September 13, 2010 Issue 209 Music & Mornings Many factors determine the amount of music a Country station plays in morning drive. The competitive situation, spot load, caliber of air talent and even a change in morning shows are among them. Most recently, PPM ratings have led a number of programmers to increase the amount of music heard between 6-10am. For purposes of this week’s study, we looked at a variety of market situations to see how many songs were played in morning drive on a Wednesday for the last 12 months (excluding December 2009). As always, all airplay information comes from our friends at Mediabase 24/7. Stand Alone PPM Markets KKGO/Los Angeles has added a couple of songs per hour in the Medal Heads: “Not bad for an old radio guy!” says WGH-FM/AM/Norfolk last three months. It averaged about 12 songs between 6-9am up Dir. of Programming and Operations John Shomby. He and his niece Sara until about three months ago when it bumped to 14-15 songs in that (left) cheese for the camera after running the Virginia Beach Rock & Roll Half Marathon. At right (l-r), WWFG/Salisbury-Ocean City morning host time frame. Its 9am hour has stayed steady at 14 tunes throughout John Trout (5k), MM Jefferson Ward and Clear Channel’s Diane Walsh the last year. (both half-marathon) celebrate completing the local Hidden Treasures WUSN/Chicago has been stable in its morning airplay. It routinely runs. Each earned a podium finish in their age groups. has aired six-seven songs in the first hour of morning drive, seven- eight songs in the second hour, eight-nine songs in the third hour and McGraw’s Super In Dallas 10-11 songs in the final drive-time hour. Curb’s Tim McGraw played the XLV Countdown WKLB/Boston has also remained steady across all four hours over Live From Cowboys Stadium Friday evening (9/10), the last year. It very consistently airs 10-11 songs in the 6am hour, which is part of the region’s buildup to the upcoming 9-10 in the 7am hour, 12 in the 8am hour and 13 in the 9am slot. Super Bowl. McGraw’s “opening acts” included KEEY/Minneapolis, which has posted record-setting PPM Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Pro Football Hall of numbers and ranked No. 1 in the Twin Cities the last few months, has Famer Emmitt Smith and the Texas-sized University remained steady. of North Texas Symphony Orchestra. “The highlight Tim McGraw (continued on page 6) ©2010 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] September 13, 2010 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 2 was hearing Tim performing ‘Live Like You’re Dying’ backed by the 90-piece orchestra,” KPLX (The Wolf) PD/afternooner Mark Phillips MY TUNES : MUSIC THA T SHAPED MY LIFE tells Country Aircheck. “He performed for an hour with his band to Marconi Small Market Station nominee a near sold out crowd (the stadium was configured for about 45,000 WCNL-AM/Newport, NH GM/PD Steven people, I think). It was the culmination of a very classy evening to Smith discusses his most important songs, celebrate Super Bowl XLV coming to North Texas.” artists or concerts: Adds KSCS’ Chris Huff, “Tim came onstage surrounded by the Dallas 1. Travis Tritt/I’m Gonna Be Somebody; Cowboys Cheerleaders and a shower of fireworks. He didn’t perform Bad Company/Shooting Star: To me, his normal full set, but he certainly packed as much as he could into a these are the exact same songs. Both are 45-minute set. At one point, Tim threw souvenir footballs into the crowd great storytelling songs that follow the from the stage [and] there is no doubt throwing a ball is in his genes. His progression of the character. Steven Smith perfect spirals easily made their way from the stage at the center of the 2. Garth Brooks, April ‘97, Worcester, MA: field, well into the seats beyond the sidelines. It’s too bad the Cowboys Garth was in his prime; he owned the audience. From lights “lifting didn’t perform as well Sunday night as Tim did two nights before!” off” the stage to Garth entering from the middle of a piano, flying around above the crowd, and the drummer playing upside down, Loretta Tribute Track Listing ala Tommy Lee. The most amazing concert I’ve ever seen. Sony is celebrating Loretta Lynn’s 50 years in music with the Nov. 3. Counting Crows, This Desert Life: This is the only album I’ve 9 release Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute To Loretta Lynn. The label found that has evolved lyrically as I’ve grown. It’s been in my car has just released the song and sequence info: for almost a decade, off and on. As I grow older and wiser, and the 1. “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)” — more I listen, the more life lessons I pick up. Gretchen Wilson 4. Counting Crows/Anna Begins: Easily my favorite song of all 2. “I’m A Honky Tonk Girl” — Lee Ann time. I’ve heard it a million times, and sung it out of tune each time. Womack Never a radio hit, this is a gem off the Counting Crows’ first album. 3. “Rated X” — The White Stripes 5. Rick Dees and Dick Bartley: Growing up, I didn’t have cable TV, 4. “You’re Lookin’ At Country” — Carrie but I had a radio. There was one spot in my parents’ kitchen where Underwood I could get a radio station out of Boston that played Dick Bartley’s 5. “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” — Solid Gold Saturday Night. I loved listening to Dees. He was funny, Alan Jackson and Martina McBride quick and played the best new music. 6. “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My • A highly regarded song or album you’ve never heard: Pink Man)” — Paramore Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon. I don’t like progressive rock, plus I’ve 7. “Love Is The Foundation” — Faith Hill been told that I “have to listen to it,” which makes me care even less. 8. “After The Fire Is Gone” — Steve Earle • An “important” piece of music you just don’t get: “Stairway To and Allison Moorer Heaven.” There are so many Led Zeppelin songs that are 10 times better. 9. “If You’re Not Gone Too Long” — Reba • An album you played or listened to incessantly: Barenaked 10. “I Know How” — Kid Rock Ladies’ Gordon. It makes me laugh every time. I never get sick of 11. “Somebody Somewhere (Don’t Know What He’s Missin’ Tonight)” this album, and it brings back good college memories. — Lucinda Williams • One obscure or non-country song everyone should listen to 12. “Coal Miner’s Daughter” — Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and right now: Loudon Wainwright III’s “Dead Skunk.” I found this song Miranda Lambert a couple years ago. It wasn’t a big hit, but I play it on my station. People seem to love it. Artists Stand Up For The Cause Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Kris Kristofferson and Martina McBride helped raise awareness for cancer prevention over the ©2010 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] September 13, 2010 Country Aircheck Weekly Page 3 Spring No. 1s: KIAI, KLAW, KOLZ, KQUS, KWYY, WJLS-FM TUBE CHECK Here is the final group of Spring 2010 diary Arbitron ratings. With a few exceptions, only stations achieving at least a 1.0 share are included. Legend: A “+” indicates a Tuesday 9/14 - Trace Adkins, Tonight Show With Jay Leno (NBC); The Classic Country outlet, a “^” designates Country stations in the same market owned Judds, Oprah Winfrey Show (syndicated). by a single operator and a “t” indicates a tie. A “NA” indicates a subscriber-only market, where rankings are not available, or a station programming another format during Wednesday 9/15 - Trace Adkins, Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC); the Bellamy that ratings period. Client-exclusive ratings are embargoed from publication. Brothers, Fox & Friends (FOX News) & America’s Nightly Scoreboard (Fox 12+ Share 12+ Share 12+ Rank 12+ Rank Business Network) & the Bellamy Brothers, Fox & Friends (FOX News). Station/City Last Arb Sp’ 10 Last Arb Sp’ 10 WJLS-FM/Beckley, WV 18.4 20.8 1 1 Thursday 9/16 - Kenny Chesney, Boys Of Fall (re-air) (ESPN2). WTNJ/Beckley, WV 6.6 6.5 3t 3 WVBD/Fayetteville, WV+ 2.6 5.2 9t 4t WKWS/Charleston, WV 0.0 1.3 0 11t Friday 9/17 - Zac Brown Band, Pass The Jar: Zac Brown Band And WXCC/Williamson, WV 0.0 1.3 0 11t Friends (re-air) (GAC). WQBE/Charleston, WV 1.3 11t 0 0 WVBD, WKWS, WXCC, WQBE are for Beckley, WV Arbitron WRJY/Brunswick, GA 6.1 7.1 3 3 Saturday 9/18 - Steel Magnolia, The Country Vibe With Chuck And WMUV/Jacksonville 4.9 4.7 5t 7t Brunswick, GA Arbitron Becca (syndicated). WYNR/Brunswick, GA 3.7 3.5 8t 9t KWYY/Casper, WY 17.1 17.9 1 1 Sunday 9/19 - Jamey Johnson, GAC Special: The Guitar Song (re-air). KQLT/Casper, WY 4.9 3.8 6 7t KOLZ/Cheyenne, WY^ 10.7 10.4 1 1 Monday 9/20 - Luke Bryan, Origins (re-air) (GAC). KLEN/Cheyenne, WY^^ 5.8 5.2 6t 7 KRAN/Cheyenne, WY+ … 4.2 … 8t KXBG/Ft.