May 1, 2023, Issue 856
Thomas Down To Be Up ... All Night
The partnership between Cumulus and PickleJar on the Patrick Thomas-hosted overnight show launching Friday (5/5) covers several bases. While PickleJar extends its artist discovery mission and Thomas reshapes his professional profile, the primary focus is on rekindling radio’s “other L-word.”
“We started PickleJar as an artist payments platform around live performance,” says Founder/ CEO Jeff James. “But of course, artists don’t just want to be onstage, they want to be on air. In 2022, we partnered with ReachTV for content and distribution, so the next progression was radio. [Cumulus VP/Country] Charlie Cook has been a phenomenal supporter over the last two years. He suggested the idea of a radio show to [PickleJar President] Kristian Barowsky.”
PickleJar Up All Night piqued Thomas’ interest from the start. “Charlie told me about the idea at the end of last year, and I was immediately jealous thinking I wouldn’t be considered,” he says. “They had someone else in mind, and I had a job. But, damn, it sounded like fun.
“No one in town thinks of me as talent, but I’m on Big D & Bubba every day as a major contributor,” Thomas continues. “Affiliates and listeners think of me that way, but when I get introduced in Nashville, it’s as the producer or Silverfish Pres. I love my job; it’s one of the best gigs in the industry and really hard to leave. We’re like three brothers, and Carsen is the sister who thinks we’re all morons. But I always wanted to do my own show and change how I’m perceived. This was too good to pass up.”
Knew To You: Radio has been incorporated in the PickleJar team’s thinking from the outset (CAW 7/19/21), and overnights are a logical step. “We wanted a place we could play,” James says. “I started in radio at 14 and know there’s much more latitude in that slot.”
A PickleJar spotlight artist will be featured every hour. “If an artist is on the platform, they’ll be eligible for that,” James says. “That selection process will be the fun part. The idea of a bubbling-up entertainer having the opportunity to be on the radio is key.
(continued on page 7)
WDSY: Steel The Ones
Following last week’s news of a lineup shuffle at Audacy WDSY/Pittsburgh (CAT 4/27), RVP/ Programming Mark Anderson tells Country Aircheck about the genesis of the decision to segue to a completely local on-air cast.
“We first brought the [Oceanic Tradewinds syndicated] Broadway And Friends cast in last fall to do some experimental testing for a possible afternoon show,” says Anderson. “We immediately knew there was something special there, and everyone in the building fell in love with them.” Anderson’s ultimate goal was to ensure everyone
had the chance to succeed in their respective dayparts, however, and he began considering a top-to-bottom reshuffling. His priority was creating a completely live and local lineup in all prime dayparts.
While Anderson declined to make direct reference or comment on the crosstown rivalry with iHeartMedia WPGB , it is of note that the competitor won the 6+ PPM battle each month from Oct. 2022 through Feb. 2023. WDSY reclaimed a slight lead this March, moving from 3.0-4.3 (7) versus ’PGB’s 3.3-4.1 (9t). The WPGB lineup consists of syndicated talent in mornings ( The Bobby Bones Show ), middays (Angie Ward) and overnights ( After MidNite With Granger Smith ).
“Maria D’Antonio is one of the best midday talents in Country radio, and she has been successful in that role for us before,” Anderson continues. “And Cadillac Jack [aka Tom Kapsalis] has shown up on CMA and ACM nomination lists for his work in afternoon drive.” The duo had originally partnered in mornings when Jack arrived last summer (CAT 7/7/22). Anderson says both are thrilled to make the move. “Maria is a new mom, so she will have the opportunity to spend mornings with her baby,” he explains. “And once Caddy returns – hopefully next month – he will have the chance to do what he does best and entertain people on their drive home.”
The Broadway And Friends team will relocate to Pittsburgh, bringing the show to its first in-studio home since the show’s previous iteration departed WIL/St. Louis in 2020 (CAT 5/1/20). “Jerry Broadway grew up a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, so he won’t have to go out and buy a new wardrobe,” Anderson quips. “He and T. Wall are here this week, and Becca Walls will be joining this weekend. It felt like the right call to maintain Becca’s primary location in Nashville [so she can] help bring Music City directly to Pittsburgh listeners.”
Anderson also notes that this configuration is poised to drive local success for the station. “We will be able to do live, local contesting across all dayparts now, and we will have presence in the community,” he explains. “Our hope is that we will need to make some room in the trophy case, because this lineup has everyone in the right seat to elevate each daypart and be award-winning across the board.” Reach Anderson here
–Monta VadenTour Launch:That Does Impress Me Much
The first leg of Shania Twain ’s Queen of Me Tour kicked off this past weekend in Washington with a setlist and stage design that Audacy KKWF/Seattle morning co-host Gabe Mercer says will, in fact, impress you much.
“It was so good to see Shania back in action,” says Mercer, who attended the Saturday (4/29) show in Seattle. “There is nothing like
watching a country icon perform some of her biggest hits to a nearly-sold-out crowd.”
Prior to Twain’s entrance on an oversized motorcycle, Lindsay Ell “rocked it, per usual,” according to Mercer, opening the night with songs including “Criminal” and “I Don’t Love You.” “There are few females, let alone artists in general, who can rock harder than Lindsay,” says Mercer. Subsequent shows will feature a revolving lineup of artists including Ell, Hailey Whitters, Breland, Kelsea Ballerini, Robyn Ottolini, Priscilla Block and Mickey Guyton.
Set design highlights included the “Twain Town” saloon and a virtual “ST” rocket ship. “The staging included a large-screen backdrop showing custom-tailored images and graphics for Seattle,” says Mercer, who also notes the practicality of including the names of newer releases on the screen.
Twain performed a combination of hits (“You’re Still The One,” “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under,” “Any Man Of Mine”) and songs from her latest album, Queen Of Me, during her two-hour set. Mercer reports the biggest crowd reaction came during the finale, “Man! I Feel Like a Woman.” “It was spectacular and made it even better that she had the outfit to match,” she recalls. “There was not an empty seat in the house, and everyone was belting out that song.”
“It is an action-packed show that will have you on your feet the entire time,” concludes Mercer, adding, “It’s so good to have her back.” Reach Mercer here.
–Caitlin DeForest
Chart Chat
Congratulations to Dierks Bentley, Miranda McDonald, Chris
Ain’t Life Sand? RCA’s Kane Brown headlines Stagecoach Saturday (4/29). Pictured (l-r) are Neon Coast’s Nikki Boon Adam Weiser, Adam Cohen and Gary Gersh, Neon Coast’s Martha Earls, AEG Presents’ Rich Schaefer, Brown, AEG Presents’ Marciano, Chris Meeds, Dennis Dennehy, Cody Lauzier, Nicole Neal, Victoria Torchia, David Rappaport, Jess Smith Otto, Sofia Ruszczyk and Kelly Stelbasky
©2023 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free
Schuler and the Capitol promotion team on taking “Gold” to No. 1. This is Bentley’s 21st chart topper. This week 20 years ago, Bentley’s debut single “What Was I Thinkin’” was in its third week on the chart on its way to becoming his first No. 1. While “gold” records are sought after by singers and songwriters, the precious metal is rarely the subject of their songs. This is the first No. 1 to feature “gold” in its title since Dan Seals’ “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)” reached the top 37 years ago this month. Songwriters are Ashley Gorley, Ross Copperman, Luke Dick and Bentley.
Kudos to April Rider and the Quartz Hill crew on landing the imprint’s very first Most Added with Thompson Square’s “Without You.” The song’s 39 adds also give the duo their first Add Board leader since “Trans Am” in April 2015.
News & Notes
Still Playin’ Possum: Music & Memories of George Jones’ will air on PBS’ Great Performances. The multi-artist concert, filmed in Hunstville, AL will air at a date and time to be announced.
The Grand Ole Opry will kick off CMA Fest Week with two shows Tuesday, June 6 featuring Lainey Wilson, Josh Turner, Bill Anderson, the Oak Ridge Boys and Carrie Underwood. Details here
SuiteRadio’s Gallo Go Round morning show with Dan Gallo and Rowdy Ride Home afternoon show with Josh “Rowdy Yates“ Holstead have been added to Sputnik Classic Country KJVC/ Mansfield, LA and RWave WVVI/Christiansted, VI. Additionally, Ridin’ With Rowdy, is now being offered and can be aired in any daypart, up to five hours per day, six days per week. For more info, contact VP/ Affiliate Sales Jim Jones here
American General Media has filed to sell its nine-station Farmington, NM cluster, which includes Country KISZ, to Hutton Broadcasting
The Week’s Top Stories
Full coverage at countryaircheck.com
• ACM CEO Damon Whiteside previewed the upcoming awards week in last week’s (4/24) Country Aircheck Weekly.
• Broadway and Friends are taking over WDSY/ Pittsburgh mornings. (CAT 4/27)
• KSUX/Sioux City, IA PD/morning host Tony Michaels is retiring (CAT 4/26)
• The 2023 ACM Radio Awards winners were announced. (CAT 4/25)
• Patrick Thomas will host Cumulus’ PickleJar Up All Night beginning May 5. (CAT 4/25)
• Brooks O’Brian is joining WWJO/St. Cloud, MN as Brand Mgr./ on-air. (CAT 4/25)
• Chronicle: Keith Gattis
Thomas Down To Be Up ... All Night
(continued from page 1)
For fans, it’s not just about venue and artist discovery, it’s about using the app to enter and win from a radio station, listen live and become more familiar with artists through this show. We want to be the platform for every stage of an artist’s career.”
Thomas accepts the challenge of introducing unfamiliar artists. “Someone jaded might ask if the audience cares about a complete unknown, and maybe not,” he admits. “But some of that is on me as an interviewer. We have the opportunity to communicate what things are like for an artist who is at a completely different stage of being in the industry. And there’s a can’t-believe-I-get-to-be-on-the-radio energy all artists have in those early days. That’s fun to listen to.”
©2023 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at countryaircheck.com. Send news to news@countryaircheck.com
Established artists will also get plenty of attention. In Nashville, tie-ins could include sponsoring concert after-parties. In other markets, artists can call in after getting off stage. “After the show, we can all hang out with the PickleJar Up All Night crew,” James says. The key to that, of course, is being live.
Smothered & Covered: “People ask me if we’re really going to be live,” Thomas says. “Even my mother-in-law, who doesn’t know radio, assumed I would pre-tape. No! Without being live, you lose the one thing radio had that the streamers don’t. We talk so much about local, but live is where the magic is.”
Of course, a seven-night show isn’t live every night. “The Monday and Tuesday shows are most likely the ones I’ll pre-tape,” Thomas says. “But July 4 is a Tuesday, and I already know I’ll do that live.”
He anticipates busy phones –one way or another. “It will take a minute to convince people I’m live, but do you know who’s up at 3am? Crazy people and people with really interesting jobs. My first question to every caller will be, ‘Why are you up all night?’ No one has a boring answer to that. And if no one calls in, I’m calling Waffle Houses and talking to waitresses. They and truckers are my core constituency.”
Beyond Friday’s launch on Cumulus stations, Thomas says syndication is on the horizon – and he says immediacy will be the main attraction. “Let me tell you about my friend, ‘Live,’” he says. “She is sexy, and we miss her. There are many excuses for why she doesn’t matter, but they are all wrong. Of the 100 most-watched TV programs of 2022, 87 were football games, and the rest were live events. Oscars, Olympics, State of the Union. Broadcasters need to recapture the power of having everyone watching or listening at the same time. “ Reach Thomas here. –Chuck Aly
Lon Helton, lon@countryaircheck.com
Chuck Aly, chuck@countryaircheck.com
Caitlin DeForest, caitlin@countryaircheck.com Monta Vaden, monta@countryaircheck.com
Chris Huff, chris@countryaircheck.com
©2023 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to news@countryaircheck.com
AVAILABLE JOBS
MIDWEST
Ingstad/Thief River Falls, MN VP/ Broadcasting Jake Weber is looking for a GM to oversee the cluster that includes Country KKDQ & Classic Country KKAQAM. Send résumés and cover letters to Weber here
Federated WBYT/South Bend, IN PD Jesse Garcia is on the hunt for a morning host to succeed Zach Miller. Send résumés and airchecks to Garcia here
Cumulus WFMS/Indianapolis OM/ PD Christopher “Boomer” Layfield is searching for a Digital Content Dir./midday personality. Complete job description and application here
Linder Radio KRUE/Waseca, MN is seeking a PD/afternoon host to succeed Ben Merritt. Send résumés and airchecks here
Townsquare KWYY/Casper, WY Brand Mgr./morning host Drew Kirby is seeking a co-host to join him. See the complete job description here ; send résumés and airchecks here
Midwest/Wausau, WI OM Jon Reilly is seeking a Brand Mgr./afternoon host for Country WDEZ. See the complete job description here; send résumés and airchecks to Reilly here
Townsquare/St. Cloud, MN Dir./ Content Paul Shea is searching for a Brand Mgr./on-air host to join Country WWJO. See the complete job posting and apply here; send résumés and airchecks to Shea here
Mountain Dog Media WFON/Fon Du Lac, WI Brand Mgr. Aaron Carreno is seeking a morning co-host to join Trace “Moose” Moustakas . Interested parties can send résumés and airchecks to Carreno here
MacDonald WKCQ/Saginaw, MI
OM/PD Jason Addams is searching for candidates for a future, full-time on-air role. Send résumés and airchecks to him here
Midwest/Fargo, ND OM Corey
“Zero” Schaffer is searching for a Brand Mgr./on-air talent to join Country KVOX
Send résumés and airchecks to him here
NORTHEAST
Audacy/Rochester, NY VP/GM Sue Munn is looking for Brand Mgr. for the five-station cluster that includes Country WBEE . Complete job description and application here
Townsquare/Augusta, ME OM
Cooper Fox is searching for a morning host/ content creator to join Country WEBB. See the complete job posting and apply here
Pamal Corp. Dir./Operations & Programming Kevin Callahan is seeking a
full-time PD for Country WKLI/Albany, NY
Send résumés and airchecks to him here
Audacy Regional Brand Mgr. Chris Michaels is looking for two new on-air hosts to join WBEE/Rochester in mornings. See the complete job posting here; reach Michaels here.
Pamal WKLI/Albany, NY Corp. Dir./ Operations & Programming Kevin Callahan is seeking a midday personality. Send résumés, social media links and airchecks to him here.
SOUTHEAST
Forever WOGY/Jackson, TN EVP Jared Mims is searching for a morning co-host who will also write and produce newscasts each morning. Send résumés and airchecks to him here.
Forever EVP/Programming, Digital & Sales Development Jared Mims is on the hunt for a GM for the Bowling Green, KY and Glasgow, KY markets. Oversight includes Country WBVR/Bowling Green and Classic Country WLYE/Glasgow. See the complete job description here; send résumés here.
Mississippi Broadcaster WOKK/ Meridian, MS PD Todd Berry is searching for a live-and-local morning co-host. See the complete job posting here; send résumés, cover letters and airchecks to Berry here.
Listen Up Y’all Media/Natchez, MS Group PD Kidd Conley is looking for a five-station APD for the cluster that includes WQNZ. Send résumés, cover letters, production demos and airchecks here.
Saga Classic Country WSIG/ Harrisonburg, VA OM Brandy Lindsey is seeking a morning host to join incumbent Ivy Lee. Send résumés and airchecks to Lindsey here.
Saga WVVR/Clarksville, TN PD Mike Sanders is searching for a morning co-host. Send résumés and airchecks to him here. WVRC Classic Country WKWS/ Charleston, WV PD Crash Poteet is looking to add a full-time on-air personality for mornings. Send résumés and airchecks here.
Beasley WKML/Fayetteville, NC PD Sarah Weaver is seeking an APD/ afternoon personality. Send résumés and airchecks to her here.
Curtis WQDR/Raleigh PD Mike Biddle is searching for an APD/MD/midday personality to succeed Heather Davis Complete job posting here; send résumés and airchecks to Biddle here
WEST COAST
Results Radio/Redding, CA MM Beth Tappan and SVP/Strategic Development Dave Shakes are looking for an OM for
the five-station cluster that includes Country KNCQ. See the complete job description here; send résumés here.
Townsquare KUAD/Ft. Collins, CO Brand Mgr. Matt Sparx is hunting for a morning host. See the complete job description and apply here.
Momentum KJUG/Visalia, CA PD Rik McNeil is looking for an APD/midday personality. Complete job posting here; send résumés, social media profiles, mobile content, examples of past success and airchecks to McNeil here
Cumulus KUBL/Salt Lake City PD Travis Daily is searching for a co-host to join newly minted host Jesse James. See the complete job description and apply here
Cumulus KSKS/Fresno, CA PD Andy Winford is seeking a morning host to join incumbent Jody Jo Mize. See the complete job posting and apply here
Buck Owens KUZZ/Bakersfield, CA PD/on-air talent Brent Michaels is searching for an on-air morning talent or team. See the complete job posting here; send résumés and airchecks to Michaels here
Townsquare Corporate Recruiter/Content
Savannah Bullard is seeking a Dir./Digital & Radio Content for the Billings, MT cluster that includes Country KCTR. See the complete job posting here; send résumés and airchecks to Bullard here
RWPC Pres. Scott Huskey is searching for a morning host to join McKenzie River KKNU/Eugene, OR. Send résumés and airchecks to Huskey here
Audacy Regional VP/West Coast Country Programming Scott Roddy is seeking an APD/MD/on-air talent to join KSON/San Diego; see the complete job posting and apply here
Cumulus KATC/Colorado Springs, CO OM Bobby Irwin is searching for a PD/morning co-host to succeed Bo Jaxon Complete job description and application here
OTHER
River House Artists Dir./Digital Strategy
Kristin Watson Byrne is looking for a Coord./Digital. Send résumés to her here
OH Creative owner Olivia Hanceri is searching for a Nashville-based Coord./PR to join her growing team. See the complete job posting here; send résumés, references and writing samples to Hanceri here
SEEKING JOBS
•Greg Cole
Former WKCQ/Saginaw, MI OM/PD GCole27000@gmail.com 916-502-4734
•Marc Lavik (aka Dave Marcus) Former on-air talent ZimaGuy@gmail.com 401-467-6737
•”Big” John Horton
Former KFSA/Ft. Smith, AR afternoon host BigJohn@TheBigJohnShow.com
•AJ McCloud
Former WWFF/Huntsville, AL APD/afternoons AJ.McCloud@charter.net 256-503-2301
•Bill Hickok
Former KBMR/Bismark, ND morning host BillHickok1950@gmail.com
•Scott Davidson
Former WHOF-HD2/Canton, OH PD/on-air host Davidson1023@gmail.com
•David Dean
Former KXDD/Yakima, WA afternoons DaviDean5@gmail.com
•Brian “Wookie” Kostek
Former WDSY/Pittsburgh APD/MD/ afternoons BKostek24@gmail.com
•Kim Brixton
Former WNWN/Battle Creek, MI mornings/middays KimBrixton@gmail.com
•Mark McKay
Former Riser House Dir./Southeast Promotion MMcKay973@gmail.com
•Tami Rumfelt
Former WPAW/Greensboro afternoons TamiRumfelt@gmail.com
•Mike McKay
Former WQRB/Eau Claire, WI Brand Mgr./mornings McKProd@charter.net
•Jimmy Elliott
Former WOVK/Wheeling, WV WPP/PD/ MD/mornings
JimmyElliottSchlosser@gmail.com
•Bill “Stu” Stewart
Former KASH/Anchorage, AK PD/morning co-host 602-785-5329 BStu1013@gmail.com
•Jim Pearson
Former KDBL/Yakima, WA PD/mornings JimsCoolEmail@gmail.com 831-261-1822
•Aaron “Gator” Glass Former WQNU/Louisville mornings GatorGlass.53@gmail.com
•Carly Quinn
Former WGH/Norfolk morning co-host NewEnglandClamChowder2021@yahoo.com 863-388-9606
•Chuck Akers
Former KTHT/Houston morning co-host chuckakers@comcast.net
•Scott Gaines
Former Summit/Knoxville OM & WCYQ PD GainesRadio@gmail.com
•T.J. “J.T.” Michaels Former WCPV/Burlington, VT PD/ afternoons TJMichaelsRadio@gmail.com 802-249-3570
•Caitlin “CJ” Johnson
Former KKBQ/Houston afternoons Caitlin.M.Johnson25@gmail.com
•Jonathan Wier
Former WKLB/Boston morning co-host JonWierWLCA@gmail.com
•Quinn Alexander
Former WCJC/Kokomo, IN middays Quist23@gmail.com
•Bob Reeves
Former Riser House SVP/Promotion BReeves780@gmail.com 615-347-9499
•Bryan “Ryder” Konold
Former KDBL/Yakima, WA Brand Mgr./mornings BryantRyderKonold@gmail.com
•Lexi Papadopoulos
Former KUBL/Salt Lake City mornings LexiOnTheRadio@gmail.com
•Jared “Banks” Danielson
Former KUBL/Salt Lake City mornings JaredDanielson1@gmail.com
•Adrian Kulp
Former syndicated Backstage Country Exec. Prod. AdrianKulp@gmail.com
•Megan Youngblood
Former Capitol Dir./West Coast Promotion MegaYoungBlood@gmail.com
•Greg Raneiri
Former Mercury Dir./West Coast Promotion G.Raneiri@gmail.com
•Kevin “Crash” Davis
Former WEBL/Memphis OM/PD/mornings KevinDavisRadio@gmail.com
•Blake Nixon
Former Show Dog Dir./Southeast Promotion Blake.Nixon@comcast.net
Country Aircheck Add Leaders
Activator Top Point Gainers
Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers
Activator Top Spin Gainers
Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers
Country Aircheck Top Recurrents
AIRPLAY BY STATION OWNER
MARKET AIRPLAY PROFILE - PITTSBURGH
FLASHBACK No.
COUNTRY AIRCHECK ACTIVITY
SAM HUNT/Water Under The Bridge (MCA)
Moves 19-45
3070 points, 725 spins
GEORGE BIRGE/Mind On You (Records Nashville)
Moves 48-46*
3018 points, 845 spins
3 adds: KSSN, WDSY, WQYK
BROTHERS OSBORNE/Nobody’s Nobody (EMI Nashville)
Debut 47*
2939 points, 795 spins
8 adds: KJKE, KNCI, KPLM, KSD, WBEE, WCOL, WKHX*, WMAD
CHAYCE BECKHAM/23 (Wheelhouse)
Moves 50-48*
2783 points, 763 spins
5 adds: KTEX, WAMZ, WBEE, WQYK, WTGE
MORGAN EVANS/Over For You (Warner/WEA)
Re-enters 49*
2521 points, 665 spins
1 add: WBEE
BAILEY ZIMMERMAN/Religiously (Elektra/Warner/WEA)
Debut 50*
2519 points, 636 spins
16 adds, including: KCYY, KKGO, KWBL, KWNR, WAVW, WGTY, WNCB, WOLF, WPOC, WXBQ
DALTON DOVER/Giving Up On That (Mercury)
2410 points, 690 spins
2 adds: KCYE, WCTK
KASSI ASHTON/Drive You Out Of My Mind (Interscope/MCA)
1964 points, 581 spins
4 adds: KNCI, WCKT, WCYQ*, WRBT
LUKE COMBS/5 Leaf Clover (River House/Columbia)
1892 points, 499 spins
3 adds: KKWF*, WCTK, WPCV*
NEON UNION/’Bout Damn Time (Red Street)
1849 points, 532 spins
3 adds: KXBG, WBCT, WYCD
ADD DATES
Send yours to adds@countryaircheck.com
MAY 8
MARYNN TAYLOR/Make You Mine (Black River)
CHASE RICE/Bad Day To Be A Cold Beer (Broken Bow)
MAY 15
CHASE MATTHEW/Love You Again (Warner Nashville)
MAY 22
BEN GALLAHER/Loving You Gets In The Way (Stone Country)
CHECK OUT
MAY 5
Justin Moore Stray Dog (Valory)
Megan Moroney Lucky (Arista)
Logan Mize Bloodline (Big Yellow Dog Music)
Meghan Patrick Greatest Show On Dirt (Riser House)
Karley Scott Hands On The Wheel (Sony Music Nashville)
©2023 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to news@countryaircheck.com
