August 30, 2010 Issue 207 PPM: Johnny On The Spot Sets Media Monitors recently conducted a study that examined stop set times on PPM stations. Using data collected in July 2009 and July 2010, the study shows a “migration of starting times of many surveyed stations.” Media Monitors CEO/President Philippe Generali noted, “Compared to last year, twice as many stations in PPM markets are playing spots at :15. The first quarter Foster’s Children: Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and veteran record hour, however, remains a traditional ‘sacred cow’ producer Fred Foster are honored with the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award Sunday (8/29) in Nashville. Pictured (l-r) are Country Music where hardly any music station wants to be caught in a Hall of Fame Director Kyle Young, Leadership Music Executive Director commercial break.” Karen Oertley, Kristofferson, Foster, Nelson, Leadership Music Board The data show that stations under PPM have indeed President Jamie Cheek and BMI President/CEO Del Bryant. migrated their spot breaks to span the quarter hours, while LM Honors Fred, Kris, Willie diary markets continue to place stop sets at :20 and :50. “I’m Vince Gill, your host for the evening. I’m the best you While the Media Monitors study looked at spot breaks could get for free on such short notice.” So quipped Nashville’s across the entire hour, we were intrigued by the statement most venerable master of ceremonies for Leadership Music’s that the first QH was a no-man’s land for spots. So, we 7th Annual Dale Franklin Award dinner in Nashville last night used its sister company Mediabase to focus on first quarter (8/29), which honored renowned label executive and producer hour spot placement at Country stations in PPM markets to Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson. see how “sacred” that first quarter hour really is to them. The ceremonies began with Foster, whose Monument Records For purposes of our mini-study, we define a stop set that label first signed Kristofferson and also boasted Nelson, Roy starts between :02 and :10 as being “in the first quarter Orbison, Billy Swan, Charlie McCoy and many others. BMI hour.” We deem a break that begins at :11 or later to be President Del Bryant paid tribute, noting that he first met one that crosses the :15 quarter hour. Again, we are only the industry icon on Bryant’s 12th birthday with his father, looking at spot sets in the first quarter hour from 6am- legendary songwriter Boudleaux Bryant, who was close friends Midnight and the data is from Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010. with Foster. Boudleaux’s secretary was none other than Bobby (continued on page 5) ©2010 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] August 30, 2010 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 2 McGee, and it was in that office where Foster and Kristofferson Y UNES USIC HA T HAPED Y IFE wrote one of the handful of songs to ever earn five million spins M T : M T S M L on radio. Upon accepting his award, Foster said, “Most of the KMLE/Phoenix’s The Tim & Willy Show times I see friends are at funerals. This is a far damn better sight.” personality and Live With Regis And Kelly’s “Women of Radio Co-host For A Day Search” In a video salute to Kristofferson, venerable publisher/writer finalist Andrea Hiland discusses her most Bob Beckham said, “Kris is a Rhodes scholar. You’d think he’d important songs, artists or concerts: be smarter than to become a songwriter.” Before singing “Me 1. Grease: The Original Soundtrack: And Bobby McGee,” Lyle Lovett said, “It took a lot of courage Growing up, my sister, cousins and I were for Kris to walk away from a brilliant military career to become always together. We continually danced to a janitor (at CBS’ Nashville studio) and songwriter, and that’s this record and never got tired of it. Andrea Hiland fortunate for us. May your light forever burn bright.” Kristofferson 2. Amy Grant, Age To Age: This (and every kept his remarks brief, noting, “[When I heard I was] getting an other album she did) is fantastic, life-changing music. I can still award with Fred and Willie, I felt like I was dreaming.” smell the carpet I was laying on in the early ‘80s while listening to Returning to the stage, Gill said, “They ought to take that fifth every word on that album. head on Mt. Rushmore and put Willie on it. He is what America 3. Whitney Houston, The Greatest Love Tour, Cleveland, 1986: is about, at its best.” Stephen Colbert sent along a video message The very first concert I ever drove to with friends, sans parents, although I must admit it was not the best concert I’ve ever been to describing the continuing effects of a visit to Nelson’s tour bus: “I (sorry, Whitney). Still, an awesome memory. [still] hallucinate little Willie Nelsons all around me.” 4. Garth Brooks/Unanswered Prayers: One of the pivotal songs Country Music DJ Hall of Fame personality Lee Arnold that introduced me to country music. In college, I listened to it over praised Nelson’s interviewing skills, noting, “He can say in and over. It created a craving for more Garth and more country! five words what most can’t in 500.” Arnold said he once asked 5. Tim McGraw, Set This Circus Down: I was in the middle of possibly Nelson what his bus would say if it could talk. “If it could talk,” the best (and worst) time of my life – an exciting rollercoaster with Nelson replied, “I would shoot it.” Brenda Lee, who once many ups and downs – when that album came out. I memorized it all. recorded with all of the honorees and presented the award to It covers every emotion and so many life experiences. Nelson, said, “Rare are the real folks, and you don’t get any • A highly regarded song or album you’ve never heard: I’ve more real than Willie.” In his acceptance, Nelson observed, “I never heard a Rolling Stones album. Please don’t hate me, I just almost gave myself a standing ovation,” and then joined Gill, haven’t gotten around to listening to any of their albums yet. • An “important” piece of music you just don’t get: Don Kristofferson, Lovett, McCoy, Swan, Randy Travis and the McLean’s “American Pie.” Again, we danced to this record band for “On The Road Again.” Quite a night. constantly growing up. I still only “get” parts of it. • An album you played or listened to incessantly: Beth Nielsen VH1: Country Not So Great Chapman’s self-titled album. It was the first CD I bought. Until then, I only had cassettes or records. It was cool to listen to tracks How did country fare in VH1’s “Greatest over and over. Artists Of All Time” poll? Well, Johnny Cash • One obscure or non-country song everyone should listen to checks in at No. 35 and ... that’s it. Seriously. right now: I will always feel something special about Snow Patrol’s The network asked “well-known music artists “Chasing Cars”. Our community lost four people in a tragic helicopter and music experts” to help compile the list, crash while capturing a car chase on TV, and I associate this song with Carrie Underwood being the only with that loss. I can’t get through it without a tear forming. country performer mentioned as a participant. And while few would argue the inclusion of top Johnny Cash ©2010 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] August 30, 2010 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 3 TUBE CHECK Monday 8/30 - Jewel, Larry King Live (CNN) and Chelsea Lately (E!). Tuesday 8//31 - Merle Haggard, Late Show With David Letterman (CBS). Wednesday 9/1 - Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Good Morning America (ABC); Various Artists, CMT Insider Special Edition: 2010 CMA Awards Nominations; Various Artists, CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock (ABC). Supply Side: WWKA/Orlando’s Grace Vasquez hangs with some very grateful high school students from the Hagerty High School Key Club. Thursday 9/2 - Jason Aldean, Jamie O’Neal, John Rich, CMT Cribs. The station aided some 400 local educators through their Teacher Supply Drive, which provided them with much-needed classroom materials last Friday 9/3 - Blake Shelton, Top 20 Country Countdown (GAC). weekend (8/21). The station began by collecting items like copy paper, pens and hand sanitizer because many teachers must spend out of their Saturday 9/4 - Various Artists, 2010 CMT Music Awards (re-air). own pocket for classroom supplies. Sunday 9/5 - Brad Paisley, Top 20 Country Countdown (re-air) (GAC). five selections the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson, what about Hank Williams, Willie, Waylon or Merle? Radiohead (29) over Garth Brooks? Sade (50) over Patsy Cline? Whitney Houston makes the Combat Team, who will soon deploy to Iraq. “We started the list (60), but Dolly Parton, who wrote her biggest hit “I Will wheels turning with the National Guard, and then the Governor’s Always Love You” doesn’t? Don’t the musical accomplishments Office got involved with KIZN and KQFC,” says KIZN PD Rich of Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Alabama or Taylor Swift Summers. “Governor Otter is a country fan and listens to our compare favorably with Justin Timberlake (66), George Michael stations.