Issue 879 - October 9, 2023

October 9, 2023, Issue 879

October Issue: R&R, Toby & Power 31

Previewing the October print edition of Country Aircheck – out next week – begins with a look at the unique, longstanding relationship between record labels and radio stations.

Recent realignment at major labels may indicate a shift in priorities, but the notion of diminished investment in promotion isn’t supported by an analysis of promotion staff sizes within the issue. But with fewer decision makers at radio, new efficiencies learned during the pandemic and a major decline in traditional radio tours, is the deeply connected nature of the country industry at risk of diminishing?

R&R: Records & Radio: Townsquare SVP/Content & Programming Kurt Johnson doesn’t think so. “In the 1950s, airplay was decided by individual DJs,” he says. “That changed as the business grew into a huge industry – decisions were made by music directors, program directors, OMs and corporate programmers. The labels and artist camps that are investing in building relationships at radio definitely have the competitive advantage for getting their artist up the ranks. That was true in Joe Galante’s RCA days and it’s true now.”

Valory President George Briner says strategic changes have been made. “Before Covid with a brand-new artist, you’d hit 100 stations before the single came out,” he says. “Now, it’s not about how many stations, but which people you reach. It’s quality over quantity.”

On same level, it still comes down to who has decision-making power. “If I were running a label today, I’d be focused on major markets and any size market with control of their playlist,” says Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Consultant Kenny Jay. “That’s smart business.”

Family Tradition: Moxleys

Spotlighting family members working in the country music industry continues with Valory Coord./Promotion Laura Moxley and her father, veteran label executive Rick Moxley

LM: Growing up, I wanted to be a famous ballerina. The Valory promotion coordinator was my plan B though.

I don’t remember when I fully grasped exactly what my dad did … I just remember him saying his job was to get songs

Post Melon: Broken Bow’s Lainey Wilson with iHeart’s Phillips

Kenny Jay

Deb Turpin

Johnny Chiang

Rick Moxley

George Briner

Kurt Johnson

Laura Moxley

played on the radio and when he would take us to shows he would say his job is to “make sure the radio guys are having fun,” which still holds true!

RM: I did not overly encourage Laura to get into promotion. In fact, I think my first words were “run!” I did know, however, with her work ethic and personality that she would easily fit the mold.

LM: My brother and I used to hang out in his office before he took us to school in the morning. I remember us trying to pronounce the call letters on his whiteboard as if they were actual words. After trying so many times to explain that they aren’t actual words, he gave up.

I went to my first Toby Keith show when I was 11 and Toby offered me a beer. Age 11. He was obviously joking, but I will always remember that being funny.

RM: The Toby show was pouring down rain and [band member] Mica Roberts was kind enough to score us ponchos from the crew. We had gone to the zoo earlier that day, and I’m sure we all looked like drowned rats. As we passed through the meet and greet, Toby looks at Laura and jokingly said, “Hey, little Mox, it looks like you could use a beer!”

LM: My dad’s always told me that the way to stand out is by showing up and working hard on everything, even the not-so-glamorous tasks that maybe no one else is paying attention to or wanting to help with. He’s also big on being able to laugh at yourself.

RM: My advice has been: be honest, have a great attitude and work hard.  And never take yourself too seriously. Reach Laura here

–Caitlin DeForest

Chart Chat

and Chris Huff

Congratulations to Lainey Wilson, Jon Loba, JoJamie Hahr, Carson James, Lee Adams, Shelley Hargis Gaines, Scotty O’Brien and the Broken Bow promotion team on taking “Watermelon Moonshine” to No. 1. This is Wilson’s

fifth visit to the top, and her 19-week climb to the summit is the fastest for a solo female since Carrie Underwood’s “Dirty Laundry” reached the top in January 2017 – also after 19 weeks. Songwriters are Josh Kear, Jordan Schmidt and Wilson.

Kudos to Stacy Blythe and the Big Loud crew on racking up 56 adds for Hailey Whitters ’ “I’m In Love” to lead the CA/MB Add Board. It’s the largest add week for a Big Loud artist not named Morgan since Jake Owen ’s “Best Thing Since Backroads” scored 84 in August 2021.

News & Notes

Fuji Music Group and All Clear Music have acquired the catalog of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Will Jennings

In addition to Tiera Kennedy, who is featured on the cover of Nashville Lifestyles’ “Most Beautiful People” issue (CAT 10/3), the feature includes profiles on artists Breland, Dustin Lynch and Chrissy Metz, and 615 Leverage + Strategy Founding Partner John Zarling

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has reissued four historical books: The Life and Times of Patsy Cline by Margaret Jones; The Delmore Brothers: Truth Is Stranger Than Publicity by Alton Delmore; My Husband, Jimmie Rodgers by Carrie Rodgers and Bob Wills: Hubbin’ It by Ruth Sheldon. They are available in the museum store and online here

Trace Adkins, Deana Carter, Jo Dee Messina, Steve Wariner and The Frontmen will perform during figure skating champion Scott Hamilton’s seventh annual Scott Hamilton & Friends event Nov. 19 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The ‘90s country-themed show benefits the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation.

Drake Milligan and Madeline Edwards have been added to the lineup for non-profit Backline’s Handle With Care World Mental Health Day benefit concert Oct. 10 at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. The event, billed as a tribute to Tom Petty, also features performers

Lainey Wilson

OFF THE RECORD

Night Train/Broken Bow’s John Morgan goes Off (The Record):

Jason Aldean has been a great mentor in a few particular areas for me. The first that comes to mind is loyalty. We had a conversation early on about how he was strategic in who he kept around him, in his band and in his circle. One of the most valuable things to me in building a team is hiring people who are hungry, driven and trustworthy. Thankfully, I’ve been playing music with two of my best friends for many years who show those exact characteristics.

Wynonna Judd , Ella Langley , Brittney Spencer and Charles Wesley Godwin

Tickets here

The Week’s Top Stories

Full coverage at countryaircheck.com

• Country Aircheck’s CMA Voter’s Guide is available

• Radio reacted to the People’s Choice Country Awards in last week’s (10/2) Country Aircheck Weekly

JOHN MORGAN

He showed me and my guys over the last two summers how vastly your live show impacts your career. If you have seen his show, it’s apparent how much time and strategic thought he puts into each show. Moreover, I’ve watched him daily treat everyone on his team with the same respect. He’s not only a good businessman, but he’s someone that people want to work for, night in and night out.

Unless I have an idea I feel strongly points at a particular artist (including myself), I usually try to approach writing with the intent on chasing the best idea, which requires reading the room. If I’m in a room with multiple hit songwriters, and they are all stoked on an idea that is thrown out, I usually defer to their knowledge and experience. Not fool proof, but it’s a safe chance at success with a song. That being said, if I do have an idea I want to write for myself, I will say that up front, so everyone can be on the same page from the get go. But I try to keep a “pitch first” mindset.

My goal with my debut EP, Remember Us?, was to simply establish myself as an artist. I wanted to showcase the versatility in what I write along with sharing a few different emotions we all experience in everyday life. There are several different sounds on this project, but that is who I am as an artist, so it is nice to establish that early and give the listeners a few options in what I do.

Personally, my favorite song off of the EP is the last track, “Ain’t Been There Yet.” We tried to give it a modern feel while somehow keeping a vintage angst sound-wise. Lyrically, it was very different from what I had been writing at the time, but it also felt natural for me vocally. I love the “down the middle” hook line, and how it is something you might have thought a million times before but from a slightly different approach. I love songs that tell a specific yet very vague storyline, and I hope that shines through.

Another is “Cold Summer In San Antone.” Even though I’m not from Texas, this song hit home for me in a few different ways. First, what comes to my mind is the classic country feel that this track brings to this project. It stands alone but is also somehow cohesive with the project as a whole, and I love that about it. Not to mention some clever lines throughout the song that unfortunately I can’t take full credit for!

One huge bonus in not having a ton of music released is that you get to try something completely new to fresh ears. I love playing original/unreleased music to a new audience and seeing the reaction. In this case, we have had the privilege of getting to perform a lot of these songs on multiple stages in front of many different age groups. The overall response has been very encouraging, and I’m glad to give those listeners something to go back and listen to that hopefully drew them in from our live show!

• Black River’s Dawn Delvo was named VP/ Communications, while Ally Roden joined as Coord./Publicity. (BN 10/6)

• SummitMedia VP/Country Programming & Talent Development and WZZK/ Birmingham PD Tom Hanrahan resigned. (BN 10/6)

• Warner Music Nashville EVP/Artist Development Shane Tarleton left for a TBA opportunity. (CAT 10/5)

• Jim Dandy joined New Revolution Entertainment as Dir./Southeast. (CAT 10/4)

• CMA Radio Award winners were announced. (BN 10/3)

• The late Terry Dorsey will be inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame’s Legends Category. (CAT 10/3)

• Results Radio/Redding, CA’s “Jennifer Jones” Lee added afternoon duties for KNCQ (CAT 10/2)

October Issue Preview

(continued from page 1)

KSOP/Salt Lake City PD Deb Turpin is sympathetic to labels. “I’m not a promo person, but it has to feel frustrating sometimes to culture a relationship with a programmer that has no say in what they add,” she says, adding the effort is not wasted. “That might feel pointless, but it’s probably not. Organically introducing your artist to a group of broadcasters can’t be bad.”

Chiang Of Tools: In The Interview, Pandora/SiriusXM Sr. Dir./Country Programming

©2023 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to news@countryaircheck.com

Johnny Chiang discuss his whirlwind 18-month odyssey from terrestrial radio at Cox, to record promotion at Red Street, to the DSP world at Pandora and, finally, returning to radio by adding SiriusXM to his plate. He also addresses the widening of country’s mainstream and managing the glut of music now available to programmers as well as listeners.

“The first thing is admitting you can’t listen to everything,” Chiang says. “You can’t consider everything. It’s overwhelming. But I rely on my team. We have diverse personalities, and not just among the programmers, who have such diverse tastes. I open music up to all the talent people on the floor, and they help in music selection. It can’t just be one person. We were pretty progressive at KKBQ/Houston, but at the end of the day, 90% of our music decision was sort of aided by the labels feeding us singles. When I got to Pandora and met Kathleen Shea, she taught me alt-country, Americana and bluegrass. I hadn’t heard of Warren Zeiders or Koe Wetzel before.”

Who’s That Man? Ask Toby Keith for one word to describe his career and he’ll likely say, “songwriter.” But 30-years after his debut –and solo-written – single “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” introduced him to the format, Keith’s writing is only part of the story. In Country Aircheck’s extensive special section, the 2015 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee spills the tea on many of the critical junctures along the way.

The success of “Cowboy,” for instance, suddenly brought booking agents to his door. “I’d been working five- or sixnights bringing home $300 for the week,” Keith says. “Any extra money went to fixing the van, trailer, whatever. Now they’re telling me, with a hit, I can get $5,000 to $7,500 a night and every once in a while on weekends they can throw me a $10,000 or $12,000 bone. That’s for 75 minutes, which is my album, anything new I’ve written and a few covers. They asked, ‘How many of these dates do you want?’ And I’m like, ‘All of ‘em.’ ‘You want to work every single day?’ ‘I’ll work every single day.’ So the next three months, I tried to make enough money to take care of my family, pay some bills and get ourselves in a better situation.”

Manager TK Kimbrell also shares stories, including one from the 11 USO Tours Keith undertook. “These are really not safe places, even though you’re being watched after by the best people in the world,” Kimbrell says. “Flying into Baghdad, you’re basically in freefall. The approach is steep since they can’t protect all the airspace. Then they rush you to a helicopter, give you talkback mics and tell you to alert them if you see tracer fire. I’m like, ‘You’re joking, right?’ They were not.”

Other industry colleagues offer thoughts, as well, including producer/ musician Kenny Greenberg: “I’ve played on Toby’s records for a long time and what I don’t think people realize is what a song and songwriting

historian he is. We’d be on a session and I’d say something like, ‘This will be kind of like the part on Waylon’s “Rambling Man.”’ Toby would then list off the writers, who played the session and all the lyrics. We played a couple gigs in a band he did called The Incognito Banditos – cover tunes – and any old Hoyt Axton or Roger Miller tune someone brought up, he could recite the lyrics and tell you all about it. Seeing that up close like I have is fascinating. He’s a very deep well.”

Hillbilly Hollywood: For this year’s edition of the reader-voted Power 31, Country Aircheck offered industry pros the goofy creative premise of re-casting a favorite movie with country biz colleagues or artists. iHeart’s Gregg Swedberg went with the former.

“iHeartCountry people work best in a team, so let’s recast Ocean’s Eleven,” he says. “Rod Phillips in for George Clooney (that’ll be the only time those two get mentioned together!), Gator Harrison for Brad Pitt (I lost a bet to Gator) and Meg Stevens for Julia Roberts. Because I’m the veteran, I get Carl Reiner’s part, and Steve Geoffries for Matt Damon.”

Maverick President Clarence Spalding went another direction. “The Wizard of Oz with Jelly Roll as Dorothy. It starts with Jelly singing, ‘Somewhere over that fucking rainbow, when I get high.’” Spalding goes on, but that’s enough of a mental image for now ... at least until Country Aircheck’s October issue is delivered in print and digital formats next week.

Lon Helton, lon@countryaircheck.com

Caitlin DeForest, caitlin@countryaircheck.com

Chris Huff, chris@countryaircheck.com

Phyllis Stark, phyllis@countryaircheck.com

Chuck Aly, chuck@countryaircheck.com

Toby Keith

Gregg Swedberg

Clarence Spalding

AVAILABLE JOBS

MIDWEST

Ingstad/Thief River Falls, MN VP/Broadcasting

Jake Weber is looking for a GM to oversee the cluster that includes Country KKDQ & Classic Country KKAQAM. Send résumés and cover letters to Weber here

Linder Radio KRUE/Waseca, MN is seeking a PD/ afternoon host to succeed Ben Merritt. Send résumés and airchecks here

Townsquare KWYY/Casper, WY Brand Mgr./ morning host Drew Kirby is seeking a co-host to join him. See the complete job description here; send résumés and airchecks here

Mountain Dog Media WFON/Fond Du Lac, WI Brand Mgr. Aaron Carreno is seeking a morning co-host to join Trace “Moose” Moustakas. Interested parties can send résumés and airchecks to Carreno here

Big Radio WJVL/Janesville, WI is searching for an on-air talent. «The position will be primarily live Saturdays with possible sports producing [and] voice-tracking [on other stations],» PD Justin Brown says. «Previous radio experience preferred, but we will train the right personality.» Send materials to Brown here

Midwest/Wausau, WI VP/MM  Rusty James is on the hunt for an OM to succeed Jon Reilly . Send résumés, airchecks and programming materials to James here

Midwest WDEZ/Wausau, WI has an opening for morning co-host. VP/MM Rusty James says, “We’re looking for someone with a great sense of humor, outstanding with personal appearances, and has a passion for country music and the lifestyle, social media skills and more.” Send materials to James here Hubbard/St. Louis, which includes Country WIL, has an opening for a full-time Account Executive. Details here

Midwest KWTB/Sioux Falls, SD is looking for a live and local afternoon host. Send audio and résumé here

Steel City KBEQ/Kansas City PD Todd Nixon is looking for a morning co-host to succeed Mike Kellar “We’re locally owned, play by our own rules, and take no prisoners on the street,” Nixon tells Country Aircheck “You’ve got to pull up your bootstraps for more than just an airshift and you don’t need to know country, but you’ll be attending 25+ country concerts a year.” Airchecks and résumés to Nixon here

Midwest/Peoria, IL, which includes Country WXCL, is looking for a full-time on-air split-shift traffic anchor. Send cover letters and résumés to Business Mgr. Shannon Demanes here

An undisclosed programmer is seeking a “fun, engaging, relevant” personality. “A market-leading station in the Midwest is looking for a great storyteller ... engaging on air, online and in person.” Aircheck, résumé, social links and “anything else that will make you stand out” can be sent to this EOE here

MacDonald WKCQ/Saginaw, MI Ops. Dir/ PD Jason Addams is seeking an afternoon host in to replace Seth Justice. The gig has possible MD/imaging duties. “If you can be a star between the songs, connect with our target audience and love country music,” send aircheck and résumé to Addams here

NORTHEAST

Audacy Regional Brand Mgr. Chris Michaels is looking for an on-air host to join WBEE/Rochester in mornings. See the complete job posting here; reach Michaels here

Community Broadcasters WLFK/Gouverneur, NY Owner/Pres. Jim Leven is searching for a PD/morning host. Send résumés and airchecks to him here

Community Broadcasters/Gouverneur, NY is looking for an OM for its three-station cluster. The position also includes morning host duties for WLFK. Send résumés and airchecks to Jim Leven here

iHeartMedia WPOC/Baltimore RSVPP/Prog. Jeff Kapugi is looking for a morning co-host for the Laurie DeYoung Show to succeed Francesca Presti, who will

be leaving the station in November. Applicants must have “a love and passion for country music and being out on the town with the audience; active social media presence is a must.” Apply here

iHeartMedia WPOC/Baltimore RSVPP/ Prog. Jeff Kapugi is looking for a part-time air talent for regular weekend, holiday and fill-in work at WMZQ/ Washington, DC. Apply here

SOUTHEAST

Listen Up Y’all Media/Natchez, MS Group PD Kidd Conley is looking for a five-station APD for the cluster that includes WQNZ. Send résumés, cover letters, production demos and airchecks here.

Saga Classic Country WSIG/Harrisonburg, VA OM Brandy Lindsey is seeking a morning host to join incumbent Ivy Lee . Send résumés and airchecks to Lindsey here.

Cumulus/Memphis VP/MM Morgan Bohannon is searching for a PD for WGKX following the departure of Chad Heritage. According to the post, “Energy, enthusiasm and experience within the genre is a must.” See full description here

Midlands Media WUDE/Columbia, SC is searching for on-air talent with production and light engineering skills. VP/COO Marie Stover adds, “Tired of corporate radio? If you love the south, country music and serving local clients and community, let’s talk.” Send résumés and airchecks to Pres./CEO Keith Stover here.

Saga WVVR/Clarksville, TN has an opening for a morning host. “Work for a great company and a team that values local programming, and is dedicated to serving,” says PD Chad Heritage. “If you have at least three years full-time Country/AC experience,” send résumés and airchecks here

West Virginia Radio WKKW/Morgantown, WV is looking for a nighttime host. Shifts on other WVRC Media stations may also be included. Send materials here

iHeartMedia/Kentucky-Indiana Region, which includes WAMZ/Louisville and WBUL/Lexington, is searching for a Dir./Country Programming to succeed Ashley Wilson. Apply here

Mississippi Broadcasters WOKK/Meridian, MS PD Todd Berry is looking to relaunch the morning show with a live and local host or existing team. Applicants will preferably have production or promotions experience. Send cover letters, airchecks and résumés to Berry here

Southern Stone WKRO/Daytona Beach VP/ Programming Jonathan Wiley (DJ Tremble) is looking for a APD/MD to succeed Brad Thornton who is willing to “go to a lot of country shows, meet the biggest and newest artists in the genre and represent the station in Nashville a couple of times a year.” Social media skills are a must; send résumés to Tremble here

Midwest WNFN/Nashville Brand Manager Ron Allen is seeking a full-time air personality for the station, which flipped to Classic Country as “Y’all 106.7” in June (CAT 6/8). He’s looking for a high-energy, creative person who loves ‘80s and ‘90s country music. Send cover letter, resume and aircheck to Allen here

Saga KDXY/Jonesboro, AR GM Trey Stafford is seeking a PD/afternoon host to succeed Rob West, who is departing for a new opportunity Stafford says, “Come work with a company and team that still does real, local community radio.” Send résumés here

SOUTHWEST

LKCM Classic Country KTFW/Fort Worth OM

Mark Phillips is seeking a midday host who can handle a “personality intensive daypart with a lot of phones, contests and appearances.” Reach him here

Depot KDPM/Marshall, TX is looking for a local on-air talent/marketing representative. Send materials to PD Chip Arledge here

Bryan Broadcasting has an opening for a fulltime Dir./Production based in College Station, TX for its

12 radio stations. Send résumé with examples of produced and voiced audio or spots here

WEST COAST

Momentum KJUG/Visalia, CA PD Rik McNeil is looking for an APD/midday personality. Complete job posting here; send résumés, social media profiles, mobile content, examples of past success and airchecks to McNeil here RWPC Pres. Scott Huskey is searching for a morning host to join McKenzie River KKNU/Eugene, OR. Send résumés and airchecks to Huskey here McKenzie River KKNU/Eugene, OR PD Jim Davis is looking for a replacement for retired morning host Tim Fox. Reach Davis here

Cumulus KATM/Modesto, CA is looking for a Dir./ Promotions with a possible morning show role. Apply here. Sticks Media KTNK-AM & K279CY/Lompoc, CA Owners Todd Nixon and Liz Hallam are looking for a local afternoon host for the re-launched “Y’all 103.7.” Reach Nixon here

OTHER

River House Artists Dir./Digital Strategy Kristin Watson Byrne is looking for a Coord./Digital. Send résumés to her here

Albright & O’Malley & Brenner VP Kenny Jay is searching for “a talent looking for their big break, or someone tired of corporate radio life who would like to settle down in California … [someone who] can have fun and entertain live and local at night.” The opportunity may include APD/MD duties as well. Send demos and resumes to Jay here

Albright & O’Malley & Brenner VP Kenny Jay is searching for a Brand Manager/prime time personality. «You must be a persuasive leader, a selfstarter, have a strong desire to get things done, and have fun ... in one of the most livable cities in the US,» he says. Three years of full-time management and on-air experience are required. Send demos and resumes to Jay here

Summit Media is looking for an SVP/Digital Strategy. The newly created position will adapt the company’s digital plan and organized initiatives into a comprehensive roadmap. See full posting here

Midwest Communications is looking for a Radio & Digital Sales Marketing Consultant, a Digital Support Specialist and Street Team members. For the consultant and street team positions, send your cover letter and résumé here For the specialist opening, email Mgr./Digital Systems Support Brandon Wickwire here. See all postings here

Bobby Bones’ Nashville Podcast Network is looking for a President. The position is ideally based in Nashville, oversee 15-20 podcasts and pays $85,000 to $90,000 per year; audio editing experience preferred. See Bones’ Instagram post about the opportunity here; email him here

Newspaper publisher Gannett is searching for a Taylor Swift reporter to cover the superstar for its USA Today and The Tennessean papers. See the job posting here, which calls for “an experienced, videoforward journalist to capture the music and cultural impact” and “quench an undeniable thirst for all things Taylor Swift with a steady stream of content across multiple platforms.”

CMT is seeking a VP/Music & Talent to succeed Shanna Strassberg. The candidate will “find, liaise with, book, brief and look after celebrities who are involved with any CMT program or event.” Qualifications include seven to 10 years experience as a talent/celebrity booker or talent exec, preferably in the country music industry and well-established contacts with labels, artists and their teams; apply here

SEEKING JOBS

•Greg Cole

Former WKCQ/Saginaw, MI OM/PD GCole27000@gmail.com 916-502-4734

•Marc Lavik (aka Dave Marcus) Former on-air talent ZimaGuy@gmail.com 401-467-6737

•”Big” John Horton

Former KFSA/Ft. Smith, AR afternoon host BigJohn@TheBigJohnShow.com

•AJ McCloud

Former WWFF/Huntsville, AL APD/afternoons AJ.McCloud@charter.net 256-503-2301

•Bill Hickok

Former KBMR/Bismark, ND morning host BillHickok1950@gmail.com

•Scott Davidson

Former WHOF-HD2/Canton, OH PD/on-air host Davidson1023@gmail.com

•David Dean

Former KXDD/Yakima, WA afternoons DaviDean5@gmail.com

•Brian “Wookie” Kostek Former WDSY/Pittsburgh APD/MD/afternoons BKostek24@gmail.com

•Kim Brixton

Former WNWN/Battle Creek, MI mornings/middays KimBrixton@gmail.com

•Mark McKay

Former Riser House Dir./ Southeast Promotion MMcKay973@gmail.com

•Mike McKay

Former WQRB/Eau Claire, WI Brand Mgr./mornings McKProd@charter.net

•Jimmy Elliott

Former WOVK/Wheeling, WV VPP/ PD/MD/mornings JimmyElliottSchlosser@gmail.com

•Jim Pearson

Former KDBL/Yakima, WA PD/mornings JimsCoolEmail@gmail.com 831-261-1822

•Aaron “Gator” Glass Former WQNU/Louisville mornings GatorGlass.53@gmail.com

•Carly Quinn

Former WGH/Norfolk morning co-host NewEnglandClamChowder2021@ yahoo.com 863-388-9606

•Chuck Akers Former KTHT/Houston morning co-host chuckakers@comcast.net

•Scott Gaines

Former Summit/Knoxville OM & WCYQ PD GainesRadio@gmail.com

•T.J. “J.T.” Michaels Former WCPV/Burlington, VT PD/afternoons TJMichaelsRadio@gmail.com 802-249-3570

•Caitlin “CJ” Johnson Former KKBQ/Houston afternoons Caitlin.M.Johnson25@gmail.com

•Jonathan Wier Former WKLB/Boston morning co-host JonWierWLCA@gmail.com

•Bryant “Ryder” Konold Former KDBL/Yakima, WA Brand Mgr./ mornings BryantRyderKonold@gmail.com

•Lexi Papadopoulos

Former KUBL/Salt Lake City mornings LexiOnTheRadio@gmail.com

•Jared “Banks” Danielson

Former KUBL/Salt Lake City mornings JaredDanielson1@gmail.com

•Rosey Fitchpatrick

Formerly worked in event and artist management, and radio promotion roseyfitch99@gmail.com

•Mark Allen

Former OM for Schurz/Lafayette, IN and Wiregrass/Dothan, AL Markontheradio7661@gmail.com 574-520-8226

•Donnie “Hollywood” Andrews Former WKXD/Cookeville, TN OM/ PD/mornings hollywoodandrews939@gmail.com 931-267-2468

•JC Coffey

Former Show Dog Dir./MidwestNortheast Regional Promotion radiojc83@gmail.com 269-806-6865

•Jeff Lynn

Former All Access Country Editor/ Promotion and Rubber City/Akron OM/PD jeff.lynn@gmail.com 262-389-0687

•Brad Thornton

Former Southern Stone WKRO/ Daytona Beach APD/MD randawg_23@yahoo.com

•Jake Thomson

Former Dick WUBB/Savannah, GA Prod. Dir./midday host jakethomson.dj@gmail.com

February 2023 PPM Scoreboard

The September 2023 PPM Book (8/17-9/13) saw Country total shares slip 0.9%, from 367.6 in August to 364.3. Year to year shares are up 3.2%. WCTK/Providence had the largest share in the format with a 9.9; it’s the first time the station’s led the format since February 2022 and snaps WCOL/Columbus’ five month run at the top. Total cume was up 1.8% from last month to 23.6 million, though it is off slightly (0.6%) from

last year. KPLX/Dallas clamined the month’s largest share for its first format lead since April 2022. Legend: A “+” indicates a Classic Country outlet; a “^” designates co-owned Country stations in the metro; a “t” indicates a tie; and a “*” indicates a station that is a recent subscriber for which ratings were not currently available. Ranks are among subscribers.

Country Aircheck Add Leaders

Activator Top Point Gainers

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers

Activator Top Spin Gainers

Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers

Country Aircheck Top Recurrents

AIRPLAY BY STATION OWNER

MARKET AIRPLAY PROFILE - FRESNO

COUNTRY AIRCHECK ACTIVITY

FRANK RAY/Somebody Else’s Whiskey (Stoney Creek)

Moves 44-45

3041 points, 933 spins

1 add: KKGO

COREY KENT/Something’s Gonna Kill Me (Combustion/RCA)

Moves 48-46*

2581 points, 692 spins

2 adds: KKWF, WGGY

OLD DOMINION f/M. MORONEY/Can’t Break Up Now (Columbia)

Debuts 47*

2502 points, 645 spins

10 adds: KKGO, KKWF, KMNB*, KNIX, WAVW, WLFP*, WSOC, WUSH, WUSY, WWQM

DIERKS BENTLEY/Something Real (Capitol)

Moves 49-48*

2304 points, 617 spins; No adds

T. RHETT f/M. WALLEN/Mamaw’s House (Big Loud/Valory)

Debut 49*

2294 points, 544 spins

40 adds, including: KAWO, KHGE, KKBQ, KWBL, PCCO, WBEE, WGNA, WKIS, WQDR, WYNK

BRETT YOUNG/Dance With You (BMLGR)

Debut 50*

2229 points, 608 spins

1 add: WAVW

EASTON CORBIN/Marry That Girl (Stone Country)

2167 points, 670 spins; No adds

M. RAY f/M. PATRICK/Spirits And Demons (Riser House/Warner/WEA)

2063 points, 610 spins

2 adds: KUZZ, WXKC

HANNAH ELLIS/Wine Country (Curb)

1986 points, 590 spins

2 adds: KWNR, WCKT

CHRIS YOUNG/Young Love & Saturday Nights (RCA)

1835 points, 457 spins

4 adds: KNCI, WBWL, WUSN, WXTU

©2023

ADD DATES

Send yours to adds@countryaircheck.com

OCTOBER 16

CALEB ORR/Can’t Break You (--)

LUKE COMBS/ Where the Wild Things Are (River House/Columbia)

OCTOBER 23

HUNTERGIRL/Ain’t About You (19 Recordings/Wheelhouse)

IAN MUNSICK/Long Live Cowgirls (Warner/WEA)

OCTOBER 30

PARMALEE/Gonna Love You (Stoney Creek)

CHECK OUT

OCTOBER 13

Riley Green Ain’t My Last Rodeo (BMLGR)

In addition to several new tracks, including songs with Jelly Roll (“Copenhagen In A Cadillac”) and Luke Combs (“Different Round Here”), the 12-track project features a cover of Tim McGraw’s “Damn Country Music” and songs Green has been testing on social media like “Mississippi Or Me,” “Raised Up Right,” and “God Made A Good Ol’ Boy.”

Charlie Worsham Compadres (WMN)

The five-track, Jaren Johnston-produced album features collaborations with Dierks Bentley, Luke Combs, Elle King, Kip Moore and Lainey Wilson. “The whole idea behind Compadres is to celebrate the friendships I’ve made through music over the past decade,” he says. “I think fans will be able to hear how much fun we had making this project, and I think they’ll also hear how each of these songs tells a different part of my story.”

Kylie Morgan Making It Up As I Go (EMI Nashville)

“This album is for the in-betweeners,” Morgan says of her debut LP. “The ones who pretend to have it all figured out but are still finding out where they want to go, who they want to be and how to get there.” The 12-song track list features “If He Wanted To He Would,” “A Few Hearts Ago” and “Sugar Daddy,” as well as two self-penned songs.