February 22, 2010 Issue 180 Must See CRS Panels CRS 2010 is upon us, and as always is chock-full of sessions to inform, illuminate and, most of all, educate. Country Aircheck talked with a handful of this week’s panel moderators to get a little extra insight into a few of the “must see” sessions. Can You Handle The Truth? It’s sure to be a hot time with Tony Randall and Kris Rochester at the “Town Hall: The Industry Truth Revealed” meeting, CRS: Who’s In, Who’s Out set for Thursday (2/24) at Reports of CRS’ demise have apparently been greatly 4pm. The panelists alone exaggerated. As interim CRB Exec. Dir. Bill Mayne once should get you there: Capitol’s Mike Dungan, Warner Music told Country Aircheck, “They’ve been predicting the end of Nashville’s John Esposito, Alpha Broadcasting’s Larry Seminar every year for as long as I can remember.” Good news, Wilson, WUBL/Atlanta PD Scott Lindy and Redneck Records then, for those who’ve been wringing their hands about what artist Gretchen Wilson. Randall notes, “We’ll pressure these they’ll do with their extra week of quiet in late February or early folks to answer some of the toughest questions facing our March: Not dead! industry with a gut reaction, as we literally volley the topics A highly unscientific survey undertaken (ooh, sorry) last week around on a ball. When the panelist catches it, they have 30 by our crack research staff finds that of responding Country seconds to cover the answer to some of the most topical, Aircheck/Mediabase main panel reporting PDs and MDs, 69% controversial issues in our business today. No time to be will attend CRS 2010 this week in Nashville. That’s a remarkably politically correct, just speak! Of course, we’ll stir the pot strong percentage of prominent radio decision makers. What’s more, whenever we can to heat it up even more! No one gets off easy 74% of those respondents are programmers, with almost all of the in this one!” (continued on page 4) major markets represented. ©2010 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] February 22, 2010 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 2 We asked the other 31% why they won’t be attending. The MY TUNES : MUSIC THA T SHAPED MY LIFE top three responses, in order, were time, money and scheduling KUPL/Portland APD/MD/middayer Rick conflicts. “Time is tough these days, more so than money” said Taylor discusses his most important songs, one programmer, who like most responding wished to remain artists or concerts: anonymous. “I was borderline, but time with family and keeping 1. Alan Jackson/Sissy’s Song: This came a stable work schedule won out.” out when my sister lost her battle to cancer. A typical refrain addressed the new corporate reality: “I It brought me to my knees and spoke program two stations and it’s impossible for me to get away directly to my heart. This allowed me to for that amount of time. Make it shorter and on a Friday, and listen to radio like a listener again and truly appreciate the power of country music with Saturday and maybe others could come.” Rick Taylor its incredibly heartfelt songs that have rich “I’m not coming, but wish I was,” one MD told us. “We have meaning beyond any format. a PD who’s new to the format, so it’s more important that he 2. Aerosmith, early ‘70s: It was my first concert and it was where attends. Maybe I’ll get there next year. Can’t wait!” I met my first DJ, Dave Record Stone, broadcasting live from A few had more principled reasons for skipping seminar. Portland’s Memorial Coliseum. I remember watching as if it were “It has become way too expensive and has more of a fan fest magic as he played “Dream On” and talked on the radio. This was atmosphere than that of a learning/networking event for true so amazing for an 11-year-old to witness, and I could hardly wait radio and record professionals. I can’t count the number of to call him the next day on the request line as if I were his friend. times some hack was coming up to me trying to promote 3. Buck Owens: I’ll never forget hanging out with him in themselves and hand me their media kit. Not cool. If it wasn’t Bakersfield. We had dinner at the Crystal Palace and then watched that, it was the groups of fans who set up shop in the hotel lobby this legend get up onstage and play songs that will live forever. disrupting real connections that artists were trying to make with Buck Owens was a true gentleman and a big influence in my life, and I’m so glad I’ve had the privilege to meet him in person. radio. It’s really a shame because I can’t think of a better tool for 4. Creedence Clearwater Revival, Cosmo’s Factory: One the first the continued success of radio.” albums I owned. My older brother gave it to me because it had a One large market programmer who is attending questioned scratch on the vinyl, but I didn’t care. I loved listening to “Lookin’ seminar’s relevance. “The agenda really doesn’t address a lot of Out My Back Door,” which just so happens to mention Buck Owens the needs of major market stations, but that’s okay. In an attempt in the lyrics. to cater to the larger group of small markets, they’ve really 5. Clay Davidson, Unconditional: One of my favorite albums. I shifted away from panels with real players at the big stations. feel I’ve lived through the song “Unconditional,” and “Sometimes” They also don’t really address some of the issues particular is a great song of reassurance in a relationship. I believe both are to us in a real meaningful manner. To do this properly, you worthy of being re-cut someday. almost need two separate tracks. And you probably need better • A highly regarded song or album you’ve never heard: I’ve cooperation from the big radio companies, which no longer send never listened to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon synced up with The Wizard of Oz. the number of people they once did.” • An “important” piece of music you just don’t get: MacArthur Park. For most, however, time was the essence of the decision. “I • An album you played or listened to incessantly: Earth, Wind & would have to use my own vacation time in order to attend and, Fire’s Greatest Hits. quite frankly, I don’t want to spend my vacation time hanging • One obscure or non-country song everyone should listen to out with a bunch of drunken radio guys,” one respondent wrote. right now: Pink Martini: a group from Portland, formed in ‘94. It’s “I hope the CRB won’t take it personally. The same goes for a blend of Latin, lounge, classical and jazz. Morning Show Bootcamp and other industry events.” ©2010 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] February 22, 2010 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 3 Some are going the extra mile to attend. “I am coming to CRS Thursday afternoon, but not registering because I’m required to use BIR T HDAYS vacation days to attend. So, I’ll use the time to relax and hear some Tuesday (2/23) - Dusty Drake, Steve Holy, Rusty Young, Jo Pincek good live music.” Hunt ([email protected]), Norbert Nix ([email protected]) And at least one programmer we heard from is biting the whole bullet. “I am coming, I am registered,” he says. “It almost didn’t Wednesday (2/24) - Sammy Kershaw, Jay Barron, Marty Craighead, Susan Turner, Larry Willoughby ([email protected]), happen because it’s all on my dime and non-reimbursed.” Don Murry Grubbs ([email protected]) Now that’s commitment. Thursday (2/25) - the late Faron Young; Tony Benken (tunegoon@ Chart Chat comcast.net); Buck Stevens ([email protected]) Congrats to Josh Turner, UMGN’s Royce Friday (2/26) - the late Johnny Cash; Mark Langston; Duke Cooper Risser, MCA VP Van Haze, and the extended ([email protected]); Chuck Thompson (cthompson@ MCA/Nashville family on scoring this week’s No. thompsonentertainmentgroup.com) 1 single. Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance” is ­­­­­­­ Saturday (2/27) - Eric Beggs ([email protected]), Wyatt his fourth Mediabase top 5 and third No. 1. Easterling ([email protected]) Josh Turner Radio News Sunday (2/28) - Jason Aldean, Bruce Logan (brucelogan@ • iPhone Update: Former WBWN/Bloomington, IL morning host clearchannel.com), Anita Mandell, Gill Stuart, John Zarling (john. Brent Lee can be reached at 309-808-1245 or here. [email protected]) • Flips: KGYN-AM/Guymon, OK flipped from Dial Global’s Monday (3/1) - Janis Gill, Jennifer McCarter Mainstream Country to the company’s Classic Country format today (2/22). WBOP/Mount Crawford, VA is transitioning from Country to Hot AC, with the flip expected to be complete Friday (2/26). Industry News • Imaging: Ryan Drean is now imaging WYTE/Wausau, WI. Billy Holland has assumed day-to-day management for Sammy • Syndication: Westwood One presents the one-hour, commercial- Kershaw; reach him at 615-476-0938 or here. In addition, Susan free Blake Shelton’s Spring Break special celebrating the singer’s six- Niles Public Relations is handling PR (contact Niles at 615-352- song album Hillbilly Bone release March 1-14.