11 minute read
OFF THE RECORD
Big Loud’s Jake Owen goes Off (The Record) about his new album, Loose Cannon :
I’ve definitely got a few more grays on my chin since Greetings from … Jake, but hopefully I’ve gotten a little wiser and smarter. Hopefully I’ve become more humble, grateful, at peace with my life and thankful for the fact I still get to do this for a living. I’m still living a dream after almost 20 years of chasing it.
I’ve always been a “best song wins” kind of guy. On my early records, I wrote everything. For this one, I’ve really enjoyed the process of finding songs I’m a fan of, interpreting them in my own way and delivering them. Some of my favorite artists of all time did the same: Kenny Chesney, George Strait and Alan Jackson. All are great writers and can write great songs, but the majority of hits they had were from these incredible songwriters in Nashville. I enjoyed digging into that well. I plan to put out a record with just my songs – hopefully soon.
The title track is my favorite on the album, just from a standpoint of what it says. I am a loose cannon, so it parallels my life really well. When I sing it, it feels like me. I’m grateful for the rocks and the anchors that hold me down and bring me back to reality in those times when I’m becoming the loose cannon.
My buddy Jordan Davis sent me a song called “Somewhere South With Rum” awhile ago that I’m really, really proud of, and I hope he is too. He flattered me when he said, “We wrote this song for you and you have to record it.” I’m a beach guy, so being somewhere south with rum resonates well ... but I also know the feeling of love lost and wishing you had it back. It’s a really cool way of saying it.
“Solo, Solo” is just a good, fun drinking song. I really love that tune, and I think a lot of people out there will, too.
I don’t think there are enough songs about friendships [like “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drink Alone”]. I’m lucky to have some awesome friends who’d be there for me in a heartbeat, and I would be there for them the same way.
House Of God: RCA’s Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown and team celebrate No. 1 “ Thank God,” the latter ’ s inaugural chart topper, at the Browns’ home in Nashville.
News & Notes
Michael Christenson has been appointed Entravision CEO, effective July 1.
The BMI Foundation presented the inaugural Dolly Parton Songwriters Award to Macy Dot Neal for her song “Texas, Tennessee.”
The third season of Big Kenny’s Crank It Up Garage will debut June 29 at 9:30pm CT on Circle Network
Single day tickets for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix (Aug. 4-6) are on sale now.
A Covenant Knight at the Grand Ole Opry House will take place Aug. 7 featuring Old Dominion, Morgan Wallen and Jason Aldean Proceeds benefit The Covenant School Community Fund. Tickets on sale June 30 at 10am CT.
Q&A: Behind The First AI Jock
(continued from page 1)
Are we doing that much prep as an industry? If you have someone who’s voicetracking, they probably cut that break hours or even days beforehand. This can generate the content for a break, down to 60 seconds before it airs.
What happens when a local emergency or breaking event occurs?
There is a secondary text-to-speech feature that allows the PD to write any immediately relevant text. You can write out the break, send it to the AI voice and load it into the system. However, AI doesn’t know that I-5 being shut down is more significant than a traffic light out downtown. Until that story has become part of the online conversation, it’s not going to have the ability to talk about it. That’s why we chose to experiment with this on one station in one daypart. That’s also why we made sure not to use it as a replacement for a human being. I can›t put my or my company’s initials on a larger rollout because it can’t do that.
Some might have experimented with this under the radar. Why did you start on-air?
Putting this on in a meaningful daypart on a meaningful station means getting to the answers, next steps and dos-and-don’ts faster.
This technology is moving so quickly that I didn’t want to be behind where the industry will be. You should tell the audience what you’re doing – freely disclose that it is AI. The general population doesn’t think this is new. They have smart speakers or ask Siri for information, which are the same technologies behind RadioGPT.
What has the listener reaction been?
There was a vocal group that says, “ The Simpsons predicted this, the robots are taking over,” and thinks it’s witty to be the 29th person to email the Terminator/Sarah Connor meme. We did some research about which formats are the most and least accepting of this idea; Top 40 was very accepting.
We did an ask-me-anything with Ashley, and listeners only wanted to know when the next Taylor Swift giveaway was. If we’d put this on in another market, with another format and target demo, the reaction would have been different, but in this case, they didn’t have any questions. I would not recommend AI for every station though; this is not one size fits all.
What would you say to skeptics?
This is an opportunity for radio to be in conversations about media content and revenue, where it hasn’t been of late. Spotify, Apple Music and DSPs are asking, “What can we learn from radio that we can apply to our business to grow it?” I’m asking, “What can we learn from the tech world that we can apply to our business?”
When’s the last time people had this many conversations about anything on terrestrial radio? It used to be that our job as programmers was to capture attention. We’ve had so little positive attention that we almost don’t know how to react to it. Yes, we know this is a spirited conversation, but we’re excited that there’s conversation.
There’s a famous quote by futurist Rishad Tobaccowala: “The future will not fit in the containers of the past.” If we want to keep this industry viable, relevant, and thriving, why are we trying to put it in the box that it used to be in?
Where do you see AI by the end of the year?
You’ll see a rapid adoption in the next couple of months. People will start to say, “If I can have an AI personality instead of just segues and sweepers, that’s probably a better option.” You will see clients asking radio stations if they can clone their voice, so they don’t have to come in to cut commercials. You will see AI doing features and interviews with artists, and you’ll see an entirely AI station by the end of the year.
–Chris Huff
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 KKAQ-AM. 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
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 cohost 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
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
MacDonald WKCQ/Saginaw, MI OM/ PD Jason Addams is looking for an afternoon drive host. “This is not a voice -tracking opportunity,” Addams tells Country Aircheck. “Come live in beautiful Mid-Michigan! If you can shine while making the music and listeners the star, we want to hear from you.” Send résumés and airchecks to him here
Northeast
Audacy/Rochester, NY VP/GM Sue Munn is looking for a Brand Mgr. for the fivestation 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 fulltime 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
Community Broadcasters WLFK/ Gouverneur, NY Owner/Pres. Jim Leven is searching for a PD/morning host. Send résumés and airchecks to him here
Southeast
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 fivestation 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.
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
Midlands Media WUDE/Columbia, SC is searching for on-air talent with production and light engineering skills. VP/COO Marie Stover adds, “Tired of corporate radio? If you love the south, country music and serving local clients and community, let’s talk.” Send résumés and airchecks to Pres./CEO Keith Stover here.
WNGC/Athens, GA is searching for a morning host to join Haley Bartoletta. See the job posting 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
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
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
•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
•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
•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
•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 Add Leaders
Activator Top Point Gainers
Activator Top Spin Gainers
Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers
Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers
Country Aircheck Top Recurrents
JAKE OWEN/On The Boat Again (Big Loud)
Moves 50-45*
2905 points, 821 spins; No adds
MORGAN EVANS/Over For You (Warner/WEA)
Remains at 46*
2759 points, 793 spins
3 adds: KSCS*, WFMS*, WKHX*
KASSI ASHTON/Drive You Out Of My Mind (Interscope/MCA)
Moves 48-47*
2581 points, 780 spins
1 add: WSOC
CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Out Of That Truck (Capitol)
Debut 48*
2536 points, 651 spins
8 adds: KHKI*, KKIX, KNCI, WAVW, WDAF, WDXB, WKHX*, WUSH*
NEON UNION/’Bout Damn Time (Red Street)
Re-enters 49*
2517 points, 771 spins
1 add: WWYZ
TIGIRLILY GOLD/Shoot Tequila (Monument)
Debut 50*
2283 points, 684 spins
4 adds: KUZZ, WAVW, WCTO*, WSOC
FRANK RAY/Somebody Else’s Whiskey (Stoney Creek)
2198 points, 659 spins
1 add: WDXB
CHASE RICE/Bad Day To Be A Cold Beer (Dack Janiels/Broken Bow)
2186 points, 598 spins
1 add: WYRK
KIMBERLY PERRY/If I Die Young (Pt. 2) (Records Nashville)
2120 points, 623 spins
3 adds: KKGO, KSON, KWJJ
NATE SMITH/World On Fire (RCA)
2029 points, 581 spins
5 adds: KPLM, KUZZ, WKXC, WQYK, WTQR
EASTON CORBIN/Marry That Girl (Stone Country)
1953 points, 616 spins
1 add: KRST*
JULY 3
None Listed
Send yours to adds@countryaircheck.com
JULY 10
WARREN ZEIDERS/Pretty Little Poison (Warner/WEA)
COREY KENT/Something’s Gonna Kill Me (RCA)
JULY 17
KIDD G/Daylight Savings (Valory)
