weekly November 4, 2024, Issue 934
Radiothon Pro-Tip: Local Celebs
How does a radio station in rural Kentucky post annual radiothon totals that rival many major markets? While there’s more than one answer to that question, the biggest one came to light at last month’s St. Jude Country Cares Seminar (CAW 10/28). In short: Local celebrity challenge hours. The station in question is WBKR/ Owensboro, KY, which raised $334,921 for St. Jude during its February radiothon. In Memphis, PD Chad Benefield told panel attendees that reaching that number in an area with a metro Chad Benefield population of roughly 113,000 people has been a progression since the challenge concept was instituted around 2010. Totes My GOAT: “We were following the St. Jude playbook, doing four elements an hour, but I knew there was much more potential from our listeners,” Benefield says. “[Former morning cohost] Jaclyn Graves and I brainstormed and decided a number of things. First, our other air staff members Travis Moon were not going to be on the air – we were going to do all 26 hours with no regular programming at all. We were shutting off everything that wasn’t St. Jude. No regular music beyond the story songs. “We also decided to get people involved who we can educate and make part of what we consider to be our St. Jude family. We would brainstorm people in the community and surrounding areas – and we still do – who have big groups of friends or fans. Scott Local celebrities – it could be a local firefighter, Hinshelwood politician or band leader. If they have a big network of people, we have them say, ‘Hey, I’m going to be on the St. Jude Radiothon from 11am until noon. Tune in and join me in raising money for St. Jude.’ We learned very quickly that those people put money on the tote board.” For example, Emily and Mark Shelton. “They are tremendous local musicians who’ve played all over Kentucky and beyond,” Benefield says.“They come in and do an hour for us, and Emily always sets the goal but never tells Mark until they go on the air. (continued on page 9)
Eh Team: EMI Nashville’s Tyler Hubbard (c) celebrates several certifications in Canada at his show in Toronto over the weekend. Pictured with (l-r) Universal Music Canada’s Michelle Anderson, Heather Wallace, Carla DiFelice and Kevin “Ice” White.
NSHOF: Liz Rose
Spotlighting inductees ahead of the Nov. 11 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala continues with Liz Rose. Born and raised in the Dallas area, it was an unconventional path to songwriting for Rose. Her husband moved the family to Nashville to pursue his songwriting career, but the creative environment soon brought out Rose’s own talents. After initial Liz Rose success with songs like Gary Allan’s “Songs About Rain,” her late bloom came to full flower thanks to a chance encounter with a teenage girl. Collaborations with young Taylor Swift led not just to the top of the country and pop charts, but also earned her the 2010 Grammy for Best Country Song – “White Horse.” See the profiles of fellow inductees Victoria Shaw here and Al Anderson here. I always loved songs. I could hear a song once and sing it back to you; it was always the words that got me. The first song I remember is Skeeter Davis’ “The End Of The World.” (continued on page 3)
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