December 5, 2016, Issue 529
Beginning To Sound A Lot Like...
‘Tis the season for holiday music. For programmers, that means reaching back for a popular country classic and looking through the new releases for another perennial yuletide gem. Country Aircheck asked a few folks for their thoughts, and even for a personal favorite that may or may not be something they actually put into rotation. We’ll start with a Carol ... because Christmas. KFDI/Wichita APD/MD Carol Hughes Go-To Christmas Gold: “Christmas Cookies,” George Strait. “My audience loves it. They also love ‘Where Are You Christmas’ by Faith Hill, Vince Vance & The Valiants ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ and ‘Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy’ by Garth Brooks or Brad Paisley. Both versions are great.” New Future Staple: “’Ugly Christmas Sweater’ by Garth. Also, ‘It Must Be Christmas’ by Chris Young and ‘Glow’ by Brett Eldredge. The brilliant thing about each of those songs is they feel like songs you’ve heard before, and that’s the key to Carol Hughes introducing a new Christmas song to the playlist.” Personal Fave: “’Let It Be Christmas’ by Alan Jackson. I love everything about that song. Least favorite (even though you didn’t ask) is ‘Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.’ I never want to hear it again.” CBS Radio VP/Country Jeff Kapugi “Overall I am not a big Christmas music fan, but my wife is, so I get to hear a ton of it in the house each holiday season.” Go-To Christmas Gold: “Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.’ My mom played this one until it wore out when I was a Jeff Kapugi kid. Brings back great holiday memories. My wife’s go-to is Diana Krall.” New Future Staple: Lots of solid new original and standard Christmas music out this year from Chris Young, Brett Eldredge,
Ring The Bell: Cox/Houston staffers from Country KKBQ, Classic Country KTHT and Classic Rock KGLK tote a $655,329 total from their 12th annual Texas Children’s Hospital Radiothon. Pictured (clockwise from anywhere) are really. good. folks. See more of them on pages 5, 7 and 8.
Kacey Musgraves, Rascal Flatts, Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood and Reba McEntire that I think we’ll hear a lot of for years to come.” Personal Fave: “’Slick Nick You Devil You’ by Fishbone. Total obscure tune from an old Sony Christmas promo title ‘Tis The Sampler that featured Springsteen and Tony Bennett. My wife and I fell in love with it. If you’ve never heard it, google and give it a listen. Hysterical.“ Hall VP/Programming Bob Walker Go-To Christmas Gold: Jackson’s “Let It Be Christmas.” “A true staple that Country radio cultivated and owns. I don’t think there is another song that captures the whole of Christmastime in America like this one. [Strait’s “Cookies”] is another Country owns that brings back memories of growing up, Bob Walker mixed with those of holiday festivities with one’s current family.” (continued on page 7)
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