November 9, 2009 Issue 166 CMA Countdown Commences REPO R TING PANEL CHANGES Nashville is buzzing like an overdriven guitar amp in anticipation of Wednesday’s (11/11) 43rd Annual CMA Awards, New reporters announced Oct. 26 are WLHK/Indianapolis, and now word is in that the Sommet Center is sold out for the WWQM/Madison, WI; WKMK/Monmouth- Ocean, NJ; Dial event. Taylor Swift was just announced for the coveted show- Global “Hot Country;” and Premium Choice. The latter represents all Clear Channel stations utilizing Premium Choice for opening performance and, interestingly, Access Hollywood host large portions of their programming week, and as such replaces Nancy O’Dell is said to have a part to play in Swift’s open. some CC stations as individual reporters. Thus, KHEY/El Paso, Earlier today, Swift was heard rehearsing both “Fifteen” and KWNR/Las Vegas, KTOM/Monterey, KUSS/San Diego and KSD- “Forever And Always.” No, we don’t understand either. FM/St. Louis are no longer reporting. Also no longer reporting Other scuttlebutt: Brooks & Dunn are rumored to be are WWNU/Columbia, SC and WKKO/Toledo. All reporting performing “Honky Tonk Stomp” with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons stations also have new weights, which are listed on page 6. joining them onstage. Keith Urban will be playing his next single “’Til Summer Comes Around.” Tim McGraw will flex his “Southern Voice.” Sugarland have been heard rehearsing “Keep You” and McGraw and Faith Hill recently joined the long list of multi-media stars who will be presenting winners with their “crystal bullet” trophies. Other high profile performances include duets by reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews (“I’m Alive”), Jamey Johnson with Kid Rock (“Between Jennings And Jones”), and Vince Gill with Daughtry (Daughtry’s “Tennessee Line”). Brad Paisley is co-hosting, but with seven nominations has to be prepared for the possibility of picking up a lot of hardware along the way. For his co-host and double nominee Urban’s Premiere: Keith Urban stopped by the Premiere Radio remotes in Carrie Underwood, the second time around might be much Nashville this morning (11/9) and posed with the networks’ staff. Back row easier. “The thing that I was most terrified about last year was (l-r) are Michael Azar, Ilycia Deitch, Urban, Kara Ernst, John Weber, Steve Kao and Michael Kindhart. Front row (l-r) are Jenny Shields, Rosemary Young, Beth timing,” she says. (continued on page 4) Tepper and Sara Ventre. ©2009 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] November 9, 2009 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 2 MY TUNES : MUSI C THAT SHAPED MY LIFE Former Carolwood East regional Stephanie Keshe (615-418-3519 or [email protected]) discusses her most important songs, artists or concerts: 1. Etta James, Wildhorse Saloon 2008: If you haven’t seen her live, you simply must. She is a legend. I just felt like I was watching something truly special, like watching Sweet Treat: SESAC honored writers and publishers of top Country and Americana songs Monday evening (11/9). Monty Powell was named history being made. Songwriter of the Year and his composition “Sweet Thing” earned Song Stephanie Keshe 2. WMJI/Cleveland’s Summer Concert, of the Year honors. Eden Valley Music & Universal Tunes drew Publisher Blossom, early ‘90s: I was probably only nine or 10, but my mom recognition. Pictured (l-r) are SESAC’s Trevor Gale and Shannon Tiption- Neese, Powell, Universal Tunes’ Pat Higdon and SESAC’s Tim Fink. had me hooked on oldies. This show had Jay & The Americans, Lesley Gore and so many others. I talked my way backstage by Eight More On PPM Deck myself and got autographed 8x10s from the artists and, what I On December 31, Arbitron will report the first currency thought was even cooler, the DJs! I still have them! PPM monthlies for Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, Las 3. Rascal Flatts, Blossom in Cleveland, 2008: This is the first Vegas, Portland (OR), Sacramento, Salt Lake City and San concert that I was able to take my family to since working in the bid-ness. When I told my seven-year-old niece we were going to Antonio. The ratings firm reported today it has achieved more the meet-n-greet she was incredulous, saying “I’m going to meet than 100% of its installation population in those eight markets, the guys that will sing on the stage?” So cool to share these great which commenced pre-currency measurement Sept. 17. While experiences with loved ones. Arbitron’s benchmark participation level among 18-34s was 4. Blake Shelton, CRS, suite performance, 2004: I was very new in reported as still slightly below objectives for these metros, its 6+ Nashville, just a server at Longhorn and, with some co-workers, snuck “designated delivery indexes” are on target. into all the parties at the Renaissance. Somehow, I ended up in the WBR suite. Blake was a huge star to me, so to sit five feet away from him while he sang his hits, I finally felt like I was really in Nashville. Cell Phone FM Urged 5. Brady Bunch/It’s A Sunshine Day: I’m not kidding. I know every A letter from 60 House members to Homeland word to every song and a few “official” dances to go with ‘em. If anyone Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and FCC has a lead on where I might get this on vinyl, please contact me. Chairman Julius Genachowski encourages the • A highly regarded song or album you’ve never heard: I’d have adoption of FM radio tuners in mobile phone to say Pink Floyd’s The Wall. handsets. The letter notes that radio’s emergency • An “important” piece of music/band you just don’t get: Steely alert system is a “proven reliable service” and Dan. I’m just not a fan of Yacht Rock. (Sorry Brent & Palmer!) Julius Genachowski • An album you played or listened to incessantly: Everything urges the FCC and DHS to “consider extending by Ben Folds and The Gabe Dixon Band. I’m a huge fan of geeky Americans’ access to radio EAS information” via cell phones. piano-based pop. • One obscure or non-country song everyone should listen HD Radio On iPhones to right now: There’s a local band in Chicago called I Fight In a breakthough that could help HD Radio broadcasters Dragons—they are incredible! Go buy their EP on iTunes, it’s so reach millions of listeners, iPhone and iPod Touch players with worth it! And they don’t have a deal yet! Somebody better sign Apple’s 3.0 software can now receive HD FM stations via a them quick! new $80 iBiquity Gigaware Navigation Controller. A free app is ©2009 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] November 9, 2009 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 3 required from Apple, which enables the headphones to BI R THDAYS serve as an antenna for the small accessory attachment. Tuesday (11/10) - Chris Cagle, Miranda Lambert, Donna Fargo, the Software allows consumers to tag songs for purchase late Jay J. McCrae; Carol Turner ([email protected]); Alicia via iTunes, preview content being broadcast, Harvey; Scott Gaines ([email protected]). bookmark main or multicast stations, and social Wednesday (11/11) - Narvel Felts, Tom Sgro, Debi Fleischer-Robin network with email, Facebook and Twitter. For now, ([email protected]), Heather Fricke, Dana Halverson. the Controller is sold exclusively via Radio Shack. Thursday (11/12) - Barbara Fairchild, Jim Catino (jim.catino@ Radio News sonymusic.com). • Gene Watson was named Legend of The Year by Citadel Friday (11/13) - Frank Liddell, Danny Montana (dmontana@wil92. com), Smokey Rivers ([email protected]), Julie Daniel, Allan Media’s Real Country Networks’ Listener Choice Awards. Wallace, Frank Mull ([email protected]). • WRWC/Ellenville, NY is now simulcasting News/Talk sister WKIP- FM/Poughkeepsie, instead of Country WRWD/Poughkeepsie. Saturday (11/14) - Dottie Chamberlain, Rockie Lynne, Eddie Mascolo ([email protected]), Ashley Heron (ashley.heron@ disney.com), Tina Crawford ([email protected]). Gig Alerts Sunday (11/15) - Jack Ingram, C.W. McCall, Trudie Daniell (trudier@ • Capitol SVP/Promotion Steve Hodges is seeking a West Coast aol.com). regional; send resumes here. • Albright & O’Malley have two separate station positions Monday (11/16) - Keith Burns, Rick Blackburn, John Dennis (john@ parallentertainment.com), David Haley ([email protected]), to fill. The first is a PD/PM driver for “an already-market- Clint Higham, Chris Parr ([email protected]), Tony Thomas dominant Country leader in a top 200 market.” And the second ([email protected]). is for “an existing CHR, AC or contemporary Country morning team which is ready to move up and understands the basics of entertaining 25-44s. This isn’t a tryout of something new.” Both has released to Country radio has topped the chart, including openings require a successful ratings track record. Email a one- “All-American Girl,” “Before He Cheats,” “Don’t Forget To page resume and references to Jaye Albright here. Large email Remember Me,” “I Told You So,” “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” attachments are discouraged; include a link to your demo. “Just A Dream,” “Last Name,” “So Small,” and “Wasted.” Her • WKIS/Miami PD Ken Boesen is searching for a morning co- first single “Inside Your Heaven” topped the pop chart in 2005. host with two years in mornings.Airchecks and resumes here. • WMJW/Cleveland, MO OM James Thomas is seeking an Life Note Asst.