January 26, 2010


» Arb-al Essence: Here are today's Fall 2009 Arbitron diary ratings for stations in the top 150 markets, ranked by metro size. All figures are persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight, with rankings in parentheses. Additional stations with ratings released this week will appear in Country Aircheck Weekly next Monday (2/1).
  • Greenville, SC: After two down books, Clear Channel WSSL rebounded to its best survey in two years, jumping 5.0-8.6 (7-2). Co-owned WESC, which had enjoyed three straight increases, slipped 7.4-6.9 (3-3), but still beat Fall '08's 6.3.
  • Omaha: CC's KXKT shifted 8.3-8.2 (2-2), but that was good enough to easily top its 6.3 from a year ago. Sister station KTWI boosted 1.7-2.0 (16-14t) to its strongest showing in two years.
  • Little Rock: CC's KSSN declined 8.1-7.2 (2t-2), while its Classic Country cousin KMJX fell 6.2-4.6 (5-9), though that edged its 4.8 from Fall '08. Crain Media's KCNY dipped 1.0-0.8 (15t-19t).
  • Columbia, SC: Following three consecutive upticks, CC's WCOS-FM decreased 7.4-5.3 (2-4), which outperformed its 5.2 from the prior autumn. Double O's WWNU was down 2.5-1.6 (13-16t), yet beat Fall '08's 1.4.
  • Wichita: Posting its best book in two years, Journal's market-leading KFDI rose 11.0-11.4, and is in front by more than three shares. CC's KZSN declined 4.8-3.7 (6t-8t). Connoisseur's KVWF slid 4.3-3.2 (9-12), matching last Fall's ratings. Journal's Classic Country combo KFTI-AM and KFTI-FM both were down for the third straight survey, 2.6-2.5 (13t-15) and 2.1-1.8 (15t-16t), respectively.
  • Boise: Citadel's KIZN declined 5.7-5.2 (2-4) to its softest ratings in several years. Co-owned KQFC was down for the fourth book in a row, 4.2-3.8 (9-9t). Peak's KAWO stepped back 3.5-2.9 (12-14t), but surpassed Fall '08's 2.1.
  • Chattanooga, TN: CC's metro champ WUSY snapped a two-book skid by accelerating 10.3-13.6; it leads the pack by more than three shares. Former Classic Country sister station WLND, which shifted to Christmas music Nov. 1 and then to Hot AC Dec. 26, climbed 4.9-7.1 (7-4). Citadel's WOGT was level at a 2.5 (12-11), which beat Fall '08's 2.1.
 



» Vineyard Leaves CC/Panama City: Clear Channel/Panama City, FL GM Jimmy Vineyard has resigned his post at the six-station cluster, which includes Country WPAP. He transferred to the Sunshine State in October 2007 from CC/Birmingham & Tuscaloosa, where he served as Market Manager. Vineyard's last day is Friday (1/29); reach him here.
 

» Brian Driver Exits WIWF: Citadel's WIWF/Charleston, SC PD/afternoon personality Brian Driver exited the company today (1/26). He spent five years in the post, first programming then-Country WNKT for two-and-a-half years before WIWF's flip in October 2007. Driver also oversaw the programming at sister WGKX/Memphis for six months last year; reach him 843-345-0951 or here. Citadel/Nashville OM Dave Kelly is accepting airchecks and resumes here.
 

» New Camp's Higher: Former WFGS/Murray, KY PD/PM driver Justin Tyler is now OM/PD for Upper Valley Radio/Lebanon, NH's four-station cluster, which includes Country WXXK. He replaces Tracy McDuffie, who left the cluster three weeks ago. Tyler departed WFGS earlier this month (CAT 1/13) after seven months, and programmed WWGR/Ft. Myers before that. Reach him at 603-448-1400 or here.
 

» Legend Of The Fall: Clear Channel's Classic Country WLND (The Legend)/Chattanooga is now Hot AC following its Nov. 1 flip to Christmas music. No staff changes resulted. The flip happened Dec. 26 and echoes a similar all-Christmas move in 2008 that created unfounded speculation of a permanent change.
 



» And To The Republic: Stoney Creek Mgr./Regional Promotion Northeast Stacy Blythe has joined Republic Nashville for Southeast duties. She picks up the region from Nat'l Dir./Promotion Bobby Young. Blythe joined Stoney Creek when it launched last March (CAT 3/27) and previously worked for 1720 Entertainment and Category 5. She will remain based in Nashville and can be reached at 615-887-9860 or here.
 

» Have Some Compassion: Compassion International is offering stations free Country-specific resources, information, spots and liners as part of its Help Haiti with Compassion campaign. The effort kicks off Feb. 1 and is intended to help radio raise funds for the children and families affected by the country's earthquake. Participating artists include Eric Church, Josh Turner, Diamond Rio, Gretchen Wilson, Carter's Chord, Fast Ryde, Clay Walker and Mica Roberts. Sign up for these turnkey plug-ins here or by contacting Mike Severson at 615-496-6023 or here.
 

» Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for Jan. 25:
  1. MIRANDA LAMBERT/White Liar (Columbia) 2289 points
  2. JASON ALDEAN/The Truth (BBR) 2265 points
  3. BRAD PAISLEY/American Saturday Night (Arista) 2114 points
  4. JOSH TURNER/Why Don't We Dance (MCA) 2017 points
  5. TIM MCGRAW/Southern Voice (Curb) 1991 points

All daily airplay data is from Mediabase 24/7.

 

» Country Aircheck Today Top 5 Downloads: Here are Play MPE's Top 5 for Jan. 25:
  1. TIM MCGRAW/Still (Curb)
  2. EMILY WEST f/KEITH URBAN/Blue Sky (Capitol)
  3. TYLER DICKERSON/Tell Your Sister I'm Single (Lyric Street)
  4. REBA/I Keep On Loving You (Starstruck/Valory)
  5. JERROD NIEMANN/Lover, Lover (Sea Gayle/Arista)
 

» Tube Check Tomorrow (1/27): Emily West, Introducing (GAC).
 

» Tomorrow's Birthdays (1/27): Tracy Lawrence, Richard Young, Todd Berry, Kristi Brake-Barnes, Steve Levesque.
 



» Stunned Gunner: WKWS/Charleston, WV Promotions Dir./overnight jock Gunner and his wife Diantha say hello to Rascal Flatts backstage Saturday (1/23). Pictured (l-r) are RF's Gary LeVox, Diantha, RF's Joe Don Rooney, Gunner and RF's Jay DeMarcus.
 

» Wiggin' Out: KUPL/Portland APD/middayer Rick "Bubba" Taylor (second from r) gets a surprise performance from "Dolly Parton" for his 50th birthday last week. RCA's Steve Pleshe (l) served as the decoy, while PD Scott Mahalick and staff hid in the conference room awaiting the spectacle.
 

» Harters To The Left: WUBE/Cincinnati PD Grover Collins (r) hangs with The Harters' (l-r) Scott, Mike and Leslie.
 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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