Category Archives: Radio

Slacker Launches Channel Devoted To Female Country Artists

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Slacker Radio

As previously announced last week SLACKER RADIO last night (8/7) officially launched “Woman Crush Everyday” (#WCE), a channel devoted to, and curated by female Country artists. TUESDAY evening’s event was co-hosted by WME and CHANGE THE CONVERSATION, and featuring performances by NATALIE STOVALL, POST MONROE, and LAUREN DUSKI. In addition, the service has unveiled SLACKER Studio, a mobile app allowing hosts and contributors to remotely add music and commentary to SLACKER stations. “We have amazingly talented women making music in NASHVILLE, and they deserve to be heard,” said SLACKER Country Format Captain JESS WRIGHT. “In 2017, more than 97% of the artists who appeared on the year-end Country Top 40 were male. This doesn’t reflect the quality of music created by women; it reflects a lack of support from the gatekeepers of Country music who believe that women have limited commercial appeal. I’m excited that, through SLACKER, we can bring the music of female Country artists directly to our audience, curated by the people who are most passionate about it — the women in NASHVILLE’s music industry.” Added CMT SVP/Strategy LESLIE FRAM, a co-founder of CHANGE THE CONVERSATION, “I’m thrilled that there’s another platform to support female artists. Women have always been the cornerstone of Country music, and their voices need to be heard.” Listen to #WCE Country here.

Are YOU The Next Country Music Superstar?!?!

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CUMULUS MEDIA has kicked off its fourth annual “NASH NEXT” competition, giving local Country artists the ability to win a major label record deal and national airplay. The Country music competition for new artists was originally launched in 2015 and has since crowned 2015 winners BREAKING SOUTHWEST, 2016 winner TODD O’NEILL , and 2017 champions RADIO ROMANCE. The “NASH NEXT 2018” competition will run for five months and was announced by BMLG RECORDS’ FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE (FGL). “There are so many ways to reach your goals in the music business,” said FGL. “We found a way that worked for us, but that’s not the only way — ‘NASH NEXT’ from our friends at CUMULUS MEDIA is an incredible way to get noticed and reach a whole new audience with radio airplay. That’s a big deal, y’all. So, work hard, stay true to yourself and your music, and good things will happen! Good luck!“

Bobby Bones Launching Nationally Syndicated Radio Show Featuring Only Female Artists

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Bobby Bones Carrie Underwood

iHEARTMEDIA syndicated “THE BOBBY BONES SHOW” host BOBBY BONES is planning to launch a national radio show featuring a female-only playlist that will air on more than 100 radio stations. That news, according to an article in the TENNESSEAN. BONES is quoted in the piece, saying, “I’ll be really obnoxious about it and just cram it down the radio station … People aren’t embracing things, and they are embracing other things too fast … It’s important for fairness. I want everybody to have an equal shot.” The news about BONES’ upcoming show was part of the TENNESSEAN’s larger examination of female Country songs charting. The paper cited data saying the percentage of purely female Country songs has dipped 13% since 2016, part of an all-genre drop with female airplay. In 2017, for example, the TENNESSEAN says females comprised only 16.8% of popular artists on the charts — a six-year low. Read the entire piece here.

Tune In Alert: Lee Roy Parnell on “The Buddy & Jim Show” on SiriusXM

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Lee Roy Parnell on SiriusXM

TUNE IN ALERT: LEE ROY PARNELL TO PERFORM AS MUSICAL GUEST ON THE BUDDY ~ JIM SHOW ON SIRIUSXM OUTLAW COUNTRY GRAMMY-nominated artist Lee Roy Parnell will be the featured musical guest on the highly acclaimed “The Buddy & Jim Show” on SiriusXM airing on the Outlaw Country Channel 60 and streaming OnDemand on SiriusXM connected devices and speakers. Air Times: Saturday 4/28       10 pm ET Sunday 4/29         10 am ET Monday 4/30         2 am & 2 pm ET Wednesday 5/2    12 am & 10 pm ET “I love Outlaw Country, and I love ‘The Buddy and Jim Show,’” says Lee Roy Parnell.  “It was a joy to catch up and reminisce with my old friends.” Midnight Believer was included on All Music’s “Best Blues Albums of 2017” list, along with Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal, Robert Cray, Gary Clark, Jr., David “Honeyboy” Edwards, and more. Vintage Guitar noted in a review that “Too Far Gone,” a song from Midnight Believer features a “gorgeous, melodic solo that is warm enough to melt ice” and called the album “one of the most pleasant surprises from 2017’s record releases.” Musically, Parnell presents some of the best performances of his career onMidnight Believer. He approached this release with the intention of letting the music and performances speak. There is a level of organically-delivered emotion through his playing that took the path of not over-producing every track. Parnell is currently touring the country on his Midnight Believer Tour. Upcoming tour dates include: May 18 – Beacon, NY – The Towne Crier May 19 – New York, NY – Opry City Stage May 20 – Shirley, MA – The Bull Run May 22 – Washington, DC – Pearl Street Warehouse May 23 – Richmond, VA – The Tin Pan June 8 – Nashville, TN – CMA Music Festival June 9 – Fort Wayne, IN – Sweetwater (Guitar Army featuring John Jorgenson, Lee Roy Parnell, Joe Robinson) June 16 – Plano, TX – Love & War June 22 – Greenville, TX – Texan Theater June 30 – Alto, NM – Spencer Theatre About “The Buddy and Jim Show” Longtime friends and collaborators Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale co-host a two-hour weekly Americana journey originating from Miller’s home studio in Nashville, TN, and featuring exclusive interviews and performances from American roots artists each week. The show can be heard on SiriusXM Outlaw Country Channel 60 on Mondays 2 pm ET, Saturdays 10 pm ET and is rebroadcast Sundays 10 am ET, Mondays 2 am & 2 pm ET, and , Wednesdays 12 am & 10 pm ET, and streaming OnDemand on SiriusXM connected devices and speakers. About Lee Roy Parnell After earning a regular spot at Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café and a publishing contract, Lee Roy Parnell launched his solo career on Arista Records, which produced many country hits, including seven Top 10 hits:  “A Little Bit Of You,” “What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am,” “Tender Moment,” “Love Without Mercy,” “On The Road,” “I’m Holding Continue reading Tune In Alert: Lee Roy Parnell on “The Buddy & Jim Show” on SiriusXM→

Trisha Yearwood Debuts ‘Trisha’s Take 5’ On SiriusXM’s ‘Garth Channel’

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Trisha Yearwood on Country Music News Blog

SIRIUSXM’s “THE GARTH CHANNEL” debuted a new weekly show, “TRISHA’S TAKE 5,”  hosted by TRISHA YEARWOOD. The show will air MONDAYs at 5p (ET). Each week, YEARWOOD will handpick a four-song theme, then invite listeners to choose a fifth track. In addition to its original airing, “TRISHA’S TAKE 5” will be rebroadcast at various times during the week. “I’m so excited to share my favorite music with SIRIUSXM listeners, and I’m honored to host my own show on GARTH’s SIRIUSXM channel,” said YEARWOOD. “I love the ‘GARTH CHANNEL,’ because it explores such diverse music. No artist is influenced by just one genre of music. But, of all the great voices you’ll hear on ‘ THE GARTH CHANNEL,’ I’m most excited about including the voice of the listener on ‘TRISHA’S TAKE 5.’” SIRIUSXM’s “THE GARTH CHANNEL” was first launched in SEPTEMBER of 2016

ACM Announces Radio Awards Nominees!

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ACM Award News on Country Music News Blog

The Academy of Country Music® announced today the Radio Awards nominees for the 53rd ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS™, including double nominations for KAJA-FM in San Antonio, TX, KHAY-FM in Ventura, CA, KUBL-FM in Salt Lake City, UT, KUZZ-AM/FM in Bakersfield, CA, WFMS-FM in Indianapolis, IN, and WIL-FM in St. Louis, MO. Though not presented during the live telecast, the Radio Awards are given out during the annual Radio Winners Reception held on Saturday, April 14 in Las Vegas, NV, the day prior to the ACM Awards live telecast from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. The full list of 53rd ACM Awards nominations will be announced in early March. 53rd ACM Radio Awards nominees are: NATIONAL ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR  Cody Alan                                                                                            CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan Bobby Bones, Amy, Lunchbox, Eddie                                       The Bobby Bones Show Terri Clark                                                                                           Country Gold with Terri Clark Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase                                             Crook and Chase Countdown Ty Bentli, Kelly Ford and Chuck Wicks                                      Ty, Kelly & Chuck   ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET Bud and Broadway                                                                          WIL-FM                                St. Louis, MO Cadillac Jack                                                                                       WQYK-FM                           St. Petersburg, FL Chris Carr, Kia, Maverick and McKaila                                      KEEY-FM                              St. Louis Park, MN Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, Geof Knight                                  WKKT-FM                            Charlotte, NC Roxanne Steele                                                                                WYCD-FM                           Detroit, MI   ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET Dale Carter                                                                                         KFKF-FM                              Kansas City, MO Double-L                                                                                              KWNR-FM                           Las Vegas, NV Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt & Kevin Freeman              WFMS-FM                          Indianapolis, IN Johnson and Johnson                                                                     KUBL-FM                             Salt Lake City, UT The Randy, Jamie and JoJo Show                                               KAJA-FM                             San Antonio, TX   ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET The 97.5 WPCV Breakfast Club with Roger Todd, Julie Kay and DJ Thee Trucker                                                     WPCV-FM                           Lakeland, FL Carina With A Twist Of Lime                                                        WCYQ-FM                           Knoxville, TN Buzz Jackson                                                                                      KIIM-FM                              Tucson, AZ Steve & Geoff                                                                                   KUZZ-AM/FM                    Bakersfield, CA The Odd Squad                                                                                 CKRY-FM                             Calgary, AB   ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET Ben Butler and Arnie Andrews                                                   WCOW-FM                         Sparta, WI Bobby and Steve (and Mandi!)                                                   WKYQ-FM                           Paducah, KY Dave Daniels                                                                                      KHAY-FM                             Ventura, CA Pat James                                                                                            KHUT-FM                            Hutchinson, KS The Q Crew with Jason and Ashley on Q100.3                       KRWQ-FM                           Medford, OR   RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET KILT-FM                               Houston, TX KMLE-FM                            Phoenix, AZ KSCS-FM                              Dallas. TX WIL-FM                                St. Louis, MO WPOC-FM                           Baltimore, MD   RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET (tie within category increased nominees) KAJA-FM                             San Antonio, TX KUBL-FM                             Salt Lake City, UT WFMS-FM                          Indianapolis, IN WKDF-FM                           Nashville, TN WSIX-FM                             Nashville, TN WSM-FM                             Nashville, TN   RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET KUZZ-AM/FM                    Bakersfield, CA KXKT-FM                             Omaha, NE WGKX-FM                           Memphis, TN WQMX-FM                         Akron, OH WUSY-FM                           Chattanooga, TN   RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET KCLR-FM                              Columbia, MO KHAY-FM                             Ventura, CA KTHK-FM                             Idaho Falls, ID KTTS-FM                              Springfield, MO KYKZ-FM                              Lake Charles, LA   For more information on the ACM Awards Continue reading ACM Announces Radio Awards Nominees!→

Cumulus Radio CEO to Turn Stations Around: Telling Them to “Grow a Pair”

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Country Radio Seminar 2018

“I think the radio industry needs to grow a pair.” That was CUMULUS CEO MARY BERNER when asked for a wide-angle perspective on the medium during a one-on-one keynote address at COUNTRY RADIO SEMINAR (CRS). BERNER’s response to EMMIS/NEW YORK VP/Market Mgr. CHARLIE MORGAN, who conducted the Q&A, was actually an enthusiastic endorsement of radio, as she pointed out that “Radio does have strong ROI; it does have an audience; it has the goods. But we act like an ugly stepchild.” BERNER cited pricing as an example, which she described as “A race to the bottom.” The hour-long interview also touched on BERNER’s business background, which included no previous radio experience. But her strong publishing credentials with READER’s DIGEST and VOUGE magazines to name a couple, have served her well during her time at CUMULUS. BERNER described radio as “same church, different pew,” by comparison, and said an important lesson learned in print publishing was, “It begins and ends with the content.” Upon taking the CEO chair in 2015, BERNER described the company as experiencing “a free-fall,” which necessitated an immediate culture change. A corporate jet was sold within two weeks, the profits of which helped fund company raises, which — as she found out from numerous station visits — had not been granted for years. The now-famous company survey sent soon after her arrival at CUMULUS revealed a consistent keyword in responses, said BERNER: “Toxic culture.” After consulting with the executive team to determine what kind of company CUMULUS wanted to be, BERNER said the answer was, “Everything we needed to be was the opposite of where we were.” The company focus became twofold, said BERNER; “What we put on the air, and our employees.” Programming decisions and authority were restored to station level, with the caveat that accountability went with that. Asked how her non-radio programming background may have helped things, BERNER said, I told MIKE [MCVAY], If I ever give you advice, ignore it.” BERNER once again expressed commitment to, and faith in, the Country format at CUMULUS, praising the NASH brand, which she feels is better executed now; the NASH NEXT talent contest, “which helps us give back to the industry.” The recent restructuring of CUMULUS was brought up as well, something BERNER say will not affect day-to-day operations at all. “When I arrived, I knew the debt was untenable,” said BERNER. The decision to file Chapter 11 was voluntary. “We have plenty of cash,” she added. “We swapped debt for equity on our house.” Asked for a forecast of the next three to five years for both CUMULUS and the radio industry, BERNER said, “I’m not saying; I don’t think anybody knows.”

Collin Raye’s “Silver Anniversary Special” To Air On SiriusXM Prime Country This Weekend

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Collin Raye on Country Music News Blog!

2017 marks 25 years since multi-platinum selling country sensation Collin Raye emerged on the scene with his No. 1 smash “Love, Me.” In celebration of the milestone, SiriusXM’s Prime Country (ch. 58) will air Raye’s “Silver Anniversary Special” five times throughout the weekend beginning March 24. The special is also available on-demand with the SiriusXM Radio app. Collin Raye’s “Silver Anniversary Special” (SiriusXM Prime Country, Ch. 58): Friday, March 24 – 6 p.m. ET Friday, March 24 – 9 p.m. ET Saturday, March 25 – 4 p.m. ET Sunday, March 26 – 12 a.m. ET Sunday, March 26 – 12 p.m. ET Listeners will hear Raye perform his biggest hits such as “My Kind Of Girl,” “I Can Still Feel You” and “Little Rock,” recorded in front of a live studio audience in Nashville, Tenn. In addition to the tracks, Raye shares exclusive stories behind these songs, which have touched the lives of country music fans for the last three decades. With 2017 comes the long-anticipated release of Raye’s 25th anniversary album, due out in the coming months. Fans can expect new recordings of their favorite songs, as well as several bonus tracks. In celebration of his quarter-century in country music, Raye is currently entertaining fans on a year-long tour across North America. For more information on Collin Raye, please visit www.collinraye.com, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter. COLLIN RAYE’S THE BIG 25 TOUR: April 01 Alabama Chocolate Festival – Rainbow City, Ala. April 04 Bismarck Civic Center – Bismarck, N.D. April 05 Jamestown Civic Center – Jamestown N.D. April 07 Shrine Auditorium – Billings, Mont. April 09 University of Montana – Missoula, Mont. April 11 Montana State University – North Havre, Mont. May 05 The Ranch – Ft. Myers, Fla. May 06 Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park – Live Oak, Fla. May 20 Historic Everett Theatre – Everett, Wash. June 17 Boomtown Hotel and Casino – Verdi, Nev. June 23 Meramec Community Fair – Sullivan, Mo. July 01 DABA Fireworks Festival – Stanley, N.C. July 16 Hodag Country Festival – Rhinelander, Wis. July 21 Independence County Fair – Batesville, Ark. July 29 B’s on the River – Watertown, Minn. Aug. 02 Freeborn County Fair – Albert Lee, Minn. Aug. 10 San Juan County Fair – Monticello, Utah Aug. 11 Club Madrid at Sunset Station – Henderson, Nev. Aug. 12 Snow College – Richfield, Utah Aug. 15 Rockingham County Fair – Harrisonburg, Va. Aug. 26 Great Frederick Fairgrounds – Frederick, Md. Aug. 30 Central Wisconsin State Fair – Marshfield, Wis. Aug. 31 DuQuoin State Fair – DuQuoin, Ill. Sept. 2 Sweet Corn Festival – Millersport, Ohio Sept. 19 Ashland County Fair – Ashland, Ohio Sept. 21 Mill Town Music Hall – Bremen, Ga. Sept. 29 Peppermill Concert Hall –West Wendover, Nev. Oct. 13 Welk Resort Theatre – Branson, Mo. Oct. 21 Knowlton Auditorium – Austin, Minn. Oct. 22 Mayo Civic Center – Rochester, Minn. Oct. 23 Potter Auditorium – Chatfield, Minn.

Zac Brown To Receive CRS 2017 Artist Humanitarian Award

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Zac Brown Band on Country Music News Blog

Zac Brown To Receive CRS 2017 Artist Humanitarian Award; Peter Smyth To Receive Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award To be presented Feb. 22 during CRS 2017 (Nashville, Tenn. – Jan 5, 2016) – The Country Radio Broadcasters have announced Zac Brown as the recipient of the CRS 2017 Artist Humanitarian Award and former Chairman and CEO of Greater Media, Peter Smyth, as the recipient of the CRS 2017 Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award, to be presented during Country Radio Seminar 2017; following the Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, February 22nd, 3:30-4:00 p.m. The CRB Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 by the organization’s board to honor those Country music artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career. Past recipients of the annual award have included Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Randy Owen, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Reba, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and Charlie Daniels, among others. Zac Brown is a strong supporter of multiple philanthropic causes including his own Camp Southern Ground which was inspired by his experiences as a camp counselor. The program at the Georgia-based state-of-the-art facility is an inclusive camp that combines children with neuro-developmental disorders with mainstream children. Its mission is to provide extraordinary experiences for these children to recognize and magnify the unique gifts within themselves and others in order to profoundly impact the world. Additional organizations that Brown is committed to include GRAMMYS on The Hill, GRAMMY U, MusiCares, Robin Hood Foundation and The USO. Three-time GRAMMY winner and multi-platinum artist Zac Brown, of Zac Brown Band, is one of music’s most heralded acts. The latest platinum-certified album ‘JEKYLL + HYDE’ (Southern Ground Artists/John Varvatos Records/Big Machine Label Group/Republic Records) marks the band’s fourth consecutive No.1 debut on the Billboard 200 chart. Zac Brown Band has earned a historic series of fifteen No.1 hit radio singles and is only the second band to top both the country and active rock formats. The Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award is given at the discretion of the Country Radio Broadcasters Board of Directors to recognize an individual in the Country Radio industry who has displayed a magnanimous spirit of caring and generosity in service to their community. This award is named in honor of CRB Board member Tom Rivers, who died in 2004 at age 38 of bronchial asthma. Rivers, known for his work at WQYK, Tampa/St. Petersburg and WUSN, Chicago, was highly regarded for his public service. An active philanthropist, Smyth currently serves on the Board of Directors of New England Baptist Hospital and the One Hundred Club of Massachusetts, an organization dedicated to enhancing the welfare and safety of the families of public safety officers and firefighters. Additionally, he is an Advisory Board member of the Home Base Program of Boston, which provides clinical care, education, research and support services for military veterans and their families throughout New England. Smyth is a past member of the Board of Trustees of Emerson College and is a Continue reading Zac Brown To Receive CRS 2017 Artist Humanitarian Award→

Nash Icon and America’s Morning Show Grows!

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Cumulus announces that America’s Morning Show hosted by Blair Garner launched last month on six new affiliates: WZRR-FM, Birmingham, AL; WOMG-FM, Columbia, SC; WWFF-FM, Huntsville, AL; WOGT-FM, Chattanooga, TN; WKOS-FM, Kingsport, TN; and WUUF-FM, Rochester, NY. America’s Morning Show airs weekdays from 6:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. local time. The new affiliates bring the total number of stations airing America’s Morning Show across the U.S. to 41. America’s Morning Show is nationally syndicated by Westwood One, and brings superstars of Country to listeners in an authentic, entertaining and informative way. Fans have access to a daily mix of Country hits, lighthearted and candid interviews with Country music’s biggest stars, and news about the Country lifestyle. The show originates from the NASH Campus in Nashville, TN, before a studio audience with frequent broadcasts from NASH studios throughout the country. Host and National Radio Hall of Famer Blair Garner has won the Academy of Country Music’s award for On-Air Personality of the Year three times and brings a conversational interview style that generates unique content that has made him one of the nation’s leading hosts. The other members of the morning show crew – Ashley Figueroa, Chuck Wicks, Terri Clark, Robin Meade and Erika Grace Powell – each give listeners a reason to wake up and smile with their varied musical backgrounds, vibrant personalities and knowledge of the industry. Garner said: ““I’m so incredibly grateful to welcome these new members to our America’s Morning Show family. We don’t take this lightly. Every station, regardless of market size, puts tremendous faith in us when signing us on. They are entrusting us with the care of their signal for four hours a day. Day by day, show by show, we will work hard to be deserving of that trust. We are truly blessed.” Peter Z, Program Director for new affiliate 99.5 NASH ICON/WZRR in Birmingham said: “The ability to have stars like Carrie Underwood, Maddie & Tae and more in-studio for interviews and fun on a regular basis puts 99.5 NASH Icon way ahead of what the other country stations can do. We look forward to gaining serious momentum with America’s Morning Show.” NASH Icon stations feature Country music’s most iconic artists, driven by Country music fans’ desire for more exposure to their all-time favorite artists from the last 25 years. For more information visit: www.americasmorningshow.com