Radio's Weekend Warriors Kage Free in the Rockies

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May 22, 2017, Issue 551 Kage Free In The Rockies As radio stories go, it’s both fortunate and familiar. Program- mer has a good run, but his company is sold and he gets an offer in another market. He jumps, the cluster he was at is sold and broken up – hindsight proves the move was the right call. That’s where the narrative changes for KYGO/Den- ver PD John E. Kage. And happily so for all involved and, not least, the station’s ratings. Ready for a challenge after 17 years at Rhythmic Top 40 KQKS/Denver, the leap to a more mainstream Top 40 with Cox’s WPOI/ Tampa made sense. Lincoln Financial eventually divested KQKS to Entercom, while sister KYGO landed with Bonneville. All John E. Kage good, it seemed. But as a single father, Kage That’s An Ender: Arista’s Brad Paisley opens his Weekend saw his son was struggling in their new Florida home. After only Warrior Tour with a little help from his radio friends. Pictured 10 months, Kage’s former Denver GM Bob Call reached out with (l-r) are the label’s Luke Jensen, WNCB/Raleigh’s Carletta news that KYGO PD Eddie Haskell had resigned. Blake, Paisley and WQDR/Raleigh’s Mimi Wheeler. “My GM in Tampa, Keith Lawless, might just be the greatest next to Bob,” Kage says. “He understood.” Within a month, Kage was a mile high, back in the building and sitting across from his Radio’s Weekend Warriors old office at the helm of KYGO (Breaking News 9/16/16). In Brad Paisley’s Weekend Warrior Tour blazed a trail from upstate addition to his knowledge of the market and radio landscape, New York to New Jersey and North Carolina in its first weekend. Kage also has a strong radio pedigree. He started as an intern at Radio attendees agree – Paisley’s show is big- powerhouse Top 40 KDWB/Minneapolis and “worked my way up ger and better than ever. as fast as radio would take me.” Stops at Top 40 and Rhythmic Paisley invited radio and two local high stations included Grand Forks, ND; Ocean City, MD; St. Cloud, school senior classes to attend a pre-tour MN; Albuquerque and Sacramento. rehearsal at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Putting It Together: Back in Colorado and again working Townsquare WGNA/Albany PD Matty Jeff for Call, Kage was in his comfort zone. There’s just the matter of a says, “They ran through the show in about an completely new format. “I understood 100% the tools Bob would hour and a half. What a cool experience for provide, and his expectations of a PD,” Kage says of his GM. “A those students to be there.” little known fact is I have worked with every PD KYGO has ever A thunderstorm delayed the first show by Matty Jeff had including Bob, who was the first. I was aware of the station’s about a half hour, but the crowd hung in for legendary status. I never went looking for what I could bring back. the fun. “Somehow Brad got around the curfew and played until I asked myself what it needed to be in 2017.” midnight, and everyone stayed to see it,” says Jeff. First up? Mornings. Five-year station vet Tracy Dixon had been “The show was fast-paced and visually exciting right from the holding down the fort for a year. start,” says CBS Radio WXTU/Philadelphia PD Shelly Easton. (continued on page 7) ©2017 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected]

May 22, 2017 Page 3

iHeartMedia WNCB/Raleigh PD Carletta OFF THE RECORD: Carly Pearce Blake reports the “video screen was as wide as the stage,” and the show kicked off dramat- Big Machine's Carly Pearce puts an ically with a flashing date, market localized industry spin on the artist interview: images and a Knight Rider musical theme. I'm from northern Kentucky, so I The TV tie-in works well with new single grew up listening to WUBE/Cincinnati. “Last Time For Everything,” which features Da- I've been lucky enough to have vid Hasselhoff and the show’s car in the video songs out on SiriusXM – that's where "Every shown during the performance. When the Carletta Blake Little Thing" started. I also had a song out line about Prince and “Purple Rain” hits, “The with the Josh Abbott Band. But I was really screen and lights –everything turns purple,” Blake says. “It really Carly Pearce excited to have that moment where I heard looked like it was raining purple on the stage.” my single on terrestrial radio for the first Blake was equally impressed with the production during time. I was in Orlando with my band on radio tour and we “Perfect Storm.” “The video showed a massive storm rolling in were on our way to a show. We heard my voice introducing on the coast,” she says. “Again, it looked like it was really raining my song on the radio. All of us were freaking out. I will never onstage.” After the storms that delayed the show in New York, it forget that. was even more impactful. The most loopy thing that happened on radio tour After the first three songs, radio was invited to leave the sound- was, Once, we flew into a town in the morning and visited a board to wch the rest of the show from the onstage bar. “There station. Then throughout the day, we visited four cities, drove was one on both sides of the stage, with winners and fans on the seven hours and ended the day flying from a different city. Six other side,” Blake says. cities in one day. Seven hours of driving and two flights. Curtis WQDR/Raleigh MD Mimi I always pick up Orbit gum every time I'm at a truck stop. Wheeler called the show “mind-blowing” That sweet, mint gum is my favorite thing. and noted his extensive incorporation of I grew up loving the late '90s/early 2000s-era of Country “visual album” elements throughout. “I espe- music. With the character and tone of the female voices, you cially loved ‘Grey Goose Chase,’” she says. knew who they were right then. When people listen to what I'm Wheeler even got to do some guest vocals doing, I want them to hear some of that throwback, but also on “Crushin’ It” and was moved by Paisley’s hear a modern sound. I want people to say, "This girl wants to Mimi tribute to North Carolina icon the late Andy be a modern, live-and-breathe- Country music artist." Wheeler Griffith, who appeared in the “Waitin’ On A My last impulse buy was a pair of booties that I can Woman” video. never fit in my suitcase. I really have a shoe addiction. I can't WFFG/Glens Falls, NY PD Chris O’Neil be trusted with any kind of shoe store. recalls other big moments. “Brad brought I don't know if this is redneck or just gross, but I tend to members of the military onstage for a salute, go out in public dressed questionably – sweat pants and a had a couple get engaged and signed his gui- tank top, no makeup, my hair in a neon clip from 2001. tar for a little boy and then left the main stage I wish I'd written Sara Evans' "Born To Fly" (written by to perform on the lawn,” he says. Evans, Marcus Hummon and Darrell Scott). It's a timeless song. Opener Lindsay Ell joined Paisley for I can't go on the road without running shoes. I'm a big “Whiskey Lullaby.” “Lindsey’s new music and runner. And my band makes fun of me, but I have a second guitar playing really stood out in her set,” Jeff Chris O’Neil bag that is solely for my makeup and hair products. It's my says. “Watching her trade licks with Brad at the beauty bag. end of ‘Whiskey Lullaby’ was impressive.” Easton adds, “I would I would love to be stuck in Charleston, SC. I love pay just to watch Lindsey Ell play guitar.” their pastel-painted buildings, the architecture and the Paisley encored with “Alcohol,” bringing up Ell and fellow sup- cobblestone roads. port act Chase Bryant, who’s no six-string slouch either. “He’s

May 22, 2017 Page 5

really took command – high energy, polished and knew exactly MY TUNES: MUSIC THAT SHAPED MY LIFE how to work the crowd.” Dustin Lynch appeared with Paisley for “I’m Still A Guy” in WKWS/Charleston PD/personality Billy addition to his own substantial set. “With hit-after-hit-after-hit, Brown discusses his most influential music: you can see he’s for real,” says Jeff. “For a new song, ‘Small 1. Garth Brooks: He is polite, gracious and Town Boy’ got a big reaction.” Easton adds, “He debuted an a great inspiration. He stood around chatting incredible new ballad, looked great, sounded great and took the with me as if we went to high school together. stage like a star.” 2: David Ball's "Riding With Private “Brad Paisley never fails to deliver in the entertainment cat- Malone": That song makes me feel that we're egory,” O’Neil says in summation. “The audience and industry Billy Brown not alone on this planet. love him for a reason. He’s humble, relevant and a joy to watch.” 3. Boston: Their self-titled debut album was Easton gets a bit emotional. “From his first radio tour and my first just filled with hits that I liked to sing when I was growing up. programming job at WRBT/Harrisburg, we’ve both had country 4. Ronnie Milsap: When I was a kid, he really impressed music to thank for a great ride,” she says. “How could I not cry me onstage. A few years ago he called my show in Miami about that?” –Paul Williams when I was doing afternoons on 99.9 Kiss Country. What a great guy! Chart Chat 5. Iron City House Rockers & Black Oak Arkansas: Congrats to Luke Combs, Steve Hodg- I saw them open for Blackfoot. Not only did they rock, they es, Shane Allen and the Columbia promo made me really want to get involved with music or at least crew on landing a second week at No. 1 for play music on the radio. “Hurricane.” The last time an artist held their • Highly regarded music you've actually never debut at the chart pinnacle for more than a heard: Keith Urban's Ripcord must be amazing, but I've only week was December 2012. That song was had a chance to hear three songs. Keith is one of the best Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise.” guitarists ever. I put him up there with Eric Clapton, Eddie And kudos to Tom Martens and the WAR Van Halen and Jimmy Hendrix. I really need to find some team on securing 55 adds for Chris Janson’s Luke Combs time and spend it with Ripcord. “Fix A Drink,” topping this week’s board. • "Important" music you just don't get: I have friends who love heavy metal but I just can't get past the screaming. I sound like my father talking about Led Zeppelin (whom I News & Notes Sun’s The Fitz Show adds KYKX/Tyler, TX and WCJC/Mar- love and respect) when I was a kid – but some heavy metal tinsville, IN for weekday mornings. and speed metal is just too loud for me to understand. My Renegade Radio is offering space for radio stations to broad- daughter loves emo. I like some of it but I've often heard cast from CMA Music Festival in Nashville June 8-10. Contact some artists that sound off pitch to me. Captain Jack Aponte here. • Music you listened to incessantly: I once listened to Creal is selling Classic Country WKDO/Liberty, KY to Owl City's "Fireflies" all day. Shoreline for $395,000. • Obscure or non-country song everyone should Nextstar is now airing Larry’s Country Diner in Baton Rouge, listen to right now: Maroon 5's "Don't Wanna Know" LA; Chattanooga, TN; Huntsville, AL; Little Rock, AR; Memphis, TN featuring Kendrick Lamar. It has a great bounce to it. and Springfield, MO. • Music you'd rather not admit to enjoying: hip hop The Nashville Association of Talent Directors 2017 and pop from the '80s. I love MC Hammer, The Sugarhill Picnic is June 6 from 11:30am to 12:30pm at Fannie Mae Dees Gang, Young MC, Tone Loc, TLC, Company B, Black Box, Park, 2400 Blakemore Ave. MARRS, Pretty Poison, Kid 'n Play, The Fat Boys and DJ David Ball will perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Jazzy Jeff. Performing Arts in Washington, DC, as part of the JFK Centennial Celebration Wednesday (5/24). More here.

May 22, 2017 Page 7

Aaron Watson has added five shows to his 2017 tour. Com- plete schedule here. Montgomery Gentry and Storme Warren will team with Music City Indian for the inaugural Warren Peace Motorcycle Ride and Parking Lot Party June 10. The event will benefit theT.J. Martell Foundation. Tickets and complete lineup here. The Ketucky Headhunters will kick off a U.K. tour Oct. 2 in Bilston. Dates here. The 14th Annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic will be June 2-3 at Belmar Golf Club and Riverwind Casino in Norman, OK. The event benefits Keith’sOK Kids Corral. More info here. The Week’s Top Stories Full coverage in the archives at countryaircheck.com. • Travis Moon departs iHeartMedia (5/15). • Heidi Raphael named Beasley VP/Corporate Communica- tions (5/15). • Krystal Clark named KXKS/Shreveport Dir./Production and afternoon host (5/16). Crab & Go: Capitol’s Dierks Bentley gets a gold plaque during a stop in Maryland. Pictured (l-r) are WPOC/ • Moon Mullins passed away in Texas (5/16). Baltimore’s Jeff Wyatt, Bentley, the station’s Jeff St. Pierre • Lew Dickey raised over $200 million for Modern Media and Capitol’s Bobby Young. Acquisition (5/17). • BMI responded to DOJ filing (5/18). • Futuri expanded TopicPulse team (5/18). Producer Patrick Knight worked at iHeartMedia’s KEEY/ • Gerry House and Mike Bohan set to return to Nashville Minneapolis and plays a utility infield position. “When you get to airwaves (5/19). a radio station you always find that indispensable person who can • Martina McBride and Mike Dungan to be honored by do a bit of everything, and that’s Patrick,“ says Kage. In addition Country Radio Broadcasters. (5/19). to his morning duties, Knight helps with label relationships (there is no MD currently), and can help with imaging. Middayer Melissa Moore moved back to town in 2011 after Kage Free In The Rockies stops in Orlando and Minneapolis. That’s three staffers with links (continued from page 1) to the Twin Cities, if you’re scoring at home (or if you’re alone). She previously spent three years at AC KOSI/Denver. “Melissa Mission one was finding her a co-host. “I went through hundreds reflects the lifestyle, is great with the listeners and loves country of audition MP3s,” Kage says. “It felt like Groundhog Day.” But music,” says Kage. “She has good ears too. I often bounce re- Kage eventually found his Guy. cords off her for opinions.” Moving from Australia to Los Angeles 12 years ago on a tennis Sixteen-year station vet Paul Donovan returned for afternoons scholarship, Guy David decided he wanted to do morning radio after four years at iHeartMedia’s WMZQ/Washington, DC. “He and landed in Fon du Lac, WI. Plucked from Kage’s stack of au- might be one of the best sounding personalities on the air today dio, David qualifies for market leap of the decade. in any market,” beams Kage. “Bob Call brought him back before “While I love that he doesn’t sound like anyone else on the ra- I arrived and I am lucky he did.” Fizz handles evenings. A former dio, he’s also missing the foundation we all learned coming up,” Top 40 host, “He rides the phones, lives the lifestyle and is exactly Kage says. “But I’ll sacrifice the polish for the content and sound, what a night jock should be in terms of his energy and sound,” and we’ll shore the rest up along the way.” Kage spends time with says Kage. KYGO is even live and local in overnights. “Sheena is David on basics like weather and liners. new to the full time air staff,” says Kage. “She has a bright future.” ©2017 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] May 22, 2017 Page 8

All In The Details: Long a market leader, the station returned an air personality that I still lean on to this day.” to No. 1 three months ago and enjoyed a PPM high 6.4 share in Rather than counter programming his competitors, Kage says April. Kage points to multiple factors for the resurgence. Beyond he programs against himself. Where can he be better? What an- the staff, imaging and presentation have been freshened. Kage gle will move the audience on a promotion? How would he attack works with his station from across the street? “Of course I always pay atten- imaging voice tion to music coming in and out of competitors and the market in Scott Fisher general,” he adds. He also watches CBS Radio’s KMLE/Phoenix. and added As for the move to an unfamiliar format, Kage says that’s Heather not exactly accurate. “It’s interesting that I became a Top 40 Walters for a guy much less a Rhythmic Top 40 guy,” he says. “I had to learn female voice those formats.” Kage’s father listened exclusively to country – The after hearing them on Cox KKBQ/Houston. “I took a look at Outlaws, Hank Williams and the classics played on eight-track. As who was winning in Country and did a ton of streaming to hone the Country format became more contemporary, his father turned in on a sound,” he says. Kage writes the copy and the production away. “He always told me I’d like country when I was older and is handled by Longtrain Productions. now I do it for a living, but he doesn’t listen.” Kage is hopeful. The station app, vehicle and performance studio have also “I’ve rounded up some good artists for him to listen to. We’ll see if been updated. And then there’s attention to detail. “I learned I can get him back.” some things in Tampa that are deep in the weeds of PPM and In the meantime, he’s back in Colorado, skiing and snow- chart construction that I use,” he says cagily, declining to elabo- boarding with his son and reflective about his family-focused rate. “The air staff are focused and have executed a different way return and the values he sees in KYGO’s listeners. “This is a blue of thinking,” he adds. collar, fun loving audience,” he says. “Community and family are His programming philosophy is extremely hands-on. Literally. important to them.” Reach Kage here. –Paul Williams Kage cites CBS Radio Top 40 WBBM/Chicago MD Erik Bradley as a mentor. Bradley hand-schedules his playlists and Kage ad- opted the same philosophy. “The funny thing about music sched- uling is that is our product, yet PDs hate it,” he says. “Along with Lon Helton, [email protected] the morning show, it is the No. 1 reason people come to you.” Chuck Aly, [email protected] Other mentors beyond Bradley and Call include Cox VP/Radio Wendy Newcomer, [email protected] Programming Steve Smith and his former boss at Lincoln Finan- Paul Williams, [email protected] cial, now a VPP at Cumulus. “John Dimick probably shaped me (615) 320-1450 the most,” he says. On air, he points to Sirius XM Hits 1 host Tone E. Fly. “In the Twin Cities, he gave me a foundation of how to be

Seek & Employ

Available Jobs •Rob Stark Here’s a list of job seekers and open gigs. Not listed? Send info Former PD/Morning host KACT/Panama City, FL here and we’ll include you in a future update: 850 775-7451 [email protected] Entercom KKWF/Seattle is looking for a morning show host. •Eddie Haskell Details here. Former KYGO/Denver PD 505 886-1418 Midwest WNCY/Appleton-Green Bay, WI is seeking an on [email protected] air host who is compelling, social media savvy, interactive, orga- nized and solid with promotions. Airchecks here. •Cheri Cranford Former GM Streamsound/Red Vinyl Music Entercom KWJJ/Portland, OR is now accepting applications 615 473-6837 for part time on-air positions. Send materials here. [email protected]

AJG WKKW/Morgantown, WV has an opening for an after- • Bethany Linderman noon host. Details here. Former WGNA/Albany morning co-host 727 460-2389 Albany Broadcasting WKLI/Albany is looking for a morning [email protected] show co-host. Send materials here. • Mike Preston Former KKWF/Seattle PD Cox WWKA/Orlando seeks a Dir./Branding & Programming. 206 979-2500 Apply here. [email protected] Ryman Hospitality Properties seeks a Dir./Opry Program- • Jeff Roper ming & Artist Initiatives. Apply here. Former KCYY/San Antonio APD/MD/morning host 210-790-7099 The CMA has an opening for an Executive Assistant/Marketing. [email protected] Materials to HR Consultant Sarah Pinson here. • Jim Day Former WIL/St. Louis morning host GCC Bend’s KSJJ/Bend, OR is searching for a morning show 314-258-4365 producer/air talent. Airchecks and resumes here. [email protected] Cumulus’ WIVK/Knoxville has an opening in middays. Apply •Wes McShay here. Former Cumulus/Montgomery, AL OM/PD 208-758-5435 Zimmer/Cookeville, TN is searching for an engineer. Three [email protected] years experience is required. Materials here. • Jeff Miles WFON/Fond du Lac, WI has an opening for a morning show Former WKLB/Boston and KCYY/San Antonio morning host co-host. Aircheck, social media samples, and resume to Barry 469 667-3890 Mardit Media Consulting here. [email protected] • Rosey Fitchpatrick BiCoastal Media is searching for a PD/on air host to launch a Former Dir./National Promotion new station in the Pacific Northwest. Send materials here. [email protected] • Wayne Manning Searching Former Cold River Regional •Travis Moon 801-361-2993 Former KAJA/KASE/KVET PD [email protected] [email protected] • Dan Hagar •Don Brake Strategic Marketing & Promotions Former WFRE/Frederick PD 615-430-2560 717 404-5679 [email protected] [email protected] •Crash Poteet Former KVOO/Tulsa and WKWS/Charleston/WV PD 417 499-4046 [email protected]

©2017 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] May 22, 2017 Page 10 April 2017 PPM Scoreboard The cume leader was Mt. Wilson KKGO/Los Angeles with Country radio shares were up by slightly by 1% compared to last month 1,296,100, Cumulus KPLX/Dallas was second with 1,287,300. and up just under 2% compared to April 2016. Of the 86 subscribing Legend: A “+” indicates a Classic Country outlet; a “^” designates stations listed, 47 increased, 35 decreased and four were flat. co-owned Country stations in the metro; “t” indicates a tie; and a “*” indicates a station best in that statistic. Ranks are among subscribers. March 6+ April 6+ March April March 6+ April 6+ March April Station/City Share Rank Share Rank Cume Cume Station/City Share Rank Share Rank Cume Cume WKHX/Atlanta 4.1 10t 3.6 12t 618,600 616,900 WNSH/New York (Middlesex) 3.6 8t 3.7 10 142,800 172,100 WUBL/Atlanta 3.4 14 3.6 12t 678,200 688,900 WKTI/Milwaukee 4 12t 3.9 13 257,400 270,900 KASE/Austin^ 4.6 7 4.6 8 329,300 326,700 WMIL/Milwaukee 5.4 8 5.1 7t 316,300 324,300 KVET/Austin^ 6.4 3 6.7 2 368,900 371,600 KEEY/Minneapolis 5.9 6 5.8 4 570,700 616,800 KOKE/Austin 1.7 21 1.8 20 108,600 106,900 KMNB/Minneapolis 3.7 13 4.0 13 506,800 556,200 WPOC/Baltimore 7.4 3 8.0 2 443,400 481,600 WKDF/Nashville^ 3.9 11 4.0 11 235,300 241,200 WKLB/Boston 4.1 9 4.3 8t 634,600 689,300 WSIX/Nashville 5.4 7 6.1 7 279,900 291,700 WBWL/Boston 2.3 17 2.1 16t 438,900 458,200 WSM-FM/Nashville^ 4.8 10 4.2 10 265,400 249,800 WCTK/Providence (Boston) 0.4 24 0.5 25 124,200 124,800 WSM-AM/Nashville 1.8 17 1.1 21 36,100 41,100 WKKT/Charlotte 5.7 2 5.9 3 461,900 453,400 WNSH/New York (Nassau) 2.4 18 2.1 21 178,900 161,700 WSOC/Charlotte 5.2 5t 6.0 2 447,000 489,100 WNSH/New York 2.4 17 2.3 17t 1,127,400 1,137,100 WEBG/Chicago 2.2 21 2.3 20t 786,200 776,200 WWKA/Orlando 5.0 7 4.7 8 286,300 270,600 WUSN/Chicago 1.9 19t 2.2 20t 952,900 939,200 KMLE/Phoenix 4.6 5 4.1 8 543,300 560,400 WNNF/Cincinnati 2.3 15 2.5 15 236,800 289,000 KNIX/Phoenix 3.4 10t 3.9 10 566,800 626,400 WUBE/Cincinnati^ 7.0 3 7.8 3 449,000 473,000 KSWG/Phoenix 1.1 30 1.0 30 109,100 118,500 WYGY/Cincinnati^ 1.5 17 0.9 21 124,900 139,700 WXTU/Philadelphia 4.0 10 4.3 10t 674,000 777,600 WGAR/Cleveland 7.1 5 7.3 5 434,800 452,800 WDSY/Pittsburgh 4.5 8 3.9 10 320,200 345,500 WCOL/Columbus, OH 10.1 1 10.5 1 458,900 493,200 WPGB/Pittsburgh 3.6 10 3.8 11 230,400 244,400 KPLX/Dallas^ 6.0 1t 6.2 1 1,305,500 1,287,300 KWJJ/Portland 5.5 5 4.8 8 404,700 399,000 KSCS/Dallas^ 4.3 5 3.8 6 1,083,500 995,800 KUPL/Portland 4.2 9t 5.5 4 394,200 383,900 KWOF/Denver 2.0 21 1.8 21t 277,600 275,500 WCTK/Providence 7.8 4 7.2 4 380,600 390,200 KYGO/Denver 6.2 1 6.4 1 540,200 559,700 WNCB/Raleigh 3.6 13t 3.6 13 230,300 233,600 WDRQ/Detroit 3.4 15 2.9 16 503,400 510,900 WQDR/Raleigh 8.0 3 7.8 3 346,500 346,500 WYCD/Detroit 5.3 5t 6.0 3 772,700 794,600 KFRG/Riverside 4.5 5 4.6 4 379,400 387,700 WPAW/Greensboro 5.6 6 6.0 5 249,600 251,700 KBEB/Sacramento 2.7 15t 2.9 14t 228,600 235,800 WTQR/Greensboro 5.9 5 6.1 4 276,300 256,300 KNCI/Sacramento 5.3 4 5.9 4 303,500 346,100 WWYZ/Hartford 7.6 4 7.6 3 239,600 235,000 KNTY/Sacramento 2.7 15t 3.4 9t 209,800 242,400 KILT/Houston 3.5 14t 3.3 15 1,095,300 955,100 KEGA/Salt Lake City 1.6 21 1.8 20 179,000 194,900 KKBQ/Houston^ 5.8 2t 4.9 6 1,142,000 1,186,900 KSOP/Salt Lake City ^ 4.3 8 4.5 8 249,700 262,600 KTHT/Houston^+ 2.7 18 2.5 19 571,900 471,100 KSOP-AM/Salt Lake City ^+ 0.7 29 0.6 28 38,100 32,500 WFMS/Indianapolis 6.4 5 5.9 7 357,200 341,000 KUBL/Salt Lake City 3.3 9t 4.3 8 285,700 315,200 WLHK/Indianapolis 5.1 9 6.0 5t 313,600 346,700 KAJA/San Antonio 4.6 7 4.4 8t 503,100 557,000 WGNE/Jacksonville 4.9 7 4.5 7 226,000 261,900 KCYY/San Antonio^ 5.2 5 5.5 3 655,300 632,300 WQIK/Jacksonville 12.4 1 12.5 1 288,400 285,600 KKYX-AM/San Antonio^+ 1.9 20 1.3 24 166,100 155,300 KBEQ/Kansas City^ 4.1 10t 4.7 7 295,200 331,100 KSON/San Diego 4.9 6 5.1 4 442,500 432,000 KFKF/Kansas City^ 5.7 3t 5.6 5 367,300 376,500 KRTY/San Jose 4.3 7 4.0 9 207,100 387,700 WDAF/Kansas City 3.6 15t 4.0 10t 260,400 312,600 KKWF/Seattle 2.1 20t 2.4 18 427,900 445,000 KCYE/Las Vegas 3.4 10 3.5 11t 234,500 230,300 KMPS/Seattle 4.0 8t 3.7 10 545,700 492,100 WUBLKWNR/Las Vegas 5.0 6 5.2 3t 308,000 254,300 KSD/St. Louis 4.2 12 4.7 8 511,400 542,700 KKGO/Los Angeles 2.5 16 2.7 13t 1,251,100 1,296,100 WIL/St. Louis 5.9 6 6.0 6 521,100 524,700 WGKX/Memphis 5.6 6 4.9 7 192,200 190,300 WFUS/Tampa 4.1 9 4.0 10t 432,300 431,700 WLFP/Memphis 3.5 10 2.6 14 125,200 117,700 WQYK/Tampa 4.7 6 4.7 6t 437,300 443,100 WKIS/Miami 2.2 18 2.3 18 453,800 437,200 WMZQ/Washington 3.3 12t 3.3 13 520,600 497,200 400 WIRK/West Palm Beach 6.3 3 5.5 3 179,800 191,500

403.1 392.8 391.3 385.4 381.3 380.8 379.8 382.0 376.3

370.0 370.3 370.3

350 363.3 362.0

Format-Wide PPM Ratings Aggregate share for Nielsen Audio subscribing stations month to month. 326.5

300 Apr '15 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Hol Jan Feb Mar Apr ©2017 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] May 22, 2017 LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud Stations ADDS

1 1 LUKE COMBS 2nd Week at No. 1 26717 -16 8931 -20 59.202 -0.761 159 0 Hurricane (River House/Columbia)

2 2 BRETT YOUNG/In Case You Didn't Know (BMLGR) ✔ 25560 1125 8587 484 57.911 2.872 159 0

5 3 DIERKS BENTLEY/Black (Capitol) 23770 842 7974 258 53.422 2.015 159 0

3 4 SAM HUNT/Body Like A Back Road (MCA/Capitol) 23686 -572 7787 -219 54.302 -1.761 158 0

7 5 DARIUS RUCKER/If I Told You (Capitol) ✔ 20356 1621 6732 590 45.705 3.965 158 3

8 6 DAN + SHAY/How Not To (Warner Bros./WAR) 19269 844 6544 289 42.824 2.163 159 0

6 7 BRANTLEY GILBERT/The Weekend (Valory) 18248 -641 6451 -228 39.853 -1.205 158 0

9 8 FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/God, Your Mama, And Me (BMLGR) 17164 1013 5603 389 38.9 1.763 159 1

10 9 BLAKE SHELTON/Every Time I Hear... (Warner Bros./WMN) 15366 836 5103 333 35.679 1.738 158 0

4 10 KELSEA BALLERINI/Yeah Boy (Black River Entertainment) 15287 -8482 5281 -2867 32.624 -19.659 159 0

12 11 RASCAL FLATTS/Yours If You Want It (Big Machine) 14360 649 4799 217 33.073 2.136 158 0

13 12 DYLAN SCOTT/My Girl (Curb) 14264 841 4621 233 31.887 2.173 157 2

11 13 KEITH URBAN f/CARRIE UNDERWOOD/The Fighter (Capitol) 14155 -67 4801 68 32.309 0.037 157 0

16 14 THOMAS RHETT f/MAREN MORRIS/Craving You (Valory) 13381 924 4303 294 31.375 2.371 156 1

15 15 LADY ANTEBELLUM/You Look Good (Capitol) 13327 560 4485 105 29.902 1.489 159 0

14 16 COLE SWINDELL/Flatliner (Warner Bros./WMN) 13245 307 4441 93 27.9 1.345 156 0

17 17 MIDLAND/Drinkin' Problem (Big Machine) 13007 591 4305 261 28.577 1.876 158 0

18 18 JUSTIN MOORE/Somebody Else Will (Valory) 11566 964 4010 282 25.236 3.855 157 0

19 19 ZAC BROWN BAND/My Old Man (SouthernGrnd/Elektra/WAR) 10694 381 3724 126 23.012 0.529 159 0

20 20 TIM MCGRAW & FAITH HILL/Speak To A Girl (Arista) 9846 87 3215 -21 20.475 0.439 159 0

21 21 OLD DOMINION/No Such Thing As A Broken... (RCA) 8755 709 2940 234 18.942 1.808 145 2

24 22 BILLY CURRINGTON/Do I Make You Wanna (Mercury) ✔ 8103 1034 2706 256 17.427 2.78 147 4

22 23 BROTHERS OSBORNE/It Ain't My Fault (EMI Nashville) 8028 318 2838 146 14.686 0.753 154 3

23 24 CHRIS LANE/For Her (Big Loud) 7545 347 2575 88 13.006 0.55 148 0

Chart Page 1 May 22, 2017

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

26 26 BRETT ELDREDGE/Somethin' I'm Good At (Atlantic/WMN) 5530 499 1865 100 10.545 2.57 144 4

31 27 DUSTIN LYNCH/Small Town Boy (Broken Bow) 4932 864 1638 265 8.231 1.554 136 19

28 28 DRAKE WHITE/Makin' Me Look Good Again (BMLGR) 4764 537 1536 142 8.01 1.528 123 3

29 29 LOCASH/Ring On Every Finger (Reviver) 4512 321 1572 128 8.946 0.241 133 1

30 30 MAREN MORRIS/I Could Use A Love Song (Columbia) 4475 302 1419 38 8.908 2.183 133 3

38 31 CARLY PEARCE/Every Little Thing (Big Machine) ✔ 4267 1251 1422 434 7.448 2.826 122 4

32 32 EASTON CORBIN/A Girl Like You (Mercury) 4048 33 1476 15 5.544 -0.099 122 0

33 33 GARTH BROOKS/Ask Me How I Know (Pearl) 3912 358 1383 135 6.127 0.682 123 3

JON PARDI/Heartache On The Dance Floor (Capitol) 3610 718 1182 242 6.312 1.009 101 10

36 35 ERIC CHURCH/Round Here Buzz (EMI Nashville) 3370 230 1235 101 5.912 0.677 114 3

JASON ALDEAN/They Don't Know (Broken Bow) ✔ 3308 1043 1122 370 5.963 2.203 98 9

34 37 MORGAN WALLEN/The Way I Talk (Big Loud) 3271 -84 1199 36 6.219 -0.19 101 2

35 38 SETH ENNIS/Woke Up In Nashville (Arista) 3199 -17 1134 -4 4.686 0.169 123 2

37 39 WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Missing (Warner Bros./WMN) 3075 50 1127 43 5.506 -0.176 92 0

39 40 BIG & RICH/California (B&R/New Revolution) 3033 104 1084 24 4.473 0.149 102 1

41 41 KANE BROWN/What Ifs f/Lauren Alaina (RCA) 2965 182 961 44 4.032 0.187 93 2

BRAD PAISLEY/Last Time For Everything (Arista) 2881 253 951 96 4.638 0.423 100 7

43 43 MIRANDA LAMBERT/Tin Man (RCA) 2490 60 859 -6 4.052 0.259 90 1

44 44 ADAM CRAIG/Just A Phase (Stoney Creek) 2373 -45 875 0 3.362 -0.151 102 4

Debut 45 CHRIS STAPLETON/Either Way (Mercury) 2347 668 782 225 4.022 1.12 94 7

45 46 LITTLE BIG TOWN/Happy People (Capitol) 2314 -10 764 0 3.937 -0.257 90 2

46 47 AARON WATSON/Outta Style (Big) 2239 -30 658 18 4.202 -0.108 53 2

Debut 48 WALKER MCGUIRE/Til Tomorrow (Wheelhouse) 2124 410 653 117 5.092 0.667 81 5

49 49 HIGH VALLEY/She's With Me (Atlantic/WEA) 2013 187 569 69 3.396 0.228 54 4

50 50 LANCO/Greatest Love Story (Arista) 1920 122 741 52 2.867 0.253 87 2

Chart Page 2 May 22, 2017

Country Aircheck Add leaders Adds Activator Top point Gainers CHRIS JANSON/Fix A Drink (Warner Bros./WAR) 55 FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/God, Your Mama... (BMLGR) 971 ✔ LAUREN ALAINA/Doin' Fine (19/Interscope/Mercury) 28 DARIUS RUCKER/If I Told You (Capitol) 732 ✔ DUSTIN LYNCH/Small Town Boy (Broken Bow) 19 DYLAN SCOTT/My Girl (Curb) 586 ✔ JON PARDI/Heartache On The Dance Floor (Capitol) 10 JASON ALDEAN/They Don't Know (Broken Bow) 9 OLD DOMINION/No Such Thing As A Broken... (RCA) 582 ✔ JOSH TURNER/All About You (MCA) 9 BLAKE SHELTON/Every Time I Hear... (Warner Bros./WMN) 529 ✔ TYLER FARR/I Should Go To Church Sometime (Columbia) 9 THOMAS RHETT f/MAREN MORRIS/Craving You (Valory) 528 CHRIS YOUNG/Losing Sleep (RCA) 8 CHRIS STAPLETON/Either Way (Mercury) 503 BRAD PAISLEY/Last Time For Everything (Arista) 7 CHRIS STAPLETON/Either Way (Mercury) 7 KIP MOORE/More Girls Like You (MCA) 480 GRANGER SMITH/Happens Like That (Wheelhouse) 7 DUSTIN LYNCH/Small Town Boy (Broken Bow) 454 KIP MOORE/More Girls Like You (MCA) 7 DIERKS BENTLEY/Black (Capitol) 442 Country Aircheck Top point Gainers Activator Top Spin Gainers DARIUS RUCKER/If I Told You (Capitol) 1621 ✔ FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/God, Your Mama, And Me (BMLGR) 241 CARLY PEARCE/Every Little Thing (Big Machine) 1251 ✔ DARIUS RUCKER/If I Told You (Capitol) 174 BRETT YOUNG/In Case You Didn't Know (BMLGR) 1125 ✔ CHRIS STAPLETON/Either Way (Mercury) 134 JASON ALDEAN/They Don't Know (Broken Bow) 1043 ✔ BLAKE SHELTON/Every Time I Hear... (Warner Bros./WMN) 126 BILLY CURRINGTON/Do I Make You Wanna (Mercury) 1034 ✔ OLD DOMINION/No Such Thing As A Broken... (RCA) 119 FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/God, Your Mama, And Me (BMLGR) 1013 DYLAN SCOTT/My Girl (Curb) 117 JUSTIN MOORE/Somebody Else Will (Valory) 964 DUSTIN LYNCH/Small Town Boy (Broken Bow) 107 THOMAS RHETT F/MAREN MORRIS/Craving You (Valory) 924 THOMAS RHETT f/MAREN MORRIS/Craving You (Valory) 104 DUSTIN LYNCH/Small Town Boy (Broken Bow) 864 DIERKS BENTLEY/Black (Capitol) 100 DAN + SHAY/How Not To (Warner Bros./WAR) 844 JON PARDI/Heartache On The Dance Floor (Capitol) 100

Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers Country Aircheck Top Recurrents points JON PARDI/Dirt On My Boots (Capitol) 13642 DARIUS RUCKER/If I Told You (Capitol) 590 BRETT YOUNG/In Case You Didn't Know (BMLGR) 484 JOSH TURNER/Hometown Girl (MCA) 12064 CARLY PEARCE/Every Little Thing (Big Machine) 434 JASON ALDEAN/Any Ol' Barstool (Broken Bow) 11198 FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/God, Your Mama, And Me (BMLGR) 389 BLAKE SHELTON/A Guy With A Girl (Warner Bros./WMN) 9787 JASON ALDEAN/They Don't Know (Broken Bow) 370 LUKE BRYAN/Fast (Capitol) 8761 BLAKE SHELTON/Every Time I Hear That Song (Warner Bros./WMN) 333 LAUREN ALAINA/Road Less Traveled (19/Interscope/Mercury) 7844 THOMAS RHETT f/MAREN MORRIS/Craving You (Valory) 294 MICHAEL RAY/Think A Little Less (Atlantic/WEA) 7711 DAN + SHAY/How Not To (Warner Bros./WAR) 289 FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/May We All (BMLGR) 7402 JUSTIN MOORE/Somebody Else Will (Valory) 282 DUSTIN LYNCH/Seein' Red (Broken Bow) 7061 DUSTIN LYNCH/Small Town Boy (Broken Bow) 265 LITTLE BIG TOWN/Better Man (Capitol) 6340 ©2017 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected]

Chart Page 3 May 22, 2017

CoUNTRy AIRCHeCK ACTIVITy A D D D AT E S CHRIS STAPLETON/Either Way (Mercury) Debuts 45* May 30 2347 points, 783 spins LINDSAY ELL/Waiting On You (Stoney Creek) 7 adds: WDRQ*, WQYK, WNOE, WGKX*, WLFP, WKLI, KHKI* CHRIS YOUNG/Losing Sleep (RCA)) GARY ALLAN/Mess Me Up (EMI Nashville) LITTLE BIG TOWN/Happy People (Capitol) Moves 45-46* June 5 2314 points, 764 spins Jordan Davis/Singles You Up (MCA) 2 adds: WKIS, WGTY Trent Tomlinson/That’s What’s Working Right Now (Mucho Love/ New Revolution) AARON WATSON/Outta Style (Big) Moves 46-47* 2239 points, 658 spins June 12 RYAN HURD/Love In A Bar (RCA) 2 adds: KYGO, WIRK Granger Smith/Happens Like That (Wheelhouse) WALKER MCGUIRE/Til Tomorrow (Wheelhouse) Send yours to [email protected] Debuts 48* 2124 points, 653 spins CHECK OUT 5/26 5 adds: KFRG, WGNE, WCKN, WWQM, WGTY Various Gentle Giants: The Songs Of Don Williams HIGH VALLEY/She's With Me (Atlantic/WEA) (Slate Creek) Remains 49* Artists putting their own spin on the Country Music 2013 points, 569 spins Hall of Famer's hits include Chris and Morgane 4 adds: WQMX, KDRK, WXBQ, WSLC Stapleton ("Amanda"), Trisha Yearwood ("Maggie's Dream"), Dierks Bentley ("Some Broken Hearts Never Mend"), LANCO/Greatest Love Story (Arista) Garth Brooks ("Good Ole Boys Like Me") and Brandy Clark ("I Remains 50* Believe In You"). 1920 points, 741 spins 2 adds: KKGO, WUSY Bobby Bare Things Change (Hypermedia/BFD/ Sony RED) JAKE OWEN/Good Company (RCA) Bare (another CMHoFamer) releases his first studio 1906 points, 647 spins album in five years, which was produced by Max 2 adds: WDRQ*, KNIX T. Barnes. It features a collaboration with Chris TODD O'NEILL/Love Again (Nash Next/Valory) Stapleton on Bare's 1963 Grammy-winning hit "Detroit City," 1752 points, 481 spins plus songs by Mary Gauthier and a tune he co-wrote with the 1 add: KSOP late Guy Clark. BROOKE EDEN/Act Like You Don't (Red Bow) June 1 1563 points, 550 spins Various The Music Of Nashville, Season 5 Volume 2 (Big 3 adds: KCYE, WWKA*, WTGE Machine) JACKIE LEE/Getting Over You (Broken Bow) June 2 1383 points, 541 spins Luke Combs This One's For You (River House/Columbia) 1 add: KFRG A Thousand Horses Bridges (BMLGR) Wheeler Walker Jr. Ol' Wheeler (Pepperhill) ©2017 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected]

Chart Page 4 May 22, 2017 LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Points +/- Points Plays +/- Plays Stations ADDS

2 BRETT YOUNG 11072 172 2536 43 55 0 1 In Case You Didn’t Know (BMLGR) 3 2 DIERKS BENTLEY/Black (Capitol) 10497 442 2406 100 55 0 1 3 LUKE COMBS/Hurricane (River House/Columbia) 10454 -834 2384 -197 55 0 7 4 DARIUS RUCKER/If I Told You (Capitol) ✔ 9488 732 2122 174 55 0 5 5 DAN + SHAY/How Not To (Warner Bros./WAR) 9269 120 2081 30 54 0 8 6 FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/God, Your Mama, And Me (BMLGR) ✔ 8592 971 1984 241 54 0 9 7 KEITH URBAN f/CARRIE UNDERWOOD/The Fighter (Capitol) 7878 258 1747 53 55 0 10 8 BLAKE SHELTON/Every Time I Hear That Song (Warner Bros./WMN) ✔ 7711 529 1664 126 55 0 11 9 RASCAL FLATTS/Yours If You Want It (Big Machine) 7188 222 1555 53 54 0 13 10 COLE SWINDELL/Flatliner (Warner Bros./WMN) 6934 26 1504 26 54 1 14 11 THOMAS RHETT f/MAREN MORRIS/Craving You (Valory) 6929 528 1454 104 54 1 12 12 LADY ANTEBELLUM/You Look Good (Capitol) 6866 -81 1505 -3 55 0 17 13 DYLAN SCOTT/My Girl (Curb) ✔ 6321 586 1411 117 53 1 16 14 MIDLAND/Drinkin' Problem (Big Machine) 6059 320 1316 71 55 0 15 15 ZAC BROWN BAND/My Old Man (SouthernGrnd/Elektra/WAR) 5942 111 1269 15 55 0 18 16 JUSTIN MOORE/Somebody Else Will (Valory) 5597 222 1202 48 55 0 19 17 TIM MCGRAW & FAITH HILL/Speak To A Girl (Arista) 5239 -95 1246 -18 54 0 20 18 OLD DOMINION/No Such Thing As A Broken... (RCA) ✔ 5003 582 1021 119 54 1 21 19 BROTHERS OSBORNE/It Ain't My Fault (EMI Nashville) 4135 207 887 62 55 0 23 20 BILLY CURRINGTON/Do I Make You Wanna (Mercury) 3456 315 723 66 50 1 22 21 BRETT ELDREDGE/Somethin' I'm Good At (Atlantic/WMN) 3442 154 693 28 51 1 24 22 CHRIS LANE/For Her (Big Loud) 3206 180 698 43 47 2 26 23 KIP MOORE/More Girls Like You (MCA Nashville) 3065 480 643 88 47 6 32 24 DUSTIN LYNCH/Small Town Boy (Broken Bow) 2353 454 435 107 44 10 28 25 BRAD PAISLEY/Last Time For Everything (Arista) 2245 160 452 46 35 2 27 26 GARTH BROOKS/Ask Me How I Know (Pearl) 2235 127 498 44 44 2 29 27 MAREN MORRIS/I Could Use A Love Song (Columbia Nashville) 2142 59 416 12 45 3 31 28 AARON WATSON/Outta Style (Big) 2061 147 422 33 27 1 30 29 MIRANDA LAMBERT/Tin Man (RCA) 2012 36 381 0 29 0 34 30 JON PARDI/Heartache On The Dance Floor (Capitol) 2009 435 385 100 37 9

Chart Page 5 May 22, 2017

LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Points +/- Points Plays +/- Plays Stations Adds 36 31 JASON ALDEAN/They Don't Know (Broken Bow) 1799 318 302 45 30 5 39 32 CHRIS STAPLETON/Either Way (Mercury) 1726 503 373 134 41 13 33 33 LITTLE BIG TOWN/Happy People (Capitol) 1639 -12 310 2 33 1 35 34 EASTON CORBIN/A Girl Like You (Mercury) 1594 109 353 23 38 3 37 35 LOCASH/Ring On Every Finger (Reviver) 1448 67 306 11 38 1 41 36 CARLY PEARCE/Every Little Thing (Big Machine) 1422 396 291 84 25 5 38 37 ERIC CHURCH/Round Here Buzz (EMI Nashville) 1392 28 305 8 30 0 40 38 DRAKE WHITE/Makin' Me Look Good Again (BMLGR) 1344 144 308 30 36 3 43 39 BIG & RICH/California (B&R/New Revolution) 1028 150 250 30 29 1 42 40 JAKE OWEN/Good Company (RCA) 886 -60 135 -9 11 0 50 41 CHRIS JANSON/Fix A Drink (Warner Bros./WAR) 734 186 85 20 6 0 45 42 TODD O'NEILL/Love Again (Nash Next/Valory) 729 44 207 4 11 0 44 43 MORGAN WALLEN/The Way I Talk (Big Loud) 719 0 146 2 27 0 47 44 SETH ENNIS/Woke Up In Nashville (Arista) 629 15 155 7 28 0 53 45 ELI YOUNG BAND/Skin And Bones (Valory) 622 97 72 9 2 0 49 46 KANE BROWN f/LAUREN ALAINA/What Ifs (RCA Nashville) 549 -8 157 -7 20 0 46 47 LANCO/Greatest Love Story (Arista) 542 -125 107 -11 11 1 48 48 WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Missing (Warner Bros./WMN) 541 -54 112 -14 22 0 52 49 JERROD NIEMANN/God Made A Woman (Curb) 520 -11 101 -3 12 0 57 50 WALKER HAYES/You Broke Up With Me (Monument) 477 17 49 3 3 0 60 51 JO SMITH/Old School Groove (Smack) 460 20 46 2 1 0 56 52 ASHLEY MCBRYDE/A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega (---) 460 0 46 0 1 0 51 53 KENNY CHESNEY/Rich And Miserable (Blue Chair/Columbia) 453 -90 51 -9 5 0 Debut 54 RUNAWAY JUNE/Wild West (Wheelhouse) 450 50 45 5 1 0 Debut 55 CODY JOHNSON/Wild As You (Cojo) 445 16 101 1 10 1 55 56 CHRIS STAPLETON/Broken Halos (Mercury) 422 -44 55 -18 2 0 Debut 57 DELTA RAE/A Long And Happy Life (Valory) 419 73 44 8 2 0 Debut 58 JOHN MAYER/In The Blood (Columbia) 408 -34 42 -6 2 0 Debut 59 A THOUSAND HORSES/Preachin' To The Choir (BMLGR) 397 -14 62 -1 7 0 Debut 60 ADAM CRAIG/Just A Phase (Stoney Creek) 395 -8 60 -1 8 0 ©2017 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected]

Chart Page 6