» Book Warms: Here are today's Fall '09 Arbitron diary ratings for stations in the top 150 markets. All figures are persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight, with rankings in parentheses. Additional stations outside the top 150 metros with ratings released this week will appear in next Tuesday's Country Aircheck Weekly.

• Buffalo: Following two solid upticks, Regent's WYRK was down 11.8-8.1 (1-2), which is its lowest share in recent times. Dome's Classic Country WXRL-AM improved 0.9-1.5 (18-15), topping its 1.3 from 12 months ago.
• Rochester, NY: Entercom's WBEE ended a four-book descent, accelerating 7.6-8.8 (3-2).
• Shreveport: Cumulus' KRMD-FM fell for the third consecutive survey, 7.1-5.8 (5-6), though that was not far below Fall '08's 6.4. After two strong increases, Gap's KXKS-FM declined 6.9-4.0 (6-9), but still beat its 3.9 from a year ago. Gap's Classic Country cousin KWKH-AM gained 1.3-1.8 (15-15), matching its performance from Fall '08.
  
• Beaumont, TX: After two straight 7.1 books, Clear Channel's KYKR dipped to a 6.4 (3-4). Cumulus' KAYD was down 4.8-3.8 (7-7) to its lowest share since Spring '06. Cox's Classic Country KTHT/Houston held at a 3.6 (9-8). G-CAP's Country/Talk KOGT-AM edged up 0.8-1.0 (18t-17t) to its best ratings in years. Cumulus' KYKZ/Lake Charles, LA was level at a 1.0 (15t-17t).

» Gig Alert Update: New KBWF (The Wolf)/San Francisco PD Mike Krinik is on the job (and out of Alcatraz) and combing through airchecks and resumes searching for the right candidate to fill the Wolf's open APD/PM drive position. If you submitted materials to Entercom's Mike Moore prior to Krinik's arrival, rest assured your info is already being considered. But if you missed our earlier gig alert (CAT 11/25) and want to throw your name in the hat, reach out to Krinik here.

» Help For Haiti: Personalities on all of Dial Global's 24-hour radio formats and dayparts are urging listeners to text "HAITI" to 90999, donating $10 to the Red Cross relief efforts. The message can be heard on 1,900 format affiliates, plus 275 station-affiliated live shows such as Lia.

» Wide Opener: Stoney Creek's Ash Bowers will open 22 dates of Jason Aldean's Wide Open tour, which also features Luke Bryan, beginning Jan. 28. The Wide Open tour kicks off next Friday (1/22) in Greenville, SC.

» Red High Military Boots: 19/BNA's Kellie Pickler was upstaged when Spc. Zacari Pytleski took the mic on "Red High Heels" during her current USO tour. Pickler, Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser are visiting numerous bases in the Persian Gulf to perform for the troops.

 

» Louder, Please: Our own Publisher/CEO Lon Helton has been elected President of the Crescendo Music Community Fund board of directors. Other officers include EVP Tony Conway, Secretary Debbie Carroll and Treasurer Paul Corbin. The fund will provide financial assistance to qualified music industry retirees at The Crescendo at Westhaven senior living community. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to Crescendo Music Community Fund, One Music Circle South, Nashville, TN 37203. For more info, contact Katie Gillon at 615-292-8125 or here.

» Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for Jan. 13: 

1. JASON ALDEAN/The Truth (BBR) 2248 points
2. TIM MCGRAW/Southern Voice (Curb) 2194 points
   
3. DIERKS BENTLEY/I Wanna Make You Close Your... (Capitol) 2143 points
4. MIRANDA LAMBERT/White Liar (Columbia) 1959 points
5. DARIUS RUCKER/History In The Making (Capitol) 1870 points

All daily airplay data is from Mediabase 24/7.

» Country Aircheck Today Top 5 Downloads: Here are Play MPE's Top 5 for Jan. 13: 

1. JACK INGRAM/Free (Big Machine)
2. LUKE BRYAN/Rain Is A Good Thing (Capitol)
3. JO DEE MESSINA/That's God (Curb)
4. DAVID NAIL/Turning Home (MCA)
   
5. KATIE ARMIGER/Kiss Me Now (Cold River)

» Tomorrow's Birthdays (1/15): Kurt Howell, Lee Adams, Mike Borchetta, David Lynn Jones, Tracey Myers, Jay Roberts.

» Tube Check Tomorrow (1/15): Reba, The Singing Bee (CMT); Steve Azar, Country Vibe With Chuck And Becca (AMG-TV); Luke Bryan, Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson (CBS); Lady Antebellum, Top 20 Countdown (CMT).

» Bring Me Water: WSIX/Nashville PD Keith Kaufman and Mediabase Sr. Dir./Label Initiatives Robin Rhodes enjoy a performance of Coldwater Jane's debut single "Bring On The Love" in the station's McFadden's Garage. Pictured (l-r) are manager Aaron Kinssies, Mercury VP/Promotion Damon Moberly, Rhodes, CJ's Leah Crutchfield, Kaufman and CJ's Brandon Jane.

» Down Came To Blackbird: After MidNite's Blair Garner interviews Lady Antebellum at Nashville's Blackbird Studio yesterday (1/13). Pictured (l-r) are Lady A's Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott, Garner and Lady A's Dave Haywood.

» Dairy Charm: 19/RCA's Danny Gokey takes a breather with the WWQM/Madison staff. The American Idol finalist was in town for an intimate performance, which was covered by four local TV outlets. Pictured (l-r) are morning co-host Jason Stephens, PM driver Sara Freeman, MD/middayer Kenny Jay, Gokey, morning co-host Nicole Andrews and PD John Sebastian.