April 7, 2008 Issue 84 CD Sales Hit Record Low Chase Official... After Pinballs & Jukebox As dubious distinctions go, it’s a doozy. Last week’s top Former Clear Channel SVPP Marc Chase was today of- 75 current country albums sold a combined 325,000 copies, ficially named President of Tribune Interactive. We reported last according to industry sources. The one-week total is the low- week that Chase, along with CC’s EVP/CFO est mark since the 1991 advent of SoundScan, and is the fourth Jerry Kersting and VP/Technology Steve sub-400,000 unit week so far this year. Five Gable, would be joining Tribune and reunit- more were recorded in the last half of 2007. ing with Tribune’s EVP/CEO of Interactive In an industry that used to be concerned when and Broadcasting, Randy Michaels. Chase weekly sales dipped below 500,000, this is a starts tomorrow. Michaels welcomed Chase to distressing development. the company in an email to employees, with Mitigating the album sales slide is the un- Chase’s must-read resume attached here. Marc Chase derstanding that physical CD sales are not the And, in a story headlined “Tribune Turns whole picture. Digital album, single and ring Greg McCarn To Radio To Revive Empire,” today’s (4/7) Wall Street Journal tone sales are not included in those numbers. details the arrival of former radio mavens Michaels et al to the “I’m looking at our numbers on Josh Gracin, whose album hallowed halls of the vaunted Tribune headquarters in Chicago. came out last week, and we sold more singles than albums,” Opining that the former radio denizens might “upend Tribune’s says Lyric Street VP/Sales, Marketing & Media Greg McCarn. once-staid culture” (now there’s an understatement), the WSJ “iTunes was our No. 1 account, even though Wal-Mart sold noted that “pinball machines and a jukebox have been installed” more albums,” he explains. “And that doesn’t even count ring at the HQ. “The Trib” will never be the same. Read the entire tones. Still, the album chart is a pretty good gauge. The business story here. is still 89% physical goods and it’s one of the easiest indexes we can use to benchmark against our past.” Trace’s Tales From Celebrity Apprentice Sony BMG/Nashville Chairman Joe Galante Celebrity Apprentice finalistTrace Adkins offers a number says digital growth is being decidedly outpaced of behind-the-scenes stories from the hit TV show on this week- by the physical decline. “We’re still talking end’s edition of Westwood One’s Country Countdown USA. about dimes versus dollars,” he says. “I don’t Among his revelations is the fact he was dealt an almost impos- think the message about how bad this is has sible hand for the show’s finale: “Very few people know that the gotten to every segment of the business.” day I was to call people to try to get them to come to New York Joe Galante continued on page 5 was the day of the CMA Awards,” he says. “I immediately told ©2008 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] April 7, 2008 Country Aircheck Music Edition Page 2 and the producers, ‘You don’t Donald Trump MY TUNES : MUSIC THA T SHAPED MY LIFE know what you’re asking me to do. There’s no way. It would be like asking a bunch of actors to show up CC RVPP and KEEY/Minneapolis PD in New York City the day after the Oscars.’ Gregg Swedberg discusses his most “The taping was actually the next day, but a lot meaningful songs, albums or concerts: of my other friends actually had gigs that night, 1. British Power Pop, 1965-1980: I too. It was an anxious, frustrating day. I laid out like happy, bouncy songs. Stiff Records Trace Adkins in the boardroom what I was up against and why rules. “Cruel To Be Kind” by Nick Lowe I couldn’t fill the room with country stars, but they conveniently might be the perfect song. Or “Red cut that out. I was just so happy when Eddie Montgomery, Rubber Ball” by Cyrkle. Or “Magic” by Pilot. Ronnie Milsap and Dean Sams walked in the door.” You get it. Adkins also tells the inside story about paying his respects 2. Prince Dirty Mind (1980): It’s his to the veterans on the show – something the TV crew tried to Purple Highness’ best CD, sorry Purple prevent. “At rehearsal, I told the director and everybody around, Rain. No radio hits. This was the stage of ‘Look, you have two choices,’” explains Adkins. “’Number one, my life when girls started talking to me, and I wasn’t too scared to talk back, so maybe that’s a factor. get me off the stage where I’m not in the program. Because if I 3. Garth Brooks, Minnesota State Fair, 1992: I came to the am onstage and these men come out, I’m going to take my hat format in 1991, I hadn’t seen the G-Man before, and this was off, walk over, shake their hands and tell them I support them. almost a religious experience. He is still doing some of the same Put a camera on me or not, I don’t care. I’m not trying to upstage things now that he did back then, but I completely get sucked Piers Morgan or stand in his light. I just want to say, ‘Thank into his live show. you’ and walk away. I’m telling you now I’m going to do that, 4. Brad Paisley, Tim DuBois’ living room, 1999: I was and if you think you’ve got a bouncer big enough to stop me, mesmerized by his clever songwriting and flawless guitar play. then let’s do it. But I don’t think you do.’ They just looked at Plus, he made me cry. I hope to someday return that favor. me and said, ‘OK.’ They knew they didn’t have a choice. It was 5. Haven’t heard it yet: But my ears are wide open, and I’m something I absolutely had to do, and they couldn’t stop me.” waiting for a label to bring it by the station sometime soon. Chuckling with the caveat “I’m not startin’ the rumor that • A highly regarded song or album you’ve never heard: I’ve they’re datin’,” Adkins also reveals that following John Rich’s never listened to the Woodstock album. Bunch of dope smoking appearance on the show, Rich and Donald Trump’s daughter hippies if you ask me. Ivanka “went out on the town one night.” Says Adkins, “Ivanka • An “important” piece of music you just don’t get: I don’t get is a big country fan and was practically giddy that John was Jimi Hendrix. Sorry. You can’t sing along with the songs, you can there. John was very, very excited to get to talk to her, and of barely understand the lyrics, our format probably has 20 better course, that boy never misses an opportunity. I think they went guitar players. OK, watch lightning hit me. I also can take or leave out to a few clubs one night.” Pink Floyd. I only listen to them when I need to feel suicidal, which isn’t often, I must admit. Gig Alerts • WNCY/Green Bay, WI PD Dan Stone is searching for a night jock and possible APD. Send airchecks and resumes to him at • KHAK/Cedar Rapids, IA PD/afternoon personality Bob P.O. Box 23333, Green Bay, WI 54305 or [email protected]. James is seeking a midday jock with the possibility of adding • WMDH/Muncie, IN PD/morning show host Brian Sims APD/MD duties. Send airchecks and resumes to bob.james@ needs a co-host/news/promotions staffer for The Brian Sims cumulus.com. Morning Show. Interested parties should send airchecks and re- • WTQR/Greensboro PD John Roberts is still on the hunt for a sumes to Sims at WMDH, P.O. Box 690 New Castle, IN 47362 new morning show, single or team. Send airchecks and resumes or [email protected]. to [email protected]. ©2008 Country Aircheck™ — All rights reserved. Sign up free at www.countryaircheck.com. Send news to [email protected] April 7, 2008 Country Aircheck Music Edition Page 3 BIR T HDAYS Tuesday (4/8) - John Schneider, Bud Schaetzle, “Brother Dale” Desmond ([email protected]), Reggie M. Churchwell ([email protected]), Josh Brandon (josh.brandon@ pegbroadcasting.com). Wednesday (4/9) - the late Carl Perkins. Thursday (4/10) - Bill Hutchens. Friday (4/11) - Chalee Tennison, Jim Lauderdale, Jeri Cooper (jeri. [email protected]), Bob Moody ([email protected]). Saturday (4/12) - Vince Gill, Deryl Dodd, Dave Weigand. Sunday (4/13) - Marlene Augustine. Monday (4/14) - Loretta Lynn, Gary Moore. Industry News The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Board of Officers and Trustees have elected Marketstreet Equities Co. Founder Steve Turner as Chairman. Previous chairman E.W. “Bud” Wendell and trustee Nelson Andrews have been honored as trustees emeriti. Board Pres. Vince Gill has also been re- elected for his seventh consecutive one-year term. New trustees, elected for three year terms, are Henry Juszkiewicz and Ernie Williams. Trustee Tim Wipperman was re-elected. New elected officers areTroy Tomlinson and Steve Lynn. Speakers for the Fourth Annual Leadership Music Digital Summit April 22 at Belmont University will include Capitol/ Nashville Pres./CEO Mike Dungan, SonyBMG/Nashville Chairman Joe Galante, UMG/Nashville EVP/Sales, Marketing & New Media Ben Kline, TAG Strategic Managing Partner Ted Cohen and RealNetworks/Rhapsody Dir./Label Rlations Dave Krinsky.