February 23, 2009 Issue 129 Cooper Calmly Faces Royalty Issue Congressman Jim Cooper (D - TN) dampened considerable anti-radio sentiment with remarks he made at a Town Hall meeting held Friday in Nashville. Framing the debate about a performance royalty in non-emotional terms, Cooper told the label-heavy assemblage, “This [issue] is fundamentally about slicing the pie, not about growing the pie. And the best issues [to address] are those that grow the pie.” Those words couldn’t have been music to the ears of organizers from the musicFIRST Coalition, who made no apparent effort to balance the event’s perspective, despite the presence of two (silent) representatives from the National Association of Broadcasters. Jim Cooper SoundExchange Executive Director John Simson took the dais first, calling the lack of a performance royalty “fundamentally unfair.” He pointed out that the U.S. is the only major country without a performance royalty, that the sound recording copyright is the only one without a public performance right, and that platforms other than broadcast radio (Internet, satellite radio) all pay a performance royalty. (continued on page 5) Windy City Wingding: Five inches of snow and temps in the teens couldn’t stop these intrepid revelers from making the rounds in Chicago for Universal South’s Randy Houser/Jonathon Singleton weekend. Official activities included Houser at Joe’s Bar and Singleton’s acoustic set at Schuba’s. Unofficial jaunts ranged from cocktails on the 96th floor of the Hancock building to an early morning of dining and dancing at the Kingston Mines blues/jazz club to lunch at Wrigleyville. Congratulating Houser back at the hotel after his great set at Joe’s were a few of those who made the trip to Chi-Town including (bottom, l-r) Uni South’s Rick Hughes, WUBL/Atlanta APD/MD Lance Houston (hiding behind him is the label’s “I never get in photos” Karen McGuire), US’s Teddi Bonadies, WKLB/Boston APD/MD Ginny Rogers and WKIS/Miami PD Ken Boesen. In the second row (l-r) are CA’s Lon Helton, WQHK/St. Wayne, IN PD Rob Kelley, US’s Matt “let’s go for deep dish at midnight” Corbin, WSIX/ Nashville PD Keith “I’m in” Kaufman, Houser, KASE/Austin PD Mac Daniels, US’s Fletcher Foster and Mike Wilson and WMZQ/Washington APD/MD Jeff Mason. ©2009 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] February 23, 2009 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 2 Must-See CRS: CMA Research MY TUNES : MUSIC THA T SHAPED MY LIFE The Country Music Association recently commissioned WGTY/York, PA PD Scott Donato Chicago-based agency Leo Burnett to conduct a major discusses his most important songs, artists consumer research project using or concerts: its proprietary BrandProspect 1. Huey Lewis & The News/Heart Of Rock techniques, and the results will N’ Roll: Though most people regarded Huey Lewis & The News as a glorified garage be disclosed during a panel at the band, no one rocked more on stage, and Country Radio Seminar Thursday, they helped shape the sound of the 80’s. March 5 from 9-10:50am. 2. Keith Urban, Philadelphia 2007: Scott Donato The results were previewed for the CMA Board of Directors Although I always respected Keith Urban, at a meeting last week, and it’s critical for you to put this panel I never fully “got it” until I finally saw him live. Of the hundreds of artists I have seen in any genre, Keith Urban live is as good as any. on your “don’t miss” list. While I’m not at liberty to divulge 3. The Police, Synchronicity: The Police were the most talented anything we saw or heard, I’ll go out on a limb here and give band ever. U2, often mentioned in the same breath from that era, you one tidbit: an amazing 76% of the Countryphiles – the group can’t hold a candle to them. of folks who do huge amounts of Country radio listening and 4. Martina McBride, Hershey, PA 1998: Martina blew me away in country music and concert ticket-buying – say that Country radio 1998 and she’s still as good as any female on stage, in any format. 5. Steve Wariner/Small Town Girl: Even with all his hits, Steve has the most impact on their music and ticket-buying habits. Wariner was one of the most under appreciated stars in history. And, of the Musicphiles – the group of folks who love music of • A highly regarded song or album you’ve never heard: The all kinds and are heavy country users, as well – a whopping 83% Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds. say Country radio is where they hear country music first and is • An “important” piece of music you just don’t get: Any CD the driver for their purchases. TV, the Internet and print, in order, from R.E.M. Although I wouldn’t call them awful, they could possibly be the most overrated band in history. follow Country radio. • An album you played or listened to incessantly: Billy In the presentation, you’ll learn all about the Countryphiles Currington’s A Little Bit Of Everything. and the Musicphiles, the groups that drive a huge percentage • One obscure or non-country song everyone should listen of country revenue. You’ll hear key behavioral measures, to right now: Anything from Jason Mraz. He’s one of the few including radio listening, CD buying, downloading, concert remaining pop artists who continue to have mainstream success without selling out. attendance and pricing, as well as TV viewing for both country and music in general. The survey was conducted last fall with a follow-up in November to see how folks were affected by the growing • Radio vet Ken Johnson, programmer of Sirius XM’s Open economic crisis. Plus, the Burnett folks will present Country Road trucker channel, saw his DC-based job relocate to New radio-specific findings that weren’t presented to the board. You’ll York, leaving him in search of his next opportunity. Reach him be shocked and surprised at some of the results. -L.H. at 410-266-8525 or [email protected]. • SIRIUS XM’s Willie’s Place will broadcast Willie Nelson and Asleep at The Wheel’s tour closing concert live from the Carl’s Radio News Corner truck stop Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 10pm ET. A rebroadcast is • Radio vet Scott Hesson has joined Country WDHC & News/ scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28 at 3pm ET. Talk WCST/Berkeley Springs, WV as OM and morning host on • WKSF/Asheville, NC raised more than $92,000 for Mission ‘DHC. He replaces Mike Fagan, who exited in December. Children’s Hospital during their radiothon this weekend. ©2009 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] February 23, 2009 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 3 Chart Chat BIR T HDAYS Congrats to Toby Keith, Rick Moxley, the Show Dog Tuesday (2/24) - Sammy Kershaw, Jay Barron, Marty Craighead, Susan promotion staff and everyone at the label on the Turner, Larry Willoughby No. 1 ascension of Keith’s “God Love Her.” In Wednesday (2/25) - the late Faron Young, Tony Benken (tony@ addition to being his 25th chart-topper, the song robbinsnashville.com), Buck Stevens ([email protected]) helped Keith’s music surge past 60.5 million Thursday (2/26) - the late Johnny Cash, Mark Langston, Duke domestic airplay performances, according to Cooper ([email protected]), Chuck Thompson (cthompson@ BMI. The song is also in its third week atop the thompsonentertainmentgroup.com) Toby Keith Country Aircheck/Mediabase Activator chart. ­­­­­­­Friday (2/27) – Eric Beggs ([email protected]), Wyatt Easterling ([email protected]) Saturday (2/28) – Jason Aldean, Bruce Logan (brucelogan@ Industry News clearchannel.com), Anita Mandell, Gill Stuart, John Zarling (john. Broken Bow has hired Loudmouth [email protected]) Entertainment for independent publicity and Sunday (3/1) – Janis Gill, Jennifer McCarter creative services. President/Owner Karen Monday (3/2) – Larry Stewart, Kim Wiggins, Paul Jankowski, Chasity Tallier can be reached at 615-244-9015 or at Crouch ([email protected]) [email protected]. Karen Tallier The American Advertising Federation Nashville ADDY Awards were held Saturday (2/21); GrassRoots Promotion was awarded a Silver ADDY for Best Online Game Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild recently shot the video for the Stephen Cochran “Thinkin’ I’m Drinkin’” promotion, for “A Ride Back Home,” her duet with John Mellencamp from and Latocki Team Creative took home a Gold ADDY for their his Life, Death, Love and Freedom album. design work on the Roy Orbison: The Soul Of Rock And Roll Jimmy Wayne spent two days in Montgomery, AL as four-disc box set. the special guest on ABC-TV’s Extreme Makeover: Home Compassion International is hosting a dinner Tuesday, Edition. Wayne helped build a new home and organized an March 3 at Nashville’s Maggiano’s for artists, managers, label reps and other industry professionals. If you’re interested in getting involved with the organization or attending the dinner, contact Country Format Consultant Mike Severson at 615-662- 5268 or [email protected]. Artist News George Strait, Randy Travis and Richie McDonald are nominated in the country categories of the Gospel Music Association’s th 40 Annual Dove Awards. The event is Mo Money, No Problems: Bonneville’s WUBE/Cincinnati airstaff show scheduled for April 23 in Nashville. off their good work following their St. Jude Radiothon. Pictured (l-r) are Coor./Promotions Danny Mac, PD Travis Moon, morning host Chris Carr, Reba McEntire graces the cover of the personality Maverick, afternooner Big Dave and personality Dana Ryan.