February 26, 2015, Issue 2 Powered by Country Aircheck Open Says A Me CRB Board Chair Charlie Morgan welcomed, Capitol’s Mickey Guyton sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean urged the crowd to “spend lots of money” and CRS 2016’s new site, Nashville’s Omni Hotel, was previewed. Scholarships were presented to three first-time CRS attendees, as well as a $25,000 endowment to the University of North Texas’ broadcasting program. Attendees weren’t the only ones adjusting to CRS 2015’s later-than-usual start. “Good morning,” said CRS Exec. Dir. Bill Mayne, not long after the 3pm start of Opening Ceremonies Wednesday (2/25). That lighter moment soon gave way to sentiment, as Mayne presented the Group Hug: CRS 2015 Opening Ceremonies guests (l-r) Artist Humanitarian qualifications of Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award honorees Lady Antebellum, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, keynote recipient and Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan. “Thank speaker Todd Wagner and CRB/CRS Exec. Dir. Bill Mayne. you, CRS, for all you do for the radio industry and country music,” Smulyan said. “And also thanks to the people at Emmis ... it’s been a morning host Randy Carroll, WMIL/Milwaukee morning wonderful journey. I am deeply humbled.” co-host Karen Dalessandro and former Clear Channel/ Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood surprised the crowd Chattanooga, TN GM Sammy George. to reveal the 2015 Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees, who Lady Antebellum were honored with the Artist will be honored at the Omni June 24. “You already said that,” Humanitarian Award. “You guys have led by example,” noted Yearwood told Brooks at one point, coaching him through the Charles Kelley. “Starting out, we got to be involved in so script. Her husband bantered, “It’s the same way at home.” many St. Jude Radiothons. The Country radio community as a The inductees, as revealed earlier via Country Aircheck whole has taught us as artists how to give back.” Breaking News, are KBEQ/Kansas City PD/morning Fisher House President Dave Coker explained his host Mike Kennedy, consultant Joel Raab, KAJA/San Antonio organization’s sponsorship by saying, “We’ve learned that ©2015 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] February 26, 2015 Page 3 one of the most effective ways we can connect the public with Other topics included: our program is through radio. I’m grateful for this opportunity -Humble beginnings: “Mark [Cuban] and I in his to thank you for all you do to tell our story.” upstairs bedroom with an ISDN line and a 486 Packard Bell computer. We had a radio connected and I walked out to go to the bathroom and kicked over the radio. Mark screams, Key Of A Billion Notes ‘We’re off the Internet!’” Digital business mogul, philanthropist and Chideo -Going public – “Every time Lou Dobbs said Broadcast. founder Todd Wagner, interviewed by Morgan, discussed the com, we did a shot.” entrepreneurial spirit. First and foremost, he looks for those who -Learning not to say “a little more than $5 billion”: “A swim far enough away from safety they can’t get back. “You have person came up right after my speech and said, ‘Todd, don’t to really be at risk,” he said. “To have any chance, you have to ever round off by hundreds of millions. It’s 5.7.’” have ... fear of failure that’s incredibly high and motivating.” -The radio industry: “It’s very similar to the movie theater That notion is one that gives him hope. “You can’t copy industry. It’s got to work harder than it used to – we have to earn the entrepreneurial spirit that exists in this country,” he said. people’s business every day. I don’t think it’s going anywhere.” “Even though I know for a few years it’s seemed like [the future was] turning away from America, I just don’t believe that. This is the country of innovators and dreamers, and I A&O&B On Time mean that in the best way.” Albright & O’Malley & Brenner’s 2015 Pre-CRS Seminar He encouraged employees to take those risks in the proper touched on boosting radio’s share of ad buys, changes and venue. “I get incredible ideas from the people around me,” he said. challenges in the music industry, gaining listener loyalty Wagner also urged managers to create safety for through social media and creating content. Some takeaways employee ideas. “People will talk among themselves, but don’t from the Roadmap Study: always want to say it to the boss,” he said. “My job is always - Of 11,573 mostly P1 respondents in 67 U.S. and to be poking and asking ... getting to the root of the problem. Canada markets, 80% are very satisfied with Country radio, I know everything’s not great, so tell me what’s going on.” up from 71.8% last year. - Of the two percent “not satisfied,” the top three reasons stayed the same from 2014: song repetition, too many commercials and too much new music. - In the U.S., 40% of respondents say they’ve discovered a new act they really like from their local station, and 43% in Canada said the same. That’s a decline from last year. - The most listening still happens on the car radio. - Facebook is still the leading social media platform, used by more than 80% of respondents, compared to Pinterest at 17%, followed by Instagram and then Twitter. United States of Stations: Max Media/Norfolk MM Dave Paulus, whose oversight includes Country WGH, described a project in which five market GMs worked together to build radio’s piece of the advertising pie. “This was not a ‘rah rah radio’ session,” Paulus said. “It was a legitimate session to help Good Paneling: Panelists from Albright & O’Malley & advertisers. The theme was using radio to enhance digital.” Brenner’s 2015 Pre-CRS Seminar Wednesday (2/25). Pictured Paulus offered five suggestions for other markets: take a deep (l-r) are Nielsen Entertainment’s Josh Bennett, Jacobs Media’s Lori Lewis, A&O&B’s Mike O’Malley and Becky Brenner and breath and be patient; find a marketplace partner that believes in Max Media/Norfolk’s Dave Paulus. Keynote speaker Jim Ed the cause; find an objective presenter and don’t make it all about Norman is not pictured. radio; don’t let the urgent replace the important – stay committed to the project no matter what else comes up; and drink heavily. ©2015 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] February 26, 2015 Page 4 Norman Rocks Well: Curb CEO Jim Ed Norman pointed out that along with the positive growth he’s seen in his 40 years in the music business, there has also been a counter. The digital revolution has given more artists access, but that means more people fighting for a limited amount of space. “We have to change the notion that we’re just making three-minute vignettes,” he says. “We’re trying to find and develop artists. “You’re dealing with a tremendous amount of competency,” added Norman. “But this business is a notch above that. Our job is to come up with music people love and are enthralled by.” Norman said you can do anything but you can’t do everything. When asked for multitasking tips, he pulled out a note card and recited Paulus’ five. Social Proportion: Jacobs Media’s Lori Lewis said the most important part of social media is making sure the product is right. Once that’s in place, it’s all about how you treat the fans, not how often or what time you post. She pointed to the misconception that more followers equals brand impact. “It’s a vanity metric,” she said. Lewis said stations should study the things that get a response and do more of those. She also suggested using the fans’ language. For example, Facebook is used more to connect with family and friends, and Twitter is for following celebrities. Speak in their language and be relatable to increase their loyalty to your station. Acting The Part: O’Malley’s daughter Christie O’Malley chimed in via Facetime, with tips from her acting and improv experience on creating content by using what’s around you. Her steps included gathering information and exaggerating facts to make them funny. How do you know when a bit is over? She says ask yourself: If you stopped right now and ran off the stage, would the audience applaud? Oom Poppa Mow Mow As the Grand Ole Opry celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, stars including Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Eli Young Band and The Oak Ridge Boys demonstrated how the institution endures. After opening remarks from WSM- AM/Nashville morning man and Opry announcer Bill Cody, Mickey Guyton started “Why Baby Why.” Chase Bryant was next with “Change Your Name” and “Take It On Back.” EYB brought “Crazy Girl” and “Drunk Last Night,” and RaeLynn delivered “God Made Girls,” among others. Relaxed and confident Curb newcomer Mo Pitney sang “Country” before hushing the room Mickey Guyton with “Clean Up On Aisle Five.” After “Bartender,” Lady A closed the night with “One Great Mystery.” Especially noteworthy performances were Guyton’s “Better Than You Left Me” and Brice’s always-moving “I Drive Your Truck,” prefaced with praise for the military. And the crowd was most definitely on fire for the Oaks’ “Elvira.” Bass man Richard Sterban may have rattled every bone in the place.