2017, Issue 1 Powered by Country Aircheck

February 22, 2017, Issue 1 Powered by Country Aircheck

Welcome Back My Friends Country Radio Seminar’s story of 2017 commences now, and what CRS Exec. Dir. Bill Mayne recently pointed to as the magic of the event is certainly to be expected – “networking, learning, having a great time and getting a preview of the music coming for the rest of the year.” Beyond that, getting the most from CRS requires some forethought and balance. With more than 25 panels, sessions or breakouts and dozens of musical showcases, it can’t all be done ... but that shouldn’t stop anyone from trying. Here are a few tips from Agenda Committee Chair Tom Hanrahan, who knows a thing or two about this year’s hottest sessions, starting with the mentoring breakfasts Thursday morning. Hanrahan calls them “invaluable face time with the best of the best in sales or programming across market sizes.” Panels expected to generate buzz include Kickin’ With Curb: Early CRS revelers enjoy happy hour “Speeding Toward Tomorrow” on radio’s place with Curb’s Jerrod Niemann. Pictured (l-r) are Taste Of in a driverless world and a follow-up to last Country Nights’ Amber Atnip, Silverfish’s Carsen and year’s most talked-about panel called “Women Patrick Thomas, Niemann, Curb’s Mike Rogers, WSOC/ Tom Empowering Women.” Charlotte’s DJ Stout, WLFP/Memphis’ Marty Brooks and Hanrahan “You’re More Valuable Than You Think” looks promotion exec Jeff Solima. at successful career transitions and “Cultivating The Farm Team” addresses filling the crucial need for talent during which ESPN/ABC’s Kirk Herbstreit, HLN/Cumulus’ Robin development. “Broadcast companies are doing some innovative Meade and Pop morning team Ace & TJ will share how they are things to find talent in areas we haven’t been looking,” best motivated. “This is just one of many ways CRS is able to get Hanrahan hints. more external voices and talent to shape a positive experience for Social media, research and data analysis sessions (see Look attendees,” Hanrahan says. Ahead, page 5) have been meticulously planned. And there’s Also providing valuable perspective in that vein are keynote some out-of-the-format perspective in “Coaching the Coaches,” Olympian Scott Hamilton, featured speaker Ryan Redington from

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Amazon, a trip “Inside Studio G” with Garth Brooks and Friday’s Ryman Hospitality’s Classic Country WSM-AM (650 AM). The discussion with Toby Keith on doing things “My Way.” Finally, three FMs are 100kW Class Cs with similar market coverage, and there’s the research team from Edison, whose mobile-focused WSM-AM is a 50kW clear channel Class C presentation likely joins a long line of thought-shaping analysis. As heard at night in up to 30 states. iHeartMedia Mayne says, “The big picture of this presentation is getting off our also airs a legends-based format on WNRQ- hamster wheel for a big look at the outside world in which we need HD2 & FM translator W252CM, whose share to grow, evolve, captivate and maintain our relevance.” has hovered near 0.3 since launching in Music, of course, is wrapped around and through the entire event, September (CAT 9/2). According to Nielsen, and is every bit as important. “For people who have to make decisions 1.4 million people 12+ live in the Nashville about music, seeing and hearing the talent is a big deal,” Mayne says. metro, which is 6% Hispanic and 16% Black. “You can effectively and efficiently get more business done in three Two notable developments have taken days than you could in two years running all over the country.” place in the Country landscape since Country It all wraps Friday with the New Faces of Country Music. Beyond Aircheck examined the market ahead of CRS last year (Daily hearing five rising artists selected by radio – William Michael Buzz 2/8). One, Nashville has added a full Country share point. Morgan, Maren Morris, Jon Pardi, Granger Smith and Drake White, Two, there’s a new overall Country the evening will honor 27 of radio and records best in the industry- leader. By surveys won and among voted CRS/Country Aircheck Awards. Don’t miss it! People 6+, WSM-FM rose from third to first in 2016, topping all but one monthly among Country stations Nashville’s Country Stations (Holiday 2016) by an average of 1.3 “The music business didn’t die, it just moved to Nashville.” shares. In 2015, by comparison, the Lionel Richie could just have easily been talking about Country Holiday survey was the only month it won and WSIX led the year radio had he made that observation this time of year. With with eight. Ironically, Holiday was the only survey WSIX won in roughly 2,000 Country pros coming into town for CRS 2017, 2016 and by two-tenths of a share point. Zooming out, average many will be sampling the airwaves to see how their format is shares for 2016 were 5.6 (WSM-FM), 4.4 (WSIX), 3.3 (WKDF) and represented in Music City. With that in mind, 2.0 (WSM-AM). Best shares during the year were 7.3 (WSM-FM in Country Aircheck is offering a baseline to July), 5.0 (WSIX in December and Holiday), 3.9 (WKDF in June) better understand what’s coming through and 2.3 (WSM-AM in August and September). the speakers. WSM-FM has been notably successful P25- Market & Ratings: If choice is evidence, 54 as WSM-FM & WKDF OM/PD Charlie Country radio is represented well. Nashville Cook explained to Country Aircheck in is one of two PPM markets with four full- December (CAW 12/2). “[The station] is in signal Country subscribers (Salt Lake City is front,” he said, noting its 5.1 share during that the other). Three are owned by one of the survey. “[In December 2015], that was a 3.5.” two biggest radio companies in America AQH, TSL and cume all went up, he noted. (iHeartMedia and Cumulus). The fourth is operated by Ryman “Have we stumbled onto something? Maybe Hospitality, which also owns some of the most famous country we have,” Cook acknowledged. music brands in the world in the Grand Ole Opry Music & Programming: That something likely had to do and Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Nielsen Audio with WSM-FM’s broader library. A recent seven-day analysis ranks Nashville as market 43 and over the last shows the station with a current-recurrent-gold ratio of 8-25- 13 PPM surveys it offered a combined average 67%, compared with WSIX’s 48-32-20%, WKDF’s 51-35-14% Country share of 15.6. and WSM-AM’s 14-1-85%. “There’s a significant portion of the The four stations are Cumulus’ WSM-FM (Nash listening population that wants a broader base of music,” Cook Icon at 95.5) and WKDF (Nash FM at 103.3), argued. “The thing about WSM-FM is we feel every song is a iHeartMedia’s WSIX (The Big 98 at 97.9) and hit. Every song has a level of familiarity you don’t get on the contemporary-based stations.” ©2017 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] February 22, 2017 Page 4 Music quantity could be a factor, too. WSM-FM plays the most music of the four stations (2,348 titles), followed by WSIX (2,141), WKDF (2,065) and WSM-AM (1,7,18). WSM-AM, meanwhile, airs more unique titles weekly (1,329), followed by WSM-FM (522), WSIX (315) and WKDF (239). As for vintage, the average on WSIX and WKDF is 2015. The averages for WSM-AM and WSM-FM are 1993 and 2006, respectively. If WSM-AM’s 1,300+ unique titles are surprising, Interim PD Jonathan Shaffer suggests they shouldn’t be. “With our heritage – 91 years and counting – and being an AM, we operate in a unique place,” he says. “We basically operate in our own sphere and tell ‘our story,’ which is a mix of the station’s history, premium live content, a diverse playlist, and an outstanding collection of on- air talent that includes three Country Radio Hall of Fame members in Bill Cody, Eddie Stubbs and Bill Whyte. We do our own thing and do it well.” More & Monitoring: Other mentionables in 2016 happened in the realms of programming and mornings. iHeartMedia/ Nashville SVP/Programming and WSIX PD Michael Bryan left in September to be replaced by iHM/Chattanooga SVPP and WUSY PD Gator Harrison (CAT 9/1), and WSM-AM PD Dean Warfield exited in July (CAT 7/11). In the on-air realm, Cumulus replaced the Blair Garner-led America’s Morning Show with the Ty Bentli-led Ty, Kelly & Chuck as Garner returned to overnights to helm The Blair Garner Show. Cumulus VP/Country Charlie Cook continues to lead WSM-FM and WKDF, and Premiere’s The Bobby Bones Show still calls WSIX home. All that’s left now is to listen. Sample WSM-FM here, WKDF here, WSIX here and WSM-AM here. Listen to WNRQ-HD2 & W252CM here. –Russ Penuell

How Does Free Sound? Every CRS 2017 attendee operates in an audio environment, which makes the free audio testing available this year a career- preserving opportunity. CRS Exec Dir. Bill Mayne explains the organization’s long-standing drive to offer a little something more to attendees. “In 2010 when hordes of people were losing their jobs we did a panel on the art of transition,” he says. “Several years ago we had Cleveland Heart Lab doing free testing and I’ve got letters from people saying that blood test saved their life. Last year we arranged free COPD testing and a number of people have reached out saying they didn’t realize until then the condition they were in and had been pointed directly where to get immediate help. This year, on that same note, we’re offering hearing testing in conjunction with the Starkey Hearing Bill Mayne Foundation and Nashville ENT Audiology.” Country Aircheck initially approached Starkey Hearing Foun- dation co-founders Bill and Tani Austin, who already had contacts in the country world and were enthusiastic about the idea. Mayne’s connections brought in Nashville ENT Audiology and he executed the partnership that resulted in a generous offering to attendees. A full hearing test, free to every registrant, could cost between $250 and $450, and is potentially invaluable. “Audio is our lives,” Mayne says. “You just don’t know what you’re not hearing and finding out can change your life. It changed mine. I damaged my hearing at 21 playing in a rock band, but never thought it was that bad. When I finally sat in a testing room and tried different devices I literally had tears running down my cheek. Everybody needs to hear all the music. If we don’t take care of our own, who will?”

Lon Helton, [email protected] Chuck Aly, [email protected] Russ Penuell, [email protected] Wendy Newcomer, [email protected] Paul Williams, [email protected] (615) 320-1450

Not Your Average Get-Together: The Average Joes Happy Hour crew poses for the CRS Daily Buzz. First person to correctly ID everyone in this photo gets a free subscription to Country Aircheck and a box of dog treats to give to a sad puppy.

A Look Ahead Presentation 7pm Zac Brown Grand Ole Opry 11am Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom D-G Omni, Level 2, Broadway Ballroom SSM Showcase Branch & Dean, The Redhead Express, 3:30pm 9pm Alexandra Demetree, Wes Hayden Tom Rivers Award Presentation SSM Showcase Omni, Level 2, Music Row 1 Peter Smyth Troy Anderson, Jay Seeney, Logan Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom D-G Robinson, Molly Adele Brown, Amanda 12:15pm Jones CRS 2017 Kickoff Party 4pm Omni, Level 2, Music Row 1 Sponsored by SunTrust Bank and Encore Keynote Interview: Scott Hamilton Technologies Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom D-G 10pm Caroline Jones, Macy Martin, Matt Gary, My Headache Party Jeremiah Richey, Joe Denim 4pm Olivia Lane Omni, Level 2, Broadway Ballroom Lobby Eric Church's Virtual Reality Tour Omni, Big Spark Suite Experience 3pm UMG Library Lounge Thursday, 2/23 Opening Ceremonies Sponsored by Sarah Cannon 5:30pm 8am Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom D-G Welcome Reception Programming Mentoring Breakfast Sponsored by CMA & Live Nation Sponsored by Sun Broadcast Group 3:30pm Omni, Level 2, Broadway Ballroom Bruce Logan (facilitator), Shelly Easton, Artist Humanitarian Award Tim Richards, Tim Roberts, Kenny Jay, Rod

Phillips, Kix Layton, Mike Brophey, Jeff Williams 3:30pm Garrison, Andrew Bland, Mike Preston, Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom A-C How Are You Protecting Your Core Charlie Cook, John Shomby, Mac Daniels, Revenues? Local and National Nikki Thomas, DJ Stout, Mike Moore, Jeff 2:30pm Revenues Kapugi Victory in the Hallways: Creating a Gregg Lindahl (moderator), Paul Weyland, Omni, Level 3, Cumberland 5-6 Positive Work Culture John Henley Gregg Lindahl (moderator), Sean Shannon, Omni, Level 3, Cumberland 3-4 8am Josh Easler, Dave Paulus, Rick Jackson Sales Mentoring Breakfast Omni, Level 3, Cumberland 1-2 4pm Katie Reid, Sarah Frazier, Melissa Kent, Lee Eric Church's Virtual Reality Tour Adams, Judy Lakin 2:30pm Experience Omni, Level 3, Cumberland 3-4 Speeding Towards Tomorrow: Radio UMG Library Lounge in a Driverless World 9am Bob Richards (moderator), Jason Bailey, 4pm CRS Research Presentation: The Stevens Radley, Chris Andrews On-Air Talent Mentoring Happy Hour Mobilization of Country Radio Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom D-G Lon Helton, Kelly Ford, Danny Dwyer, Skip Presented by Edison Media Mahaffey, Big Sue, Kim Leslie Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom, D-G 3:30pm Westwood One Lounge More Than Words: Presenting Ideas 10am That Inspire Bold Action 5pm Inside Studio G with Garth Brooks John Ellett, Jerry James Cold River Records “Biscuits and Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom D-G Omni, Level 3, Cumberland 3-4 Beer” Performance by Drew Baldridge 10am 3:30pm Omni, Level 1, Kitchen Notes Objects Are Larger Than They You Are More Valuable Than You Appear: Small Markets That Do Big Think: Finding Your Full Potential 5pm Things Becky Brenner (moderator), Graham Bunn, SSM + Nashville Country Club Tom Baldrica (moderator), RG Jones, Jesse Carole Bowen, Clay Hunnicutt, Jeff Roper Presents Alexandra Demetree Garcia, Erica Ogle, JJ Holiday, Stephanie Omni, Level 3, Cumberland 5-6 Omni, Level 2, Music Row 1 Theisen Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom A-C 3:30pm 5:30pm Capturing the Millennial Ear: Country Music Hall of Fame 11:30am Rethinking Our Traditional Medium Reception/Tour Team UMG at the Ryman for the Next Generation Kent Blazy, Tony Arata Ryman Auditorium Bob Richards (moderator), Leigh Jacobs, Hall of Fame Rotunda Carolyn Gilbert 2:30pm Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom A-C 7pm CMA Breakout Session #1: The Power Rebel Engine Happy Hour of the Country Music Radio Consumer 3:30pm Lucas Hoge, Stephanie Quayle Omni, Level 3, Cumberland 3-4 Moving the Listeners and the Omni, Level 2, Top of Escalators Numbers That Count 2:30pm RJ Curtis (moderator), Torie Nugent, Mike 7pm Women Empowering Women Moore, Tom Lord, Matt Bailey Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley Beverlee Brannigan, Carol Hughes, Erica Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom D-G Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, JT Harding, Farber, Linda Wei, Beth Burley, Brooke Laura Veltz, Luke Laird, Ashley Gorley, Brett

©2016 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] February 22, 2017 Page 7 James, Rhett Akins, Busbee, Jon Nite, Cole 10am A Thousand Horses, Trent Harmon, Delta Taylor The Digital Revenue Explosion Rae, Midland, Carly Pearce, Maddie & Tae Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom A-C Eli Mayo, Bob Parris, Adam Ponzurick Omni, Level 2, Broadway Ballroom Omni, Level 3, Cumberland 1-2 9pm 2pm SSM Showcase + Beer 10am Cashing in on Live Events: Live! Troy Anderson, Jay Seeney, Logan Dicing the Data Tom Baldrica (moderator), Dave Anthony, Robinson, Molly Adele Brown, Amanda Bob Richards (moderator), John Zarling, Paige Nienaber, Michael Jordan, Dhruv Jones Jeff Green, Tim Richards Prasad Omni, Level 2, Music Row 1 Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom D-G Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom A-C

10pm 10am 2pm One Whisky Away Party Cultivating the Farm Team: Sources of Coaching the Coaches: Top Talent Tell Olivia Lane New Talent How to Motivate Them Best Omni, Big Spark Suite Becky Brenner (moderator), Liz Rozengard, Kirk Herbstreit, Robin Meade, Ace & TJ Tony Banks, Ben Downs, Dan Vallie Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom D-G 12am Omni, Level 3, Cumberland 5-6 Denny Strickland Breakfast 2pm Baja Sexto 10am Eric Church's Virtual Reality Tour CMA Breakout Session #2: And the Experience Friday, 2/24 CMA Broadcast Award Goes to… UMG Library Lounge Omni, Level 3, Cumberland 3-4 7:30am 3pm Women Mentoring Breakfast 11am Artist Interview with Toby Keith: My Sponsored by NuVoodoo Media Services Promotions Start to Finish: Part You Way Carolyn Gilbert, Jinny Laderer, Beverlee Sponsored by vCreative Sponsored by BMI Brannigan, Lisa Smoot, Sunny Leigh, Lisa Tom Baldrica (moderator), Fritz Moser, Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom D-G Balance, Melissa Kent, Whitney Allen, Shelly Sunny Leigh, B Dub, John Trapane Easton, Katie Bright, Sarah Frazier, Charlie Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom A-C 5:15pm Dean, Katie Dean, Lisa Wall, Erica Farber, New Faces Cocktail Reception Alison Bonaguro, Becky Brenner, Ginny 11am Sponsored by Big Spark Music Group Rogers Lace Up Your Boots & Get in the Omni, Level 2, Grandview Terrace Omni, Level 3, Cumberland 5-6 Trenches with Social Media Platforms Becky Brenner (moderator), Malika 6:30pm 8am Quemerais, Granger Smith, Gloria Stitt New Faces of Country Music Dinner Digital & Tech Breakfast Omni, Level 3, Cumberland 1-6 and Performance Malika Quemerais, Michael Shoup, Gloria Sponsored by ACM and St. Jude Children's Stitt 11:45am Research Hospital Omni, Level 3, Cumberland 3-4 Acoustic Stage Performance Featuring CRS/Country Aircheck Awards Presentations Kaylee Rutland William Michael Morgan, Maren Morris, 9am Omni, Level 2, Broadway Ballroom Lobby Jon Pardi, Granger Smith, Drake White Daily Featured Speaker: Ryan Omni, Level 2, Broadway Ballroom Redington/Amazon 12pm Omni, Level 2, Legends Ballroom D-G Lunch & Performance Sponsored by BMLG