Issue 861 - June 5, 2023

June 5, 2023, Issue 861

Browns, Wallen, Big Loud Lead Airplay

A repeat of last year’s airplay chart share photo finish seems unlikely at the midpoint as, no surprise, Big Loud has a solid lead in airplay. Fueled largely by four Morgan Wallen titles, the label lands at No. 1 on the chart share list (see page 10), while Kane and Katelyn Brown own the top song so far (see Top 25 page 3). Let’s dig in ...

Methodology: The 2023 chart year runs Nov. 6, 2022 to Nov. 11, 2023. Airplay points for this update were tabulated through May 27, 2023. Ninety-six songs that spent at least one week on the current chart in that window are credited for all current and recurrent airplay. Collaborations are credited to each artist’s label in full – each receives 100% of the airplay points amassed by the song. As always, airplay is from our friends and partners at Mediabase 24/7.

Wallen’s “Thought You Should Know” (No. 2), “You Proof” (7), “Last Night” (31) and “One Thing At A Time” (35) are supported by Hardy’s collab with Lainey Wilson, “Wait In The Truck” (12), in bolstering Big Loud’s chart share. Hailey Whitters’ debut “Everything She Ain’t” (39) and the Ashley Cooke/Brett Young duet “Never Til Now” (86) round out the list.

Landing at No. 2 is MCA, bolstered by two from Jordan Davis – “What My World Spins Around” (3) and “Next Thing You Know” (45) – as well as titles from Parker McCollum and Sam Hunt, among others.

Leading Capitol’s charge are Dierks Bentley’s “Gold” (9) and Keith Urban’s “Brown Eyes Baby” (22), with support from Carrie Underwood, John Pardi and Luke Bryan. Columbia rounds out the top 5, powered by Luke Combs’ “Going, Going, Gone” (4), Megan Moroney’s “Tennessee Orange” (30) and Old Dominion’s “Memory Lane” (33). What will it all mean when the chart-year closes in November? Hard to say, but Wallen’s “Last Night” – currently on its second week at No. 1 – is guaranteed not to finish the year at No. 31.

(continued on page 9)

5-1-5-OH: Capitol‘s Dierks Bentley takes the Gravel & Gold Tour to Cleveland. Pictured (l-r) are WQMX/Akron‘s Cherise Richards Chris Ciralso, WGAR‘s Carletta Blake, Moses Bigler

Sarah Kay, Bentley, the label‘s Annie Sandor Buccieri, Marissa Wazz and WQMX‘s Steve Wazz

50 Sent: CMA Fest Hits Milestone

Ask CMA CEO Sarah Trahern for the topline around the 50th anniversary of CMA Fest (June 8-11) and she points to collaborations. “More than we’ve ever had in the history of our TV show, both inside and outside of the genre,” she says. “That’s a real nod to the history and artists who have played before us along with the artists who are today’s superstars.”

CA: Everyone has their idea of what CMA Fest is … but what do you see behind the scenes that may be different from the forward-facing aspects?

ST: The Nashville music community puts on a world-class festival for fans from all 50 states and 38 different countries,

Sarah Trahern

Katelyn and Kane Brown

Morgan Wallen

but it’s also our whole industry’s festival. You’ll see industry people coming down to Riverfront to watch an artist they haven’t seen or hanging out side-stage catching up. I often see label presidents going to check out the competition or an unsigned artist they have their eye on. While we’re so proud of the music discovery and the things that happen between the fans and the artists, we’re also putting on a four-day party and festival for our industry.

Radio used to be a big part of the event, at least in having remote broadcasts. How much does CMA still utilize radio to sell four-day or nightly passes?

We consistently partner with several local and regional stations to run advertising and promotions. We will welcome a few of the local Country stations on-site promoting our free activities – Fan Fair X inside Music City Center as well as the nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium. We also provide digital promotional tools to all marketing partners, including radio.

Is the milestone a bigger deal for industry and staff than for fans?

Some of the fans will get it, and I hope that some will have been a part of all of it. From an industry standpoint, there’s probably a lot of high-fives with folks who were a key part of each chapter. People like Bud Wendell, who were instrumental in creating Fan Fair back in 1972. There are artists in the documentary, including Bill Anderson and Jeannie Seely, who are still playing the Opry and getting in front of fans who were at the very first Fan Fair. There are members of [the CMA] staff who have worked 30 of the 50 years.

Is there anything in particular this year you are looking forward to? Something new, something familiar?

Fan feedback is one of the reasons we created Riverside Retreat [last year]. There’s going to be some additional screens in the stadium based on last year’s exit surveys. We brought back the VIP platform [at Nissan] that we experimented with last year, which gives us that satellite stage, where Megan Moroney will be one of the performers. Last year, she played the spotlight stage, which is the smallest stage we have inside Music City Center. This year, even though it’s not on TV, she’s going to play in front of 50,000 people.

How can CMA Fest evolve over the next 50 years?

The inner circle is the festival itself and the roughly 80,000 fans who come to downtown Nashville each day. The next, wider circle are the people who get to experience it July 19 on TV. The outside circle is the TV show playing internationally. [Each circle offers] opportunity for music discovery. How do we grow that? How do we move that into the new stadium [replacing Nissan in 2026]? Those are discussions we’re having now – continuing to evolve the magic that happens between the fans and the artists for the next 50 years. –

Addie Morton

TOP AIRPLAY SONGS (Through May 27)

ARTIST/TITLE (LABEL)

Chart Chat

Congratulations to Morgan Wallen, Stacy Blythe, Ali Matkosky, Tyler Waugh and the Big Loud promotion team on holding “Last Night” at No. 1 for a second week. This is Wallen’s 15th career week to top the chart, placing him in a tie with Chris Young and Charley Pride. Songwriters are John Byron, Ashley Gorley, Jacob Kasher Hindlin and Ryan Vojtesak

Congratulations to the Red Street records crew, with this week’s No. 50 debut of “Bout Damn Time” by Neon Union, both the label and the duo make their first ever chart appearances. And kudos to Dennis Reese and the RCA crew on scoring 48 adds for “World On Fire” by Nate Smith. This is the first time Smith has topped the CA/MB Add Board.

News & Notes

Opry Celebrates 50th CMA Fest kicks off June 6 at the Grand Ole Opry with performances by Lainey Wilson, Josh Turner and Carrie Underwood. Additional shows are scheduled for June 8, 9 and 10. Full calendar here

Jameson Rogers, Megan Moroney, Jelly Roll and Michael Ray will be guest hosts during the month of June on Shawn Parr’s Backstage Country. More info here

Buddy Jewell was inducted into the Arkansas Walk of Fame. Induction video here

The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum will feature bassist David Hood in the next installment of its Nashville Cats interview series, July 8 at 2:30pm in the museum’s Ford Theater. Details here

The third annual Big Machine Music City Grand Prix has announced

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Maine Attraction: Curb’s Hannah Ellis (c) visits Maine for a performance at Erik’s Church in partnership with WTHT/Portland. She’s pictured with a crew from the station including APD Chris Clare, venue owner Kenny Cianchette and the label’s Allyson Gelnett

Morgan Wallen

a Fast Pass preferred access program in partnership with several popular downtown Nashville venues. Info here

Nashville Soccer Club has released The Man In Black collector’s box celebrating the 52nd anniversary of the release of the Johnny Cash album. Each limited-edition box includes a hatch print and Man In Black jersey. Details here

The video for “The Hangman” by War Hippies was awarded the 2023 Silver Telly Award for Craft Videography/Cinematography (NonBroadcast.) Watch here.

The Recording Academy has elected 19 leaders to the 20232024 Board of Trustees including Tracy Gershon and Jennifer Hanson. Serving as National Officers are Tammy Hurt (Chair), Dr. Chelsey Green (Vice Chair), Gebre Waddell (Secretary/Treasurer), and Christine Albert (Chair Emeritus). Full list here

Craig Campbell will join Drew Baldridge for the second annual The Big Baldridge and Bonfire Music Festival in Patoka, IL. Oct. 14. Tickets here Nominations are being accepted for the Texas Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2023 through June 30. Inductees will be honored Nov. 4 at the Texas Museum of Broadcasting & Communications in Kilgore, TX. Details here

T. Graham Brown signed with Third Coast Talent’s Carrie MooreReed and Debbie Moore for exclusive booking representation. Dates and more here

NSAI’s 24th annual Song Contest will be held Aug. 1— Sept. 30, 2023 with songwriter David Hodges (Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion, Tim McGraw) set to mentor the winner. Details and full list of this year’s winners here

The Week’s Top Stories

Full coverage at countryaircheck.com

• WUSY/Chattanooga, top CDM performers and Garth Brooks’ Vegas residency were discussed in last week’s (5/30) Country Aircheck Weekly

• Audacy’s Clay Walker has been named VP of the company›s Content Operations Department. Concurrently, KMLE/Phoenix & KKWF/ Seattle Brand Mgr. Drew Bland has been elevated to RVP/Country, adding Brand Mgr. oversight for WPAW. (CAT 6/1)

• Smack SVP/Development Robert Carlton has been promoted to President. (CAT 6/1)

• Bonneville Pres. Darrell Brown will retire in August, with Salt Lake City cluster SVP/GM Tanya Vea taking over as Pres./COO Aug. 1. (CAT 6/1)

Browns, Wallen, Big Loud Lead Airplay

Moroney is also in the top five, Old Dominion in the top 10 and Combs is rocking two top 15s – all with bullets and a shot at pushing Columbia higher. Stay tuned. –Chuck Aly

2023 Label Airplay Share

through May 27, 2023)

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Hardy

AVAILABLE JOBS

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Ingstad/Thief River Falls, MN VP/ Broadcasting Jake Weber is looking for a GM to oversee the cluster that includes Country KKDQ & Classic Country KKAQ-AM. Send résumés and cover letters to Weber here

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Audacy/Rochester, NY VP/GM Sue Munn is looking for Brand Mgr. for the fivestation cluster that includes Country WBEE

Complete job description and application here

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SOUTHEAST

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Saga WVVR/Clarksville, TN PD Mike Sanders is searching for a morning co-host. Send résumés and airchecks to him 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

Cumulus/Memphis VP/MM Morgan Bohannon is searching for a PD for WGKX following the departure of Chad Heritage. According to the post, “Energy, enthusiasm and experience within the genre is a must.” See full description here

SOUTHWEST

LKCM Classic Country KTFW/Fort Worth OM Mark Phillips is seeking a midday host who can handle a “personality intensive daypart with a lot of phones, contests and appearances.” Reach him 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 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

RWPC Pres. Scott Huskey is searching for a morning host to join McKenzie River KKNU/ Eugene, OR. Send résumés and airchecks to Huskey 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

Audacy RVP/West Coast Programming Scott Roddy is seeking a personality to join The Wake Up Call morning co-host Kelli Green. The complete job description and application is forthcoming.

McKenzie River KKNU/Eugene, OR PD Jim Davis is looking for a replacement for retired morning host Tim Fox. Reach Davis 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.

Albright & O’Malley & Brenner VP Kenny Jay is searching for “a talent looking for their big break, or someone tired of corporate radio life who would like to settle down in California … [someone who] can have fun and entertain live and local at night.” The opportunity may include APD/MD duties as well. Send demos and resumes to Jay here.

Albright & O’Malley & Brenner VP Kenny Jay is searching for a Brand Manager/ prime time personality. ”You must be a persuasive leader, a self-starter, have a strong desire to get things done, and have fun ... in one of the most livable cities in the US,” he says. Three years of full-time management and on-air experience are required. Send demos and resumes to Jay here.

SEEKING JOBS

•Greg Cole

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

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Former KFSA/Ft. Smith, AR afternoon host BigJohn@TheBigJohnShow.com

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Former WWFF/Huntsville, AL APD/afternoons AJ.McCloud@charter.net 256-503-2301

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Former KBMR/Bismark, ND morning host BillHickok1950@gmail.com

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Former WHOF-HD2/Canton, OH PD/on-air host Davidson1023@gmail.com

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Former KXDD/Yakima, WA afternoons DaviDean5@gmail.com

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Former WDSY/Pittsburgh APD/ MD/afternoons BKostek24@gmail.com

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Former WNWN/Battle Creek, MI mornings/middays KimBrixton@gmail.com

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Former Riser House Dir./ Southeast Promotion MMcKay973@gmail.com

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Former WPAW/ Greensboro afternoons TamiRumfelt@gmail.com

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Former WQRB/Eau Claire, WI Brand Mgr./mornings McKProd@charter.net

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•Jim Pearson Former KDBL/Yakima, WA PD/mornings JimsCoolEmail@gmail.com 831-261-1822

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•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

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Caitlin.M.Johnson25@gmail.com

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Former WKLB/Boston morning cohost JonWierWLCA@gmail.com

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Former Riser House SVP/Promotion BReeves780@gmail.com 615-347-9499

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Former KDBL/Yakima, WA Brand Mgr./mornings BryantRyderKonold@gmail.com

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Former KUBL/Salt Lake City mornings LexiOnTheRadio@gmail.com

•Jared “Banks” Danielson Former KUBL/Salt Lake City mornings JaredDanielson1@gmail.com

•Megan Youngblood

Former Capitol Dir./West Coast Promotion MegaYoungBlood@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

•Rosie Fitchpatrick

Formerly worked in event and artist management, and radio promotion rosiefitch99@gmail.com

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers

Activator Top Point Gainers

Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers

Activator Top Spin Gainers

AIRPLAY BY STATION OWNER

MARKET AIRPLAY PROFILE -

COUNTRY AIRCHECK ACTIVITY

LAINEY WILSON/Watermelon Moonshine (Broken Bow)

Debut 45*

2878 points, 756 spins

43 adds, including: KATM*, KIIM*, KJKE, KMDL, KUAD, WAMZ, WDAF, WGGY, WITL, WJVC

MORGAN EVANS/Over For You (Warner/WEA)

Moves 48-46*

2695 points, 777 spins

1 add: WXCY

DALTON DOVER/Giving Up On That (Mercury)

Remains at 47*

2664 points, 767 spins

1 add: KVOO

KASSI ASHTON/Drive You Out Of My Mind (Interscope/MCA)

Moves 50-48*

2383 points, 735 spins

5 adds: KCYE, KILT, KXBG, WBEE, WXTU

HARDY/Truck Bed (Big Loud)

Debut 49*

2303 points, 644 spins

3 adds: KAWO, KNCI, WAVW

NEON UNION/’Bout Damn Time (Red Street)

Debut 50*

2279 points, 700 spins

2 adds: KEEY, WAVW

BRIAN KELLEY/See You Next Summer (Big Machine)

2218 points, 539 spins

13 adds, including: KFRG, KPLM, KRYS, KUPL, KZSN, WGNA, WOGK, WTHT, WUSJ, WUSN

KIMBERLY PERRY/If I Die Young (Pt. 2) (Records Nashville)

2153 points, 628 spins

2 adds: W1HC*, W1MC*

TIGIRLILY GOLD/Shoot Tequila (Monument)

1906 points, 579 spins

3 adds: KHEY, KSON, WDRM

JAKE OWEN/On The Boat Again (Big Loud)

1837 points, 495 spins

ADD DATES

Send yours to adds@countryaircheck.com

JUNE 12

JOSH ROSS/Trouble (Mercury)

JUNE 20

HANNAH ELLIS/Wine Country (Curb)

JOE NICHOLS/Brokenhearted (Quartz Hill)

CARLY PEARCE f/CHRIS STAPLETON/We Don’t Fight Anymore (Big Machine)

JUNE 26

BRETT YOUNG/Dance With You (BMLGR)

CHECK OUT

JUNE 9

Chase Matthew Come Get Your Memory (Warner Music Nashville)

Marking his debut album under Warner Music Nashville, Matthew co-penned 19 of the 25 tracks featured on his sophomore project, including his lead single, “Love You Again.”

Kimberly Perry Bloom (Records Nashville)

Produced by Jimmy Robbins, Perry co-wrote all of the songs on her inaugural solo release alongside Robbins, Nicolle Galyon, Jesse Frasure, Sasha Sloan, Casey Brown and Parker Welling.

Brooke Eden Outlaw Love (BBRMG)

“This EP is the most personal group of songs I’ve ever released,” says Eden. “It takes you from the beginning of my and [wife] Hilary’s relationship with ‘Whispering’ to our first dance song ‘All My Life.’ The Outlaw Love EP is a look into our unique relationship in country music and a new definition of what it means to be an outlaw.”

Lauren Alaina Unlocked (Big Loud)

Alaina’s six-song label debut boasts cuts by Cole Swindell, Ella Langley, Luke Bryan and Josh Osborne, among others, and a duet with Lainey Wilson on “Thicc As Thieves.”

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10 adds: KJUG, KMLE, KNCI, KUPL, WGH, WIRK, WQHK*, WSSL, WTHT, WUSJ