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May 29, 2018, Issue 595

Norfolk’s Ratings Experiment

For nearly two years, neither of Norfolk’s big Country stations – Max Media’s WGH 97.3 The Eagle and Sinclair’s WUSH US 106.1 – have subscribed to any ratings service. Programmers, station owners and consultants have been watching the battle to see what can be learned about competing in a ratings vacuum. Part of the answer might be found in the fact that one of the two is getting back into the ratings game. Snubscription: In June 2014, Sinclair’s Norfolk stations dropped their subscription with Nielsen. Just over two years later the market’s Max Media stations followed suit. WGH PD Mark McKay remembers the first months being without Nielsen, “I don’t know that anything changed immediately with the Mark McKay exception of [not being] perched waiting for the numbers every month,” he says. “To a certain degree it was like trying to fly a plane without the instruments, but it also meant less reports to do every month and I’m ok with that. It freed me up to do other things.” The Norfolk market was no stranger to Nielsen ratings fluctuations, both in technology and methodology. “A lot of really rash and hasty decisions were based on PPM numbers initially,” McKay says. “A lot of things changed and not necessarily for the better. People knee jerked, [but] I think that’s settled down some now.” Nevertheless, the system has its challenges. “You lose one meter out of a week and it could crush your whole month, especially in a market this size,” McKay adds. “A lot of stations could make a snap judgment Dave Parker that something is really wrong when in fact it was just that the Smith family went on vacation.” As welcome as parting ways with PPM’s problems may be, both PDs had to find new ways to tell their story to advertisers. “Our station has gone out of its way to elevate our personalities,” says WUSH PD Dave Parker. “For that reason, we do very well with testimonials. (continued on page 7)

Five More People: Triple Tigers’ Scotty McCreery with WNNF/ Cincinnati staffers. Pictured (l-r) are Anne Menkhaus, the station’s Katie Schroeder, McCreery and the station’s Chris Clare, Amanda Orlando and Austin ‘Tater’ Ratcliff.

Music, Big Hearts & A Little School

A small fundraising effort to help a Mexican school has grown into a country music passion project over the last nine years. With planning now underway for the 10th annual Island Time Music Festival on Isla Mujeres, Mexico, the event is poised for deeper music business connections, a bigger charitable footprint and possibly some radio tie-ins. “We have quietly grown into somewhat of a phenomenon in paradise,” says Studio1Bee Co-President Skip Bishop. But don’t take his word for it: American Express recently featured Island Time as one of Skip Bishop 15 top island music festivals.

© 2 0 1 8 Co u n t r y A i rc h e c k ™ — A l l r i g h t s r e s e r v e d . S i g n u p f re e a t w w w. c o u n t r y a i rc h e c k . c o m . S e n d n e w s t o n e w s @ c o u n t r y a i r c h e c k . c o m

May 29, 2018

MY TUNES: MUSIC THAT SHAPED MY LIFE Jennifer Fielder and Trey Smith of In2une/Deluge’s Smithfield discuss their most influential music: 1. LeAnn Rimes: As a little girl, I used to watch her sing on Johnnie High’s Country Music Revue in Texas. When I got old enough to Smithfield audition for that show, her godmother was the one to put me on it. You can tell I listened to LeAnn a lot, because I have a little “break” in my voice that’s there because of her yodel. (JF) 2. Keith Urban’s Golden Road: I played in a rock band for a long time. When I heard that album and all the guitar sounds he used, I realized that what I did could be integrated into country music. (TS) 3. Faith Hill’s Cry: It’s my all-time favorite country album. My dad introduced me to country music, so on family road trips I’d listen to that CD on repeat. (JF) 4. Garth Brooks: When I was young, I used to stand up on the fireplace singing “Friends In Low Places” while wearing my dad’s boots. I watched his Central Park concert on TV and was drawn to his performance and the way he worked the crowd. (TS) 5. Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now”: As Trey and I were forming a duo and thinking about our sound, Lady A was a huge influence. Their harmonies and Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott’s onstage chemistry was so captivating. (JF) • Highly regarded music you’ve actually never heard: I asked Jenn if she’d ever listened to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon, and my question flew right over her head. (TS) • “Important” music you just don’t get: I respect it, but I’ve never been into death metal scream-o music. (TS) • An album you listened to incessantly: Jon Bellion’s The Human Condition. We both know every single word. (JF) • An obscure or non-country song everyone should listen to right now: Jon Bellion’s “All Time Low.” It’s a really cool groove and the lyrics are intriguing. (TS) • Music you’d rather not admit to enjoying: We’re kids of the ‘90s, so I’d say Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, NSYNC, Christina Aguilera. (JF)

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The event began as a fishing tournament, which remains, though has perhaps been overshadowed by the music. “In those early days they brought in a few songwriters to perform and found out that people got really excited to see those shows,” Bishop says. “People were making very hefty donations to see these writer/artists.” The “founding father quartet” songwriters are Jon Stone, Lewis Brice, Joel Rush and Nick Norman. Other early participants included Craig Wiseman and Phil Vassar. Bishop now co-chairs with Chris Shannon, who handles the Mexico side of organizing the five-day festival. “They knew I had contacts in the music LoCash business and brought me in five years ago for some last-minute help,” Bishop says. “We lined up Blackjack Billy, Natalie Stovall, Kellie Pickler and LoCash and it just blew up. “Kellie and her husband Kyle Jacobs have been unbelievably tireless soldiers in making this as big as it has been,” Bishop says. “They perform, visit the school and are tremendous advocates for this cause.” The cause is a local school for disabled children, the Little Yellow Schoolhouse. “This is all-volunteer,” Bishop says. “No one is paid. Every penny and peso goes to the school, which we fund completely for the year – teacher salaries, maintenance, supplies, insurance and upgrades. The Mexican public school system doesn’t have the infrastructure to educate kids at this level of disability. Private schools are very expensive so many of these kids would have nowhere else to go.” The school and the festival are both on Isla Mujeres, which is a ferry ride from Cancun and has a rustic vibe with no chain hotels or restaurants. Golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation, and the venues are small. Island Time turns 10 Feb. 18-23, 2019, and Bishop expects a blowout celebration. “This event began with the goal of selling 100 tickets,” he says, noting sales now exceed 500 tickets each year. “We’re expecting as many as 1,000 this year, which will test the island’s capacity. Hotels are very affordable and fill up quickly, but we have seen an influx of attendees who stay in Cancun and take the ferry over and back each day.” Tickets are $249 for a five-day pass, with a VIP level at $349 that includes special seating, small parties with the performers and more. Out of its recent revenue growth, the festival has

May 29, 2018

Page 5

Pump Up The Jam: WDSY/Pittsburgh hosts its annual 8 Man Jam Thursday (5/24). Pictured (back, l-r) are Red Bow’s Joe Nichols; the station’s Wookie; Reviver’s Michael Tyler; MCA’s Jordan Davis; Warner Bros./WMN’s Cale Dodds; Riser House/ Columbia’s Mitchell Tenpenny; KDKA’s Jim Graci; EMI Nashville’s Eric Paslay; RCA’s Ryan Hurd; the station’s Amy Mauk; Red Dirt Revival’s Jackson Gardner and the station’s Broadway and Maria D’Antonio; (front, l-r) WKND’s Charlie Mitchell, Heather Meyers and Dan Simon; the station’s Cowboy Curt, Jade and Mark Anderson; KDKA’s Amanda Silay; WBZZ’s Celeste Donatucci and the station’s Lydia Busada.

added Nashville charity Thistle Farms/Magdalene House, which helps women recovering from trafficking, prostitution, drugs and homelessness. Also new this year, outreach to radio. “It’s the bullseye for a target fan who would love a trip to a beautiful Caribbean island in the dead cold of winter,” Bishop says. “From morning show interviews to purchasing a pair of tickets for on-air giveaways or website links, Country radio participation is encouraged and appreciated. Lives are dramatically changed because of the contributions the Nashville music community makes to this festival.” Learn more here; reach Bishop here.

Chart Chat

Congrats to Darius Rucker, Royce Risser, Bobby Young, David Friedman and the Capitol and UMGN promotion teams on securing this week’s No. 1 with “For The First Time.” The song is the second chart-topper from When Was The Last Time. Writers are Derek George, Scooter Carusoe and Rucker. Darius Rucker And kudos to Young and the Capitol team for also topping this week’s add board with Luke Bryan’s “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset.”

May 29, 2018

Page 7

I Wanna Be Loved Bayou: Mercury’s Chris Stapleton with radio friends at Bayou Country Superfest in New Orleans Sunday (5/27). Pictured (back, l-r) are WYNK/Baton Rouge’s Austin James and guest; Scott Tully and WYNK’s Brittany Tully; KMDL/Lafayette, LA’s Michael Scott; Stapleton; Jill and WTGE/Baton Rouge, LA’s Brian King; (middle, l-r) the label’s Jill Brunett; King’s wife Cindy and guest and Brenda Connolly; (front, l-r) WLFP/Memphis’ Marty Brooks and KMDL’s Jude Walker.

News & Notes

Maximum Artist Group VP Dennis Disney has been elevated to SVP/COO for the company, overseeing all business and legal affairs as well as strategy development for the firm. Tanya Tucker has been added to the lineup of the GLAAD and Ty Herndon Present: Concert for Love and Acceptance June 7 at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon during CMA Fest, hosted by CMT’s Cody Alan. Complete lineup here. PLA Media adds singer-songwriter Sarah Lawton to its roster. Singer-songwriter Ry Bradley signs with Sound Revolver.

The Week’s Top Stories

Full coverage at countryaircheck.com. • Jeff Sottolano was upped at Entercom. (CAT 5/24) • Michelle Redberg was promoted at iHeartMedia/Minneapolis. (CAT 5/23) • Charlie Morgan and Steve Wariner will be honored by the CRB. (CAT 5/21)

• Alan Kirshbom joined iHeartMedia/Raleigh. (CAT 5/21) • Russell Robertson transferred to iHeartMedia/Tampa. (CAT 5/21) • Dennis Green joined Sun & Fun Media. (CAT 5/21)

Norfolk’s Ratings Experiment

(continued from page 1)

Creativity, the drive of the personality, proper messaging and creating that sense of family in reaching out to local businesses – doing what the other guys aren’t and constantly innovating. Those things not only raise revenue, but I believe they will also raise ratings. All of those things are not necessarily tied to every mantra we’ve been told about how to program in a PPM world.” Showing value beyond ratings wasn’t a new concept for McKay, either. “You have to be mindful of that stuff to begin with,” he says. “It did become more incumbent upon us to be that much more amenable to the sales department and more available to

I felt a responsibility as an artist to put “Craig” out as my second single. I know it’s not the easiest option for country radio to play… I know it takes a listen or two for people to embrace the message…

I know it is alarmingly different and stylistically polarizing… But it’s the truth…and every time I sing it, I mean it…I feel it...and I know it means something to someone listening. It took me about 3 months to write “Craig.” My sole intention was to say “thank you” to Craig for all that he means to my family and me. I personally struggle with expressing emotions of love or gratitude to other guys… It is very awkward and forced when I say “I love you” to my dad or my brothers… I’m not sure why...it’s just always been like that… I had told Craig thank you many times and that we loved him and his family, but it was always followed with a joke or a quick subject change… T his song was my thank you note. ©2018 MONUMENT RECORDS, A DIVISION OF SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

T he lyrics to “Craig” are exactly how the story went down. Every line is the truth. T he church really is called Redeeming Grace... I really did smell like beer… We really did lose our van... And Craig really did show up at the ballpark “after my sons game one night in two cars with his wife Laura watchin’ from the other…” T here’s at least 3 pages of story that didn’t make it in the song. T here was an entire verse about how…from the stage...I could always see Craig in the back of the bar… talking someone’s ear off. I knew every time he was telling them how amazing he thought I was…how well I could write…that I’d be playing stadiums one day... T here was also a verse about how Craig wasn’t rich…how his gesture truly was a sacrifice for his family to make by offering me their own van. T here was so much to the story that I wanted to share… Craig and his wife, Laura, appreciated the song so much… T hey listened to it in their car in a movie theater parking lot and cried together. Craig’s first text to me after hearing the song was… “speechless”. Craig and Laura didn’t play it for anyone. T hat’s how humble they are. T hey never told anyone they had given us a van. Not a soul. Even Craig’s twin brother had no idea they had helped us. ©2018 MONUMENT RECORDS, A DIVISION OF SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

T he song was meant to be a gift for their ears only. A thank you in song form. But everything changed when I played the song for my producer, Shane McAnally. He insisted that it go on the album and I was shocked… T he song is so specific and personal I wondered who could relate… We took the original version and added an intro to it… We were all “speechless” when the final edit was 3 minutes and 16 seconds long… 3:16. I know…goosebumps right… T he reactions to “Craig” have spoken... I’ve met countless people who are reminded of the “Craig’s” in their lives. I’ve met countless people who are inspired to be like Craig. I’ve met countless people who have been inspired by the song to give cars to families in need, pay it forward, adopting children, etc. in response to the song. It’s crazy what the story of Craig and me is causing… And as an artist… that’s what it’s all about… T elling the world about things that change us… T hat’s why I had to put this song out. Craig and his family and their example mean everything to me. I needed them. I must tell y’all about em. I want to introduce them to everyone. I think my kids were safe cuz Craig was saved. ©2018 MONUMENT RECORDS, A DIVISION OF SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

May 29, 2018

them as they now had one less arrow in their quiver with respect to numbers.” Gorilla Dilemma: Anyone who’s had the experience of pitching a national ad agency knows that if you’re not ranked in the top five Persons 25-54, getting the “buy” is a struggle. Attempting to move the 600-pound gorilla with stories of your station’s specialized content, client satisfaction history or creative promotions will nearly always fall short. “I tell our people all the time that just because we don’t see the numbers doesn’t mean they don’t exist,” says McKay. “I remember one of our sellers telling me that we got on an agency buy we hadn’t been on for a long time for a grocery chain. The seller asked what that meant and I said, ‘I think that means our numbers are good.’” Parker took his first programming post at WUSH nearly three years after they dropped Nielsen. Although he has not been exposed to Nielsen’s radio ratings data, his experience as a local TV meteorologist gives him a deep understanding of how ratings work and what they mean to his station. “Regardless of whether we subscribe or not, the fact of the matter is that this is still a metered market,” he says. “We still have to program as if we were paying the ridiculous, cost-prohibitive amount for Nielsen. That’s because agencies purchase based on the PPM numbers. We still have to play that game because the agencies do.” Heading Eastlan: Even without ratings, ratings matter. Parker asserts the data remain one of the reasons advertisers support his station. He adds, “But also, does it just sound like a good radio station? Shouldn’t that be the first question?” That might depend on who’s asking the question. In Max Media’s case, the experiment has shifted as the cluster will begin subscribing to Eastlan Ratings. The core question in dropping Nielsen may be in discovering if the huge cost savings are exceeded by a potential drop in revenue. While that’s likely too sensitive

Page 11

an analysis for any station to detail in print, a tangential answer might be found in Max Media/Norfolk GM Keith Barton’s quote in the press release: “We needed a ratings system to again measure growth within our building. We feel Eastlan is a perfect alternative and costs a fraction of Nielsen.” McKay is optimistic. “Not knocking Nielsen, they’ve taken a pretty good amount of rocks in their direction over the past few years, but their sample size is so small,” he says. “A panelist can sit in a doctor’s office waiting room for 45 minutes not paying attention at all to the radio, but that station gets credit for them listening. It seems like Eastlan is measuring what people want to listen to and their sample size is significantly higher.” Could Eastlan’s entry into the market create confusion for agencies and bigger direct clients? “The agencies won’t be confused,” Parker says. “They will only trust one source, at least as it stands now, and that’s Nielsen. It’s the one that at least has a recognizable product; Eastlan at this point does not. It’s comparing arena football to the NFL.” McKay makes no predictions, and he’s philosophical about the business realities. “We live in a numbers-driven world and that’s not going to change,” he says. “[But] the numbers don’t always tell the whole story. You have a bad month and then go out to a station event and it’s packed. You look around and think, if the numbers are so bad then why are all of these people here? There are flaws in any system and you still have to use your creative brain, not just your analytical one. You have to find the balance between the two.” –Ed. Note: Guest columnist and radio pro Scott Lindy can be reached here. CAC

May 29, 2018

Page 13

SEEK & EMPLOY Available Jobs Here’s a list of job seekers and open gigs. Not listed? Send info here and we’ll include you in a future update: Rubber City WQMX/Akron has an opening for an OM and PD. Materials here. Cherry Creek/St. George, UT OM Dale Desmond is seeking a Dir./Production for the seven station cluster, which includes Country KIYK/KCIN. Candidates will also handle afternoon duties on the cluster’s Hot AC station. Airchecks and résumés to Group Program Dir. Mark Elliot here. Redwood Empire KBBL/Santa Rosa, CA has an opening for a morning host. Materials to VP/Programming Brent Farris here. Entercom’s KWJJ/Portland is adding an on-air personality to its Mike & Amy In The Morning show. Apply here. Bliss WJVL/Janesville, WI has an opening for a part-time weekender. At least one year on-air experience is required. Airchecks and résumés to PD Justin Brown here. Seven Mountains WNBT/Mansfield, PA has an opening for an afternoon personality. Airchecks and résumés to VP/ Programming JC Burton here. L3 Entertainment/Nashville has an opening for a social media/digital marketing strategist. Materials to President/ Artist Management Peter Hartung here and VP/Artist Management Neil Vance here. Scripps continues its search for a WKTI/Milwaukee morning personality. At least two years on-air experience is required. Apply here. Bristol WXBQ/Johnson City, TN is still searching for a PD to succeed Bill Hagy. The right candidate will also have on-air responsibilities. A minimum of five years as a Country PD is required. Airchecks and resumes here. Cox/Orlando, which includes Country WWKA, has an opening for an OM. Experience in Country is a plus. Send materials to VP/ Programming Steve Smith here. Big Loud is seeking a National Dir./Promotion. Send résumés and portfolios here. iHeartMedia/Nashville’s WSIX and WSIX-HD2 & W252CM has an opening for a Dir./Promotions. Apply here. NRG WYTE/Wausau, WI is searching for a PD/morning host. Airchecks and résumés to OM Tony Waitekus here. Riverbend KTHK/Idaho Falls, ID has an opening for an afternoon personality. Airchecks and résumés here. Cumulus’ WIOV/Lancaster, PA has an opening in afternoons. Three to five years on-air experience is required. Apply here. Scripps’ KVOO/Tulsa has an opening for an APD/on-air personality. Apply here. Entercom’s WPAW/Greensboro, NC has a newly created opening for a morning co-host. At least three years on-air experience is required. Apply here. KSE Radio Ventures/Denver is searching for an engineer. Apply here. Arista/Nashville is seeking a Regional Mgr./Promotions. Apply here. Binnie/Portland, ME has an opening for an on-air promotions asssistant. The cluster includes Country WTHT. Send airchecks and résumés to OM Stan Bennett here. CMA is seeking applicants for a newly created Strategist/ Integrated Marketing & Sales position. See more here; cover letter and résumé here.

Buck Owens Productions’ KUZZ AM & FM/Bakersfield is searching for a Sales Assistant in the Radio Sales and Camera Ads departments. Send résumés here. iHeartMedia’s KNIX/Phoenix has an opening for a PD. Apply here. Dick WRNS/Greenville, NC is looking for a morning host. Send airchecks and résumés here. Cumulus’ WIOV/Lancaster, PA is searching for a morning cohost. Apply here. Vallie Richards Donovan Consulting has a PM drive opening at a legendary east coast Country station. Send airchecks and résumés to “Country Jobs” here. Entercom’s WKIS/Miami is searching for an evening host. Apply here. Binnie Media/Maine is searching for a Dir./Traffic and a part-time Sales Assistant in Portland, for its stations which include Country WTHT and WBQQ. Send materials here. Midwest’s KVOX/Fargo has an unspecified on-air opening. Send airchecks and résumés here. Consultant Joel Raab has two client stations looking for a PD and an APD/MD in two different Top 100 markets. Send materials here. Summit’s WQNU/Louisville is looking for an APD/MD/on-air host. Submit materials here. CMA is looking for a Market Research Analyst and a Creative Content Project Manager. Send cover letter, résumé and salary requirements to HR Consultant Sarah Pinson here.

Searching •April Rider Former RPM Pres., Stoney Creek GM, Curb VP/Promotion aprilriderhelm@me.com (615) 714-1749 •Rosey Fitchpatrick Promotion/Marketing industry vet (MCA, Decca, Indie promo, WME) roseyfitch99@gmail.com 615-944-7033 •Tommy & Joe Johnson Former KUBL/Salt Lake City morning co-hosts tommyjohnsonmail@gmail.com •Pam Russell Former UMG/Nashville VP/National Sales Pamwrussell@icloud.com •Shane Collins Former Summit Media/Louisville OM ShaneC1234@gmail.com •Natalie Kilgore Former SouthComm VP/Marketing NatalieKilgore@outlook.com •Ron “Keyes” Stevens Former KEKB/Grand Junction, CO morning host ronstvns@yahoo.com •Jeremy Guenther Former KSSN & KMJX/Little Rock MD, on-air; Capitol SW Regional 501-590-4878 jguenther01@gmail.com • Jeff Roper Former KCYY/San Antonio APD/MD/morning host 210-790-7099 ropershow@gmail.com

May 29, 2018 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

DARIUS RUCKER

Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud Stations ADDS

✔

23855

2419

8889

854

60.368 5.668

157

LUKE COMBS/One Number Away (River House/Columbia)

23067

535

8514

210

59.793 1.658

157

KANE BROWN/Heaven (RCA)

20386

-3692

7592

-1419

55.083 -6.471

157

DIERKS BENTLEY/Woman, Amen (Capitol) ✔

19533

997

7167

370

48.767 2.422

157

D. L. MURPHY f/K. CHESNEY/Everything's... (Blue Chair/Reviver)

18459

578

6924

241

45.923 1.528

157

BLAKE SHELTON/I Lived It (Warner Bros./WMN)

17830

112

6573

45.075 0.153

157

MORGAN WALLEN f/FGL/Up Down (BMLGR/Big Loud)

16297

670

6291

309

39.939

157

KENNY CHESNEY/Get Along (Blue Chair/Warner Bros./WEA)

15418

425

5741

183

38.634 0.384

157

619

36.956 2.572

157

For The First Time (Capitol)

2.26

DAN + SHAY/Tequila (Warner Bros./WAR) ✔

15276

1525

5485

JAKE OWEN/I Was Jack (You Were Diane) (Big Loud)

13612

157

5071

-2

34.91 -0.034

156

KEITH URBAN f/J. MICHAELS/Coming Home (Capitol)

11714

699

4267

270

29.738 1.033

157

Artist/Title (Label)

MORGAN EVANS/Kiss Somebody (Warner Bros./WEA)

Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud Stations ADDS

DARIUS RUCKER CHRIS LANE f/T. KELLY/Take Back Home Girl (Big Loud)

10736

324

3860

121

23855 10613

2419 424

8889 3800

854 148

25.09

1.281

153

60.368 25.144 5.668 1

157 143

23.215 59.793 25.157 55.083 20.695 48.767 18.762 45.923 18.539 45.075 19.207 39.939 15.784 38.634 17.35 36.956 16.191 34.91 14.462 29.738 11.388 25.09 12.851 25.144

0.069 1.658 1.547 -6.471 0.939 2.422 0.994 1.528 0.028 0.153 1.307 2.26 0.982 0.384 2.231 2.572 1.052 -0.034 0.153 1.033 1.661 1.281 -1.118 1

155 157 157 157 156 157 147 157 150 157 154 157 149 157 147 157 151 156 145 157 144 153 133 143

1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 0 3 0 3 0 3 2 26 0

3 14

113

15 2 16 1 17 5 18 6 19 7 20 8 22 9 24 10 23 11 25 12 27 13 29 14

14 2 15 3 16 4 17 5 18 6 19 7 20 8 21 9 22 10 23 11 24 12 25 13

MICHAEL RAY/Get To You (Atlantic/WEA) LUKE COMBS/One Number Away (River House/Columbia) CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Cry Pretty (Capitol) KANE BROWN/Heaven (RCA) LADY ANTEBELLUM/Heart Break (Capitol) DIERKS BENTLEY/Woman, Amen (Capitol) ✔ DYLAN SCOTT/Hooked (Curb) D. L. MURPHY f/K. CHESNEY/Everything's... (Blue Chair/Reviver) LINDSAY ELL/Criminal (Stoney Creek) BLAKE SHELTON/I Lived It (Warner Bros./WMN) BRETT YOUNG/Mercy (BMLGR) MORGAN WALLEN f/FGL/Up Down (BMLGR/Big Loud) CHASE RICE/Three Chords & The Truth (Broken Bow) KENNY CHESNEY/Get Along (Blue Chair/Warner Bros./WEA) THOMAS RHETT/Life Changes (Valory) DAN + SHAY/Tequila (Warner Bros./WAR) ✔ JUSTIN MOORE/Kinda Don't Care (Valory) JAKE OWEN/I Was Jack (You Were Diane) (Big Loud) COLE SWINDELL/Break Up In The End (Warner Bros./WMN) KEITH URBAN f/J. MICHAELS/Coming Home (Capitol) CHRIS JANSON/Drunk Girl (Warner Bros./WAR) MORGAN EVANS/Kiss Somebody (Warner Bros./WEA) SAM HUNT/Downtown's Dead (MCA) CHRIS LANE f/T. KELLY/Take Back Home Girl (Big Loud)

10087 23067 9932 20386 9087 19533 8776 18459 8439 17830 8282 16297 7492 15418 7308 15276 7021 13612 6493 11714 6106 10736 5153 10613

84 535 646 -3692 278 997 372 578 42 112 442 670 354 425 787 1525 174 157 98 699 609 324 282 424

3785 8514 3625 7592 3419 7167 3186 6924 3170 6573 3039 6291 2681 5741 2736 5485 2772 5071 2414 4267 2342 3860 1840 3800

72 210 199 -1419 98 370 130 241 -13 33 189 309 155 183 319 619 58 -2 53 270 196 121 18 148

MICHAEL RAY/Get To You (Atlantic/WEA)

10087

3785

23.215 0.069

155

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Cry Pretty (Capitol)

9932

646

3625

199

25.157 1.547

157

LADY ANTEBELLUM/Heart Break (Capitol)

9087

278

3419

20.695 0.939

156

DYLAN SCOTT/Hooked (Curb)

8776

372

3186

130

18.762 0.994

147

LINDSAY ELL/Criminal (Stoney Creek)

8439

3170

-13

18.539 0.028

150

BRETT YOUNG/Mercy (BMLGR)

8282

442

3039

189

19.207 1.307

154

CHASE RICE/Three Chords & The Truth (Broken Bow)

7492

354

2681

155

15.784 0.982

149

THOMAS RHETT/Life Changes (Valory)

7308

787

2736

319

2.231

147

JUSTIN MOORE/Kinda Don't Care (Valory)

7021

174

2772

16.191 1.052

151

COLE SWINDELL/Break Up In The End (Warner Bros./WMN)

6493

2414

14.462 0.153

145

CHRIS JANSON/Drunk Girl (Warner Bros./WAR)

6106

609

2342

196

11.388 1.661

144

SAM HUNT/Downtown's Dead (MCA)

5153

282

1840

12.851 -1.118

133

✔

For The First Time (Capitol)

17.35

Chart Page 1

May 29, 2018 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud Stations ADDS

CARLY PEARCE/Hide The Wine (Big Machine)

5038

431

1993

172

OLD DOMINION/Hotel Key (RCA)

5026

458

1815

SUGARLAND f/T. SWIFT/Babe (UMGN/Big Machine)

4962

BROTHERS OSBORNE/Shoot Me Straight (EMI Nashville)

4718

LAUREN ALAINA/Doin' Fine (19/Interscope/Mercury)

8.396

0.234

147

183

11.361 1.299

127

1790

10.339 -0.176

137

256

1762

106

8.711

0.613

136

4349

-1359

1595

-573

9.183 -2.996

143

JASON ALDEAN f/M. LAMBERT/Drowns... (Broken Bow) ✔

4144

1982

1516

709

9.832

4.718

121

LANCO/Born To Love You (Arista)

4031

167

1456

6.366

0.314

137

MAREN MORRIS/Rich (Columbia)

3932

411

1345

161

7.255

0.231

123

ASHLEY MCBRYDE/A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega (Atlantic/WAR) 3901

-200

1430

-70

8.775 -0.683

111

KIP MOORE/Last Shot (MCA)

3470

1268

-19

5.7

-0.043

125

RUSSELL DICKERSON/Blue Tacoma (Triple Tigers)

3050

288

1067

5.315

0.94

120

CHRIS YOUNG/Hangin' On (RCA)

3047

-110

1051

-51

6.349

0.117

104

TRENT HARMON/You Got 'Em All (Big Machine)

2962

1089

4.675

0.304

123

KELSEA BALLERINI/I Hate Love Songs (Black River)

2942

215

1112

5.352

0.505

108

MITCHELL TENPENNY/Drunk Me (Riser House/Columbia)

2831

194

999

6.769

0.24

107

JIMMIE ALLEN/Best Shot (Stoney Creek)

2608

-18

1033

-8

4.396

0.269

109

JERROD NIEMANN/I Got This (Curb)

1736

-71

590

-14

4.82

-0.314

MIDLAND/Burn Out (Big Machine)

1663

604

-7

3.235

0.444

CRAIG CAMPBELL/See You Try (Red Bow)

1616

172

659

1.934

0.287

TYLER RICH/The Difference (Valory)

1417

519

2.153

0.124

CHRIS STAPLETON/Millionaire (Mercury)

1356

613

2.067

0.04

RODNEY ATKINS/Caught Up In The Country (Curb)

1297

501

1.559 -0.001

DANIELLE BRADBERY/Worth It (BMLGR)

1201

-132

491

-48

1.816

-0.36

AARON WATSON/Run Wild Horses (Big Label)

1183

509

1.771

0.231

LOCASH/Don't Get Better Than That (Reviver)

1182

-381

489

-138

1.896 -0.542

Debut 47 49

Debut 49 46

Chart Page 2

May 29, 2018 Country Aircheck Add Leaders LUKE BRYAN/Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset (Capitol) JASON ALDEAN f/M. LAMBERT/Drowns The... (Broken Bow) SAM HUNT/Downtown's Dead (MCA) JOE NICHOLS/Billy Graham's Bible (Red Bow) MAREN MORRIS/Rich (Columbia) JORDAN DAVIS/Take It From Me (MCA) DUSTIN LYNCH/Good Girl (Broken Bow) OLD DOMINION/Hotel Key (RCA) CHRIS STAPLETON/Millionaire (Mercury) GRANGER SMITH/You're In It (Wheelhouse) LANCO/Born To Love You (Arista) SUGARLAND f/T. SWIFT/Babe (UMGN/Big Machine)

Activator Top Point Gainers

Adds

JASON ALDEAN f/M. LAMBERT/Drowns The... (Broken Bow) 1307 ✔

89 34 26 24 12 7 6 6 5 5 5 5

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers

LUKE BRYAN/Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset (Capitol)

941 ✔

MORGAN WALLEN f/FGL/Up Down (BMLGR/Big Loud)

778 ✔

DAN + SHAY/Tequila (Warner Bros./WAR)

772 ✔

KEITH URBAN f/J. MICHAELS/Coming Home (Capitol)

722 ✔

DIERKS BENTLEY/Woman, Amen (Capitol)

678

KENNY CHESNEY/Get Along (Blue Chair/Warner Bros./WEA)

506

BRETT YOUNG/Mercy (BMLGR)

494

OLD DOMINION/Hotel Key (RCA)

475

MORGAN EVANS/Kiss Somebody (Warner Bros./WEA)

456

Activator Top Spin Gainers

DARIUS RUCKER/For The First Time (Capitol)

2419

JASON ALDEAN f/M. LAMBERT/Drowns The... (Broken Bow)

1982

DAN + SHAY/Tequila (Warner Bros./WAR)

1525

LUKE BRYAN/Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset (Capitol)

1044

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

JASON ALDEAN f/M. LAMBERT/Drowns The... (Broken Bow)

319

LUKE BRYAN/Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset (Capitol)

207

DAN + SHAY/Tequila (Warner Bros./WAR)

170

MORGAN WALLEN f/FGL/Up Down (BMLGR/Big Loud)

165

DIERKS BENTLEY/Woman, Amen (Capitol)

997

DIERKS BENTLEY/Woman, Amen (Capitol)

150

THOMAS RHETT/Life Changes (Valory)

787

KEITH URBAN f/J. MICHAELS/Coming Home (Capitol)

148

KEITH URBAN f/J. MICHAELS/Coming Home (Capitol)

699

SAM HUNT/Downtown's Dead (MCA)

127

MORGAN WALLEN f/FGL/Up Down (BMLGR/Big Loud)

670

MORGAN EVANS/Kiss Somebody (Warner Bros./WEA)

112

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Cry Pretty (Capitol)

646

KENNY CHESNEY/Get Along (Blue Chair/Warner Bros./WEA)

102

CHRIS JANSON/Drunk Girl (Warner Bros./WAR)

609

OLD DOMINION/Hotel Key (RCA)

Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers

Country Aircheck Top Recurrents

Points

DARIUS RUCKER/For The First Time (Capitol)

854

JASON ALDEAN/You Make It Easy (Broken Bow)

16670

JASON ALDEAN f/M. LAMBERT/Drowns The... (Broken Bow)

709

BEBE REXHA f/FGL/Meant To Be (BMLGR/WBR)

13638

DAN + SHAY/Tequila (Warner Bros./WAR)

619

LUKE BRYAN/Most People Are Good (Capitol)

12101

DIERKS BENTLEY/Woman, Amen (Capitol)

370

JORDAN DAVIS/Singles You Up (MCA)

10804

LUKE BRYAN/Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset (Capitol)

336

DUSTIN LYNCH/Small Town Boy (Broken Bow)

9414

THOMAS RHETT/Life Changes (Valory)

319

SAM HUNT/Body Like A Back Road (MCA)

8330

MORGAN WALLEN f/FGL/Up Down (BMLGR/Big Loud)

309

THOMAS RHETT/Unforgettable (Valory)

6858

KEITH URBAN f/J. MICHAELS/Coming Home (Capitol)

270

KANE BROWN f/L. ALAINA/What Ifs (RCA)

6016

D. L. MURPHY f/K. CHESNEY/Everything's... (Blue Chair/Reviver)

241

THOMAS RHETT/Marry Me (Valory)

5910

LUKE COMBS/One Number Away (River House/Columbia)

210

HIGH VALLEY/She's With Me (Atlantic/WEA)

5744

Chart Page 3

May 29, 2018

COUNTRY AIRCHECK ACTIVITY

A D D DAT E S

TYLER RICH/The Difference (Valory) Moves 48-45* 1,417 points, 519 spins 2 adds: KCYE, KUZZ

June 4

CHRIS STAPLETON/Millionaire (Mercury) Moves 50-46* 1,356 points, 613 spins 5 adds: KKGO, KNCI, WBCT, WSSL, WWKA*

CARLTON ANDERSON/Drop Everything (Arista)

RODNEY ATKINS/Caught Up In The Country (Curb) Debuts at 47* 1,297 points, 501 spins 2 adds: WAVW, WPCV* DANIELLE BRADBERY/Worth It (BMLGR) Moves at 49-48 1,201 points, 491 spins; No adds AARON WATSON/Run Wild Horses (Big Label) Debuts at 49* 1,183 points, 509 spins 1 add: WEZL LOCASH/Don’t Get Better Than That (Reviver) Moves 46-50 1,182 points, 489 spins; No adds ERIC PASLEY/Young Forever (EMI Nashville) 1,168 points, 429 spins 2 adds: KTEX, WGTY JORDAN DAVIS/Take It From Me (MCA) 1,083 points, 468 spins 7 adds: KHEY, WDAF, WGH, WOGK, WPOR, WUBE, WXBQ LUKE BRYAN/Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset (Capitol) 1,044 points, 336 spins 89 adds including: KATC*, KAWO, KBEB, KBEQ, KBQI, KCYE, KDRK, KEEY, KFDI, KHGE

ABBY ANDERSON/Make Him Wait (Black River) CLARE DUNN/More (MCA)

June 11 June 18

EVERETTE/Slow Roll (Broken Bow) REBEL HEARTS/Hero’s (---) BRANDON LAY/Yada Yada Yada (EMI Nashville) Send yours to adds@countryaircheck.com

CHECK OUT 6/1

Michael Ray Amos (Atlantic/WEA) Named after Ray’s grandfather and produced by Scott Hendricks (Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson), Amos is the follow-up to his 2015 self-titled debut. The project features 11 tracks, including the lead single “Get To You,” written by Abe Stoklasa and Pavel Dovgalyuk.

Luke Combs This One’s For You Too (River House/Columbia) The deluxe edition of his 2017 debut album This One’s For You features 17 songs co-penned by Combs, including singles “Hurricane” and “When It Rains It Pours,” and five new songs including “Must’ve Never Met You” and “Houston, We Got a Problem.” Thompson Square Masterpiece (–) The duo’s third studio album—their first since 2013’s Just Feels Good—is their debut independent release. Produced by the husbandand-wife team, Nathan Chapman and Dann Huff, it features 11 new tracks including “Masterpiece,” “A Love Like This,” “Millionaires,” “Up In Smoke” and “Let’s Do Something Stupid.”

Chart Page 4

May 29, 2018 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

LUKE COMBS

Points

+/- Points

Plays

+/- Plays Stations ADDS

12015

212

2607

DARIUS RUCKER/For The First Time (Capitol)

11424

136

2489

BLAKE SHELTON/I Lived It (Warner Bros./WMN)

11057

101

2330

DIERKS BENTLEY/Woman, Amen (Capitol)

10961

678

2331

150

2nd Week at No. 1

One Number Away (River House/Columbia)

KANE BROWN/Heaven (RCA)

10150

-1238

2211

-284

MORGAN WALLEN f/FGL/Up Down (BMLGR/Big Loud) ✔

9507

778

2060

165

D. L. MURPHY f/K. CHESNEY/Everything's Gonna Be Alright (Blue Chair/Reviver)

9347

295

1971

KENNY CHESNEY/Get Along (Blue Chair/Warner Bros./WEA) ✔

9150

506

1881

102

JAKE OWEN/I Was Jack (You Were Diane) (Big Loud)

8894

167

1798

11 10

DAN + SHAY/Tequila (Warner Bros./WAR) ✔

8362

772

1785

170

12 11

KEITH URBAN f/J. MICHAELS/Coming Home (Capitol)

7584

722

1586

148

13 12

MORGAN EVANS/Kiss Somebody (Warner Bros./WEA)

7144

456

1494

112

14 13

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Cry Pretty (Capitol)

6659

250

1371

15 14

LADY ANTEBELLUM/Heart Break (Capitol)

5533

122

1164

16 15

MICHAEL RAY/Get To You (Atlantic/WEA)

5169

1124

17 16

CHRIS LANE f/T. KELLY/Take Back Home Girl (Big Loud)

5150

185

1044

18 17

LINDSAY ELL/Criminal (Stoney Creek)

5088

124

1019

21 18

BRETT YOUNG/Mercy (BMLGR)

4499

494

984

20 19

THOMAS RHETT/Life Changes (Valory)

4330

269

815

22 20

JUSTIN MOORE/Kinda Don't Care (Valory)

4153

261

846

23 21

DYLAN SCOTT/Hooked (Curb)

3949

867

10 8 9

30 22

JASON ALDEAN f/M. LAMBERT/Drowns The Whiskey (Broken Bow) ✔

3615

1307

743

319

24 23

COLE SWINDELL/Break Up In The End (Warner Bros./WMN)

3491

-36

686

-9

27 24

OLD DOMINION/Hotel Key (RCA)

3185

475

624

25 25

CHRIS JANSON/Drunk Girl (Warner Bros./WAR)

3154

218

659

28 26

SUGARLAND f/T. SWIFT/Babe (UMGN/Big Machine)

2817

232

562

29 27

ASHLEY MCBRYDE/A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega (Atlantic/WAR)

2340

-182

529

-57

26 28

LAUREN ALAINA/Doin' Fine (19/Interscope/Mercury)

2125

-651

473

-133

31 29

BROTHERS OSBORNE/Shoot Me Straight (EMI Nashville)

2058

-122

425

-9

33 30

SAM HUNT/Downtown's Dead (MCA)

1981

336

456

127

Chart Page 5

May 29, 2018 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

Points +/- Points

32 31

CHASE RICE/Three Chords & The Truth (Broken Bow)

1970

Plays

431

+/- Plays

-1

Stations Adds

35 32

CARLY PEARCE/Hide The Wine (Big Machine)

1710

208

366

34 33

KELSEA BALLERINI/I Hate Love Songs (Black River)

1706

316

37 34

MAREN MORRIS/Rich (Columbia)

1574

252

326

36 35

CHRIS YOUNG/Hangin' On (RCA)

1500

270

-1

38 36

AARON WATSON/Run Wild Horses (Big Label)

1298

-8

269

-1

39 37

LANCO/Born To Love You (Arista)

1267

105

282

41 38

MITCHELL TENPENNY/Drunk Me (Riser House/Columbia)

1172

183

304

40 39

STEPHANIE QUAYLE/Selfish (Rebel Engine)

1140

101

215

43 40

KIP MOORE/Last Shot (MCA)

1058

118

248

45 41

TRENT HARMON/You Got 'Em All (Big Machine)

1018

182

219

42 42

LUCAS HOGE/Power Of Garth (Forge Entertainment)

976

170

Debut 43

LUKE BRYAN/Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset (Capitol) ✔

941

207

47 44

RUSSELL DICKERSON/Blue Tacoma (Triple Tigers)

874

204

44 45

MIDLAND/Burn Out (Big Machine)

851

-50

126

-6

46 46

CHRIS STAPLETON/Millionaire (Mercury)

759

-31

138

-7

48 47

TYLER RICH/The Difference (Valory)

685

-32

-4

50 48

JIMMIE ALLEN/Best Shot (Stoney Creek)

676

160

53 49

RYAN HURD/Diamonds Or Twine (RCA)

640

59 50

RODNEY ATKINS/Caught Up In The Country (Curb)

601

-31

149

-8

51 51

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Keeper Of The Flame (RCA)

588

52 52

DEVIN DAWSON/Asking For A Friend (Atlantic/WEA)

530

-35

-5

59 53

DUSTIN LYNCH/Good Girl (Broken Bow)

522

108

JORDAN DAVIS/Take It From Me (MCA)

510

114

Debut 54 54 55

RADIO ROMANCE/The Weekend (Big Machine)

504

-26

139

-8

55 56

LOCASH/Don't Get Better Than That (Reviver)

480

56 57

RAELYNN/Queens Don't (Warner Bros./WMN)

463

Debut 58

MADDIE & TAE/Friends Don't (Mercury)

440

Debut 59

THOMPSON SQUARE/Masterpiece (---)

440

210

Debut 60

CARLY PEARCE/Color (Big Machine)

440

100

Chart Page 6