Pleshe, Michaels Join Country Thunder Winter 1990).” Country Thunder Has Added a Pair of New Regional This Little Bit of News Also Got Chris and Promoters

Home , Tracy Byrd

January 2, 2008 Issue 70 “Silver Country Stereo” Celebrates 35 Years We l c o m e Ba c k Happy 35th birthday to KSCS/ The first Country Aircheck Weekly edition of 2008 features Dallas. On January 1, 1973, “good weights for the reporting panel on page 6. The first report day is music” WBAP-FM flipped to KSCS as next Monday, Jan. 7. Adds from Mediabase-monitored stations “Silver Country Stereo” to complement will be taken at airplayaddboard.com beginning Thursday morning, Jan. 3 until Monday, Jan. 7 at 3pm ET. WBAP-AM’s Country Gold format. According to noted radio historian and Nashville; KNIX/Phoenix; KSOP/ KSCS APD/MD Chris Huff, “KSCS Salt Lake City; and, KMPS/Seattle. Let has set numerous high bars in Dallas/ us know of any stations Fort Worth -- including the largest we’ve missed that fit into share ever garnered on an FM this exalted category. signal in the market (an 11.2 in Fall ‘91) and the longest streak at the top of the 12+ ratings (14 books in a row, starting with Pleshe, Michaels Join Country Thunder Winter 1990).” Country Thunder has added a pair of new regional This little bit of news also got Chris and promoters. Former KSKS/Fresno PD Steve Pleshe is us wondering how many other stations aboard for Northwest-Midwest promotion. He succeeds can boast having the same calls and the exiting Ray Randall. Taking over the Southeast Country format for 35 years. from recently promoted VP/ Current Country outlets (and Promotion Jim Dorman is former we’re counting those AMs that Epic/Nashville SE regional Chris turned into FMs along the way) that come to mind (and Michaels. He returns to the biz after a five-year hiatus as we’re not 100% sure of all of these) are WGNA/Albany, owner-operator of an Atlanta sign shop. Reach them at NY; WESC/Greenville, SC; WIVK/Knoxville; WSIX/ stevep or chrism @countrythunderrecords.com.

January 2, 2008 Country Aircheck Music Edition Page 3

KILT, KKBQ Gain In December PPM Da t e Ch e c k With December 2007 marking the second month of Jan. 23-27 - Country In The Rockies Arbitron publishing PPM shares of listeners 6+, KILT/ Houston improved 4.0-4.4, good enough to rise from ninth Jan. 24 - 26th Annual Colgate Country Showdown National to seventh. The CBS Radio outlet’s 904,600 cume was its Final - Ryman Auditorium www.countryshowdown.com highest since last June, and more than 20,000 above its Feb. 8 - 50th Annual Grammy Awards - www.grammy.com nine-month average. Cox’s KKBQ also did well, climbing 3.7-4.1 and from No. 11 to 10. Posting its third consecutive March 5-7 - CRS-39 - www.crb.org monthly cume increase, KKBQ broke the 1-million barrier for the first time since last May, and beat its nine- April 1-5 - Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival month weekly average by 45,000. Cox’s Classic Country April 22 - Leadership Music Digital Summit 2007 - Belmont clustermate KTHT dipped from 3.2-2.7 and from a tie University’s Curb Event Center - www.leadershipmusic.org for No. 15 to a tie for 17. The station’s 601,500 reach was about 24,000 below its nine-month average. May 18 - The 43rd Annual ACM Awards - MGM Grand Las In Philadelphia, WXTU dipped 5.4-4.5. Although Vegas, NV - www. acmcountry.com the Beasley outlet’s cume fell month-to-month more than June 5-8 - CMA Music Festival - www.cmaworld.com 100,000 to 713,400 (well below its nine-month average of 811,000), the station’s rank slipped only two notches, from Full calendar info at www.countryaircheck.com fourth in November to a tie for sixth. Radio News Phoenix Uprising Programming: Entercom Rhythmic AC WSNA/Memphis KTYD/Santa Barbara, CA morning personality Matt morning host Greg Valentine has been hired as APD/ McAllister is set to join Ben Campbell (CAT 12/19) – evenings at Beasley WKIS/Miami. Valentine, who starts formerly of Ben & Brian at KMLE/Phoenix and WMZQ/ Jan. 10, replaces Jeffrey T Mason, who left for WMZQ/ Washington – when KNIX/Phoenix debuts its new Washington in August. morning show in the coming days. McAllister was with the Wilks AC KCKC/Kansas City PD Luke Jensen has Rincon Rock outlet for the last nine years. been hired as PD for Journal’s Country-Classic Country They replace Tim & Willy, who were unable to come combo KVOO & KXBL/Tulsa, effective Monday (1/7). to terms on a new deal with KNIX. The two are guest- Jensen replaces Ric Hampton, who left the company in hosting afternoons on News/Talk KTAR/Phoenix today September. and tomorrow (Jan. 2-3.) Sales: Radio Dubuque, IA’s Ron McCarthy has been Meanwhile, at crosstown Country KMLE, morning hired as Sales Manager for Journal/Springfield’sCountry personality Dave Pratt has signed a new deal that will KTTS and News-Talk KSGF. keep him at the CBS Radio outlet through the end of 2011. Pratt has been in Sun City radio for 25 years, the last four Personalities: Clear Channel WBUL/Lexington, KY and a half with KMLE. morning personality Liberty Hill is moving to CC’s ©2008 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] January 2, 2008 Country Aircheck Music Edition Page 4 WTNT/Tallahassee, FL to co-host the TNT Morning Bi r t h d a y s Show with Cash & Liberty, effective Jan. 21. Her last day at WBUL is Jan. 18, and she is replacing Amie “Carrie” Thursday (1/3) - Nikki Nelson Meneghetti, who left the station in November. Back Friday (1/4) - Patty Loveless, Deana Carter, Kathy Forester in Lexington, WBUL PD Mark Grantin is seeking her replacement as a personality/producer. Airchecks and Saturday (1/5) - Mark Nesler, Dave Dame (dave.dame@ resumes to him at 2601 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, sonybmg.com), the late Sam Phillips, Shane Jemelka 40503, or [email protected]. ([email protected]), Karen Herbst (kherbst@cowgirl- productions.com)

Stationality: Lincoln Financial KYGO/Denver re- Sunday (1/6) - Earl Scruggs, Jett Williams, Tim Wall (ttwall@ launched its website on Christmas Eve. Check it out at entercom.com) www.kygo.com. Monday (1/7) - John Rich Industry News local law enforcement agencies as having a sparse holiday. Equity Music Group Manager/Publicity Englewood Middle School students raised almost $10,000 Jensen Sussman has been hired as Assoc. for the campaign; video here. Also, an Iraq-based soldier Dir./Media for Sony BMG. Sussman will listening to KYGO’s web stream heard about a local child handle publicity duties for Columbia’s who needed a bed, told his wife and the bed was delivered roster, which includes Gretchen Wilson, to Christmas Crusade headquarters two days later. The Montgomery Gentry and Miranda event has served more than 186,000 children since 1983.

Jensen Sussman Lambert. Columbia’s roster was previously handled by Craig Campbell, who left the CRB Humanitarian & Promotion Awards company in November. Prior to Equity, Sussman worked CRB is accepting applications for the 2008 Radio for Insight Management and Tractenberg & Humanitarian and Promotion s, which will be bestowed Co. Reach her at 615-858-1314 or jensen. during CRS-39. The former recognizes public service in [email protected]. large, medium and small market categories between Nov. Congrats to publicist Martha Moore, 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2007. Entries including a written two- who is celebrating 20 years in business with page brief with photos should be sent to humanitarian@ her So Much Moore Media company. She can crb.org by Jan. 18. The Promotion Award honors creative be reached at [email protected]. Martha Moore and effective promotions in the same market categories and time period, with PDF entries including a one-page Denver Country Fans Lend Hand summary and relevant media going to [email protected] KYGO/Denver’s 2007 Christmas Crusade for by Jan. 11. Entries for both awards should include name, Children helped 5,400 underprivileged children this past calls/city, market size and contact info. Contact CRB’s Ed Christmas, with listeners sponsoring kids identified by 35 Salamon for details.

January 2, 2008 Country Aircheck Music Edition Page 6

Toby Shoots Movie Tu b e Ch e c k Toby Keith will be shooting the “Beer For My Thursday (1/3) - Trace Adkins, Celebrity Apprentice Horses” film in New Mexico and Las Vegas from Feb. (NBC); Joe Nichols, Tonight Show (NBC); Keith Urban, Ellen 10-March 13. It’s the story of two best friends – Keith DeGeneres Show (Syndicated) (repeat). and co-writer Rodney Carrington – who work together as small-town deputies and venture to Mexico to rescue Friday (1/4) - Shooter Jennings, Late Show (CBS). a kidnapped girl. Keith will produce the film along with Saturday (1/5) - Carrie Underwood, Travis Tritt, Ronnie Donald Zuckerman, while Keith’s manager T.K. Kimbrell Milsap, Emerson Drive, Opry Live (GAC). is the executive producer. Among those set to join Toby on-screen are Willie Nelson, Ted Nugent and Mel Tillis. Sunday (1/6) - Garth Brooks, Ultimate Garth, Ultimate Hits (GAC). Not So Holy Night Monday (1/7) - Johnny Cash In San Quentin (CMT). Steve Holy was allegedly assaulted in his Dallas home Toby Keith’s mother and her children have been by two off-duty police officers last week, and the officers awarded $2.8 million in the wrongful death of Keith’s have since been placed on administrative leave pending father H.K. Covel. A jury found Elias and Pedro an investigation. Holy and a friend met three officers at a Rodriguez and Rodriguez Transports of Tulsa negligent in local bar, and invited them back to the singer’s house to the fatal March 2001 car accident. Covel’s Ford truck was play foosball in the garage after closing time. A 911 call bumped by another vehicle, sending it across the median, was placed at 5:30am after one off the officers allegedly where it was struck by a charter bus owned by Rodriquez became belligerent and held Holy at gunpoint. Read the Transports. That vehicle was found to be urgently in need full story here. of brake work and driven by an unlicensed driver. “We Artist News were only there to find the truth, and the jury saw it so Blake Shelton’s Team Shelton choir placed third in the plainly that they awarded us a unanimous decision,” Toby competition behind choirs coached by Nick Lachey and Keith said. Plaintiffs were H.K.’s wife, Carolyn Covel, Patti Labelle. Shelton’s efforts led to a $50,000 donation to his daughter, Tonni Covel and sons Toby Keith Covel his designated charity, Project Rebuild and Army MWR. and Tracey Covel. It is the largest single jury verdict ever Kenny Chesney will be joined by Keith Urban for an rendered in McClain County, OK. expected nine stadium shows in 2008, kicking off July 26 Ringtones for Rascal Flatts are available for the in Foxboro, MA. first time. Fans wanting “Take Me There” or “Bless RCA will release How Great Thou Art: Gospel The Broken Road” can text the word “Rascal” to Favorites Live From The Grand Ole Opry Feb. 5. The 55655 to download. 12-cut collection features Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans, Vince Gill, Loretta Lynn and others Chronicle performing gospel songs on the Opry stage. Our sincerest condolences to WOKQ/Portsmouth- Dover, NH APD/MD/PM driver Dan Lunnie on the Dec.

©2008 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] January 2, 2008 Country Aircheck Music Edition Page 7 30 passing of wife Laurie, 52. She and Dan would have celebrated their 25th anniversary this June. Visitation is Add Da t e s Friday, January 4, 2008 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM with a JANUARY 7 funeral service being held at 2:00 PM at the Carll-Heald JOSH TURNER/Another Try (MCA) & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale, TRISHA YEARWOOD/This Is Me You’re Talking To (Big Machine) ME. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, January 14 5005 LBJ Fwy, Ste. 250, Dallas, TX 75244 or the TRACE ADKINS/You’re Gonna Miss This (Capitol) American Heart Association, 343 Gorham Road, South CARTER’S CHORD/Young Love (Show Dog) Portland, ME 04106. Local florists include Springvale JYPSI/I Don’t Love You Like That (Arista) Flowers, 207-324-7900 and Chadbourne’s Florist, MIRANDA LAMBERT/Gunpowder And Lead (Columbia) 207-324-2502. ROCKIE LYNNE/I Can’t Believe It’s Me (Robbins) Condolences to family and friends of former WWQM/ JOE NICHOLS/It Ain’t No Crime (Universal South) Madison, WI morning personality Edward “J.D. Barber” Tisdale, who died following a heart attack. He was 65. JANUARY 22 Condolences are also extended to family and friends THE ROYS/Grandpa’s Barn (Pedestal/Nine North) of former Beaumont, TX mayor Ken Ritter, nephew of Tex Ritter and veteran of the music industry and radio. programs, artists and managers with company President Ritter was a disc jockey for KFDM/Beaumont, as well as a Mike McVay. Reach him at 818-378-5979 or charlie@ producer and promoter working with Hank Williams, Jack mcvaymedia.com. Clement and Tracy Byrd, among others. He was 79. • Premiere Radio Networks’ Sr. Producer Donna Hughes was hired as Executive Producer for ABC Radio Milestones Networks’ GAC Nights: Live From Nashville. The show Heartiest congrats to XM EVP/Programming Eric launches Jan. 14. (CAT 12/19) Logan and wife Erin on the Dec. 21 birth of their second • Clear Channel WSIX/Nashville night jock Slam Duncan daughter, Hudsyn Love. Videos, pix and more at www. will join Cledus T. Judd’s T Party morning show at CC’s jjtoppenberg.blogspot.com. WUBL/Atlanta. Duncan will continue to voice track nights for WSIX, but is relocating to the ATL. (CAT 12/18) • Sony BMG/Nashville Sales Exec. Gasper Milazzo left The Week’s Top Stories the company. Sony BMG is looking to fill the position, Full coverage of the week’s news is available in the details here. (CAT 12/18) archives at www.countryaircheck.com. - Lon Helton, [email protected] • Former Cumulus VP/Country Charlie Cook has been Chuck Aly, [email protected] hired as VP/Country for McVay Media. Cook will Erin Duvall, [email protected] consult terrestrial radio and assist in consulting syndicated (615) 320-1450

©2008 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] January 2, 2008 Country Aircheck Music Edition Page 8 Aircheck Weights Here are the weights for Country Aircheck/Mediabase Country Reporters, based upon each market’s most recent Arbitron ratings. The weights are calculated by this formula: Market rank is multiplied by 10 and then added to the station’s AQH Persons. A station’s weight is determined by dividing that adjusted AQH by the leading Country station’s AQH. For this ratings period, that station is WUSN/Chicago with an adjusted AQH of 35,030. Station Weight = AQH Persons + (market rank X 10) divided by 35,030 (WUSN AQH). Calls/Market Weight KAJA/San Antonio 4.0 KTEX/McAllen 3.6 WKHX/Atlanta 6.5 KASE/Austin 3.0 KTOM/Monterey-Salinas 1.0 WKIS/Miami 4.3 KATC/Colorado Springs 1.2 KTST/Oklahoma City 2.4 WKKO/Toledo 3.0 KATM/Modesto 2.1 KUBL/Salt Lake City 2.3 WKKT/Charlotte 2.5 KBEQ/Kansas City 2.8 KUPL/Portland 4.3 WKLB/Boston 5.8 KBWF/San Francisco 3.9 KUSS/San Diego 2.6 WKSJ/Mobile 2.0 KCCY/Colorado Springs 1.7 KUZZ/Bakersfield 1.8 WMAD/Madison, WI 1.2 KCYE/Las Vegas 2.1 KWJJ/Portland, OR 3.3 WMIL/Milwaukee 5.3 KDRK/Spokane 1.1 KWLI/Denver 1.4 WOGI/Pittsburgh 4.7 KEEY/Minneapolis 6.8 KWNR/Las Vegas 3.1 WOGK/Gainesville 2.2 KFDI/Wichita 2.2 KXKT/Omaha 1.7 WPAW/Greensboro 2.2 KFKF/Kansas City 3.0 KYGO/Denver 4.1 WPCV/Lakeland 2.4 KFRG/Riverside 3.8 KZSN/Wichita 1.2 WPKX/Springfield, MA 1.7 KHEY/El Paso 1.6 WAMZ/Louisville 3.4 WQDR/Raleigh 3.1 KHKI/Des Moines 1.3 WBBS/Syracuse 3.4 WQHK/Ft. Wayne 1.6 KIIM/Tucson 2.9 WBCT/Grand Rapids 2.4 WQMX/Akron 1.8 KILT/Houston 5.3 WBEE/Rochester 3.7 WQYK/Tampa 5.4 KIXZ/Spokane 1.4 WBUL/Lexington 2.3 WRBT/Harrisburg 2.0 KIZN/Boise 1.4 WCOL/Columbus, OH 4.2 WRNS/Greenville, NC 2.1 KJJY/Des Moines 1.3 WCOS/Columbia, SC 1.4 WSIX/Nashville 2.7 KJUG/Visalia-Tulare 1.1 WCTK/Providence 4.0 WSLC/Roanoke 2.1 KKBQ/Houston 4.9 WCTO/Allentown 3.4 WSM/Nashville 2.0 KKGO/Los Angeles 6.7 WCTQ/Sarasota 1.2 WSOC/Charlotte 3.0 KKNG/Oklahoma City 2.3 WDAF/Kansas City 2.1 WSSL/Greenville, SC 2.4 KKWF/Seattle 3.5 WDSY/Pittsburgh 4.8 WTQR/Greensboro 2.5 KMDL/Lafayette, LA 1.7 WDTW/Detroit 3.7 WUBE/Cincinnati 4.3 KMLE/Phoenix 3.7 WESC/Greenville, SC 2.1 WUBL/Atlanta 3.5 KMPS/Seattle 5.7 WEZL/Charleston, SC 1.6 WUSN/Chicago 10.0 KNCI/Sacramento 2.6 WFMS/Indianapolis 5.0 WUSY/Chattanooga 2.6 KNIX/Phoenix 4.8 WGGY/Wilkes-Barre 2.3 WWGR/Ft. Myers 1.9 KNTY/Sacramento 1.8 WGH/Norfolk 4.1 WWNU/Columbia, SC 0.7 KPLX/Dallas 5.9 WGKX/Memphis 3.3 WWQM/Madison, WI 1.1 KRST/Albuquerque 1.1 WGNA/Albany, NY 2.9 WWYZ/Hartford 3.4 KRTY/San Jose 2.3 WGNE/Jacksonville 1.4 WXBQ/Johnson City 3.1 KSCS/Dallas 5.3 WGTY/York, PA 2.3 WXTU/Philadelphia 6.2 KSD/St. Louis 3.4 WIL/St. Louis 4.8 WYAY/Atlanta 3.9 KSKS/Fresno 1.7 WIRK/West Palm Beach 1.7 WYCD/Detroit 5.9 KSON/San Diego 4.1 WITL/Lansing 2.1 WYNK/Baton Rouge 1.8 KSOP/Salt Lake City 1.4 WIVK/Knoxville 4.7 WYPY/Baton Rouge 0.8 KSSN/Little Rock 2.3 WKDF/Nashville 1.9 WYRK/Buffalo 3.7 ©2008 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected]