Issue 139 CC Goes PC: Premium Choice a New Era of Radio Began Over the Weekend As Clear Channel Launched Its Premium Choice Programming Initiative
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May 4, 2009 Issue 139 CC Goes PC: Premium Choice A new era of radio began over the weekend as Clear Channel launched its Premium Choice programming initiative. The company first made its plans known in an April 15 press release that promised to “improve quality in all dayparts” by offerings PDs a choice of programming and on-air talent. Details beyond that press release are difficult to come by, especially following last Friday’s company-wide email that said, “The Premium Choice program is not something we are talking openly about in the industry or in the public or in the press…. No CC employee should be discussing PC with the media or with record reps.” In an effort to give you a feel for CC’s new programming Chesney Calls Rain Delay model, CA dissected Mediabase 24/7’s hour-by-hour Heavy rain and thunderstorms brought an early end to Saturday’s programming tool and talked to a number of CC PDs, who shall Sun City Carnival Tour stop in Dallas. Despite conditions that obviously remain nameless. One caveat regarding our music destroyed a structure at the Dallas Cowboys practice facility analysis: This was PC’s first weekend, and, since few roll-outs and injured a dozen, on-scene reports indicate headliner Kenny go exactly as planned, it’s hard to tell if the music, rotations and Chesney and the more than 20,000 fans gathered in the open-air Current-Recurrent-Gold mix is what we’ll get in coming weekends. soccer stadium were almost undeterred. Almost. By most accounts, the weekend went pretty smoothly from a An incessant downpour that added wind and lightning at times technical point of view. PDs I talked to also felt the music mix couldn’t send the crowd packing. So, in the end, Chesney had to do was pretty good – although it is very different from what most it himself. KPLX PD Mark Phillips says, “It was amazing how all CC stations air. With regards to the music, there’s good news of the fans stuck it out for several hours in heavy rain,” he says. “He and bad news. (continued on page 5) really has some of the most loyal fans that I’ve ever seen.” ©2009 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] May 4, 2009 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 2 KSCS APD/MD Chris Huff offers this recap: “Lady A went on at 5:30 and Miranda Lambert went on at her normal time, MY TUNES : MUSIC THA T SHAPED MY LIFE too. We had gotten word that Sugarland had canceled because Lyric Street VP/Radio Marketing Dale of vocal issues. So Kenny actually started early, which was good Turner discusses his most important songs, because he was able to get through more of his set. artists or concerts: 1. Everly Bros, Brenda Lee, Ricky Nelson: “The rain never really did subside all day,” Huff continues. As a Midwest kid I grew up on these artists “Everyone was drenched to the bone. When Kenny started and their early hits on the radio and jukeboxes. playing the rain was light to moderate, but as it went on the Little did I know I would someday serve on the intensity picked up. The lightning became more frequent and CMA Board with Ms. Brenda Lee or drink a beer much closer. It was all the crew could do to keep the sound and alongside Phil Everly at The Sutler! Dale Turner light boards covered. Everything on stage was getting soaked. 2. Johnny Cash/Sunday Morning Comin’ “Kenny went out to the walkway and did ‘You Look Sexy In Down: My Dad loved Johnny Cash and since my Dad is my hero, The Rain’ acoustically, but he was having a hard time singing Johnny Cash had to be cool! just because of the rain in his face. As he was playing his crew 3. Charlie Daniels Band, Marshall Tucker Band, Mid ‘70s: was trying to cover all the equipment on the stage. And when the Country rock and lots of attitude! 4. Alabama: I probably covered over 300 concerts during my song was done, he sent everybody home. years at RCA. I never got tired of watching the magic of the energy “I have to hand it to Kenny. If it weren’t for his concern for created by this band and their relationship with their fans! his fans, band and crew, he would have played right through 5. Tony Bennett, Chicago’s Fairmont Hotel 1989: My wife and I it. There was no doubt. In hindsight we’re very fortunate it witnessed an intimate performance with his trio. Bennett is a true was just an issue of people getting wet. Obviously it was very American stylist. sobering getting home that night and seeing news reports about • A highly regarded song or album you’ve never heard: The the Cowboys facility. It just reminds you what can happen with Grateful Dead. these kinds of storms.” • An “important” piece of music you just don’t get: Rap is a genre that just doesn’t appeal to me. As reported in Country Aircheck Today, Chesney will return • An album you played or listened to incessantly: A Decade Of to the venue to play for ticket holders Sunday, May 17. Steely Dan. • One obscure or non-country song everyone should listen to CC Renews Arbitron right now: “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Andrew Bocelli. Clear Channel has committed to a “partial renewal” of a currently expired Arbitron contract, but has decided to forego ratings of any kind in seven markets ranked outside the top For whom The Bell 51. Those metros include Grand Forks, ND; Sioux City, IA; Tolls: Webster & Associates PR Pres. Sarasota, FL; Jackson, MS; Lima, OH; Parkersburg, WV; and Kirt Webster was Williamsport, PA. CC also has expanded its 17-market deal invited to ring the with Nielsen to 18 metros, adding Newburgh-Middletown, NASDAQ closing bell NY (ranked #139). In a prepared statement, CC said it may with the help of client Collin Raye. The firm widen its relationship further with Nielsen. In all, CC has now has recently opened discontinued Arbitron deals in 24 markets. a NYC office. Pictured (l-r) are Webster PR’s Jeremy Westby, Collin Raye’s manager Matthew Stevens, Melanie Shore, Raye, Webster PR’s Mary Michael, Webster and NASDAQ’s Michael Del Grosso. ©2009 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] May 4, 2009 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 3 BIR T HDAYS Tuesday (5/5) – the late Tammy Wynette, Sammy Allred, Doug Baker ([email protected]), Mike Severson (mikeseverson@ comcast.net) Wednesday (5/6) - Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Cameron Randle, Renee Leymon ([email protected]), Laurie Gore ([email protected]) Thursday (5/7) – Kelly Daniel ([email protected]), Nelson Larkin, Sam McGuire ([email protected]), Shawn Williams ([email protected]), Hank Adam Locklin (hlocklin@cmaworld. com) Friday (5/8) – Billy Burnett, Del Gray (Little Texas), Joel Baker (j.b@ nnbproduction.com) Saturday (5/9) – the late Hank Snow, Cliff Audretch, Charlie Dean ([email protected]) Sunday (5/10) – Carson Chamberlain, Randy Goodman (randy. [email protected]), Kevin O’Neal Monday (5/11) – Mark Herndon, Kevin Fowler, Royce Risser (royce. [email protected]), Eric Dale, Kim Leslie ([email protected]) Radio News • KUPL/Portland raised $81,030 during their Country Cares for St. Jude Radiothon last week (4/30-5/1). In other news, the station is now located at 2040 SW 1st, Portland, OR 97201. All phone numbers/extensions/emails remain the same. • WFGS/Murray, KY’s 2009 Froggyfest lineup will include David Lee Murphy, Bomshel, Carter Twins, River County, Jason Meadows and Rick Huckaby. Radio Marketing firm Holley•Guidry is producing the event, which takes place July 4 at Murray State University’s Roy Stewart Stadium. Tickets are $6. • WOKQ/Portsmouth, NH was named the state’s Best FM Station by the New Hampshire Magazine. Also, morning teamers Mark Ericson and Danielle Carrier were listed as the Best Morning Show, with Carrier recognized as the Best Celebrity. • KPLX/Dallas air talent and Live From The Front Porch host Ryan Fox won the fan voted 2009 Texas Music Awards DJ Of The Year title. • KNTY/Sacramento’s Y’allapalooza Aug. 1 will include performances by Jake Owen, Darryl Worley, Pat Green, Carter Twins, Telluride and Dean Brody. CMAlgorithm Before a packed house of more than 300 of its members in Nashville, the CMA reprised highlights of its CRS-40 consumer study presentation of country music fans last week. In addition to study details already available, a new algorithm has been posted at www.MyCMAworld.com. The tool, in the form of a set number of specific consumer questions, enables member radio stations and music industry executives to profile their fan bases. The goal is to better understand their audiences’ tastes, attitudes and media habits. ©2009 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] May 4, 2009 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 4 TU B E CHECK Airchecks and resumes here. • CMT Radio Network has an open Director position, Tuesday 5/5 – Trace Adkins, Tracy Lawrence, Faith Hill, On The Streets (GAC). overseeing day-to-day operations of the network and serving as Wednesday 5/6 – Zac Brown Band, Late Late Show with Craig editor of the prep service. Read more under Nashville here. Ferguson (CBS). Thursday 5/7 – Jamie O’Neal, Rodney Good, Our Song (GAC).