL and W280DK/Spring Hill, FL flip from Talk to Country as “The Boot,” with long-time WQYK/Tampa veteran Randy Price in mornings. NIA’s WYKB/Fernandina Beach-Jacksonville FL is now being operated by Delmarva Educational/Chesapeake-Portsmouth as Classic Country “Jax Country 105.3.” NAB Joint Board Chairman Steve Newberry has joined the NAB as EVP/Special Projects. The Shalom Foundation’s Steve Moore, Vector Management’s Ken Levitan and industry vet, the late Kitty Moon Emery, were recently honored as Peace Ambassadors by Nashville Arts & Entertainment magazine. BMI will hold Speed Dating For Songwriters at the Nashville office (10 Music Square East) Oct. 18 at 4:30pm. Mark Chesnutt was presented the inaugural Trailblazer Award at the recent Texas Country Music Association Awards. Lee Roy Parnell has signed with 117 Publicity for exclusive PR representation. Lionel Richie has been added to All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Concert Celebration Oct. 25 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Curtis Braly has signed with Agency33 for public relations representation. Sandra Lynn has signed with The Kinkead Entertainment Agency for booking representation. Lynn’s team also includes Johnstone Entertainment (management), AristoPR/ AristoMedia (PR and video promotion) and Vaden Group (business management).

The Week’s Top Stories

Full coverage in the archives at countryaircheck.com. • Greg Mozingo stepped down at Scripps KVOO & KXBL/Tulsa (10/9).

October 16, 2017

• CMA Broadcast Award winners were revealed (10/10). • Jake Kelly exited Scripps WKTI/Milwaukee mornings (10/10). • CBS Radio and Entercom revealed stations to be divested in merger (10/11). • Travis Moon adds afternoons at KUBL/Salt Lake City, Ramone to middays (10/12). • Tiffany Moon exited ACM after 15 years (10/13). • Jess Jennings was named PD at WCKN/Charleston, SC (10/13). • Chris Cruise moved to afternoons at sister Townsquare KAWO/ Boise (10/13). • Cindy Spicer added Sr./PD duties for the iHeartMedia/Jacksonville cluster (10/16). • Townsquare management team changes were revealed (10/16).

2017 Fantasy Label Draft

(continued from page 1) Austin was confident at the top of the board. “The nerves aren’t there because I’m comforted by the fact that I can’t possibly do any worse than Brook Stephens did in 2015,” he says (see that draft here). He takes Kelsea Ballerini, starting a run on female artists. Surprise pick: Montana takes Taylor Swift as his female. “This is fantasy, right?” he says. “I can only dream that she would give us some country music again!” A few owners are supportive, but Morelli replies, “Living in 2013 is cool.” The whole first round: 1-1. Austin: Kelsea Ballerini, Female 1-2. Morelli: Lauren Alaina, Female 1-3. Bland: Cam, Female Casey Carter

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1-4. Carter: Maren Morris, Female 1-5. Montana: Taylor Swift, Female 1-6. Nixon: Ashley McBryde, Female In rounds three and four, Carter raises the stakes with her label exec picks. “To prove that a Buckeye fan and a Michigan fan can peacefully co-exist, I hereby hire Triple Tigers’ Kevin Herring as my Label President,” she says. Danny Montana Later, “I’m going with Warner’s Chris Palmer as my VP. If Herring’s running it, I want Palmer as my No. 2 (hehe ... No. 2).” Bland remarks, “Palmer tells great Kevin jokes. I mean, Palmer is great at telling Kevin’s jokes. There we go.” Bland and Nixon have a a kerfuffle over their execs after Bland takes UMG/Nashville’s Royce Risser as his VP/Promotion. “I pick Royce because he’s called me a one way Todd Nixon street for years,” Bland says. “Finally I can do something for him and add him to my fantasy team.” A few minutes later, Nixon tries to take the already chosen Risser as his Label President, prompting a quick response from Bland: “Duplicate pick defaults to David Friedman.” Nixon takes it in stride: “Friedman it is!” Full team rosters: Team Austin Female: Kelsea Ballerini Male: Brett Eldredge Duo/Group: FGL Rookie: Carly Pearce President: John Esposito VPP: Shane Allen

October 16, 2017

Page 9

Team Bland Female: Cam Male: Luke Bryan Duo/Group: Runaway June Rookie: Morgan Wallen President: Randy Goodman VPP: Royce Risser Team Carter Female: Maren Morris Male: Blake Shelton Duo/Group: Midland Rookie: Devin Dawson President: Kevin Herring VPP: Chris Palmer Team Montana Female: Taylor Swift Male: Sam Hunt Duo/Group: Old Dominion Rookie: Kane Brown President: Scott Borchetta VPP: Steve Hodges Team Morelli Female: Lauren Alaina Male: Chris Young Duo/Group: Brothers Osborne Rookie: LanCo President: Clay Hunnicutt VPP: Matthew Hargis Team Nixon Female: Ashley McBryde Male: Thomas Rhett Duo/Group: Little Big Town Rookie: Morgan Evans President: David Friedman VPP: Bobby Young Final Shots: Carter says, “In my best Urban Meyer/Sean Peyton voice, I’m feeling pretty good about my team, Chuck. They’ve been on the field, working hard in the off-season. We could ... go ... all ... the ... way!” Bland: “I think my team is scrappy but honestly, it’s a bunch that would probably prefer to celebrate after the game rather than actually play.” Morelli: “My artists are some of the best performers out there right now. My prez and VPP have the power to develop their artists effectively. I’m still feeling the sting of Team Bland drafting Morgan Wallen, but I didn’t have to scramble. I went straight for LanCo.” Austin: “Happy to lock up Kelsea and shocked I was able to snag Brett Eldredge late. Weakest part? Team owner, of course. Casey Carter’s team is solid. Tops after mine is Danny Montana’s. I’m still in love with Taylor ... and an ‘oh wow’ pick. Hunt, OD, Kane ... dammit, Danny!” Montana: “I was trying to look at this from a label’s revenue potential perspective and select artists who would drive sales and streaming. Knowing there are so many talented and capable label executives [allowed me] to first focus on selecting artists.” Nixon: “I’m rolling the dice for a big win with Ashley McBryde and Morgan Evans. All the teams have some great power hitters and dark horses that could take it all!” Overtime: With the 2017 season underway, some housekeeping on the 2016 season and an appeal from team owner Swedberg. (Ed. Note: Comments edited for length, clarity, punc-

Dodger, Over And Out: The Big Time’s Whitney Allen (l) and Jackie Stevens take in the LA Dodgers’ victory over the Chicago Cubs Sunday (10/15). Says Allen, “It’s why you stay to the end!”

tuation, spelling, basic fourth-grade grammar, abusive language, challenges to the commissioner’s authority and anything else I didn’t like.) “Look, I’m all for you just handing awards out to whoever you want, but just in case you’re keeping score: My squad won more ACM and CMA awards,” Swedberg says. “I have two of the top three earning artists in the format, two of the top five airplay artists and the most airplay of any female artist. Gregg Swedberg Heck, the only member of my team who didn’t make top 50 airplay was Royce, mostly because he doesn’t work well with radio. We had the most spins, the most streams and were second in sales and Shazams.” He has a spreadsheet. Seriously. “But I get it, everyone likes Nikki,” Swedberg continues. “That’s probably worth lots of points. I can’t compete.” Oh wait, he’s not done. “Nobody in our draft was smart enough to pick Thomas Rhett. Duh. And I can’t figure out how you score label heads and promo people. Chart share? Revenue? Size of picture on the wall of The Palm? Let’s be honest, it’s kind of hard to figure out what the hell they do all day. If you’re judging label heads on how many times they say ‘fuck,’ Dungan edged out Espo.” –Chuck Aly

Lon Helton, lon@countryaircheck.com Chuck Aly, chuck@countryaircheck.com Wendy Newcomer, wendy@countryaircheck.com Paul Williams, paul@countryaircheck.com (615) 320-1450

October 16, 2017

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Seek & Employ Available Jobs Here’s a list of job seekers and open gigs. Not listed? Send info here and we’ll include you in a future update: Cumulus WFMS/Indianapolis is searching for a midday host and afternoon host. Details here. Owens One KUZZ/Bakersfield has a rare opening for a full time on-air host. Send aircheck and résumé here. Scripps WKTI/Milwaukee is looking for a morning show host here BBRMG is looking for a Mgr./Marketing with two to four years of marketing and/or music business experience. Send résumés here. LCKM KRVF/Corsicana, TX is looking for a morning show cohost. Send aircheck and résumé here. Scripps KVOO/Tulsa is looking for an on-air PD here and a morning show co-host here. Saga WPOR/Portland, ME is looking for a PD. Details here. SiriusXM is looking for an Asst. Music Programmer based in Nashville. Details here. Scripps WCYQ/Knoxville is seeking a new morning co-host. Airchecks and résumés here. iHeartMedia WMZQ/Washington is looking for an APD/on-air host. More here. The Academy of Country Music is seeking a Mgr./Strategic Partnerships and accepting applications for interns. Details here. CMA is looking for a Sr. Mgr./Market Research. Send cover letter, résumé and salary requirements here.

•Crash Poteet Former KVOO/Tulsa and WKWS/Charleston/WV PD 417-499-4046 okccrash@gmail.com • Bethany Linderman Former WGNA/Albany morning co-host 727-460-2389 linderman.bethany@gmail.com • Mike Preston Former KKWF/Seattle PD 206-979-2500 pljpreston@aol.com • Jeff Roper Former KCYY/San Antonio APD/MD/morning host 210-790-7099 ropershow@gmail.com • Brian Hatfield Former KYGO/Denver APD/MD/on-air 704-604-6554 hatfield99@gmail.com • Blake Nixon Former In2une Regional 615-498-0988 blake.nixon@comcast.net • Jordan Pettit Former WMN VP/Promotion and Redbrandana Partner jordan@redbrandana.com • Ashlee McDonald Former iHeart Dir./Artist Operations and WMN Dir./Brand Management 917-523-4113 ashleemmcdonald@gmail.com

Searching •Kris Stevens Former WKKT/Charlotte afternoon host 610-762-8332 radiobigkat@gmail.com •Big Chris Hart Former KUUB/KWFP PD/MD/Prod. Dir./afternoon host 775-830-1320 bigchrishart@hotmail.com

October 16, 2017

Artist/Title (Label)

Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud Stations ADDS

KANE BROWN f/L. ALAINA

26268

1978

8938

691

LUKE COMBS/When It Rains It Pours (River House/Columbia) ✔

22702

2066

7686

731

50.09

THOMAS RHETT/Unforgettable (Valory) ✔

21566

2960

7239

1045

48.68

KIP MOORE/More Girls Like You (MCA)

21535

1071

7344

KENNY CHESNEY/All The Pretty Girls (Blue Chair/Columbia)

20034

-5144

CARLY PEARCE/Every Little Thing (Big Machine)

19890

CHRIS JANSON/Fix A Drink (Warner Bros./WAR)

159

5.002

159

5.824

159

462

47.303 2.485

159

6835

-1567

45.665 -9.995

159

919

6781

238

44.532 2.575

159

19697

1296

6675

386

42.145

159

JASON ALDEAN/They Don't Know (Broken Bow)

18915

-6051

6530

-1956

43.218 -10.685

159

GARTH BROOKS/Ask Me How I Know (Pearl)

15469

1303

5170

400

33.408 2.491

158

LANCO/Greatest Love Story (Arista) ✔

15424

1502

5189

509

33.779 4.067

159

LUKE BRYAN/Light It Up (Capitol)

14906

915

4974

316

33.804 2.485

159

MAREN MORRIS/I Could Use A Love Song (Columbia)

14340

364

4675

135

31.407 0.541

159

BLAKE SHELTON/I'll Name The Dogs (Warner Bros./WMN)

13841

1356

4600

443

31.163 4.151

159

ERIC CHURCH/Round Here Buzz (EMI Nashville)

12976

375

4515

125

28.828 1.185

159

LOCASH/Ring On Every Finger (Reviver)

12132

301

4024

25.432 0.432

153

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Smooth (BMLGR)

11810

748

3936

244

25.626 2.727

157

CHRIS YOUNG/Losing Sleep (RCA)

10724

1248

3518

471

22.251 2.506

155

BRETT YOUNG/Like I Loved You (BMLGR) ✔

10616

1567

3367

480

22.515 4.622

158

RUSSELL DICKERSON/Yours (Triple Tigers)

9525

873

3208

291

20.008 1.896

156

EASTON CORBIN/A Girl Like You (Mercury)

8722

362

3077

16.503 0.847

155

AARON WATSON/Outta Style (Big)

8490

695

2881

246

17.275 1.624

145

WALKER HAYES/You Broke Up With Me (Monument/Arista)

8280

879

2624

297

16.619 2.748

143

DEVIN DAWSON/All On Me (Atlantic/WEA)

8007

803

2784

283

14.183 0.995

141

BIG & RICH/California (B&R/New Revolution)

7507

287

2732

12.009 0.524

147

BROTHERS OSBORNE/It Ain't My Fault (EMI Nashville)

7436

-7376

2655

-2588

16.387 -14.115

158

What Ifs (RCA)

✔

57.926 3.527

2.59

Chart Page 1

October 16, 2017 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud Stations ADDS

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Tin Man (RCA)

6395

271

2121

131

10.522 0.279

137

KELSEA BALLERINI/Legends (Black River)

6367

1034

2051

330

11.923 1.588

146

GRANGER SMITH/Happens Like That (Wheelhouse)

5077

667

1787

231

7.5

1.088

144

CHRIS STAPLETON/Broken Halos (Mercury)

4377

469

1565

136

6.581

0.571

131

HIGH VALLEY/She's With Me (Atlantic/WEA)

4366

591

1455

181

7.649

1.069

103

BRANTLEY GILBERT/The Ones That Like Me (Valory)

4230

214

1414

7.345

0.095

127

SCOTTY MCCREERY/Five More Minutes (Triple Tigers)

4190

559

1423

189

6.7

1.063

107

LEE BRICE/Boy (Curb)

3989

304

1277

6.864

0.623

115

JORDAN DAVIS/Singles You Up (MCA)

3793

231

1312

101

5.596

0.457

120

MIDLAND/Make A Little (Big Machine)

3703

679

1172

241

7.118

1.232

110

BRETT ELDREDGE/The Long Way (Atlantic/WMN)

3663

784

1111

229

6.492

1.815

107

OLD DOMINION/Written In The Sand (RCA)

3656

776

1071

228

6.766

1.196

MICHAEL RAY/Get To You (Atlantic/WEA)

3040

184

947

5.814

0.685

ZAC BROWN BAND/Roots (SouthernGrnd/Elektra/WAR)

2907

-25

1039

-18

4.612

0.169

111

DAN + SHAY/Road Trippin' (Warner Bros./WAR)

2549

-122

898

-48

3.112 -0.299

102

LITTLE BIG TOWN/When Someone Stops Loving You (Capitol)

2261

845

2.046

-0.07

107

DARIUS RUCKER/For The First Time (Capitol)

2016

277

668

2.953

0.673

PARMALEE/Sunday Morning (Stoney Creek)

1954

-14

736

2.423 -0.182

LAUREN ALAINA/Doin' Fine (19/Interscope/Mercury)

1949

157

782

2.18

0.173

105

CHASE RICE/Three Chords & The Truth (Broken Bow)

1939

245

648

2.123

0.26

COLE SWINDELL/Stay Downtown (Warner Bros./WMN)

1938

685

2.981

0.077

Debut 47

JOSH TURNER/All About You (MCA)

1866

173

705

2.991

0.512

Debut 48

TIM MCGRAW & FAITH HILL/The Rest Of Our Life (Arista)

1831

1282

511

357

5.314

3.773

DYLAN SCOTT/Hooked (Curb)

1709

-7

579

2.06

0.044

LINDSAY ELL/Waiting On You (Stoney Creek)

1677

145

612

2.175

0.177

Debut 50

Chart Page 2

October 16, 2017 Country Aircheck Add Leaders CHRIS LANE f/T. KELLY/Take Back Home Girl (Big Loud) TIM MCGRAW & FAITH HILL/The Rest Of Our Life (Arista) ASHLEY MCBRYDE/A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega (Atlantic/WAR) DEVIN DAWSON/All On Me (Atlantic/WEA) CHRIS STAPLETON/Broken Halos (Mercury) DELTA RAE/No Peace In Quiet (Valory) MIDLAND/Make A Little (Big Machine) OLD DOMINION/Written In The Sand (RCA) BRETT ELDREDGE/The Long Way (Atlantic/WMN) KELSEA BALLERINI/Legends (Black River) LADY ANTEBELLUM/Heart Break (Capitol) RASCAL FLATTS/Back To Us (Big Machine)

Activator Top Point Gainers

Adds 61 28 20 16 15 14 12 11 9 6 6 6

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers

BLAKE SHELTON/I'll Name The Dogs (Warner Bros./WMN)

1396 ✔

THOMAS RHETT/Unforgettable (Valory)

1269 ✔

LUKE COMBS/When It Rains It Pours (River House/Columbia)

780 ✔

CHRIS JANSON/Fix A Drink (Warner Bros/WAR)

723 ✔

CHRIS YOUNG/Losing Sleep (RCA)

701 ✔

KIP MOORE/More Girls Like You (MCA)

698

BRETT YOUNG/Like I Loved You (BMLGR)

567

GARTH BROOKS/Ask Me How I Know (Pearl)

546

MIDLAND/Make A Little (Big Machine)

541

KANE BROWN f/L. ALAINA/What Ifs (RCA)

500

Activator Top Spin Gainers ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

THOMAS RHETT/Unforgettable (Valory)

2960

LUKE COMBS/When It Rains It Pours (River House/Columbia)

2066

KANE BROWN f/L. ALAINA/What Ifs (RCA)

1978

BRETT YOUNG/Like I Loved You (BMLGR)

1567

LANCO/Greatest Love Story (Arista)

1502

BLAKE SHELTON/I'll Name The Dogs (Warner Bros./WMN)

1356

CHRIS JANSON/Fix A Drink (Warner Bros./WAR)

158

GARTH BROOKS/Ask Me How I Know (Pearl)

1303

KANE BROWN f/L. ALAINA/What Ifs (RCA)

138

CHRIS JANSON/Fix A Drink (Warner Bros./WAR)

1296

BRETT YOUNG/Like I Loved You (BMLGR)

128

TIM MCGRAW & FAITH HILL/The Rest Of Our Life (Arista)

1282

GARTH BROOKS/Ask Me How I Know (Pearl)

125

CHRIS YOUNG/Losing Sleep (RCA)

1248

DEVIN DAWSON/All On Me (Atlantic/WEA)

110

289

BLAKE SHELTON/I'll Name The Dogs (Warner Bros./WMN)

285

LUKE COMBS/When It Rains It Pours (River House/Columbia)

194

KIP MOORE/More Girls Like You (MCA)

178

CHRIS YOUNG/Losing Sleep (RCA)

171

Country Aircheck Top Recurrents

Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers THOMAS RHETT/Unforgettable (Valory)

THOMAS RHETT/Unforgettable (Valory)

1045

Points

DUSTIN LYNCH/Small Town Boy (Broken Bow)

20889

SAM HUNT/Body Like A Back Road (MCA)

15293 12457

LUKE COMBS/When It Rains It Pours (River House/Columbia)

731

KANE BROWN f/L. ALAINA/What Ifs (RCA)

691

BILLY CURRINGTON/Do I Make You Wanna (Mercury)

LANCO/Greatest Love Story (Arista)

509

JON PARDI/Heartache On The Dance Floor (Capitol)

11685

BRETT YOUNG/Like I Loved You (BMLGR)

480

OLD DOMINION/No Such Thing As A Broken Heart (RCA)

11565

471

BRETT YOUNG/In Case You Didn't Know (BMLGR)

10243

KIP MOORE/More Girls Like You (MCA)

462

LUKE COMBS/Hurricane (River House/Columbia)

10121

BLAKE SHELTON/I'll Name The Dogs (Warner Bros./WMN)

443

THOMAS RHETT f/M. MORRIS/Craving You (Valory)

9312

GARTH BROOKS/Ask Me How I Know (Pearl)

400

DYLAN SCOTT/My Girl (Curb)

9277

CHRIS JANSON/Fix A Drink (Warner Bros./WAR)

386

JON PARDI/Dirt On My Boots (Capitol)

7970

CHRIS YOUNG/Losing Sleep (RCA)

Chart Page 3

October 16, 2017 COUNTRY AIRCHECK ACTIVITY CHASE RICE/Three Chords & The Truth (Broken Bow) Moves 50-45* 1939 points, 648 spins 3 adds: WNOE, WGKX*, WTHT

COLE SWINDELL/Stay Downtown (Warner Bros./WMN) Remains 46* 1938 points, 685 spins 3 adds: WYRK, WBCT, WCTQ JOSH TURNER/All About You (MCA) Debuts 47* 1866 points, 705 spins; no adds TIM MCGRAW & FAITH HILL/The Rest Of Our Life (Arista) Debuts 48* 1831 points, 511 spins 28 adds: PCCO, W1HC*, W1MC*, KNIX, WJVC, KUPL, KAJA, KBEB, KASE, WIRK, WNOE, WAMZ, WSSL, WWGR, KVOO, WGNA, KBQI, WTGE, WXCY, KATM*, KATC*, WBBS, KXLY, WKSJ, WBUL, KFDI, KPLM, WNCY DYLAN SCOTT/Hooked (Curb) Remains 49* 1709 points, 579 spins 1 add: WAVW LINDSAY ELL/Waiting On You (Stoney Creek) Re-enters 50* 1677 points, 612 spins 1 add: WYNK

A D D DAT E S October 23

CRAIG WAYNE BOYD/Stuck In My Head (Copperline/1608) LADY ANTEBELLUM/Heart Break (Capitol) DUSTIN LYNCH/I’d Be Jealous Too (Broken Bow) 1585 points, 503 spins JAMES BARKER BAND/Chills (UMGC/New 6 adds: WWKA*, WQIK, WDXB, KATM*,Revolution) WRBT, WXBQ MORGAN EVANS/Kiss Somebody (Warner Bros./WEA) JON PARDI/She Ain’t Hate In It (Capitol) MAREN MORRIS/Dear (Columbia) 1529 points, 465 spins 3 adds: KPLX*, KILT*, WQHK* None Listed

October 30

November 6

DANIELLE BRADBERY/Sway (BMLGR) 1426ADKINS/Still points, 519 spins TRACE A Soldier (Wheelhouse) 3 adds: KFRG, WKMK, KBQI Send yours to adds@countryaircheck.com

CHECK OUT 10/20

Darius Rucker When Was The Last Time (Capitol) Rucker’s fifth studio album was produced by Ross Copperman and features current single “For The First Time” and lead single “If I Told You.” Other tracks include “Don’t,” “Hands On Me” and “Straight To Hell” (with Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Charles Kelley). Chris Young Losing Sleep (RCA) Young co-wrote every song on his new project, which features the current single/title track “Losing Sleep,” plus tracks including “Holiday,” “Hangin’ On,” “Where I Go When I Drink” and “Woke Up Like This.” Tyminski Southern Gothic (Mercury) Tyminski, a 14-time Grammy winner and member of Alison Krauss’ Union Station, cowrote all 13 tracks to pitch to other artists, but decided to record them himself. He describes the album, produced by Jesse Frasure, as “holding up a mirror to society without judgment or opinions.” Willie Nelson Willie Nelson and the Boys (Willie’s Stash, Vol. 2) (Legacy) The second release in the “Willie’s Stash Archival Recordings Series” was produced by Buddy Cannon and features 11 country classics (including “Move It On Over” and “Cold, Cold Heart”) and one new song (“My Tears Fall”), performed by Nelson and his sons, Lukas and Micah Nelson. Ruthie Collins Get Drunk And Cry (Curb) Collins’ wrote all 10 tracks on her debut album, which includes “Getting Out There,” “Boys And Beaches,” “Me And Emmylou” and “Pink Bic Lighter.”

Chart Page 4

October 16, 2017 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

Points

+/- Points

Plays

+/- Plays Stations ADDS

KANE BROWN f/ L. ALAINA

10504

500

2427

138

LUKE COMBS/When It Rains It Pours (River House/Columbia)

10204

780

2303

194

KIP MOORE/More Girls Like You (MCA)

9888

698

2230

178

THOMAS RHETT/Unforgettable (Valory)

9388

1269

2015

289

CARLY PEARCE/Every Little Thing (Big Machine)

8782

298

1970

KENNY CHESNEY/All The Pretty Girls (Blue Chair/Columbia)

8588

-1672

1877

-392

JASON ALDEAN/They Don't Know (Broken Bow)

8473

-1362

1898

-343

What Ifs (RCA)

CHRIS JANSON/Fix A Drink (Warner Bros./WAR)

8435

723

1893

158

15 9

BLAKE SHELTON/I'll Name The Dogs (Warner Bros./WMN)

7078

1396

1487

285

10 10

LUKE BRYAN/Light It Up (Capitol)

6834

350

1490

11 11

LANCO/Greatest Love Story (Arista)

6759

393

1510

110

13 12

GARTH BROOKS/Ask Me How I Know (Pearl)

6287

546

1427

125

12 13

ERIC CHURCH/Round Here Buzz (EMI Nashville)

6008

1307

14 14

MAREN MORRIS/I Could Use A Love Song (Columbia)

5944

218

1329

16 15

LOCASH/Ring On Every Finger (Reviver)

5170

-54

1153

-2

17 16

BRETT YOUNG/Like I Loved You (BMLGR)

5153

567

1071

128

20 17

CHRIS YOUNG/Losing Sleep (RCA)

4747

701

1021

171

19 18

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Smooth (BMLGR)

4682

308

1021

18 19

AARON WATSON/Outta Style (Big)

4594

129

1005

21 20

EASTON CORBIN/A Girl Like You (Mercury)

3830

171

838

23 21

RUSSELL DICKERSON/Yours (Triple Tigers)

3486

460

794

25 22

DEVIN DAWSON/All On Me (Atlantic/WEA)

3335

437

722

110

24 23

BIG & RICH/California (B&R/New Revolution)

3142

124

700

26 24

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Tin Man (RCA)

2912

216

670

27 25

KELSEA BALLERINI/Legends (Black River)

2793

345

553

28 26

CHRIS STAPLETON/Broken Halos (Mercury)

2404

267

505

29 27

WALKER HAYES/You Broke Up With Me (Monument/Arista)

2321

375

536

31 28

BRANTLEY GILBERT/The Ones That Like Me (Valory)

2037

230

417

32 29

BRETT ELDREDGE/The Long Way (Atlantic/WMN)

1950

465

330

30 30

LEE BRICE/Boy (Curb)

1815

-14

355

Chart Page 5

October 16, 2017 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

Points +/- Points

Plays

+/- Plays

36 31

MIDLAND/Make A Little (Big Machine)

1730

541

299

100

Stations Adds

32 32

LITTLE BIG TOWN/When Someone Stops Loving You (Capitol)

1714

-33

332

-11

34 33

GRANGER SMITH/Happens Like That (Wheelhouse)

1590

168

361

37 34

JORDAN DAVIS/Singles You Up (MCA)

1477

306

259

38 35

LADY ANTEBELLUM/Heart Break (Capitol)

1413

353

249

40 36

SCOTTY MCCREERY/Five More Minutes (Triple Tigers)

1376

460

333

103

35 37

ZAC BROWN BAND/Roots (SouthernGrnd/Elektra/WAR)

1303

-2

314

36 38

OLD DOMINION/Written In The Sand (RCA)

1088

333

247

42 39

HIGH VALLEY/She's With Me (Atlantic/WEA)

1040

263

187

39 40

COLE SWINDELL/Stay Downtown (Warner Bros./WMN)

1016

181

46 41

MICHAEL RAY/Get To You (Atlantic/WEA)

781

160

115

41 42

DARIUS RUCKER/For The First Time (Capitol)

776

-7

131

-5

43 43

MAREN MORRIS f/V. GILL/Dear Hate (Columbia)

712

-20

138

-18

44 44

CARLY PEARCE/If My Name Was Whiskey (Big Machine)

680

47 45

LINDSAY ELL/Waiting On You (Stoney Creek)

653

48 46

JOSH TURNER/All About You (MCA)

597

118

49 47

DANIELLE BRADBERY/Sway (BMLGR)

582

50 48

MONTGOMERY GENTRY/Better Me (Average Joes)

522

-5

-2

53 49

BROWN & GRAY/Top Down (NHMM)

490

52 50

BRANDON LAY/Speakers, Bleachers And Preachers (EMI Nashville)

463

54 51

JANA KRAMER/I've Done Love (---)

450

55 52

JAY ALLEN/Sounds Good To Me (Treehouse)

440

51 53

DUSTIN LYNCH/Love Me Or Leave Me Alone (Broken Bow)

430

-20

-2

RONNIE DUNN/That's Why They Make Jack... (Nash Icon/Valory)

420

139

148

56 55

RYAN HURD/Love In A Bar (RCA)

376

59 56

RAELYNN/Lonely Call (Warner Bros./WMN)

352

RUSSELL DICKERSON/Billions (Triple Tigers)

340

LAUREN ALAINA/Doin' Fine (19/Interscope/Mercury)

337

SETH ENNIS/Look At You (Arista)

330

ASHLEY MCBRYDE/Tired Of Being Happy (Atlantic/WAR)

330

Debut 54

Debut 57 57 58

Debut 59 58 60

Chart Page 6