weekly February 26, 2024, Issue 898
CRS: Nashville Party Of Five
“If you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute.” That old saying can just as easily refer to the Country radio battle in Nashville, as each of the three established Country FMs (Cumulus WKDF & WSM-FM and iHeartMedia WSIX) have led the 6+ share, 25-54 share and overall cume races at some point since last year’s CRS (see graphs page 5). Add in Ryman Hospitality’s WSM-AM, which does not subscribe to Nielsen ratings, and Midwest Classic Country WNFN, which unexpectedly joined the fray last June, and the market has no shortage of Country listening options. Charlie Cook In the spirit of this election year, Country Aircheck asked each of Nashville’s Country programmers to present their platforms on why their stations should receive CRS attendee votes – aka average quarter hours of listening – while they’re in town. Cumulus WKDF OM/PD Charlie Cook: “103-3 Country has fun and connected personalities who are involved with middle Tennessee and the listeners; they live the lifestyle of Ron Allen the listener. We pride ourselves on concentrating on the things our fans can relate to at home and at work. We’re ahead of the curve with the music and stay focused on delivering to our plan for being the market leader in identifying what’s next for our target. Jelly, Lainey, Morgan, Luke, Jason, Kane; and we were first with Nate Smith, Warren Zeiders, Bailey Zimmerman, and Parker McCollum.” Midwest WNFN Brand Mgr. Ron Allen: “Y’all 106.7 is the only Country station in Nashville that Gator Harrison doesn’t play current or recurrents. Y’all plays only the hits from the ‘80s to the early 2000s, with the primary focus on the ‘90s. You won’t hear Luke, Morgan or Lainey, but you will hear the artists that inspired them like Shania, Randy, Alan, Alabama or one of the 32 George Strait songs that we play. Y’all 106.7 plays the most country by keeping clutter to a bare minimum – no traffic, weather or news. That’s what your phone’s for. We just play the best Country.” (continued on page 5)
Okay, Bloomer: Cumulus/Bloomington, IL, which includes Country WBWN, raises $103,739 during its annual two-day Cumulus Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon. Pictured (back, l-r) are Keith Palmgren, Jake Fogal and Blake Haas; (middle, l-r) Chris Shafer, Cody West, Scott Miller and Susan Saunders; (front, l-r) Dana Bell, Daniel Green, Faith Rinker and Buck Stevens.
Big Topics, A Milestone & More
“Where Country radio and music pros can go to learn and take home practical strategy and tactics, all while developing real relationships.” That’s how Beasley Chief Content Officer Justin Chase describes Country Radio Seminar in The Interview, which closes Country Aircheck’s March print edition – available at the event this week and, everywhere else, digitally. Not surprisingly considering his role at the company, Chase has a sober view of the market dynamics that make CRS and the collaboration it Justin Chase represents more crucial than ever. “Our biggest
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