October 18, 2010 Issue 214 Radio’s Role In/At The ACAs Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena will host the Dec. 6 American Country Awards, airing on FOX-TV. And while no remotes are planned, Country radio will play a significant role in the fan-voted show’s marketing, and has already been key in today’s nominees announcement. “We were trying to find legitimate ways to measure artist success,” co-producer Fletcher Foster tells Country Aircheck. Thus, nominees in 17 categories (details at theacas.com) were Bad Company: B.A.D. Management partners (l-r) Scott Borchetta, Virginia chosen based on Mediabase airplay data, touring info from Davis and Irving Azoff. Pollstar and multi-source rankings from Big Champagne. Artist of the Year nods (overall, male, female, duo/group and Borchetta, Azoff, Davis Are B.A.D. breakthrough) were determined by Big Champagne (which Front Line Management CEO and Live Nation Exec. includes Mediabase airplay data). Single of the Year, also Chairman Irving Azoff, Big Machine CEO Scott Borchetta broken into the above categories, is based solely on Mediabase and Front Line artist manager Virginia Davis have partnered airplay, as is Album of the Year. Video noms come from GAC to form B.A.D. Management, a Front Line company. Davis, videoplay, as reported by Mediabase, with the Touring Headline who represents Jewel, will oversee the company and is joined Package award being based on Pollstar numbers. by Eric Arnold, formerly with William Morris Endeavor. In “We wanted the time frame to be as relevant as possible,” addition to Jewel, the company will represent Steel Magnolia Foster says. “So the eligibility period is Oct. 1 to Sept 30. And and Eden’s Edge. we’re hoping that radio will be eager to embrace this show “I couldn’t be more pleased to team up with such dedicated because they really created the nominations.” and forward-thinking individuals as Irving Azoff and Scott (continued on page 5) ©2010 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] October 18, 2010 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 2 Borchetta,” Davis says. “Together, we will direct strategies to build and maintain long-term careers that empower our MY TUNES : MUSIC THA T SHAPED MY LIFE artists.” Azoff and Borchetta add, in a joint statement, “Virginia WGYY/Meadville, PA’s interim PD/afternoon has shown natural intuition as a successful artist manager, drive host Bob Domingo discusses his most and she was the only person we considered to spearhead this important songs, artists or concerts: new enterprise. We’re happy to launch this venture to provide 1. Van Halen, 1989, Starlake Amphitheater near Pittsburgh: Although unsurpassed creative resources for our roster of artists.” I was a young Van Halen fan, it was the Prior to joining Front Line in 2007, Davis was GM of Warner opening act I was impressed with. At the Bros. imprint Raybaw Records. time Alice In Chains was a little-known band who would soon turn out to be ‘90s new rock Nashville Songwriter’s Hall Event Bob Domingo heavyweights and one of my favorites. 2. Dusty Drake/One Last Time: A mid-chart single, but I always Sunday night’s Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame felt it was lyrically a fantastic song with a real twist at the end. Being 40th anniversary dinner and induction had some star power from the Pittsburgh area originally, the song’s inspiration from the including Garth Brooks, whose surprise appearance to perform events of 9/11 and Flight 93 in Shanksville, PA made it even more of “Unanswered Prayers,” “That a “jerker” that hit close to home. Summer” and “The Thunder 3. Kenny Chesney, The Road And The Radio: Kenny stopped by Rolls” honored the writer of WOGI/Pittsburgh for an in-studio appearance to promote his new those songs, Pat Alger, who was CD. Hanging in the studio as most of the staff was, I walked out at inducted by songwriter/producer one point during a break and headed for my office. As I was going Allen Reynolds. Steve Cropper down the hall I heard someone behind me ask, “Hey, man, can you tell me where the bathroom is?” It was Kenny, so I personally (“In The Midnight Hour,” “(Sittin’ escorted him to the men’s room. On) The Dock Of The Bay”) NSAI’s Steve Bogard & Taylor Swift 4. Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Soul II Soul 2 Tour, Cleveland, 2007: was inducted by producer Tony I attended this show with station staff, my morning show and the Brown while Paul Davis (“I Go Crazy,” “’65 Love Affair”) girl I was dating at the time. Everyone enjoyed the pre-party and was honored with his induction by songwriter Paul Overstreet. concert, but it was when we left the arena and my girlfriend realized Producer of Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster she lost her cell phone that the night took a turn for the worse. Tamara Saviano inducted Stephen Foster (“Oh Susanna,” Imagine a completely empty arena, searching for a cell phone with “My Old Kentucky Home”). Foundation Board Member Layng arena employees, not finding it and then having to hear about it the Martine, Jr. presented former BMI/CEO Frances Preston with the entire drive back to Pennsylvania. I can’t hear a Tim or Faith song or Mentor Award. In her honor, the award is now named the Frances think of that show without remembering that drive. I was surprised my morning show didn’t throw her out of the vehicle. Williams Preston Mentor Award. Taylor Swift was honored, for the 5. Rascal Flatts: I think there’s at least one single on every album third time in four years, as Songwriter/Artist of the Year. of theirs that speaks to every relationship I was in over the years. The writers of NSAI’s Professional Songwriters Division also • An “important” piece of music you just don’t get: Anything chose the 10 songs they annually call, “The Songs I Wish I’d from Justin Bieber. Written.” Eleven songs were honored this year because of a tie: • An album you played or listened to incessantly: Rascal Flatts’ “A Little More Country Than That,” “Big Green Tractor,” “I Greatest Hits Vol. 1. Run To You,” “Need You Now,” “Red Light,” “Southern Voice,” • One obscure or non-country song everyone should listen to “The Climb,” “The House That Built Me,” “Use Somebody,” right now: “The Hot Dog Polka”. “White Liar” and “You Belong With Me.” ©2010 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] October 18, 2010 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 3 TUBE CHECK Tuesday 10/19 - Blake Shelton, Chelsea Lately (E!). Wednesday 10/20 - Jamey Johnson, Late Show With David Letterman (CBS). Thursday 10/21 - the Judds, Good Morning America (ABC) & Today (NBC); Dierks Bentley, Live! With Regis And Kelly (syndicated); Kellie Pickler, Ellen DeGeneres Show (syndicated). Friday 10/22 - Sugarland, Today (NBC); the Judds, Fox & Friends (FOX News). Saturday 10/23 - Sugarland, the Secret Sisters, On The Streets (re- air) (GAC). Sunday 10/24 - Blake Shelton, Blake Shelton Live: It’s All About Tonight (re-air) (GAC). Monday 10/25 - Various Artists, 2010 CMT Music Awards (re-air). Chart Chat Congrats to Easton Corbin, Damon Moberly, Royce Risser and the entire Mercury/Nashville promotion crew on scoring this week’s No. 1 single with “Roll With It.” The cut is Corbin’s second chart-topper in as Easton Corbin many tries. Elsewhere, a hat tip to Jimmy Harnen, Bobby Young and the Republic Nashville promotion staff on landing the label’s first-ever top 10 record. Congrats, as well, toThe Band Perry, whose “If I Die Young” powered the milestone. Three To Get Ready The application process is now open for the MIW Radio Group’s 2011 Mildred Carter Mentoring Program, which matches three up-and-coming women in the radio industry with female professionals who are leaders in all aspects of radio. Candidates from programming, marketing, sales and other related fields are encouraged to apply, but they should be at least at the director or manager level and have five years’ experience. Submit letters addressing the question “Why would I be a good mentee?” to Heidi Raphael at [email protected] by Nov. 5. The program begins in January. News & Notes WQBE/Charleston, WV is the newest affiliate to carry Envision Radio Networks’ AmeriCountry prep service. Combustion Music’s Stephanie Greene has been made the new Director of Publishing for My Good Girl Music/Sony ATV. The Grand Ole Opry will reveal a new line of women’s clothing on QVC Friday (10/22) at 11am, ET. GAC’s Opry Live host Nan Kelley will preview the collection while sharing her favorite Opry moments. Wortman Works Media & Marketing’s Jules Wortman- Pomeroy has opened an interior design and retail boutique Jewelweed. Located in Gallatin, TN, her new business is co- located with her ongoing music industry firm. ©2010 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] October 18, 2010 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 4 Artist News CHECK OU T : 10/19 Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow will honor Loretta Lynn’s 50th anniversary in music Sugarland The Incredible Machine (Mercury) “When we set out to do this record, we said by performing “Coal Miner’s Daughter” together ‘Well, it doesn’t matter what people think. We’re at the 44th Annual CMA Awards on Nov. 10. just going to go write the songs,’” Kristian Bush Faith Hill and Martina McBride are says of the duo’s new genre-bending collection, Miranda Lambert scheduled to perform at the Baptist Hospital which features lead single “Stuck Like Glue.” “Wide Foundation’s Rock the Cradle benefit in Open,” which was on the 2010 Winter Olympics soundtrack, is also included.