September 28, 2015, Issue 467 Radio Regarding Research Whether it’s arguably controversial songs, listener preference for male or female voices or how quickly songs rotate at No. 1 (see feature in September print issue), research continues to be regarded as a key data point for programming decisions. But how much of that is lip service? Country Aircheck spoke with several radio pros for their thoughts about a budget line that seems as easily slashed as it is vital. Recess Is Over: Many of those we spoke with point to the recession of 2009 as a tipping point. “Anything that wasn’t nailed down was UPDATE cut,” says consultant Joel Raab. “Research, consultants – it all got cut.” How much of that Joel Raab Thinking Strait: MCA’s George Strait visits The Bobby has been recovered is a matter of perspective. Bones Show. Pictured (l-r) are iHeartCountry’s Rod Phillips, “The lull after the recession was temporary,” says Harker BBS’ Alayna Messer, Lunchbox, Nada, Eddie and Ray, Research Sr. Partner Richard Harker. “There was a hope Premiere’s Justin Cole, UMG/Nashville’s Royce Risser, maybe they could get away without it, and they tried, but they MCA’s Katie Dean, Strait, BBS’ Amy and Bones and Strait’s decided it was worth the investment, and one manager Erv Woolsey. by one those stations all came back.” RWPC co-President Scott Huskey’s experience is a CMA’s Remote Control little different. “I don’t know the exact number, The number of stations participating in last but I’d say about 30% of what was being year’s CMA Radio Remotes grew 50% as the done before is still being done now.” organization brought the operation in-house and Where those cuts have come varies. “It used adopted a more inclusive model (CAW 9/2/14). to be people were doing some form of research For the first time the remotes were approached every week, and that’s not being done quite as Richard Harker more as a marketing opportunity than a revenue- frequently,” says Huskey. “Part of it is a budget generator, which was the case during the old issue, and part of it is they may be seeing results Premiere partnership. So what was the verdict on Clay Hunnicutt don’t change much week-to-week in their the new arrangement and what’s new of note this market, and they’ve slowed that down a bit.” year? Country Aircheck caught up with Radio Committee Chair Clay Curtis/Raleigh VP/Programming and Hunnicutt and SVP/Marketing & Partnerships Damon Whiteside WQDR PD Lisa McKay says cutting or during last week’s CMA board meetings to find out. dropping research is short-sighted. “I Bigger Is Better: “Naturally there was nervousness about would put music research ahead of almost bringing it in-house for the first time, but it worked out really well,” everything. It’s 80% of our product, so I says Hunnicutt. “It was an opportunity to put down our swords, would never stop. We do bi-weekly callout not be so competitive with each other and see the greater goal of Lisa McKay and test our top 35 (continued on page 6) expanding country music and the reach of the CMA.” ©2015 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] September 28, 2015 Page 3 The list of participating companies paints the picture: Cumulus, iHeartMedia, Townsquare, Entercom, Alpha, Beasley, Cox, Curtis, PAGE THREE PIC Emmis, Journal, Keymarket, Lincoln Financial and Max were among those represented. For the first time, those attending were on the hook for travel and accommodations and each company made its own determinations about which stations were in attendance. “The focus now is on tune-ins to the CMA Awards, so those who chose to participate agreed to adhere to the media package,” notes Hunnicutt, who says that going bigger allowed for a smaller promotional burden. In comparison to years past, “it’s a very light load,” he says. If It Ain’t Broke: “There won’t be much different this year except maybe a few new participants,” Hunnicutt continues. “There may be some small adjustments to improve flow, but there aren’t any big dramatic Damon changes.” Whiteside Ninety artists or so went through in 2014 and expectations are the same this time around. “We’ll kick things off again that Sunday evening (11/1) at Music Sea What We Did There? Then-WWKA/Orlando Dir./ City Center with our press conference and Brad [Paisley] and Carrie Marketing & Promotions Mike James (c) with (l-r) [Underwood] will both be participating,” notes Whiteside. “And of Lee Greenwood and Tracy Byrd at a New Year’s course the remotes are all day Monday and Tuesday.” concert event at SeaWorld in 1994. Share your old There will be a new accommodation on Wednesday, however, pictures to [email protected]. as stations will be allowed to stay onsite on the day of the awards show. “A lot of morning shows needed somewhere to do them there’s a promotional package that they have to adhere to. If you since they’re still in town,” Hunnicutt says. “We’re leaving the didn’t see somebody there last year, it’s because they chose not room open so they can remain and broadcast.” to participate; it’s not that they weren’t offered. All the companies Closed Doors? Unfortunately, the window to be an on-site that were there last year chose to step up and ran what they were participant this year has closed; reach the CMA by late summer supposed to run. So the ball is really in [radio’s] court.” next year to be on-site for the 2016 broadcast. In the mean time, –Russ Penuell there’s still an opportunity to take advantage of CMA-curated remote content. “If there’s an individual radio station that is not a part of an owner or group, like a mom and pop [operator] Inside Voltair’s Development somewhere that wants CMA material, we can provide them with In advance of this week’s NAB Radio Show and its dueling content we’re recording at the CMA booth,” explains Hunnicutt. Nielsen and Voltair panels, the Telos “It’s set up exactly like the station booths and they’re getting all Alliance has posted a Q&A with one the same artists and material.” For details, contact the CMA’s of Voltair’s chief developers, Dr. Barry Alina Thompson before October 15 here. Blesser. He explains how his introduction Admittedly, the CMA’s focus is on accommodating big operators to encoding issues began when a Boston and conversations around onsite participation tend to happen at the station engineer told him of a popular talk corporate level. That’s not to say smaller operators aren’t welcome, host whose ratings were underperforming. however. “We don’t typically do individual radio stations, but there “’The show has an incredible following for are some unique ones like Mt. Wilson’s KKGO/Los Angeles,” the time slot, but for some reason during Hunnicutt explains. “Other individual stations can participate, but that same time period, our ratings tank,’” Dr. Barry Blesser ©2015 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] September 28, 2015 Page 6 3:16.” The song is the first single from Urban’s upcoming new album. MY TUNES: MUSIC THAT SHAPED MY LIFE And kudos to George Briner and the Valory reps on landing 56 adds for Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man,” Big Loud Pres. Clay Hunnicutt on his topping this week’s board. most influential music: 1. Steven Curtis Chapman: I love Contemporary Christian music and he’s News & Notes a huge influence. Mercury’s Chris Stapleton will join the lineup at the 2015 Jack 2. Guns N’ Roses, Mötley Crüe: I grew Daniels Bash on Broadway in Nashville New Year’s Eve. More here. up on ‘80s hair metal and spent a lot of Hate & Purchase/Thirty Tigers’ Love And Theft will headline time at their shows. I love the theatrics and the Nashville Basket Brigade’s annual Fundraising Fright explosions, the loudness of it. Night Oct. 28 at the Tin Roof. Monies raised will buy food for Clay Hunnicutt 3. Keith Urban: He’s a guitar slinger. I Nashville families at Thanksgiving. love the way he plays. Martina McBride, Cassadee Pope and RaeLynn will 4. Bon Jovi: I’ve seen them probably 15 times over my life, perform at Pandora Presents Women In Country Oct. 14 in New from being a teenager growing up with their music. It never gets York to benefit theTJ Martell Foundation. The show is free to old when they do the hits. Pandora listeners who RSVP in advance here. 5. Frank Sinatra: There’s nobody better than Sinatra. His music Songwriter Neil Thrasher has renewed his publishing deal is my date night music with my wife when we just want to chill out. with peermusic. • Highly regarded music you’ve actually never heard: Charlie Daniels’ The Journey Home Project donated I’ve only heard a couple Grateful Dead songs. I know there are $50,000 (money raised at the Aug. 12 40th Anniversary Volunteer legions of fans who love them. Jam) to the new MTSU Veterans and Military Family Center, • “Important” music you just don’t get: The Rolling set to open Nov. 5. Stones. I like the hits you hear on Classic Rock radio, like “Paint Country Now’s Live From Blackbird fall lineup includes It Black,” but I’m not deep into them like people who know performances by Mac McAnally, Clint Black and Blackjack every cut off every album.