Remembering Tom Mcentee Country Radio
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September 28, 2009 Issue 160 Country Radio: Strength In Numbers Remembering Tom McEntee Maybe you already knew Country has more listeners than He ran his own tip sheet called Country Music Survey, was any other format (56.2 million per week). And that there are Country chart editor at Cashbox, worked promotion at a number nearly twice as many FM Country stations as the next closest of labels, and even served format (1,337). But did you know, contrary to perception that in Special Forces during Country’s audience is mostly 35-54 women (who comprise the Vietnam War. But for 19% of the format’s listenership), everyone reading this, for that men comprise nearly half (47%) everyone in the Country of Country tune-in? Or that Country radio and music industries is No. 3 in teens and No. 1 among – whether you knew him, adults 18-24, 25-34 and 35-44? knew of him or are just now These details and more can be hearing the name – Tom found in Arbitron’s new Radio McEntee played an important Today 2009 report, a free PDF via part in your career. www.Arbitron.com analyzing the The man who Fall 2008 ratings for 24 formats conceptualized and in PPM and diary metros. Among orchestrated the first Country Tom McEntee the highlights: Country ranks No. Radio Seminar in 1969 2 overall with a 12.5 share, just 0.1 passed away Thursday (9/24) in Florida, surrounded by family. behind News/Talk/Information, “It was over after the first seminar,” McEntee toldCountry which benefited from last year’s Aircheck for our CRS-40 print issue, published in March. congressional and presidential The event lost money, drew fewer than 70 people and actually election. Country ranks second received notification from its host hotel that they would not be only to N/T/I during mornings and welcomed back. But the word of mouth among attendees was middays, and is tied for No. 1 with strong, as it’s been every year since. And 40 years later, CRS N/T/I in afternoons and evenings. stands as the most successful and important educational event (continued on page 5) ever established in the music and radio industries. ©2009 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] September 28, 2009 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 2 “Tom was very passionate about radio and musical talent,” says Charlie Monk, who was there at the inception. “He MY TUNES : MUSIC THA T SHAPED MY LIFE was very selective about who he worked with. They had to Big Machine VP/Promotion Jack Purcell have integrity along with their talent. Obviously, we spent a discusses his most important songs, artists lot of time together in the early days of CRS. He said some or concerts: complimentary things about me keeping the seminar together 1. Jackson Browne, Running On Empty: An but his spirit was there right through the 40th. I will miss his amazing album that stands the test of time. council and his infectious, positive attitude.” Lyrically and melodically, it blows me away. McEntee recognized early on that the seminar’s strength ran As a kid, I would stare at the album cover - deeper than the educational opportunity. “What was offered up drummer Russ Kunkel’s kit - while listening on the podium or in the panels was only a portion of the event’s Jack Purcell to him and bassist Leland Sklar hold down significance,” he said. “Of equal or greater consequence was the the rhythm section. Still a big wow for me. fact that the attendees were provided an opportunity to speak 2. Supertramp, Breakfast In America: This album brings back with and be with their peers and to broaden their awareness memories of my first girlfriend and the turntable needle running and understanding of the business. They had an opportunity out of grooves. Pop music with so much energy and great to communicate one-on-one, face-to-face. They were given an arrangements. occasion to express themselves – and to be heard. 3. Pink Floyd, The Wall: I was home alone in my parents’ “And though it was impossible for me to imagine what might basement listening to my first “real” stereo when I heard it. I got so happen ... one thing was apparent: It could change the world of scared I ran out of the house, and stood in the middle of the street Country radio.” It could, and it did. We are all standing on Tom until my mom came home. McEntee’s shoulders. Thank you, Tom. 4. Led Zeppelin: Bonzo. Radio provided me with Zeppelin A-Z and I taped them all courtesy of KQDS, sister to KQRS/Minneapolis. Peterson Returns 5. Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac, Zappa, Lawrence Welk Show Former WUSN & WCFS/Chicago PD Mike Peterson is (Yup!), Hee Haw, Austin City Limits, Chick Corea, Journey: All coming back to radio 13 months after leaving the Windy City big influences on me as a kid. to restructure the family tree business in Oregon. With the tree • A highly regarded song or album you’ve never heard: Kanye West. nursery operating smoothly, Peterson will re- • An “important” piece of music you just don’t get: Kanye West. start his radio career next Monday as PD of • An album you played or listened to incessantly: Fleetwood Entercom’s Hot AC KRSK/Portland, OR (The Mac’s Rumours. Buzz). “I’m thrilled with the opportunity to join • One obscure or non-country song everyone should listen to Entercom and one of the great radio brands in right now: Bonnie Raitt’s “Going Wild For You Baby.” Portland,” Peterson says. “The Buzz is loaded Mike Peterson with a power-house staff and I can’t wait to join the team!” Nashville Music Awards is midnight Wednesday, Sept. 30. More info at www.nashvillemusicawards.com. News & Notes Jason Matthews (“Must Be Doin’ Something Right”) has St. Jude Radiothon: WWQQ/Wilmington, signed with Big Tractor Music. NC raised $38,219. Start My Song is a new Nashville-based website made to The voting deadline for the 2009 simplify the process of getting songs and demos to publishers, ©2009 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] September 28, 2009 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 3 music supervisors, artists, etc. Songwriters can upload their demos to the site, making them available for site visitors to listen BIR T HDAYS and rank, which creates a top songs list on the site’s homepage. Tuesday (9/29) - the late Gene Autry; Brad Cotter; Jerry Lee Lewis; Check it all out at www.startmysong.com. Susan Niles ([email protected]) Nashville Lifestyles has named the city’s 25 Beautiful People, which includes Universal South’s Fletcher Foster, publicist Wednesday (9/30) - Richard Bowden, Marty Stuart, Eddie Cassie McConnell Kelley, Susan Puckett Deaton (wife of Montgomery, Bob McNeill ([email protected]), Daron director Robert Deaton), music publisher Barbara Orbison, Norwood, Peter Strickland ([email protected]) Jimmy Wayne, Luke Bryan and Holly and Hilary Williams. See the full list in the October issue. Thursday (10/1) - Connie Bradley ([email protected]), Sonny Burgess ([email protected]), Scott Innes (scottinnes1015@ Chart Chat hotmail.com), Roger Murrah, Jeni Taylor ([email protected]) Hearty congrats to Toby Keith, VP Rick Moxley and the entire Show Dog promotion Friday (10/2) - the late Chris LeDoux; Shelia Shipley Biddy team on scoring this week’s No. 1 single ([email protected]); Greg Jennings; Jo-El Sonnier; with “American Ride.” The song is the title Gator Michaels ([email protected]); John Scott Sherrill; Eric track from Keith’s new album, out next Welch ([email protected]) Tuesday (10/6). Toby Keith Saturday (10/3) - Steve Dahl, Mark Grantin ([email protected]), Artist News Randy Harrell, Gene Kennedy ([email protected]), Justin Michael Reba duets on Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas” with opera singer Andrea Bocelli for his upcoming holiday album My Sunday (10/4) - Hobie Hubbard, Heidi Newfield, Leroy Van Dyke, Christmas out Nov. 3. Other artists on the J. Brooks ([email protected]), Don Nelson, Jeff album include Natalie Cole, Mary J. Blige and Hackett, Chris Carson ([email protected]), Will the Muppets. Payne ([email protected]) Carrie Underwood will receive the Nashville Symphony’s 2009 Harmony Award Monday (10/5) - Johnny Duncan, Britta Coleman (britta.coleman@ for her support of the local music community sonymusic.com), J.J. Gerard at the white-tie, invitation-only Symphony Reba Ball 2009. The Dec. 12 event will be held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Previous recipients include Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Trisha Greater Nashville affiliate ofSusan G. Komen for the Cure when Yearwood, The Judds, Dolly Parton and Vince Gill. ticket buyers mention “OPRYPINK” when ordering passes over the Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts will guest emcee phone or online. Details here. for a portion of the Grand Ole Opry’s first Opry Goes Pink show Steve Wariner was inducted into the Thumbpickers Hall of this Friday (10/2). Carrie Underwood will also be on-hand to Fame last Friday (9/25). His upcoming Nov. 10 album Steve “flip the switch” turning the Opry’s signature backdrop pink. A Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute To Chet Atkins was also named $5 donation will be made to Women Rock for the Cure and the Thumbpicking Recording of the Year. ©2009 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] September 28, 2009 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 5 Eric Church will perform pre-race festivities for the NASCAR Banking 500 Oct.