November 23, 2009 Issue 168 In Memoriam: Dene Hallam Waugh Looks Back, Forward “Hey, Pal” was Dene Hallam’s trademark greeting. Whether you Sony Music/Nashville EVP Butch Waugh announced his were picking up the phone or seeing him in person, it was always retirement last week after 37 years in the record business. CA accompanied by an ear-to-ear grin. chatted with Waugh today about the reasons he’s leaving, his You won’t meet many people who plans are for the future and memories of a pop and Country loved radio as much as Dene. His career. But we’ve had to cut the story short to make room for our passion for it was fueled growing up tribute to Dene Hallam. We’ll run the remainder next week, as in metropolitan New York City with Butch reveals what he’ll miss the most – and the least – about some of America’s greatest radio our industries while offering some words of advice to the next stations. In the early ‘70s he first generation of music execs. He’ll also have “worked” at WFDU – the Fairleigh stories about the people and artists he’s Dickinson Univ. campus radio station worked with, including one about the pop star in Teaneck, NJ. While there, he who wouldn’t come out of the closet no matter also had a job as a “phone turkey,” Dene Hallam how much Butch begged. That’s next week. answering the request lines at 99X/New York. Country Aircheck: So, now that you’ve Hallam got his first Country PD job in 1977 at WFEC/ finally made the decision, what are you Harrisburg, PA, which was consulted by WEEP/Pittsburgh PD going to do? Butch Waugh Ed Salamon. It was there that Dene hired Barry Mardit (who Butch Waugh: My wife Belinda and I have was in Beaufort, SC at the time) to do overnights. In 1978, a couple of plans. First, we have a beach house in Sandestin, FL that Hallam succeeded Salamon as WEEP’s PD. After WEEP, we never get to use, so we’ll be spending some time there the first Hallam held PD posts at Oldies KBZT/San Diego and Country half of the year. And, Belinda already has two trips planned: One outlets WWWW/Detroit, WHN/New York, WKHK/New York, is to Italy, which she’s planned a few times before and we’ve never KKBQ/Houston and KYCY/San Francisco – where it was done. The other is a trip to Canada that we’ve been planning and will perhaps especially fitting that a 5.0 earthquake hit at the precise now just get around to. We’re also talking about leasing a place on time he was checking into a hotel. I guess even the San Andreas the Thames in London for 30-days or so. We’d have different family fault knew things just weren’t going to be the same with Deno members come over a week, and then we can travel to Spain, France on the scene. (continued on page 4) and a few trips like that with a base to come back to. ©2009 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] November 23, 2009 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 2 Are you going to stay in Nashville? Y UNES USIC HA T HAPED Y IFE We both love Nashville and honestly can’t imagine living M T : M T S M L anywhere else. We love the people, the town, everything about Tony & Kris morning show co-host Tony it, and that you can get anywhere you want to go in about 20 Randall discusses his most important songs, minutes and you’re not always stuck in traffic or having to artists or concerts: depend on trains and cars all of your life for when you’re going 1. Garth Brooks, Alabama Showpalace, to do things. Even though both our families live in Atlanta, we 1989: I was one of about nine people in the consider Nashville our home now. audience. He was my first radio interview You’ve been trying to retire for a number of years now. that afternoon and though I had no clue But it seemed like every time you tried, you guys inherited who he was, or would become, I just enjoyed another label. First it was Arista, then the Sony imprints. So Tony Randall being around him. Amazing energy. what made this the right time? First of all, I love working at Sony Nashville. No matter what 2. Styx, Paradise Theater: It was the first cassette I ever bought my business card may say – Sony Nashville, RLG, Sony BMG – with my own money. I wore that sucker out. it’s still the same people. And it’s all about the people at the core 3. Restless Heart, Wheels: This was the CD that drew me in to of this company. Every day that I come in is a great day because country music. Before that I pretty much turned up my nose. This I get to be surrounded by great people I really enjoy being around made me realize country music had great stories to tell. And the and working with. I just love coming in to work every day. harmonies! Come on, you can’t resist them! But I’ve been in the record business for 37 years. I’ve worked 4. Drive-By Truckers, Southern Rock Opera: One of the coolest every single day since June 30, 1972 when I started at London CDs I’ve ever heard. I have everything they’ve done. Bridging the Records. I’ve never had any real time off. I’ve always been rushing gap between country & rock. Not enough people know them and around. I think the knot in my stomach is what holds me together. I that’s a crime. just want time to travel without having all the restrictions of having 5. Keith Urban, San Diego showcase: We were at a beach bar to check the BlackBerry and email on a regular basis. You’re right, with maybe a couple hundred people in the place and he tore it I wanted to retire a couple of years ago, but I’m glad that I did stay up. I don’t say this because it’s easy to be a prophet looking back, on. I’ve enjoyed these past two years; they’ve been incredible, and but Kris Rochester and I knew he was going to be huge. we’ve had some great success. There’s not a specific reason, event or • A highly regarded song or album you’ve never heard: I’m anything that’s changed. It’s just that now feels like the right time. ashamed to admit I’ve never heard all of Dolly Parton’s album Coat of Many Colors. Radio News • An “important” piece of music/band you just don’t get: I don’t • Former KDBL/Yakima, WA PM driver Jenifer Wilde can be know if it’s “important” or not, but I never got “Blue” by LeAnn reached at [email protected]. Wilde exited earlier this Rimes. Would it have been a hit if not sung by a child? month (CAT 11/16). • An album you played or listened to incessantly: Johnny Cash’s • WCTY/Norwich, CT’s MADD About Dancing featuring American IV: The Man Comes Around. Julianne Hough raised more than $15,000 with for Mothers • One obscure or non-country song everyone should listen Against Drunk Driving. to right now: I’ll plug the guys I already mentioned - Drive-By • Former Malrite Radio head programmer John Chaffee won Best Country Song for his “Play By The Rules” at the Truckers’ “Outfit.” Hollywood Music in Media Awards last week. ©2009 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] November 23, 2009 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 3 BIR T HDAYS Tuesday (11/24) - Johnny Carver, Donna Duarte (donna.duarte@ sonymusic.com), Duke Hamilton ([email protected]), Ken Kragen, Steve Bratcher, Gator Harrison ([email protected]) Wednesday (11/25) - Amy Grant, Steve Lassiter, Patsy Wells Thursday (11/26) - Linda Davis, Joe Nichols, Anne Buchman, Bob Frank, Steve Grisaffe, George Meeker ([email protected]), Jenell Parker Friday (11/27) - the late Eddie Rabbitt; Darlene Starr (darlene@ goldenmusic.biz) Walk Radio: WKSJ/Mobile morning teamers Shelby and Dan lead upwards Saturday (11/28) - Kristine Arnold, Cheryl Cranford, Gene Dries, Mike of 450 walkers for the station’s first Thanks for Giving Walk Saturday Kennedy ([email protected]), Clint Clifton ([email protected]) (11/21). The event brought in more than $30,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Sunday (11/29) - Jody Miller, the late Merle Travis; Ryan Bitzer; Kory • KIKS/Iola, KS has tapped Virtual News Center for local James new services. Monday (11/30) - Jeannie Kendall, Mindy McCready, Teddy Wilburn, • Gig Alert: WKSJ/Mobile PD Bill Black is seeking a PM Jimmy Bowen, Adam Clark, Linda Engbrenghoff driver. “The position will be filled by someone who lives and breathes the country lifestyle and can paint pictures on radio,” says Black. Strong production skills, working knowledge of Freedom USO tour. Four Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and TV Adobe Audition and web skills are required. Send airchecks and personality Leann Tweeden will also participate. resumes here or via snail mail to 555 Broadcast Drive, 3rd Floor, Darryl Worley recorded a version of “Jingle Bells” Mobile, AL 36606. exclusively for Verizon Wireless’ V Cast Music.