ISSUE SIX MUSIC EDITION SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 KC: Got Some Crazy Little Radio There TALE OF THE KC MUSIC TAPE The three-way Kansas City Country battle between CBS A musical comparison of the WDAF, KFKF and KBEQ, ac- cording to Mediabase 24/7 airplay information from Sept. 17- Radio’s KBEQ & KFKF and Entercom’s WDAF has taken yet 23, 2006 another twist with Monday’s announcement that WDAF/Kansas City morning personality David Lawrence will be retiring from Currents/Recurrent/Gold percentages the morning show on Oct. 13 after 25 years in that slot and 33 WDAF: 28%, 35%, 37% years with the station. Lawrence’s impending departure is one of KFKF: 24%, 15%, 61% KBEQ: 52%, 25%, 23% numerous changes that have taken place in KC as the Country outlets have been repositioned. Number of songs played/unique titles played WDAF: 1237/350 WDAF’s changes began in earnest in August 2003 when KFKF: 2029/871 it moved from 610 AM after 27 years as 61 Country to the FM KBEQ: 1898/398 band. WDAF, even on AM, was often the market’s No. 1 12+ Number of unique titles, Current, Recurrent, Gold station. However, it was extremely upper-demo heavy. Since WDAF: 28, 82, 240 the move to FM, job one has been to lower the demos. When KFKF: 38, 84, 749 it shifted to FM, WDAF went from full-service with loads of KBEQ: 64, 114, 220 information and news to more of a music focus. afternoons replacing Rick Miller and Sammye Phelps. Lawrence, who at times in the recent past played only one It was also announced Monday that WDAF would be record per hour, has been up to seven or eight songs an hour dropping the long-running news and commentary of Paul recently. He told the Kansas City Star, “WDAF is moving Harvey. The Kansas City Star quoted Schloss as saying Harvey straight ahead. I could be a part of it, but I don’t want to be. It’s “simply wasn’t connecting with the 25-54 year old women … as simple as that. It’s a whole new generation, and I feel that I’ve interviewed in research studies.” fulfilled every dream in radio that I want to fulfill.” Michael Cruise became WDAF-FM’s PD last June. Since And Across Town... then, he has continued efforts to slide the station younger while The CBS Radio duo has been undergoing programming also positioning its music squarely in the middle between KFKF adjustments since KBEQ PD Mike Kennedy was elevated to and KBEQ. In addition to a musical repositioning, airstaff Dir./Programming for the company’s four KC stations, including changes have included moving weekender Larry Moffitt to KFKF in January 2005. Since that time, KBEQ has continued on ©2006 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. To subscribe visit www.countryaircheck.com September 25, 2006 Country Aircheck Music Edition Page 3 its current-intensive course while KFKF, under PD/morning co- host Dale Carter, has been repositioned to sonically separate it DATE CHECK from KBEQ. October 22 - 37th Annual NSAI/Nashville New KFKF programming elements include “All Time Songwriters Foundation Awards. Favorites All 90s Weekend” that begins Friday’s at 5pm, the www.nashvillesongwriters.com daily “All 80s Lunch” and the Sunday morning “Country October 23 - 44th Annual ASCAP Country Awards. Legends Show” with KC radio legend and Country DJ Hall Of www.ascap.com Famer Ted Cramer with Debbie Erikson. Look for Lawrence’s show to air opposite this show. KFKF’s syndicated programming October 30 - Broadway Meets Country. now includes “Retro Country” and “America’s Grand Ole Opry www.cmaworld.com Weekend.” November 4 - 54th Annual BMI Country Awards. There is still one rather large shoe yet to be dropped in this www.bmi.com Country battle -- one which might change everything. Last May CBS Radio announced it was selling 39 of its stations, including November 6 - 40th Annual CMA Awards. its four-station KC cluster. www.cmaawards.com Look for more on this story on page 4 of this Country is heading to Nashville for the Rust Records VP/GM post. Aircheck Music Edition. Mason’s last day is October 13. After that, WQMX APD Ken More CMA Performers Steel and Anthony will handle WQMX programming duties. Anthony is looking for someone with at least 10 years of Added to the list of performers for the 40th Annual CMA broadcasting experience who also has a proven track record as a Awards are Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Gretchen programmer. “We are looking for someone who wants to be part Wilson and George Strait. They join previously announced of the Akron community and grow with our company,” he says. performers Sara Evans, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Rascal Mail your aircheck, resume and programming philosophy to Flatts, Carrie Underwood and hosts Brooks & Dunn. Strait, Anthony at Rubber City Radio Group, 1795 West Market Street, of course, will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame Akron, OH 44313 or email it to [email protected]. during the show. Radio News Music News • The RIAA has issued gold certification for Trace Adkins’ Management: Archway’s Greenville -New Bern-Jacksonville, new album Dangerous Man. His Greatest Hits Collection: NC OM and Country WWHA-WWNK PD Lee Cherry has Volume 1 has been certified platinum. exited. Cherry has been in radio since 1989, joining Archway in • The RIAA has issued gold certification forMontgomery 2004. Reach him at [email protected]. Gentry’s Something To Be Proud Of: The Best of 1999 - 2005. Syndication: Jack Ingram will host the Premiere Radio’s 40th Annual CMA Awards Red Carpet Reports prior to the awards Industry News show on Nov. 6. • Stars For Stripes was one of 12 volunteer organizations to recently receive a “Newman’s Own” award and $75,000 grant Gig Alert: As we reported last Friday, Rubber City Radio VP/ in recognition of its innovative program for improving military Operations Nick Anthony is handling the search for a WQMX/ quality of life. Akron PD following news that WQMX/Akron PD Kevin Mason • The Grand Ole Opry has added U.S. Bank as a partner ©2006 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Send news to [email protected] September 25, 2006 Country Aircheck Music Edition Page 4 sponsor. U.S. Bancorp is the sixth largest financial holding UBE HECK company in the country. T C Tuesday (9/26) - Alan Jackson, The Tonight Show Benefit News (NBC); Megan Mullins, GAC Nights (GAC). • Friday night’s Rascal Flatts show in Nashville included Wednesday (9/27) - Bob Seger, The Late Show a donation of $817,000 to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s (CBS); Chris Young, GAC Nights (GAC). Hospital at Vanderbilt. This is the second year that the band donated proceeds from a sold-out Gaylord Entertainment Center Friday (9/29) - The Wreckers, Foxworthy’s Big Night stop, having raised $600,000 in 2005. Out (CMT). Big & Rich, Top 20 Countdown (GAC). • Darryl Worley had a portion of highway near his Savannah, Saturday (9/30) - Ricky Skaggs, Cherryholmes, The TN hometown named in his honor during his recent Tennessee Grascals, Rhonda Vincent, Grand Ole Opry Live (GAC); River Run fundraiser. The Hardin County and Community Darryl Worley, Danielle Peck, Riverfront Concerts Healthcare Foundation is building the Darryl Worley Cancer (GAC). Treatment Center at Hardin Medical Center the funds Sunday (10/1) - Heartland, NASCAR Banquet 400 contributed in part by Worley’s foundation. Neal McCoy, (NBC). Diamond Rio and Rebecca Lynn Howard are among the artists who performed at this year’s event. a July 9 performance in Champlain Valley that was the most- • The Warren Brothers have been added to the bill for Tim attended country show ever in Vermont, according to Messina’s McGraw’s Swampstock 2006 hometown fundraising softball PR firm. Her July 25 show at Waterworks Park in Des Moines game and concert. Proceeds benefit the Neighbor’s Keeper was the biggest-selling single-day concert in Iowa history. Foundation. • Chevy is introducing its new Silverado pickup with a series of concerts leading up to this year’s Farm Aid in Camden, Milestones NJ on Sept. 30. Montgomery Gentry performs at a stop in Our condolences are extended to Ty Herndon and family Dallas on Sept. 27 and will also perform in Indianapolis and on the passing of his uncle, Mack McMichael, who died after Pittsburgh, with Phil Vassar performing in Nashville. The shows being attacked in his home during a robbery. He was 83. are free but attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item. Artist News • The state of Oklahoma has chosen Carrie Underwood • Gretchen Wilson headlines a 12-song country music as a participant in its “Read Y’all” literacy campaign. She joins and ice skating show on Nov. 8 at the Wachovia Center in prior poster subjects Gov. Brad Henry, actor James Garner Philadelphia. Skaters confirmed for the Gretchen Wilson and Toby Keith. Details at www.readyall.org. Country On Ice event include Kurt Browning, Irina • Jason Aldean will perform the National Anthem at the Slutskaya, Todd Eldredge and Lucinda Ruh. Mets-Braves game Tuesday (9/26). On October 29 he’ll perform • Artist performing at the Cracker Barrel Songs of the Year the anthem at the Bass Pro Shops 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup concert on Nov. 5 in Nashville include Trisha Yearwood, The race in Atlanta during the NBC telecast. Wreckers, Lonestar, Jo Dee Messina and Deana Carter & Heart. Cracker Barrel is releasing Songs Of The Year, an album More On David Lawrence’s Retirement featuring award winning songs, on Oct.