Issuu

January 2, 2018, Issue 582

Good News, Glad News: 2017

To exactly nobody’s surprise, format-wide PPM ratings took a hit in December monthlies published last week (details on page 10). According to Nielsen Audio, Country was down November to December 7.5 to 7.1 (Persons 6+), 8.3 to 7.7 (P18-34) and 7.1 to 6.6 (P25-54). The format was up by one tenth of a point from December 2016 (P6+), however. Expectedly, AC enjoyed the biggest share of holiday listening, delivering a 10.5 P6+ for December. Drill down on those numbers here. Year over year, however, Country radio listening grew in 2017, at least as measured in PPM markets 6+. With the exception of December, each month of last year exceeded the aggregate share of 2016 (see graph page 10). Taken as a whole, January-to-December shares were up 2% over 2016 in metered markets. With a new major market sign-on in Denver, could 2018 be poised for even more growth?

Programming Note

Charts will return with next week’s issue (Jan. 8) and as always to start a new year will run trendless – no bullets, last week rank, or plus-or-minus points and plays. And now, on with stories that happened over the break...

Finally, A Use For Algebra

BMI won its consent decree against the U.S. Dept. of Justice, allowing for the practice of fractional licensing. While the performing rights org was ebullient, broadcasters were less so. “This is a massive victory for songwriters, composers, music publishers and the entire industry,” says BMI Pres./CEO Mike O’Neill. “We have said from the very beginning that BMI’s consent decree allowed for fractional licensing, and we are incredibly Mike O’Neill gratified that Judge Stanton and the Second

Pumped Up Kix: The WGKX (Kix)/Memphis team celebrates money raised during their St. Jude radiothon. Pictured (l-r) are the station’s Ariel Sawyer, Lana DeLuca, Kay Manley, Rachel Mueller, Duane Shannon, Abby Summers and Cory Wiggs and St. Jude staffers.

Circuit agreed with our position. We thank all the songwriters, composers, publishers and organizations who supported us throughout this process, which unfortunately, has been a nearly two-year distraction from our original intent, which was to update our outdated consent decree and modernize music licensing. We look forward to our continued efforts to protect and Dennis Wharton grow the value of music.” Meanwhile, NAB VP/Communications Dennis Wharton said, “NAB is extremely disappointed with the court’s decision allowing fractional licensing of BMI songs played on radio and television stations, as well as in countless venues

© 2 0 1 8 Co u n t r y A i rc h e c k ™ — A l l r i g h t s r e s e r v e d . S i g n u p f re e a t w w w. c o u n t r y a i rc h e c k . c o m . S e n d n e w s t o n e w s @ c o u n t r y a i rc h e c k . c o m

January 2, 2018

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Sweater Fest: MCA’s Jordan Davis and the UMG/Nashville team show their support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by wearing Davis’ limited edition “Single All The Way” holiday sweater.

across America. If sustained, this decision could disrupt the music licensing marketplace and impede the delivery of music to listeners and viewers, resulting in less airplay of their favorite songs. “For decades, NAB and BMI have had a mutually beneficial relationship that has benefited songwriters, broadcasters and tens of millions of listeners who enjoy hearing their favorite songs on free and local radio and television. We look forwarding to finding common ground with our songwriter friends to continue that partnership.”

Blake’s Back

Warner Bros./WMN’s Blake Shelton has re-signed with the label, which has been his home for 17 years. “I remember my first trip to Nashville in 1994,“ says Shelton. “I drove down Music Row and don’t know why, but when I passed the Warner Bros. building I said, ’That’s the label I want to be on!’ Now, all these years later, I’m proud to have spent my entire recording career with such a great company.

Blake Shelton

I look forward to more incredible years with my Warner family.“ Adds WMN Chairman/CEO John Esposito, “Blake, Narvel Blackstock and the whole label team put a stake in the ground years ago to prove that Blake was going to do unprecedented things in this business and be the artist to help us bring Warner back to greatness. Blake indeed has and will continue to break new ground.”

Amarillo Frequency Move

Cumulus KPUR/Amarillo, TX is moving from 107.1 on the dial to the 100,000-watt signal at 95.7 on Jan. 15. Concurrently, sister station KARX will make the move to 107.1. “Once flipped, Texas Country 95.7, The Armadillo will have a significantly stronger signal and better coverage in the market, allowing the burgeoning Country station to reach Texas Red Dirt Country music lovers in towns surrounding Amarillo and making it the most powerful station in the U.S. to broadcast exclusively independent Texas Red Dirt Country music,” says the station in a statement. Once the stations flip, their new websites, www.kpur957.com and www.1071nashicon.com, will also go live. No changes in personnel or programming will occur on either station as a result of the flip.

January 2, 2018

MY TUNES: MUSIC THAT SHAPED MY LIFE Former iHeartMedia Tampa SVPP Travis Daily discusses his most influential music: 1. Chris LeDoux: We had dinner when I was a punk kid air talent. I said I was going to be a big-time morning guy one day and make all kinds of money ... like we all say when we are young and dumb. He said, “Life is too short to ever take a job for the money. Travis Concentrate on the fun you’re having now Daily and you won’t care what you make. Don’t spend a lot of time doing things you don’t want to do.” That had a profound impact on me. I have always tried to make sure my staff and I have fun and build something special. I never got a chance to tell LeDoux the impact he had on me. 2. Big Kenny: He said, “Just be great and the audience will come.” From that day forward I wrapped up my staff coaching sessions and meetings with, “Let’s go be great and the audience will come.” I probably did tell Kenny how it impacted me, but we may have had a buzz on and he may not have remembered. 3. Pat Green’s “Carry On”: Cranking Pat Green with the windows down on the way home resets my stress level. 4. Eric Church’s Mr. Misunderstood: It’s a reminder to make everything I do on a radio station memorable and truly connect. Eric Church puts on a show that is on another level. I would pay to see Eric any time ... and a lot more than he charges. 5. Allman Brothers at Red Rocks: I was lucky enough to see them more than once at Red Rocks. After you see something like that it’s really hard to put anything on the same playing field. • Highly regarded music you’ve actually never heard: I have gone to listen to Jason Isbell a hundred times and for some reason something always happens. • “Important” music you just don’t get: Everyone I know seems to love that Cardi B song, “Bodak Yellow.” • An album you listened to incessantly: Chris Stapleton’s Traveller. • An obscure or non-country song everyone should listen to right now: Anything from Shinedown. I don’t trust people who don’t like Shinedown at least a little. • Music you’d rather not admit to enjoying: I took my kid to see Five Finger Death Punch with Shinedown. I bought every Shinedown album after that, as well as more FFDP than I care to admit.

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Murphy To Lubbock

Alpha Media/Lubbock Account Exec. Colleen Murphy has been promoted to Dir./Sales. Murphy has been with the company for nine years. “Colleen’s understanding of how to make radio and digital work successfully and her on-the-street leadership qualities are exactly the tools any great sales leader should possess,” says Alpha/Lubbock MM Jay Richardson. Reach Murphy here.

Colleen Murphy

UMG, Facebook Make Deal

Facebook and Universal Music Group have agreed to license recorded music and publishing catalogs for video and other social experiences across Facebook, Instagram and Oculus. “There is a magnetic relationship between music and community building,” says Facebook Head of Music Business Development & Partnerships Tamara Hrivnak. “Together, Facebook and UMG are creating a dynamic new model for collaboration between music companies and social platforms to advance the interests of recording artists and songwriters while enhancing the social experience of music for their fans,” adds UMG VP/Digital Strategy Michael Nash.

Modern Music

US Reps. Doug Collins (R-GA) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) introduced the Music Modernization Act of 2017, Bill HR 4706, Dec 21. ASCAP, BMI, NMPA, NSAI and SONA released a joint statement on the bill: “We strongly support the introduction of the Music Modernization Act which represents months of collaboration and compromise between the songwriting and tech industries. This legislation enables digital music companies to find the owners of the music they use and reforms the rate setting process for performing rights, ensuring that songwriters and music publishers are paid faster and more fairly than ever before.” Read the full statement here.

Snow Man

Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley will headline the inaugural Snowmass Celebrity Ski Fest, presented by ASCAP, Feb. 21-22 in the Colorado Rockies. Proceeds will benefit LadyAID, the trio’s children’s charity. More info here.

January 2, 2018

Chart Chat

Kudos to Chris Palmer and the Valory team on landing 17 adds for Thomas Rhett’s “Marry Me,” topping this week’s board.

PBR:The Non-Label Label

When the Professional Bull Riders Thomas Rhett announced the launch of PBR Music last year (CAT 10/18), was it a bellwether for brands and music? PBR’s first foray into the music business centers on their first and only artist signee, newcomer Ryan Weaver. While companies partnering with entertainers is a time-honored strategy, PBR’s move goes a few steps further. Music has certainly been a key element of the Pueblo, CObased organization’s events. In 2017, PBR featured Warrant’s cover of Merle Haggard’s “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” inside arenas during competition. More than simply licensing the track, PBR also owns the master. In the past they’ve licensed Steven Tyler’s “Hold On (Won’t Let Go)” on CBS broadcasts (think Hank Williams, Jr.’s “Are You Ready For Some Football”), and Gary Allan’s “Set You Free” was part of their marketing for three years. PBR Music was started to create original music that relates to riders, bulls and the brand, and a spokesperson says owning songs and masters gives considerably more Ryan Weaver flexibility in establishing a theme. To wit, PBR doesn’t face licensing fees every time it creates content around or including a song. Last year, PBR dedicated its 27-event tour to local heroes under the Celebrate America banner. That’s where Weaver enters the picture. It all started when PBR CEO Sean Gleason saw Weaver perform. “He came onstage like a twister and didn’t stop through the entire performance,” says Gleason. “It wasn’t a big crowd, but you would have thought he was performing at a sold-out Madison Square Garden.” Weaver served in the military and lost a brother and brother-in-law in Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively, giving weight to the patriotic themes that unify his music and PBR’s branding. Gleason gave the performer his card, and several months later, asked him to join the Celebrate America campaign. Eventually, Sean Gleason

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A D D DAT E S January 8 LUKE COMBS/One Number Away (River House/Columbia) SUGARLAND/Still The Same (Big Machine) Luke Bryan/Most People Are Good (Capitol)

January 16 Walker McGuire/Lost (Wheelhouse) JOSH GRACIN/Nothin Like Us (Rebel Road/1608) Brothers Osborne/Shoot Me Straight (EMI Nashville)

January 22 Jillian Jacqueline/Reasons (Big Loud) KID ROCK/American Rock ‘N Roll (Red Bow) Send yours to adds@countryaircheck.com

that led to the creation of PBR Music and Weaver being the first artist signed. He will be the voice of their 2018 campaign, sing at events, participate in fan engagement, appear in their marketing and commercials and perform in the opening of their broadcasts on CBS-TV. Unlike a traditional label, there is no break even point. Instead, the focus is on promoting PBR while growing Weaver’s career. PBR’s current marketing teams will add PBR Music to their responsibilities, promoting Weaver’s EP – Celebrate America, naturally – in conjunction with 2018 tour stops that include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta. Beyond the 82 million rodeo fans in five countries PBR says it touches, Weaver will also tour in markets the PBR doesn’t visit. The O&O aspect of PBR Music also has the potential to flip expense into revenue as having publishing rights makes the songs it owns and uses royalty earners. And PBR isn’t the first brand to rope in music in new ways. Cracker Barrel won a Grammy last year, after all (CAW 3/13/17). As a new artist launch, however, Weaver is in a unique position. Whether his path becomes a template or is the exception that proves the rule remains to be seen. Unlike other PBR stars, however, he’ll have more than eight seconds to prove himself. –Paul Williams CAC

January 2, 2018

December 2017 PPM Scoreboard

Country radio shares were down by 5% compared to last month. Of the subscribing 85 stations listed, 20 increased, 56 decreased and nine were flat. The cume leader was Cumulus’ KPLX/Dallas with 1,258,200. Mt.

Station/City

November 6+ Rank December 6+ Rank November Share Cume Share

WKHX/Atlanta 3.7 WUBL/Atlanta 4.1 KASE/Austin^ 4.6 KVET/Austin^ 7.5 KOKE/Austin 2.3 WPOC/Baltimore 7.2 WKLB/Boston 4.6 WBWL/Boston 2.4 WCTK/Providence (Boston) 0.9 WKKT/Charlotte 6.1 WSOC/Charlotte 5.7 WEBG/Chicago 1.8 WUSN/Chicago 3.9 WNNF/Cincinnati 1.8 WUBE/Cincinnati^ 8.2 WYGY/Cincinnati^ 1.1 WGAR/Cleveland 7.6 WCOL/Columbus, OH 11.8 KPLX/Dallas^ 5.0 KSCS/Dallas^ 4.6 KWOF/Denver 2.0 KYGO/Denver 6.0 WDRQ/Detroit 2.2 WYCD/Detroit 5.0 WPAW/Greensboro 5.8 WTQR/Greensboro 7.1 WWYZ/Hartford 6.5 KILT/Houston 3.4 KKBQ/Houston^ 4.5 KTHT/Houston^+ 2.0 WFMS/Indianapolis 7.5 WLHK/Indianapolis 7.1 WGNE/Jacksonville 4.4 WQIK/Jacksonville 12.3 KBEQ/Kansas City^ 4.2 KFKF/Kansas City^ 6.1 WDAF/Kansas City 4.5 KCYE/Las Vegas 3.9 KWNR/Las Vegas 5.4 KKGO/Los Angeles 2.5 WGKX/Memphis 4.9 WLFP/Memphis 2.8 WKIS/Miami 2.4 WKMK/Monmouth (Middlesex) 0.8

December Cume

13 3.4 13t 587,400 590,800 11 4.2 8 600,800 635,700 7t 4.5 7t 306,200 312,400 3 6.2 4t 372,600 351,900 16t 1.9 18t 113,900 108,700 2 6.2 3 411,100 398,900 8 4.4 8 640,600 644,600 17 2.2 17 457,900 451,600 23 0.9 23t 156,700 144,300 2t 5.2 7 455,600 418,100 5 6.0 4 430,600 424,200 24 1.6 23 779,500 743,500 4t 3.7 6t 1,036,100 947,500 17 2.2 15 197,700 204,600 2 6.8 4 464,500 428,700 21 1.1 19t 123,400 126,000 3 7.7 3 439,300 416,900 1 11.3 1 507,200 569,200 1t 4.8 5t 1,175,900 1,258,200 4 4.5 7 1,062,500 1,021,500 20t 2.0 21 265,900 235,200 1t 5.7 2 555,700 521,000 18 2.2 18 457,500 456,900 7t 4.3 10 716,600 710,900 6 6.0 5 270,200 253,500 4 5.6 6 276,400 246,100 5 6.2 6t 222,300 201,700 15 3.4 13t 1,041,500 909,700 8 4.7 4 1,121,800 1,043,000 22 2.1 20t 521,100 480,200 2 6.6 4 379,600 349,100 3 6.4 5 363,100 340,900 9 3.9 9t 226,600 226,500 1 11.0 1 343,300 311,600 10 3.9 11 336,900 293,300 3 5.1 6 363,000 324,100 8 4.9 8 281,000 275,400 8t 3.7 9 269,400 247,500 4 4.1 5 295,000 271,900 15t 2.1 20t 1,244,100 1,257,100 8 3.7 9 181,600 158,500 14 2.5 14 119,200 130,100 17t 2.4 17t 474,300 500,300 26 1.0 25 43,400 45,300

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Wilson’s KKGO/Los Angeles was second with 1,257,100. Legend: A “+” indicates a Classic Country outlet; a “^” designates coowned Country stations in the metro; “t” indicates a tie; and a “*” indicates a station best in that statistic. Ranks are among subscribers.

Station/City

November 6+ Rank December 6+ Rank Share Share

WNSH/New York (Middlesex) 3.4 WKTI/Milwaukee 4.4 WMIL/Milwaukee 4.3 KEEY/Minneapolis 4.7 KMNB/Minneapolis 3.7 WKDF/Nashville^ 3.3 WSIX/Nashville 5.1 WSM-FM/Nashville^ 5.9 WSM-AM/Nashville 1.5 WSIX HD2/Nashville 1.0 WNSH/New York (Nassau) 1.7 WNSH/New York 2.4 WWKA/Orlando 3.8 KMLE/Phoenix 3.2 KNIX/Phoenix 4.0 WXTU/Philadelphia 3.9 WDSY/Pittsburgh 5.0 WPGB/Pittsburgh 3.0 KWJJ/Portland 4.0 KUPL/Portland 4.4 WCTK/Providence 8.2 WNCB/Raleigh 3.1 WQDR/Raleigh 6.9 KFRG/Riverside 4.5 KBEB/Sacramento 1.8 KNCI/Sacramento 5.0 KNTY/Sacramento 2.6 KEGA/Salt Lake City 1.4 KSOP/Salt Lake City ^ 5.0 KUBL/Salt Lake City 4.7 KAJA/San Antonio 4.4 KCYY/San Antonio^ 5.8 KKYX-AM/San Antonio^+ 1.7 KSON/San Diego 4.6 KRTY/San Jose 4.2 KKWF/Seattle 2.9 KMPS/Seattle 3.8 KSD/St. Louis 3.5 WIL/St. Louis 6.2 WFUS/Tampa 5.9 WQYK/Tampa 4.9 WMZQ/Washington 3.6 WIRK/West Palm Beach 3.9

12 8 9 10 12 13 9 6 17 21t 21t 16 11t 13t 9t 10t 8 12 10 7t 3 13t 3t 3 18 5 14 23 6 7 6t 3 22t 6t 6t 18t 8t 13t 4 2 6 9t 8

November Cume

December Cume

3.2 12 168,100 159,500 4.4 9 264,200 255,400 3.9 11t 320,300 285,200 4.6 9 618,400 567,700 3.6 13 514,200 502,600 3.6 12 244,600 262,100 4.9 9 285,100 291,800 5.6 7 306,100 286,700 0.7 23 30,600 22,800 0.9 21 69,100 60,300 1.6 21t 176,200 147,700 2.3 16 1,047,800 1,004,600 4.2 9 248,000 236,500 3.4 11t 557,600 537,00 3.7 10 612,100 632,700 3.9 7 739,400 669,400 4.0 9t 348,500 327,800 2.8 12 235,800 257,800 3.7 10t 391,700 349,400 4.0 9 385,500 327,400 7.7 4 345,300 323,800 3.3 13 212,100 205,900 6.7 4 314,300 285,900 4.8 3 336,400 296,700 1.9 17t 160,400 187,600 4.5 5t 330,900 330,400 2.8 13t 212,700 202,800 1.1 24t 164,800 136,100 5.4 3t 270,100 263,000 4.1 8 340,800 332,000 4.1 9 547,500 496,900 5.3 4 643,600 575,500 1.5 22t 145,200 121,900 3.7 12t 420,600 386,400 4.4 8 207,500 195,600 3.4 12t 416,200 468,700 3.2 15t 465,800 489,900 3.7 11 441,000 426,800 5.3 7 535,000 522,300 6.0 3 471,200 448,300 4.9 5t 430,900 374,600 3.2 12 532,200 518,500 4.6 5 150,900 161,700

2017 2016

Format-Wide PPM Ratings Aggregate share for Nielsen Audio subscribing stations month to month.

January 2, 2018

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Seek & Employ Available Jobs

Here’s a list of job seekers and open gigs. Not listed? Send info here and we’ll include you in a future update:

Midwest WNCY/Green Bay-Appleton, WI is looking for an afternoon drive host. Send materials here.

Beasley WQYK/Tampa is looking for a PD. Send materials here.

Entercom KKWF/Seattle is looking for a morning show cohost. Details here.

Cumulus KSCS/Dallas is looking for an APD/MD/afternoon host. Send materials here.

Scripps WKTI/Milwaukee is looking for a morning show host here.

Binnie Media-Maine is searching for a Dir./Traffic and a part-time Sales Assistant in Portland, for its stations which include Country WTHT and WBQQ. Send materials here.

Scripps KVOO/Tulsa is looking for a morning show co-host here.

Midwest KVOX/Fargo has an unspecified on-air opening. Send airchecks and resumes here.

CMA is looking for a Market Research Analyst. Send cover letter, résumé and salary requirements here.

Hubbard KVRQ/Seattle is looking for a Program Director, morning show and on-air host here.

ACM is looking for an Asst./Creative & Marketing. Send résumé here.

Cumulus KQFC/Boise is looking for an afternoon host who can also handle afternoon traffic and production for the five-station cluster. Details here. Townsquare WXXQ/Rockford, IL is looking for an afternoon host who also has social media skills. Send materials here. Consultant Joel Raab has two client stations looking for a PD and an APD/MD in two different Top 100 markets. Send materials here. iHeartMedia WMZQ/Washington is looking for an MD/evening host. Send materials here. iHeartMedia/Tampa is looking for a Sr. Dir./Promotions. Apply here. OB WOGK/Ocala, FL is looking for an experienced on-air talent with production skills. Send materials here. Cumulus WIVK/Knoxville is looking for a morning show Exec./Producer. Apply here. Summit WQNU/Louisville is looking for an APD/MD/on-air host. Submit materials here.

Saga WPOR/Portland, ME is looking for a PD. Details here.

Searching

•Kris Stevens Former WKKT/Charlotte afternoon host 610-762-8332 radiobigkat@gmail.com

• Jeff Roper Former KCYY/San Antonio APD/MD/morning host 210-790-7099 ropershow@gmail.com • Blake Nixon Former In2une Regional and WMN Coordinator 615-498-0988 blake.nixon@comcast.net • Jordan Pettit Former WMN VP/Promotion and Redbrandana Partner jordan.pettit@gmail.com