ISSUE 58 MUS I C EDITION OCTOBER 1, 2007 What Can Tony Brown Do For You? CMA Broadcast Winners React The week an album you produced happens to be the overall Jason Aldean called the 2007 CMA Broadcast Awards best seller is probably a pretty decent time winners today (full list here) and told them the good news. We to hang your shingle. For former MCA/ checked in with them, too, hoping to catch their celebrations in Nashville President and Universal South full bloom. Here’s what a few had to say: Partner Tony Brown, the huge first week for Major Market Station KYGO/Denver: “The past couple of Reba Duets was simply fortuitous timing. years have been a time of transition for us,” says PD Joel Burke. And after 24 years as a label executive, “Yet the passion of our staff to be constantly curious and the loyalty Brown is certainly hoping the timing’s right of the listeners has been amazing. It doesn’t get any better.” to be a free agent. If nothing else, he’s off to Large Market Station WMIL/Milwaukee: “Jason called a great start. We sat down to talk to Tony last the Moo Crew morning show and started talking about the week in his new digs, previously the offices Packers,” says PD Kerry Wolfe. “He then went on to mention of another famed producer and label exec – we had won the award. He told the guys to have me take them the late Chet Atkins. out for a fancy dinner, so I guess my credit card is about to be Country Aircheck: What a week to officially launch your maxed out.” production company. Medium Market Station KXKT/Omaha: “The reaction Tony Brown: It played out the best way possible. To have was one of stunned elation, if there is such a thing,” says PD a No. 1 album on the Top 200 and the country charts is good no Tom Goodwin. “We’ve been very fortunate to be nominated matter what. To have an artist who’s never had that before, for several times but have never been on the winning side of things Reba to have the biggest week of her career, it’s a big deal. With until now. It is an extreme honor to win and very humbling to be all these things happening – Rascal Flatts, Garth coming back – considered along with some very cool company. I’m very proud maybe we’re going to have another growth cycle. From my lips of the hard work the KXKT crew puts in year after year. We’re to God’s ears. going to celebrate this for a long time!” Reba told me she wanted me to help her with this album, Small Market Station WKXC/Augusta, GA: “Everybody which is her last as part of her current deal with MCA. I asked was kind of running through the halls this morning when Jason what she had in mind and she talked about the duets idea and Aldean called to tell us,” says PD T. Gentry. “I’ve been here 12 reeled off some names like Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, years and the reason is it’s such a great place to work it would and Annie Lenox. And of course the country guys and girls, too. be hard to leave. Everyone says it, but we truly have a wonderful It was amazing who showed up. I wish I could tell you some of staff and we’re really in a zone. We’re running sweepers and the names of people who chased us that she walked away from. promos on the air already.” (continued on page 4) ©2007 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Send news to [email protected] October 1, 2007 Country Aircheck Music Edition Page 3 National Personality The Lia Show: “Jason called and I ATE HE C K just think it’s an interview,” Lia Knight says. “I’m asking all D C sorts of stupid questions and he finally interrupts me and says, October 14 – iebaLIVE! Conference ‘Guess what?’ I was floored. This is my 20th year in Country Hilton Suites Downtown Nashville radio so it’s a really great way to celebrate that anniversary.” October 15 – ASCAP Country Music Awards Medium Market Personality Dan Tooker in the Morning Ryman Auditorium with Jon Watkins and Colby Ericson: “This truly is the thrill of a lifetime,” says Tooker, who along with his partners left October 16 – iebaLIVE! Awards Banquet KFDI/Wichita wake-ups after three years in July. “We had a great run at KFDI and are grateful that [KFDI PD] Beverlee Rissi Palmer and Keith Urban are just two of the 37 artists Brannigan gave us the freedom to do what we wanted -- that’s to be part of Starbuck’s “Songs of the Day” promotion. The what allowed us to win this award.” Contact Tooker at 316-619- coffee-mongers are giving away 1.5 million free iTunes tracks 0665 or [email protected]. from Oct. 2 through Nov.7. Small Market Personality Gator & The StyckMan Jamey Johnson has released That Lonesome Song, a 13- (WGSQ/Cookeville, TN): “Everybody’s momma tells them song album available exclusively online. how good they are, but to hear it from the CMA is a dream come George Strait embarks on a nationwide arena tour Jan. 10 true,” Gator Harrison says. “Growing up my buddies wanted in Austin, TX, with 19 dates already on the books. Little Big MVP trophies and a date with Daisy Duke. I just wanted to be on Town are also on the bill. stage with big haired Reba gettin’ a CMA. If I have to settle for big haired Kix & Ronnie, that’s good, too.” Life Notes Congrats to two newly married couples. Clay Walker and Radio News Jessica Craig tied the knot at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans Programming: KMFX/Rochester, MN PD/MD/Afternooner J. over the weekend. And our best to CMA Marketing Coordinator Brooks is returning to his hometown Mason City, IA to serve as Catherine Thompson, who married Marty Blackwell Sept. 15. OM of North Iowa Broadcasting’s two-station cluster, which Condolences to rpm management’s Angela Everett, who includes newly flipped CountryKSMA , where he’ll also serve as lost her grandfather, Walter Carrier, Saturday (9/29). In lieu of PD/morning host. Before heading up to Rochester, Brooks once flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association served as PD/MD/morning host of KIAI/Mason City, which he’ll in his name. now be competing against. Tony Brown (continued from page 1) Syndication: ABC Radio Network’s American Country You’re still producing George Strait and you produced Countdown with Kix Brooks is launching “ACC Superstar,” an the Brooks & Dunn album out Tuesday (Oct. 2). What else online talent search. Details at www.acctop40.com. have you been working on? We’re doing Heidi Newfield’s first record as a solo artist, Artist News which is deja vu for me with Curb, because we did Wynonna’s Rascal Flatts and Craig Morgan are among the artists set first record after The Judds. John Grady called me about to appear on ABC-TV’s “Frosted Pink” special Oct. 14. The producing her and I told him I probably wasn’t going to be into program will feature a mix of music, figure skating and celebrity it. But Heidi played me some stuff she’d written and other stuff appearances to raise awareness of women’s cancers. she’d found and her taste in songs was really good. Immediately In conjunction with her album release this week, Warner I got involved for the music, but also for the challenge. Boy, if I Bros.’ Faith Hill will be featured from Oct. 1 through Oct. 5 on can bring this one home people will think he is good, he wasn’t Sirius Satellite’s Prime Country channel 61. She’ll also headline just lucky. I want to do this, for the music and the challenge, but XM Satellite’s “Artist Confidential” series tomorrow (10/2). I also kind of want to stick this up somebody’s rear end. ©2007 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Send news to [email protected] October 1, 2007 Country Aircheck Music Edition Page 4 BIRTH D AYS Tuesday (10/2) - the late Chris LeDoux, Sheila Shipley Biddy ([email protected]), Greg Jennings, Jo-El Sonnier, Gator Michaels ([email protected]), John Scott Sherrill, Eric Welch ([email protected]) Wednedays (10/3) - Steve Dahl, Mark Grantin (markgrantin@ clearchannel.com), Randy Harrell, Gene Kennedy (geneken@ tds.net), Justin Michael ([email protected]) Thursday (10/4) - Hobie Hubbard, Heidi Newfield, Leroy Van Dyke, J. Brooks ([email protected]), Don Nelson, Jeff Hackett, Chris Carson (chris.carson@ themarketinggroup.com) Friday (10/5) - Johnny Duncan, Britta Coleman (britta. [email protected]), J.J. Gerard Saturday (10/6) - Tim Rushlow, Dixie Carter, Jim O’Hara ([email protected]), Sheilla Brooks Sunday (10/7) - Kieran Kane, Bill Dotson (bdotson@ clearchannel), Mary Hamilton, Cindy Heath (cindy.heath@ disney.com), the late Buddy Lee, Jon Peterson, Ryan Simpson, Rick Walker, William Patton Monday (10/8) - Ricky Lee Phelps, Debbie Holley ([email protected]) I’m also working with Tommy Lee James on Cyndi Thomson. Tommy was part of her first record with Paul Worley and most of the background vocals are his. They’re writing a lot together, and the demos they played me that he co-wrote had a really great sound. He’s part of her comfort zone.