September 25, 2023, Issue 877
Chart Year Update: More Morgan
In the final update before the official tally in Country Aircheck’s yearend print issue, the airplay chart share race and top songs of 2023 are coming into focus.
With five charting songs, two multi-week No. 1s and eight weeks with two songs simultaneously in the top 10, it should come as no surprise that Morgan Wallen has powered Big Loud to the top of the label ranking (see page 9). Meanwhile, Bailey Zimmerman has the top song so far (see Top 25, page 6).
Methodology: The 2023 chart year runs Nov. 6, 2022 to Nov. 11, 2023. Airplay points for this update were tabulated through Sept. 9, 2023. Songs that spent at least one week on the current chart in that window are credited for all current and recurrent airplay. Collaborations are credited to each artist’s label in full – each receives 100% of the airplay points amassed by the song. As always, airplay is from our friends and partners at Mediabase 24/7 Wallen’s five tracks (including “Thought You Should Know” [No. 2], “Last Night” [6] and “You Proof” [7]) are joined by Hardy’s collab with Lainey Wilson, “Wait In The Truck” (17) in boosting Big Loud’s 11.3% chart share more than two percentage points ahead of second place. Multiple releases from Luke Combs – “Going, Going, Gone” [9], “Fast Car” [24] and “Love You Anyway” [30]) – along with Old Dominion’s “Memory Lane” (26) fuel Columbia into the runnerup spot, ahead of MCA, which has two tracks from Jordan Davis (“What My World Spins Around” and “Next Thing You Know”) and Parker McCollum’s “Handle On You” within the top 30. As the end of the chart year approaches, and with two Wallen singles climbing the chart, the odds favor Big Loud claiming the Label of the Year title for the first time. The bigger question may be who is able to claim second place, with less than a percentage point separating Columbia and MCA.
Lon
–
Helton, Chris Huff (continued on page 9)
Mid-Air: Big Machine’s Brian Kelley (c) with WLFP/Memphis’ Chris Michaels and Erin Austin at the Mid-South Fair
NSHOF: Keith Urban
Spotlighting inductees ahead of the Oct. 11 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala continues with Keith Urban. Beyond his own hits – ranging from first No. 1 “But For The Grace Of God” to the longest running song on Country Aircheck’s Power Gold 100 “Somebody Like You” – he’s also written songs recorded by other artists. Among them, Tyler Hubbard’s “Dancin’ In The Country,” Breland’s “Throw It Back” and a Christmas song that Toby
Tracked Fantasy Football League
Keith may or may not have loved. See profiles of fellow inductees Kix Brooks here and Rafe Van Hoy here
At some point I realized the singer may not necessarily be the writer of the song, which was a shock. I thought Glen Campbell was this amazing songwriter who wrote “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston” and “By The Time I Get To Phoenix.” At whatever point I started reading credits I was like, “Who is Jimmy Webb? Why don’t more people know this guy?” The awareness that some people write all their material, some co-write and some don’t write at all – that there wasn’t any definitive way of going about it – has been reflected in my career of writing some, co-writing others and recording songs I didn’t write.
I was writing with Dave Loggins and asking him for advice. He slams his fist on the table, looks me in the eye and says, “If you’re going to take three minutes of my time, you better have something to say.” I was like, “Holy shit,” because Dave is a force to be reckoned with. But there’s definitely something to that. Even if it’s frivolous – sometimes people just need a cheeseburger rather than a steak – but have something to say.
Toby Keith cut a Christmas song I co-wrote somewhere in the ‘90s. “Jesus Gets Jealous Of Santa Claus.” I was at a bar on Lower Broadway one night, looked over in the corner and went, “Holy shit, that’s Toby Keith.” I’d never met him, but I’d heard that he had recorded our song. I went over, introduced myself and said, “I’m one of the writers on a song I think you just recorded.” He looks at me and goes, “Yeah, man, we cut it.” I said, “Oh, that’s great. Did you like the song?” He looks back and says, “We cut it, man.” I’m like, “That’s terrific. I appreciate it, but did you love the song?” He looks at me with this steely gaze and goes, “We cut it ... man.” I told Toby that story years later after I got to know him and he laughed, “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what was going on with me that day.”
I was extremely lucky to meet phenomenal writers early on – Dave Loggins, Harlan Howard, Kostas – eclectic, cool, really good songwriters. I learned so much on those trips downtown every day because it was not my comfort zone. A couple of legal pads and acoustics in a windowless room with a total stranger was not how I liked writing songs. My strengths weren’t in smart lyricism and crafted storytelling, they were
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in melody, riffs, hooks and singability. So I love working with great lyricists who can help me flesh out the story.
Most of my career, it’s been one person. Early on, Vernon Rust, then Monty Powell and Richard Marx for a few songs. Recently, Chase McGill has been that for me in a big way. They can frame the story in a much stronger way than what I’m able to do. There are exceptions when a song comes out exactly the way I want to say it, solo. But I tend to have a higher bar with the lyrics and would rather spar with somebody who’s bringing strength in that area.
Going to the country festival in Tamworth, Australia every year from the age of nine, I remember seeing bumper stickers for a songwriting organization. Their motto was, “First, the song.” That stayed with me as a kid. If you’ve got a song, you can do something. If you don’t have a song, it’s all just smoke and mirrors. You’ve got to have the song. –Chuck Aly
Chart Chat
Congratulations to Bailey Zimmerman, Kristen Williams, Anna Cage, Tom Martens, Stephanie Hagerty and the Warner/WEA promotion team on taking “Religiously” to No. 1. Zimmerman’s third single is also his third chart topper, making him just the 17 th artist in history to land their first three single releases at the top of the chart. Songwriters are Austin Shawn, Alex Palmer, Frank Romano, Marty James and Zimmerman
Kudos to Dennis Reese and the RCA crew on scoring 91 adds for “I Can Feel It” by Kane Brown This is Brown’s 10th release to top the CA/ MB Add Board.
Panel Update: Westwood One’s Hot Country (W1HC) and Mainstream Country (W1MC) were not included in this week’s chart data, but will be re-added to the panel once the required seven of 14 usable monitored days are available.
News & Notes
Jelly Roll is a headliner for Audacy’s Riptide Music Festival, set for Dec. 2-3 at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. WKIS/Miami is among the stations hosting exclusive ticket pre-sales beginning Sept. 26. Lineup and info here.
Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley is among the seven broadcasters who will be recognized for their lifetime achievements by The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation during the 2023 Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts luncheon and awards ceremony Nov. 14 at New York’s Gotham Hall.
2023 YTD Songs
Radio syndicator Key Networks will manage advertising for The Ashley & Brad Show, effective Jan. 1, 2024. The four-hour weekday show, hosted by Ashley Paige and Brad Abrell, is currently heard in 20 markets, and is available for all formats and dayparts.
Luke Laird will be featured in the next installment of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Poets and Prophets series Oct. 28 at 2:30pm CT at the museum’s Ford Theater. Details here
Zandi Holup has been signed to Big Loud Records. Her first single for the label, the TikTok hit “Gas Station Flowers,” is due Oct. 6.
Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker and Jake Owen will perform when Lady A’s Charles Kelley and his brothers, Josh and John, host their 2nd annual Sticks & Strings concert and golf tournament Nov. 19-20 at Columbia County Performing Arts Center in Evans, GA. Proceeds benefit golf, music and healthcare charities. Tickets here
Thompson Square, Jamie O›Neal, Ray Scott and Andy Griggs are among the more than 100 songwriters performing at the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival Oct. 4-8. Info here
Rosanne Cash donated four historic artifacts from her career to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, including a custombuilt guitar commissioned by her father, Johnny Cash, in 1979 as a birthday gift for Rosanne.
Tyler Childers (Album of the Year) and The War and Treaty (Duo/ Group of the Year) were among the winners at 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium Sept. 20.
Canadian country artist Michelle Wright, who had a Top 10 U.S. hit in 1992 with “Take It Like A Man” on Arista/Nashville, has signed with BFD/Audium Nashville. Her catalog on Savannah Records is being repackaged, beginning with the Dec. 8 release of The Wright Songs: An Acoustic Evening With Michelle Wright
The Week’s Top Stories
Full coverage at countryaircheck.com
• Triple Tigers’ new leadership trio and songwriter Rafe Van Hoy were featured in last week’s (9/18) Country Aircheck Weekly
• Matt Cooper was named WCYQ/Knoxville PD and afternoon cohost, succeeding Opie Joe. (CAT 9/21)
• Kevin Carroll is handling Country Aircheck sales on an interim basis. (CAT 9/20)
• Adam Baum/Bomb joined WNGC/Athens, GA as morning cohost. (CAT 9/19)
• Jeff Hunt added afternoon duties for WVPO & W247AE/ Stroudsburg, PA. (CAT 9/18)
• Chronicle: James ”Moby ” Carney, “Terry Diamond” Myers, “John Michaels” Fleming, Burt Sherwood
Chart Year Update: More Morgan
from page 1)
2023 Label Airplay Share To Date
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
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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
Federated WBYT/South Bend, IN PD Jesse Garcia is on the hunt for a morning host to succeed Zach Miller. Send résumés and airchecks to Garcia 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
WDEZ/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
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
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
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
NORTHEAST
Pamal Corp. Dir./Operations & Programming Kevin Callahan is seeking a full-time PD for Country WKLI/ Albany, NY. Send résumés and airchecks to him here
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
WILQ/Williamsport, PA Owner/GM Van Michael is looking for an OM/morning host to succeed Ted Minier. Send materials to Michael here
Seven Mountains WVPO/Stroudsburg, PA Chief Programming Officer JC Burton is searching for a PD/onair host to succeed Becca Lynn. The position also includes
OM duties over the three-station Stroudsburg cluster. Send résumés and airchecks to Burton 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
SOUTHEAST
Mississippi Broadcaster WOKK/Meridian, MS PD Todd Berry is searching for a live-and-local morning co-host. See the complete job posting here; send résumés, cover letters and airchecks to Berry here.
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.
Curtis WQDR/Raleigh PD Mike Biddle is searching for an APD/MD/midday personality to succeed Heather Davis. Complete job posting here; send résumés and airchecks to Biddle 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
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
Cumulus KSKS/Fresno, CA PD Andy Winford is seeking a morning host to join incumbent Jody Jo Mize See the complete job posting and apply here
Buck Owens KUZZ/Bakersfield, CA PD/on-air talent Brent Michaels is searching for an on-air morning talent or team. See the complete job posting here; send résumés and airchecks to Michaels 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
Cumulus KATC/Colorado Springs, CO OM Bobby Irwin is searching for a PD/morning co-host to succeed Bo Jaxon. Complete job description and application 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
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. Apply 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
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
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.”
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
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 - DALLAS
COUNTRY AIRCHECK ACTIVITY
SAM HUNT/Outskirts (MCA)
Moves 42-45*
2956 points, 799 spins
3 adds: KXKT, WMAD, WOGK
DILLON CARMICHAEL/Drinkin’ Problems (Riser House)
Moves 45-46*
2906 points, 839 spins
1 add: WPCV*
CHASE MATTHEW/Love You Again (Warner/WAR)
Moves 46-47*
2564 points, 793 spins
1 add: WBWL
KANE BROWN/I Can Feel It (RCA)
Debut 48*
2332 points, 606 spins
91 adds, including: KBEQ, KEEY, KKIX, KSCS*, KUPL, KWJJ, WCYQ*, WIRK, WKRO, WQDR
COREY KENT/Something’s Gonna Kill Me (Combustion/RCA)
Moves 47-49*
2267 points, 601 spins
4 adds: KUPL, WKSJ, WNCY, WYCT*
EASTON CORBIN/Marry That Girl (Stone Country)
Remains at 50*
2188 points, 683 spins
1 add: WPGB
