Country Aircheck

Country Aircheck Weekly (10/15)

Inside This Issue:

"When Roy [Orbison] and I started writing together I thought, "Man, this guy can go anywhere with his voice." Anything I could hear, he could sing."

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Top Stories

» Count Jockula: Here are select Nielsen Audio diary ratings for Summer 2018 (6/21-9/12) for subscribing stations compared with their last books. Ranks (in parentheses) are also among subscribers. Have a story for your station inside the overall numbers? Email us here.

Columbia, SC	WCOS 5.1 (3t) to 5.8 (3), iHeartMedia
Little Rock	KSSN 6.2 (4t) to 6.1 (2), iHeartMedia KMJX 4.0 (9) to 5.1 (3), iHeartMedia KHLR 2.7 (12) to 2.7 (6), Signal
Greenville, SC	WRNS 9.6 (2) to 7.4 (2), Dick WRHT 1.2 (11t) to 1.4 (10t), Inner Banks
Springfield, MA	WRNX 5.3 (2) to 4.8 (3), iHeartMedia
Toledo	WKKO 9.2 (1) to 7.7 (1), Cumulus

Certain markets do not appear because the Country stations in those metros aren't subscribers; non-subscribing stations in published markets are also excluded. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

» Director's Chair:

As reported this morning in Breaking News, All Access/Nashville Editor RJ Curtis was named incoming Exec. Director of the Country Radio Broadcasters/Country Radio Seminar. Curtis will fill the position being vacated next year by Bill Mayne, who has served as CRB/CRS Exec. Director for nearly a decade. "CRS has been an important part of my professional life for 35 years, never ceasing to challenge, reward, and re-ignite my zeal for our format and its many stakeholders," says Curtis. "Concurrently, I'll have the honor of working with Bill Mayne until his triumphant sign-off in May. He's been a mentor, brother, and friend to me since 1983, and – fun fact – brought me to my first CRS in 1985, while serving as my PD at KZLA/Los Angeles. Following his legendary stewardship of CRB is a daunting task, and a responsibility I'll take seriously."

Adds CRB Board Pres. Kurt Johnson, "Among some great candidates for this role, RJ stood out. His unequalled experience and passion for Country radio, Country music and CRB made him the right person at the right time. We're beyond excited to have him lead CRS into its sixth decade." Curtis is on the job Nov. 12 but until then, reach him here.

» Signed, Field, Delivered:

Pearl's Garth Brookswill kick off his North American Stadium Tour next spring at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ and The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis. The three-year-run of roughly 10-12 stadiums per year will have its first five dates on sale before Christmas. During a press conference in Nashville this morning, Brooks hinted at stops at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA, Nissan Stadium in Nashville and another pro stadium in Texas – likely AT&T in Arlington, TX or NRG in Houston. Citing this Saturday's (10/20) show at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN as a blueprint for those to follow, Brooks suggested a "game day" theme throughout the tour. Aspects include access to sound check for students, a "halftime" in the show and encouraging concert goers to wear the local team's colors. Saturday's show is being taped for Garth: Live At Notre Dame!, which will air in prime time on CBS Dec. 2. Stadiums may not be the only Garth Brooks dates, however, as he suggested a one-man residency at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium remains a possibility.