» CC Gets JZ: Sirius XM SVP/Music Programming Jon Zellner has been appointed SVP/Programming at Clear Channel, reporting to EVP/Operations Mark Kopelman. He will continue to be based in Washington, DC, starts July 20 and succeeds Darren Davis, who was named SVP/Premium Choice in May (CAT 5/26). Zellner will work with PDs across 25 major and mid-sized markets including 17 in which CC owns Country stations including Louisville, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Salt Lake City, Seattle and St. Louis. During his four-plus years at Sirius XM, Zellner oversaw programming for more than 75 channels and previously held senior posts at CBS/Infinity Broadcasting. "A position like this at the leading radio company in the world is something I've worked toward since my start in broadcasting over 20 years ago," says Zellner. "I can't wait to get started."

» Erin Apparent: Already GM for three of Entercom's Portland, OR stations, Erin Hubert steps up to Market Manager for the entire seven-station cluster including Country KWJJ. A company veteran of more than five years, Hubert had been responsible for AC KRSK, Adult Hits KYCH and Sports KFXX, and now also takes over Classic Rock KGON, Alternative KNRK and Spanish Sports KTRO. Prior to Entercom, Hubert was EVP/COO of the Portland Trail Blazers. Concurrently, Entercom/Madison VP/MM and former Portland radio executive Dave Saxe has returned to the market to become the cluster's VP/Sales.

» New Addition: Former KKGO/Los Angeles weekender Bob Allen is now handling fill-in and voice-tracking weekend overnights for KSKS/Fresno. PD Tom Jordan tells Country Aircheck Allen will also handle some live weekend shifts from time to time.

» Medal Working: CBS Radio's KUPL/Portland, OR morning personality Lee Rogers was presented the Veterans of Oregon Honorable Service Medal live on-air this morning to recognize his years of support for veterans and their families. Rogers, who served in the Air Force in both Thailand and Vietnam, says, "When we came back from Southeast Asia in the late '60s, we had to change out of our uniforms at the San Francisco Airport to keep from being abused. I swore right then and there that I would do anything I could to make sure future service men and women wouldn't have to go through the same thing. Fortunately, my radio career has given me many opportunities to do that, and I'm honored to accept this award."

» In Case You Missed It: Three staffers were hired for the Republic/Nashville promotion team: former KIIM/Tucson MD/night jock Lois Lewis, former 1720 Midwest rep Shari Roth and former Montage Coord./Radio Marketing & Secondary Promotion Kathleen Drosey. All can now be reached at their Republic email address: which follow the format first.last@republicnashville.com. Read this morning's bulletin here.

» Scratch Vocalists: BNA's Kenny Chesney is the year's highest-paid country artist, according to Forbes' "Year's Top-Earning Musicians" list. Chesney is No. 6 on the list with $65 million and Rascal Flatts follows with $60 million. Toby Keith rounds out the top 10 with $52 million. Others included are Beyonce Knowles, Celine Dion and, at No. 1, Madonna with $110 million. The list compiles album sales, touring, publishing and endorsement deals for the rankings.

» Hog Wild: The 3rd Annual Ride for the Cure hosted by Little Big Town raised $52,000 for the TJ Martell Foundation. Martina McBride, Jamey Johnson, Jason Michael Carroll and others attended the June 14 event.

» Wall Bling: The RIAA has issued gold certification for Jason Aldean's Wide Open, which has surpassed 500,000 units in 10 weeks.

» Benefit News: Songwriters Lisa Carver, Marv Green, Patrick Davis and Harley Allen will perform a benefit show for Warner Music Group/Nashville Coord./Facilities Gina Hilburn, who has been battling cancer for more than a year. The event is June 26 at 9pm at Nashville's Bluebird Cafe. Tickets are $15 and all proceeds go to Hilburn. Donations can also be made to the Roger Davis Memorial Fund (note "For Gina" in the subject) Attn: Virginia Davis, 1708 21st Ave. S. #101, Nashville, TN 37212.

» A Shane Will Do You Good: Nashville-based Tailight TV, which just produced the highly rated 2009 CMT Awards, is exclusively representing music video director Shane Drake in the country format. In 2006 he won the MTV Video Of The Year award for Panic At The Disco's "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" and previously worked with FloRida, Paramore and Fall Out Boy.

» Audiosave: The Kenny Chesney tour is shelling out $500,000 for additional speakers and upgraded sound output at his Sept. 19 show at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium. Additionally, the venue is spending $200,000 toward echo-reduction in its concrete sections. According to the Chicago Tribune, the sound problems marred Chesney's show last year, prompting the moves.

» iPhone Update: Huie Media owner Laura Huie has new contact info. Reach her at 615-415-2460 or here.

» Something Of Interest: "In response to strong investor demand," XM Satellite Radio, which earlier this week had announced the sale of $350 million in senior secured notes due 2013 (CAT 6/22), has expanded that offering to $525,750,000. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 11.25%, priced to investors at 95.093% of the principal amount. The net proceeds will be used mainly to retire amounts outstanding under its credit agreement, replace a $150 million agreement with Liberty Media and refinance or repay other XM debt. Wall Street liked the move, sending SIRI stock up 15% today.

» Heart Gallery: Unrest's Aaron Watson will record his live CD/DVD Deep In The Heart Of Texas this Saturday (6/27) at Waco, TX's Hog Creek Icehouse. The set will be released Sept. 15.

» Life Note: Congratulations to Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley and wife Cassie McConnell, who were married earlier this week. Lady A's publicist tells Country Aircheck it was a formality in advance of their upcoming destination wedding ceremony.

» Chronicle: Our condolences are extended to the friends and family of artist/songwriter/guitarist Tim Krekel, who succumbed to cancer yesterday (6/24). He was 58. Krekel's vast career included playing lead guitar in Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band and co-writing Patty Loveless' "You Can Feel Bad" and others. He released his solo album Crazy Me on Capricorn in 1979 and then started The Sluggers band, which released two albums on Arista. A public memorial service is being planned.