July 13, 2020, Issue 713
Daniels Remembered:The Journey Home
Tributes from the country music community have poured in following the July 6 passing of Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Daniels (CAT 7/6), with artists and radio and industry pros sharing how the “Long Haired Country Boy” both influenced and touched their lives and careers (see several here). The outspoken patriot and mentor gave as much to the causes he championed as he did to music, lending his time and talent to charitable organizations and events including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the T.J. Martell Foundation, Christmas 4 Kids, Volunteer Jam and The Journey Home Project — founded in 2014 with his manager, David Corlew, to help veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Blue Hat Records co-founder & manager David Corlew: I met Charlie in the early ‘70s when I worked at a record store and he’d come in to buy music. He came in one day looking for rental space to rehearse for a new record and a tour. It really wasn’t a tour at the time; they were primarily a club band. Ultimately, we became friends. He had the hit record, “Uneasy Rider,” and needed someone to drive a van and set up equipment on the road. I was one of the first roadies he hired … for $50/week and $5/ day per diem. I saw America through the front windshield of a Chevrolet Fiddlin’ Around: Corlew Around: Corlew van full of equipment and musicians (r) with Daniels. in 1973. I was 23 years old, and Charlie was 36, I believe. Fast forward to now, and I just had my 70th birthday, and Charlie was 83. I’ve literally spent my entire lifetime with him. I’ve had, literally, hundreds of conversations with people as we put together the service. People say, “You’ve been with him the longest, you know him better. You have the best friendship with him.” And you know what? It’s not true. Charlie handed his friendship to everyone on a tray. He gave (continued on page 10)
The Zoom Where It Happens: Big Machine/BMLGR’s Danielle Bradbery at her inaugural “Never Have I Ever” Northeast/ Midwest radio Zoom hang. Pictured (top, l-r) are the label’s Brooke Diaz and Andrew Thoen, WMZQ/Washington, DC’s Corey Calhoun and WQMX/Akron’s Ken Steel; (middle, l-r) WPOC/Baltimore’s Jeff St. Pierre, Bradbery, WRNX/ Springfield, MA’s Kevin Johnson and WFMS/Indianapolis’ Isaac “Brooks” Wenzel; (bottom, l-r) the label’s Michelle Kammerer, WQMX’s Jody Wheatley and KMNB/Minneapolis’ Chris “Fish” Shatek.
All In The Family: Tony & Alana Lynn
Cumulus KIZN/Boise APD/MD/morning host Alana Lynn and her dad – Community/Ogdensburg, NY OM Tony Lynn – discuss life as a father and daughter in the radio business. TL: I always knew Alana could be great on-air, but I didn’t know if she wanted to do it. In fact, when she was studying television, I really pushed her in that direction, because she was very good at it. And, because I know what it’s like to be bit by the radio bug. AL: It’s not an easy path, but I was lucky to watch my dad have a great career where he was able to be in markets for a long time. We were raised with a “marry the market” mentality. Dad worked hard for his community and in his community, and he was in the Albuquerque market for a lifetime. He did a good
© 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