Issue 902 - March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024, Issue 902

Remembering Erv Woolsey

The passing of artist manager Erv Woolsey (Chronicle 3/20) is marked with favorite stories of the man from many who knew him well.

• Country Music Hall of Famer George Strait: Of course there’s a lot of stories, but one of the many things that I’ll really miss is after every show he would say to me, “Man, George. You were great tonight.” Or something like that – even on those nights when I knew I wasn’t. He always believed in me. Erv was a man who, if you were his friend, he had your back no matter what. All of his friends will tell you that. While I’ll never get that pat on the back from Erv again physically, I’ll still feel it in my heart. He’ll always be with me in spirit.

• Morris Higham Management’s Clint Higham: When I came to Nashville it was Dale Morris, Narvel Blackstock and Erv Woolsey I looked to as being at the very top. That was Alabama, Reba and George Strait. For Erv to become a friend and a mentor ... he went to both of my weddings. He once said the role of a manager is to protect those with the ability to have long term impact – artists – from those who operate with short term thinking – like record companies. He once said, “One day you’ll wake up and not recognize a soul at your record company.” He was right.

Erv had so much wisdom and so many funny lines. A group of us went to one of [concert promoter] Louis Messina’s weddings, and when they got to the part asking if anyone objects to the marriage, Erv raised his hand. It was hilarious. And of course, Louis is no longer married to that gal, so Erv was right about that too.

CRS Research: Is Local Passé?

Arguably the most surprising moment of CRS 2024 came when Smith Geiger EVP/Digital Media Strategies Andrew Finlayson presented the elements listeners want from on-air talent. Exceeded only by shared political affiliation, the least essential quality for a radio personality was ... being local to the listener’s area. That revelation seems to be quite a departure from industry orthodoxy about the value of live and local radio, but Finlayson and the company’s SVP/ Insights & Strategy Dan Reines offer context.

(continued on page 11)

Red Light’s Enzo DeVincenzo: There are so many funny Erv one liners and stories ... some of which are printable. Here are a few nuggets he gave me I still carry: “There’s more meaning in a handshake deal between two people, than any contract could ever state.” “Do what you say you’re going to do, you’ll be surprised how many people don’t.” “Always leave a deal the way you entered one.” “All we have is our name and reputation in this life, and if you do what’s right, you’ll never have to worry about either.” I’m so blessed that Erv has been a part of my life; he gave me the gift of friendship and believing in me early on. He was a dear friend, mentor and father figure, and has touched so many lives. Love and miss you, “Big Daddy.”

The “CRS Research Presentation: On Air Talent And Their Role On All Platforms” was a national online survey of 816 country music listeners ages 18-54, of whom 60% were Country radio listeners. While the top elements respondents sought were being real (66%), authentic (60%) and positive (53%) – the least essential were shared politics (20%), being local (27%) and being patriotic (28%).

Kelsey Chart: Curb’s Kelsey Hart (r) celebrates hitting No. 1 on SiriusXM The Highway ’ s Hot 30 Countdown at Music Row Happy Hour with SXM’s ”Trapper” John Morris, Nicholas Elliott

Erv Woolsey

Andrew Finlayson Dan Reines

Finlayson argues the results aren’t out of line with accepted industry tenets. “This just proves a point that others in the industry have long said – great personalities can work anywhere,” he says. “That’s not to say that personalities who bring local to the equation don’t matter. It’s just that being local isn’t enough. And remember, that 27% was reflective of what they want in a radio personality, not necessarily in a radio station.”

Reines adds, “They’d rather listen to an entertaining broadcast from out of town than a local person who is boring. The entertainment

factor – giving context about the music I’m listening to and the artists, is more important than that I can drive to the radio station and meet you.”

Understanding the layers by which listeners define community may help. “There’s the local community and the value local radio offers with services that go beyond just playing the music,” Finlayson says. “A severe weather threat showed up as something people very much wanted to know about, likewise the traffic component offers value in live linear radio broadcasts. There’s also the community of knowing about local concerts and local events.

“Then there’s a larger community of country music [that respondents] were referencing,” he continues. “There’s a larger sense of being connected to others who care about and love country music as much as I do. That doesn’t require you being local.”

A third tier of community is among those who are nostalgic for ways radio, personalities and country music have been historically tied. “The longer you’ve been alive, the more you see things through the lens of what you’ve experienced,” Finlayson says. And he points to a potential opportunity for radio with younger fans, as well.

“Generations who have grown up on pure streaming – without a DJ or a radio host – are starting to realize they’re missing out on something. I can’t say the research proves that, but as we look closely, it showed they were open to and interested in radio personalities – particularly those who are authentic and offer value in the conversations they’re creating around the history of country music, the artists they’re playing and what’s going on in country music today.”

That third tier showed up in more than one “essential” for personalities –communicating about the music. The specifics of that were not defined in the study. “Good research begets new research because I finish a project like this and think, now we need to ask more questions,” Finlayson says. “I can’t answer beyond the survey answers that people gave us, but what they want – it’s the music, stupid.”

“My impression of the open ended responses was it was less about the celebrity factor and more about music,” Reines says. “Maybe not detail about who played a certain instrument on a track, but one of the personality clips that tested well was about how Luke Bryan came to write a song. That kind of thing was very interesting to people.”

And perhaps a subject for future CRS research. View the session video here and the presentation deck here

–Chuck Aly

Hope You Had The Tom Of Your Life: Industry friends gather in Nashville last week to celebrate the late Tom Moran are Andrew Cohen, John Grady, Marc Rucker, Bob Reeves, Ken Antonelli, Tim McFadden, Saul Shapiro, Carroll, John Ettinger, Marcella Moran, Kerry Wolfe, Pam Newman, Ken Tucker, Cliff Blake, Ryan Barnstead , Sue Grady, Mike Dungan, Sarah Zimmermann, Chuck Aly and Justin Davis

Chart Chat

Congratulations to Hardy, Stacy Blythe, Ali Matkosky, Tyler Waugh and the Big Loud promotion team on taking “Truck Bed” to No. 1. While this is Hardy’s third chart-topper, it is his first to be non-collaborative. In the 50 years of the R&R/ CA/MB Country charts, this is just the sixth No. 1 to feature “truck” in the title; four of those were released in the last two years, with two of those now from Hardy. Songwriters are Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, Hunter Phelps and Hardy.

Kudos to Michael Chase and the Warner/WAR crew on scoring 93 adds for Zac Brown Band’s “Tie Up.” The song, which debuts at No. 34 on this week’s chart, is the group’s 14th release to top the Add Board.

WKKO/Toledo has been added to the published panel for airplay the week of March 24-30, as reflected in the chart published April 1 in Country Aircheck Weekly

News & Notes

Jelly Roll will host Opry NextStage Live From Texas May 15 at 2:30pm at Lava Cantina in The Colony, TX, preceding the following day’s 59th ACM Awards in Frisco, TX. Performers for the Opry event will include

Opry NextStage artists Anne Wilson, Chase Matthew, Ella Langley, Flatland Cavalry, Madeline Edwards and Wyatt Flores, with special guests. Tickets here.

Singer/songwriter Kanaan Brock has signed with the Nashville division of management company 10th Street Entertainment. The North Carolina native’s debut single, “Sinner And Saint,” was released on March 8.

Charley Pride’s 1971 hit “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’” will be among the 10 recordings (four albums and six singles) inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame during a May 10 ceremony and concert at the Grammy Museum’s NOVO Theater in Los Angeles. Recordings selected for induction must be at least 25 years old and “exhibit qualitative or historical significance.”

All Access Enterprises Pres. Joel Denver and Allworks Media Pres. Roger Schnur are marketing the .MUSIC domain to members of the music community, who will be given early priority to register names for an artist, band or music-related business before the domain’s global launch in June. There is no fee to pre-register. When approved, the domain will cost $65 per year (and free for nonprofits for the first year). Get domains here; more info here.

Singer/songwriter Chris Canterbury signed with KT Mack’s Park Ave West Songs

The Greater Nashville Music Census, a survey for anyone working in the music industry, has extended its deadline to April 1.

Hardy

Country radio and record vet turned speaker and author Dr. Lisa Puzo Strickland joins the Executive Board of the recently launched nonprofit Hollywood Disclosure Alliance (HDA), representing the Nashville area. Launched in 2023, HDA aims to provide a unified voice in the media advocating for the end of what it calls “the long-held U.S. government-imposed truth embargo regarding the presence of extraterrestrial life.”

mTheory CEO Cameo Carlson will be the recipient of the Music Business Association’s Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement at the group’s third annual Bizzy Awards dinner, set for May 15 as part of the Music Biz 2024 Conference at the JW Marriott Hotel in Nashville. The Mechanical Licensing Collective will receive the Impact Award for Technological Excellence

The Week’s Top Stories

Full coverage at countryaircheck.com

• The challenge of balancing a career and life with caring for an elderly family member was discussed in last week’s (3/18)  Country Aircheck Weekly

• Dan Rogers was promoted to Grand Ole Opry SVP/Exec. Producer. (CAT 3/22)

• Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed the ELVIS Act into law. (CAT 3/22)

• iHeart restructuring continued with cuts affecting Chadwick “A.J.” Hausknecht, John E. Kage, Brian Moote and Kimmie Caruba, Don Cristi, Chelsey Steinhauer, Austin James, “Uncle Sam” Eulenfield and Matt “Gilly” Gilcheck. (CAT 3/18, 3/20, 3/22)

• WBZO/Nassau-Suffolk flipped to Country as WWWF “103.1 The Wolf” and is looking for its first PD/afternoon host. (CAT 3/20)

• Jake Gear joined UMG/Nashville as VP/A&R. (CAT 3/19)

• Toby Keith, John Anderson and James Burton are the 2024 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees. (CAT 3/18)

• Chronicle: John Reiplinger, Erv Woolsey, Dan Reese, Gene Elders

Remembering Erv Woolsey

(continued from page 1)

• Not A Public Figure Management’s Caroline Munsick: It was a few days before I gave birth to my son, Crawford. We had a meeting set to finalize Ian Munsick being with UTA, and I was not missing it. Ian and I headed over to Erv’s office to go over a few things ahead of time. I was ready to pop and walking around like a penguin. In Erv fashion, he wanted to drive us to the meeting. I recommend that Ian and I drive separately, just in case. [I said] “Erv, you might be driving me to the hospital today if you drive.” Erv said, “Buddy, I’d get you there quick.” And off we went to UTA with Erv at the wheel. Luckily, there were no hospital trips needed that day, but I always laugh thinking about the possibility of Erv Woolsey driving me full speed to go have a baby. He was the king of old school. The last real manager. A legend. He partnered with a 24-year-old female, pregnant, brand-new manager and fully believed in her vision. He was ahead of his time, even in 2019, and for that I’m forever grateful to my mentor, friend and business partner.

With Enzo DeVincenzo.

With Lee Ann Womack.

• Lee Ann Womack: When my first record was coming out there was some talk of changing my name as there was “already a LeAnn at Country radio.” I was devastated at the thought. Perennially the voice of reason, Erv didn’t miss a beat with his reply. “There

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was already a George when Strait came along. Did that hurt him? She’ll be keeping her name.”

Erv was a great business man, as his track record shows, but the best thing about having him at the helm was that he cared about you as a person. He cared about my family and how every decision would affect me in total. He asked me what I wanted to accomplish and what was most important to me, and he always kept those things at the forefront of every decision. We all cherish and miss him and we will never forget the things he taught us or how loved he made us feel.

• Industry vet Brian Wright: As a young A&R executive at UMG, I would send songs for George over to Erv once every couple of weeks. For about three months I never heard back. One day Erv calls me and says, “You are about to get a call from a unknown caller. It will be George. Answer it. He really likes a few of those songs you sent and wants to talk to you about them.” George did call, and we discussed a number of songs. Little did I know, every time they spoke, Erv would bring me up and the songs I was sending. His belief in me changed my life forever. He was a mentor but, more importantly, a true friend who I loved. While I am heartbroken over his passing, I know he is in a better place ... and I will see him again.

• Erv Woolsey Company’s Tom Cheney: I was still on the radio in New Orleans and Erv was working for ABC Records. This was the early ‘70s. We’d all had a wonderful night at the Wagon Wheel the night before and were driving back to Houston. I was behind the wheel and Erv had the ability to say, “I’m going to sleep right now” and then do it. Very annoying. We passed a sign and I said out loud, “Is this the Texas Hill Country?” He leaned his head to the right, popped an eye open and said, “The picturesque Texas Hill Country,” then went back to sleep.

• Warner Music Nashville’s Ian Munsick: The night of my Grand Ole Opry debut, all of my family from Wyoming flew in and we wound up at Losers after the show. Imagine that. Erv treated my two older brothers and my sister in-law like they were royalty. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so many rounds of Código ordered on one man’s tab for only a handful of people. As night turned to morning, we said goodbye to Midtown and somehow made it home. My family was flying back that morning, and they were really regretting that decision as soon as the sun came up. I distinctly remember my sister in-law – with two toddlers dragging her up the stairs to the kitchen – looking like she had gotten into a fight with a raccoon and lost. My brothers and I just stared in awe waiting for her first words of the day: “Erv got me.”

• Essential Broadcast Media’s Ebie McFarland: In 2012, I got a text to head over to my friend Erv’s house on a Sunday as some folks were hanging by the pool. It was a wonderful afternoon, listening to music and Erv’s commentary on how the songs really got cut – like how Johnny Paycheck being in jail gave Strait the opportunity to cut “Unwound,” which became his first top 10.

We were all singing along when Erv got serious and said, “Buddy, I want to talk to you about a tour we’re doing. I think it’s gonna be big.” He stared at me above his glasses as he’d do when hinting there was more than he was letting on. He paused, then said, “We’re calling it the ‘Cowboy Rides Away Tour.’” I couldn’t believe it. I listened intently and told him I’d come by the office ASAP to discuss. Even a chance to present ideas and be considered for the honor had my adrenaline pumping.

I went home, put a big presentation together. A week or so later, I met Erv and the team to take them through it. He flipped through the pages, listened quietly and let me finish. At the end, he looked up – again over the top of his rims – and said, “I thought I hired you the other day at the pool.”

©2024

Whether up-and-back to Keeneland, standing together by the gauntlet or just meeting for one at Sperry’s or Losers, thank you for including me on an adventure of a lifetime. Love you and miss you, buddy.

• Erv Woolsey Company’s Dottie Oelhafen: One spring day in 1978, I saw a carriage outside of Erv and Connie’s house. I rode my bicycle up to Erv while he was washing his Corvette, hopped off my bike and said, “Hi! My name is Dottie. Do y’all need a babysitter?” I was 11 and [Erv’s son] Clint was six months old. The rest is history. Erv loved telling the story and using a country accent when he would repeat my words. This man has been a pillar in my life for 46 years – a boss, friend and second father. My life has been forever changed by simply knowing him. It has been an honor to be his “right and left arm,” as he would say when he would introduce me to someone. He is the one that gave me the nickname “Dot.” The world will not be the same without him. I love you, Erv. Godspeed, until we meet again. –Chuck Aly, Phyllis Stark CAC

With former UMGN Chair Luke Lewis and the label’s Brian Wright.

With Clint Woolsey and Dottie Oelhafen

Shots Taken: Pictured (l-r) are Allen Mitchell, Ebie McFarland, Woolsey, Jordan Markwell, Keith Bulluck and Meghann Zolan

I Was Country: Introducing George Strait and wife Norma to Barbara Mandrell at the 1980 Houston Rodeo. Strait even got an autograph (inset). Pictured (l-r) are Mandrell, Woolsey, unknown, and George and Norma Strait. Courtesy of Clint Higham

February 2024 PPM Scoreboard

The Nielsen PPM February 2024 Survey (2/1-2/28) saw Country continue its postholiday rise with a 4.8% increase in share, from last month’s 343.6 to 360.2. That’s on track with last Feburary’s 359.7. Total cume was up 5% from last month at 21.8 million, however it is down 4.9% from a year ago. WCOL/ Columbus, OH was tops in share as the only

station in double-digits, while Houston’s two stations held down the top two places in cume. Legend: A “+” indicates a Classic Country outlet; a “^” designates co-owned Country stations in the metro; a “t” indicates a tie; and a “*” indicates a station that is a recent subscriber for which ratings were not currently available. Ranks are among subscribers.

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

Linder Radio KRUE/Waseca, MN is seeking a PD/afternoon host to succeed Ben Merritt. Send résumés and airchecks here

Mountain Dog Media WFON/Fond Du Lac, WI Brand Mgr. Aaron Carreno is seeking a morning co-host. Send résumés and airchecks to Carreno here

Big Radio WJVL/Janesville, WI is searching for an on-air talent. «The position will be primarily live Saturdays with possible sports producing [and] voice-tracking [on other stations],» PD Justin Brown says. «Previous radio experience preferred, but we will train the right personality.» Send materials to Brown here

Midwest/Wausau, WI VP/MM Rusty James is still seeking a Brand Mgr./afternoon host for WDEZ. Send resume, aircheck and programming materials to James here

Midwest KWTB/Sioux Falls, SD is looking for a live and local afternoon host. Send audio and résumé here

Midwest/Peoria, IL, which includes Country WXCL, is looking for a full-time on-air split-shift traffic anchor. Send cover letters and résumés to Business Mgr. Shannon Demanes here

MacDonald WKCQ/Saginaw, MI is seeking air personalities to fill its afternoon and night shifts. OM Jason Addams says, “If you are reliable, coachable and can live within the music, we would love to talk to you about our opportunities. If you have promotions, imaging or music scheduling experience, you’re one step ahead.” Email a résumé and short aircheck to Addams here

iHeartMedia KQDY/Bismarck, ND has an opening for PD. The position also includes PD duties for sister Rock KSSS and hosting a regional morning show based out of KSSS. See the full posting here

Hubbard KIKV/Alexandria, MN is seeking a PD/air personality. GM Matt Senne is looking for someone who “wants to be forward facing in the community and help us achieve our dreams of winning a Marconi, Crystal and Small Market station of the year awards at the CMAs and ACMs.” See full job posting here

Max Media WOOZ/Marion-Carbondale, IL has an opening for an afternoon host and Dir./Creative Services. “If you love local radio, having fun, working hard and are a team player, this gig could be what you’re looking for,“ says PD Tracy McSherry-McKown. Send cover letter, résumé, commercial writing and production examples and aircheck to McSherry-McKown here

Brewer WQLK/Richmond, IN is looking for a PD/air talent. “ We offer competitive pay for a small market,“ says GM Amy Dillon. The winning candidate will also receive registration and hotel for CRS 2024 See full post here, send résumés and airchecks to Dillon here

Federated WBYT/South Bend, IN PD Jesse Garcia is seeking a morning co-host with a minimum of three years on-air experience who “can create engaging content on multi-platforms.” Send résumé, aircheck and production samples to Garcia here

Zimmer Dir./Operations Trevor Morgan is searching for a PD for KCLR & KATI/Columbia, MO. He seeks someone to “embody our company’s core values” while being “a raving fan of country music [and sharing] our deep passion for the power of radio.” Send résumé, mp3, social sites, and “anything else you feel we need to know about you” here; see full post here

Steel City KBEQ/Kansas City is seeking a midday host. PD Todd Nixon says he is looking for an APD/MD-level talent who can take over the shift. Résumés and airchecks can be sent to him here

Summit/Wichita, KS is seeking a Dir./Programming for the cluster and PD/air talent for KFDI. “This opening is for a proven, strategic programmer who loves music, is passionate about radio, and is an excellent executor,” states the job posting, which can be seen here

Townsquare KHAK/Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking a Digital & Radio Content Leader. Find the job posting here

Townsquare WKDQ/Evansville, IN is seeking an afternoon host. See the job post here

Townsquare WWJO/St. Cloud, MN is seeking a Brand Mgr./ on-air host for the “strong heritage brand with lots of success.” Find the job posting and apply here

Midwest KTCO/Duluth needs a morning co-host. OM Rich Cannata is looking for “a social media savvy candidate who can relate with our listening audience.” Send résumé, cover letter, aircheck, and “anything you feel is relevant to winning this position” to Cannata here

Midwest/Peoria, IL is seeking an OM and Brand Mgr. Apply here

Midwest KTCO/Duluth, MN has a morning show co-host opening. See the job posting here; send résumé and materials to OM Rich Cannata here

Hubbard WIL/St. Louis is looking for a morning co-host. Click here and select “St. Louis” to see full posting.

NORTHEAST

Community Broadcasters WLFK/Gouverneur, NY Owner/Pres. Jim Leven is searching for a PD/morning host, as well as an OM for its three-station cluster. Send résumés and airchecks to him here

Saga Classic Rock WMLL/Manchester, NH is seeking a morning host. Brand Manager Michael Czarnecki is looking for “a quick wit and an upbeat, positive personality” who is also a “super supportive team member.” Send resume, social media links, and airchecks to Czarnecki here

Townsquare’s WQCB/Bangor, ME is seeking morning host with

potential programming duties. Find the job posting and apply here

Audacy WDSY/Pittsburgh is seeking a morning show co-host. Find the listing here

iHeartMedia/Wilmington, DE is seeing a part-time Promotions Event Support person for the cluster that includes WDSD. Apply here

Connoisseur Media WWWF/Nassau-Suffolk OM Patrick Shea is looking for the new station’s first PD/afternoon host; send résumé and a two-minute demo to him here

SOUTHEAST

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. Send résumés and airchecks to Lindsey 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.

West Virginia Radio WKKW/Morgantown, WV is looking for a nighttime host. Shifts on other WVRC Media stations may also be included. Send materials here

Mississippi Broadcasters WOKK/Meridian, MS PD Todd Berry is looking to relaunch the morning show with a live and local host or existing team. Applicants will preferably have production or promotions experience. Send cover letters, airchecks and résumés to Berry here

Southern Stone WKRO/Daytona Beach VP/ Programming Jonathan Wiley (DJ Tremble) is looking for an APD/ MD who is willing to “go to a lot of country shows, meet the biggest and newest artists in the genre and represent the station in Nashville a couple of times a year.” Social media skills are a must; send résumés to Tremble here

SummitMedia WZZK/Birmingham has an immediate opening for PD/on-air talent. The job is based in Birmingham and an aircheck is required; full details here

Renda/Fort Myers is looking for a Dir./Production for its fourstation cluster, which includes Country WWGR. Requirements include knowledge of Zetta, vCreative, vPromo and Adobe Audition software, as well as being based in or near southwest Florida. Send résumés and work samples to OM/PD Randy Savage here

Consultant Joel Raab is seeking a regional programmer for Community Broadcasters/South Carolina who will oversee music programming for stations in various formats including Country, Hot AC and Adult Hits. Raab adds, «This well-financed private company will pay well for the right person.» Send résumés and airchecks to Pres. Jim Leven here

Hoxeng Trust WYCT/Pensacola is seeking an afternoon host who «is exceptional with imaging and production and understands how to sell our brand.» Send aircheck, résumé, social media links and «your personal description of success in radio today» to OM Kevin King here

Holston Valley Broadcasting is looking for a Promotions Dir. for its cluster in Tri-Cities, TN/VA, including AC WTFM, Classic Hits WVEK and Rock WRZK. This opening is for a proven professional who loves music, is passionate about radio and an excellent executor. Send resume and a sample of your social media work to PD Mike Sanders at hr@hvbcgroup.com

Cumulus is seeking a PD/Brand Content Manager for WKDF & WSM-FM/Nashville. Find the job posting here

South Georgia Broadcasters WBYZ/Baxley, GA is adding to its airstaff. Pres. Jim Graham is looking for someone who is “an experienced professional with a heart for the audience/community and country music.” Knowledge of Wide Orbit and experience with production and promotions is preferred. Send résumés, airchecks and any other useful information to Graham here

A soon-to-sign-on small market station in Virginia owned by a small, private company is looking for air talent with two years of experience preferred. PD, APD or MD experience is a plus. The recruiter tells Country Aircheck, “We love growing our team and brands and having fun along the way.” Send relevant materials here

Cumulus WIVK/Knoxville PD Rich Bailey is searching for an afternoon host. See full job posting here

Bristol Broadcasting/Johnson City, TN, which includes Country WXBQ, is looking for air talent and board ops for potential full-time and part-time opportunities. Send résumés and airchecks to PD Nikki Thomas 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 Depot KDPM/Marshall, TX is looking for a local on-air talent/ marketing representative. Send materials to PD Chip Arledge here

Bryan Broadcasting has an opening for a full-time Dir./ Production based in College Station, TX for its 12 radio stations. Send résumé with examples of produced and voiced audio or spots here Stephens Media Group KKAJ/Ardmore, OK is seeking a morning host. The company says, “This is a tremendous opportunity with a strong cluster that dominates the market in sales, promotions and on-air. KKAJ is a heritage country station with a little red-dirt heritage for flavor.” Send resume, aircheck and references to SVP/Programming Bob Thornton here

Southwest Media Group Market Manager Joel Burke, whose oversight includes Country KQTY/Borger, TX & KOMX/Pampa, TX, & Classic Country KDDD/Dumas, TX, is seeking a News/Sports Dir. for the group. Reach Burke here

WEST COAST

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

RWPC Pres. Scott Huskey and McKenzie River KKNU/Eugene, OR PD Jim Davis are searching for a morning host for KKNU. Send résumés and airchecks to Huskey here or Davis here

Sticks Media KTNK-AM & K279CY/Lompoc, CA owners Todd Nixon and Liz Hallam are looking for a local afternoon host for the re-launched “Y’all 103.7.” Reach Nixon here

Consultant Joel Raab is seeking a PD/morning host for Bee Broadcasting KDBR/Kalispell, MT. Raab says, “If you can entertain, program your own station, and be a pillar of the community, here’s an opportunity to program local radio the way it was meant to be, working for broadcasters who still do it ‘right.’ Good money for the right person.” Rush an aircheck, resume, references and salary requirements to Raab here

Townsquare/Billings, MT is looking for Dir./Content for the fivestation cluster, which includes Country KCTR. See the full posting here

Townsquare KUAD/Fort Collins, CO is looking for a morning co-host. See the full posting here

Cumulus KATM/Modesto, CA has a Dir./Promotions opening. ”Among your friends are you usually the one planning and throwing the parties? Do you love creating interesting promotions and events?” asks PD Andy Winford “If you love being on the air and connecting with the audience, there is also a possible morning show role as well.” See the full post here

Cumulus KATC/Colorado Springs is seeking an experienced drive time host and Promotions Dir. Find the job posting here

Cumulus KBUL/Reno PD/morning host Bob Richards is looking for a co-host to join him on The Moo Crew. Complete posting here

Momentum KJUG/Visalia, CA PD Rik McNeil is on the hunt for a new morning show. Find the job posting here; send resume and audio to McNeil here

Momentum KJUG/Visalia, CA PD Rik McNeil is on the hunt for a new morning show. Find the job posting here; send resume and audio to McNeil here

RECORD LABELS

Red Street Records is seeking a Dir./Field Promotion. Contact SVP/Country Promotion Andy Elliott about the position here River House Artists Dir./Digital Strategy Kristin Watson Byrne is looking for a Coord./Digital. Send résumés to her here.

UMG Nashville EVP/A&R Chelsea Blythe is seeking a VP/A&R as she builds her team. The gig requires a «minimum 10 years music industry experience, with a demonstrated track record of finding new songs for existing talent and finding emerging artists that fit in with label›s musical direction” as well as «experience with the different steps in the recording, production, mastering, sequencing and release of a record,» and an understanding of the «artist lifestyle.» Find the job posting and apply here

Warner Music Nashville is seeking a VP/Streaming. Candidates must have at least seven years of music industry experience, at least three of those preferably working directly with DSPs, plus a ”deep understanding of all music streaming platforms” and knowledge of country music. Find the job description and apply here

Warner/WAR is seeking a Regional Mgr./Radio (North). Contact WAR Dir./National Radio Promotion Michael Chase about the open position here

OTHER

Nashville-based Country Thunder Music Festivals is searching for a Show Accountant to join its team. The ideal candidate will ”thrive in a constantly evolving environment, have exceptional accounting skills and be a positive team player;” full description here and send résumés here Midwest Communications is looking for a Radio & Digital Sales Marketing Consultant, a Digital Support Specialist and Street Team members. For the consultant and street team positions, send your cover letter and résumé here. For the specialist opening, email Mgr./Digital Systems Support Brandon Wickwire here. See all postings here Rogers CKXC/Kingston, ON is looking for an evening announcer to host a national show across the company›s eight Country stations. Job perks list 50% off Rogers services, including Toronto Blue Jays tickets. See full posting here

PR firm Shore Fire Media is seeking an Account Exec./Publicity who has the desire to handle a “multi-faceted client roster that will include the following and more: artists and creators; tours and events; music industry companies; start-ups and nonprofits.” Apply to join its Nashville-based team here

Consultant Joel Raab is seeking a PD/afternoon host for a new station soon to sign on in a top 50 market. He says, “You’ll have an opportunity to create something new in a dynamic market for a well-financed private company.” Three years on air/programming experience required. Send aircheck, resume, references and salary requirements to Raab here

The Grand Ole Opry is seeking a Marketing Mgr. Apply here

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) is seeking a Coord./ Strategic Partnerships to support the Sr. Mgr. with duties related to activating partnerships and help coordinating partnership events. Find the listing here

SEEKING JOBS

•Chuck Akers

Former KTHT/Houston morning co-host chuckakers@comcast.net

•Mark Allen

Former OM for Schurz/Lafayette, IN and Wiregrass/Dothan, AL Markontheradio7661@gmail.com 574-520-8226

•Donnie “Hollywood” Andrews

Former WKXD/Cookeville, TN OM/PD/mornings hollywoodandrews939@gmail.com 931-267-2468

•Kim Brixton

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

•Kimmie Caruba

Former WUBL/Atlanta morning co-host kimberlycaruba@gmail.com

•Greg Cole

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

•Don Cristi

Former iHeartMedia SVPP/Oklahoma rocketsurgeryradio@gmail.com

•Jared “Banks” Danielson

Former KUBL/Salt Lake City mornings JaredDanielson1@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

•Jimmy Elliott

Former WOVK/Wheeling, WV VPP/PD/MD/mornings JimmyElliottSchlosser@gmail.com

•“Uncle Sam” Eulenfield

Former KRYS/Corpus Christi afternoon host, Dir./Production for the Corpus Christi and McAllen clusters, and News-Talk KKTX-AM PD bulkysam@gmail.com

•Alexa Fasheh

Former Academy of Country Music VP/Finance & Operations Alexafash75@gmail.com

•Rosey Fitchpatrick

Formerly worked in event and artist management, and radio promotion roseyfitch99@gmail.com

•Scott Gaines

Former Summit/Knoxville OM & WCYQ PD GainesRadio@gmail.com

•Aaron “Gator” Glass

Former WQNU/Louisville mornings GatorGlass.53@gmail.com

•J.R. Gonzalez

Former East Texas Results Radio/Tyler, TX OM and WRSA/ Huntsville, AL Production Dir. jrgonzalezradio@gmail.com 713-853-7385

•Jen Heaton

Former Academy of Country Music VP/Partnerships jennifer.lori.heaton@gmail.com

•Bill Hickok

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

•”Big” John Horton

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

• Austin James

Former WYNK/Baton Rouge APD/MD/afternoon host brettdiez@outlook.com 225-205-4007

•Caitlin “CJ” Johnson

Former KKBQ/Houston afternoons Caitlin.M.Johnson25@gmail.com

• John E. Kage

Former KWBL/Denver PD 303-618-8668

•Bryant “Ryder” Konold

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

•Brian “Wookie” Kostek

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

•Marc Lavik (aka Dave Marcus)

Former on-air talent ZimaGuy@gmail.com 401-467-6737

•Christopher “Boomer” Layfield

Former Cumulus/Indianapolis OM and WFMS PD boomeradio@gmail.com 704-577-6322

“Frogman Frank“ Lewis

Former WOGI/WOGG/WOGH/ Pittsburgh mornings irishfc@cs.com

•Jeff Lynn

Former All Access Country Editor/Promotion and Rubber City/ Akron OM/PD jeff.lynn@gmail.com 262-389-0687

•AJ McCloud

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

•Mike McKay

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

•T.J. “J.T.” Michaels

Former WCPV/Burlington, VT PD/afternoons TJMichaelsRadio@gmail.com 802-249-3570

•Melissa Moldovan

Former Academy of Country Music Dir./Communications, Media Relations & Radio melissamoldovan86@gmail.com

•Zack Owen

Former iHeartMedia SVPP/Waco, Temple & Killeen (TX) zackowen@att.net

•Lexi Papadopoulos

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

•Jim Pearson

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

•Carly Quinn

Former WGH/Norfolk morning co-host NewEnglandClamChowder2021@yahoo.com 863-388-9606

• Sarah Scott

Former CKSA/Lloydminster, AB mornings sarahevelynscott@gmail.com

• LJ Smith

Former IHeartMedia SVPP/Columbia, SC JimmySmith@Outlook.com 803-920-5232

• Chelsey Steinhauer

Former WMAD/Madison PD/midday host chelseyradio@gmail.com

•Maddy Stessman

Former Academy of Country Music Dir./Industry & Talent Relations mlstessman@gmail.com

•Jake Thomson

Former Dick WUBB/Savannah, GA Prod. Dir./Midday Host jakethomson.dj@gmail.com

•Brad Thornton

Former Southern Stone WKRO/Daytona Beach APD/MD randawg_23@yahoo.com

• Steve Wazz

Former WGAR/Cleveland APD/morning co-host wazzradio@gmail.com

• Erich West

Former iHeartMedia SVPP/Huntsville, AL and WDRM PD ewestradio@hotmail.com 256-656-3086

•Jonathan Wier

Former WKLB/Boston morning co-host JonWierWLCA@gmail.com

•Wingnut

Former KNUC/Seattle APD/MD/midday personality  Wingnutt@me.com

• Isaac “Brooks” Wenzel

Former KBAY/San Jose APD/afternoon host BrooksOnTheRadio@gmail.com

• Brandon Young (aka Shotgun Jackson)

Former Stone Canyon/Flagstaff, AZ MM/OM/afternoon host ShotgunSLC@gmail.com

Activator Top Point Gainers

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers

Activator Top Spin Gainers

Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers

COUNTRY AIRCHECK ACTIVITY

D. MARLOWE & D. SCOTT/Boys Back Home (Columbia/Curb)

Moves 44-45*

3028 points, 828 spins

1 add: KWJJ

LADY A/Love You Back (Nashville Harbor)

Moves 45-46

2847 points, 833 spins; No adds

GEORGE BIRGE/Cowboy Songs (Records Nashville)

Debuts 47*

2617 points, 765 spins

7 adds: KATC*, KATM*, KHEY, KIZN*, KUBL*, WAVW, WGKX*

JOE NICHOLS/Brokenhearted (Quartz Hill)

Remains at 48*

2564 points, 710 spins; No adds

CHRIS JANSON/Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get (Nashville Harbor)

Re-enters 49*

2517 points, 689 spins

4 adds: KATC*, KBQI, KWEN, WTHT

HAILEY WHITTERS/I’m In Love (Big Loud)

Moves 47-50*

2476 points, 687 spins

1 add: KHKI*

MATT STELL/Breakin’ In Boots (Records Nashville)

2402 points, 744 spins

1 add: WTQR

APRIL 1

KYLIE MORGAN/Two Night Stands (EMI Nashville)

APRIL 8

GABBY BARRETT/Dance Like No One’s Watching (Warner/WAR)

APRIL 15

None

CHECK OUT

MARCH 22

Kenny Chesney Born (Blue Chair/Warner/WEA)

The Buddy Cannon-produced follow-up to 2020’s Here and Now features 15 tracks, including the Michael Hardy, Zach Abend and Hunter Phelps-penned lead single, “Take Her Home.” “It wasn’t a master plan,” Chesney says. “There was no theme we’re singing about that holds it together. But if you listen to all 15 songs, you’ll get the high energy fun, chasing adventures, don’t let people get you down piece and you’ll get the more reflective thinking about someone who’s died, the person you know you shouldn’t call emotions that have always been in the music, too.”

MARCH 29

Beyoncé Cowboy Carter (Parkwood/Columbia)

“I have a few surprises on the album, and have collaborated with some brilliant artists who I deeply respect,” she shared. “I hope that you can hear my heart and soul, and all the love and passion that I poured into every detail and every sound.” The Beyoncé, not country, album includes “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.”

Hixtape Vol. 3: Difftape (Big Loud)

The third iteration of Hixtape utilizes 2006 master recordings of Joe Diffie’s greatest hits in tandem with all new recordings from artists including Post Malone (“Pickup Man”), and Hardy and Morgan Wallen (“John Deere Green”).

Aaron Lewis The Hill (Valory)

“Music has always been my escape, my way of expressing the things that I don’t express very well in life,” says Lewis, who co-penned all 10 songs. “I’m coming up on 52 years old, and I’m on the hill I’m going to stand on. Nobody’s going to change me now. This record is a snapshot of my life and how I’m feeling and where my head is at – and that’s what my records have always been.”

Josh Ross Complicated (Mercury)

Produced by frequent collaborator Matt Geroux, Complicated is an eight-song collection representing the last couple years of Ross’ life. He previewed the project with lead single “Single Again” and “Matching Tattoos,” co-penned by Ross alongside Joe Fox, Mason Thornley and Brad Rempel.

Dylan Scott Livin’ My Best Life (Still) (Curb)

The 26-track expanded edition features six new tracks – including “What He’ll Never Have,” “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” “I’ll Be A Bartender” and “Boys Back Home” – and contributions from writers including Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Morgan Wallen and Thomas Rhett.