February 26, 2010



» We Won't Be Right Back After This: KKGO/Los Angeles' Charlie Cook opened the PPM Affects Every Facet Of The Industry panel with a couple of truths: "There's too much information and not enough meters," he said. Arbitron's Gary Marince admitted the PPM data stream can be "like taking a drink of water from a firehose," but went on to explain that smart programmers are trending a small number of metrics that are key to improving ratings. Among these are occasions and daily cume. Alpha Broadcasting's Scott Mahalick referenced the heightened sense of accountability with PPM, saying it's hard to let even the slightest on-air weakness slide by with such a comprehensive report card. Asked if programmers have developed any tricks for manipulating the PPM system, Mahalick said, "Yes, and I'll have all the details on that coming up at 10:48." WUBL/Atlanta's Scott Lindy cautioned that appointment-setting overkill created disappointment. "You become the person who never delivers a payoff." Marince identified the time between music and a stopset as an area of particular vulnerability for PPM stations. "There's a certain patter that says we're about to get away from music," he said. "'We're going to pay some bills. We'll be back after this.' Those phrases should be abolished." Stopset timing philosophy, commercial content and traffic reports were also discussed in a session that was packed with useful information. If you get the audio to one CRS session this year, this might be the one.


» Love Your Lunch The Most: The Capitol/Nashville lunch opened with Emily West and an endorsement from President/CEO Mike Dungan of the label's continuing commitment to make her "the superstar she deserves to be." "I told myself I wasn't going to talk," West said prior to singing single "Blue Sky," but she thanked radio, the Capitol staff and "real dude" Dungan. "Thanks, Capitol, for sticking with me so long." Eric Church brought a taste (figuratively) of his Jagermeister Tour to the lunch, rolling footage from the tour during and between his songs, as well as some interview clips of Church, fans and his band. "I wanted to bring some of what was happening outside of Nashville to Nashville," he said. His performance included "It Ain't Killed Me Yet," "These Boots" and "Carolina," but he didn't play his last tune. "I want you to see 'Love Your Love The Most' through the eyes of our fans," Church said before leaving the stage as the room watched concert video of fans embracing and singing along to his first top 10 record. A video slide following the song made the long-rumored second Capitol imprint official: "Coming Soon, EMI Records Nashville."




» It's Alright To Be Itty Bitty: This morning's (2/26) Small Market Programming Solutions For When The Chips Are Down offered big ideas for small stations with panelists KTHK/Idaho Falls, ID's Dale Desmond, New Generation's Chip Miller, KDXY/Jonesboro, AR's Christie Matthews, NRG Media's Jeff Winfield, KUSO/Norfolk, NE's Dave Amick and Federated Media/Warsaw, IN's Clint Marsh (moderator). "Don't settle," urged Winfield. "Even if it takes two-three years, don't let your idea die." Miller requested that all stations update their imaging/branding every four months, and Amick suggested, "Steal from the best." On the subject of websites, Desmond warned attendees to keep them "fresh," suggesting they are like refrigerators, "If listeners see something that's six months old, they're going to lose their appetite."

 


» Tickled Pink Slip: Arista/Nashville's RJ Curtis, Borman Entertainment's John Grady, Hi-Fi Fusion's Todd Cassetty and Magic Motivation's Eric Samuels discussed mastering career shifts with moderator Dan Halyburton in the Art Of Transition panel. While all agreed that radio people are transition "Swamis," being opportunistic to upcoming company change, writing a business plan and letting go of bitterness were key to furthering a career. "If your job defines you, choose well," Grady shared.


» Here's Your Signage: Golden newcomer Benton Blount talks about attending CRS as an unknown artist. Watch the signs here.


» Little Mo' Peep: Here is the final set of January Arbitron PPM ratings, ranked by metro size. Reflecting the change from the Holiday period, all figures are persons 6+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight, with rankings in parentheses.
  • Portland: Entercom's KWJJ took over the format lead for the first time since PPM began here last October, jumping 3.9-4.7 (10-6). Its cume grew 35,400 to 402,800 (9-6). Alpha's KUPL declined 5.4-4.5 (4-7t), but its listenership was up 6,900 to 361,100 (10-8).
  • Sacramento: CBS Radio's KNCI held firm at a 4.5 (6-6), adding 7,900 cume to tally 326,200 (10-10). Entravision's KNTY increased 2.0-3.0 (18t-13), with its reach up notably 53,400 to 231,000 (16-15).
  • Cincinnati: Bonneville's WUBE stepped forward 7.1-7.3 (3-2), with its audience up 17,100 to 461,500 (8-3). Co-owned WYGY improved 1.4-1.6 (18-17t), though cume slipped 2,100 to 156,400 (17-16).
  • Cleveland: Clear Channel's WGAR accelerated 5.2-6.2 (7-5), with its reach expanding 33,100 to 426,600 (9-7). Rubber City's WQMX/Akron moved 1.1-1.3 (19-19), adding 1,100 listeners to total 132,200 ((17-18).
  • Salt Lake City: Everyone was up here. Citadel's KUBL stopped a three-sweep skid, rebounding 4.7-5.4 (5-3). Its cume widened 20,800 to 421,300 (6-5). KSOP, Inc.'s KSOP-FM rose 2.9-3.6 (12t-10), with its audience down 9,600 to 289,200 (11-13). Scott Knoblauch's Classic Country KKAT-FM also turned around a three-survey slide, moving ahead 2.4-3.1 (16-13), adding 9,400 listeners to total 144,800 (23-23). Simmons' KEGA stepped forward 2.1-2.3 (19-18t), with its reach up 2,400 to an even 250,000 (15-15).
  • San Antonio: Cox's KCYY advanced 8.5-9.5 (3-2), with its audience up 21,700 to 655,900 (2-1). CC's KAJA also did well, rising 6.2-7.5 (7-4). Its cume edged up 2,900 to 518,900 (6-5). Cox's Classic Country KKYX-AM nudged ahead 1.0-1.1 (19t-20), though its cume dipped 1,400 to 67,400 (21-21).
  • Kansas City: Wilks' KFKF reclaimed the format lead it last held outright in November, up 4.3-4.7 (10t-8t). Its cume grew 16,000 to 292,600 (10-10). Co-owned KBEQ, which had been tied with KFKF, was steady at a 4.3 (10t-11). 'BEQ's reach increased 12,000 to 282,700 (11-11). Entercom's WDAF shifted 3.6-3.5 (15-16), and its cume fell 43,300 to 242,700 (9-14).
  • Las Vegas: CC's KWNR advanced 3.8-4.7 (10t-9). Its reach was up 22,400 to 253,200 (14-11). Beasley's KCYE gained 2.8-3.0 (14-14), as its cume declined 27,300 to 218,200 (12-14).
     


» Help Me Rhonda: Former Universal South West Coast rep Rhonda Christensen has been hired in a similar capacity for Warner Music Nashville's expanded promotion structure. Christensen left Universal South in December as the company merged with Show Dog Nashville (CAT 12/18).


» DB & The Keg Killers: Capitol's Dierks Bentley will host his Miles & Music for Kids celebrity motorcycle ride in Dallas-Fort Worth April 25. "I'm going to try and keep all my special guests a secret for as long as I can," Bentley says. "I'll just say that they are five of my favorite Texas country artists, and you better get there early because if you don’t, they will drink all the beer." Event proceeds will benefit the Children's Medical Center Dallas and Cook Children's in Fort Worth. Tickets go on sale Monday (3/1) at ticketmaster.com.


» In The Black: "Guess Things Happen That Way" by the late Johnny Cash was the 10 billionth iTunes download from the U.S. online store. Woodstock, GA's Louie Sulcer will receive a $10,000 iTunes gift card for his purchase on the eve of what would have been Cash's 78th birthday. In honor of Cash and the latest album release American VI: Ain't No Grave, Lost Highway is encouraging fans to wear black today (2/26).




» It Ain't Too Much For Me To Jam: The 3rdAnnual Verizon Wireless BamaJam Music & Arts Festival has added the Zac Brown Band, Rodney Atkins, Chris Young, Danny Gokey, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Travis Tritt and Train to the bill. They join previously announced performers Kenny Chesney, Hank Williams, Jr., Jake Owen, Miranda Lambert, the LoCash Cowboys, Dierks Bentley, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson and Colt Ford for the June 3-5 festival in Enterprise, AL. Tickets and details here.


» Country Aircheck Today Top 5:  Here are the Top 5 songs for Feb. 25:    

 

  1. JOSH TURNER/Why Don't We Just Dance (MCA) 2269 points 
  2. BILLY CURRINGTON/That's How Country Boys Roll (Mercury) 2124 points
  3. BLAKE SHELTON f/TRACE ADKINS/Hillbilly Bone (Warner Bros.) 2081 points
  4. DARIUS RUCKER/History In The Making (Capitol) 2009 points
  5. BRAD PAISLEY/American Saturday Night (Arista) 1831 points 

All daily airplay data is from Mediabase 24/7.


» Country Aircheck Today Top 5 Downloads: Here are Play MPE's Top 5 for Feb. 25:
  1. LITTLE BIG TOWN/Little White Church (Capitol)
  2. GLORIANA/The World Is Ours Tonight (Emblem/Warner Bros./BPP)
  3. MIRANDA LAMBERT/The House That Built Me (Columbia) 
  4. TOBY KEITH/Every Dog Has Its Day (Show Dog-Universal)
  5. KENNY CHESNEY/Ain't Back Yet (BNA)


» Tomorrow's Birthdays (2/27): Eric Beggs, Wyatt Easterling.

Sunday's Birthdays (2/28): Jason Aldean, Bruce Logan, Anita Mandell, Gill Stuart, John Zarling.

Monday's Birthdays (3/1): Janis Gill, Jennifer McCarter.
 


» Tube Check Tonight (2/26): George Jones, CMT Cribs.

Tube Check Tomorrow (2/27) Lady Antebellum, My Music Mix (GAC).

Tube Check Sunday (2/28) Blake Shelton, Backstory (re-air) (GAC).

Tube Check Monday (3/1) Brad Paisley, Tonight Show With Jay Leno (NBC); Josh Turner, Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC); Carrie Underwood, How I Met Your Mother (CBS).




» Carrie Me Home: Sony/Nashville VP/Promotion Skip Bishop (l) and Chairman Joe Galante surprise Carrie Underwood with a plaque commemorating her 20 million worldwide digital transactions.


» Pure B.S: Warner Bros.' Blake Shelton hosted a listening party at Nashville's Starstruck Wednesday (2/24). Pictured (l-r) are Warner/Canada's Steve Coady, Warner/Nashville's Peter Strickland, Brooks Quigley and George Meeker, KUPL/Portland's Scott Mahalick, Warner/Nashville's Rhonda Christensen, Rick Young and Glenn Noblit, KUPL/Portland's Rick Taylor, Shelton, Alpha's Larry Wilson, KBEQ/Kansas City's Mike Kennedy, KRST/Albuquerque's Kristina Carlyle, KSON/San Diego's John Marks, KYGO/Denver's Garret Doll, KNIX/Phoenix's Mark Medina, Warner/Nashville's Bob Reeves, WSOC/Charlotte's DJ Stout and Rick McCracken, WGH-FM/Norfolk's Mark McKay, and Warner/Nashville's Scott Hendricks and John Esposito.


 


» Boat Bling: Columbia's Miranda Lambert receives a plaque for Revolution's RIAA gold certification during last night's (2/25) Sony/Nashville CRS Boat Show. Pictured (l-r) are VP/Marketing Tom Baldrica, Chairman Joe Galante, EVP/A&R Renee Bell, Lambert and SVP/Sales & Operations Paul Barnabee.


» Mike & Mike In The Morning: WIVK/Knoxville's Mike Hammond (l) and KBEQ/Kansas City's Mike Kennedy (r) hang with Colt Ford during his CRS performance last night (2/25).


» Spirit Of Radio: Mason/Grassroot's and Oregon native Travis Rush (l) bumps into a former Portland resident, Dial Global's John Paul, during CRS.


» Gonna Need A New Chair: WIRK/West Palm Beach APD/MD Sammy Cruise takes over Royce Risser's office today (2/26) as UMG/Nashville's new (allegedly) SVP/Promotion. His first order of business was to implement "casual" Friday.


» Good Reception: GHM/Red Light Management welcome attendees to CRS with a Rodney Atkins cocktail reception and acoustic performance Tuesday (2/23).




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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