February 21, 2017, Issue 538
Programmer Booked For Agency Work
If there’s precedent for CAA’s hire of former iHeartMedia/ Nashville SVP/Programming Michael Bryan (CAT 1/30), it’s not readily apparent. Country Aircheck spoke to Bryan about his still-developing role, getting closer to the music discovery process and his new view of radio. CA: What is this new job? MB: The basic idea is to dig even deeper into the offerings we have for clients. Based on my experience in developing air talent and also how keenly aware I am of the music discovery process, I’m here to help young and emerging artists develop their careers on a deeper level. It’s an incubator in some ways and something nobody else offers in this space. The good news is it’s a blank canvas and I have the opportunity to build a department that serves our clients in all genres. Doing what, specifically? Michael Bryan Each client relationship is different. One might be focused on the A&R process and picking the best songs. Another might be how to positively affect social media. Another client might need media training – help learning how to interview. So it’s a broad suite of offerings. Is this primarily for artists who are pre-label? Not necessarily. It just depends where we can identify areas to help lift a client’s career. I’ve already had some great conversations on the label side, and they’re all looking for strength in the overall team. If you look at the artist’s career as a board of directors, this just gives [CAA] a deeper, bigger seat at the table. And all these conversations happen within the team, no one person decides, it’s collaborative. Could this be viewed as an (continued on page 9)
Two Of A Kind: Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase accept the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award and celebrate with Trisha Yearwood (l), Kingsley (c) and Garth Brooks (r) Monday evening in Nashville.
Legendary Night For Crook & Chase
For 34 years and counting, Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase have been championing country music artists and entertaining fans. Last night (2/20) it was their turn to sit back and enjoy the show. The longtime co-hosts were surprised with the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award during an intimate celebration held on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House. Opry Entertainment President Steve Buchanan said the event has raised more than $120,000 for the Opry Trust Fund since its inception four years ago. Colleagues including radio host Cathy Martindale turned out to toast the duo best known as Crook & Chase. “They’ve spent a lifetime knowing everything that goes on in Nashville,” she said,
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