Issuu

January 11, 2021, Issue 738

Nashville Bombing: An Imperfect Storm

The Christmas Day bombing of Downtown Nashville thankfully did not cause widespread injury or death. Its impact, however, was significant, and radio’s response may offer some lessons. A major local news event – on a national holiday, no less – is always a big deal; combined with a significant disruption in internet and phone service at a time when radio is increasingly digital, and the issues begin to mount. Country Aircheck spoke with three local Country PDs about their station and team response. “The first thought is, ‘How are my people?’” says Westwood One/Nashville & Cumulus WKDF PD Paul Williams. Personality Elaina Paul Williams Smith lives closest to the blast but was away on her honeymoon. “When she came back, one of her neighbors said the building rocked, and it was obviously very loud,” he says. “[Morning Koffy’s] Producer Josh lives in east Nashville and could hear it, but everybody was fine, though freaked out.” With the safety box checked, Williams focused on facilities. While the WKDF studios are located near Music Row, Cumulus’ national Gator Harrison programming originates from studios less than a mile south of the blast site. “I ended up driving to Westwood One that day, because we didn’t know if the windows were intact,” he says. “Everything was fine – the network, clocks and internet were working.” 404 Not Found: Hours after the blast, AT&T battery backups began to fail, and regional phone and internet service went down for nearly two days. The biggest complications were in reaching staff and, potentially, their ability to work from home. “Trying to contact the two producers who have AT&T service was interesting,” Williams says. “I told a couple of people, ‘If I don’t get ahold of them by tomorrow morning, I’ll drive to their house.’” At iHeartMedia WSIX, PD Gator Harrison heard the news from a fellow employee. “The first call I got Christmas morning was from [Tampa SVPP] Tommy Chuck,” he says. (continued on page 8)

Fizz The Season: Team Lady A toast the trio’s No. 1 single “Champagne Night.” Pictured (top, l-r) are the label’s Matthew Hargis, Kylie Dembek, Liz Santana and the trio’s Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott with the label’s Jimmy Harnen; (middle, l-r) the label’s Allison Jones, Ron Harwood, Callie Cunningham and Stella Prado; (bottom, l-r) the label’s Andrew Thoen, Scott Borchetta, Andi Brooks and Michelle Tigard Kammerer.

Quartz Hill Aiming For Musical Gold

Closing 2020 with a finalized promotion team (CAT 11/30) and the rollout of debut artist Nate Barnes, the Benny Brownled Quartz Hill Records is digging into plans for a big year. In partnership with Sony’s The Orchard, the new label has familiar underpinnings. Any story about Brown has to start with BBR Music Group, which he sold to BMG in early 2017 (CAT 1/30/17). “The only reason I sold was my wife was ill, and I lost her just a few months later,” he says. Four years after the sale, the deal’s non-compete expired, and Brown was hearing voices in his head. They Nate Barnes belonged to his nephew and BBRMG vet Paul

© 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

January 11, 2021

Brown and songwriter Jason Sellers, who now serve as Quartz Hill Managing Partners along with Benny. “I’ve got a lot of other balls in the air,” Benny says of his other businesses. “But music has always been a real passion of mine. After Paul and Jason went to work on me, I decided the one thing I like most is the A&R side – artist development and picking music. I didn’t want the full role I had at BBR, so they had to be willing to take on all the other responsibilities. They talked me into it.” In addition to the family and longstanding business ties between Benny and Paul, Sellers had been signed as a writer to BBRMG’s Magic Mustang Music and has a deep relationship with the Browns. “It’s something that clicked with the three of us,” Paul says. “Benny and Jason have an amazing sense for A&R and songs, and I liked the fact I didn’t have to do a lot of the legal and financial things I had to do last time.” As to the operational structure, Paul says, “Jason and I are combining to cover what would be a traditional GM role while still running most major decisions by Benny for insight and approval. And we’re counting heavily on support from the Orchard and the Sony team in New York.” Formerly Sony RED, The Orchard also has a long history with Broken Bow going back as far as 2003. “We really got off the ground in 2005 when Craig Morgan had his first No. 1 with Broken Bow,” says The Orchard SVP/Product Development Alan Becker. “Being able to help grow our business in Nashville with the success of Broken Bow was a huge win – personally and professionally. The day Benny sold the company, I had this in the back of my mind, dreaming we’d be able to do it again.” Division of duties is fairly typical, though Quartz Hill staff are actually Sony employees. “We’re doing sales and distribution, HR, T&E, royalty accounting – typical back office functions,” Becker says. “That’s our skillset.” Led by VP/Promotion & Marketing April Rider (Breaking News 10/12), the promotion staff is comprised of Matt Galvin, Clay Henderson, Will Robinson, Greg Raneiri and Ray Vaughn. Natalie Kilgore is VP/Publicity & Integrated Marketing; Karen Tallier is Dir./ Streaming, Digital Mktg. & Brand Strategy; and Josh Brown is Coord./A&R. “Like everyone else in a world of COVID, we’re learning as we go,” Rider says. “Our rollout with Nate has been a unique approach – not your standard Zoom presentation – to bring radio in and get

Page 3

Let The Chips Haul: Quartz Hill’s Benny Brown, April Rider, Nate Barnes, Paul Brown and Jason Sellers.

to know him.” Barnes’ debut single, “You Ain’t Pretty,” will go for airplay next month. Meanwhile, the story is being built, as evidenced by 7 million Tik Tok views in the song’s first two weeks of release. The label announced second signing Ben Gallaher today. “It’s pretty exciting to think about doing it again with some of the same people,” says Rider, one of several BBR veterans. “But we’ve all grown a lot and brought other experience into the fold.” “The old saying ‘work smarter not harder’ doesn’t apply here,” Sellers adds. “We work smarter and harder. That’s the way Benny runs his company. He creates a family environment, and we go into battle together. Watching the early success for Nate, Benny’s still got it.” And he appears to have it just the way he wants it. “I didn’t need this job for money,” Benny says. “My position was, if I could do something to help former employees and artists, that was what would drive me.”

January 11, 2021

Page 5

WI TH An inside look at how 19th & Grand’s Tenille Arts is spending her Quaran-Time: I went a full year without seeing my family, because they were in Canada and I was here in Nashville. I just got to see them at Christmas, so that was nice. Where I’m from in Saskatchewan, they still had a five-people household limit, so it was a little more strict in that way. I’m writing over Zoom pretty much every day. It’s nice to have something to look forward to and know that you’re going to be somewhat productive and still get to be creative. I was more creative in 2020, but it’s getting to the point now where it’s hard to feel inspired. We’re not out there living real life. I’m not sitting at a hotel bar listening to a conversation and getting ideas. It’s been a struggle, but I’ve found myself reflecting back and writing a lot of songs about high school and those first relationships … nostalgic type stuff. I’ve been doing virtual meet and greets and going live on all of my platforms, and it’s great to be able to connect with people that way. I truly feel my relationship with my fans has gotten stronger. I released my album

at the very beginning of the year, so I had all that new music out there and got to share it with everybody on socials and hear their feedback. I talk to my fans online every day. I’ve been cooking more than I ever have. Before, when I was on the road, I wouldn’t even buy groceries, because there wasn’t time to cook. Another thing that I was doing was bedazzling a lot of things. I made an entire guitar covered in crystals (see here), and (hopefully) I’ll get to take that out on the road really soon. I watched Game of Thrones for the first time. Right now, I’m watching The Wild on Amazon Prime. I’ve watched pretty much every Netflix documentary at this point. In 2020, I was going back and listening to early Shania Twain but also new music. I love Maren Morris, Keith Urban and Sam Hunt … everybody that was releasing new music over the last year. I was diving into all of it, because there’s not a whole lot else to do, so it’s great to see people releasing new music. And Morgan Wallen. I’m still getting through the Double Album. So great.

As for the name, it was inspired by the successful sale of a property Benny owned in California. “Quartz is where gold comes from, and it’s also how they made radios back in the day,” he says. “Quartz, copper wire and power were all you needed.” Adds Paul, “When he said it, I raised my hand and said, ‘That one’s perfect.’” Reach Paul Brown here, Sellers here and Rider here. –Chuck Aly

Chart Chat

... TE NI LL E AR TS

Congratulations to Lady A, Matthew Hargis, Michelle Tigard Kammerer and the BMLGR promotion team on landing

at No. 1 with “Champagne Night.” The song was released following the group’s appearance on NBC’s Songland and is a re-worked version of Madeline Merlo’s “I’ll Drink To That,” as detailed on the show. Songwriters are Merlo, Shane McAnally, Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Tina Parol, David Thomson, Patricia Conroy, Ryan Tedder and Esther Dean.

Give ‘Em The Ol’ Razzle Bedazzle

Lady A

January 11, 2021

And kudos to Kevin Herring and the Triple Tigers crew on notching 36 adds for Russell Dickerson’s “Home Sweet,” landing atop this week’s board.

News & Notes

Sun Broadcast Group has added Wisebuddah production and sonic branding, radio imaging and jingles to its network offerings. Withers Broadcasting KBXB/Cape Girardeau, MO adds the Bud & Broadway show in mornings, replacing Wilhite & Wall. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will open its first exhibit of the year Friday (1/15). The Station Inn: Bluegrass Beacon will examine the Nashville venue’s contributions to bluegrass music. More info here.

The Week’s Top Stories

Full coverage at countryaircheck.com. • Catch up on everything you missed over the holidays in last week’s (1/4) Country Aircheck Weekly. • Radio reacted to the attack on the U.S. Capitol. (CAT 1/7) • iHeartMedia/El Paso’s Patti Diaz added PD/MD/ afternoon duties for KHEY. (CAT 1/8) • KKNU/Eugene, OR morning host Bill Barrett is retiring. (CAT 1/7) • Hot AC KMIY/Tucson swapped frequencies with Country KYWD to become “92.9 The Bull.” (CAT 1/6) • Shanna “Quinn” Cudeck was named WMIL/Milwaukee PD; Chelsey Steinhauer added PD duties at WMAD/ Madison; and Cindy Spicer added programming duties for WQIK/Jacksonville. (CAT 1/5) • Jon Laing was upped to Cumulus/Cincinnati VP/ MM; WNNF shuffled its on-air lineup. (CAT 1/4)

Page 8

• Chronicle: Bobby Sherman, Jim “Catfish” Prewitt, Larry Neal, David Anthony “Tony” Rice, Misty Morgan, Hugh X. Lewis, Al Fagerli, Jamie O’Hara, Ed Bruce.

Nashville Bombing: An Imperfect Storm (continued from page 1)

“He’s a fellow Tennessean and saw the news first. I immediately was on the phone with EVP/News Chris Berry and Talk WLAC PD Scooter, as well as the other PDs in the cluster. Everyone not only answered their phone, but they immediately engaged in their respective brands. We view ourselves as intel first responders; if it happens in Nashville, it’s our job to be there for our listeners and go through it together.” WSIX went wall-to-wall with news partner WSMV-TV. “We followed that with twice-per-hour updates, as well as complete coverage on our social platforms,” Harrison says. “[Afternooner] Wayne D left his family and came in to cover afternoons live, answering listener questions, concerns, and sharing intel as the facts unfolded.” Cumulus WSM-FM PD Charlie Cook says the station didn’t miss a beat, though there were a few hurdles – including his own AT&T internet being down. “I couldn’t log in to do what I normally do – merge and adjust logs, etc. – but that just meant I had to go into the office,” he says. “Email was working fine on my phone.” Able to reach an IT staffer, Cook was Charlie Cook reassured the station had multiple internet redundancies. “Most stations have that,”

January 11, 2021

he says. “But part of the issue with not wanting anybody in the building is having them all voicetrack from home. Only one of our personalities has AT&T for phone and internet, and she called me from her roommate’s Verizon phone. I was able to call around and get someone to fill in for two days. She was in the process of signing up for another service provider when AT&T came back up.” Track Suite: Though a bombing aimed at a communications hub is likely a rare occurrence, denial-of-service attacks and other threats may or may not have greater importance for radio and the music business as work-from-home has become the order of the day. “Most of our air talent live in Nashville and are spread out all over the city, so there has yet to be a situation where someone hasn’t had access,” Harrison says. “Plus, we have a next-level IT and engineering team in Mike Buckner and Jeff Batten. They make MacGyver look novice. I’m also not sure the dual service would be a cost-effective strategy, but it would be a nice luxury.” While not as critical for a music station, phones being down had an impact elsewhere in the Cumulus cluster. “Both [Sports WGFX] The Zone and [News-Talk] WWTN depend on phone calls,” Cook says. “I know The Zone went to reading tweets instead, and it worked out.” Another effect of digital disruption is the reminder of the power of century-old broadcast technology. “These are the moments radio was built for,” Harrison says. “Instant, immediate engagement – a dependable and trusted friend no matter the circumstance. Tornado knocks out power, you still have radio. Internet connection drops, you still have radio. We love music, but our stations are built to be there when Nashville needs us most. We’re dedicated to saving lives, protecting, and building a better Nashville. And, I honestly don’t think I’m over stating it.” To that end, Nashville stations also showed the medium’s propensity for service ... with the help of the broader country

Page 9

community. “That Monday morning, a bunch of record labels got emails from me asking for their artists to help us get the message out by recording how-to-help liners,” Williams says. “Black River told me Kelsea Ballerini had those two weeks blocked, but she was one of the first ones back with one of the most heartfelt pieces of audio we received.” See station help pages here and here; contact Cook here, Harrison here and Williams here. –Chris Huff, Chuck Aly

Lon Helton, lon@countryaircheck.com Chuck Aly, chuck@countryaircheck.com Caitlin DeForest, caitlin@countryaircheck.com Monta Vaden, monta@countryaircheck.com Chris Huff, chris@countryaircheck.com

SEEK & EMPLOY

January 11, 2021

AVAILABLE JOBS MIDWEST 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. MacDonald WKCQ/Saginaw, MI OM/PD Jason Addams is looking to add a full-time on-air personality for nights. Send résumés and airchecks to him here. Midwest/Evansville, IN OM Aaron Santini is seeking a Prod. Asst./on-air talent for the cluster that includes Country WLYD. Send cover letters, résumés and airchecks to him here. Townsquare KOEL/Waterloo, IA PD/morning host Johnny Marks is looking for a morning co-host who is “social media savvy and regularly contributes content to the station’s website and social media account. See the complete job description and apply here. Saga Classic Country WYXY/Champaign, IL PD Kurtis Allen is seeking an afternoon personality. Send résumés and cover letters to him here. Steel City/Kansas City is searching for a Chief Engineer for the cluster that includes Country KBEQ & KFKF. Interested candidates can send résumés here confidentially. White River WKKG/Columbus, IN Programming Coord. Brad Jackson is seeking a PD/morning host with solid social media chops. See the complete job description here; send résumés and airchecks to Jackson here. Midwest Classic Country WWDK/Lansing, MI OM Terry Stevens is looking for a Brand Mgr. who can also handle oversight of Rhythmic AC sister WQTX. See the complete job posting here; send résumés, cover letters, production samples and airchecks here.

NORTHEAST

Forever WFGI/Johnstown, PA is seeking a fulltime morning co-host. Send résumés, airchecks and salary requirements here. WVRC WKKW/Morgantown, WV PD Mike Vincent is searching for part-time on-air talent for

weekend and fill-in positions. Send résumés and airchecks to him here. Alpha/Fredericksburg, VA is looking for a Market Mgr. for the cluster, which includes Country WFLS. Interested candidates can see a complete job description and apply here.

Classic Country KNAH. Send résumés to him here.

WEST COAST

SOUTHWEST

Badlands/Rapid City, SD is searching for a GM/ DOS who can build, train and motivate a team for the cluster that includes Country KRKI. Interested parties can send résumés and references here. Frontier/Juneau, AK GM Cherie Curry is seeking an OM/PD/on-air talent for the cluster that includes Country KTKU. Send résumés with references and an aircheck to Curry here. Entercom is now searching for a Regional Dir./ Promotions for the Mountain Region, including Denver, Las Vegas and Phoenix markets. The position will manage all promotions and related activity for all brands in the region, including Country KMLE/Phoenix. See the complete job description and apply here. Ruby Radio/Elko, NV owner Ken Sutherland is seeking a “utility jock to work multiple formats,” including Country KBGZ. Send résumés and airchecks here.

Townsquare KQBR/Lubbock, TX Brand Mgr. Lance Ballance is seeking an APD/on-air personality to succeed Jan Miller. Send résumés and airchecks to him here. Cox Country Format Leader & Country KKBQ/ Houston PD Johnny Chiang is searching for a midday personality for KKBQ to succeed Christi Brooks. Complete job description and application here. Cumulus KSCS/Dallas PD Mike Preston is seeking a midday personality who loves country music; knows the Texas lifestyle; executes a fun, engaging, interactive show; is a social media creator and contributor; and is willing to take on additional programming assignments as needed. Complete job description and application here. Champlin/Oklahoma City GM Kevin Waltman is looking for a Brand Mgr. for the group that includes

Cherry Creek Media Group PD Mark Elliott is searching for experienced OMs and PDs for future openings. The company’s Country properties include KAAR/Butte, MT; KCIN & KIYK/St. George, UT; KMON/ Great Falls, MT; KGGL/Missoula, MT; KKXK/Montrose, MT; KWCD/Sierra Vista, AZ; KYSN/Wenatchee, WA; KYYZ/Williston, ND; and Classic Country KMONAM/Great Falls, MT. Candidates with a minimum of three-to-five years of experience and a background in programming multiple formats in small to medium sized markets can send résumés, airchecks and programming philosophies to Elliott here. RWPC Pres. JJ Jobe is looking for a hands-on GM for a small Southeast market. Send cover letters and résumés to him here.

SOUTHEAST Cumulus WKAK/Albany, GA PD Bill Dollar is looking for an afternoon personality/Production Dir. Apply here. Saga/Gainesville-Ocala, FL GM Howard Tuuri is looking for a Dir./Promotions for Country WOGK & Classic Rock sister WYND. Send résumés to him here. ADX WYCT/Pensacola OM Kevin King is seeking a full-time midday talent with additional duties that may include promotions and on-air work for sister stations within the cluster. Interested candidates can send résumés and airchecks here.

OTHER

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

•”Big” John Horton Former KFSA/Ft. Smith, AR afternoon host BigJohn@TheBigJohnShow.com

•Kris Richards •Tony Kelly Former WKJO/Smithfield, NC afternoons Former WUSN/Chicago morning producer FireCop947@yahoo.com KellyT_60468@yahoo.com 708-642-8518 •AJ McCloud Former WWFF/Huntsville, AL •Greg Cole APD/afternoons Former WKCQ/Saginaw, MI OM/PD AJ.McCloud@charter.net GCole27000@gmail.com 256-503-2301 916-502-4734 •Jonathan West Former WKTI/Milwaukee afternoons JSWest33@yahoo.com 320-774-9300 •Doug Dodds Former ZFKY/Grand Cayman PD/mornings DougDoddsEmail@gmail.com •Marc Lavik (aka Dave Marcus) Former on-air talent ZimaGuy@gmail.com 401-467-6737 •Denis “Catfish” Miller Former KSNI/Santa Maria, CA afternoon host DenisMil@hotmail.com •Cory Mikhals Former KIZN/Boise morning co-host CoryProductions@icloud.com

•Kristin Monica Former WQNU/Louisville APD/mornings Kristin@RadioKristin.com •Mac Daniels Former KPLX & KSCS/Dallas PD MacDaniels@me.com

•Bill Hickok Former KBMR/Bismark, ND morning host BillHickok1950@gmail.com •Amy Nic Former WAMZ/Louisville afternoon host AmyNicRadioChick@gmail.com •Ron “Keyes” Stevens Former WQRB/Eau Claire, WI afternoons RonStvns@yahoo.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

•Dave Schaefer Former iHeartMedia/Farmington, NM SVPP & Country KTRA PD •Ryan McCall DRSchaefer@gobrainstorm.net Former WGLR/Platteville, WI MD/afternoons RyanMcCall@yahoo.com •Brittany Tully Former WYNK/Baton Rouge PD •David Dean BriLynn718@gmail.com Former KXDD/Yakima, WA afternoons DaviDean5@gmail.com •Steve Knoll •Kasper Former KMAG/Ft. Smith, AR PD/ Former WUSN/Chicago afternoons on-air talent KasperShow@gmail.com and www. SteveKnoll@cox.net KasperShow.com

•Brian “Wookie” Kostek Former WDSY/Pittsburgh APD/MD/afternoons BKostek24@gmail.com •Chuck Edwards Former WYCD/Detroit mornings ChuckOn995@yahoo.com •Terry Phillips Former Entercom/Detroit Dir./Creative Services Terry@TerryPhillips.com •Bernadette Gibbons Former Entercom/New York Coord./Promotions BernGibbons23@gmail.com •Blair Thomas Former WXCY/Wilmington, DE mornings BThomas330@yahoo.com •Brad King Former WBYT/South Bend, IN APD/MD/middays BradKingRadio@yahoo.com and here •Dr. Don Carpenter Former WYCD/Detroit mornings Dr.DonCarpenter@gmail.com •Jake Byron Former KUPL/Portland mornings JakeByronMedia@gmail.com

SEEK & EMPLOY

January 11, 2021

SEEKING JOBS

(continued)

•Adam Rondeau Former WCVL/Charlottesville, VA mornings BrondeauShow@gmail.com

•Mike Allan Former WNSH/New York nights MikeAllanRadio@gmail.com

•Corey Dillon Former KNUC/Seattle afternoons/Social Media Mgr. CoreyDillonRadio@gmail.com

•Darlene Evans Former WKIS/Miami middays DarleneInc@yahoo.com

•Guy David Former KYGO/Denver mornings GuyDavid02@gmail.com Agent: David Brody, 877-888-1267 •Jeff Hunt Former WXCY/Wilmington, DE MD/evenings JeffreyJHunt@gmail.com 570-309-4698

•Nathan Cruise Former In2une Dir./Regional Promotion NCruise27@gmail.com 615-496-6356 •Mark “Skid” Lavin Former WOTW/Orlando Dir./Production & On-Air MarkLavin@yahoo.com 407-619-5346

SEEKER SPOTLIGHT •KEITH ABRAMS

Former iHeartMedia/Cleveland OM KeithAbrams961@gmail.com Connect via LinkedIn here.

“My years of experience and ability to get the most from talent while making brands ‘sing’ and being a good partner to sales gives me a rather unique skillset. My strongest personal skill is having a logical, smart, calm approach to my responsibilities.”

•Brent Jones Former Capitol Dir./Midwest Promotion DBJones615@gmail.com 615-482-5653

•“Wes McShay” Gardipe Former Appaloosa Dir./Western Region Programming WesGardipe@gmail.com 307-899-0007

•Kim Brixton Former WNWN/Battle Creek, MI mornings/middays KimBrixton@gmail.com

•JD Justice Former KCTO/Duluth, MN Brand Mgr./mornings JDJusticeVoice@yahoo.com

•Mark McKay Former Riser House Dir./Southeast Promotion MMcKay973@gmail.com

•Nicholas Nixon Former KFRG/Riverside personality Kn3ick@outlook.com 909-754-3031

•Fletcher Keyes Former WWQM/Madison, WI PD KeyesCreative@gmail.com www.FletcherKeyes.com

•Kerry Wolfe Former WMIL/Milwaukee SVPP & PD KerryLWolfe@hotmail.com 414-788-3764

•Steve Richards Former Townsquare/Albany, NY OM SVal622@sbcglobal.net 901-481-2669

•Chase Daniels Former WRWD/Poughkeepsie, NY PD/afternoons ChaseDaniels106@gmail.com

•Mike Rowe Former WAMZ/Louisville nights MikeRoweRadio1@yahoo.com

•Jody Wheatley Former WQMX/Akron MD/ Promotions Dir. JodyWheatley13@gmail.com

•Keith Abrams Former iHeartMedia/Cleveland OM KeithAbrams961@gmail.com

•Mike Tyler Former WCKT/Ft. Myers, FL PD/afternoons RadioGuy.101@gmail.com

•Kelley Bradshaw-Brock Former WKDF/Nashville afternoons KelleyBra13@gmail.com 423-802-4987 •Tim Taylor Former KWJJ/Portland afternoons Tim.Taylor1@comcast.net •Ginny Harman Former KFRG/Riverside mornings GinnyHarmanVO@gmail.com •Nina D. Former KMLE/Phoenix afternoons MissNinaD@gmail.com •Erin Austin Former KILT/Houston Asst. MD/middays ErinAustinOnline@gmail.com •Amber Rainey Former KSON/San Diego middays AmberRaineyOnAir@gmail.com •Jared “Marshall” Goldberg Former KMLE/Phoenix APD/middays & Cluster Dir./Digital Programming ImJaredGoldberg@gmail.com •Tami Rumfelt Former WPAW/Greensboro afternoons TamiRumfelt@gmail.com

•Mark Lillie Former iHeartMedia/Farmington, NM Cluster PD Lillie.Mark@gmail.com 303/704-0700 •Mike McKay Former WQRB/Eau Claire, WI Brand Mgr./mornings McKProd@charter.net •Jimmy Elliott Former WOVK/Wheeling, WV WPP/PD/ MD/mornings JimmyElliottSchlosser@gmail.com •JJ Cook Former iHeartMedia/Cedar Rapids, IA SVPP IowaViking@mchsi.com •Jim O’Hara Former iHeartMedia/Quad Cities, IA SVPP & Country WLLR PD/on-air JimOHara@mchsi.com •Steve Powers Former iHeartMedia/Mobile, AL SVPP StevePowers961@yahoo.com •Jim Dorman Former iHeartMedia/Wichita SVPP & Country KZSN PD/middays JimDorman2@aol.com

•Eddie Rupp Former iHeartMedia/Sarasota, FL SVPP/ OM & Country WCTQ middays ER-1001@hotmail.com

•Amy Lynn Former WCKT/Ft. Myers, FL middays AmyLynnRadio@gmail.com •Jake McBride Former KKIX/Fayetteville, AR afternoons MrJakeMcBride@gmail.com •Bill “Stu” Stewart Former KASH/Anchorage, AK PD/ morning co-host BStu1013@gmail.com •Doug Kramer Former KHLR/Little Rock, AR mornings DougKramerLive@gmail.com

•Jeremy “Otis” Maher Former WUBL/Atlanta MD/afternoons JeyMaher20@yahoo.com •Katie Green Former WRJY/Brunswick, GA middays KatieGreenVoice@gmail.com •Claire Beverly Former KNUC/Seattle mornings ClaireBeverlyRadio@gmail.com •Bryant “Ryder” Konold Former KNUC/Seattle mornings BryantRyderKonold@gmail.com •Jess Tyler Former WOKQ/Portsmouth, NH Brand Mgr./MD/middays JTyler1999@yahoo.com •Mark Phillips Former KPLX/Dallas afternoons MarkP995@gmail.com 214-226-9076 •Nancy Ryan Former WRBT/Harrisburg, PA mornings NancyRyan949@gmail.com

•Ashley King Former KHLR/Little Rock, AR afternoons AKingMarsh@gmail.com •Matt Cruz Former KSSN/Little Rock, AR on-air/promotions MatthewsPersonalEmail@gmail.com

January 11, 2021

Artist/Title (Label)

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

LADY A

Champagne Night (BMLGR)

25512

8183

45.449

159

DAN + SHAY/I Should Probably Go To Bed (Warner/WAR)

21936

7061

37.847

158

LUKE COMBS/Better Together (River House/Columbia)

21372

6869

37.138

159

KENNY CHESNEY/Happy Does (Blue Chair/Warner/WEA)

19738

6378

34.579

159

KELSEA BALLERINI/Hole In The Bottle (Black River)

18400

6085

30.707

159

CHRIS LANE/Big, Big Plans (Big Loud)

18267

5619

38.089

157

DARIUS RUCKER/Beers And Sunshine (Capitol)

17508

5747

29.684

159

NIKO MOON/Good Time (RCA)

16327

5352

24.115

155

CHRIS STAPLETON/Starting Over (Mercury)

15026

4958

25.913

157

LUKE BRYAN/Down To One (Capitol)

15005

4757

26.134

158

PARKER MCCOLLUM/Pretty Heart (MCA)

14533

4871

25.467

157

THOMAS RHETT/What's Your Country Song (Valory)

14287

4599

25.208

159

PARMALEE f/BLANCO BROWN/Just The Way (Stoney Creek)

13859

4532

21.619

148

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Long Live (BMLGR)

13416

4287

22.229

159

DUSTIN LYNCH/Momma's House (Broken Bow)

13136

4213

21.414

158

RASCAL FLATTS/How They Remember You (Big Machine)

12023

3927

19.573

158

15.837

157

TENILLE ARTS/Somebody Like That (19th & Grand)

10565

3383

DYLAN SCOTT/Nobody (Curb)

9619

3106

15.086

152

GABBY BARRETT/The Good Ones (Warner/WAR)

9607

3194

14.542

155

BRETT YOUNG/Lady (BMLGR)

9472

3015

15.848

143

JORDAN DAVIS/Almost Maybes (MCA)

9280

3127

13.647

152

MORGAN WALLEN/7 Summers (Big Loud)

9040

2797

15.283

148

BROTHERS OSBORNE/All Night (EMI Nashville)

8126

2613

12.621

153

ERIC CHURCH/Hell Of A View (EMI Nashville)

7218

2408

10.587

152

KEITH URBAN w/PINK/One Too Many (RCA/Capitol)

6845

2232

10.197

142

CONGRATULATIONS

LADY A & SHANE McANALLY

THREE-WEEK

#1 SONG co-written by

ESTER DEAN, ANDREW DeROBERTS, DAVE THOMSON, MADELINE MERLO, PATRICIA CONROY, RYAN TEDDER, & TINA PAROL

produced by: SHANE McCANALLY & ANDREW DeROBERTS

Chart Page 1

January 11, 2021 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

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

DIERKS BENTLEY/Gone (Capitol)

6836

2255

10.09

148

SAM HUNT/Breaking Up Was Easy In The... (MCA)

6476

2059

9.526

136

JAKE OWEN/Made For You (Big Loud)

5546

1888

7.257

128

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Settling Down (RCA)

5483

1749

7.44

140

BRANTLEY GILBERT/Hard Days (Valory)

4864

1589

5.736

143

CARLY PEARCE/Next Girl (Big Machine)

4698

1543

5.564

148

JASON ALDEAN/Blame It On You (Macon Music/Broken Bow)

4185

1213

6.394

118

RUNAWAY JUNE/We Were Rich (Wheelhouse)

3911

1285

4.613

137

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Wine, Beer, Whiskey (Capitol)

3887

1352

3.218

130

COLE SWINDELL/Single Saturday Night (Warner/WMN)

3803

1220

4.658

123

JUSTIN MOORE/We Didn't Have Much (Valory)

3582

1167

6.033

108

CHASE RICE f/FGL/Drinkin' Beer... (Dack Janiels/BBR/BMLGR)

2955

851

2.961

OLD DOMINION/Never Be Sorry (RCA)

2905

934

3.306

CHRIS YOUNG & KANE BROWN/Famous Friends (RCA)

2889

686

4.205

KANE BROWN/Worship You (RCA)

2867

881

3.126

SCOTTY MCCREERY/You Time (Triple Tigers)

2848

922

2.761

106

ELVIE SHANE/My Boy (Wheelhouse)

2787

968

2.296

LEE BRICE/Memory I Don't Mess With (Curb)

2421

723

3.479

PRISCILLA BLOCK/Just About Over You (InDent/Mercury)

2322

733

2.364

ROBERT COUNTS/What Do I Know (Arista)

2164

714

1.905

CODY JOHNSON & R. MCENTIRE/Dear... (CoJo/Warner/WMN) 2007

482

3.233

TEDDY ROBB/Heaven On Dirt (Monument)

2002

695

1.592

LOCASH/Beers To Catch Up On (Wheelhouse)

1943

638

1.912

MICHAEL RAY/Whiskey And Rain (Warner/WEA)

1854

584

1.912

CHRIS JANSON/Waitin' On 5 (Warner/WAR)

1711

540

1.584

Chart Page 3

January 11, 2021 Country Aircheck Add Leaders

Adds

RUSSELL DICKERSON/Home Sweet (Triple Tigers) CHRIS YOUNG & KANE BROWN/Famous Friends (RCA) TAYLOR SWIFT f/HAIM/No Body, No Crime (Republic/MCA) JUSTIN MOORE/We Didn't Have Much (Valory) SCOTTY MCCREERY/You Time (Triple Tigers) JASON ALDEAN/Blame It On You (Macon Music/Broken Bow) JAMESON RODGERS f/L. COMBS/Cold... (River House/Columbia) CAYLEE HAMMACK/Just Friends (Capitol) KANE BROWN/Worship You (RCA) MIRANDA LAMBERT/Settling Down (RCA) MORGAN WALLEN/7 Summers (Big Loud) PARMALEE f/BLANCO BROWN/Just The Way (Stoney Creek)

Country Aircheck Top Recurrents

36 26 24 13 12 10 9 6 6 6 6 6

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers Aircheck Point Gainers will return next week

Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers Aircheck Spin Gainers will return next week

Points

BLAKE SHELTON f/G. STEFANI/Happy... (Warner/WMN)

19277

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

18943

MORGAN WALLEN/More Than My Hometown (Big Loud)

16866

LEE BRICE/One Of Them Girls (Curb)

16365

LUKE COMBS/Lovin' On You (River House/Columbia)

11228

JASON ALDEAN/Got What I Got (Macon Music/Broken Bow)

10004

JAMESON RODGERS/Some Girls (River House/Columbia)

9234

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

9207

GABBY BARRETT/I Hope (Warner/WAR)

8991

MATT STELL/Everywhere But On (Records)

8955

MAREN MORRIS/The Bones (Columbia)

8475

Activator Top Point Gainers Activator Point Gainers will return next week

MORGAN WALLEN/Chasin' You (Big Loud)

8387

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

7591

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

7307

LUKE BRYAN/One Margarita (Capitol)

7217

CHRIS JANSON/Done (Warner/WAR)

5881

Activator Top Spin Gainers

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

5801

Activator Spin Gainers will return next week

SAM HUNT/Kinfolks (MCA)

5625

OLD DOMINION/One Man Band (RCA)

5560

SAM HUNT/Hard To Forget (MCA)

5538

Chart Page 4

January 11, 2021

COUNTRY AIRCHECK ACTIVITY

A D D DAT E S

ROBERT COUNTS/What Do I Know (Arista) 2,164 points, 714 spins 2 adds: KKGO, KXKT

January 19

CODY JOHNSON & REBA/Dear Rodeo (CoJo/Warner/WMN) 2,007 points, 482 spins; no adds

January 25

TEDDY ROBB/Heaven On Dirt (Monument) 2,002 points, 695 spins 2 adds: KJKE, WAVW LOCASH/Beers To Catch Up On (Wheelhouse) 1,943 points, 638 spins 2 adds: KXKC, WAVW MICHAEL RAY/Whiskey And Rain (Warner/WEA) 1,854 points, 584 spins 3 adds: WCTQ, WKSJ, WWQM

JON PARDI/Tequila Little Time (Capitol)

HARDY/Give Heaven Some Hell (Big Loud) SHY CARTER/Good Love (Warner/WAR) PARKER MCCOLLUM/To Be Loved By You (MCA)

February 1

JIMMIE ALLEN & BRAD PAISLEY/Freedom Was A Highway (Stoney Creek) ANDREW JANNAKOS/Gone Too Soon (RCA) Send yours to adds@countryaircheck.com

CHRIS JANSON/Waitin’ On 5 (Warner/WAR) 1,711 points, 540 spins 1 add: WAVW GARTH BROOKS & TRISHA YEARWOOD/Shallow (Pearl) 1,658 points, 491 spins; no adds JAMESON RODGERS f/LUKE COMBS/Cold Beer Calling My Name (River House/Columbia) 1,513 points, 457 spins 9 adds: KCCY, KKGO, KKWF, KSD, KTEX, KWJJ, KZSN, WGAR, WXBQ MITCHELL TENPENNY/Broken Up (Columbia) 1,390 points, 530 spins; no adds INGRID ANDRESS/Lady Like (Warner/WEA) 1,384 points, 492 spins 1 add: KNCI

CHECK OUT January 8

Aaron Watson American Soul (Big Label) Produced by the Texas Cowboy Hall Of Famer and Phil O’Donnell, the project features ten songs Watson wrote or co-wrote, including the previously-released “Whisper My Name” – which totaled 300,000 streams in its first week – and a track he co-wrote with Monty Criswell and O’Donnell, current single “Silverado Saturday Night.”

January 15

Devin Dawson Pink Slip EP (Warner/WEA) Among the six songs included in the follow-up to 2018’s Dark Horse are lead single “I Got a Truck,” “He Loved Her,” penned alongside Nicolle Galyon and Jordan Reynolds, and opening track ”Range Rover.”

Chart Page 5

January 11, 2021 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

Points

---

+/- Points

Plays

+/- Plays Stations ADDS

LUKE COMBS

Better Together (River House/Columbia)

10321

2149

LADY A/Champagne Night (BMLGR)

9271

1979

DAN + SHAY/I Should Probably Go To Bed (Warner/WAR)

8780

1883

KELSEA BALLERINI/Hole In The Bottle (Black River)

8501

1772

DARIUS RUCKER/Beers And Sunshine (Capitol)

8202

1665

KENNY CHESNEY/Happy Does (Blue Chair/Warner/WEA)

7478

1612

CHRIS LANE/Big, Big Plans (Big Loud)

7292

1435

LUKE BRYAN/Down To One (Capitol)

7155

1408

PARKER MCCOLLUM/Pretty Heart (MCA)

6904

1431

CHRIS STAPLETON/Starting Over (Mercury)

6797

1408

THOMAS RHETT/What's Your Country Song (Valory)

6606

1318

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Long Live (BMLGR)

6300

1277

NIKO MOON/Good Time (RCA)

5674

1272

RASCAL FLATTS/How They Remember You (Big Machine)

5014

1064

ERIC CHURCH/Hell Of A View (EMI Nashville)

4699

860

JORDAN DAVIS/Almost Maybes (MCA)

4429

905

DUSTIN LYNCH/Momma's House (Broken Bow)

4395

984

DIERKS BENTLEY/Gone (Capitol)

4366

875

BROTHERS OSBORNE/All Night (EMI Nashville)

4233

823

TENILLE ARTS/Somebody Like That (19th & Grand)

3989

814

GABBY BARRETT/The Good Ones (Warner/WAR)

3648

826

MORGAN WALLEN/7 Summers (Big Loud)

3647

702

PARMALEE f/BLANCO BROWN/Just The Way (Stoney Creek)

3584

762

KEITH URBAN w/PINK/One Too Many (RCA/Capitol)

3221

660

DYLAN SCOTT/Nobody (Curb)

2946

615

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Settling Down (RCA)

2762

502

BRETT YOUNG/Lady (BMLGR)

2753

558

SAM HUNT/Breaking Up Was Easy In The... (MCA)

1914

386

CARLY PEARCE/Next Girl (Big Machine)

1731

336

JAKE OWEN/Made For You (Big Loud)

1696

405

Chart Page 6

January 11, 2021 LW

Artist/Title (Label)

Points +/- Points

JUSTIN MOORE/We Didn't Have Much (Valory)

1681

Plays

368

+/- Plays

Stations Adds

ELVIE SHANE/My Boy (Wheelhouse)

1499

269

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Wine, Beer, Whiskey (Capitol)

1471

297

BRANTLEY GILBERT/Hard Days (Valory)

1270

263

RUNAWAY JUNE/We Were Rich (Wheelhouse)

1191

255

LEE BRICE/Memory I Don't Mess With (Curb)

1079

162

CHASE RICE f/FGL/Drinkin' Beer. Talkin' God. Amen. (Dack Janiels/BBR/BMLGR)

1015

187

JASON ALDEAN/Blame It On You (Macon Music/Broken Bow)

947

173

LARRY FLEET/Where I Find God (Big Loud)

851

144

COLE SWINDELL/Single Saturday Night (Warner/WMN)

812

185

PRISCILLA BLOCK/Just About Over You (InDent/Mercury)

754

135

MICHAEL RAY/Whiskey And Rain (Warner/WEA)

705

128

KANE BROWN/Worship You (RCA)

702

112

SCOTTY MCCREERY/You Time (Triple Tigers)

687

143

TIM DUGGER/You're Gonna Love Me (Curb/MCC)

655

121

OLD DOMINION/Never Be Sorry (RCA)

631

123

MITCHELL TENPENNY/Broken Up (Columbia)

629

120

LEE BRICE/Soul (Curb)

620

CODY JOHNSON & REBA MCENTIRE/Dear Rodeo (CoJo/Warner/WMN)

600

117

THE DESERT CITY RAMBLERS/Comin' Home (Crank Kick )

590

110

CHRIS JANSON/Waitin' On 5 (Warner/WAR)

560

HARDY/Give Heaven Some Hell (Big Loud)

551

LUKE COMBS/Forever After All (River House/Columbia)

545

RILEY GREEN/If It Wasn't For Trucks (BMLGR)

490

LAINEY WILSON/Things A Man Oughta Know (Broken Bow)

482

LOCASH/Beers To Catch Up On (Wheelhouse)

458

107

CASEY DONAHEW/Bad Guy (Almost Country)

447

LILY ROSE/Villain (---)

410

ROBERT COUNTS/What Do I Know (Arista)

402

DREW PARKER/While You're Gone (Make Wake)

390

Chart Page 7