Boomer's Excellent Adventure Introducing Country AF Radio

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April 2, 2018, Issue 595 Boomer’s Excellent Adventure Incoming Cumulus/Indianapolis OM and WFMS PD Chris- topher “Boomer” Layfield (Breaking News 3/20) counted 11 radio stops prior to this, his first in Country. He took a break from packing boxes last week to tell Country Aircheck about coming home to the format. CA: How’d you first get the radio bug? B: My family is from Brooklyn and I grew up in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s listening to [Top 40 WHTZ] Z100 – Scott Shannon, the Z Morning Zoo and the “worst to first” campaign. That’s what made me a Top 40 guy. My dad worked on Wall Street in finance and was part of a very small group of investors who had just enough money to get their hands on five or six radio stations in small markets across the Atlantic coast. Most of them were Country stations. For a couple of summers I remember Christopher driving around from market to market and vis- iting these stations. The magic these men and Don’t Stop Retrieving: Valory’s Brantley Gilbert (second Layfield from l) and wife Amber (l) present a veteran (c) with a new women created hooked me instantly. I was a companion dog with help from the folks at Pedigree (r) shy kid, so the ability to perform behind the shield of a microphone during his The Ones That Like Me Tour. was probably what drew me to the business. Any favorite memories of those visits? I have two. The first is, at some point we rode on The Oak Introducing Country AF Radio Ridge Boys’ tour bus, right in their heyday. The other is getting to What does radio sound like when ratings, corporate mandates, spend the night at Mel Tillis’ house, which had this huge hallway charts, transmitters and even the need to make money aren’t down the middle that reminded me and my brother of a bowling considerations? Look no alley. He let us slide things down and pretend it actually was. further than Country AF Where does the travelogue start? Radio, says Las Vegas I was a high school intern for News/Talk WABC-AM. Top 40 nightclub owner Chris WPLJ was across the hall. The night jock on ‘PLJ, I think his name Lowden. The Stoney’s was Domino, actually helped with my first Top 40 aircheck. I’m Rockin’ Country principal, sure it was terrible, but I wish I still had it. along with Marketing I had a mobile DJ service through high school and into college Dir./business partner at St. Bonaventure. After my freshman year, I somehow convinced Jeff “Toad” Higgin- the dean to allow us to keep the radio station on during the sum- botham, launched the mer, putting kids from the local vocational school on it as DJs. I internet station March 1 Kris Daniels, Chris Lowden and guess that was my first program director job. as a vehicle to promote (continued on page 6) emerging artists and, of Jeff “Toad” Higginbotham ©2018 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected]

April 2, 2018 Page 3

MY TUNES: MUSIC THAT SHAPED MY LIFE course, Stoney’s. And for anyone doubting the seriousness of the Big & Rich’s John Rich discusses his most project, last month the pair appointed former KCYE (102.7 The influential music: Coyote)/Las Vegas PD/morning host Kris Daniels to help lead it 1. Johnny Cash: He’s the greatest (CAT 2/26). Country Aircheck recently joined a conference call singer/songwriter of all time. He said with the trio to find out what prompted the new offering and what more with less than any writer ever did. I they hope to accomplish. aspire to write with his efficiency of words The Why: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country is a 19,000 square foot and level of power in the delivery. nightclub five miles from the Las Vegas Strip and well known not 2. Roger Miller: He was the Robin only to local country fans, but to the industry as well. A partner Williams of country music. No one in our to the Academy of John Rich genre ever had a quicker wit, or a more Country Music in the crafty delivery than Roger. He’s the one annual Party For A guy I wish I could have met. Cause events, SRC is 3. John Anderson: He’s the George Jones of my intently focused on generation. No one has ever sounded like him. The songs he being a stop for up- recorded are all classics – even the ones that weren’t on the and-coming talent. radio. He’s pure country. Lowden and compa- 4. AC/DC: The guitar riffs and four-on-the-floor beats ny say strengthening really appealed to me when I was younger, and I’ve used that position can be that influence in a lot of my songwriting: “Save A Horse,” a challenge, especially given the parameters governing the mar- “Hicktown,” “Johnny Cash,” “Comin’ To Your City,” and so on. ket’s two Country stations – KCYE and iHeart’s KWNR. 5. Johnny Horton: He was famous for writing and “We learned about the restraints that terrestrial radio stations recording “American history”-type songs, like “The Battle Of are under fairly quickly,” Lowden says. “Everyone seems to have New Orleans,” “Sink The Bismarck” and “North To Alaska.” their hands tied when it comes to marketing emerging artists.” He I’ve written a few like that, and really admire what he stood argues that social media outlets have proven to be better advertis- for and how he felt about America. ing platforms for the club, and that local radio isn’t always inter- • Highly regarded music you’ve actually never ested in supporting unfamiliar artists. Complicating matters are the heard: You may not have heard of Angie Aparo. But I love casinos, which spend a lot of money on radio and enjoy a caval- his singing so much, I’ve put it in my will for him to sing at my cade of top-tier country acts. “We get the short end of the stick,” funeral, should he outlive me. He’s an alien of a singer. I’d Lowden says. “We generate 3,000 visits a week, but we’re still just a suggest everyone go buy his records immediately. My favorite bar. Ultimately, Toad and I just decided to go our own way.” of his is called The American. The What: Enter Country AF Radio. “Money is not the primary • “Important” music you just don’t get: Death Metal. goal,” Lowden says of the station. “It’s to create a compelling Anything that has no melody and hurts my head isn’t product where people can hear great songs by emerging artists something I care to listen to. Seems like it would drive people that they don’t typically hear on terrestrial radio, and to tie that in crazy if they listened to it all the time. to what we’re already doing for [those acts] at Stoney’s.” • An album you listened to incessantly: Roger Miller’s Radio vet Daniels was an obvious choice to help lead the ef- Dang Me. fort. “We worked together when I was still at The Coyote, so we • Obscure or non-country song everyone should already had a working relationship,” she says of Lowden and listen to right now: John Anderson’s “Weeds.” This song is Higginbotham, who approached Daniels after her departure so deep in the lyric, you need three listens before you absorb from KCYE (CAT 8/23). “As someone who’s been in terrestrial it all. And there are very few lyrics in it. John is a genius radio for 20 years, it’s kind of hard to wrap your head around songwriter. how this works, but the reason I got into radio in the first place, • Music you’d rather not admit to enjoying: ‘80s pop – and country specifically, is because I have a passion for the Mister Mister, Toto, etc. music and artists.”

April 2, 2018 Page 5

The How: A sample hour from Country AF Radio (below) OFF THE RECORD: Shane Owens supports its new artist position, adding a smattering of familiar recurrent and gold titles. Average vintage: 2015. Aggressive, Reviver/1608’s Shane Owens puts an humorous and sometimes salty creative drives station messaging, industry spin on the artist interview: which at times includes listener explanations of what it means to I grew up listening to WTVY/Dothan, be “Country AF.” The logo proclaims, “ Emerging, Badass, New.” AL. They played good traditional country Daniels fronts the morning show in addition to her program- music, and I remember the Grand Ole Opry ming responsibilities. “It’s the same interactive morning show I was always playing on that station every did before,” she says. “Listeners connect via social media, call or Saturday night. text – nothing has changed in that regard.” On the whole, “it’s The first time I heard myself on the like taking the great music found on Spotify and pairing it with radio, I was in my hometown of Samson, AL, the content found on terrestrial radio,” she says. A familiar face to Shane Owens driving down the road. Like any other artist, Stoney’s customers, Higginbotham sometimes joins Daniels on the I was excited. It’s one of the coolest things to show and fronts various afternoon features. have a song on the radio, at any time. The Goals: Without traditional measures of success (rat- One of the funniest things that happened on radio ings, revenue), it’s natural to wonder what success looks like for tour was, I had a guitar picker out with me one time and he Country AF. Higginbotham’s first goal is to familiarize Stoney’s just drew a blank when we started playing. I like to throw in a clientele with up-and-coming acts before they play the club. “Suc- classic country cover or two, and I said, “Let’s do ‘Forever And cess would be when an artist comes back to town and it’s already Ever, Amen’.” He just looked at me, with a room full of people. happening for them at Stoney’s,” he explains. “I want them to I said, “Man, do something.” (laughs) But things like that prefer playing Stoney’s over the casinos because they know we happen sometimes. are Country AF.” A national listening audience and local brand Last year we traveled with John Anderson. He’s one of recognition are also targets. The SRC crew is also tracking listener- my favorite singers, and he’s just a great guy to work with, too. ship and audience growth internally. He’s a legend in this business. Those in terrestrial radio might wonder how Lowden and Every time I’m at a truck stop, I get sunflower seeds. I love company are handling expensive digital licensing fees. Lowden the way they taste. If you’re sitting on a bus for 10 or 12 hours, notes that because Country AF is owned by Stoney’s which already eating them takes up a little bit of time. has a licensing agreement in place, the station enjoys some fee I’d love to have dinner with my grandfather, who passed efficiencies similar platforms don’t. away. We’d have fried oysters, because he loved those. The Wrap: If all this sounds a little offbeat, that’s the way My new single “Lie” is upbeat and funny. Every guy can Lowden likes it. “We have always taken the outside-of-the-box ap- relate to it. Every girl’s known a guy like this. proach and this is just another example of the forward thinking we My last impulse buy was a pair of Lucchese boots. They all have at Stoney’s,” he says. Listen commercial-free on the web were real expensive – and I’m a cheap kind of guy. here. Download the app for Android and iPhone here and here. Being from Alabama, we do redneck stuff on a daily Reach Daniels here. Look for Lowden and the Country AF crew basis. But I guess the most redneck thing I’ve done lately is during the Stoney’s-produced ACM Party For A Cause April 12-15 tearing off my shirt and jumping in the catfish pond to cool off. in Las Vegas. –CA Staff I wish I’d written “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman). It’s the greatest country song ever written. Country AF Sample Hour: I have to have a toothbrush and fingernail clippers with me on the road. I am OCD about hygiene. Chris Stapleton, “Broken Halos” (2016) I’d love to be stuck in Dallas. I feel like I could’ve been Dierks Bentley, “Riser” (2014) born in Texas. Everybody there shows you great hospitality. Love And Theft, “Love Wins” (2017) And there are a lot of traditional country music fans there who Luke Combs, “When It Rains It Pours” (2017) appreciate real country music.

CJ Solar, “Airplane” (2017) The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will Eric Church, “Record Year” (2015) celebrate the opening of their new exhibit Outlaws & Armadillos: Kacey Musgraves, “Follow Your Arrow” (2013) Country’s Roaring ’70s (CAT 1/11) with a special concert May 25 Midland, “Make A Little” (2017) at the CMA Theater. Under the musical direction of Dave Cobb Josh Abbott Band, “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” (2017) and Shooter Jennings, the event will feature performances by Lanco, “Greatest Love Story” (2016) Bobby Bare, Jessi Colter, Jason Isbell, Jamey Johnson Trent Harmon, “You Got ‘Em All” (2018) and Ashley Monroe, among others. Complete lineup and more Jordan Davis, “Singles You Up” (2017) info here. Justin Moore, “Small Town USA” (2009) Brooke Eden, “Daddy’s Money” (2016) Russell Dickerson, “Yours” (2015) The Week’s Top Stories LoCash, “Don’t Get Better Than That” (2018) Full coverage at countryaircheck.com. Carrie Underwood, “Something In The Water” (2014) • Lisa Ray joined Sandbox Entertainment as day-to-day Manager for Dan+Shay. (CAT 3/29) • O.J. Jackson retired from Adams/Northern Indiana. (CAT Chart Chat 3/28) Consecutive congrats to Luke Bryan, • Christine Travaglini was named Pres. of Katz Media Royce Risser, Bobby Young, David Group. (CAT 3/28) Friedman and the Capitol promotion staff on • Paul Capodanno joined Sun Broadcast Group as VP/Mar- securing a second week at No. 1 with “Most keting & Digital. (CAT 3/28) People Are Good.” The song is the second • Johnny Gimble, Dottie West and Ricky Skaggs were single and second chart-topper from Bryan’s named the 2018 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees. (BN What Makes You Country. Writers are David 3/27) Frasier, Ed Hill and Josh Kear. • Jason Reed was named OM for Bristol/Johnson City, TN And kudos to Chris Palmer and the Valory which includes Country WXBQ. (Cat 3/27) reps for landing 32 adds on Tyler Rich’s “The Luke Bryan • Ali Harnell was upped to SVP/Global Touring Team for AEG Difference,” topping this week’s board. Presents. (CAT 3/27)

News & Notes Boomer’s Excellent Adventure WJJM/Lewisburg, TN has added Envision’s The Country (continued from page 1) Oldies Show hosted by Steve Warren. More here. Tennessee native James Carothers is the 2018 WSM Road No pay, of course. I’d post the back page of R&R’s top 40 songs. Show winner, after performing his original song, “Relapse,” and a We didn’t have a music schedule, I just told the jocks, “If it’s on cover of George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” He was the list, you can play it.” presented an Alan Jackson-autographed guitar and will open My first “real job” was Top 40 WKYN/St. Marys, PA, which was for the Country Music Hall of Famer on an upcoming Grand Ole built in the shack of a drive-in theater. The screen was still up in Opry date. the backyard and the studio was the old snack bar. The drive was Ty Herndon and CMT/Premiere’s Cody Alan will host 90 minutes from the campus to the station and my life for a year GLAAD’s third annual Concert for Love and Acceptance June 7 at was going to school, getting in the car at 10pm, doing overnights, Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon. Performers include Michael Ray, doing some production, getting back into the car at 7am, running Cassadee Pope, Terri Clark, Calum Scott and Brandon through the dining hall, going to class, taking a nap and starting Stansell. More here. all over again. Singer/songwriter/actor (ABC’s The Goldbergs) Hayley And then a succession of Top 40 stations? Orrantia has partnered with Texas Pete for her Strong, Sweet & Yeah, Cape Girardeau, Nashville, St. Louis and San Diego. Southern Tour. Schedule here. My second run in St. Louis at the new KSLZ is where I met [current

©2018 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] April 2, 2018 Page 7 iHeartMedia RSVPP] Jeff Kapugi for the first time. He hired me as AIDS. I walked into that conference room and saw the biggest his afternoon guy and gave me the chance to be an MD and an names in country music sitting around the table, taking calls from APD. He asked me to go with him to Tampa when he went back to listeners. That these megawatt superstars dropped whatever they run WFLZ and it killed me to say no to my mentor, but I knew if I were doing to be involved in something like that speaks to the stayed I was going to get the program director job. connective tissue between artists, radio stations and listeners. I After I was part of the big reduction-in-force on inauguration wish I could get pop stars to do half the things I see country artists day 2009, Jeff came riding in with shiny armor on his white horse doing. I am so looking forward to being a part of that environ- and got me back in the business with a lead in Fort Myers. Then ment and culture. I had the opportunity to go to WHQC/Charlotte for [current Big As far as the opportunity with WFMS, this is the time to go from Loud President] Clay Hunnicutt and couldn’t pass it up. good to great. Speaking to that connective tissue, the way to do After nothing but Top 40s, why get into Country? that is to be ingrained in the consciousness of the listener. You’ve A couple years back [iHeartMedia EVPP] Steve Geofferies got to be active in the community, willing to jump in with both wanted me to take a look at a Country job. Through that process hands and both feet. We want to be a of listening to the station, I really found a passion and love for the part of these listeners’ lives. We want format. I was hooked all over again. That situation didn’t work to be the station they hear their favorite out, but knowing that I wanted to put these other clubs in my bag music on, where they can be in touch had me on the lookout for sure. with their favorite artists and where the What’s your programming approach? jocks are like their best friends. They’ve What I love about radio is the opportunity to create, be infor- done a good job of that so far, but now mative and entertain. That can be lost to some degree today, in we’re going to do our best to advance that. part because of corporate mandates, and also because people Beyond those you’ve already mentioned, who from just don’t have the time. I’m not coming into WFMS with a master the Country world has reached out? Who are you con- plan, though I’ve done my due diligence and submitted my reports necting with? on advancing these brands forward. But this is a collaborative Well, there’s been no shortage of contact from record people. effort, which is my management style. I have the 615 area code all the way down my recent calls list. Not everybody can make decisions, but everybody can be Obviously, I’m in the deep end with Top 40 relationships, but I’m involved and have input. That’s where many of the best ideas also looking forward to making new ones. [Arista’s] Ali O’Connell come from – the intern speaks up and next thing you know it’s and both the Toms – Martens and Starr {Warner] – are a few I one of the best promotions you’ve ever done. I’ve had a chance to already know. And the folks at Cumulus have been great. [VP/ sit with Jim, Deb and Kevin from the morning show a couple times Programming Ops] Doug Hamand has been nothing but accom- and you can feel their passion to win. Adam “Kash” Kashner has modating. [EVPP] Mike McVay is obviously one of the best of the done an incredible job keeping this moving forward while they’ve best. And when it comes to Country programming and branding, been without a PD and he’ll be one himself if that’s what he [VP/Country] Charlie Cook is the best in the business. I can’t wait wants. You can tell he’s got the goods. They all want to be part of to get started. the process and I want their buy-in as we collectively push the ball Reach Boomer here. –Chuck Aly up the hill. As someone who has spent his career often compet- ing with Country stations, how do you view the format’s Lon Helton, [email protected] strengths and challenges? Chuck Aly, [email protected] When I was working at WYHY/Nashville in the mid-’90s, WSIX Wendy Newcomer, [email protected] did a radiothon for personality Hoss Burns, who was fighting (615) 320-1450

Hey Joe: Arista’s Lanco with WSOC/Charlotte staffers and friends before their show at Coyote Joe’s. Among those pictured are the band’s Chandler Baldwin, Tripp Howell, Brandon Lancaster, Eric Steedly and Jared Hampton, the station’s DJ Stout, Krista Stout, Chele Fassig, Stacey Canady and Melanie Day and the label’s Ali O’Connell.

Seek & Employ

Cumulus’ KQFC/Boise is looking for an afternoon host who Available Jobs can also handle afternoon traffic and production for the five- station cluster. Details here. Here’s a list of job seekers and open gigs. Not listed? Send info here and we’ll include you in a future update: Consultant Joel Raab has two client stations looking for a PD and an APD/MD in two different Top 100 markets. Send materials CMA is seeking applicants for a newly created Strategist/ here. Integrated Marketing & Sales position. See more here; cover letter and résumé here. iHeartMedia’s WMZQ/Washington is looking for an MD/ evening host. Send materials here. Buck Owens Productions’ KUZZ AM & FM/Bakersfield is searching for a Sales Assistant in the Radio Sales and Camera Ads iHeartMedia/Tampa is looking for a Sr. Dir./Promotions. departments. Send résumés here. Apply here.

Saga’s WPOR/Portland, ME has an opening for a morning Cumulus’ WIVK/Knoxville is looking for a morning show Exec. co-host. Airchecks and résumés to PD Crash Poteet here. Producer. Apply here.

iHeartMedia’s KNIX/Phoenix has an opening for a PD. Apply Summit’s WQNU/Louisville is looking for an APD/MD/on-air here. host. Submit materials here.

Dick WRNS/Greenville, NC is looking for a morning host. Scripps’ WKTI/Milwaukee is looking for a morning show host Send airchecks and résumés here. here.

Cumulus’ WIOV/Lancaster, PA is searching for a morning co- CMA is looking for a Market Research Analyst and a Creative host. Apply here. Content Project Manager. Send cover letter, résumé and salary requirements to HR Consultant Sarah Pinson here. Vallie Richards Donovan Consulting has an immediate PM drive opening at a legendary east coast Country station. Send airchecks and résumés to “Country Jobs” here. Searching

Ingstad’s KXDD/Yakima, WA is searching for a MD/morning •Tommy & Joe Johnson co-host. Send airchecks, résumés, social media samples and a Former KUBL/Salt Lake City morning co-hosts cover letter here. [email protected]

DBC Radio’s WUBB/Savannah, GA has a morning show •Pam Russell opening. Send airchecks and résumés to OM Gabe Reynolds here. Former UMG/Nashville VP/National Sales [email protected] Entercom’s KMNB/Minneapolis is searching for an OM/PD. Apply here. •Shane Collins Former Summit Media/Louisville OM iHeartMedia has a number of key PD openings including [email protected] WQIK/Jacksonville and KBEB/Sacramento. Send materials to iHeartCountry format captain Rod Phillips here. •Natalie Kilgore Former SouthComm VP/Marketing Entercom’s KFRG/Riverside has a full-time on-air opening. [email protected] Apply here. •Ron “Keyes” Stevens Entercom’s WKIS/Miami is searching for an evening host. Former KEKB/Grand Junction, CO morning host Apply here. [email protected]

Mid-West’s WRTB/Rockford, IL has newly created on-air •Jeremy Guenther opening. Airchecks and résumés to PD Steve Summers here. Former KSSN & KMJX/Little Rock MD, on-air; Capitol SW Regional 501-590-4878 Beasley’s WQYK/Tampa is looking for a PD. Send materials [email protected] here. • Jeff Roper Binnie Media/Maine is searching for a Dir./Traffic and a Former KCYY/San Antonio APD/MD/morning host part-time Sales Assistant in Portland, for its stations which include 210-790-7099 Country WTHT and WBQQ. Send materials here. [email protected]

Midwest’s KVOX/Fargo has an unspecified on-air opening. Send airchecks and résumés here.

April 2, 2018 LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud Stations ADDS

1 1 LUKE BRYAN 2nd Week at No. 1 23840 1217 8866 421 60.983 2.728 157 0 Most People Are Good (Capitol)

4 2 JORDAN DAVIS/Singles You Up (MCA) ✔ 21116 1998 7918 814 53.099 5.581 156 0

6 3 BEBE REXHA f/FGL/Meant To Be (WBR/BMLGR) 20234 1409 7345 546 50.838 4.049 152 0

5 4 BRETT ELDREDGE/The Long Way (Atlantic/WMN) 19323 471 7047 193 49.085 1.204 157 0

9 5 JASON ALDEAN/You Make It Easy (Broken Bow) ✔ 18301 2006 6644 779 46.138 3.907 157 0

10 6 KANE BROWN/Heaven (RCA) ✔ 17885 2171 6519 794 43.931 5.64 157 0

8 7 HIGH VALLEY/She's With Me (Atlantic/WEA) 17477 541 6621 152 44.317 1.787 154 0

11 8 DARIUS RUCKER/For The First Time (Capitol) 15195 1035 5737 427 37.779 1.826 157 0

2 9 DEVIN DAWSON/All On Me (Atlantic/WEA) 14614 -8002 5449 -2973 40.358 -15.332 157 0

7 10 CHRIS STAPLETON/Broken Halos (Mercury) 13807 -4390 5085 -1901 40.389 -6.791 157 0

13 11 BLAKE SHELTON/I Lived It (Warner Bros./WMN) 13688 1418 4901 469 36.012 3.763 157 0

14 12 DIERKS BENTLEY/Woman, Amen (Capitol) 12184 1189 4316 445 31.061 3.916 157 0

15 13 D. L. MURPHY f/K. CHESNEY/Everything's... (Reviver/Blue Chair) 11822 1467 4411 506 29.755 3.291 154 3

17 14 LUKE COMBS/One Number Away (River House/Columbia) ✔ 11557 1675 4256 682 28.586 4.494 157 1

18 15 BRANTLEY GILBERT/The Ones That Like Me (Valory) 10498 735 3901 240 24.869 2.847 155 0

19 16 MORGAN WALLEN f/FGL/Up Down (Big Loud/BMLGR) 9996 937 3765 387 24.263 2.567 153 2

16 17 LEE BRICE/Boy (Curb) 9792 -120 3695 33 23 -1.159 154 0

22 18 JAKE OWEN/I Was Jack (You Were Diane) (Big Loud) ✔ 8581 1876 3132 638 21.479 7.034 154 5

20 19 CHRIS LANE f/T. KELLY/Take Back Home Girl (Big Loud) 8464 492 2911 215 18.968 1.568 134 4

21 20 MICHAEL RAY/Get To You (Atlantic/WEA) 7772 198 2935 59 17.855 0.776 145 0

23 21 LINDSAY ELL/Criminal (Stoney Creek) 7539 1095 2843 342 15.674 3.101 149 1

24 22 MORGAN EVANS/Kiss Somebody (Warner Bros./WEA) 7413 1121 2825 399 15.291 1.79 136 3

26 23 DYLAN SCOTT/Hooked (Curb) 6674 679 2354 267 12.704 1.079 143 0

25 24 JON PARDI/She Ain't In It (Capitol) 6502 375 2534 107 14.966 0.92 146 3

Chart Page 1 April 2, 2018

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

12 26 GRANGER SMITH/Happens Like That (Wheelhouse) 6089 -6242 2214 -2335 13.979 -14.903 157 0

28 27 CHASE RICE/Three Chords & The Truth (Broken Bow) 5801 199 2097 88 10.912 0.974 146 0

29 28 JUSTIN MOORE/Kinda Don't Care (Valory) 5343 706 2078 273 12.083 1.542 134 2

31 29 DAN + SHAY/Tequila (Warner Bros./WAR) 5329 920 1776 343 11.313 1.459 135 6

30 30 LAUREN ALAINA/Doin' Fine (19/Interscope/Mercury) 5110 498 1930 208 9.581 0.695 138 0

32 31 COLE SWINDELL/Break Up In The End (Warner Bros./WMN) 4556 485 1732 161 8.74 1.333 129 2

33 32 CHRIS JANSON/Drunk Girl (Warner Bros./WAR) 3744 162 1448 77 6.562 0.533 131 3

38 33 BRETT YOUNG/Mercy (BMLGR) 3648 403 1351 174 7.414 0.958 115 4

36 34 CARLY PEARCE/Hide The Wine (Big Machine) 3598 260 1374 129 5.91 0.457 137 3

37 35 RUNAWAY JUNE/Wild West (Wheelhouse) 3547 262 1271 48 6.313 1.092 114 2

34 36 ASHLEY MCBRYDE/A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega (Atlantic/WAR) 3483 120 1255 99 9.508 0.676 102 4

KEITH URBAN f/J. MICHAELS/Coming Home (Capitol) 3262 -88 1155 -95 7.319 -2.21 112 24

39 38 DUSTIN LYNCH/I'd Be Jealous Too (Broken Bow) 3041 56 1121 3 4.932 0.226 111 2

40 39 SUGARLAND/Still The Same (UMG/Big Machine) 2770 31 1114 19 3.193 0.131 123 0

41 40 BROTHERS OSBORNE/Shoot Me Straight (EMI Nashville) 2721 308 1052 92 4.921 0.722 108 4

42 41 KIP MOORE/Last Shot (MCA) 2490 105 955 36 3.893 0.274 105 1

44 42 JERROD NIEMANN/I Got This (Curb) 2296 138 730 25 6.045 0.173 79 0

45 43 MAREN MORRIS/Rich (Columbia) 2249 134 768 58 4.076 0.127 89 1

46 44 CAM/Diane (Arista) 2191 112 791 -3 2.887 0.001 95 0

43 45 BRANDON LAY/Speakers, Bleachers And Preachers (EMI Nashville) 2144 -71 832 -14 2.636 -0.097 110 1

47 46 LANCO/Born To Love You (Arista) 2070 154 681 45 3.186 0.069 89 1

49 47 JIMMIE ALLEN/Best Shot (Stoney Creek) 1910 177 792 77 3.322 0.677 84 4

50 48 CHRIS YOUNG/Hangin' On (RCA) 1889 200 711 49 3.026 0.415 84 2

Debut 49 KELSEA BALLERINI/I Hate Love Songs (Black River) 1801 310 672 82 3.131 0.797 84 6

Debut 50 TRENT HARMON/You Got 'Em All (Big Machine) 1722 599 633 214 2.505 0.872 81 6

Chart Page 2 April 2, 2018

Country Aircheck Add Leaders Adds Activator Top Point Gainers TYLER RICH/The Difference (Valory) 32 JASON ALDEAN/You Make It Easy (Broken Bow) 1351 ✔ KEITH URBAN f/J. MICHAELS/Coming Home (Capitol) 24 OLD DOMINION/Hotel Key (RCA) 14 BEBE REXHA f/FGL/Meant To Be (WBR/BMLGR) 926 ✔ TRAVIS DENNING/David Ashley Parker From... (Mercury) 11 JORDAN DAVIS/Singles You Up (MCA) 857 ✔ MITCHELL TENPENNY/Drunk Me (Riser House/Columbia) 7 DAN + SHAY/Tequila (Warner Bros./WAR) 6 LUKE COMBS/One Number Away (River House/Columbia) 828 ✔ KELSEA BALLERINI/I Hate Love Songs (Black River) 6 TRENT HARMON/You Got 'Em All (Big Machine) 6 JAKE OWEN/I Was Jack (You Were Diane) (Big Loud) 816 ✔ JAKE OWEN/I Was Jack (You Were Diane) (Big Loud) 5 DARIUS RUCKER/For The First Time (Capitol) 752 ASHLEY MCBRYDE/A Little Dive Bar In... (Atlantic/WAR) 4 BRETT YOUNG/Mercy (BMLGR) 4 MORGAN EVANS/Kiss Somebody (Warner Bros./WEA) 734 BROTHERS OSBORNE/Shoot Me Straight (EMI Nashville) 4 CHRIS LANE f/T. KELLY/Take Back Home Girl (Big Loud) 4 BLAKE SHELTON/I Lived It (Warner Bros./WMN) 710 JIMMIE ALLEN/Best Shot (Stoney Creek) 4 KEITH URBAN f/J. MICHAELS/Coming Home (Capitol) 684 RUSSELL DICKERSON/Blue Tacoma (Triple Tigers) 4 SMITHFIELD/Hey Whiskey (Deluge/In2une) 4 MORGAN WALLEN f/FGL/Up Down (Big Loud/BMLGR) 653 Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers Activator Top Spin Gainers KANE BROWN/Heaven (RCA) 2171 ✔ JASON ALDEAN/You Make It Easy (Broken Bow) 309 JASON ALDEAN/You Make It Easy (Broken Bow) 2006 ✔ BEBE REXHA f/FGL/Meant To Be (WBR/BMLGR) 221 JORDAN DAVIS/Singles You Up (MCA) 1998 ✔ JORDAN DAVIS/Singles You Up (MCA) 209 JAKE OWEN/I Was Jack (You Were Diane) (Big Loud) 1876 ✔ LUKE COMBS/One Number Away (River House/Columbia) 185 LUKE COMBS/One Number Away (River House/Columbia) 1675 ✔ JAKE OWEN/I Was Jack (You Were Diane) (Big Loud) 184 D. L. MURPHY/K. CHESNEY/Everything's... (Reviver/Blue Chair) 1467 DARIUS RUCKER/For The First Time (Capitol) 174 BLAKE SHELTON/I Lived It (Warner Bros./WMN) 1418 MORGAN EVANS/Kiss Somebody (Warner Bros./WEA) 155 BEBE REXHA f/FGL/Meant To Be (WBR/BMLGR) 1409 D. L. MURPHY f/K. CHESNEY/Everything's... (Reviver/Blue Chair) 146 LUKE BRYAN/Most People Are Good (Capitol) 1217 BLAKE SHELTON/I Lived It (Warner Bros./WMN) 145 DIERKS BENTLEY/Woman, Amen (Capitol) 1189 DIERKS BENTLEY/Woman, Amen (Capitol) 135 Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers Country Aircheck Top Recurrents Points JORDAN DAVIS/Singles You Up (MCA) 814 THOMAS RHETT/Marry Me (Valory) 17213 KANE BROWN/Heaven (RCA) 794 SCOTTY MCCREERY/Five More Minutes (Triple Tigers) 11285 JASON ALDEAN/You Make It Easy (Broken Bow) 779 DUSTIN LYNCH/Small Town Boy (Broken Bow) 9735 LUKE COMBS/One Number Away (River House/Columbia) 682 SAM HUNT/Body Like A Back Road (MCA) 9159 JAKE OWEN/I Was Jack (You Were Diane) (Big Loud) 638 OLD DOMINION/Written In The Sand (RCA) 8803 BEBE REXHA f/FGL/Meant To Be (WBR/BMLGR) 546 THOMAS RHETT/Unforgettable (Valory) 8193 D. L. MURPHY/K. CHESNEY/Everything’s... (Reviver/Blue Chair) 506 BRETT YOUNG/Like I Loved You (BMLGR) 8132 BLAKE SHELTON/I Lived It (Warner Bros./WMN) 469 LUKE COMBS/When It Rains It Pours (River House/Columbia) 8119 DIERKS BENTLEY/Woman, Amen (Capitol) 445 LANCO/Greatest Love Story (Arista) 7777 DARIUS RUCKER/For The First Time (Capitol) 427 KANE BROWN f/L. ALAINA/What Ifs (RCA) 7320

Chart Page 3 April 2, 2018

COUNTRY AIRCHECK ACTIVITY CHECK OUT 4/6 BRANDON LAY/Speakers, Bleachers And Peachers (EMI Nashville) David Lee Murphy No Zip Code (Blue Chair/ Moves 43-45 Reviver Records) 2,144 points, 832 spins Murphy co-wrote all 11 tracks including the 1 add: WBCT single “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” a duet with Kenny Chesney, who co-produced LANCO/Born To Love You (Arista) the album with Murphy and Buddy Cannon. Moves 47-46* Contributing songwriters include Brett Beavers 2,070 points, 681 spins and Jim Beavers (“Get Go”), Jamey Johnson and Phil 1 add: WQIK O’Donnell (“As the Crow Flies”) and Jesse Murphy (“No Zip Code” and “That’s Alright”). JIMME ALLEN/Best Shot (Stoney Creek) Moves 49-47* Various Johnny Cash: Forever Words (Sony 1,910 points, 792 spins Legacy) 4 adds: KRYS, WBWL, WKDF*, WPCV Recorded at The Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, TN and co-produced by CHRIS YOUNG/Hangin’ On (RCA) John Carter Cash and Steve Berkowitz, the Moves 50-48* collaborative project consists of songs created 1,889 points, 711 spins from Cash’s unknown poetry, lyrics and 2 adds: WQIK, WTGE letters set to music by artists including Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, Elvis Costello and John Mellencamp. KELSEA BALLERINI/I Hate Love Songs (Black River) Debuts at 49* Blackberry Smoke Find A Light (Thirty Tigers) 1,801 points, 672 spins The band’s sixth full-length studio album was 6 adds: KDRK, KKBQ, WKHK, WKHX*, WNSH*, WSSL self-produced and boasts 13 new songs written or co-written by lead singer and guitarist Charlie TRENT HARMON/YouA D Got D ‘Em DAll AT(Big Machine) E S Starr. The album also features guests Robert Debuts at 50* Randolph (“I’ll Keep Ramblin’”), Amanda Shires 1,722 points, 633 spins (“Let Me Down Easy”) and The Wood Brothers April 6 adds: KCYE,9 KDRK, KKWF, WDRM, WIVK*, WKXC Craig Campbell/See You Try (Red Bow) (“Mother Mountain”). MIDLAND/Burn Out (Big Machine) Don Gibson The Best Of The Hickory Records OLD DOMINION/Hotel Key (RCA) Years (1970-1978) (Omnivore) Compiled by Grammy-winning producer and April 16 Omnivore co-founder Cheryl Pawelski and Craig Shelburne, author of an upcoming Don Gibson THOMAS RHETT/Life Changes (Valory) biography, the project features 25 remastered April 23 tracks, including “Woman (Sensuous Woman)” RODNEY ATKINS/Caught Up In Country (Curb) and “Snap Your Fingers.” WALKER HAYES/Craig (Monument/Arista) April 13 Parmalee/Hotdamalama (Stoney Creek) Jason Aldean Rearview Town (Broken Bow) Send yours to [email protected] Moonlight Social Make You Smile (–) John Prine The Tree of Forgiveness (Oh Boy Records)

Chart Page 4 April 2, 2018 LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Points +/- Points Plays +/- Plays Stations ADDS

rd 1 LUKE BRYAN 3 Week at No. 1 11493 -472 2498 -45 50 0 1 Most People Are Good (Capitol) 4 2 JORDAN DAVIS/Singles You Up (MCA) ✔ 10619 857 2307 209 51 0 7 3 JASON ALDEAN/You Make It Easy (Broken Bow) ✔ 10116 1351 2153 309 51 0 3 4 BRETT ELDREDGE/The Long Way (Atlantic/WMN) 9964 -214 2160 -32 49 0 8 5 BEBE REXHA f/FGL/Meant To Be (WBR/BMLGR) ✔ 9412 926 2040 221 51 0 9 6 KANE BROWN/Heaven (RCA) 8931 542 1798 133 49 0 10 7 HIGH VALLEY/She's With Me (Atlantic/WEA) 8356 276 1776 58 49 0 11 8 DARIUS RUCKER/For The First Time (Capitol) 8321 752 1796 174 50 0 12 9 BLAKE SHELTON/I Lived It (Warner Bros./WMN) 7839 710 1640 145 51 0 2 10 DEVIN DAWSON/All On Me (Atlantic/WEA) 7180 -3276 1553 -787 45 0 14 11 DIERKS BENTLEY/Woman, Amen (Capitol) 7050 638 1437 135 52 0 16 12 LUKE COMBS/One Number Away (River House/Columbia) ✔ 6866 828 1394 185 51 0 17 13 D.L. MURPHY f/K. CHESNEY/Everything's Gonna Be Alright (Reviver/Blue Chair) 6284 538 1353 146 50 1 15 14 LEE BRICE/Boy (Curb) 6134 -10 1281 30 50 0 18 15 BRANTLEY GILBERT/The Ones That Like Me (Valory) 5782 147 1279 40 50 0 19 16 MORGAN WALLEN f/FGL/Up Down (BMLGR/Big Loud) 5214 653 1101 118 50 4 13 17 GRANGER SMITH/Happens Like That (Wheelhouse) 4708 -2108 1000 -442 43 0 21 18 JAKE OWEN/I Was Jack (You Were Diane) (Big Loud) ✔ 4669 816 995 184 51 2 20 19 JON PARDI/She Ain't In It (Capitol) 4303 47 908 12 50 2 24 20 MORGAN EVANS/Kiss Somebody (Warner Bros./WEA) 4166 734 842 155 50 4 22 21 LINDSAY ELL/Criminal (Stoney Creek) 4006 443 814 101 47 0 23 22 CHRIS LANE f/T. KELLY/Take Back Home Girl (Big Loud) 3730 200 764 35 48 0 26 23 LADY ANTEBELLUM/Heart Break (Capitol) 3460 374 750 78 46 2 27 24 COLE SWINDELL/Break Up In The End (Warner Bros./WMN) 3195 155 633 38 48 1 25 25 MICHAEL RAY/Get To You (Atlantic/WEA) 3142 -67 600 -9 48 4 28 26 DAN + SHAY/Tequila (Warner Bros./WAR) 2646 142 516 49 46 2 29 27 CHRIS JANSON/Drunk Girl (Warner Bros./WAR) 2626 159 510 41 44 3 31 28 DYLAN SCOTT/Hooked (Curb) 2529 395 541 88 45 4 30 29 JUSTIN MOORE/Kinda Don't Care (Valory) 2376 205 503 47 41 0 32 30 LAUREN ALAINA/Doin' Fine (19/Interscope/Mercury) 2130 102 441 17 39 0

Chart Page 5 April 2, 2018

LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Points +/- Points Plays +/- Plays Stations Adds 33 31 ASHLEY MCBRYDE/A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega (Atlantic/WAR) 2073 141 510 37 36 0 40 32 KEITH URBAN f/J. MICHAELS/Coming Home (Capitol) 1807 684 373 119 37 15 34 33 CHASE RICE/Three Chords & The Truth (Broken Bow) 1707 -34 373 -2 40 1 35 34 BRETT YOUNG/Mercy (BMLGR) 1583 80 325 22 42 0 37 35 BROTHERS OSBORNE/Shoot Me Straight (EMI Nashville) 1443 176 265 25 30 1 39 36 DUSTIN LYNCH/I'd Be Jealous Too (Broken Bow) 1386 222 245 21 36 0 36 37 CARLY PEARCE/Hide The Wine (Big Machine) 1366 32 290 18 36 1 42 38 KELSEA BALLERINI/I Hate Love Songs (Black River) 1219 196 206 41 13 1 38 39 STEPHANIE QUAYLE/Selfish (Rebel Engine) 1136 -37 210 -6 16 0 41 40 MAREN MORRIS/Rich (Columbia) 1092 58 215 15 23 0 44 41 CHRIS YOUNG/Hangin' On (RCA) 1081 124 191 10 19 0 45 42 AARON WATSON/Run Wild Horses (Big Label) 1062 123 212 28 20 0 43 43 CAM/Diane (Arista) 949 -50 199 -9 28 0 46 44 RUNAWAY JUNE/Wild West (Wheelhouse) 946 28 218 9 33 0 48 45 SUGARLAND/Still The Same (UMGN/Big Machine) 823 3 200 0 36 0 50 46 CJ SOLAR/Airplane (Sea Gayle) 763 52 140 8 16 0 51 47 SIR ROSEVELT/Something 'Bout You (Elektra/WAR) 742 140 92 7 4 0 49 48 BRANDON LAY/Speakers, Bleachers And Preachers (EMI Nashville) 702 -49 162 -15 23 0 47 49 LANCO/Born To Love You (Arista) 700 -124 115 -9 14 0 53 50 THOMAS RHETT/When You Look Like That (Valory) 630 70 63 7 1 0 54 51 LOCASH/Don't Get Better Than That (Reviver) 616 78 126 4 9 0 52 52 DANIELLE BRADBERY/Worth It (BMLGR) 614 25 102 1 13 0 56 53 OLD DOMINION/Stars In The City (RCA) 580 103 58 9 1 0 55 54 TYLER RICH/The Difference (Valory) 460 -40 46 -4 1 0 Debut 55 RAELYNN/Queens Don't (Warner Bros./WMN) 397 113 41 12 3 0 Debut 56 KACEY MUSGRAVES/Space Cowboy (MCA) 376 50 40 5 4 0 Debut 57 CHRIS STAPLETON/Millionaire (Mercury) 374 40 40 4 2 0 57 58 KEITH URBAN/Parallel Line (Capitol) 360 -100 36 -10 1 0 Debut 59 KIP MOORE/Last Shot (MCA) 355 74 80 14 15 2 Debut 60 JUSTIN MOORE/Hell On A Highway (Valory) 330 0 33 0 1 0 ©2017 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected]

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