November 20, 2017, Issue 577
Artists On Board
Not only have Kix Brooks, Terri Clark, Tracy Lawrence and Chuck Wicks had success on Country radio – they’re making their mark in it. Country Aircheck spoke to them about being on the other side of the mic. Hero Worship: Clark first airchecked as part of Cumulus’ America’s Morning Show team in 2013 (with Wicks, Blair Garner, Lee Ann Womack and Sunny Sweeney) and now hosts Westwood One’s Country Gold. A radio gig was her lifelong dream. “I’ve always been a fan of listening to the radio and gotten Kix Brooks attached to certain personalities and deejays,” she says. “They were the stars. I wanted a shot of being part of that. To me, it’s expanding your brand and thinking outside the box. Reba told me years ago, always try different opportunities when they come along. It keeps you fresh, it keeps you challenged – and she was right.” Lawrence hosts Compass/Silverfish’s Honky Terri Clark Tonkin’ With Tracy Lawrence and cites former WSIX-FM/Nashville afternoon team Carl P. Mayfield and Dean Warfield as inspirations. “When things were rockin’ in the ‘90s, I would call Carl P. every day in the afternoon drive,” he says. “I was on that show a lot.” Lawrence also names WSM-AM’s Bill Cody and Devin O’Day, KNIX/Phoenix’s Tim Hattrick and Willy D Loon, and Spotify’s John Marks as early encouragers. “I was called in many times as a Tracy Lawrence guest deejay before (continued on page 5)
Grist Jockeys: Big Loud’s Jake Owen (r) is interviewed by Jimmy Buffett (l) and Michael Utley as their alter egos Bing and Bong before the Florida Hurricane Benefit Concert in Tallahassee last night (11/19).
Remembering Mel Tillis
The late Country Music Hall of Famer wasn’t just a songwriter, artist, performer, actor and publisher, he was a student of the business. Mel Tillis is also remembered for helping bring country to a wider audience. The Oak Ridge Boys’ Duane Allen appreciated Tillis’ early support and the lessons he imparted. “He taught me how to release
Mel Tillis
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