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March 30, 2020, Issue 698

Industry Adjusts: Part Two

The country community’s first confirmed coronavirus-related passing (see pages 10-11) has added unwelcome sadness to pandemic-related industry upheaval and uncertainty. Nevertheless, the business of country music soldiers on. Last week (CAW 3/23), industry leaders reacted to the crisis and discussed adjusting to the new realities faced by their consumers. This week, they look at the changing workplace paradigm and find some silver linings. “Communication is everything,” says Townsquare SVPP Kurt Johnson. “We have group meetings daily and company Kurt Johnson updates regularly. And then it’s one-on-one conversations – lots of them to keep each market’s local needs at the forefront. It’s a challenge we’re up for, and our local teams are doing amazing work as they always do.” Internally and externally, communication is at the core of the radio business. “iHeartRadio programming jumped in immediately, providing a ton of equipment for personalities to provide companionship and content from Rod Phillips make-shift home studios,” says iHeartCountry Brand Manager Rod Phillips. Workfrom-home has already facilitated sharing information on weekends, even if the news is sad. “We already felt it with these recent passings, as we were able to update content and information very quickly,” Phillips says. “So that may be one of the benefits moving forward.” Many companies are Zoom-ing into the Jon Loba new reality. “We kept all our regular meetings, and I demanded we do it by video,” says BMG/BBR Music Group EVP Jon Loba. “There’s no room for, ‘Well, I don’t look good.’ Video helps eliminate the distance. I added a few more video conferences (continued on page 7)

Winner Winner, Catfish Dinner: Capitol’s Luke Bryan and his team celebrate taking “What She Wants Tonight” to No. 1. Pictured (top to bottom) are the label’s Annie Sandor, Chris Schuler, Bobby Young, David Friedman, Brent Jones, Mara Sidweber, Ashley Knight, Katelyn Lester, Megan Youngblood and Royce Risser, KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards, coproducers Jody Stevens and Jeff Stevens, Bryan and the label’s Donna Hughes.

Pro Take: WFH Strategies

Quarantine. Probably not a word you used more than a handful of times prior to this month. And yet, here you are, working from home, tracking your show from a closet, fending off pets mid-break – all the while trying to balance homeschooling and being confined with family. Thankfully, friends and Countrymen (and women) have already blazed this trail and are willing to share tips, tricks and best practices. Broken Bow VP/Promotion Lee Adams, who first began her work-from-home journey Lee Adams in 1995, broke down her approach for co-

© 2 0 2 0 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

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workers in such a way that BMG Global added her thoughts to the company intranet (read her complete memo here). They are: • Have a routine. • Move around. • Walk away from the computer. • Leave your house. • Beware of the time. • Communicate with each other. • Use and enjoy this opportunity. Similarly, Center For Sales Strategy Managing Partner and CRB Board member Matt Sunshine, whose company is entirely at-home based, recently shared his best practices for a successful work-from-home experience during a CRS360 webinar. His detailed take: • Proper Mindset: Set parameters for yourself and know when to start and end your day. Give yourself scheduled breaks, because it’s easy to suddenly realize you have been sitting at your desk for 10 consecutive hours. Matt Sunshine Define a private space at home with limited distractions. Be sure to use a calendar to schedule all activities, including time to connect with coworkers and catch up. And stay away from distractions when you are in work mode. • Get Ready For Work: Select proper attire. Maybe not the same clothes you would wear to the office, but get yourself in work mode. Let your family know you are working, and treat it as such. You’re not on vacation! But, do make time for social interactions with coworkers. • Have The Required Tools: You will need dependable WiFi (preferably not a hot spot), a headset, monitor, printer and access to office supplies – delivery is best, especially in the current situation. You should also have Microsoft Teams or Slack for instant messaging with coworkers and screen-sharing videoconferencing such as Zoom. You should also have a proper office setup in your home and work from a desk or table. Sunshine is adamant that employees never work from their bed with a laptop. • Communication: Communicating with coworkers in this setting is different than seeing each other daily. Remember to be both flexible and responsive. Also, be patient with one another. Technology comes with a learning curve. Finally, be present. Call, text, email and share screens even more than usual, and increase your talk time with coworkers and clients to reassure everyone you are there for them. With any luck, the industry will return to its regularly scheduled

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travel, office hours, face-to-face meetings and friendly side-hugs in short order. But in the meantime, here’s to making the most of the cards that have been dealt, even if that means working from atop a card table. –Monta Vaden

Chart Chat

Congratulations to Luke Bryan, Royce Risser, Bobby Young, David Friedman, Chris Schuler and the Capitol promotion team on landing at No. 1 with “What She Wants Tonight.” The song is the second single from Bryan’s forthcoming seventh studio album, Born Here Live Here Die Here, and is his 22nd career No. 1. Songwriters are Hillary Lindsey, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite and Bryan. Kudos to Matthew Hargis and the BMLG Records crew on notching 114 adds for Luke Bryan Florida Georgia Line’s “I Love My Country,” topping this week’s board. One additional note regarding Maren Morris’ “The Bones,” which regained its bullet this week, ensuring it will be on the chart a full eight weeks past its second week at No. 1 (2/17). While not a stat Country Aircheck tracks, hats off to the Morris and the Sony and Columbia teams for the longest post-peak chart life for a song in recent memory.

CRS Agenda Makes The Call

The 51st annual Country Radio Seminar may have only wrapped a month ago, but it feels closer to a year. Despite coronavirus dominating the narrative, KUZZ/ Bakersfield PD Brent Michaels and KNCI/ Sacramento PD Joey Tack – CRS Agenda Committee Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively – have been hard at work (from home) on restructuring the process. And they want you, as noted below. “Joey and I have already had several brainstorming meetings – virtual meetings, Brent Michaels of course – to outline a new way to conduct the Agenda Committee, and we are both excited to introduce changes,” says Michaels. Adds Tack, “We are committed to making this a productive, beneficial and fun experience for everyone involved.” Among the changes are a reorganized committee with five Section Leaders in Programming,

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My Tunes: Avenue Beat Avenue Beat’s Sam Backoff, Savana Santos and Sami Bearden discuss their most influential music: Bearden: 1. Kelsea Ballerini at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley: We saw her on one of our first trips to Nashville, and we knew we were watching someone special. 2. Jon Bellion’s The Human Avenue Beat Condition: We all have some different musical tastes, but that was something we could always put on and everyone would be 100% happy! Backoff: 3. Justin Bieber: When I was 14-15, I saw him and it honestly changed me. I begged my mom to let me go to the show. We were all the way in the very back, but I cried when he walked out. I sang every word to every song with my whole heart. When I think back to that night, I just want our music to make other people feel the same joy I felt that night. 4. JP Saxe and Julia Michael’s “If The World Was Ending”: This song made me burst into tears the first time the chorus hit. It’s such a simple concept, but it just hits. The writing is incredible. I sent it to Savana and Sami to listen to immediately, and we all became obsessed. We’re out here trying to write songs that swell up those kinds of intense emotions. 5. Haim: Savana and I saw them in concert about five years ago in St. Louis. We were standing in the audience in awe of how incredible they were. To see three badass women up there shredding on the guitar, drums and vocals, plus their overall stage presence and cool girl vibes, made us fall in love with them. Seeing them inspired us to want to make our own live show really cool, too. • Bearden: I’ve never really listened to David Bowie ... I know, I know, I totally suck! • Backoff: Some people don’t get musical theatre, but that’s what we grew up on! We actually met doing a musical theatre camp, so on rainy days, you can catch us listening to the Rent soundtrack, Shrek The Musical or Dear Evan Hansen. People may think it’s nerdy, but we stand by it. Theatre kids forever! • Santos: Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour: This has to be one of the greatest albums I’ve heard in a long time. It’s a piece of art from start to finish. I remember the first time I heard it all the way through – my face was just like . • An obscure or non-country song everyone should listen to right now: “Breathe Deeper” by Tame Impala, because taaaame impaaaalaaaa baybee. You can’t go wrong. • My guilty pleasure music is definitely classical. I love to turn it on when I don’t want to think about anything.

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Labels, Sales, Tech and Streaming. Likewise, the new structure includes a slightly smaller committee. “In the past, there have been members who didn’t feel like they were properly utilized or given enough to do, so we are focusing on narrowing the committee [to ensure] each person is given a task that best suits their skills,” notes Michaels, who has participated in the Agenda Committee since 2017. Tack is beginning his second year with the team. “There were times [in my first year] I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to be doing or how to help,” he says. “We want to eliminate those feelings and make certain everyone feels like they are contributing.” Your Name Here: Michaels and Tack are looking for committee members who are passionate about radio and CRS itself, excited about the event, open-minded and creative, collaborative and ready to go all-in on creating a complete educational experience. “We don’t care if you’re a major-market PD, a small-market midday personality, a label head, just starting in the industry or are in an industryadjacent role,” says Tack. “If you have ideas and are ready to work, we want to hear from you. Period.” Michaels echoes the sentiment, Joey Tack adding, “The best teams are made up of people from all walks of life. This committee is no exception.” Virtual brainstorming sessions are being planned within the five teams to generate the largest possible pool of panel ideas. That process is being supported by guidance from CSS Founding Partner and CRB Board member Matt Sunshine, who is an expert in brainstorming methodology. “We are going to have the opportunity to generate more exciting, topical and thoughtprovoking panel ideas this year with his assistance,” says Tack, who also notes a focus on creating content for CRS 2021 that will entice attendees to spend more time in sessions. Later this year, the committee will come together for a couple days to flesh out their pool of ideas, select the best to move forward and present their slate to the CRB Board. “This process starts in April or May and isn’t complete until the final day of CRS 2021,” Michaels explains. “It requires time, communication and great teamwork, but it is one of the most rewarding things I do each year.” Committee membership does have its benefits. “This is one of the greatest networking opportunities in our industry,” says Michaels. “You are being given the opportunity to represent yourself and your company while working for a year among peers from all walks of life and industry. The relationships you will form are invaluable.” Adds Tack, “If you are looking to flex

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your creative muscles, elevate your professional profile and work toward advancing your career, there’s no better place.” Applications for the CRS 2021 Agenda Committee will be accepted here through April 3. Questions, ideas or requests for more info can be sent to Michaels here and Tack here. –Monta Vaden

The Week’s Top Stories

Full coverage at countryaircheck.com. • Country radio and industry leaders discuss their new normal and the life and career of Kenny Rogers is remembered in last week’s (3/23) Country Aircheck Weekly. • Cameron Broadcasting/Laughlin, NV VP/ Operations Craig Powers will be joining Curb | Word Entertainment. (CAT 3/27) • Ongoing coronavirus updates and resources here. • WXCY/Wilmington, DE Dir./Promotions Joe Bleacher exited. (CAT 3/26) • WWOF/Tallahassee, FL shuffled its on-air lineup. (CAT 3/25) • Country Music Hall of Famer Kenny Rogers passed away from natural causes. (CAT 3/21 & 3/23) • The 55th Academy of Country Music Awards will air live Sept. 16 on CBS. (CAT 3/23)

Industry Adjusts: Part Two

(continued from page 1)

since we don’t get that normal in-office interaction and banter. Additional meetings have also been added on global and national levels. That’s partially for connectivity and how things are changing by the minute, but it’s also a good emotional and psychological check. Is everyone doing okay?”

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The nature of communication has changed not just quantitatively, but qualitatively. “I notice more in-depth conversations,” Loba says. “It’s not bounce-in, bounce-out. There’s more robust discussion since there are fewer distractions. The negative is starting at 7am and looking up to see its 10pm and maybe we didn’t bother to have lunch.” UMG/Nashville’s meeting schedule has continued unabated. “The most important change is I told everyone to copy the whole company on everything we’re doing on email,” says Chairman/ CEO Mike Dungan. “Even if it’s insignificant, we need ideas coming from everywhere. Hit the ‘all-company’ button. I’ve already had a few complaints about that, but too bad.” Video happy hours and celebratory toasts (see photo, page 1) are among the innovations. “We’ve gotten really good with work flow app Slack and video conferencing,” says Warner Chappell CEO Ben Vaughn, noting the company’s “New Hat Challenge.” “It’s kind of fun,” Vaughn explains. “Wear your most-fun hat. It’s always interesting to see what people are bringing to the table.” Alpha Format Captain MoJoe Roberts also points to maintaining morale and good cheer. “We’ve created an Alpha/ Portland Facebook group for some levity, and most of our teams are meeting daily via Google Hangouts to brainstorm and share ideas,” he says. Cloud Mine: For Vaughn and other publishers, the creative wheels – among others – are still spinning. “To the extent they want to, we’re helping writers do remote writing sessions,” he says. “The big one is administration – royalties and writer payments. We just got every writer in Nashville switched off paper checks. Pitching songs is one you can definitely do remotely, and people have plenty of time right now to listen. We’re closing deals and are excited about the new writers we’re signing. We’ve also recommitted to listening to catalog and getting our taggings up to

March 30, 2020

date, as well as putting together some best-of-uncut-songs playlists. And we’re close to setting up a virtual sync [film & TV] music camp to replace one we had scheduled.” The Sony/ATV roster is also engaged in virtual writing sessions. “We’re saying to producer writers, if you’ve got some completed tracks, let’s send to them to artists or writers who are going to write topline melody,” says Sony/ATV CEO Rusty Gaston. “To lyric writers, we’re asking if we can send something they have to a production-oriented writer.” Rusty Gaston Only in the gig since January, Gaston is learning a new company amid radically shifting dynamics. “Being new, what I’m trying to do is put an emphasis on relationship,” he says. “Let’s get our creative people on the phone with our writers. Triple down on the relationship, look at how the beginning of the year went and target a six month strategic plan.” Likewise, those with a heavy live music workload can use the pause in other ways. “This is the time to think about all the things we couldn’t when we were so busy with the day-to-day,” says Maverick’s Clarence Spalding. “We have things we have to do in cancelling, moving and putting out press releases, but when it settles down, look at each act – and at ourselves – and be more aspirational. Look down the road and ask, ‘Why haven’t we ever ...’. I told the team, ‘You can’t hurt my feelings by telling me it seems really simple that we should be doing this or that.’ If an idea takes two or three years to develop, I don’t care. Take a look. Punch holes in it. Put it in motion. We have plenty of downtime. This is not going to be over April 15.” The Bright Side: Even with the enormous hit the touring industry is taking, Spalding finds himself encouraged. “I have a lot of young agents and promoters in my life,” he says. “You have to be fearful, but these kids have stepped up and delivered day after day. They’re well prepared and doing a hell of a job. Nobody wants to be put through these things – and I’ve been through a few in my life including a shooting – but we’re watching the next generation step up and deliver.” “This new challenge will only make us stronger, smarter and more determined when we’re no longer physically separated,” Sony/ Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman. “What will get us through is patience, grace and respect for ourselves and each other.” Vaughn agrees. “Maybe because I’m a dyed-in-the-wool country music fan, but I think we shine in times like this because our songs and lyrics are about real life,” he says. “Creativity is going to blossom in a new way because of this, and there’s a good chance country music is at the forefront of that.”

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Plus, he’s as busy as ever. “Someone asked if I could get with them tomorrow,” Vaughn says. “I looked at my schedule and said, ‘I really can’t. What do you have later in this week?’ I’m just booked solid. It’s encouraging to know people are working at moving the ball forward for all the stakeholders in the industry.” “We’re very active,” Gaston agrees. “Labels, artists and producers are listening to songs. I saw more holds come through yesterday – double the normal activity. Everybody is confined and, right now, they’re listening.” At the same time, a lot of songwriters are writing solo. “By the summer of ‘22 there are going to be more 100% songs on Country Aircheck’s chart than we’ve seen in our lifetime,” he says. Busy at home can have a downside, however. “Being forced to take advantage of technology at a higher level doesn’t mean we want to work from home in our pajamas forever, but it does show new ways to be super efficient,” Phillips says. “The flip side of that is, it’s always on. If you get done with dinner and want to jump back in, it’s waiting on you. If you get sucked in and never get away from it, your creativity can be impacted.” Some may benefit from being less busy. “One thing the artists may not be publicly saying is that they’re glad to have a break,” Big Loud partner Seth England says. “Several have called and told me they can’t Seth England remember the last time they had two weeks off. Give it two more weeks and they may be saying something else, but the silver lining is a mental stop. “This might be showing us we sometimes overuse the artists in the realm of art and commerce,” he says. “All of us. If we and radio go on without artists on those exhaustive schedules, we might learn something that helps everyone. Morgan Wallen wants to win, and good on him. But maybe we find out just how much we actually need an artist’s physical presence to make it all work.” Fundamentally, a we’re-in-this-together attitude serves everyone – now and in the future. “I’m bullish that the country industry and the world will rebound and be more robust and smarter,” says Entercom Country Format Captain Tim Roberts. “A sense of Tim Roberts unity, collaboration and cooperation is needed to defeat something that threatens every person worldwide. Safety is the No. 1 word and our company mantra right now. It’s critical.” –Chuck Aly CAC

March 30, 2020

Remembering Joe Diffie Hereâ€™s a small fraction of the posts made on social media following Joeâ€™s passing.

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March 30, 2020

Remembering Joe Diffie

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March 30, 2020

SEEK & EMPLOY

AVAILABLE JOBS MIDWEST

Midwest WNWN/Battle Creek, MI PD Miggy Santos is searching for a morning co-host. Send résumés and airchecks here. Zimmer KCLR/Columbia, MO is looking for an APD/on-air talent. Send résumés and airchecks here. Federated/Fort Wayne, IN COO Brad Williams is searching for a Market Mgr. for its six-station cluster, including Country WQHK. Complete posting and applications here; résumés to Williams here. WQLK/Richmond, IN GM Amy Dillon is seeking a PD/afternoon personality to succeed Steve Baker. Send résumés, airchecks and cover letters to Dillon here. Midwest/Fargo, ND VP/MM Dan Cash is looking for a Brand Mgr. for Country KVOX & Classic Country KMJO. Interested candidates can send résumés, airchecks and cover letters to him here. StarRadio WCOY/Quincy, IL VP/GM Bill Jones is seeking a PD/on-air talent with Audio Vault and Music Master experience. Send résumés and airchecks to him here. Summit KFDI/Wichita OM Justin Case is searching for a morning co-host. See the complete posting here; send résumés and airchecks to Case here. Great Plains WIBL/Bloomington, IL PD Andy Roberts is searching for an afternoon personality with imaging responsibilities. Send résumés and airchecks here. American Media KKOW/Pittsburg, KS PD Steve “Shotgun” Kelly is seeking a “Jill of all Trades” to handle an air shift, production and live broadcasts. Send résumés, airchecks, production samples, personality websites and social links to him here. MacDonald/Saginaw, MI is seeking an OM & Country WKCQ PD. Interested parties should send résumés, airchecks and economic expectations here. NORTHEAST

Seven Mountains WIFT (Bigfoot Country)/Dubois, PA VP/Programming JC Burton is on the prowl for a Production Dir./midday. He is also searching for a Dir./ Promotions and afternoon personality for the company’s WIBF/Lewistown, PA. Send résumés, airchecks and production samples to Burton here. Townsquare/Augusta, ME OM Cooper Fox is looking for a morning host to join Country WEBB. Send résumés and airchecks to him here. Forever WFGI/Johnstown, PA is seeking a full-time morning co-host. Send résumés, airchecks and salary requirements here. WVRC WKKW/Morgantown, WV PD Mike Vincent is seeking part-time on-air talent for weekend and fill-in positions. Send résumés and airchecks to him here.

SOUTHEAST

Gulf South WTVY/Dothan, AL PD John Garrett is on the hunt for a morning co-host. Send résumés, airchecks and references to him here. Summit VP/Programming Beverlee Brannigan is searching for a PD to join WCYQ/Knoxville. Send résumés and airchecks to her here. Beasley WQYK/Tampa OM/PD Travis Daily is seeking a night host. Interested parties can send résumés and airchecks to him here. Cumulus is looking for a PD to handle day-to-day programming for Country WRKN/New Orleans, as well as Alternative WZRH & Classic Hits KKND. Apply here. Cumulus WWQQ/Wilmington, NC OM/PD Barry Fox is searching for a part-time midday personality. Interested candidates can view the complete job description and apply here. Entercom WPAW/Greensboro, NC PD Clay Walker is seeking a morning co-host to succeed Amy Reed. Send résumés and airchecks to Walker here. iHeartMedia WTNT/Tallahassee, FL SVPP John Lund is seeking a PD/onair talent. Send résumés, airchecks and references to him here. Cumulus WKAK/Albany, GA PD Bill Dollar is looking for an afternoon personality/Production Dir. Apply here. Entercom WUSY/Chattanooga SVPP Justin Cole is seeking a third mic for the Ken & Daniel morning show. See the complete job posting and apply here. SOUTHWEST

Cox KCYY/San Antonio OM/PD Jeff Garrison is seeking a new morning sidekick to join Beth Chandler. Send résumés and airchecks to him here. SMG KKAJ/Ardmore, OK is searching for an on-air host with possible PD duties. Send résumés, aircheck and references here. Townsquare/Killeen, TX Market Pres. David B. Smith is looking for an OM/PD/ on-air talent for the cluster, which includes Country KUSJ. Send résumés and airchecks to Smith here. West Texas KHKX/Odessa, TX VP/GM John Moesch is searching for a morning co-host with production skills. Résumés and airchecks to him here. Griffin/Tulsa OM Steve Hunter is seeking a PD/on-air talent for Classic Country KXBL & News-Talk KFAQ-AM. Apply here.

Momentum KJUG/Visalia, CA PD Rik McNeil is looking for a morning co-host. See the complete job posting here; résumés and airchecks to McNeil here. Buck Owens KUZZ/Bakersfield PD Brent Michaels is searching for a morning personality. Interested candidates may send résumés and airchecks here. RMG KOLC/Reno, NV VP/GM Tricia Gallenbeck is seeking a PD/on-air talent. Send résumés and airchecks to her here. Townsquare/Grand Junction, CO is looking for an OM & Country KEKB Brand Mgr. to succeed Ray Michaels. Apply here. Townsquare KDBL/Yakima, WA OM Brian Stephenson is searching for a Brand Mgr./morning co-host. Apply here; send résumés and airchecks to Stephenson here. Stephens KXDD/Yakima, WA OM/PD Justin Henriksen is seeking an afternoon personality. Send resmes, airchecks, imaging samples and social media links to him here. OTHER

Consultant Joel Raab is looking an onair PD for a reporting station in a Top 100 market. Send materials here. RWPC Co-President and consultant Scott Huskey is on the hunt for a Country PD/onair talent in a medium market in the South. Send résumés and airchecks to him here. Warner Music Nashville VP/Radio & Streaming Tom Martens is seeking a Dir./ National Radio & Streaming for a newly created position within the team. Send résumés to him here. Warner Music Nashville SVP/Radio & Streaming Kristen Williams is searching for an Exec. Asst./Radio & Streaming Promotion. Apply here. Beasley is looking for a VP/ Programming to be based in their Corporate Office. A minimum of five years of programming experience is required. Send résumés and cover letters here. Adams CEO Ron Stone is now accepting résumés and airchecks for current and future OM/PD and on-air opportunities across all properties. Send materials to him here. AccuRadio Founder/CEO Kurt Hanson is inviting radio pros to apply to curate a channel with music of their own choosing. Stipends and monetary awards to be provided; details and application here. RWPC Pres. JJ Jobe is seeking a GM for a small market radio cluster in the South. Interested parties can send a résumé with references to him here.

WEST COAST

Townsquare KAWO/Boise is on the hunt for a morning team. Interested candidates should send résumés and airchecks to SVP/ Programming Kurt Johnson here.

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SEEK & EMPLOY

SEEKING JOBS •Cactus Jack Former Entercom/Phoenix Dir./Production GoGoJack@msn.com 602-430-5908

•Jason Ryan Former WWQM/Madison, WI nights JROnTheAir@gmail.com

•Ginny Rogers Brophey Former WBWL/Boston PD GinnyBrophey@gmail.com

•Katie Kruz •Jeff Davis Former WMAD/Madison, WI PD •Heather Stevens Former Big Label Dir./Promotions KatieKruz@gmail.com Former WQXK/Youngstown, PromoJeffDavis@gmail.com OH middays 615-260-4975 •Brittany Tully Heather.Stevens2019@gmail.com Former WYNK/Baton Rouge PD •AJ McCloud BriLynn718@gmail.com •Alex Guerra Former WWFF/Huntsville, AL Former Entervision/Sacramento APD/afternoons •Brian Cleary MD/Promo Dir. AJ.McCloud@charter.net Former WEZL/Charleston, SC PD AlexGuerra.5750@gmail.com 256-503-2301 BRCleary@aol.com 916-397-9353 630-335-3838 •Kristin Monica •Steve Knoll Former WQNU/Louisville •Tony Kelly Former KMAG/Ft. Smith, AR PD/ APD/mornings Former WUSN/Chicago on-air talent Kristin@RadioKristin.com morning producer SteveKnoll@cox.net KellyT_60468@yahoo.com •Paul Cannell •Bree Wagner 708-642-8518 Former WRKN/New Orleans PD Former KAJA & KRPT/San PFCannell@gmail.com Antonio APD/MD/on-air and •Greg Cole KASE & KVET/Austin Former WKCQ/Saginaw, MI OM/PD •Charlie Dean APD/MD/on-air GCole27000@gmail.com Former Mercury Sr. Bree_1120@yahoo.com 916-502-4734 Dir./Midwest Promotion CharlieDea9@gmail.com •Jim Pearson •Doug Dodds Former KTOM/Monterey, CA Former ZFKY/Grand Cayman •Mac Daniels MD/morning host PD/morning host Former KPLX & KSCS/Dallas PD JimsCoolEmail@gmail.com DougDoddsEmail@gmail.com MacDaniels@me.com •Marc Lavik (aka Dave Marcus) •Tim “Tiny” Burger Former on-air talent Former KFDI/Wichita mornings ZimaGuy@gmail.com SendItToTim@gmail.com 401-467-6737 •Denis “Catfish” Miller Former KSNI/Santa Maria, CA afternoon host DenisMil@hotmail.com

•Chad Heritage Former iHeartMedia/Little Rock SVPP/OM & KSSN PD ChadHeritage@gmail.com

•Cory Mikhals Former KIZN/Boise morning co-host CoryProductions@icloud.com

•Jules Riley Former iHeartMedia/St. Louis SVPP Jules@julesrileymedia.com

•Katie Carmichael Former WTVY/Dothan, AL morning co-host KatieOnTheRadio@outlook.com •”Big” John Horton Former KFSA/Ft. Smith, AR afternoon host BigJohn@TheBigJohnShow.com •Bill Heltemes Former Cold River Dir./Midwest Promotion IndyBillH@gmail.com 859-653-1345 •Kris Richards Former WKJO/Smithfield, NC afternoons FireCop947@yahoo.com

•Tige Rodgers Former iHeart Custom Tige & Daniel afternoon personality ClearedForTakeoff@yahoo.com •Daniel Baker Former iHeart Custom Tige & Daniel afternoon personality BanielDaker@aol.com

•Amy Nic Former WAMZ/Louisville afternoon host AmyNicRadioCheck@gmail.com •Ron “Keyes” Stevens Former WQRB/Eau Claire, WI afternoon host RonStvns@yahoo.com •Carrie Leigh Former WTWF/Erie, PA midday host Carrie.Rospierski@gmail.com •Lee France Former KAGG/Bryan, TX PD/ midday host LeeFranceWV@gmail.com •Scott Davidson Former WHOF-HD2/Canton, OH PD/on-air host Davidson1023@gmail.com •Trace Hamilton Former WEBG/Chicago night host TheTraceHamilton@gmail.com •Daryl Thomas Ledyard Former WBBS/Syracuse on-air talent DarylLedyard@gmail.com •Lizz Ryals Former WESC/Greenville, SC on-air talent RyalsLizzard@yahoo.com •Shawn Carey Former KXXY/Oklahoma City on-air talent Shawntze@sbcglobal.net

•Mari Mueller •Jim Hart Former Tige & Daniel Exec. Prod. Former WGAR/Cleveland Mari.Mueller15@gmail.com weekender SeventiesJim@hotmail.com •HJ “JoJo” Meza •Tom Travis •Christian “CHoff” Hoffer Former iHeartMedia/Oklahoma Former KAJA/San Antonio morning co-host Former WBCT/Grand Rapids, City SVPP TheHouseOfJoJo@gmail.com MI weekender TomTTravis@gmail.com Christian@heychoff.com •Ritch Cassidy •Chuck Knight •Ryan McCall Former iHeartMedia/Austin-San Former KFFF/Omaha morning host Former WGLR/Platteville, WI Antonio RSVPP ChuckKnightMedia@gmail.com RitchCassidy969@hotmail.com MD/afternoons RyanMcCall@yahoo.com •Bill Hickok •Dan Mason •David Dean Former iHeartMedia/Mobile, AL- Former KBMR/Bismark, ND morning host Former KXDD/Yakima, Pensacola, FL SVPP BillHickok1950@gmail.com WA afternoons DLafayette@yahoo.com DaviDean5@gmail.com •Dave Conrad •Dave Schaefer Former iHeartMedia/Farmington, Former WBCT/Grand Rapids, MI •Dan Jessop afternoon host Former KKUT/Pleasant, UT NM SVPP & Country KTRA PD DConrad82@gmail.com Station Mgr. DRSchaefer@gobrainstorm.net DanJessop@msn.com

March 30, 2020 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

LUKE BRYAN

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

✔

What She Wants Tonight (Capitol)

24576

2553

7739

815

BRETT YOUNG/Catch (BMLGR)

22778

982

6974

JORDAN DAVIS/Slow Dance In A Parking Lot (MCA)

22052

814

JAKE OWEN/Homemade (Big Loud)

21904

GABBY BARRETT/I Hope (Warner/WAR) ✔

4.988

157

352

43.523 1.573

157

7072

179

42.209 1.727

157

-4866

7247

-1289

43.086 -7.834

157

21478

2278

6937

815

38.058 3.085

156

KANE BROWN/Homesick (RCA)

20279

-2372

6569

-609

41.103 -4.549

157

INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine (Warner/WEA)

19722

373

6413

181

35.573 0.531

157

BLAKE SHELTON w/G. STEFANI/Nobody But... (Warner/WMN) ✔ 18405

1987

5822

585

33.578 4.032

157

THOMAS RHETT f/J. PARDI/Beer Can't Fix (Valory)

17872

1799

5647

607

32.277 2.322

157

MORGAN WALLEN/Chasin' You (Big Loud)

17225

1229

5308

384

32.144 2.425

156

MAREN MORRIS/The Bones (Columbia)

17001

451

5104

114

32.626 0.687

155

LUKE COMBS f/E. CHURCH/Does To Me (River House/Columbia) 16245

1538

5121

554

27.975 2.237

157

C. PEARCE & L. BRICE/I Hope You're... (Big Machine/Curb)

15690

579

4938

224

27.693 0.798

157

TRAVIS DENNING/After A Few (Mercury)

15347

983

4674

159

27.766 2.141

156

KENNY CHESNEY/Here And Now (Blue Chair/Warner/WEA)

12169

1095

3788

391

21.652

157

SCOTTY MCCREERY/In Between (Triple Tigers)

11272

972

3533

155

KELSEA BALLERINI/Homecoming Queen? (Black River)

10011

-2431

3296

267 19.424 1.783 --752 16.863 -4.108

157

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Drinking Alone (Capitol)

9246

1189

2892

394

14.636 3.263

153

ERIC CHURCH/Monsters (EMI Nashville)

8999

587

3028

191

15.174 1.929

154

LOCASH/One Big Country Song (Wheelhouse)

8619

958

2761

299

14.981 1.482

151

JASON ALDEAN/We Back (Macon Music/Broken Bow)

8246

-3438

14.003 -19.641

157

MICHAEL RAY/Her World Or Mine (Warner/WEA)

7738

496

2288

132

12.582 0.703

144

RILEY GREEN/I Wish Grandpas Never Died (BMLGR)

7560

-7843

2564

-2573

17.916 -9.752

157

JUSTIN MOORE/Why We Drink (Valory)

7258

839

2321

258

11.437 1.309

150

KEITH URBAN/God Whispered Your Name (Capitol)

7212

1458

2284

498

12.279 2.298

149

-11135 2766

44.91

1.63

Chart Page 1

March 30, 2020 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

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

CHASE RICE/Lonely If You Are (Dack Janiels/Broken Bow)

7032

638

2156

180

10.592

0.95

143

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Bluebird (RCA)

6810

716

2138

199

9.23

1.537

141

MADDIE & TAE/Die From A Broken Heart (Mercury)

6773

1141

2245

417

10.216 1.561

142

CHRIS JANSON/Done (Warner/WAR)

5884

777

1811

204

9.175

1.625

141

SAM HUNT/Hard To Forget (MCA) ✔

5873

1848

1825

595

9.073

2.851

125

CHRIS YOUNG/Drowning (RCA)

5686

985

1748

335

9.216

1.669

122

GONE WEST/What Could've Been (Triple Tigers)

5484

1693

8.195

0.129

135

ASHLEY MCBRYDE/One Night Standards (Warner/WMN)

4980

1058

1560

344

6.467

1.222

121

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/I Love My Country (BMLGR) DEBUT

4674

1445

9.714

114

KIP MOORE/She's Mine (MCA)

4139

257

1316

5.665

0.474

131

BILLY CURRINGTON/Details (Mercury)

3787

1099

5.643 -0.081

117

JON LANGSTON/Now You Know (32 Bridge/EMI Nashville)

3740

128

1236

4.499

0.11

114

JAMESON RODGERS/Some Girls (River House/Columbia)

3708

408

1178

144

4.502

0.495

121

MATT STELL/Everywhere But On (Wide Open/Records/Arista)

3287

261

1031

4.703

0.715

114

RAYNE JOHNSON/Front Seat (Legend/In2une)

3224

192

844

5.056 -0.068

MIDLAND/Cheatin' Songs (Big Machine)

2978

312

870

101

3.699

0.353

104

LAUREN ALAINA/Getting Good (Mercury)

2969

165

940

2.4

0.017

112

HARDY f/L. ALAINA & D. DAWSON/One Beer (TVM/Big Loud)

2784

542

781

101

4.001

1.05

ELI YOUNG BAND/Break It In (Valory)

2641

746

4.214

0.234

LADY ANTEBELLUM/What I'm Leaving For (BMLGR)

2556

238

729

4.734 -0.085

RUNAWAY JUNE/Head Over Heels (Wheelhouse)

2495

755

3.797

0.197

OLD DOMINION/Some People Do (RCA)

2433

352

670

105

3.432

0.895

DILLON CARMICHAEL/I Do For You (Riser House)

2398

125

815

4.016

0.351

CHRIS LANE/Big, Big Plans (Big Loud)

2350

265

702

3.15

0.368

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Over Drinking (Capitol)

2340

156

685

3.318

0.011

106

Chart Page 2

March 30, 2020 Country Aircheck Add Leaders FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/I Love My Country (BMLGR) MAREN MORRIS/To Hell & Back (Columbia) SAM HUNT/Hard To Forget (MCA) CHRIS JANSON/Done (Warner/WAR) ADAM HAMBRICK/Forever Ain't Long Enough (Buena Vista/Capitol) MIRANDA LAMBERT/Bluebird (RCA) DIXIE CHICKS/Gaslighter (Columbia/In2une) JON PARDI/Ain't Always The Cowboy (Capitol) MATT STELL/Everywhere But On (Wide Open/Records/Arista) ASHLEY MCBRYDE/One Night Standards (Warner/WMN) BILLY CURRINGTON/Details (Mercury) JIMMIE ALLEN & NOAH CYRUS/This Is Us (SC/Records/Columbia) RUNAWAY JUNE/Head Over Heels (Wheelhouse)

Activator Top Point Gainers

Adds 114 36 28 12 10 9 7 7 7 6 6 6 6

1351 ✔

ASHLEY MCBRYDE/One Night Standards (Warner/WMN)

1215 ✔

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/I Love My Country (BMLGR)

1150 ✔

SAM HUNT/Hard To Forget (MCA)

1016 ✔

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Drinking Alone (Capitol)

844 ✔

INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine (Warner/WEA)

830

KEITH URBAN/God Whispered Your Name (Capitol)

818

THOMAS RHETT f/J. PARDI/Beer Can't Fix (Valory)

758

B. SHELTON w/G. STEFANI/Nobody But You (Warner/WMN)

700

LUKE COMBS f/E. CHURCH/Does... (River House/Columbia)

686

Activator Top Spin Gainers

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/I Love My Country (BMLGR)

4674

LUKE BRYAN/What She Wants Tonight (Capitol)

2553

GABBY BARRETT/I Hope (Warner/WAR)

2278

B. SHELTON w/G. STEFANI/Nobody But You (Warner/WMN)

1987

SAM HUNT/Hard To Forget (MCA)

GABBY BARRETT/I Hope (Warner/WAR)

1848

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

GABBY BARRETT/I Hope (Warner/WAR)

298

ASHLEY MCBRYDE/One Night Standards (Warner/WMN)

235

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/I Love My Country (BMLGR)

220

SAM HUNT/Hard To Forget (MCA)

198

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Drinking Alone (Capitol)

178 156 148

THOMAS RHETT f/J. PARDI/Beer Can’t Fix (Valory)

1799

INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine (Warner/WEA)

LUKE COMBS f/E. CHURCH/Does To Me (River House/Columbia)

1538

THOMAS RHETT f/J. PARDI/Beer Can't Fix (Valory)

KEITH URBAN/God Whispered Your Name (Capitol)

1458

BLAKE SHELTON w/G. STEFANI/Nobody But You (Warner/WMN) 142

MORGAN WALLEN/Chasin' You (Big Loud)

1229

KEITH URBAN/God Whispered Your Name (Capitol)

129

1189

BRETT YOUNG/Catch (BMLGR)

120

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Drinking Alone (Capitol)

Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/I Love My Country (BMLGR)

Country Aircheck Top Recurrents 1445

Points

SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA)

17899

LUKE BRYAN/What She Wants Tonight (Capitol)

815

LUKE COMBS/Even Though I'm... (River House/Columbia)

14663

GABBY BARRETT/I Hope (Warner/WAR)

815

DAN + SHAY & J. BIEBER/10,000 Hours (Warner/WAR)

11907

THOMAS RHETT f/J. PARDI/Beer Can’t Fix (Valory)

607

DUSTIN LYNCH/Ridin' Roads (Broken Bow)

11360

SAM HUNT/Hard To Forget (MCA)

595

OLD DOMINION/One Man Band (RCA)

10818

B. SHELTON w/G. STEFANI/Nobody But You (Warner/WMN)

585

MATT STELL/Prayed For You (Wide Open/Records/GCE/Arista)

9044

LUKE COMBS f/E. CHURCH/Does To Me (River House/Columbia)

554

MORGAN WALLEN/Whiskey Glasses (Big Loud)

8863

KEITH URBAN/God Whispered Your Name (Capitol)

498

JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol)

8791

MADDIE & TAE/Die From A Broken Heart (Mercury)

417

CHRIS JANSON/Good Vibes (Warner/WAR)

8711

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Drinking Alone (Capitol)

394

JIMMIE ALLEN/Make Me Want To (Stoney Creek)

8704

Chart Page 3

March 30, 2020

COUNTRY AIRCHECK ACTIVITY LADY ANTEBELLUM/What I’m Leaving For (BMLGR) Moves 44-45* 2,556 points, 729 spins 2 adds: WIRK, WYCT

RUNAWAY JUNE/Head Over Heels (Wheelhouse) Moves 43-46* 2,495 points, 755 spins 6 adds: KCYE, KKGO, WDRM, WQNU, WRNX, WXCY OLD DOMINION/Some People Do (RCA) Moves 50-47* 2,433 points, 670 spins 1 add: *W1HC

A D D DAT E S April 6 JASON ALDEAN/Got What I Got (Broken Bow)

April 13 TUCKER BEATHARD/You Would Think (Warner/WAR)

April 20 KELSEA BALLERINI w/HALSEY/The Other Girl (Black River)

DILLON CARMICHAEL/I Do For You (Riser House) Moves 45-48* 2,398 points, 815 spins; no adds CHRIS LANE/Big, Big Plans (Big Loud) Remains at 49* 2,350 points, 702 spins; no adds LITTLE BIG TOWN/Over Drinking (Capitol) Moves 47-50* 2,340 points, 685 spins; no adds LANCO/What I See (Arista) 2,153 points, 705 spins; no adds DUSTIN LYNCH/Momma’s House (Broken Bow) 2,056 points, 639 spins 2 adds: KDRK, WUSJ BRANTLEY GILBERT/Fire’t Up (Valory) 1,992 points, 664 spins 1 add: WRNS JON PARDI/Ain’t Always The Cowboy (Capitol) 1,929 points, 551 spins 7 adds: KCCY, KNUC, KTTS, WIRK, WKHK, WRNS, WUSJ LINDSAY ELL/I Don’t Love You (Stoney Creek) 1,906 points, 616 spins; no adds

Send yours to adds@countryaircheck.com

CHECK OUT 4/3 Sam Hunt Southside (MCA) Hunt’s sophomore album — the followup to 2014’s Montevallo — features six previously-released tracks and 12 total, including “Body Like A Back Road,” “Kinfolks” and “Sinning With You.» Ashley McBryde Never Will (Warner/WAR) McBryde follows 2018’s Girl Going Nowhere with the Jay Joyce-produced Never Will. The sophomore effort boasts 11 tracks, including lead single “One Night Standards” and latest release “Martha Divine.” April 10 Maddie & Tae The Way It Feels (Mercury) John Anderson Years (Easy Eye Sound)

Chart Page 4

March 30, 2020 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

Points

+/- Points

Plays

+/- Plays Stations ADDS

What She Wants Tonight (Capitol)

LUKE BRYAN

11998

518

2260

104

JAKE OWEN/Homemade (Big Loud)

11530

-977

2268

-149

BRETT YOUNG/Catch (BMLGR)

11015

621

2116

120

JORDAN DAVIS/Slow Dance In A Parking Lot (MCA)

10418

-124

2013

-5

INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine (Warner/WEA)

10279

830

2011

156

GABBY BARRETT/I Hope (Warner/WAR) ✔

9567

1351

1875

298

10 6 8

THOMAS RHETT f/J. PARDI/Beer Can't Fix (Valory)

9502

758

1737

148

LUKE COMBS f/E. CHURCH/Does To Me (River House/Columbia)

9421

686

1730

117

KANE BROWN/Homesick (RCA)

9326

-1197

1832

-225

11 10

BLAKE SHELTON w/G. STEFANI/Nobody But You (Warner/WMN)

8610

700

1573

142

12 11

CARLY PEARCE & LEE BRICE/I Hope You're Happy Now (Big Machine/Curb)

7853

138

1536

13 12

TRAVIS DENNING/After A Few (Mercury)

7596

121

1395

14 13

MORGAN WALLEN/Chasin' You (Big Loud)

7387

331

1425

15 14

KENNY CHESNEY/Here And Now (Blue Chair/Warner/WEA)

6512

434

1177

16 15

ERIC CHURCH/Monsters (EMI Nashville)

5836

1086

17 16

SCOTTY MCCREERY/In Between (Triple Tigers)

5467

385

1061

19 17

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Drinking Alone (Capitol) ✔

5146

844

967

178

18 18

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Bluebird (RCA)

4898

235

858

20 19

KEITH URBAN/God Whispered Your Name (Capitol)

4703

818

847

129

21 20

JUSTIN MOORE/Why We Drink (Valory)

4262

552

817

22 21

CHRIS JANSON/Done (Warner/WAR)

3508

403

592

23 22

MADDIE & TAE/Die From A Broken Heart (Mercury)

3293

336

646

24 23

MICHAEL RAY/Her World Or Mine (Warner/WEA)

3138

185

562

25 24

LOCASH/One Big Country Song (Wheelhouse)

2696

423

500

29 25

ASHLEY MCBRYDE/One Night Standards (Warner/WMN) ✔

2590

1215

497

235

33 26

SAM HUNT/Hard To Forget (MCA) ✔

2016

1016

378

198

27 27

CHASE RICE/Lonely If You Are (Dack Janiels/Broken Bow)

1946

266

377

31 28

CHRIS YOUNG/Drowning (RCA)

1678

460

304

28 29

KIP MOORE/She's Mine (MCA)

1545

296

-3

30 30

GONE WEST/What Could've Been (Triple Tigers)

1435

295

Chart Page 5

March 30, 2020 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

Points +/- Points

Plays

+/- Plays

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/I Love My Country (BMLGR) ✔

1150

220

32 32

DIXIE CHICKS/Gaslighter (Columbia/In2une)

1111

-38

223

-3

38 33

LADY ANTEBELLUM/What I'm Leaving For (BMLGR)

1097

257

159

39 34

MIDLAND/Cheatin' Songs (Big Machine)

1055

258

212

47 35

JAMESON RODGERS/Some Girls (River House/Columbia)

916

268

202

42 36

MATT STELL/Everywhere But On (Wide Open/Records/Arista)

909

214

163

Debut 31

Stations Adds

35 37

LAUREN ALAINA/Getting Good (Mercury)

905

193

37 38

JON LANGSTON/Now You Know (32 Bridge/EMI Nashville)

904

198

36 39

BILLY CURRINGTON/Details (Mercury)

837

-32

159

-5

34 40

ELI YOUNG BAND/Break It In (Valory)

816

-80

136

-12

JON PARDI/Ain't Always The Cowboy (Capitol)

804

492

145

41 42

STEPHANIE QUAYLE/Whatcha Drinkin 'Bout (Rebel Engine)

804

147

40 43

LINDSAY ELL/I Don't Love You (Stoney Creek)

737

-55

134

-6

PARMALEE f/B. BROWN/Just The Way (Stoney Creek)

682

216

44 45

RUSSELL DICKERSON/Love You Like I Used To (Triple Tigers)

668

101

48 46

TAYLA PARX f/FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Fight (Atlantic)

660

49 47

MORGAN WALLEN/This Bar (Big Loud)

650

53 48

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Over Drinking (Capitol)

647

117

115

46 49

OLD DOMINION/Midnight Mess Around (RCA)

590

-60

-6

60 50

RAYNE JOHNSON/Front Seat (Legend/In2une)

529

117

RUNAWAY JUNE/Head Over Heels (Wheelhouse)

526

102

120

Debut 52

RANDALL KING/She Gone (Warner/WEA)

502

Debut 53

ASHLEY MCBRYDE/Martha Divine (Warner Music/WAR)

500

57 54

DILLON CARMICHAEL/I Do For You (Riser House)

490

104

Debut 41

Debut 44

Re-Enter 51

50 55

DUSTIN LYNCH/Momma's House (Broken Bow)

490

-65

-3

58 56

GRANGER SMITH/That's Why I Love Dirt Roads (Wheelhouse)

489

55 57

ANGIE K/Real Talk (Good Company)

460

-40

-4

TENILLE ARTS/Somebody Like That (Reviver)

456

101

LANCO/What I See (Arista)

448

-83

102

-19

LUKE COMBS f/BROOKS & DUNN/1, 2 Many (River House/Columbia)

440

Re-Enter 58 51 59

Debut 60

Chart Page 6