weekly October 9, 2023, Issue 879
October Issue: R&R, Toby & Power 31
Previewing the October print edition of Country Aircheck – out next week – begins with a look at the unique, longstanding relationship between record labels and radio stations. Recent realignment at major labels may indicate a shift in priorities, but the notion of diminished investment in promotion isn’t supported by an analysis of promotion staff sizes within the issue. But with fewer decision makers at radio, new efficiencies learned during the pandemic and a major decline in traditional Kurt Johnson radio tours, is the deeply connected nature of the country industry at risk of diminishing? R&R: Records & Radio: Townsquare SVP/Content & Deb Turpin Programming Kurt Johnson doesn’t think so. “In the 1950s, airplay was decided by individual DJs,” he says. “That changed as the business grew George Briner into a huge industry – decisions were made by music directors, program directors, OMs and corporate programmers. The Johnny Chiang labels and artist camps that are investing in building relationships at radio definitely have the competitive advantage for getting their artist up the ranks. That was true in Joe Kenny Jay Galante’s RCA days and it’s true now.” Valory President George Briner says strategic changes have been made. “Before Covid with a brand-new artist, you’d hit 100 stations before the single came out,” he says. “Now, it’s not about how many stations, but which people you reach. It’s quality over quantity.” On same level, it still comes down to who has decision-making power. “If I were running a label today, I’d be focused on major markets and any size market with control of their playlist,” says Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Consultant Kenny Jay. “That’s smart business.”
Post Melon: Broken Bow’s Lainey Wilson with iHeart’s Rod Phillips.
Family Tradition: Moxleys
Spotlighting family members working in the country music industry continues with Valory Coord./Promotion Laura Moxley and her father, veteran label executive Rick Moxley. LM: Growing up, I wanted to be a famous ballerina. The Valory promotion coordinator was my plan B though. I don’t remember when I fully grasped exactly what my dad did … I just remember him Laura Moxley Rick Moxley saying his job was to get songs
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