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October 14, 2019, Issue 674

Programming: Do You Hear What I Hear?

Year-end may be a breather for record labels, but Country stations are busy with challenges unique to the season. The chart freeze brings respite from calls about adds and spin counts, but PDs, APDs and MDs are making decisions in an environment in which, typically, at least one station in their market has gone allChristmas. With all there is going on – and ahead of the inevitable Halloween-adjacent flips by eager AC programmers – Country Aircheck asked around about tactics, strategies and best practices for Yuletide cheer. On The Air There’s A Feeling... From a macro perspective, the elephant in the room market is typically an AC station that flips to holiday music early and vacuums up ratings Bob Walker in the process. What sets Country apart from other formats, however, is the ability to offer Christmas tunes from listeners’ favorite artists. “One of the biggest surprises during my 10 years at WCTK has been how much our fans like country Christmas music,” says Hall/ Providence VP/Programming Bob Walker. “We have a unique proposition the ACs cannot offer – country-textured Christmas music. “We have versions of the classics by Bob Barnett some of their all-time favorite artists, like Darius Rucker’s ‘Winter Wonderland,’ plus a strong list of unique classics,” Walker continues. He cites George Strait’s “Christmas Cookies,” Faith Hill’s “Where Are You Christmas” and Alan Jackson’s “Let It Be Christmas.” “A couple of years ago, we polled our fans and AJ’s ‘Let it Be Christmas’ was their favorite,” Walker says. “Then I checked Media Monitors and discovered ‘Let It Be Christmas’ was WCTK’s top scoring song from any genre in the month of December.” Entercom/Rochester VP/Programming Bob Barnett also places an emphasis on holiday music. “It’s been part of the fabric of the station since we signed on in the ‘80s,” he says. “It’s expected by the life group.

(continued on page 8)

No Pain, No Champagne: Wide Open/Records/GCE/Arista’s Matt Stell is surprised by WWKA/Orlando staffers with a balloon, cake and champagne to celebrate his No. 1 debut, “Prayed For You.” Pictured (l-r) are the station’s Ashley Stegbauer, Stell, the station’s Steve Stewart, the label’s Ali O’Connell and the station’s Melissa.

NSHoF: Rivers Rutherford

Spotlighting individual inductees leading up to tonight’s (10/14) Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala concludes with Rivers Rutherford. Born and raised mere blocks from Graceland, Rutherford learned to play guitar at seven using a big, orange songbook boasting 100 songs from – who else? – The King himself. From playing the Memphis Queen riverboat to clubs on Beale Street he wasn’t legally old enough to patronize, Rutherford’s love affair with music endured. That dedication eventually led to a chance meeting with producer/ Rivers Rutherford writer Chips Moman and, one challenge later, Rutherford had his first cut ... with a little group called The Highwaymen. The string of hits continued with “Shut Up And Drive” by Chely Wright, Kenny Chesney’s “Living

© 2 0 1 9 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 r c h e c k . c o m

October 14, 2019

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MY TUNES: Niko Moon RCA’s Niko Moon discusses his musical influences: 1. The Eagles’ Their Greatest Hits (1971– 1975): My favorite album of all time. 2: Will Hoge in Atlanta: It made me want to be an artist. 3. Frank Sinatra: I love all genres, and Frank Niko Moon is so timeless. Ol’ Blue Eyes will always be cool. 4. John Prine: He’s my favorite songwriter. The perfect example of how to write a song witty but simple at the same time. 5. “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen: Pure magic. I’ve never heard Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. I, of course, know their hits from the album, but I haven’t heard the whole thing. Growing up, I didn’t get The Beatles. But when I did grow up, it all clicked for me. I listened to The Eagles’ Greatest Hits album all of the time growing up. It’s unbelievable how many great songs they had. An obscure or non-country song everyone should listen to right now: My wife, Anna Moon, just released a single called “Tightrope.” Go check it out! (Watch the video here) Music you’d rather not admit to enjoying: Justin Bieber. I know a lot of people hate on him for whatever reasons, but I think he’s really talented and his songs are insanely catchy! In Fast Forward,” “Real Good Man” with Tim McGraw, “When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley featuring Dolly Parton and Brooks & Dunn’s “Ain’t Nothing ’Bout You.” I don’t remember a time before songwriting. I do remember playing a song I made up for my folks when I was about nine. My dad said, “That’s pretty good. Go Red, White & Crew: Rutherford (r) with Show write another Dog’s Toby Keith at a songwriting session. one.” I just kept

Flash Foreword: Gibson’s Dave Berryman, Blue Chair/ Warner/WEA’s Kenny Chesney, former ASCAP/Nashville head Connie Bradley and Rutherford (l-r) at the No. 1 party for the Rutherford co-penned “Living In Fast Forward.”

doing it. I remember a friend of my dad’s asking me when I was 1112, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I said, “I want to play rhythm guitar in a rock band and write all of the songs.” I met Chips Moman in 1988 when I was a junior at Ole Miss, and he agreed to pay me $100/week to write songs for him. He called me one day and asked if I’d ever heard of the song “Highwayman.” I hadn’t. He said, “Well, have you heard of The Highwaymen?” And I hadn’t. He asked about Waylon, Willie, Johnny and Kristofferson, and I remembered those guys. He looked at me and said, “You really don’t like country music, do you?” I told the truth, “Not really.” (laughs) He told me to go buy the single and write him the sequel. It’ll be a good exercise, he explained. So…I did. And “American Remains” was recorded by The Highwaymen about a month later. That was my first cut, and I didn’t make much money. It was a single, not a hit, and the album really didn’t sell much. It was one wife, two kids and eight years later before I had another song recorded. It didn’t even open that many doors, honestly, but it gave me the faith to continue. I never thought of myself as a singer until I got to Nashville and people convinced me to do records. Fortunately, none of it ever worked. I briefly thought I wanted to be an artist. I even told my wife at one point, “If I end up being just a songwriter, I’m

October 14, 2019

OFF THE RECORD: Craig Morgan Broken Bow’s Craig Morgan puts an industry spin on the artist interview: As a child, I listened to WSM-AM/Nashville, because it’s what my parents always had on the dial. As I got older, being from Nashville, I listened to WSIX, WKDF and WSM-FM. The first time I heard myself on the radio Craig I was in Dickson, TN driving around. The local Morgan station was playing one of my songs, and it was completely surreal. I immediately changed the station to see if anyone else was playing it. I will not disclose the name of the promotions rep who absolutely could not drive. He or she almost killed me two or three times, and I finally made them let me drive! My favorite road companion is my wife, because I get to sleep with her. Least favorite road companion is probably Mike, my utility player, because he talks too much. “The Father, My Son, and The Holy Ghost” is the song that woke me up at 3:30 in the morning. I tell people that God wrote it and I was just the outlet. It’s not a song I wanted to write nor sing, and in fact I still have trouble with it, but I do believe that it is a song that people should hear — especially those who are suffering from loss. My last impulse buy while out on the road was a weight set. I decided that day I wanted to exercise. I think I’ve used it twice. I don’t really consider myself a redneck. I was bush hogging some property recently and decided I wanted to run, so I ran back to the house a mile and a half in boots and jeans. That might be redneck. I wish I had written “One More Day” for all the obvious reasons. One of the most true-to-heart emotional songs I’ve ever heard. My road essentials are bicycle and running gear for triathlons. I try to exercise every chance I get. My least favorite interview question is…boxers or briefs? They have to be more creative. If I had to be stuck in any city other than home, I’d pick Trapper Creek, AK, because it’s not far from the place where I go to recharge. Beautiful, quiet, amazing place. I watch every healthy eating food show on Netflix over and over. I think I have seen The Magic Pill at least five times.

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going to jump off of the Batman building.” (laughs) And that’s a long way down. But, the truth is it couldn’t have worked out any better. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been able to do a lot of things in music. I still do a number of shows, produce records, play on records. But if I could just do one thing, put me in a room and I’ll make songs. Two of my favorite co-writers, Dave Berg and Tom Shapiro, were writing together and my name came up. Shapiro and I had just started working together, and he said, “I don’t know if Rivers enjoys writing with me.” Dave asked what he meant, and Tom had a drawer in a desk in his office with five or six cassettes full of pieces of songs we’d started and abandoned. Dave laughed, opened up his laptop and had like 200. So, I can’t say I really file away ideas. When I get one that I really like, it doesn’t last very long. I write it fairly quickly. Another time, I was writing with Trace Adkins and Kenny Beard. We had an idea, I threw out a verse and Trace was writing it down. I said, “Or, we could try something different.” Trace wadded up the piece of paper, got a new one and wrote what I’d said down. I said, “Or we could even...” He said, “Well, dammit Rivers, can you make your mind up?” Kenny chimed in, “Trace, Rivers is just trying on pants right now.” I don’t know if you can make being a Hall of Famer a goal. If you lose yourself in the process and try to be as honest as you know how to be, keep your bar high, and focus on the process, results will be what the results will be. The Ken Burns documentary talked a lot about the country music family. As writers, you really see that. Music Row is a family, and the most striking thing to me about being inducted is that it’s an official recognition that I’m part of the family. —Caitlin DeForest

Chart Chat

Congratulations to Matt Stell, Steve Hodges, Josh Easler and Arista promotion team, as well as the Good Company promotion crew – which has included Keith Gale, Jamice Jennings, Cliff Blake, Nathan Cruise, Keith Kauffman and RG Jones – on landing at No. 1 with “Prayed For You.” It is Stell’s debut radio single and the first No. 1 for the Good Company promo Matt Stell team. Songwriters are Ash Bowers, Allison Veltz and Stell. And kudos to Katie Dean and the MCA reps on notching 125 adds for Sam Hunt’s “Kinfolks,” topping this week’s board.

October 14, 2019

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News & Notes

Columbia’s Tim McGraw kicks off a five-city tour to promote his lifestyle book, Grit & Grace: Train the Mind, Train the Body, Own Your Life, Nov. 2 in Nashville. Schedule here. Dr. Jada Watson will speak to Change the Conversation Oct. 17 at BMI’s Nashville office, drawing on her recent work on gender representation in country music culture. More here. Stephens Media Group has closed on its purchase of 37 radio stations plus additional translators from Mapleton Communications, including Country KDRK/Spokane, WA; KAKT/Medford, OR; KUBB/Merced, CA; KPIG/Monterey, CA; KALF/Redding, CA; KMYY/Monroe, LA; and KLAA & Classic Country KBKK/Alexandria, LA.

The Week’s Top Stories

Full coverage at countryaircheck.com. • Spend One Week With Big Machine Dir./Northeast Promotion Brooke Diaz in Country Aircheck Weekly. • Caitlin “CJ” Johnson will join KKBQ/Houston for afternoons Nov. 11. (CAT 10/11) • WSLC/Roanoke’s David Lee Michaels was named PD. (CAT 10/10) • 2019 CMA Broadcast Award winners were revealed. (CAT 10/9) • Country Top 40’s Bob Kingsley is battling bladder cancer and turning the show over to guest hosts for a few weeks as he pursues treatment. (CAT 10/9) • WRTB/Rockford, IL’s Steve Summers signed a «lifetime agreement.» (CAT 10/8) • Mike Moore was named PD for WKHX/Atlanta. (CAT 10/7) • KCCY/Colorado Springs’ Shawn Patrick was upped to PD. (CAT 10/7)

Programming: Do You Hear What I Hear? (continued from page 1) We’ve done a significant amount of research on determining what’s appropriate in Rochester.” Both Walker and Barnett agree that familiar is best. “Our station has always promised a heaping helping of comfort food,” Walker says. “Christmas music allows us to do that in December. We do not play any new Christmas songs. The season is too short to vary from the comfort food strategy.” Adds Barnett, “We get so few playable new holiday songs

Upstate Of Mind: Warner/WAR’s Chris Janson (in hat) with WBBS/Syracuse, NY’s Rich Lauber and Tom Owens and the label’s Heather Propper (l-r).

now – unlike the ‘90s – it’s a moot point. When we get one or two new songs that are worth adding into the mix, they’re added as a holiday title in the appropriate holiday category, not as a current.” In San Jose, KRTY PD Julie Stevens keeps it balanced. “We play both classic and originals,” she says. “One of my big bugaboos over the years with Christmas music Julie Stevens is country can’t lay claim to the artists who created it – Sinatra, Martin, Crosby. So if you’re a Country station playing nothing but [classic] Christmas music, you are no longer a Country station.” While Christmas music helps a station meet listener expectations and compete with other(s) in the market, Stevens says it’s not really a business strategy. “Christmas music is a wash overall, because you can’t sell it. If I went 100% Christmas music

October 14, 2019

Wild West Side Story: Reviver’s Tenille Arts, songwriter/producer Alex Kline, SiriusXM’s Storme Warren and writer/performer David DeVaul (l-r) at the Wild West Songwriter’s Festival.

from the week before Thanksgiving till the day after Christmas, even if the results are big, the advertiser doesn’t believe the folks you pulled in will stick around after you stop. And they’d be right. Not one song that brought them to your station will be there on Jan. 2, so you’re right back where you started.” Soon It Will Be... Nevertheless, Christmas music is marching in to the beat of a little drummer boy. Exactly when it arrives and how it’s integrated, however, is up for discussion. “It truly depends on when Chicago decides winter starts,” says WUSN/Chicago APD/MD Marci Braun. “When the temperature drops and there’s white stuff on the ground, it just feels right to start playing Christmas music.” Gold and recurrent category slots are used for holiday Marci Braun tracks. “Our current rotation is not affected by Christmas tunes,” Braun says. Thanksgiving is a common benchmark. “WBEE starts holiday music on Black Friday, ramping up the number of songs per hour as we get closer to Dec. 25,” Barnett says. “Beginning on the last night of the Fall book, we’ll begin Saint Nick at Nite – holiday music from 7-10pm nightly. We go all Holiday music on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It has been effective in muting the ratings impact from the AC stations that go allChristmas, but it’s really to meet expectations of our core.” “We start sprinkling in holiday hits the day after Thanksgiving,” says KUPL/Portland PD MoJoe Roberts. “Just one every other hour or so and increase the frequency each week we get closer. From Dec. 23-25, we play several titles per hour in place of gold. I tend to lean on the top testing standards with a few Country Christmas titles as we get closer.”

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Walker also drops holiday music in for gold. “I run tight – usually 13-18 Christmas songs total starting on Black Friday through Christmas Eve at a recurrent level of rotation,” he says. “The songs all fill a gold position in the clocks, so the over-all quarter-hour balance stays the same. We go 100% Christmas midday on Dec. 24 until 6pm on Dec. 25, and that’s when we work in Bing, Burl and Nat MoJoe Roberts King Cole. We’re back to regular rotation on the Dec. 26.” City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks... With their music biz brethren taking a break, station staff find plenty to keep themselves occupied. “Yes, there are less calls from record reps, but it’s busier than ever,” says WOKQ/Portsmouth, NH Asst. Brand Manager/MD Jessica Tyler. “Covering shifts, tracking, loading specialty programming, holiday imaging – plus making Jess Tyler sure the game plan is set for January going into a brand new year – December is actually a very productive month for us. “The biggest challenge is getting in logs ahead of time to give jocks plenty of time to get tracking done,” Tyler continues. “I want to make sure the air staff can get some time off to spend with their families.” Braun loves the season, even when she’s at work. “I get so much accomplished those last two weeks of December,” she says. “It feels like a great time to decompress but also to get organized to hit the ground running in 2020. I don’t have to travel far for Christmas, so I’m able to be in the office.” Stations are also able to offer greater focus to retail clients, who are often in the busiest time. “Most advertisers are looking to run campaigns around that time of year,” says Stevens. Adds Walker, “Fitting everything we have committed to do into the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a big challenge. Our promo team pulls it off every year.” Tyler feels the industry’s community service pull more deeply. “One of the things that I love about being in radio, especially at Christmas, is a chance to really change someone’s holiday,” she says. “Everyone seems to come together to help where it’s needed. The overwhelming generosity from listeners still surprises me.” Also, it’s fun! “It’s really a great time of year to program if you like to be creative,” Walker says. “Sound bites from local kids, fans sharing Christmas memories, classic Christmas movie clips – the station really sounds like the season. We know the all-Christmas AC will win the month, but like the political primaries: you have to do well – even in the ones you don’t win. It’s all about setting the table for the new year.” –Sue Wilson

Lon Helton, lon@countryaircheck.com Chuck Aly, chuck@countryaircheck.com Caitlin DeForest, caitlin@countryaircheck.com Monta Vaden, monta@countryaircheck.com (615) 320-1450

SEEK & EMPLOY

October 14, 2019

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

Leighton KZPK/St. Cloud, MN is looking for a third voice to add to its Wild Wake Up with Kelly and Wood morning show. Interested personalities should send résumés and airchecks here. iHeartMedia/North Ohio RSVP/Programming Keith Kennedy is searching for an SVP/Programming to join the Mansfield, OH cluster, which includes Country WNCO. Interested candidates should send résumés and airchecks to Kennedy here. Mid-West Family WUSW/Springfield, IL is seeking an on-air personality. Regional OM Mark Van Allen is accepting résumés and airchecks here. Midwest/Fargo, ND VP/MM Dan Cash is searching for a Brand Mgr. for Country KVOX & Classic Country KMJO. Interested applicants can view the full job posting here; submit résumés, airchecks and links to social media content to Cash here. Also at KVOX, Mgr./FM Operations Corey “Zero” Schaffer is seeking a morning co-host. Send résumés, airchecks and social media examples to him here. Mid-West Family KQYB/La Crosse, WI has an opening for an afternoon personality. Interested candidates should send résumés and airchecks here. Adams WBTU/Fort Wayne, IN is looking for a midday personality. Send résumés and airchecks to OM JJ Fabini and PD Randy Alomar here. Townsquare WXXQ/Rockford, IL OM/Brand Mgr. “Sweet Lenny” Barber is on the hunt for an afternoon talent who can also handle Dir./Production duties. Apply here. Midwest WNCY/Appleton-Green Bay, WI Brand Mgr. Dan Stone is seeking a night jock. Send résumés and airchecks to him here. Flood KUSO/Norfolk, NE GM Angie Stenger is looking for a PD/morning co-host. Send résumés and airchecks to her here. Steel City KBEQ/Kansas City PD Todd Nixon is searching for a morning co-host and midday personality with at least two years of on-air experience and strong social media skills. Send résumés and airchecks to him here.

NORTHEAST

Seven Mountains WIFT (Bigfoot Country)/Dubois, PA VP/Programming JC Burton is on the prowl for a Production Dir./midday. Send résumés, airchecks and production samples to Burton here. Forever WFGE/State College, PA OM/PD Chris Prospero is looking for a morning host. Send résumés and airchecks to him here. Cumulus WCTO/Allentown, PA is searching for a morning co-host to join Sam Malone. Details and application here. Pamal/Albany COO Steve Borneman is seeking a GM for the cluster, which includes Country WKLI. Send résumés and references to him here.

SOUTHEAST

Dick WUBB/Savannah, GA is seeking a PD. OM Gabe Reynolds is accepting résumés, airchecks and sample imaging scripts here. iHeartMedia WNOE/New Orleans is looking for a PD. Apply here. Cumulus WIVK/Knoxville is looking for its next PD. See a complete job posting and apply here. Stephens KLAA/Alexandria, LA is searching for an afternoon personality with the possibility of PD chores for Classic Country sister KBKK. OM/PD Scott Mills is accepting résumés and airchecks here. Forever WFGS/Murray, KY EVP/Programming, Digital & Sales Development Jared Mims is looking for a midday talent. Send résumés and airchecks to Mims here. West Virginia Radio WKKW/Morgantown, WV Dir./ Human Resources Jodi Hart is seeking a night personality. Send résumés and airchecks to her here. New South/Jackson, MS GM Gwen Rakestraw is looking to fill the newly created OM/Brand Mgr. position for the cluster, which includes Country WUSJ & Classic Country WHJT. Résumés, airchecks and social media samples to her here. Gulf South WTVY/Dothan, AL PD John Garrett is on the hunt for a morning co-host. Send résumés, airchecks and references to him here. Cumulus WDEN/Macon, GA OM/PD Bobby Reed is seeking a morning co-host. See a complete job description and apply here. Hubbard WIRK/West Palm Beach OM & Dir./ Brand Content Bruce Logan is looking for an APD/ MD/afternoon host. Reach him here. Hall/Lakeland, FL is seeking an OM and Country WPCV PD to succeed the retiring Mike James. Apply here. Summit VP/Programming Beverlee Brannigan is on the hunt for a PD to join WCYQ/Knoxville. Send résumés and airchecks to her here. Stonecom/Cookeville, TN Pres./GM Larry Stone is seeking on-air personalities for newly created opportunities at Country WKXD & AC WLQK. Send résumés, airchecks and cover letters here. Turner WZBB/Stanleytown, VA is looking for parttime on-air talent to join its growing team. Candidates should have at least one year of on-air experience and must be able to work fill-ins, holidays and weekends. Interested candidates may send résumés and airchecks here. Summit WQNU/Louisville OM/PD Cagle is searching for an afternoon personality. Résumés and airchecks to him here. RWPC Co-President and consultant Scott Huskey is on the hunt for a Country morning co-host for a No. 1 rated station in the Southeast. Send résumés and airchecks to him here.

SOUTHWEST

Cumulus KSCS/Dallas is searching for a morning co-host for Hawkeye In The Morning. Airchecks and résumés to PD Mac Daniels here. LCKM KFWR/Fort Worth, TX is searching for a PD/ midday host. Send cover letters, résumés and airchecks to OM Gerry Schlegel here. East Texas Radio KSCH/Sulphur Springs, TX is seeking a morning host; play-by-play experience is a plus. Interested candidates may send résumés and airchecks to OM Cary Eldridge here. Townsquare/Killeen, TX Market Pres. David B. Smith is on the hunt for an OM for the cluster, which includes Country KUSJ. Send résumés and airchecks to him here.

WEST COAST

Townsquare/Boise is on the hunt for an OM who can handle Brand Mgr. duties and an air shift on Country KAWO. The station is also searching for a morning team. Interested candidates should send résumés and airchecks to SVP/Programming Kurt Johnson here. Redrock/St. George, UT Pres./CEO Craig Hanson is seeking Asst. OM/on-air talent for the cluster, which includes Country KUTQ. The position will include PD/Content Dir. duties for Top 40 KURR. Send résumés and airchecks here. Momentum KJUG/Visalia, CA PD Rik McNeil is looking for a morning co-host. See the complete job posting here; résumés and airchecks to McNeil here. Buck Owens KUZZ/Bakersfield PD Brent Michaels is searching for a morning personality. Interested candidates may send résumés and airchecks here. Stephens Media Group KXDD/Yakima, WA OM/ PD Justin Henriksen is on the hunt for an afternoon personality with Music Master and NexGen experience. Send résumés and airchecks to him here. Cumulus KATC/Colorado Springs, CO PD Mike Dylan is seeking an MD/morning host who can also handle Dir./Promotions duties for the cluster. Send résumés and airchecks to him here.

OTHER

Consultant Joel Raab is looking an on-air PD for a reporting station in a Top 100 market. Send materials here. Consultancy RWPC Pres. JJ Jobe is assisting a station in the southeast on the hunt for a PD/on-air personality. Send résumés and airchecks to Jobe here. Music Choice Head/Country Music Programming Jim Murphy is seeking a Sr. Programmer and Assoc. Coordinator to join his growing team. Interested candidates may apply here. Westwood One is searching for a PD for their 24/7 Country formats. Details and application here.

SEARCHING •Terry Cooley Former Radio Mankato Dir./Programming Sinjin62@gmail.com •Steve Albertsen Former NRG/Lincoln, NE OM SAlbertsen@Neb.RR.com 402-672-8684 •Cactus Jack Former Entercom/Phoenix Dir./Production GoGoJack@msn.com 602-430-5908 •Seth Necessary Former Riser House Dir./Promotion SethNecessary@gmail.com 615-642-1854 •Heather Stevens Former WQXK/Youngstown, OH middays Heather.Stevens2019@gmail.com

•Kimmy Kay Former KNTY/Sacramento middays AKeek1994@yahoo.com 916-879-9213

•Lauren Tingle Former CMT writer LaurenSTingle@aol.com

•Nick Cash Former KHGE/Fresno, CA PD AirTalent@aol.com 352-615-9392

•Tracy Leighann Former KNTY/Sacramento nights TracyBrimmer@yahoo.com

•Doug Dodds Former ZFKY/Grand Cayman PD/morning host DougDoddsEmail@gmail.com

•Hank Aaron Former KIZN/Boise PD/morning host Hank.Aaron206@gmail.com

•Kimmie Caruba Former WUSN/Chicago nights KimberlyCaruba@gmail.com 630-335-3838 •Tony Kelly Former WUSN/Chicago morning producer KellyT_60468@yahoo.com 708-642-8518 •Kevin Barrett Former Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting/Wyoming-South Dakota GM/PD BarrettKevin41@gmail.com 307-920-0107

•Marc Lavik (aka Dave Marcus) Former on-air talent ZimaGuy@gmail.com 401-467-6737 •Rick Dunn Former KAWO/Boise morning host RickAndCarlyRadio@gmail.com •Denis “Catfish” Miller Former KSNI/Santa Maria, CA afternoons DenisMil@hotmail.com

•Cory Mikhals Former KIZN/Boise morning co-host CoryProductions@icloud.com •Katie Carmichael Former WTVY/Dothan, AL morning co-host KatieOnTheRadio@outlook.com •”Big” John Horton Former KFSA/Ft. Smith, AR afternoon host BigJohn@TheBigJohnShow.com •Mark Lindow Former WSJR/Wilkes-Barre, PA PD/middays LindowMS@gmail.com

•Tosh Jackson Former KNTY/Sacramento PD DeeJayTosh@gmail.com

•Greg Cole Former WKCQ/Saginaw, MI OM/PD GCole27000@gmail.com 916-502-4734

•Taylor Former WCYQ/Knoxville weekend personality DJTay757@gmail.com

•Bob Reeves Former Reviver SVP/Promotion BReeves780@gmail.com 615-347-9499

•Alex Guerra Former Entervision/Sacramento MD/ Promo Dir. AlexGuerra.5750@gmail.com 916-397-9353

•Paul Heling Former Midwest/Green Bay Digital Brand Mgr. Heling.Paul@gmail.com 720-320-2266

•Loyd Ford Former WCYQ/Knoxville PD Ford@RainMakerPathway.com 864-448-4169

•Emilee Warner Former WMN Sr. Dir./Artist Development EmileeKWarner@gmail.com 615-418-4846

•Aaron Chesling Former Silverado Records President AChesling@gmail.com •Marissa Lanchak Former WKLB/Boston night host MarissaLanchak@yahoo.com 518-527-5133 •Charles “Chachi” Angelo Former WZCY/Harrisburg, PA PD/mornings ChachiAngelo@gmail.com •Bill Heltemes Former Cold River Dir./Midwest Promotion IndyBillH@gmail.com 859-653-1345

October 14, 2019 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

MATT STELL

Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud Stations ADDS

✔

Prayed For You (Wide Open/Records/GCE/Arista)

27970

2803

8702

871

53.599 7.034

157

CHRIS JANSON/Good Vibes (Warner/WAR) ✔

25129

1895

7752

621

48.124 3.848

157

COLE SWINDELL/Love You Too Late (Warner/WMN)

22660

423

7121

111

43.415

157

B. GILBERT & L. ELL/What Happens In A Small Town (Valory) ✔

21001

1595

6617

511

37.455 1.295

157

RUSSELL DICKERSON/Every Little Thing (Triple Tigers)

20839

1152

6461

449

38.017 2.342

157

CHRIS LANE/I Don't Know About You (Big Loud)

18056

-3051

5478

-995

38.198 -4.947

153

KEITH URBAN/We Were (Capitol)

16430

-94

5202

29.661 0.197

157

OLD DOMINION/One Man Band (RCA)

16183

1295

5113

400

30.428 3.254

157

LUKE COMBS/Even Though I'm Leaving (River House/Columbia) ✔

16030

2499

5100

819

30.294 4.622

156

KENNY CHESNEY/Tip Of My Tongue (Blue Chair/Warner/WEA)

15831

691

4901

287

28.687 0.685

157

THOMAS RHETT/Remember You Young (Valory)

14759

888

4540

203

157

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Southbound (Capitol)

14648

LADY ANTEBELLUM/What If I Never Get Over You (BMLGR)

14466

355

JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol)

12342

MIRANDA LAMBERT/It All Comes Out In The Wash (RCA)

-11072 4723

28.21

1.79

2.138

-3405

30.648 -16.129

157

4459

110

26.585 0.763

157

976

3800

295

21.031 2.242

154

12324

3893

20.449 -0.518

157

TIM MCGRAW/Thought About You (Columbia)

11643

-41

3592

-14

18.461 -0.153

156

GARTH BROOKS & BLAKE SHELTON/Dive Bar (Pearl)

10581

-29

3365

-3

18.667 0.764

155

DUSTIN LYNCH/Ridin' Roads (Broken Bow)

10342

1025

3291

340

17.067 1.556

145

JIMMIE ALLEN/Make Me Want To (Stoney Creek)

9658

236

3014

15.879

156

MIDLAND/Mr. Lonely (Big Machine)

9179

-44

2885

14.774 0.054

156

JASON ALDEAN/We Back (Macon Music/Broken Bow)

8617

1185

2700

437

14.535 0.961

152

BLAKE SHELTON f/T. ADKINS/Hell Right (Warner/WMN)

8001

306

2554

12.833 0.295

150

JORDAN DAVIS/Slow Dance In A Parking Lot (MCA)

7876

403

2414

12.072 1.497

155

INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine (Warner/WEA)

7607

804

2380

295

12.829 1.283

127

SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA) ✔ DEBUT

6957

2141

13.009 13.009

125

0.16

Chart Page 1

October 14, 2019 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud Stations ADDS

RYAN HURD/To A T (RCA)

6648

260

1942

ZAC BROWN BAND/Someone... (ZB Collective/BMG/Wheelhouse)

6477

2031

KELSEA BALLERINI/Homecoming Queen? (Black River)

6327

405

1910

KANE BROWN/Homesick (RCA)

6033

180

TRISHA YEARWOOD/Every Girl In This Town (Gwendolyn/Pearl)

5924

DAN + SHAY & JUSTIN BIEBER/10,000 Hours (Warner/WAR)

10.784 0.771

122

0.076

137

172

10.185 0.851

149

1780

11.441 0.274

124

1825

7.903 -0.596

140

5218

-46

1545

-91

9.616 -1.538

124

BRETT YOUNG/Catch (BMLGR)

5047

273

1509

111

10.264 0.138

110

TRAVIS DENNING/After A Few (Mercury)

4916

1449

8.26

-0.765

132

DYLAN SCOTT/Nothing To Do Town (Curb)

4760

-141

1612

-37

-0.118

136

RILEY GREEN/I Wish Grandpas Never Died (BMLGR)

4625

407

1453

144

7.388

0.405

115

CAYLEE HAMMACK/Family Tree (Capitol)

4178

-4

1407

-0.174

116

JAKE OWEN/Homemade (Big Loud)

4142

201

1213

8.547

0.893

107

SCOTTY MCCREERY/In Between (Triple Tigers)

4066

-69

1264

5.748 -0.453

132

MAREN MORRIS/The Bones (Columbia)

4054

270

1039

6.597

0.35

MICHAEL RAY/Her World Or Mine (Warner/WEA)

3396

965

5.266

0.148

111

LOCASH/One Big Country Song (Wheelhouse)

3369

1022

5.679

0.076

107

GONE WEST/What Could've Been (Triple Tigers)

3137

292

898

4.684

0.261

ERIC CHURCH/Monsters (EMI Nashville)

2941

238

940

4.344

0.429

117

KING CALAWAY/World For Two (Stoney Creek)

2576

849

3.85

0.201

CHASE RICE/Lonely If You Are (Dack Janiels/Broken Bow)

2523

-16

785

-14

3.716

0.223

105

MADDIE & TAE/Die From A Broken Heart (Mercury)

2474

-32

757

2.733 -0.072

104

MORGAN WALLEN/Chasin' You (Big Loud)

2342

725

3.772 -0.175

BILLY CURRINGTON/Details (Mercury)

2232

592

4.008

0.009

CHRIS STAPLETON/Tennessee Whiskey (Mercury)

2076

296

666

3.231

0.505

CAROLINE JONES/Chasin' Me (Mailboat/New Revolution)

1892

681

1.416

0.118

9.293

Chart Page 3

October 14, 2019 Country Aircheck Add Leaders SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA)

Activator Top Point Gainers

Adds

1654 ✔

SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA)

125

C. PEARCE & L. BRICE/I Hope You're... (Big Machine/Curb)

B. GILBERT & L. ELL/What Happens In A Small Town (Valory) 1303 ✔

DAN + SHAY & JUSTIN BIEBER/10,000 Hours (Warner/WAR)

MATT STELL/Prayed For You (Wide Open/Records/GCE/Arista) 1148 ✔

THE HIGHWOMEN/Redesigning Women (LCS/Elektra/WMN)

INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine (Warner/WEA)

1095 ✔

JUSTIN MOORE/Why We Drink (Valory)

OLD DOMINION/One Man Band (RCA)

1085 ✔

LAUREN ALAINA/Getting Good (Mercury)

JASON ALDEAN/We Back (Macon Music/Broken Bow)

1031

INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine (Warner/WEA)

KENNY CHESNEY/Tip Of My Tongue (Blue Chair/Warner/WEA)

895

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Over Drinking (Capitol)

KELSEA BALLERINI/Homecoming Queen? (Black River)

893

RILEY GREEN/I Wish Grandpas Never Died (BMLGR)

JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol)

884

KANE BROWN/Homesick (RCA)

THOMAS RHETT/Remember You Young (Valory)

858

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers

Activator Top Spin Gainers

SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA)

6957

MATT STELL/Prayed For You (Wide Open/Records/GCE/Arista)

2803

LUKE COMBS/Even Though I'm Leaving (River House/Columbia)

2499

CHRIS JANSON/Good Vibes (Warner/WAR)

1895

B. GILBERT & L. ELL/What Happens In A Small Town (Valory)

1595

OLD DOMINION/One Man Band (RCA)

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA)

313

B. GILBERT & L. ELL/What Happens In A Small Town (Valory)

300

MATT STELL/Prayed For You (Wide Open/Records/GCE/Arista)

230

JASON ALDEAN/We Back (Macon Music/Broken Bow)

192

INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine (Warner/WEA)

186

1295

JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol)

177

JASON ALDEAN/We Back (Macon Music/Broken Bow)

1185

LUKE COMBS/Even Though I'm Leaving (River House/Columbia) 170

RUSSELL DICKERSON/Every Little Thing (Triple Tigers)

1152

OLD DOMINION/One Man Band (RCA)

166

DUSTIN LYNCH/Ridin' Roads (Broken Bow)

1025

RUSSELL DICKERSON/Every Little Thing (Triple Tigers)

156

THOMAS RHETT/Remember You Young (Valory)

153

JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol)

976

Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA)

Country Aircheck Top Recurrents 2141

Points

DIERKS BENTLEY/Living (Capitol)

21859

MATT STELL/Prayed For You (Wide Open/Records/GCE/Arista)

871

JUSTIN MOORE/The Ones That Didn't Make It... (Valory)

14329

LUKE COMBS/Even Though I'm Leaving (River House/Columbia)

819

MORGAN WALLEN/Whiskey Glasses (Big Loud)

13901

CHRIS JANSON/Good Vibes (Warner/WAR)

621

LUKE BRYAN/Knockin' Boots (Capitol)

12851

B. GILBERT & L. ELL/What Happens In A Small Town (Valory)

511

LUKE COMBS/Beer Never Broke... (River House/Columbia)

12275

RUSSELL DICKERSON/Every Little Thing (Triple Tigers)

449

BLAKE SHELTON/God's Country (Warner/WMN)

9509

JASON ALDEAN/We Back (Macon Music/Broken Bow)

437

ELI YOUNG BAND/Love Ain't (Valory)

9010

OLD DOMINION/One Man Band (RCA)

400

CHASE RICE/Eyes On You (Dack Janiels/Broken Bow)

8508

DUSTIN LYNCH/Ridin' Roads (Broken Bow)

340

JASON ALDEAN/Rearview Town (Macon Music/Broken Bow)

8152

JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol)

295

LUKE COMBS/Beautiful Crazy (River House/Columbia)

7543

Chart Page 5

October 14, 2019

COUNTRY AIRCHECK ACTIVITY

CHASE RICE/Lonely If You Are (Dack Janiels/Broken Bow) Remains at 45 2,523 points, 785 spins; no adds MADDIE & TAE/Die From A Broken Heart (Mercury) Remains at 46* 2,474 points, 757 spins 1 add: WYNK MORGAN WALLEN/Chasin’ You (Big Loud) Remains at 47* 2,342 points, 725 spins 1 add: KSSN BILLY CURRINGTON/Details (Mercury) Remains at 48* 2,232 points, 592 spins; no adds CHRIS STAPLETON/Tennessee Whiskey (Mercury) Moves 50-49* 2,076 points, 666 spins 1 add: *WWKA CAROLINE JONES/Chasin’ Me (Mailboat/New Revolution) Moves 49-50* 1,892 points, 681 spins 1 add: WFUS FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Blessings (BMLGR) 1,848 points, 554 spins 3 adds: KJKE, KKGO, WAVW GABBY BARRETT/I Hope (Warner/WAR) 1,770 points, 627 spins 1 add: WNSH JUSTIN MOORE/Why We Drink (Valory) 1,620 points, 500 spins 9 adds: KCCY, KJUG, KTGX, KUZZ, WLFP, *WPCV, WRNS, WTQR, WYCT RODNEY ATKINS/Thank God For You (Curb) 1,590 points, 516 spins 2 adds: KHEY, KRYS

A D D DAT E S October 21

LAINEY WILSON/Dirty Looks (Broken Bow)

October 28

RUNAWAY JUNE/Head Over Heels (Wheelhouse)

November 4

LANCO/What I See (Arista)

Send yours to adds@countryaircheck.com

CHECK OUT 10/18 Chris Janson Real Friends (Warner/WAR) Janson co-produced his third album for the label group and co-penned all 13 tracks, including the current single, “Good Vibes,” and the title track featuring Blake Shelton. Maddie & Tae Everywhere I’m Goin’ (Mercury) Produced by Jimmy Robbins and Derek Wells, the EP follows the album’s first part — One Heart to Another — released earlier this year and boasts five new tracks co-written by the duo, including “Lay Here With Me” featuring Dierks Bentley. The Carter Family: Across Generations (Reviver) Five generations of Carter Family members converge on the 13-track offering, which was produced by John Carter Cash and features songs ranging from Carter Family standards, “Worried Man Blues” and “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” to “Maybelle,” a composition written by Danny and David Carter in ‘78, to an original autoharp recording titled “Maybelle’s New Tune.”

Chart Page 6

October 14, 2019 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

MATT STELL

Points

✔

+/- Points

Plays

+/- Plays Stations ADDS

Prayed For You (Wide Open/Records/GCE/Arista)

12439

1148

2401

230

CHRIS JANSON/Good Vibes (Warner/WAR)

11802

174

2264

COLE SWINDELL/Love You Too Late (Warner/WMN)

11256

392

2230

BRANTLEY GILBERT & LINDSAY ELL/What Happens In A Small Town (Valory) ✔

9844

1303

1879

300

RUSSELL DICKERSON/Every Little Thing (Triple Tigers)

9764

808

1858

156

KENNY CHESNEY/Tip Of My Tongue (Blue Chair/Warner/WEA)

9044

895

1602

143

10 6 8

KEITH URBAN/We Were (Capitol)

9035

470

1699

CHRIS LANE/I Don't Know About You (Big Loud)

8800

-1685

1652

-400

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Southbound (Capitol)

8729

-3527

1626

-749

15 10

OLD DOMINION/One Man Band (RCA) ✔

8242

1085

1544

166

11 11

MIRANDA LAMBERT/It All Comes Out In The Wash (RCA)

8143

227

1501

14 12

THOMAS RHETT/Remember You Young (Valory)

8037

858

1479

153

13 13

LUKE COMBS/Even Though I'm Leaving (River House/Columbia)

7998

699

1492

170

12 14

LADY ANTEBELLUM/What If I Never Get Over You (BMLGR)

7484

141

1406

16 15

JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol)

7080

884

1354

177

17 16

GARTH BROOKS & BLAKE SHELTON/Dive Bar (Pearl)

5805

1060

18 17

BLAKE SHELTON f/T. ADKINS/Hell Right (Warner/WMN)

5446

162

1022

19 18

TIM MCGRAW/Thought About You (Columbia)

5241

1066

20 19

MIDLAND/Mr. Lonely (Big Machine)

4759

-152

883

-17

22 20

JASON ALDEAN/We Back (Macon Music/Broken Bow)

4604

1031

855

192

23 21

INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine (Warner/WEA) ✔

4544

1095

878

186

21 22

DUSTIN LYNCH/Ridin' Roads (Broken Bow)

4219

606

839

142

25 23

KELSEA BALLERINI/Homecoming Queen? (Black River)

3888

893

692

148

24 24

JORDAN DAVIS/Slow Dance In A Parking Lot (MCA)

3505

436

635

26 25

JIMMIE ALLEN/Make Me Want To (Stoney Creek)

3302

319

616

28 26

RILEY GREEN/I Wish Grandpas Never Died (BMLGR)

3224

440

601

29 27

TRISHA YEARWOOD/Every Girl In This Town (Gwendolyn/Pearl)

2984

560

550

27 28

ZAC BROWN BAND/Someone I Used To Know (ZB Collective/BMG/Wheelhouse)

2887

556

-1

30 29

KANE BROWN/Homesick (RCA)

2396

346

418

33 30

DAN + SHAY & JUSTIN BIEBER/10,000 Hours (Warner/WAR)

1785

517

320

Chart Page 7

October 14, 2019 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

Points +/- Points

ERIC CHURCH/Monsters (EMI Nashville)

1676

268

280

SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA) ✔

1654

313

31 33

CAYLEE HAMMACK/Family Tree (Capitol)

1623

177

318

34 34

RYAN HURD/To A T (RCA)

1399

185

295

35 35

DYLAN SCOTT/Nothing To Do Town (Curb)

1307

128

296

39 36

CODY JOHNSON/Nothin' On You (CoJo/Warner/WMN)

1282

277

198

32 31

Debut 32

Plays

+/- Plays

Stations Adds

36 37

BRETT YOUNG/Catch (BMLGR)

1249

225

38 38

BILLY CURRINGTON/Details (Mercury)

1234

211

166

37 39

TRAVIS DENNING/After A Few (Mercury)

1195

110

245

Debut 40

JUSTIN MOORE/Why We Drink (Valory)

1135

762

223

143

41 41

SCOTTY MCCREERY/In Between (Triple Tigers)

1128

184

217

43 42

LOCASH/One Big Country Song (Wheelhouse)

1016

242

177

44 43

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Blessings (BMLGR)

1001

235

160

40 44

GONE WEST/What Could've Been (Triple Tigers)

903

-50

142

42 45

JAKE OWEN/Homemade (Big Loud)

871

155

45 46

CHASE RICE/Lonely If You Are (Dack Janiels/Broken Bow)

822

135

46 47

MARSHMELLO & KANE BROWN/One Thing Right (RCA)

772

56 48

MORGAN WALLEN/Chasin' You (Big Loud)

690

175

49 49

MADDIE & TAE/Die From A Broken Heart (Mercury)

688

153

CARLY PEARCE & LEE BRICE/I Hope You're Happy Now (Big Machine/Curb)

674

304

100

ASHLEY MCBRYDE/One Night Standards (Warner/WAR)

674

Debut 50 54 51 51 52

HARDY/Signed, Sober You (TVM/Big Loud)

660

48 53

ELI YOUNG BAND/Break It In (Valory)

647

-7

111

-1

CHRIS LANE/Big Big Plans (Big Loud)

610

180

52 55

GABBY BARRETT/The Good Ones (Warner/WAR)

610

53 56

MICHAEL RAY/Her World Or Mine (Warner/WEA)

603

124

57 57

CHRIS YOUNG/Drowning (RCA)

590

55 58

CASEY DONAHEW/Let's Make A Love Song (Almost Country)

579

116

Debut 54

47 59

CHRIS STAPLETON/Tennessee Whiskey (Mercury)

579

-121

139

-25

50 60

MAREN MORRIS/The Bones (Columbia)

543

-80

119

-2

Chart Page 8