weekly January 29, 2024, Issue 894
Meet The CRS 2024 Scholars
The five professionals sharing CRS 2024’s scholarships this year are all young women rising through the ranks of radio. More significantly, they all share a passion for the medium that is both palpable and inspiring. This week, Country Aircheck profiles the Lisa McKay Women In Radio Scholarship recipients. Both are following in the footsteps of parents who worked in radio, and will be attending CRS for the first time. • Annie ”Camp” Owens, WPAW/ Greensboro mornings: Awarded one of two Lisa McKay Women in Radio Scholarships for aspiring female programmers, Owens is the daughter of the late “Big Paul” Franklin of Annie Owens WSOC/Charlotte and WTQR/Greensboro – the station his daughter now competes against. “I grew up going to the station at 4am and remotes on the weekend,” she says. “I was bit by the ‘bug,’ and knew from a very young age exactly what I wanted to do in life.” Franklin died in a motorcycle accident in 2002, but continues to inspire Owens, who says, “He left some pretty big shoes to fill. Some days I don’t know if he’s proud of me or shaking his head for following in his radio footsteps. He touched a lot of lives in the Triad, and people will still stop me randomly and tell me how much they loved my dad. His legacy still lives on.” Despite knowing she wanted to work in radio, Owens took a circuitous route. Stops included catering, housekeeping, working as the mouse at Chuck E. Cheese, attending beauty school, and working as a certified nurse’s assistant and an activities director at a retirement facility. Just before landing her radio job, she says, “I was living out of my car and working at a gas station. It took me a long time to get into broadcasting school, and by the time I did I was more than prepared.” She interned at Audacy Adult Hits sister WSMW until a part-time position came open. That led to a Promotions Dir. gig at WPAW, and then her current position on the Wake Up With The Wolf Show. “I love every aspect of being on a morning show: the creativity, the camaraderie, and especially being the first thing people hear on their morning commutes,» she says. «Hopefully we›re helping them start their days with a smile or laugh.” But as the (continued on page 3)
Shake Your Money Baker: KUZZ/Bakersfield’s Brent Michaels, Ness Heraldez, Kenn McCloud, and Mike Bell (l-r) wrap up the station’s St. Jude radiothon with $239,098 raised.
Q4 CDM Drivetime Leaders
Following the analysis of the format’s Q4 drive-time leaders in PPM markets earlier this month, Country Aircheck has also compiled Country’s top performers from Nielsen’s 45 Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM) markets. For the first time in more than two years, WDRM/Huntsville’s morning duo of “Dingo” Brent Crank and Blair Maples top the daypart. They jumped 2.6 shares from Q3, when they ranked eighth. WRNS/Greenville, NC, which tied for first overall in the quarter, landed just behind WDRM in morning drive, scoring an even 12 share with its airing of The Bobby Bones Show. Alabama makes it two out of the top three, with WZZK/Birmingham’s Rick & Bubba taking the bronze. In afternoon drive, WRNS takes the top spot with Mica Cadena returning to the pole position for the first time since Q4 2022. Fourth tenths
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