Country Aircheck
 December 11, 2009

» Chapter Adverse: As we previously reported (CAT 11/9), the possibility of Citadel Broadcasting filing for bankruptcy by year's end is now becoming a reality. The Wall Street Journal reports that CEO Farid Suleman is likely to retain his position. Once approved by debtholders, the "pre-arranged" Chapter 11 plan will reduce Citadel's liabilities from $2.48 billion to $760 million, and give its approximately 90 lenders more than 99% ownership in the reorganized company, wiping out general shareholders. Among those lenders are JP Morgan Chase and GE Capital, which hold about 40% of the debt. With 223 stations, Citadel's is America's third-largest radio group. Owning 37 Country outlets and myriad Citadel Media network properties, Citadel also ranks No. 3 in Country format revenue and Country weekly cume. After falling 16% Thursday, Citadel's stock collapsed by nearly 50% today, trading at about two cents.

» There's One, Set For Stunners: After MidNite's Blair Garner premiered the country version of The Stunners' "Santa Bring My Soldier Home" Wednesday (12/9). The pop song was re-cut for country at Garner's suggestion and released to Clear Channel stations today (12/11). Starting tomorrow (12/12), fans can download the song free here and are encouraged to donate to the USO here.


» Gown & Country: Warner Bros.' Whitney Duncan is auctioning the size 2 Versace gown she wore to the The 43rd Annual CMA Awards to benefit Country Cares for St. Jude Kids. Bidding started at $250, and the auction runs to Dec. 19. Place your bid here.

» Top Ten: Arista's Brad Paisley will be featured in The Jay Leno Show's 10@10 feature tonight (12/11). Tune in to NBC at 10pm ET to see Paisley's appearance via satellite.

» iPhone Update: Address and phone numbers have changed for Debbie Gibson Palmer, Spinville Records and St. Regis International. They can now be reached at 4530 Azalia Drive, Tarzana, CA 91356 or 818-705-6886 (o) and 818-705-5480 (f).

» In The Nick Of Time: Don't forget to get your nominations in for the first round of the CRB/Country Aircheck Awards. Squeeze yours in here before tonight's deadline.




» Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for Dec. 10:

  1. LADY ANTEBELLUM/Need You Now (Capitol) 2294 points
  2. REBA/Consider Me Gone (Starstruck/Valory) 2252 points
  3. LUKE BRYAN/Do I (Capitol) 2151 points
  4. DIERKS BENTLEY/I Wanna Make You Close Your... (Capitol) 1901 points
  5. CRAIG MORGAN/Bonfire (BNA) 1878 points

All daily airplay data is from Mediabase 24/7.

» Country Aircheck Today Top 5 Downloads: Here are Play MPE's Top 5 for Dec. 10:

  1. CLEDUS T JUDD/Tiger By The Tail (The Tale of Tiger Woods) (E1 Music)
  2. TRACE ADKINS/Ala-Freakin-Bama (Capitol)
  3. BRADY SEALS/Been There Drunk That (StarCity/Nine North)
  4. ALAN JACKSON/It's Just That Way (Arista)
  5. CRAIG MORGAN/Bonfire (Christmas Version) (BNA)

» Tube Check Tomorrow (12/12): Carrie Underwood, Invitation Only (re-air) (CMT).

Tube Check Sunday (12/13): Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Larry The Cable Guy Christmas Extravaganza (re-air) (CMT).

Tube Check Monday (12/14): Reba, Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson (CBS).

» Tomorrow's Birthdays (12/12): Hank Williams III, Jay Thomas, Liz Kiley.

Sunday's Birthdays (12/13): Taylor Swift, John Anderson, Ron Getman, Randy Owen, John Wiggins, Laurel Altman, Claudia Mize, Darren Wilhite, Anna Owens, Buck White.

Monday's Birthdays (12/14): the late Charlie Rich; Mary Rene Baxter.


Must Love Dogs: WBCT/Grand Rapids PD Dave Taft (l) caught up with Jake Owen and his best friend Vern (seated) backstage before a recent concert.

Whitney An' Them: Warner Bros.' Whitney Duncan (second from r) and label rep George Meeker meet up with KBEQ/Kansas City PD/morning co-host Mike Kennedy (r) and his wife Nycki at the Chiefs v. Broncos game. Duncan kicked off the game with the National Anthem.

Toy Soldiers: The Women's Music Business Association collected more than a hundred toys and nearly $300 at last night's (12/11) Tunes For Tots. Songwriters Erin Enderlin ("Last Call"), Wynn Varble ("Waitin' On A Woman") and Chris Wallin ("Don't Blink") and artists Ty Herndon and Eric Heatherly performed in-the-round for the event, which benefited Toys For Tots. Pictured (l-r) are Staff Sgt. David Carrier, WMBA's Penny Dionne, Enderlin, WMBA's Kasey Clecker, Brandi Simms, Kama Upton, Stephanie Mundy-Self and Lindsay Puddy, Varble and Staff Sgt. Fabian Garcia.

Run JMC: Arista's Jason Michael Carroll played Nashville's Exit/In last night (12/10) and an industry crowd was in the house. Pictured (l-r) are Red Light Management's Jeri Cooper, Sony Music Nashville's Paul Barnabee and Jim Catino, Red Light's Greg Hill, Carroll, SMN's Skip Bishop and Tom Baldrica, Arista's Lesly Tyson and SMN's Ray Uhlir and Heather McBee.














































 



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