Issue 681 Q&A: CMA Awards’ Robert Deaton 53Rd CMA Awards Exec

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November 25, 2019, Issue 681 Q&A: CMA Awards’ Robert Deaton 53rd CMA Awards Exec. Producer Robert Deaton shares inside stories from country music’s biggest night. CA: Celebrating the women of country isn’t the only time you’ve had a theme – the 50th anniversary comes to mind – but is this the biggest concept approach you’ve undertaken? RD: This show is the biggest ever, from honoring women to new hosts and a new set. We overhauled the whole look, the pacing – everything changed. It was important to put one foot forward into the future. What is this show going to be for the next 10 years? We had 53 artists – 48 of them in the genre – Robert Deaton onstage, which is the most talent on a CMA show ever. Personally, I’d always thought the most pressure would be the 50th, but this was more important. That open with Reba, Dolly, Carrie, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Terri Clark, Gretchen Museum Of Nine Arts: Macon Music/Broken Bow’s Jason Aldean celebrates the release of 9 with WNSH/New York Wilson, Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman – the greatest staffers. Pictured (back, l-r) are the station’s Jesse Addy moments of my career were spent with those women. My first CMA and Katie Neal, the label’s JoJamie Hahr, Aldean and the Award was with Martina. Jennifer Nettles was the first host of the station’s Kelly Ford; (front) the station’s John Foxx and the Christmas show. I did almost all of Gretchen’s videos and had a label’s Lee Adams. long run with Terri. The first song after the open was Loretta Lynn, and my first job at 18 was as a PA on a Crisco commercial in Hurricane Mills with her. I was so anxious going into that rehearsal, Pub Scrawl: One Week With Tom Luteran not only because of what I knew the performance was going to What started as a conversation among colleagues and a gentle be, but just seeing them all again. And it was important to present ribbing from one PD bluntly stating, “Honestly, these awesome women in the best way possible. I don’t know what half of you guys actually do” Putting that together had to be an enormous amount has turned into a Country Aircheck mission of work. Particularly deciding who to put in it and who to define and explain key industry roles. After was even available. Can you walk me through it? spending one week with a program director, We could do that open with entirely different women three record rep and booking agent, it’s time to more times. Having done this once before for the 50th, I knew it level up by spending a week with one of the would be an uphill climb and the medley could change 10 times. most mysterious of categories – publishing. And it did. Originally the very first song was “I Was Country When Specifically,Sony/ATV Music Publishing VP/A&R Tom Luteran. Country Wasn’t Cool,” but after living with it we liked having the Tom Luteran three hosts together as the first thing you see and hear. “I’m not sure my family can even explain (continued on page 10) what I do,” jokes Luteran, affectionately known as “Big Tom.” ©2019 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected]

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OFF THE RECORD: Chris Janson Warner/WAR’s Chris Janson puts an industry spin on the artist interview: I grew up listening to Country KEZS/Cape Girardeau, MO and KTJJ/Farmington, MO, Alternative KPNT/St. Louis and Classic Rock KGMO/Cape Girardeau. It’s always an honor to hear myself on the radio, whether it was the first time or currently. I honestly can’t remember the first time, but I do Chris Janson know that I was young and not a professional yet. I believe it was in middle or high school. I was making music, mostly covers, recording them myself with my buddies in our garages, and they’d get played every now and again on the small market stations around home. I have been making music most of my life – it’s just what I do. My family is most important. My wife and kids are my life. Having Kelly by my side is the only way I travel... and usually all the kids, too! I fly everywhere I can; however, I stock the plane with Love’s Travel Stops brand canister beef jerky. If I could have dinner with anyone, and I’m being honest, I’d always rather just have dinner alone with my wife Pardi On: Luteran with songwriter Bart Butler and Capitol’s and kids! Personally, I order dry aged steak, yellowtail shashimi Jon Pardi (l-r). or Prince’s hot chicken. My new album Real Friends is my best yet. I really believe “Publishers are the agents for artists, songwriters and songs. I am that. The songs are better, more mature and I truly believe they selling my songwriters to other songwriters, their songs to A&R all could be singles. My latest single, “Done,” is not only my representatives and artists, and my artists to songwriters. For every favorite song on the album, but also my favorite song I’ve ever 99 pitches, 98 might break my heart. But when I hit send on an written. It is a true to life love story of Kelly and me. The first email to Keith Urban with ‘Break On Me’ and, after he says yes, time I saw her, I said, “Done and done, I’m marrying that girl.” he takes it to a two-week No. 1, the heartbreak disappears. It’s I have to really love something to own it, so I don’t impulse one of the most challenging jobs to explain and define, but also buy very often. I’ve already got too much stuff as it is, but I one of the most rewarding.” constantly look for a reason to buy something nice for my wife. Since starting with Sony/ATV in 2002, Luteran has settled into a All that said, if I see something I’ve got to have for me, I’ll throw routine that begins most mornings with a breakfast meeting. “I try down quick. I work hard, and I am not afraid to play hard! to eat with other people as often as possible, because it’s the place The most redneck thing I’ve done lately? Probably driving where we can let our guard down, enjoy each other’s company, around scouting deer in a Bentley. and speak on real terms about both life and business,” he explains. I wish I had written,“I Saw God Today,” “Don’t Blink” and He then heads to the office and spends his 9am hour listening to “She Thinks We’re Just Fishin.” As a dad, I relate to them big songs that have come in over the past 24 hours. “Phones are a time. Probably three of my favorite songs right there. blessing and a curse, because we are constantly connected and can If I had to be stuck somewhere, I reckon it would be New listen to music at any time,” notes Luteran. “But, I try to wait until York City. You can pretty much eat anything you want at any hour. I get to the office. Unless, of course, I get that email in the middle I’m a Netflix king. I have two favorites: The Office and The of the night from a writer who says they’ve written ‘the one.’ Those Civil War by Ken Burns. are fun emails to get, and that’s when I’m most thankful to be able ©2019 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected]

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MY TUNES: Tyler Rich to work anywhere and at any time.” Morning meetings follow, and business lunches come next. Luteran spends most afternoons in Valory’s Tyler Rich on his most various pitch meetings or at industry events, and the goal is always influential music: to get home in time for dinner with the family. “I wish I could say I I was eight years old when my cousin took hit that goal regularly, but...” me to my first concert, the King, George Strait. I Monday: The week begins with an extended music listening was obsessed with the movie Pure Country when session. “One I was a kid, so this was the equivalent of going of the most and seeing Disney On Ice for me. exciting parts of My uncle taught me how to play guitar Tyler Rich a publisher’s day growing up, and some of the first songs I ever is to hear ‘the learned how to play were from Garth Brooks. song’ – one that There isn’t a single Christmas that goes by, when guitars you love, that come out, that we don’t all at some point sing Garth Brooks’ “The makes you move Dance.” I would say it is probably our family’s all time favorite. or makes you When I was in high school, Blink-182 introduced me to feel something,” a new sound and completely different genre of music. Which says Luteran. He led down a rabbit hole of so many favorite bands, genres and finds just such a shows I’ve ever played or been to. song and begins Creedence Clearwater Revival are from close to where shopping it to I grew up. Their songs have substance and value to real world label A&R reps. A issues. And, all of their songs collectively feel like the greatest meeting with an hits of all time. aspiring female Sound Garden: Luteran (r) I know it literally just came out a of couple weeks ago, but artist is next, and visits artist Patrick Murphy in I still haven’t heard the new Luke Combs album. The hype has Luteran assists the studio. been real, all day, every day on social media. I’m a big fan of his in scheduling work, and I know it’ll be great. I’m just a litttttle behind, I guess. two co-writes with SATV writers. Lunch and studio time with Opera is something I deeply respect. The amount of talent newest signing Patrick Murphy follow. “We go through 10 that goes into that is substantial. But, I think until I go and see it or 11 songs, and after some back and forth banter regarding in person, I’m not sure what it will be for me. the merits of each, we pick five for Patrick to record.” SATV is I listened to James Bay’s Chaos And The Calm incessantly. also celebrating a No. 1 with one of their writers, so Luteran When this album came out, I was in the middle of uprooting my searches for a high res image for the congratulations banner whole life to Nashville. I was lost, excited, scared, thriving and every before leaving for the day. He hits his goal of being home in emotion in between. I had just turned 30 and took a solo vacation time for dinner, but instead of sitting down at the table, scoops to Europe to spend some time alone and find myself. I listened so up his son and heads to football practice. many times on that trip, from long walks to flights, etc. So, anytime Tuesday: An abbreviated team music meeting is punctuated I listen back now, I am flooded with many incredible memories. by the re-signing of writer James McNair and a publicity An obscure or non-country song everyone should listen to photo op. Following a litany of additional meetings with writers right now is Dermot Kennedy’s “Outnumbered.” His voice and and artists to discuss new music, Luteran lunches at his desk lyrics are simply incredible. before heading to play songs written by SATV writers for UMG/ I really love terrible hip-hop. I love the good stuff as well, Nashville SVP/A&R Stephanie Wright. “She’s the consummate of course. But, I mean like… terrible hip hop. Stuff that doesn’t music person, and her passion for songs and songwriters is off really even tell a story. But has a beat that makes me want to the chart,” Luteran says. Of the seven songs he plays for Wright, lift heavier weights, dance harder, rage, etc. Haha some call it two are put on hold. “A hold is a way to keep a song for a period Trap? Yeah that kinda stuff. of time in order to play it for an artist,” explains Luteran. “If an

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artist loves it, too, Thursday: Luteran grabs lunch with Frankie Ballard and the hold continues hears a selection of his new music. The afternoon includes a trip until the ultimate to Sound Stage to drop in on Murphy’s recording session featuring goal of cutting it the five songs that Luteran helped select earlier in the week. for their project is “Nashville musicians are amazing and can take these iPhone reached. If the artists demo recordings and turn them into the work of art you eventually pass, the holds are hear on the radio.” It’s an early day, and Luteran has more than removed and we pitch enough time to make it for family dinner. it to another label Friday: After finding two gems in the stack of morning music, or artist.” Luteran Luteran puts together several song links to send out to A&R teams returns to his office and artists. Nashville is heading into awards week – ASCAP, for additional emails, SESAC, BMI and CMA Awards will all be held in short order – so demo sessions and planning for the events and after parties is in full swing. co-write setups before After more than 24 years in the business, he still remains wrapping the day passionate about the artists, writers and songs he represents and the business as a whole. “I may not write the songs, but I champion Jake And Bake: Luteran (l) listening to a handful of new songs he the men and women who do,” says Luteran. “It doesn’t get much helps Big Loud’s Jake Owen better than that.” He’s also happy to answer questions about celebrate a recent No. 1. received after lunch. Wednesday: A publishing and A&R or chat about football; reach Luteran here. meeting with SATV –Monta Vaden writers and Lanco members Tripp Howell and Chandler Chart Chat Baldwin leads to Luteran setting up a bus run for mid-January. Congratulations to Luke Combs, Steve “Lanco is on tour with Miranda [Lambert] next year, so I will Hodges, Shane Allen and the Columbia schedule co-writers to join them on the road to work on writing promotion team on landing a second songs,” explains Luteran. “Bus runs also allow me and the consecutive week at No. 1 with “Even Though co-writers to see Lanco’s show in order to get a feel for what I’m Leaving.” The song is his seventh chart- types of songs get the biggest reaction from their fans.” The day topper and the second single from What You moves along as normal, including the staff’s regularly scheduled See Is What You Get. Songwriters are Wyatt Wednesday afternoon meeting. “I’m heading to 3rd and Lindsley Durrette, Ray Fulcher and Combs. tonight to see Robert Counts and hear a few new songs and And kudos to James Marsh and the Luke Combs gauge live audience reaction,” says Luteran. Dinnertime goals will Warner/WAR reps on notching 46 adds not be made. for Chris Janson’s “Done,” topping this week’s board. ©2019 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected]

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News & Notes Q&A: CMA Awards’ Robert Deaton Florida Georgia Line has teamed with Habitat for (continued from page 1) Humanity of Greater Nashville on a toy drive running Dec. 3-18. New unwrapped toys and art supplies can be donated at Those three voices together was a hot start, so I changed the song Nashville’s Meet + Greet (1910 21st Avenue South). More here. [to “Those Memories Of You”]. Grammy Museum Mississippi’s latest exhibit, Strong Together: How did you build out the celebration of women aspect? The Power of Women in Country Music, is open through Aug. 23, Early on, we knew Dolly’s performance would be that gospel 2020. Details here. medley and Reba would do “Fancy.” Then we started filling slots Pearl’s Garth Brooks has partnered with interactive with presenters, looking back at who had won. I had to make sure entertainment company Zynga for in-game and real-world Deana Carter had a place, as the image of her accepting from giveaways via the Words With Friends app. More here. Ricky Skaggs will last forever in the history of the CMAs. Jennifer Nettles having won for “Stay” made her a great fit to present Song. We had Pam Tillis, Janie Fricke, Martina and Kathy Mattea The Week’s Top Stories as former Female Vocalist winners. Full coverage at countryaircheck.com. It was a puzzle that took a month-and-a-half to two months. • Read radio reactions and what went down in the press room at this We knew we wanted to come out of Kelsea Ballerini into that “Girl year’s CMA Awards in last week’s (11/18) Country Aircheck Weekly. Crush” moment, but we went through three different songs and • Chris Pickett was named OM for Townsquare/Boise. (CAT 11/22) incarnations getting there. I’m quite proud of that moment; we • Nick Fox was named Westwood One 24/7 Country Formats had 13 people onstage by the end of it, but it never felt rushed. PD. (CAT 11/21) There are always the questions of, is it enough? Too much? • Rachel Williamson was named Entercom/Milwaukee- What am I lacking? Meanwhile, you still have an awards show to MadisonRegion Pres. and Chicago MM. (CAT 11/20) do with nine awards and have to get the Entertainer, Male and • Entercom/Los Angeles’ Jeff Federman was elevated to Female performances, and a lot of other things you have to do. Regional Pres. for the Los Angeles, San Diego and Riverside There’s probably somebody I left out, and that was the markets. (CAT 11/20) overriding fear on the 50th, as well. A lot of people just couldn’t • WNWN/Battle Creek, MI’s PJ Lacey is retiring; the search is do it for timing or scheduling – Shania, Faith, Anne Murray. Mary on for a successor. (CAT 11/19) Chapin Carpenter was performing that night at the Ryman. There • Entercom/Chicago’s Jimmy de Castro is retiring from radio are so many deserving artists we’d love to have had. Dec. 13. (CAT 11/18) Which came first, the concept or the hosts? How • KCYY/San Antonio’s J.R. Jaus exited; Jeff Garrison is did you make those asks, and how did you break it to searching for his successor. (CAT 11/18) [former co-host] Brad Paisley?

I can’t exactly remember, but I think we talked about the Viewers grew by a million and the ratings held fairly through-line first, how incredible it would be to have three women steady. That said, is the continual erosion we’ve seen hosting on a year we would honor women. It was a dream ask more about measurement methodology on an aging and, in the back of my mind, I know I’m never going to pull off platform than it is about the actual impact a show like that miracle. Two of them are in the Hall of Fame and the other will this has culturally? be. My strategy for asking Dolly was bringing Carrie with me. For Even if I wasn’t involved with this show, I’d view it as a her to come in off the road and be there showed the weight of this remarkable year. The demo was flat, but will go up when +3 and and how important it was to us. So Dolly was in. I’ve done so many +7 comes in. Viewers will go up, too. We also know we have record videos with Reba – she was my host for the Christmas special – so I numbers of people finding the show on video clips. Impressions was able to tell her what the through-line was, that Carrie and Dolly and reach are in the billions. Sales and streaming are up across the were in and she said, “That sounds great. I’m in.” board. We were the talk of social media, trending worldwide, No. 1 We had 11 great years with Brad and Carrie, but it wasn’t in all six half hours and beat the closest competition by 40%. It was pressurized because we weren’t trying to emulate that. On the the biggest Wednesday in two years on the network. first script I told [head writer] David Wild to write it pretty straight. We really focused on hits – familiar music – and that was We had an arsenal of jokes in our back pocket, but they are successful. The audience has changed so much and will continue consummate performers who know who they are and can make to, but they always want to hear the hits. Once they came, they those decisions. Once they got the script, they made a few didn’t leave because we didn’t give them a reason to. adjustments, added a few lines and we asked if they wanted to run Anything else stand out on performances? through it again. They said, “No, we think we’ve got it.” We let them We’ve been known for these pop-country collaborations with drive it and, in that way, it came across as real and conversational. Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and Ariana Grande. This year, Lady The new set looked great, and also got some online A and Halsey were right there with those historic moments. It was chatter for the resemblance to female anatomy at its just amazing. Halsey would be great in that group – the harmonies center. How did the new look come together, and was were incredible. I’m also proud of all the new female artists on that particular evocation intentional? “Girl Crush.” They had about 20 seconds each to make an impact, We did three years on the last set and it was time for a change. and all of them did. We wanted to make a statement this year of being modern and Final thoughts? forward-thinking, not just with the set but with all the show’s One of the reasons we’re squeezed on time relative to other imaging. I put together a brand new team led by German set shows is it takes our artists longer to get to the stage to accept designer Florian Wieder. We wanted it to have energy and, with awards because they want to stop and hug everybody. But that’s two stages, it was important that the header made it feel like one who we are. We’re family. –Chuck Aly unit, brought in the audience and had energy. The center piece or awards area not only provided a place to give awards out, but Lon Helton, [email protected] doubled as a performance location. It was our church steeple and the shape of the award. Whether people get that or not, that was Chuck Aly, [email protected] the overall approach. Caitlin DeForest, [email protected] Were you surprised people saw it as something else? Monta Vaden, [email protected] I’m never surprised by anything people think they see. (615) 320-1450

Workin’ Man: Average Joes’ Colt Ford receives an RIAA gold certified plaque for “Workin’ On.” Pictured (top, l-r) are fiddle player Justin Bertoldie and guitar player Cole Phillips; (bottom, l-r) guitar player Spencer Bassett, the label’s Doug Kaye, Ford, Mission 22’s Jerry Strickland, drummer Tim Haines and bass player Paul Chapman.

©2019 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] November 25, 2019 SEEK & EMPLOY Here’s a list of job seekers and open gigs. Not listed? Send info here and we’ll include you in AVAILABLE JOBS a future update.

MIDWEST résumés, airchecks and references to him here. Interested candidates may send résumés and Midwest/Fargo, ND VP/MM Dan Cash Summit VP/Programming Beverlee airchecks here. is searching for a Brand Mgr. for Country Brannigan is on the hunt for a PD to join RMG KOLC/Reno, NV VP/GM Tricia KVOX & Classic Country KMJO. Interested WCYQ/Knoxville. Send résumés and airchecks Gallenbeck is searching for a PD/on-air applicants can view the full job posting here; to her here. talent. Send résumés and airchecks to her here. submit résumés, airchecks and links to social Summit WQNU/Louisville OM/PD Cagle is Entercom KWJJ/Portland OM/PD Scott media content to Cash here. searching for an afternoon personality. Résumés Roddy is looking for a morning team. Midwest WNCY/Appleton-Green Bay, WI and airchecks to him here. Candidate can view the full job description and Brand Mgr. Dan Stone is seeking a night jock. Beasley WQYK/Tampa OM/PD Travis Daily apply here; send résumés, airchecks, digital/ Send résumés and airchecks to him here. is seeking a night host. Interested parties can social links and three references to Roddy here. Iowa City Broadcasting Classic Country KDMA- send résumés and airchecks to him here. Townsquare/Grand Junction, CO is looking AM/FM & Classic Rock KMGM/Montevideo, for an OM & Country KEKB Brand Mgr. to MN is seeking a PD/on-air talent. Send résumés, SOUTHWEST succeed Ray Michaels. Apply here. airchecks and a cover letter explaining why you Cumulus KSCS/Dallas is searching for a Alpha/Portland SVP/MM Lisa Decker is should be selected to Rob Siems here. morning co-host for Hawkeye In The Morning. seeking a Dir./Marketing for the cluster, which Cumulus WFMS/Indianapolis OM/PD Airchecks and résumés to PD Mac Daniels here. includes Country KUPL. See the complete job Christopher “Boomer” Layfield is seeking an Cumulus KPLX/Dallas PD Mac Daniels is posting and apply here. MD/on-air talent. See the complete job posting looking for a morning co-host for The Wake Up and apply here; no calls or emails. With The Wolf Show. Apply here. OTHER Midwest WNWN/Battle Creek, MI PD Miggy Cox KCYY/San Antonio OM/PD Jeff Garrison Consultant Joel Raab is looking an on-air PD Santos is seeking a morning co-host. Send is seeking a new morning sidekick to join Beth for a reporting station in a Top 100 market. Send résumés and airchecks here. Chandler. Send résumés and airchecks to him here. materials here. Adams/Las Cruces, NM OM Ernesto Music Choice Head/Country Music NORTHEAST Garcia is looking for a full-time Prod. Asst. and Programming Jim Murphy is seeking a Sr. Seven Mountains WIFT (Bigfoot Country)/ on-air talent for the cluster that includes Country Programmer to join his growing team. Interested Dubois, PA VP/Programming JC Burton is on the KGRT. Résumés and airchecks to Garcia here. candidates may apply here. prowl for a Production Dir./midday. Send résumés, RWPC Co-President and consultant Scott airchecks and production samples to Burton here. WEST COAST Huskey is on the hunt for a Country morning Pamal/Albany COO Steve Borneman is Townsquare KAWO/Boise is on the hunt for a co-host for a No. 1 rated station in the Southeast. seeking a GM for the cluster, which includes Country morning team. Interested candidates should send Send résumés and airchecks to him here. WKLI. Send résumés and references to him here. résumés and airchecks to SVP/Programming Warner Music Nashville VP/Radio & Streaming Townsquare/Augusta, ME OM Cooper Fox Kurt Johnson here. Tom Martens is seeking a Dir./National Radio & is looking for a morning host to join Country Momentum KJUG/Visalia, CA PD Rik Streaming for a newly created position within the WEBB. Send résumés and airchecks to him here. McNeil is looking for a morning co-host. See team. Send résumés to him here. the complete job posting here; résumés and SOUTHEAST airchecks to McNeil here. Gulf South WTVY/Dothan, AL PD John Buck Owens KUZZ/Bakersfield PD Brent Garrett is on the hunt for a morning co-host. Send Michaels is searching for a morning personality.

•Kimmie Caruba •Denis “Catfish” Miller •Bob Reeves •Anthony “Keebler” Capra SEARCHING Former WUSN/Chicago nights Former KSNI/Santa Maria, CA Former Reviver SVP/Promotion Former WQYK/Tampa nights [email protected] afternoon host [email protected] [email protected] •Steve Albertsen 615-347-9499 630-335-3838 [email protected] 785-917-0840 Former NRG/Lincoln, NE OM [email protected] •Marissa Lanchak •Dale Desmond •Tony Kelly •Taylor 402-672-8684 Former WKLB/Boston night host Former Cherry Creek/St. George, Former WUSN/Chicago morning Former WCYQ/Knoxville weekend [email protected] UT OM producer 518-527-5133 •Cactus Jack personality [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Former Entercom/Phoenix Dir./ 708-642-8518 •Charles “Chachi” Angelo Production Former WZCY/Harrisburg, PA PD/ •Jim Allgeier [email protected] •Loyd Ford mornings Former Federated/Fort Wayne, IN •Kevin Barrett 602-430-5908 Former WCYQ/Knoxville PD [email protected] MM Former Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting/ [email protected] [email protected] Wyoming-South Dakota GM/PD •Heather Stevens 864-448-4169 •Bill Heltemes 260-385-2588 [email protected] Former Cold River Dir./Midwest Former WQXK/Youngstown, OH 307-920-0107 Promotion •”Super” Dave Ogden middays •Hank Aaron [email protected] Former WWQM/Madison, WI APD/ [email protected] Former KIZN/Boise PD/morning host •Greg Cole 859-653-1345 Promo Dir./middays [email protected] Former WKCQ/Saginaw, MI OM/PD [email protected] •Isaac Wenzel •Tosh Jackson [email protected] Former KNTY/Sacramento PD •Cory Mikhals Former WMAD/Madison, WI •Jason Ryan 916-502-4734 middays/promotions [email protected] Former KIZN/Boise morning co-host Former WWQM/Madison, WI nights [email protected] [email protected] •Paul Heling 763-516-6327 [email protected] •Alex Guerra Former Midwest/Green Bay Digital •Todd Durkin Former Entervision/Sacramento MD/ Brand Mgr. •Katie Carmichael •Kris Richards Former WKIS/Miami morning co-host Promo Dir. [email protected] Former WTVY/Dothan, AL morning Former WKJO/Smithfield, NC afternoons [email protected] [email protected] 720-320-2266 co-host 916-397-9353 [email protected] [email protected] •JR Jaus •Doug Dodds •Kimmy Kay •Nathan Fast Former KCYY/San Antonio morning Former ZFKY/Grand Cayman PD/ •”Big” John Horton Former KPLX/Dallas mornings Former KNTY/Sacramento middays co-host morning host Former KFSA/Ft. Smith, AR afternoons [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 949-533-0349 916-879-9213 •Jack Shell •Marc Lavik (aka Dave Marcus) •Mark Lindow Former WFMS/Indianapolis •Tracy Leighann Former on-air talent Former WSJR/Wilkes-Barre, PA PD/ afternoons Former KNTY/Sacramento nights [email protected] midday host [email protected] [email protected] 954-551-7676 401-467-6737 [email protected] congratulates

ARTISTS

SHANE ALLEN MARK GRAY LYNDSAY CHURCH STEVE HODGES ADAM DAVIS MARK JANESE PAIGE ELLIOTT OLIVIA LASTER CHRISTY GARBINSKI LAUREN LONGBINE LAUREN THOMAS

on the two-week #1 single, “Even Though I’m Leaving” --

November 25, 2019 LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud Stations ADDS

LUKE COMBS 2nd Week at No. 1 1 1 Even Though I’m Leaving (River House/Columbia) 28287 1054 8908 267 52.747 1.578 157 0

2 2 OLD DOMINION/One Man Band (RCA) 26666 1006 8472 335 50.859 1.606 157 0

3 3 THOMAS RHETT/Remember You Young (Valory) 22767 685 7175 295 43.296 1.682 157 0

4 4 KEITH URBAN/We Were (Capitol) 20769 530 6588 235 37.186 0.818 157 0

8 5 LADY ANTEBELLUM/What If I Never Get Over You (BMLGR) ✔ 19603 1723 6062 537 36.665 2.497 157 0

6 6 JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol) 19491 1226 6118 486 34.797 2.071 157 0

9 7 DUSTIN LYNCH/Ridin' Roads (Broken Bow) ✔ 18698 1785 6017 592 33.834 3.341 155 2

7 8 KENNY CHESNEY/Tip Of My Tongue (Blue Chair/Warner/WEA) 18166 202 5688 69 33.353 1.617 157 0

13 9 DAN + SHAY & JUSTIN BIEBER/10,000 Hours (Warner/WAR) ✔ 15364 1941 4719 593 28.121 3.139 155 1

11 10 SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA) 14867 1358 4689 460 26.663 2.659 154 0

14 11 JASON ALDEAN/We Back (Macon Music/Broken Bow) 13090 500 4171 155 23.84 1.455 157 0

15 12 JIMMIE ALLEN/Make Me Want To (Stoney Creek) 12815 686 3946 217 23.219 1.857 156 0

16 13 GARTH BROOKS & BLAKE SHELTON/Dive Bar (Pearl) 12064 454 3694 95 21.139 0.693 157 0

17 14 KANE BROWN/Homesick (RCA) 11288 1162 3466 420 20.044 1.453 154 4

19 15 BLAKE SHELTON f/T. ADKINS/Hell Right (Warner/WMN) 10713 799 3408 227 17.943 1.326 154 0

18 16 JORDAN DAVIS/Slow Dance In A Parking Lot (MCA) 10559 643 3309 202 17.819 1.458 156 0

23 17 LUKE BRYAN/What She Wants Tonight (Capitol) ✔ 10415 1508 3138 443 19.241 2.324 154 3

20 18 INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine (Warner/WEA) 9835 351 3198 125 16.288 0.524 149 5

26 19 MAREN MORRIS/The Bones (Columbia) ✔ 9602 1753 2860 582 17.094 3.03 131 12

22 20 KELSEA BALLERINI/Homecoming Queen? (Black River) 9488 423 3091 176 15.077 1.081 156 0

25 21 BRETT YOUNG/Catch (BMLGR) 9102 1132 2603 311 17.226 2.27 143 6

10 22 B. GILBERT & L. ELL/What Happens... (Valory/Stoney Creek) 8911 -4866 3022 -1348 17.819 -12.002 157 0

24 23 RYAN HURD/To A T (RCA) 8235 205 2424 96 13.575 0.02 137 1

12 24 MIRANDA LAMBERT/It All Comes Out In The Wash (RCA) 7689 -5818 2401 -1845 14.759 -7.951 157 0

27 25 RILEY GREEN/I Wish Grandpas Never Died (BMLGR) 7419 769 2379 253 11.307 1.25 144 4 ©2019 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected]

Chart Page 1 November 25, 2019

LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud Stations ADDS

28 26 JAKE OWEN/Homemade (Big Loud) 7037 860 2141 284 14.156 1.306 133 7

21 27 MIDLAND/Mr. Lonely (Big Machine) 6879 -2452 2155 -804 11.402 -3.422 156 0

31 28 TRAVIS DENNING/After A Few (Mercury) 5957 466 1807 127 9.639 1.103 145 5

29 29 TRISHA YEARWOOD/Every Girl In This Town (Gwendolyn/Pearl) 5847 -171 1839 -50 8.257 0.149 145 0

32 30 SCOTTY MCCREERY/In Between (Triple Tigers) 5445 328 1625 75 8.581 0.831 138 1

33 31 CAYLEE HAMMACK/Family Tree (Capitol) 4816 120 1623 52 6.768 0.324 125 3

34 32 LOCASH/One Big Country Song (Wheelhouse) 4565 357 1393 107 7.328 0.336 124 3

36 33 C. PEARCE & L. BRICE/I Hope You're Happy Now (Big Machine/Curb) 4428 584 1305 176 6.963 1.095 141 7

37 34 ERIC CHURCH/Monsters (EMI Nashville) 4368 579 1406 199 6.421 0.636 134 6

35 35 MICHAEL RAY/Her World Or Mine (Warner/WEA) 4354 264 1278 83 7.089 0.848 120 2

GABBY BARRETT/I Hope (Warner/WAR) 3627 523 1108 118 5.434 0.829 99 6

38 37 GONE WEST/What Could've Been (Triple Tigers) 3612 257 976 23 5.877 0.46 112 5

39 38 CHASE RICE/Lonely If You Are (Dack Janiels/Broken Bow) 3335 188 1005 50 4.714 -0.089 111 2

41 39 FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Blessings (BMLGR) 3229 129 976 71 5.108 0.242 105 3

42 40 MORGAN WALLEN/Chasin' You (Big Loud) 3207 250 962 77 5.172 0.739 107 3

43 41 MADDIE & TAE/Die From A Broken Heart (Mercury) 2796 136 849 8 3.943 1.009 108 2

30 42 DYLAN SCOTT/Nothing To Do Town (Curb) 2726 -2921 856 -1017 5.357 -3.298 136 0

46 43 CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Drinking Alone (Capitol) 2517 315 750 88 2.923 0.246 89 9

44 44 BILLY CURRINGTON/Details (Mercury) 2406 77 632 14 4.017 -0.134 84 3

45 45 CHRIS YOUNG/Drowning (RCA) 2393 122 680 25 3.138 0.412 85 6

48 46 HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH/Hold On (Capitol) 2222 100 653 18 4.244 0.861 84 4

47 47 JUSTIN MOORE/Why We Drink (Valory) 2165 -24 688 3 3.735 0.171 86 4

49 48 CAROLINE JONES/Chasin' Me (Mailboat/New Revolution) 1946 33 701 17 1.555 0.083 79 0

50 49 RODNEY ATKINS/Thank God For You (Curb) 1902 93 600 37 2.911 0.231 74 1

Debut 50 ELI YOUNG BAND/Break It In (Valory) 1874 296 567 71 2.268 0.671 80 2

Chart Page 2 November 25, 2019

Country Aircheck Add Leaders Adds Activator Top Point Gainers CHRIS JANSON/Done (Warner/WAR) 46 JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol) 942 ✔ MAREN MORRIS/The Bones (Columbia) 12 DUSTIN LYNCH/Ridin' Roads (Broken Bow) 941 ✔ CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Drinking Alone (Capitol) 9 LUKE BRYAN/What She Wants Tonight (Capitol) 837 ✔ M. TENPENNY f/SEAFORTH/Anything... (Riser House/Columbia) 9 C. PEARCE & L. BRICE/I Hope You're... (Big Machine/Curb) 7 RILEY GREEN/I Wish Grandpas Never Died (BMLGR) 799 ✔ JAKE OWEN/Homemade (Big Loud) 7 MAREN MORRIS/The Bones (Columbia) 772 ✔ BRETT YOUNG/Catch (BMLGR) 6 LADY ANTEBELLUM/What If I Never Get Over You (BMLGR) 656 CHRIS YOUNG/Drowning (RCA) 6 BRETT YOUNG/Catch (BMLGR) 638 ERIC CHURCH/Monsters (EMI Nashville) 6 JAKE OWEN/Homemade (Big Loud) 569 GABBY BARRETT/I Hope (Warner/WAR) 6 MATT STELL/Everywhere But On (Wide Open/Records/GCE/Arista) 6 DAN + SHAY & J. BIEBER/10,000 Hours (Warner/WAR) 563 RUNAWAY JUNE/Head Over Heels (Wheelhouse) 6 SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA) 546 Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers Activator Top Spin Gainers DAN + SHAY & J. BIEBER/10,000 Hours (Warner/WAR) 1941 ✔ JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol) 213 DUSTIN LYNCH/Ridin' Roads (Broken Bow) 1785 ✔ RILEY GREEN/I Wish Grandpas Never Died (BMLGR) 169 MAREN MORRIS/The Bones (Columbia) 1753 ✔ LADY ANTEBELLUM/What If I Never Get Over You (BMLGR) 159 LADY ANTEBELLUM/What If I Never Get Over You (BMLGR) 1723 ✔ LUKE BRYAN/What She Wants Tonight (Capitol) 159 LUKE BRYAN/What She Wants Tonight (Capitol) 1508 ✔ DUSTIN LYNCH/Ridin' Roads (Broken Bow) 153 SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA) 1358 MAREN MORRIS/The Bones (Columbia) 143 JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol) 1226 BRETT YOUNG/Catch (BMLGR) 128 KANE BROWN/Homesick (RCA) 1162 JAKE OWEN/Homemade (Big Loud) 126 BRETT YOUNG/Catch (BMLGR) 1132 KEITH URBAN/We Were (Capitol) 102 LUKE COMBS/Even Though I'm Leaving (River House/Columbia) 1054 DAN + SHAY & J. BIEBER/10,000 Hours (Warner/WAR) 97 Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers Country Aircheck Top Recurrents Points DAN + SHAY & J. BIEBER/10,000 Hours (Warner/WAR) 593 MATT STELL/Prayed For You (Wide Open/Records/GCE/Arista) 18435 DUSTIN LYNCH/Ridin' Roads (Broken Bow) 592 CHRIS JANSON/Good Vibes (Warner/WAR) 16666 MAREN MORRIS/The Bones (Columbia) 582 RUSSELL DICKERSON/Every Little Thing (Triple Tigers) 15346 LADY ANTEBELLUM/What If I Never Get Over You (BMLGR) 537 DIERKS BENTLEY/Living (Capitol) 12310 JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol) 486 MORGAN WALLEN/Whiskey Glasses (Big Loud) 12273 SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA) 460 CHRIS LANE/I Don't Know About You (Big Loud) 11033 LUKE BRYAN/What She Wants Tonight (Capitol) 443 JUSTIN MOORE/The Ones That Didn't Make It... (Valory) 10381 KANE BROWN/Homesick (RCA) 420 COLE SWINDELL/Love You Too Late (Warner/WMN) 9162 OLD DOMINION/One Man Band (RCA) 335 LUKE BRYAN/Knockin' Boots (Capitol) 7738 BRETT YOUNG/Catch (BMLGR) 311 LUKE COMBS/Beer Never... (River House/Columbia) 7725

Chart Page 3 November 25, 2019

COUNTRY AIRCHECK ACTIVITY A D D D AT E S CHRIS YOUNG/Drowning (RCA) Remains at 45* December 2 2,393 points, 680 spins MATT STELL/Everywhere But On (Wide Open/Records/GCE/Arista) 6 adds: KJKE, KMLE, *W1HC, WBEE, *WPCV, WXCY BRANTLEY GILBERT/Fire’t Up (Valory) GRACE ASBURY/Pour Me (Star Farm) HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH/Hold On (Capitol) Moves 48-46* 2,222 points, 653 spins 4 adds: KUZZ, *W1MC, WBEE, WDSY December 9 MORGAN EVANS/Diamonds (Warner/WEA) JUSTIN MOORE/Why We Drink (Valory) JACKSON MICHELSON/Stay Over (Curb) Remains at 47* LINDSAY ELL/I Don’t Love You (Stoney Creek) 2,165 points, 688 spins MIRANDA LAMBERT/Bluebird (RCA) 4 adds: *KWEN, WRBT, WWQM, WXTU

CAROLINE JONES/Chasin’ Me (Mailboat/New Revolution) December 16 Moves 49-48* None Listed 1,946 points, 701 spins; no adds

RODNEY ATKINS/Thank God For You (Curb) Moves 50-49* Send yours to [email protected] 1,902 points, 600 spins 1 add: KBQI CHECK OUT 12/6 ELI YOUNG BAND/Break It In (Valory) Dec. 6 Debuts at 50* Walker Hayes 8Tracks Vol. 3 — Black Sheep (Monument) 1,874 points, 567 spins 2 adds: *W1HC, WAVW Dec. 13 Blake Shelton Fully Loaded: God’s Country (Warner/WMN) JON LANGSTON/Now You Know (32 Bridge/EMI Nashville) 1,822 points, 628 spins Jan. 17 2 adds: *WKHX, WUSJ Little Big Town Nightfall (Capitol) KIP MOORE/She’s Mine (MCA) Dustin Lynch Tullahoma (Broken Bow) 1,741 points, 613 spins 3 adds: WCTK, WEZL, WRNS Jan. 24 Kree Harrison Chosen Family Tree (One Vision) DILLON CARMICHAEL/I Do For You (Riser House) 1,700 points, 566 spins Feb. 7 1 add: WSOC The Cadillac Three Country Fuzz (Big Machine) Aubrie Sellers Far From Home (Soundly Music) RAYNE JOHNSON/Front Seat (Studio2Bee/Legend) 1,663 points, 369 spins; no adds Feb. 14 Carly Pearce Carly Pearce (Big Machine)

Chart Page 4 November 25, 2019 LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Points +/- Points Plays +/- Plays Stations ADDS

4th Week at No. 1 1 LUKE COMBS 13172 280 2558 73 50 0 1 Even Though I’m Leaving (River House/Columbia) 2 2 OLD DOMINION/One Man Band (RCA) 13017 356 2530 84 50 0 3 3 THOMAS RHETT/Remember You Young (Valory) 11376 -19 2166 9 50 0 4 4 KEITH URBAN/We Were (Capitol) 10395 440 2050 102 48 0 5 5 JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol) ✔ 10244 942 1958 213 49 0 7 6 LADY ANTEBELLUM/What If I Never Get Over You (BMLGR) 9763 656 1869 159 50 0 6 7 KENNY CHESNEY/Tip Of My Tongue (Blue Chair/Warner/WEA) 9110 0 1734 13 48 0 9 8 DUSTIN LYNCH/Ridin' Roads (Broken Bow) ✔ 8715 941 1681 153 49 1 11 9 SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA) 7550 546 1400 95 50 0 10 10 JASON ALDEAN/We Back (Macon Music/Broken Bow) 7286 26 1322 3 50 0 12 11 DAN + SHAY & JUSTIN BIEBER/10,000 Hours (Warner/WAR) 6995 563 1271 97 49 0 13 12 BLAKE SHELTON f/T. ADKINS/Hell Right (Warner/WMN) 6133 126 1154 35 50 0 14 13 GARTH BROOKS & BLAKE SHELTON/Dive Bar (Pearl) 6031 144 1123 35 47 0 15 14 KELSEA BALLERINI/Homecoming Queen? (Black River) 5693 142 1034 19 50 0 18 15 JORDAN DAVIS/Slow Dance In A Parking Lot (MCA) 5377 454 954 85 50 2 17 16 INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine (Warner/WEA) 5309 298 1050 62 49 0 22 17 LUKE BRYAN/What She Wants Tonight (Capitol) ✔ 5166 837 953 159 50 0 23 18 RILEY GREEN/I Wish Grandpas Never Died (BMLGR) ✔ 4978 799 950 169 50 2 20 19 JIMMIE ALLEN/Make Me Want To (Stoney Creek) 4972 490 949 93 45 1 21 20 KANE BROWN/Homesick (RCA) 4724 369 875 81 47 3 19 21 MIDLAND/Mr. Lonely (Big Machine) 3747 -805 723 -126 39 0 25 22 MAREN MORRIS/The Bones (Columbia) ✔ 3389 772 641 143 46 3 26 23 BRETT YOUNG/Catch (BMLGR) 3248 638 583 128 49 7 24 24 RYAN HURD/To A T (RCA) 2809 166 529 30 48 1 28 25 ERIC CHURCH/Monsters (EMI Nashville) 2578 400 419 60 41 3 31 26 JAKE OWEN/Homemade (Big Loud) 2363 569 448 126 43 7 27 27 TRISHA YEARWOOD/Every Girl In This Town (Gwendolyn/Pearl) 2262 -138 455 -23 39 0 29 28 CAYLEE HAMMACK/Family Tree (Capitol) 2080 98 421 20 38 4 30 29 CARLY PEARCE & LEE BRICE/I Hope You're Happy Now (Big Machine/Curb) 1945 84 329 11 36 2 32 30 TRAVIS DENNING/After A Few (Mercury) 1821 200 353 35 39 1

Chart Page 5 November 25, 2019

LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Points +/- Points Plays +/- Plays Stations Adds 33 31 SCOTTY MCCREERY/In Between (Triple Tigers) 1567 140 298 29 33 2 35 32 CODY JOHNSON/Nothin' On You (Warner/CoJo/WMN) 1465 63 225 8 17 0 36 33 JUSTIN MOORE/Why We Drink (Valory) 1350 38 257 4 17 0 37 34 CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Drinking Alone (Capitol) 1125 -72 198 -19 18 2 38 35 LOCASH/One Big Country Song (Wheelhouse) 1059 -103 193 -17 32 0 39 36 BILLY CURRINGTON/Details (Mercury) 986 -110 146 -12 10 0 40 37 FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Blessings (BMLGR) 986 -14 157 -5 11 0 45 38 CHRIS YOUNG/Drowning (RCA) 936 162 115 21 7 2 34 39 DYLAN SCOTT/Nothing To Do Town (Curb) 912 -509 205 -124 28 1 42 40 CHASE RICE/Lonely If You Are (Dack Janiels/Broken Bow) 886 -17 156 2 16 0 43 41 AARON WATSON/Country Radio (Big Label) 863 12 152 2 16 1 44 42 MICHAEL RAY/Her World Or Mine (Warner/WEA) 830 -6 170 1 31 0 48 43 ASHLEY MCBRYDE/One Night Standards (Warner/WAR) 817 190 100 31 5 0 46 44 GONE WEST/What Could've Been (Triple Tigers) 732 -18 135 -12 23 0 47 45 MADDIE & TAE/Die From A Broken Heart (Mercury) 675 -18 156 -6 18 0 49 46 ELI YOUNG BAND/Break It In (Valory) 638 36 108 7 11 1 53 47 ROSS ELLIS/Buy And Buy (Big Deal) 600 110 60 11 1 0 51 48 MITCHELL TENPENNY f/SEAFORTH/Anything She Says (Riser House/Columbia) 570 -10 57 -1 1 0 50 49 MORGAN WALLEN/Chasin' You (Big Loud) 506 -86 77 -7 7 0 52 50 LITTLE BIG TOWN/Over Drinking (Capitol) 484 -18 74 -10 12 0 54 51 LADY ANTEBELLUM/Ocean (BMLGR) 480 3 48 -3 1 0 Re-Enter 52 GABBY BARRETT/I Hope (Warner/WAR) 473 105 106 28 19 2 55 53 RODNEY ATKINS/Thank God For You (Curb) 462 -11 96 0 12 0 59 54 NIKO MOON/Good Time (RCA) 460 30 46 3 1 0 Debut 55 RUNAWAY JUNE/Head Over Heels (Wheelhouse) 447 99 95 14 13 2 Debut 56 MAREN MORRIS/The Feels (Columbia) 440 40 44 4 1 0 Debut 57 DIPLO & MORGAN WALLEN/Heartless (Columbia) 414 100 42 10 2 0 57 58 GEORGE STRAIT/The Weight Of The Badge (MCA) 414 -30 68 -5 7 0 Debut 59 TIFFANY WOYS/Hostage (‚Äî) 403 54 67 11 9 0 Re-Enter 60 HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH/Hold On (Capitol) 364 -27 68 -5 10 0 ©2019 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected]

Chart Page 6