October 12, 2020, Issue 726
Examining Race In The Industry Country music’s relative racial homogeny is evident not just onstage and among the audience, but in industry and radio ranks, as well. As events continue to remind Americans how much work remains in living up to the principle of “created equal,” Country Aircheck spoke to WXFL/Florence, AL OM/PD Fletcher Brown, Warner Music Nashville Dir./ National Radio & Streaming James Marsh, BMG Dir./Creative Rakiyah Marshall and Big Loud VP/Marketing Candice Watkins about their experience, how conversations have changed this year and what they hope to see in and from country music moving forward. CA: What has your experience been building a career and interacting with other professionals in a business that is overwhelmingly white? FB: I started in Country radio in 1997, but I’ve been working full-time on the air since about 2000. I will be flat honest with you; I have had an overwhelmingly positive experience in those 20 years. I’ve never experienced anything – from an industry standpoint, anyway – negative. Because radio is about talking to and being the voice of the community, occasionally you’ll get that caller who says something when emotions are high – after 9/11 comes to mind – that you’re like, “I can’t put that on the air.” Or you feel the need to put it on the air and then address it directly. That’s only happened once or twice in 20 years. Professionally, my experience has been overwhelmingly positive. CW: It’s funny when people ask me this, because I don’t feel like I have limitations per se, or maybe I chose not to see limitations.
Fletcher Brown
James Marsh
Rakiyah Marshall
(continued on page 7) Candice Watkins
Pickup Artist: BMLGR’s Riley Green continues “Truck Trivia.” Pictured (top, l-r) are the label’s Andi Brooks and Andrew Thoen, WYCT/Pensacola’s Brent Lane and the label’s Stella Prado; (second row, l-r) the label’s Liz Santana, Green and WMIL/Milwaukee’s Quinn and Kerry Wolfe; (third row, l-r) WWKA/Orlando’s Ashley Stegbauer and (an extreme closeup of) Steve Stewart, KWNR/Las Vegas’ MoJoe Roberts and WMAD/Madison, WI’s Chelsey Steinhauer; (bottom, l-r) WRBT/ Harrisburg’s Newman, WSIX/Nashville’s Ryan McKiddy, KVOO/Tulsa’s Dena Feltcher and the label’s Matthew Hargis.
Anxiety Part 2: Staff-Care Tips Country Aircheck’s recent conversation with Onsite Owner/CEO Miles Adcox addressed the importance of regular mental health self-assessment in Part One (here) and now turns to his tips for those in supervisory roles as they seek to support employees who continue to work in new and challenging environments. Team Care: For managers and HR, it’s important to create space and conversation
Miles Adcox
© 2 0 2 0 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 r c h e c k . c o m