Big D & Bubba

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Here's the news for 5/13/08. To get today's news emailed directly to your inbox every day, click here.

» Let's Make A Deal: At presstime, the embattled Clear Channel buyout by Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners, appears imminent as an $18 billion agreement in principle with the funding banks had been reached at $36 a share, down from the original $39.20. CCU stock was up $1.43 (4.35%) at day's end, and ahead nearly 15% since yesterday morning.

» Night Moves: Entravision's KNTY/Sacramento weekend jock Kelly Symone has moved to nights. KNTY Production Dir. Big Rich "Rick Shannon" had been voice tracking the shift but will now concentrate on his production duties. Symone has previously worked at WDAF/Kansas City and KNCI/Sacramento.

» Produce I'll: Regent's Rock WQBK/Albany, NY night jock Jeff Levack has moved to sister Country WGNA as morning show producer. He replaces Chris Sousis, who recently exited.

» West Would Won: As part of the 43rd ACM Awards Westwood One is presenting a remote broadcast event live from the MGM Grand Casino May 16 and 17. Participating stations include KFRG/Riverside, WUSN/Chicago, WXTU/Philadelphia, KSCS/Dallas, WUBL/Atlanta, WYCD/Detroit, KILT/Houston, WQYK/Tampa, KMLE/Phoenix, KMPS/Seattle, KYGO/Denver, KSON/San Diego, WDSY/Pittsburgh, KUPL/Portland, WSIX/Nashville, KBEQ/Kansas City, WIRK/West Palm Beach and KCYE and KWNR/Las Vegas.

» Gig Alert: Urban Radio/Muscle Shoals OM and Country WLAY PD Brian Landrum is leaving the station after July 4 to start his own company. Regional Dir./Programming Brian Rickman is looking for a strong Country PD, preferably with operations background, as his replacement. Send airchecks and resumes to him here.

» Top 40: Clear Channel's KNIX/Phoenix is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a portion of its website devoted to a timeline, awards, artist greetings, photo galleries and a tribute to station founder Buck Owens. Check it out here.

» Idol Shower: Simmons Media's KEGA/Salt Lake City had the honor of being the only Country station featured during American Idol contestant David Archuleta's homecoming tour. You can catch footage from the event on Wednesday's (5/14) American Idol on FOX. Pictures, audio and video can also be seen here.


» Ridin' Thirty: WKKT/Charlotte APD/MD/night jock Ryan Dokke represents the Country format on Edison Media Research's just-published "30 Under 30" list. See the whole shebang here.

» Head For Home: Rascal Flatt's Joe Don Rooney has returned to his hometown of Picher, OK to help clean up the wreckage left by the tornadoes and storms that hit the area last weekend. Six died in the town of approx. 800, including a high school friend of Rooney's. He called in to several radio stations this morning including KTST/Oklahoma City, which has posted the interview here. Donations can be made to the American Red Cross Tulsa Chapter at 981-831-1225 or here.

» Def Tone: The ringtone for Toby Keith's "She's A Hottie" is the top-selling ringtone for UMe, the UMG label that is releasing Keith's upcoming hits collection in conjunction with Show Dog. That top billing is significant because UMe is Universal's catalog label, which means "Hottie" is outperforming songs including Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville," Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer," Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child Of Mine" and Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me."

» So, Duh...Pop: USA Today is touting closer ties and collaboration between country and pop in today's edition. CMT EVP Brian Phillips is quoted, "Crossroads is just the first televised manifestation of something that already existed. There's no artist under 30 - and probably under 40 - who was not raised in a diverse musical environment." Read the story here.

» Services: Visitation for the late Dottie Rambo will be held Saturday (5/17) from 4-8pm and Sunday (5/18) from 2-4pm at Nashville's Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home. A memorial service will take place Monday (5/19) at 1pm at Nashville's Christ Chuch. Donations can be made in Rambo's name to the Dottie Rambo Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 50508, Nashville, TN 37205.

Here's the news for 5/9/08. To get today's news emailed directly to your inbox every day, click here.

» More Powers To You: Live Nation Artists' groundbreaking deals with established artists Madonna, U2 and Jay Z have now been extended to the country market, as the first-ever new artist signing for the concert behemoth is the Georgia-based Zac Brown Band. Long-tenured Nashville promotion executive Michael Powers (formerly of UMG/Nashville and Universal South) and veteran promoter Jeff Solima will oversee radio promotions for the project, with debut single "Chicken Fried" delivered to radio Monday (5/12) with a June 16 impact date. Keith Stegall is producing ZBB's forthcoming album. Additionally, promotion vets Dave Kirth (Country Thunder, KTOM/Monterey) and Tony Morreale (Show Dog, BNA) will be working with Powers on the launch.

Powers is working out of the Big Picture Entertainment offices in Nashville, and can be reached at 615-297-6935 or here. Solima can be reached at 615-329-8464 or here. Kirth: 916-351-1715 or here; Morreale: 615-260-6853 or here.

Programmers may remember the single as the erstwhile debut for BNA's The Lost Trailers, which was pulled by the label in March 2006. According to Powers, Zac Brown allowed his friends The Lost Trailers to record it, but always intended "Chicken Fried" to be one of his own single releases.

» Survey Says: Here's the last batch of Winter 2008 Arbitrons. All shares and ranks are 12+.

  • Madison: Clear Channel's WMAD slipped 4.5-4.3, but was up from seventh to a tie for sixth. The tie is with Mid-West Family's WWQM, which was off 4.7-4.3. It had been in sixth alone.
  • Grand Rapids: Clear Channel's WBCT posted its lowest effort since Fall 2006, dropping 7.5-7.1. However, it retained second. Citadel's WTNR fell 3.3-2.4 and from ninth to 13th.
  • Little Rock: Clear Channel's KSSN notched its third consecutive double-digit 12+ share, increasing 10.1-10.4. It remained first. Classic Country sister KHKN rose 3.4-4.2 and moved 12th to 10th. Crain's KCNY had its best-ever book, climbing .5-1.1 and improving from 19th to 16th.
  • Greenville, NC: NextMedia's WRNS recovered after two down sweeps, up 9.1-10.5. It regained first place; it had been second. Coastal Carolina's WNBB was off 3.5-2.5 and dipped eighth to ninth. WNBB sister WNBR edged lower 1.7-1.6 and remained 14th. Inner Banks' WRHT slipped 3.2-2.2 and dropped from ninth to 11th.
  • Huntsville: Clear Channel's WDRM continued as the market's Big Dog, rising 11.0-12.0 and remaining in first, with a five share lead. Abercrombie's WQAH authored one of its best-ever 12+ books, jumping 3.9-5.1 and bounding eighth to fourth. Cumulus' WWFF debuted with a 1.7 and ranked 13th.
  • Jacksonville: Clear Channel's WQIK suffered its sixth consecutive down book, dipping 6.6-5.8 and falling from second to fifth. In Summer '06, WQIK was No. 1 with an 8.9. On the move is Renda's WGNE, where PD Jeff Davis exited two weeks ago after more than seven years with the station. In the last year, WGNE has gone 2.3-2.9-3.1-4.0-4.4. This winter's 4.4 moved 'GNE from 10th to eighth.
  • Orlando: Cox' WWKA scored its best book since Spring 2006, climbing 4.6-6.2. It improved in rank from fourth to a tie for second.
  • Shreveport: A big book for Gap's KXKS, which rebounded 4.8-6.8 and jumped from eighth to fifth. After a two-book growth spurt, Cumulus' KRMD suffered its worst 12+ share since Fall 2005, dropping 6.5-5.4 It fell from fifth to seventh. KXKS' Classic Country sister KWKH-AM was flat at 1.4 but fell from 15th to 16th.
  • Spokane: Not a pretty day for Country here, as Clear Channel's KIXZ fell 5.6-4.9 and from second to third while Mapleton's KDRK dropped 5.3-3.7 and from third to eighth. It was KIXZ's worst showing since Fall 2006 and may have been KDRK's worst 12+ ever. The bright spot came from Blue Sky's KICR, which was up 1.7-2.5 and moved from 18th to 14th.
  • West Palm Beach: CBS Radio's WIRK fell 5.1-4.2 and from third to fifth.

 

» Thanks, Mom: In addition to the Mother's Day edit of Jewel's "Stronger Woman" (as noted below in Top Downloads), here are a few songs you might not have thought of while loading Selector for her very special day this Sunday:

  • "Daddy's Come Around," Paul Overstreet
  • "Don't Forget To Remember Me," Carrie Underwood
  • "Hot Mama," Trace Adkins
  • "In My Daughter's Eyes," Martina McBride
  • "IOU," Jimmy Dean
  • "Mama He's Crazy," The Judds
  • "Mama Tried," Merle Haggard
  • "Mama's Hungry Eyes," Haggard, Emmylou Harris
  • "Mama's Never Seen Those Eyes," Forester Sisters
  • "Mamma's Don't Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys," Waylon & Willie
  • "Mr. Mom," Lonestar
  • "Roll On Big Mama," Joe Stampley
  • "Roses For Mama," C.W. McCall
  • "That's All Right Mamma," Elvis Presley
  • "The Strong One," Clint Black
  • "Tough," Craig Morgan
  • "You'll Always Be My Baby," Sara Evans

source: The Green Book Of Songs

 

» Kellie Piccolo: Yesterday Kellie Pickler, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and CMA CEO Tammy Genovese took a truckload of musical instruments and equipment to the students of Thurgood Marshall Middle School as part of the CMA and Nashville Alliance for Public Education's Keep The Music Playing. Each year half of the net proceeds from the CMA Music Festival go to the program that promotes music education for Metro Nashville public schools.

» I Drink Your Milkshake: Capitol's Trace Adkins has written and recorded the title song for truTV's Black Gold, premiering June 18 at 10pm ET. The show focuses on oil drilling in west Texas, which is a natural fit for Adkins considering his experience working on off-shore drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.

» Theme Players: Midas' Whiskey Falls members Seven Williams and Wally Brandt, along with Wally's twin and co-producer Bill, have received an ASCAP Award for the theme song of CBS series Shark. This is the trio's second award, having written the theme for 2004's Simple Life.

» Life Notes: A statement from John Michael Montgomery's Stringtown record label explains that the artist has "voluntarily checked himself into a rehabilitation treatment center at an undisclosed location for substance abuse (due to severe anxiety attacks and sleep disorder) and has cancelled all concert dates and personal appearances for the next 30 days." Montgomery is quoted, "I will be disappearing for a while to try and defeat the demons that have stripped me of my energy of life and good health for so many years now. I assure you that however long it may take, I'm gonna fight to the end and come out stronger." The label will continue working his current single "If You Ever Went Away."

Here's the news for 5/9/08. To get today's news emailed directly to your inbox every day, click here.

» Eddy Arnold Passes: The country music community is mourning Country Music Hall of Fame member Eddy Arnold, following his death early this morning (5/8) at a Nashville area healthcare facility. Arnold died a week short of his 90th birthday (5/15). Arnold's stardom transcended the country genre, leading to dozens of pop and country hits, including 67 consecutive top 10 hits between 1945 and 1956. Songs including "Cattle Call," "It's A Sin," "Make The World Go Away" and "The Last Word In Lonesome Is Me" propelled his career record sales past 85 million copies. The native Tennessean made his first radio appearance in 1936 and released his last album After All These Years in 2005. Arnold's wife Sally died in March after 66 years of marriage. He is survived by his two children, two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

» Arnold Services: A public viewing at the Country Music Hall of Fame rotunda is scheduled for Tuesday (5/13) from 5-9pm and Wednesday (5/14) from 9am-noon. The funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday at 2pm at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, and is open to the public as well. The burial will be private.

» One More Encore: RCA was Arnold's label home throughout his career, and RCA/Nashville had been planning a special celebration of Arnold's 90th birthday next week. Continuing in that spirit despite Arnold's death, RCA is releasing "To Life" from Arnold's last album After All These Years and seeking airplay, particularly on Arnold's birthday next Thursday (5/15). "Should this single garner enough airplay to appear on a chart, it will be a historic milestone for Mr. Arnold," says RCA VP/Promotion Keith Gale. "It would mark the seventh decade that he has had a song appear on the country music charts, and he would be the only recording artist to be able to make that claim in any genre. This is a rare opportunity to celebrate a remarkable life and legacy."

» Rater Good: What Country station has been No. 1 12+ the last 54 consecutive Arbitron sweeps? You'll find the answer in the following analysis of the Winter 2008 books released today. All shares and ranks 12+.

  • Albuquerque: Clear Channel's KBQI was off for the third consecutive book. Since Spring '07, it's gone 3.9, 3.8, 3.7 and now 3.6. It slipped from seventh to eighth. (In Spring '07 it ranked fourth.) Citadel's KRST moved up 3.2-3.4, but dipped ninth to 10th. American General's KAGM posted its best book in a year, edging up 2.4-2.5, although it slipped 15th to 16th.
  • Austin: Clear Channel's KASE rebounded 5.3-6.2 and regained the market's top spot. It was third last fall. Sister KVET was down its second straight book, falling 6.0-5.0 and from first to fourth.
  • Bakersfield: Buck Owens' KUZZ popped its third consecutive increase, 7.1-7.9. It went from third to second. Clear Channel's KBKO gained a point, .9-1.9 and moved from 20th to 18th.
  • Baton Rouge: Clear Channel's WYNK spent a year in the 7's before getting hit with a 5.9 last fall. It rebounded nicely this winter to 6.7. It rose from fifth to third. Guaranty's Classic Country WTGE declined 3.9-2.9 and remained 10th. WTGE's sister WYPY fell 4.7-2.7, its lowest 12+ share in a year. It dropped from eighth to 11th.
  • Colorado Springs: It's a horse race here, where the Country lead has changed three times in the last four books. Clear Channel's KCCY was up 5.2-5.6 and Citadel's KATC was off 6.5-5.5. KCCY moved from seventh to a fourth-place tie, while KATC fell from third to a sixth-place tie.
  • Des Moines: Citadel owns all the Country shares here. KJJY was off 6.4-6.0 and fell from third to fifth. KHKI dipped 5.3-4.5 and dropped from seventh to ninth.
  • El Paso: Clear Channel's KHEY rose 3.9-4.6 and remained seventh.
  • Gainesville, FL: Dix' WOGK continues its stranglehold on the market's top slot with a 9.6-10.1 increase. Asterisk's WTRS slipped 4.4-4.2 and from fifth to sixth. Jablamo's Classic Country WDVH-AM rose .8-1.3 and from 20th to 18th.
  • Johnson City: Nininger's WXBQ posted its best book in a year, 20.3-21.0. Of course it's No. 1. Again. Or better yet - still. This marks WXBQ's 54th consecutive No. 1 book. Making a big move was Holston Valley's WMEV, up 1.8-3.5 and vaulting from 12th to fifth. Citadel's Classic Country WGOC-AM moved 1.1-1.2 and remained 15th. Citadel's WIVK/Knoxville went 2.0-1.2 and 11th to 15th. And CB Radio's WBEJ-AM rose .9-1.0 and remained 17th.
  • Wichita: Journal's KFDI retained the top spot despite a 12.7-10.5 dip. Clear Channel's KZSN fell from second to tied for third, getting hit 8.0-5.6. KFDI Classic Country sister KFTI-AM rose 3.2-3.8 and from 12th to 10th. KFTI-FM edged higher 2.7-2.8 and moved 15th to 14th. Ad Astra Per Aspera's KVWF debuted with a 2.8, tying KFTI-FM at 14th.

 

» Moore-ning Glory: Former Hot AC WMTX/Tampa morning co-host Geoff Moore has joined the WFLS/Fredericksburg, VA morning show with Jessica Cash. Moore replaces Brian Strobel, who retired after 30 years in January (CAT 1/3).

» Law Nerve: Former CMA Coordinator/International & New Media Kelly Randall has joined the King & Ballow law firm and will focus on entertainment law, intellectual property, and entertainment and copyright litigation. She can be reached at 615-726-5529 or here.

» Chart Association: Clear Channel station websites in all formats are now carrying the USA Today airplay charts, as compiled by Mediabase, including the Country chart that Country Aircheck has been publishing since August 2006. The sites will integrate each chart with links to music videos, song lyrics, iTunes and ringtones.

» House Call: Artists added to the ACM Awards performance lineup include Toby Keith, Kellie Pickler and LeAnn Rimes, with Kenny Chesney and George Strait set for the first-ever live performance of their duet "Shiftwork." Sara Evans, Jewel, Brooks & Dunn, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Brad Mates, Randy Owen, John Rich, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker and Trisha Yearwood will also appear on the show. Yes, Dr. Phil will be there, too. The 43rd ACM Awards will be telecast live from Las Vegas Sunday, May 18.

» Space Invaders: Mercury's Julie Roberts has posted two new songs on her MySpace page. She co-wrote "Mama Said Don't" with Victoria Banks and Rachel Proctor, while "The Song Goes With Me" was written with Darrell Scott and her producer Marcus Hummon. Check them out here.

» Lawned Arts: Universal South's Phil Vassar sang the National Anthem on the South Lawn of the White House yesterday as part of Military Spouses Day, 2008. The performance commenced the ceremony for the six Presidential Volunteer Service Award recipients.

» He's A Little Bit Country? Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame member Rod Stewart, known for his hits "Maggie May" and "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy," admitted recently that he's been hoping to record a country album. "There's a Country & Western album I'd love to do, although the record company doesn't want it," Stewart tells Reuters. "We are still in the throes of talking about it, [but] I very much doubt whether we will get it done this year." Full article here.

» Chronicle: Our condolences are extended to family and friends of Jerry Wallace, whose career as an artist spanned from the late '50s into the '70s. His hits included "Primrose Lane," "Shutters And Boards" and "If You Leave Me Tonight I'll Cry." Wallace passed last Friday (5/5) at the age of 79.