March 24, 2010

news@countryaircheck.com

» Meter Market: Here is the first of three batches of Arbitron PPM ratings for February, listed in order by market size. All figures are persons 6+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight, with rankings in parentheses.

• Los Angeles: Mt. Wilson's KKGO held steady at a 2.1 (19t-19t), with cume up sharply 142,700 (14.8%) to 1,101,800 (25-23). A year ago, Go Country had a 3.2 (11t) with 1,235,400 listeners (20).
• Chicago: America's most-heard Country station for eight consecutive reports, CBS Radio's WUSN shifted 4.3-4.2 (5-6t), with its reach declining 44,600 to 1,139,100 (12-13). US99 posted the same share a year ago (6t) with 991,700 listeners (14).
• San Francisco: Entercom's KBWF was level at a 2.1 (20t-21), adding 47,300 listeners to total 503,100 (25-22), up three straight sessions to its most since last August. Last February, The Wolf earned a 2.5 (16) with cume of 568,900 (16). After a record-setting January, Empire's KRTY/San Jose settled back 1.4-1.1 (25t-27), with its reach down 42,500 to 244,800 (27-29). That's still better than a year ago, when 'RTY had a 1.0 (29t) and cume of 195,300 (33).
• Dallas: Cumulus' KPLX was up for the second straight survey, 4.4-5.1 (4-2), with its reach rising 55,100 to 1,096,900 (5-4). In Feb. '09, 'PLX recorded a 4.7 (3) and cume of 1,112,800 (5). Citadel's KSCS slipped 3.8-3.6 (8t-7t), shedding 23,000 listeners to tally 774,200 (12-12). A year ago, 'SCS had a 4.0 (6) and tune-in of 929,600 (9).
• Houston: Cox's KKBQ edged up 3.8-3.9 (11-11) to its highest share since last September. Cume was up 35,800 to 954,000 (8-7). Twelve months back, 'KBQ held a 3.6 (10) and a nearly identical audience of 956,300 (8). CBS Radio's KILT-FM stepped up 2.8-2.9 (16-15), with its reach rebounding 88,900 (11.8%) from a low January to 842,900 (13-11). Those figures beat Feb. '08, when KILT-FM posted a 2.8 (17t) and reach of 805,500 (15). Cox's Classic Country KTHT moved 1.8-1.7 (21-23), with cume down 7,000 to 521,000 (20-21). A year ago, 'THT registered a 2.8 (17t) with 534,800 listeners (21).
• Atlanta: Citadel's WKHX declined 5.4-4.9 (4t-6), but picked up 39,000 followers to total 726,200 (11-11). That's well ahead of its Feb. '08 4.3 (6t), which was its PPM low, and a tune-in of 687,600 (12). Clear Channel's WUBL moved forward 2.7-2.8 (16-17), with cume rising 19,400 to 632,500 (14-14). Those numbers top 'UBL's figures from a year ago, when it delivered a 2.3 (19) and cume of 619,500 (15).
• Philadelphia: Beasley's WXTU dipped 4.8-4.4 (5-5), with cume off 58,400 to 627,400 (15-15). That still compares favorably with last February's 3.7 (9t) and reach of 658,000 (16).
• Washington, DC: CC's WMZQ fell 3.0-2.4 (16t-17), with cume down 58,000 to 498,700 (13-13). Twelve months ago, 'MZQ had a 3.1 (16) and 556,200 listeners (12).
• Riverside: CBS Radio's KFRG kept even at a 4.6 (5-5), but beat last month's record-setting cume by 9,300 for a new high of 357,200 (8-6, also a station best). A year before, 'FRG scored a 4.0 (8) and audience of 296,900 (11). Mt. Wilson's KKGO/Los Angeles was also unchanged at a 1.3 (27t-28), with its reach down 16,100 from last month's peak to 138,700 (25-26). In Feb. '08, Go Country had a 0.7 (32t) and cume of 84,700 (32).
• San Jose: Empire's KRTY declined 3.9-3.4 (9-12t), shedding 24,100 listeners to reach 168,700 (12-17). However, those stats topped Feb. '08's 2.8 share (14t) and cume of 135,400 (21).

» KILT Mornings Shift: CBS Radio's KILT-FM/Houston PM driver Rowdy Yates and morning personality/middayer Erin Austin are handling mornings on an interim basis following today's departure of 28-year morning team Hudson & Harrigan, aka Fred Olson and Randy Hames. "It is very hard to say goodbye," says OM Jeff Garrison. "KILT-FM history is rich with H&H moments. We truly appreciate their contributions to our station and community, and wish them the very best." The search is on for the station's next morning team. Airchecks and resumes to Garrison here.

 

 

» Welch Has Great Juice: Airplay Direct VP/Special Projects Scott Welch has been named President of the company. In this post, he will oversee day-to-day operations, including artist and label relations, existing and new business development, strategic planning and investor relations. "Scott is a dedicated and accomplished music business professional and has already had a tremendous impact within the company and on the industry as a whole," says CEO Robert Weingartz. "I look forward with great anticipation to the growth, accomplishments and successes that we are sure to enjoy with Scott at the helm." Welch continues as Pres. of Nashville-based Scott Welch Management, working with Mark Wills, Johnny Cooper, No Justice and Allison Kaplan. Reach him here.

» Big Red State Vs. Big Blue State: Clear Channel's WBUL/Lexington, KY morning teamers JD & DeAnn had a "spirited" conversation this morning (3/24) with CBS Early Show weatherman Dave Price, an apparent Cornell fan, in anticipation of tomorrow's (3/25) Sweet 16 game between the Ivy League school and the University of Kentucky. After the phone call, Price went on CBS-TV and talked about the morning duo. JD & DeAnn even overnighted UK gear to Price, which he's agreed to wear Friday if UK wins.

» Radiothon Roundup: Here's a look at recent St. Jude radiothon results turned in by Country radio:

• KGHL & KRSQ/Billings, MT, $33,903
• KEZS/Cape Girardeau, MO, $74,186
• KDLK/Del Rio, TX, $8,850
• KTKU & KGTW/Juneau, AK, $4,815
• WJEN/Rutland, VT, $15,375
• WWMS/Tupelo, MS, $14,959
• WACO/Waco, TX, $116,473.00
   

» Associate Degrees: Country Weekly Marketing Dir. Jeff Meltesen has been upped to Associate Publisher after six years with the publication. Along with group Publisher Rita Schneider, Meltesen will oversee CW's print and online advertising sales efforts. He will continue creating marketing partnership programs with brands to drive the magazine's advertising revenue. Reach him at 615-732-0222 or here.

» You're Gonna Miss We: An online vote will determine Brooks & Dunn's final ACM Awards show performance as a duo. Fans can choose from one of six of their hits, to be performed during the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards April 18. Learn more and vote here.

» Life In Northern, Midwest & Southern Towns: RCA's Jake Owen has added six opening Northeast dates on Sugarland's Incredible Machine tour (May 14-16, 21-23) and three Midwest opening slots on Jason Aldean's Wide Open tour (March 25-27). Previously announced, Owen will open for Miranda Lambert on her Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars tour April 30 in Bossier City, LA. Complete schedule here.

» Heads For The Hills: Love Everybody/BPG's Big Kenny Alphin has awarded scholarships to East Tennessee State University Public Health students Jodi Southerland and Jenny Hunt to help address Appalachian health issues. Alphin presented the awards last Thursday (3/18) through the Hope Through Healing Hands Foundation. Learn more here.

» iPhone Update: Former KMLE/Phoenix PM driver Jeff West has a new email address. Reach him here.

» Life Note: Best wishes to Sweet Talk Publicity's Jensen Sussman, who became engaged to musician Kevin Arrowsmith last week. The couple are expected to tie the knot next spring. Congratulate Sussman here.

» Crib Note: Congratulations to expectant parents Brad Mates (Emerson Drive) and wife Jana, who is due next month with the their first child. The couple plan to name the baby boy Tyler. More here.

» Country Aircheck Today Top 5:  Here are the Top 5 songs for March 23: 

 

1. ZAC BROWN BAND/Highway 20 Ride (Atlantic/Home Grown/BPG) 2131 points
2. EASTON CORBIN/A Little More Country Than That (Mercury) 2088 points
3. CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Temporary Home (19/Arista) 2079 points
4. LADY ANTEBELLUM/American Honey (Capitol) 2039 points
5. KEITH URBAN/Til Summer Comes Around (Capitol) 2016 points

All daily airplay data is from Mediabase 24/7.

» Country Aircheck Today Top 5 Downloads: Here are Play MPE's Top 5 for March 23:

1. BLAKE SHELTON/All About Tonight (Reprise/Warner Nashville)
2. BRAD PAISLEY/Water (Arista)
3. KELLIE PICKLER/Makin' Me Fall In Love Again (19/BNA)
4. JAKE OWEN/Tell Me (RCA)
5. COLT FORD/Chicken & Biscuits (Averages Joes)

» Tomorrow's Birthdays (3/25): the late Hoyt Axton; Jimmy Harnen; Scott Robinson.

» Tube Check Tomorrow (3/25): Josh Turner, Late Show With David Letterman (re-air) (CBS).

» Not The Candy Chick Kind: Northeast radio peeps hang on Justin Moore's bus before his Philadelphia area tour stop last weekend. Pictured (l-r) are WPOC/Baltimore's Justin Cole and friend, WXTU/Philadelphia's Shelly Easton, Cole's fiance Blair, WGGY/Wilkes Barre's Tanya Burko and friend behind WKMK/Monmouth-Ocean's Captain Jack and wife, WXCY/Wilmington, DE's Dave Hovel, Valory's George Briner, Moore and WKMK's Lexi Carter and friend.

» White Wash: Ride's Steve Azar (c) and label rep Mark Westcott (r) visit WLHK/Indianapolis PD Bob Richards yesterday (3/23).

» Singer Song Rhyder: Texas artist Brandon Rhyder poses with the Country Aircheck crew after an acoustic performance this morning (3/24). Rhyder played a selection from his sixth album Head Above Water, which included single "Rock Angel." Pictured (l-r) are publicist Jensen Sussman, manager Ricky Brown, CA's Erin Duvall, Lauren Tingle and Mike Page, Rhyder and CA's Mary Forest Findley, Jeff Green and Chuck Aly.