» Gimme Summit: The difficult times facing the record industry were quantified at the Leadership Music Digital Summit in Nashville Tuesday (3/24). NPD Entertainment VP/Sr. Industry Analyst Russ Crupnick reported that music buyers spend 50% more per month on basic entertainment than the average person, but acquisition is falling for the first time in five years. Only 58% of Internet users purchased music in 2008, compared with 68% two years ago, representing a loss of 11 million buyers. Peer-to-peer is gaining ground, up from 14% of all music "acquisition" to 25% between 2006-2008, and could become the primary mode this year, even though 85% of U.S. teens and adults didn't use P2P in 2008. One key reason teens cited for buying fewer CDs is because they are listening to radio instead.

» Frame It On, Rio: Digital Summit keynoter Rio Caraeff of UMG eLabs received a warm response for his comments that labels need to get back to the tactile experience of music via artwork, engaging the fans and interactive album experiences - i.e., the context - more than simply audio content. "We focused only on the sound recording, and lost touch with the experience of music," he said. "The packaging was left up to the retailer and device manufacturer. As a result, we've seen an explosion of piracy; there's no difference between what you can buy and what you can steal." In a thought that could be good for radio, he predicted, "The concept of accessing music is more important than possessing music."

» Senior Citizen: MCA & Mercury/Nashville SVP/Artist, Media Relations & Creative Services Jason Owen has been promoted to SVP/Artist Development & Marketing for both imprints. He will continue to oversee publicity, creative and video activities in addition to the digital and marketing departments. This move fills a portion of the vacancy left by former EVP/Sales, Marketing and New Media Ben Kline's departure earlier this year (CAT 1/23).

» Fortified: Clear Channel's AC WOLZ/Ft. Myers morning host Rick McGee will move to sister Country WCKT for the same airshift tomorrow (3/25). He succeeds Barry "The Bear" Smith, who left radio earlier this month (CAT 3/4). This is a homecoming for McGee, who originally joined 'CKT in 1989 to helm McGee In The Morning, before leaving for 'OLZ in 2000. Joining him for wakeups will be night jock Melanie, who replaces exiting co-host Stacy Collins. Collins is looking for her next gig; reach her at 239-770-2716 or here. The future of the night shift is currently undetermined.

» No Cameras: The ACM's Jim Reeves International Award will be presented to Dolly Parton; the Poet's Award will go to Merle Haggard and the late Harlan Howard; Jerry Reed, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis and Hank Williams, Jr. will receive the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award; Beer For My Horses will be honored with the Tex Ritter Award; and the ACM's David Young will get the Mae Boren Axton Award. All are off-camera honors to be presented at the ACM Honors event Sept. 22 in Nashville. Other off-camera honorees:

• Guitarist: Tom Bukovac.
• Piano/Keyboard: Gordon Mote.
• Bass: Glenn Worf.
• Percussionist/Drummer: Greg Morrow.
• Steel Guitar: Dan Dugmore.
• Fiddle: Aubrey Haynie.
• Specialty Instrument(s): Eric Darken and Jelly Roll Johnson (tied).
• Audio Engineer: Chuck Ainlay.
• Producer: Tony Brown.
• Night Club: Chicago's Joe's Bar.
• Casino: Verona, NY's Turning Stone Casino.
• Don Romeo Talent Buyer: Romeo Ent.'s Fran Romeo.
• Promoter: The Messina Group's Louis Messina.
• Venue: Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.

» Win Free Seats: The Oprah Winfrey Show is devoting an entire episode to country music with guests to include Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney and Darius Rucker. The show tapes March 26 for a May airdate. Fans can apply to be audience members here.

» WW1 Cuts Payroll: A salary reduction plan and streamlined staff levels are being implemented at Westwood One as the company continues its efforts to better align revenue and expenses. Compensation adjustments will be based on a sliding scale, with senior management taking the biggest hit at 15%. These changes, combined with reduced aviation costs at Metro Traffic and performance-based accountability standards are expected to result in annual savings of $55-$63 million.

» The Dark Night: Warner Bros.' Big Kenny is the latest to join the campaign for Earth Hour 2009 with Dierks Bentley, Jo Dee Messina and Lady Antebellum. Kenny is featured in a PSA for the World Wildlife Fund singing "Go Tell It On the Mountain" and encouraging fans to turn off their lights for an hour at 8:30pm local time Saturday (3/28). Watch here.

» One Word. Plastics: Capitol's Lady A are also partnering with BRITA's FilterForGood campaign to encourage fans to cut down on plastic water bottle waste. A special message about the initiative will be featured in tomorrow's "Webisode Wednesday." Details here.