May 6, 2013, Issue 344 Q&A: KMLE’s Tim Richards On the job for roughly a month, CBS Radio’s KMLE/Phoenix PD Tim Richards is a first-time Country PD with a long history in the market. Richards left Clear Channel’s crosstown Top 40 KZZP in March, and his prior programming stints include Tucson, Detroit, Boston and Chicago. In this exclusive Country Aircheck Q&A, Richards talks about the music, the market and his move to Country. CA: Though new to Country, does having programmed in the market for a while give you an advantage in taking Tim Richards the PD chair for KMLE? TR: I’ve spent over 14 years here and it’s my favorite place in the world. It’s definitely helpful to understand the Phoenix and Arizona market. Like a lot of places in the U.S., The Valley has its own pulse that takes time to learn. Overall Country shares in Phoenix have decreased in Wyatt Me: WKKT/Charlotte’s Jeff Wyatt settles into his new job recent years. Do you feel the market’s changing ethnicity by taking in a Tim McGraw show on the opening weekend of has played a role? McGraw’s Two Lanes Of Freedom tour Friday night (5/3). Yes, the Hispanic influence in Phoenix definitely plays a role in PPM. We also see that many of the HDHA’s are being sampled McGraw Tour: Let Freedom Ring to a greater proportion to the total market percentage. “You guys may see some things that aren’t supposed to go That said, can more shares for KMLE and/or KNIX be the way that they go,” Tim McGraw said upon kicking off his Two discovered, or is the market’s Country universe tapped Lanes Of Freedom tour in Birmingham Thursday night, though out, with both of you battling over it? the radio guys in the audience saw nothing but McGraw’s best. I believe the Country format is stronger than it’s been in Country Aircheck checked in with WZZK Dir./Promotions Justin years. It appeals to all ages, races and genders. The format is a Ragland and WDXB PD Tom Hanrahan to see just what’s in lot like Top 40 in its mass-appeal. the cards this summer. Given that mass appeal and the format’s recent “I’ve seen McGraw six or growth among younger (18-34) listeners, can more seven times in 20 years,” Hanrahan listeners be mined in the market? says. [The show had] the best Absolutely. This week, KMLE was No. 1 Women 18-34 and energy to date. He’s having fun top-five among women 25-54. There are more younger fans and that really brings the crowd in.” of the music than there have ever been, with artists like Hunter McGraw got things going by Hayes, Luke Bryan and Lady Antebellum. It feels like we’re at the getting up close and personal. beginning of an even greater Country renaissance. “His entrance was special,” Tim McGraw (continued on page 6) ©2013 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] May 6, 2013 Page 3 explains Ragland. “He took the stage by walking through the crowd.” From there, McGraw enlisted a couple of kids for a “Just PAGE THREE PIC To See You Smile” serenade. There was also plenty of attention paid to how McGraw looked. “He’s in the shape of his life,” observes Hanrahan. “I was feeling good about hitting the gym three times a week until he and I spoke before the show. I’m not sure he ever comes out of the gym!” The Birmingham News’ went so far as to say McGraw “exuded health, stardom and power.” On the production end of things, “I would describe the stage setup as simple,” says Ragland. “There were risers for the band and a jumbotron in the back that followed Tim.” “I’m a production freak,” continues Hanrahan. “The video walls and screens were state-of-the-art. That show wasn’t cheap to produce, but man when it came together, [it] delivered for the audience. I didn’t pay for my seat, naturally, but I would have and I would’ve gotten my money’s worth.” Highlights were plentiful, including McGraw’s virtual duet with rapper Pitbull on “Felt Good On My Lips,” a pairing featured during Hey Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie! True to Jason Aldean’s last month’s Las Vegas taping of Tim McGraw’s Superstar Summer homage to Joe Diffie, this photo was taken in “1994,” on Dec. 30 to be precise. Then-KBUL/Reno MD Dave Night set to air on CBS-TV May 19. Collins (l) and the aforementioned Mr. Diffie hung Yet another was McGraw’s self-designed 2013 Dodge backstage at the Flamingo showroom. Got Pics? send Challenger SRT, which one lucky fan will win by summer’s end. ‘em to: [email protected] Tour sponsor Pennzoil enlisted McGraw to personally customize the car, all the way down to his autograph stitched into the seats. The design process itself is shown on video alongside the car Douglas will join media research firmColeman Insights as VP at each tour stop. McGraw also offers a private performance to June 3. VIPs ahead of the actual show. Beyond the music, “Great food Community Broadcasters has agreed to purchase seven and cool vibe,” Hanrahan says. stations across two markets from Backyard Broadcasting, a And the crowd itself? “Cradle to grave,” he continues. “As transaction that includes Country WPGI/Elmira, NY and WPIG/ many males as females; and having Brantley Gilbert on the Olean. Once completed, the sale will bring Community’s station show really added a level of diversity. [It was a] smart call on portfolio to 15 properties, all located in upstate New York. Tim’s part. You could tell there was a rock type crowd there but Envision Radio Networks has added Duhamel’s KZZI/ who cares? I love the infusion to the format.” Rapid City, SD as the latest affiliate of AmeriCountry, the Read the Birmingham News’ coverage of the show here, morning content service specifically designed for Country radio. and enter to win McGraw’s 2013 Dodge Challenger from More details on the service here. Pennzoil here. –Russ Penuell United Stations’ 25 Years Of Hits offers radio a Mother’s Day special with mom-centric content, songs from 1988 to today and artists sharing personal stories. Featured guests include Keith Radio News Urban, George Strait, Reba, Rascal Flatts, Garth Brooks Huffington Post CEO/GM Brian and others. Contact Sue Falco here. Kaminsky has joined Clear Channel as EVP/Operations overseeing digital advertising News & Notes operations for iHeartRadio and its network The Grand Ole Opry has launched Opry By The of websites. Reach him here. Numbers, a new iPad app and interactive game, featuring Joanna Douglas Arbitron’s Dir./Regional Sales Joanna number-themed contesting, audio streaming, videos and show ©2013 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] May 6, 2013 Page 4 schedules. Details here. In addition to their Hershey, PA show Aug. 1, Big Machine’s MY TUNES: MUSIC THAT SHAPED MY LIFE Rascal Flatts and Journey Cold River’s Mary Lynne O’Neal will perform again Aug. 4 at discusses her most influential artists, songs, Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic albums and concerts: City, NJ. Republic Nashville’s 1. The Judds, Why Not Me: When I was Cassadee Pope will open. little, my mom and I used to sing along in the Warner Bros./WMN’s car like we were Naomi and Wynonna. Ashley Monroe will kick off 2. Elton John, Greatest Hits: My parents the Country Music Hall of only listened to country music, so when mom Rascal Flatts Fame and Museum’s Hot broke this out, I felt so cool and rebellious Nights at the Hall summer Mary Lynne jamming out to “Crocodile Rock,” “Saturday O’Neal concert series June 4. Other Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” and “Bennie shows include Black River’s Sarah Darling July 19 and Bigger And The Jets.” Picture Group’s Craig Campbell Aug. 9. 3. The Judds and Vince Gill, Shreveport, LA, 1988: The Jeff Allen has signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s first country star I remember meeting was Vince Gill. I was “Nashville Guitars and Bars” artist development initiative. about three and so shy that I wouldn’t even let him shake my hand. Twenty-five years later, I wish I had. Maybe I’ll get the chance someday. I do live in Nashville, after all. Chart Chat 4. Garth Brooks, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, 2010: Congrats to Miranda Lambert, Keith Gale, Josh He did a string of Nashville dates to raise money for flood Easler and the entire RCA promotion staff on scoring this relief and that was the first time I’d seen a full band show of week’s No. 1 with Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart.” The song his in nearly 20 years. He was just as amazing and electric as is the second chart-topper from Lambert’s Four The Record, I remember when I saw him in concert as a kid. I think I even joining “Over You” at the top (5/7/12). cried when he first came out on stage 5. Metallica/Nothing Else Matters: The first song I learned Mama’s Happy Heart: RCA’s Miranda on guitar. It was also one of my uncle’s favorites from his Lambert and producer Frank Liddell favorite band.