September 6, 2022, Issue 823
Fantasy Label Draft 2022
Celebrating its “tin anniversary,” the 10th installment of the Country Aircheck Fantasy Label Draft finds six new team owners trying their hands at constructing the ultimate record company. They are: KFGE/Lincoln, NE afternoon personality Brooke Summers; WGH/Norfolk APD/MD/ midday host Karen West; KAWO/Boise Brand Mgr. Kyle Matthews; KSON/ San Diego & KFRG/Riverside Dir./Promotions and KFRG on-air personality Dana Swearingen; Silverfish Dana Brooke Media Dir./Programming Swearingen Summers and nationally syndicated personality Jessica “Carsen” Humphreville; and KBAY/San Jose & KKDV/Walnut Creek, CA OM/PD “Bo Matthews” Gutierrez. Each is vying for the 2022-23 season’s top prize, probably fashioned “Carsen” Karen West of tin (because anniversary) Humphreville and likely purchased from Hobby Lobby. Before season 10 gets rolling, it’s time to crown last year’s winner, KUPL/ Portland’s Danny Dwyer and his Dynamic Bunch, who netted 4,839 total points via artist No. 1s, Kyle Matthews Bo Matthews chart position and longevity, award wins and most-added weeks. Dwyer’s winning roster featured Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Lainey Wilson, Erik Powell and Stacy Blythe Waugh. (continued on page 5)
Taste Makers: Curb’s Hannah Ellis (l) with WWQM/Madison, WI’s Kristi Kelly before the Taste Of Madison Festival.
Tour Launch: Combs’ Maine Course
Luke Combs kicked off his long-awaited The Middle Of Somewhere Tour with two shows at Maine Savings Amphitheater in Bangor Friday and Saturday (9/2 and 9/3). Combs made headlines when he refunded Saturday’s ticketholders – saying he didn’t feel he could sing as well as he normally does – and still went on to perform what became a free, though abbreviated, concert. Luckily, his Friday show went on without a hitch, and Townsquare WQCB/Bangor midday host Paul Wolfe was in attendance. Paul Wolfe “Morgan Wade’s gritty-yet-ascending voice instantly grabbed the ears of the thousands in attendance,” Wolfe says of the opening act. “Her time onstage was highlighted by an electric performance of ‘Mend Me,’ featuring a dazzling guitar solo. The set wrapped with a passionate rendition of ‘Wilder Days.’” Riser House/Columbia’s Mitchell Tenpenny provided direct support. “He didn’t waste a single minute,” says Wolfe. “From the first note to the last, Tenpenny gave his all to the passionate sea of fans. What might have been the most outstanding cover of the night
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