January 27, 2020, Issue 689
Inside The WKHX Rebrand
After key personnel changes at Cumulus/Atlanta and a bit of deft subterfuge, it looked like heritage WKHX would join some of its canine Country radio cousins ... as a Wolf. After all, the arrival of new PD Mike Moore in October looked like the final piece of the programming puzzle. After 16 years at Entercom’s KWJJ (99.5 The Wolf) in Portland, OR, Moore was joining a Cumulus team that already included EVP/Content & Audience Brian Philips, one of the architects of the original Wolf, KPLX/Dallas. Instead, WKHX was rebranded as New Country 101 Five on Nov. 14, placing a strong emphasis on the regional lifestyle and music. And now, here’s the full story. Brian Philips So why no Wolf? Moore explains, “Brian said to me, ‘Hey, I’ve already made that movie!’” Philips adds, “I heard that rumor and it made me laugh because it’s been done! Texas Wolf (KPLX) is our pride and joy, but it’s a different era. I like to update things that haven’t been updated in a while. That was the case with WKHX.” Lively & Local: Like the Wolf concept, however, the rebrand is anchored in the Mike Moore station’s locality and followed extensive market research. “The station is a celebration of all things Georgia,” Philips says. “It’s meant to make people feel good about where they live. The fact that there’s an abundance of good music coming from Georgia artists certainly supports that.” The positioning statement “Made In Georgia, Loved Around The World” is supported by the voices used in imaging. Among them, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, as well as official “voice guy,” former crosstown morning show rival Jason Pullman, now at Entercom’s WUSN/Chicago. “He was excited to be involved with our new project,” Moore says with a chuckle. Jefferson native Brantley Gilbert can be heard frequently, most notably on the “Georgia AF” sweepers, which are as much inside jokes for locals as they are branding elements.
(continued on page 6)
Powers That Pre: Warner Music Group artists and execs at the label’s pre-Grammy party Thursday (1/23) at the Hollywood Athletic Club. Pictured (l-r) are John Esposito, Scott Hendricks, Dan + Shay’s Shay Mooney, Blake Shelton, Max Lousada, Gwen Stefani, Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers and Ashley McBryde.
Wildcard Round
As the cold sets in during January, country artists load up their gear and heat up the road with tour dates kicking off nationwide. RCA’s Miranda Lambert officially launched The Wildcard Tour in Tupelos, MS Jan. 16, but with Nashville coming up in the second weekend of the tour, Country Aircheck patiently awaited her arrival in town and called upon Cumulus WKDF & WSM/ Nashville Dir./Promotions Marie Miscia to share her feedback and what to expect when you’re expecting Miranda Lambert and friends to hit a Lambert Marie Miscia town near you.
© 2 0 2 0 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