Songwriters Topnotch: Adrian Michaels
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January 14, 2013, Issue 328 Talk Radio: Songwriters Building on last week’s conversation with publishers, Country Aircheck spoke with three of Nashville’s most successful songwriters for their thoughts on radio. Not surprisingly, the conversation often turned toward popular song themes, where they came from and how best to protect creativity. “I have literally grown-up with Country radio,” says Tim Nichols (“Cowboys And Angels,” “Live Like You Were Dying”). “When I was growing up, we had a store that sold men’s work clothes. Because we were advertisers [on the local Country station], we would get tickets to all the big shows. I still listen a lot ... if anything, hoping to hear one of my songs. But I’m definitely a heavy consumer of Country radio.” The format has also been ever-present for Rivers Rutherford (“These Are My Globetrottin’: KKGO/Los Angeles morning personality and People,” “Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You”), shaping voice of the Golden Globe Awards Shawn Parr (r) takes to the his songwriting and allowing him to see red carpet with Nicole Kidman and hubby Keith Urban last it evolve first-hand. “Even when I owned night (1/13). Parr has been the show’s voice for 21 years. Tim Nichols a record, I tended to listen more to [its] singles,” he says. “So when I write, I tend to gravitate to what I think will work at radio, TopNotch: Adrian Michaels and it’s a pretty tight target these days. [In After 20 years of working music the past], playlists were longer and, since exclusively to Country radio, including the there were more songs on the radio and last decade with Curb, more than a few more artists making records, there were more heads turned when VP/Promotion Adrian opportunities to make money. Now I feel like Michaels announced his departure from I’m writing for five or 10 artists, maybe.” both the company and the format earlier this month (Breaking News 1/2). Rivers Rutherford (continued on page 4) As President of TopNotch Entertainment, Michaels will now oversee Adrian Michaels ©2013 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] January 14, 2013 Page 3 a company that includes the TopNotch record label along with management, film, TV, asset management and concert PAGE THREE PIC promotion divisions. Many were not surprised by the move, Michaels asserts. “People who know me know I’ve been vocal about this; I’m getting a chance to do exactly what I wanted. “It wasn’t like I woke up one day and said, ‘I’m going to be president of an entertainment company. I assembled a team of mentors who stayed close to me and shared valuable advice.” He thoughtfully considered their input while building up the nerve to make the jump, and found inspiration from other record execs that traveled a similar path. “Promo people make great record heads,” he explains. “Jimmy Harnen, Scott Borchetta, Mike Dungan and Butch Waugh are a few examples.” It didn’t hurt that TopNotch Chairman/CEO/Founder Vincent Wolanin aggressively pursued Michaels for a year. “He came with the music and a vision, saying, ‘You’re going to assemble a team and turn this into a real label for us,’” Michaels recalls. “The gist of this gig is to take one artist and give them all the attention in the world; there’s nothing wrong with being small. Instead of trying to get three or four artists through the gate, ours will get the time, love and attention for us to grow this brand.” First on his to-do list is assembling a promo staff for TopNotch’s label, a team Michaels says will be, “A core group of passionate, intelligent people that believe the music and artist comes first and success will follow.” A single targeted for AC radio is set for a Feb. 11 release. Next, knowing that income streams come slow with Here’s Your Sign: WMIL/Milwaukee PD Kerry a small label, the company’s concert division is already Wolfe (r) whacks then-Mercury regional John planning five shows for 2013, beginning with a spring break Ettinger over the head in this 1997 shot, ending event in Florida on St. Patrick’s Day. “We hope to grow that to a five-minute protest that had something to do 20 shows in 2014,” Michaels says. with a John Anderson add. Send historic photos to Though he feels ready and prepared for his new adventure, [email protected]. there are some aspects of his old life he’ll miss. “It’s pretty spooky when you print a call sheet and say, ‘OK, there are 90 Clancy to VP/Creative. In his new role, Clancy will oversee stations, I know four of these guys,” he laughs. “But some things staffs in Dallas, Valencia, CA and Denver, which provide the don’t change. Clay Hunnicutt runs all formats for the top 20 company’s jingle, imaging and production services. Clear Channel markets. John Dimick handles all formats for Envison Radio Lincoln Financial. Mike McVay oversees Cumulus. So at least Networks’ voice and I go into this with very good friends.” On the job as of today, imaging service Imaging Michaels can be reached here. RJ Curtis Chop Shop has added Three Notch’s WAAO/Andalusia, AL as its latest affiliate. For News & Notes more information on the service, contact Envision’s Melissa Dial Global has upped TM Studios Dir./Creative Greg Bachtel here. ©2013 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] January 14, 2013 Page 4 Big Machine Label Group and Red Light Management have partnered with Belmont University’s OFF THE RECORD: A US ti N W E BB Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Streamsound’s Austin Webb puts an Business to provide an internship to student musicians to industry spin on the artist interview: help Big Machine’s Ella Mae Bowen form a band. Four have I grew up listening to WSSL/Greenville, been chosen to participate; each has a chance to land a spot SC and WKSF/Asheville, NC. in Bowen’s band in the spring. First time I heard myself on the radio The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum set an I was on my way from St. Louis to Joplin in all-time attendance record in 2012; 564,777 people visited, a snowstorm. I was listening to KRTY/San the most in its 45-year history. Jose and I knew they had just added my Austin Webb ASCAP has launched the ASCAP Play Music License for single so I texted Nate Deaton and asked websites and mobile apps. More here. them to play it. It was awesome! I was so Sidewalk’s Heidi Newfield will be excited that I lit a cigarette in the rental car. the honorary chair for The National I’ll never forget being on my radio tour going to Beverly Hills Multiple Sclerosis Society Mid South for the first and only time. I was taking a shower in my hotel and Chapter’s 11th Annual Women Against felt my first earthquake ever. I was slipping, shaking and screaming! MS Luncheon presented by Saint Thomas Imagine if Kramer from Seinfeld had a seizure in the shower. I ran Health Feb. 21. Tickets are $65 each. down stairs half naked and everyone in the lobby was laughing. Proceeds will go toward funding local I love all my regionals so very much and they’re all so patient programs and national research interesting in their own ways. From the neurotic humor of Heidi Newfield focused on finding the cause and Steve Pleshe to Jamice Jennings’ remarkable driving style, Jay cure. More here. Thomas’ random wit, Theresa Ford’s excessive need to nurture EMI Nashville’s Alan Jackson will headline the 5th and Mike Wilson’s wondrous one-liners. They are hands down Annual “Stars Go Blue” benefit at the Ryman Auditorium in the best team I could ever ask for. Nashville March 20. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the If I don’t have coffee and cigarettes when I travel I Colon Cancer Alliance’s Blue Note Fund. More here. go insane. Everyone knows I don’t ask for much, but without those two things I might just be too healthy. I can¹t walk out of a truck stop without grabbing water The Week’s Top Stories and beef jerky. Full coverage at countryaircheck.com. The last purchase I made from Skymall was, well I’ve • Alpha’s KUPL/Portland re-launched as never actually bought it, but it’d be great to have the life-size “98.7 The Bull, No.1 For New Country.” statue of Sasquatch. (Breaking News 1/10) There¹s no place like home, but if I had to be stuck • CBS Radio’s KILT/Houston became the somewhere, I don’t care where it is as long as it’s got women second Country outlet in less than 24 hours and smoking sections. I mainly love South Carolina, California, to rebrand as The Bull when it re-launched Washington, Colorado, and Texas. Friday afternoon. (CAT 1/11) When there¹s downtime I love Instagram. I mean, I am • Veteran label executive Skip Bishop obsessed with it. launched HitShop Records. (Breaking If I saw Kris Kristofferson in the airport, I’d have to go News 1/9) introduce myself. Out of all the people I’ve ever met, I’ve never • Wilks’ KWOF/Denver midday personality Brooke Diaz been really star struck in my life.