May 13, 2013, Issue 345 Inside CBS Radio’s Amplify CBS Radio discussed its Amplify initiative with labels and managers a few months back (CAW 2/4), and the company is now a few album launches in (Lady Antebellum’s Golden and George Strait’s Love Is Everything being the latest). Country Aircheck spoke with VP/Country Jeff Kapugi and Capitol Nashville SVP/ Promotion Steve Hodges about how those early plans are being turned into reality. “It all started about a year ago when [CBS Radio Pres./CEO] Dan Mason was on a Jeff Kapugi panel at the NAB and wanted to encourage our music stations to say what they play. He encouraged us to embrace new music and tell our audience what they were hearing. That was the first step to what is now Summer Beatdown: Arista’s Brad Paisley brings his Beat This officially called CBS Radio Amplify. [The program] allows us to Summer Tour to Chicago Saturday (5/11), making sure to get use the strength of our stations, by format, to benefit the station, up close and personal with the the folks from WUSN/Chicago. artists and labels. The main objective is to continue doing great Pictured (l-r) are the station’s Jeff Kapugi, Paisley, the label’s radio; things the audience will enjoy hearing or knowing about, Lesly Tyson, the station’s Marci Braun and the label’s Andy Elliott. and doing good for the artists and labels. Amplify is made up of four main components: Impact, Launch, Artist Hook-Ups and Song Intros. Related audio and Summer Time: Brad Paisley video content is also offered with the help of CBS’ Radio. Brad Paisley opened his Beat This Summer Tour Thursday, com. Some of those elements work in concert with each and Country Aircheck’s men in the seats followed him all other, and some are entirely separate. “’Impact’ is for A-list weekend. “The crowd was singing along from the beginning artists featuring street dates,” explains Kapugi. “’Launch’ and didn’t stop,” reports KSD/St. Louis APD/MD Dusty, who is about brand new artists. ‘Song Intros’ are decided on at saw the first night. Paisley’s opener “Southern Comfort Zone” the local level, but encouraged so new music can become featured a laser show that “felt like it was hovering over the familiar. ‘Artist Hook-Ups’ aren’t dictated, but determined by crowd,” he adds. WUSN/Chicago afternooner Drew Walker, opportunities that come our way. Some are things we pursue who saw Saturday’s show, says, “They had a Pink Floyd feel to with the labels and vice-versa.” them. Definitely added that extra kick to the experience.” WLHK/ Variation aside, Kapugi says the mechanics of each Indianapolis night host Fritz Moser (Friday) asserts, “Brad Amplify component are uniform across the company. “Impact” brings the visual affects of a Rush show to country music ... but it includes extensive on-air promotion leading up to a release didn’t upstage his performance.” and a dedicated section on station websites highlighting the “I guess Dierks and Hunter couldn’t make it,” Dusty says, artist with various editorial and media features; noting that support acts Lee Brice and Chris Young filled in (continued on page 4) ©2013 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] May 13, 2013 Page 3 for them on Paisley’s “Outstanding In Our Field.” Appearing virtually were Charlie Daniels on “Karate” and Carrie PAGE THREE PIC Underwood during “Remind Me.” “After seeing hologram Carrie a few times now, I’m still amazed at the crowd reaction,” Moser says. “I even got a couple of texts from friends thinking she was real.” Paisley covered Van Halen’s “Hot For Teacher” and, in Chicago, thrilled the audience with “Sweet Home Chicago.” He upped the interactivity with the Brad Paisley Light Show App (download here) for “Beat This Summer.” The app makes smartphone screens change color in time with the music. In cold and windy Chicago, Brad Paisley Brad treated amphitheater crowds with a trip to the cheap seats for a three-song acoustic set, “opening it with ‘Pneumonia will be so worth it!’ Walker says. “I can’t remember another star venturing that far back in this venue.” Paisley dove into a virtual Fairly Grounded: A pre-downtown Fan Fair shot has pool as an exit, then returned for encores, which in St. Louis Arista’s Allen Butler (c) making Ronnie Dunn (l) and included a radio-assist. “The last song of the night was a Kix Brooks feeling a bit vertially challenged. Have singalong to ‘Alcohol’ led by Big Head Brad with [openers] The time-worn photos of yourself on stilts? Send them to: [email protected]. Henningsens, Brice, Young, some friends and family and me!” Dusty raves. “If there was a Dusty rating scale for concerts, I would give it five out of five Dustys!” afternoon of June 4 and Carrie Underwood celebrating her fifth anniversary as an Opry member June 7. Cold River’s Katie Armiger has been chosen as the newest Chart Chat brand ambassador for Pastry. The brand focuses on “Sweet, Chic Congrats to Florida Georgia and Unique” apparel, accessories and footwear for girls. Line, Matthew Hargis and the Mel Tillis & The Statesiders will be featured entire Republic Nashville performers at R.O.P.E’s Breakfast with the Stars event at promotion team on scoring this The Nashville Palace June 5. Also on the bill for autograph week’s No. 1 with FGL’s “Get signings Mac Wiseman, Jean Shepard, Bill Anderson, Your Shine On.” The song is the Leona Williams and more. second chart-topper for the duo, Joey + Rory’s Farmhouse Concert Series will begin June following “Cruise.” 28 in Pottsville, TN. Their 5th Annual Bib & Buckle Fest will Florida Georgia Line take place June 1. The Grand Ole Opry has added a new exhibit highlighting News & Notes ABC’s Nashville in its backstage tours. Features include a Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, video message from Charles Esten, who plays Deacon on the and Lennon and Maisy from ABC’s Nashville will kick show, and show-related memorabilia. Info here. off CMA Music Fest Week in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry Fourth season dates for Warner Music Nashville’s June 4. Other Opry performances during CMA Fest include Pickin’ On The Patio are May 23, June 27, July 25, August Tyler Farr opening for Lee Brice at the Opry Plaza the 22 and September 26. Info here. ©2013 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] May 13, 2013 Page 4 The Ram Truck brand and G7 Entertainment Marketing have won Event Marketer Magazine’s 2013 Ex Award for Best MY TUNES: MUSIC THAT SHAPED MY LIFE Proprietary (Consumer), for the Road To Ram Jam campaign. Clear Channel/Jacksonville Market The awards recognizes excellence in in experiential event Manager Marv Nyren discusses his most marketing. See the complete list of winners here. influential artists, songs, albums and concerts: 1. Jethro Tull, Chicago Stadium, 1976: My first rock concert and it was amazing with the The Week’s Top Stories people, the volume, and Ian Anderson jumping Full coverage at countryaircheck.com. all around playing the flute. Overall, it was the • Trace Adkins will compete in the All- effect the band had on the crowd. That’s when I first realized the power of music and the feel it Star Celebrity Apprentice finale, Nashville Marv Nyren was renewed and Malibu Country was gave us in the audience. It’s the reason we still cancelled. (CAT 5/13) love live music. • Clear Channel’s State Of Listening 2. Lee Ann Womack/I Hope You Dance: It’s should be In America finds, among other data, that what every parent wants from their children. Don’t forget who 92% of Americans regularly tune to AM/FM and what you are, but live life. radio. (CAT 5/10) Trace Adkins 3. Led Zeppelin for the power they produced. Bobby Womack • Carrie Underwood to sing Sunday for the soul he projects through his voice. Jimmy Cliff for the Night Football theme. (CAT 5/9) feeling I get from listening to reggae. B.B. King for making his • Kim Guthrie named Cox Media Group EVP/Radio. (CAT 5/9) guitar come to life through the most fundamental chord work. • Lotus Classic Hits KVMX/Bakersfield flipped to Country. (CAT 5/8) 4. Chris Isaak/Wicked Games: Only my wife knows why this • Eric Church, Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert led is one of my favorite songs. nominations for the 2013 CMT Music Awards. (CAT 5/7) 5. L.T.D./Love Ballad: It’s the combination of great lyrics and harmony that immediately takes me to a safe and comfortable place every time I hear it. Inside CBS Radio’s Amplifier • A highly regarded song or album you’ve never heard: I (continued from page 1) honestly can’t think of one. After 30 years in radio and living in a “Launch” features clips from an artist’s latest release with digital world, if I wanted to hear something, I have. extensive online components; “Artist Hook-Ups” offer special • An “important” piece of music you just don’t get: experiences like front row access, intimate performance Nirvana. Any song. settings and unusual destinations; and “Song Intros” are − as • Album you played incessantly: The Best of Soul Train Vol. their name implies − personalized song intros by the artists 1 has amazing artists, but … it must be listened to on vinyl.