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LUKE JENSEN
PD Journal Broadcasting KVOO/Tulsa
Previous Stations & Positions:
KBEQ/ Kansas City, Mo Intern /Pt On-Air
KXBZ/Manhattan, Ks Nights/Afternoons/MD
KZKX/Lincoln, Ne Afternoons/MD
KBEQ/ Kansas City, Mo Nights/Mornings
WSOC/ Charlotte, NC Afternoons
KCKC/ Kansas City PD/Mornings
KVOO/ Tulsa PD / Afternoons
Years in the biz: 15
Marital Status: Married
Kids: Hopefully someday
How do you like Tulsa so far? Tulsa is great so far. When I started talking to the folks here about the job, I had no idea what to expect…tumbleweeds and oil wells were what I pictured. Thankfully Tulsa has much more to offer…I figured if Garth calls it home, and Mike Severson was raised here, it’s probably a decent spot!
What is your favorite restaurant in Tulsa? I’m fat, so Nutra System is my favorite…If the wife let’s me go out to eat, I’ll usually be found at a local Mexican Cantina.
There are three FM country stations in your market, two of which are Journal. What are the unique challenges of programming in the Tulsa market? Journal has KVOO and the Classic Country KXBL, and Cox has KWEN. It is definitely an interesting dynamic in the market. The Classic Country is doing well and does it’s own thing. The real battle is between KVOO and KWEN…KWEN has been consistently on top over the years and we are ready to change that.
Are you currently utilizing, or planning to utilize: podcasts, video, texting or other digital technology in your programming and promotions? If so, in what way? We are in the process of redoing all of our websites, at which point we will become more active with Podcasts, video etc. Journal leadership is very proactive in this area and has a great vision for the future so I expect us to be maximizing these efforts in the very near future.
What is the most pressing problem radio faces today? How do you think it should be resolved? Radio is becoming very good at being unremarkable. It is no longer about passion, fun, or excitement, but, how can we save money. There are many places people can go to for a jukebox. We have to get back to what made radio special. What can we do that an IPOD, Satellite, or Phone can’t…
What can record labels and artists do to better serve you and your station? We have been very fortunate in Tulsa to have great support from both the artists and record labels, which makes it easy to work together to accomplish our specific goals.
Who has had the most influence on you in your career thus far? Why? Mike Kennedy would be the one person who has turned me into the grouch that I have become. He gave me an opportunity in high school to become a part of the KBEQ family, and has given me countless opportunities since. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work next to the best.
What are your favorite web sites and blogs? I love Perez Hilton, and check it out daily. I am a pop culture junkie and find myself entertained by Perez…My daily list of websites consist of TMZ, CNN, All Access, NASCAR.com, Weather.com, and Airliner.net (I like planes).
What is the most ridiculous thing about the music business? Some of the people and the positions they hold.
Do you ever play local or regional country acts? If so, do you have a success story? We don’t at this time.
What advice would you give someone wanting to get into the music business? Go to college and have a backup plan. This is a fun business, but I have seen two many people get caught up in the thrill of the ride and not have a plan for when the ride ends. Unfortunately, for most folks, the ride ends sooner then they would like. If you know that going in, you’ll be alright!
How important is it for a station to be local for their specific market? It is very important. We spend a lot of time and effort finding ways to be more involved in our community. People can listen to country music form a variety of mediums, but they can’t listen to their favorite song and find out what’s happening at the Riverwalk this weekend, or the big charity walk downtown.
What are your plans for the rest of 2008? Stay employed, stay married, and have fun doing the job that I love!
THANKS LUKE!
After trips to Little Rock, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas and San Antonio, we spent our final day of the week long tour in Houston and a visit to KILT. Pictured above is MD Greg Fry, Adam Gregory, OM/PD Jeff Garrison and me. Below is Adam’s performance of “Down The Road From Me”. An amazing song.
Adam Gregory is out playing for radio this week and the tour continues in Oklahoma City. The following is from his performance of “Anything At All” for the staff of KKNG. Special thanks to morning gal KC Sheperd.
Out on the road visiting radio with Adam Gregory. Below are my friends from KSSN/Little Rock and KVOO/Tulsa.
(top photo) KSSN/Little Rock: MD Jeremy Guenther, me, Adam, and PD Chad Heritage
(bottom photo) KVOO/Tulsa: me, morning gal Sunny, Adam, and PD Luke Jensen
KEVIN CHRISTOPHER
Operations Director for Tyler Media, PD KKNG / Oklahoma City, OK
How long with KKNG? 10 years
Previous stations you have been with?
KTLS Ada, OK
Marital Status? Married 18 years to Shari
Kids? Konner 13, Kloe (Chloe) 8
Years in the biz? 23
What do you like best about the OKC market? Oklahomans are fantastic people…and OKC is on the move with great growth and soon…an NBA franchise…and of course, the Sooners!
What is your favorite vacation spot with the family? We go skiing in Breckenridge most every year…great times!
What are the unique challenges of programming in the OKC market? 2 direct country competitors make this market unique and very, very challenging
KKNG just celebrated 10 years on the air. Congratulations! What has been King Country’s biggest moment in the last decade? What are the goals for the next 10 years? Starting as a Classic Country Station and winning 20 out of 21 12+ books was a thrill…now the transition to Mainstream Country and trying to grow the station younger is fun and a challenge.
Are you currently utilizing, or planning to utilize: podcasts, video, texting or other digital technology in your programming and promotions? If so, in what way? We King Pod the morning show each day with 3-4 highlights listeners can download to the Ipods and listen too…tons of video on the site from station events and artist visits…also done a couple of successful text messaging campaigns
What is the most pressing problem radio faces today? How do you think it should be resolved? If we do great radio the listeners will come and the ad dollars will follow…there’s just not enough good radio being done today…we’ve stripped it down to a point where creativity is at a minimum
What can record labels and artists do to better serve you and your station? I have no complaint from the record side…reps could do a better job of doing their homework and understanding our “sound” and seeing if there product fits that sound instead of having their own agenda
If money and time were no object, what would you most like to do? Play golf on the PGA tour.
What are the advantages of working for a smaller radio company like Tyler Media? I can have coffee with my owners every morning and find solutions to problems quickly.
What are your favorite web sites and blogs? RnR, All About Country and All Access…and National Weather Service…I know, that makes me really sound like a geek.
What is the most ridiculous thing about the music business? That could be incriminating…I’ll pass on that question.
I know you play unsigned local or regional country acts. Do you have any particular success stories? Several…spinning the CCR and Kevin Fowler and both are top 6 research for me.
What advice would you give someone wanting to get into the music business? It’s a volatile time…make sure this is really what you want to do before you choose this as a career.
How important is it for a station to be local for their specific market? Extremely, it’s the only thing that differentiates your station from other technology.
THANKS KEVIN!
ANDY ELLIOTT
PD Citadel KJJY/KHKI Des Moines, IA
Marital Status: Married
Children: 3 girls Darby 13, Libby 10, Ava 1 (pictured)
Previous stations you have been with: KIOA in Des Moines (Oldies) and KOKZ in Waterloo (Hot AC)
Years in biz: 17
How long have you lived in Des Moines and worked at 92.5 KJJY & 97.3 The Hawk? I was born and raised in Des Moines and have worked for KJJY since 1992. I took over KHKI 3 years ago.
What is your favorite thing to do in Des Moines? I love to golf and we also have one of the nicest Triple A ballparks in the country so I like to catch a game with a brat and beer now and then.
What are the unique challenges of programming two country stations in the Des Moines market? The hardest part is making sure each station has it’s own identity.
If money and time were no object, what would you most like to do? Become a professional poker player.
What are your favorite web sites and blogs? I enjoy You Tube and CBS Sportsline during football season ( Go Pack ). I suppose your blog will become a favorite of mine too.
What is the most ridiculous thing about the music business? All of the over thinking that goes on. A hit is a hit and a stiff is a stiff. No amount of spin can change that in the long run.
Do you ever play local or regional country acts? If so, do you have a success story? We have a local guy here named Jason Brown. He’s a great guy with an unbelievable fan base. He’s also been able to find some very strong songs. He’s been a nice little secret for us over the last couple years and I hope the secret gets out because he’s a very deserving artist.
What advice would you give someone wanting to get into the music business? Take care of your fans. They don’t care about the politics of the music business. They care about feeling a connection with you and believing that you know how valuable they are to you.
How important is it for a station to be local for their specific market? Outside of the music, it’s the most important thing. You have the chance to give them something that no one else can.
You and the stations have a great reputation of being aggressive and playing new music. How do you make sure that strategy (which I completely agree with by the way) works to the stations advantage? I’m in a unique situation where I have two stations. I’m able to be extremely aggressive on one station and then gage reaction to determine what’s working before we commit to the other station.
Could Eddie Hatfield run for mayor of Des Moines and win? Only if they would let him govern from his recliner at home. You could bet there would be great food at all the council meetings.
Being a fellow Green Bay fan, how do you think the team will perform with Aaron Rodgers at the helm? It all depends on his durability. If he can stay healthy, I think we’ll be back in the playoffs. If he is injury prone…I’m blaming you.
Thanks Andy!!
Leadership Music Digital Summit is going on today in Nashville. The keynote was delivered by the CEO of iLike, Ali Partovi, who mentioned that it was the first keynote he has given.
With all of the questions, concerns and potential regarding the future of music technology, Ali made a point to say, “What I’m most excited about is the discovery and promotion of music”.
Ali compared traditional broadcast media with new media:
**Traditional media is “untargeted, focused only on hits & singles, while album development suffers”.
**Digital media is “personalized, social, syndicated, targeted and enables artists to pursue their dreams.”
Partovi went on to say that digital media “could replace or solve the problems of traditional broadcasting”.
More highlights from the Digital Summit will be posted this week.
Tim Jones
Program Director - Citadel WGKX Memphis
Previous employment:
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KBQI/KSYU Albuquerque PD
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Clear Channel HD Format Lab PD
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WDDD Marion-Carbondale, IL PD
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KEZS Cape Girardeau, MO PD
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KDXY/KDEZ Jonesboro, AR PD
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WYCQ Nashville, TN On-Air
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KFIN/KIYS Jonesboro, AR Evening Personality
Years in biz: 18
What do you miss about Albuquerque? The golf courses, my cousin Mark and various friends, the dry weather and the Sandia mountains.
What is your favorite restaurant in Memphis? Hands down… always will be the world famous Rendezvous.
What are the unique challenges of programming in the Memphis market? Memphis is a great market to program in but just like Albuquerque I find myself in an ethnic battle for the top spot. This is not only challenging but often frustrating.
Are you currently utilizing, or planning to utilize: podcasts, video, texting or other digital technology in your programming and promotions? If so, in what way? We are doing some podcasts and video. The texting is on the horizon for us as well. I am excited about the future of technology hence why I have an Iphone. I love it.
What is the most pressing problem radio faces today? How do you think it should be resolved? Shrinking budgets and audience. I believe you have to put money in to make money. I am very fortunate that Citadel still believes in this as well. I am very blessed to be in this company. As far as audience goes, people’s tastes change, we have to change with them and give them what they want or they will go somewhere else.
What can record labels and artists do to better serve you and your station? I think country does a great job. You will not find rock or pop artists doing what country will. We are very lucky.
If money and time were no object, what would you most like to do? Travel around the world on my time schedule with no cell phone and on my own personal jet with my best friends and family in tow.
I’ve never known a time where Rita did not work the front desk. How long has she been there now? 14 years and counting, she rocks.
What are your favorite web sites and blogs? I am a Perez Hilton/TMZ addict. I also check out NY times, All Access, Ebay, Mediabase and Yahoo daily. Crazy thing is my search engine is GOOGLE but my home page is Yahoo. I know, doesn’t make sense to me either.
What is the most ridiculous thing about the music business? That could turn into a novel. Do you really want me to go there?
Do you ever play local or regional country acts? If so, do you have a success story? I am a fan of a local guy here: The Brad Kessler Band. This kid has something. We’ve spun him here and there and he always opens for us when we need him.
What advice would you give someone wanting to get into the music business? This too could be another novel. Main point would be …be careful who you are getting into business with. Personally, I think some of the old blood in Nashville needs to move on because they are way behind times. Sorry, that was my inside voice.
How important is it for a station to be local for their specific market? That’s the thing that keeps us close to the listener…no matter what anyone tells you…this is the key!
THANKS TIM!
Radio Ink recently released the findings of a phone survey of 1,004 U.S. adults. Among the findings the survey showed that 53 percent of listeners said they stick with a station through commercial breaks, 35 percent change the station, and 8 percent turn off the radio. And those who change the station tend to do it quickly: Seventy-seven percent of those who tune away do it within 30 seconds after commercials begin. I‘ve seen other surveys where the numbers for losing listeners during commercial breaks are even higher.
Personally, I will punch out of a station that is playing a really bad spot, especially if the ad is poorly voiced by the owner of the company (hello Tom Shane?). I’ll also find another station if an advertisement is loud and annoying or if there are more than three or four 60 second spots back to back. Production and content of the commercial really does matter.
When I was in radio we had a full time production person and that’s all they did. Not many of those anymore with budget cuts and staff members wearing multiple hats and spreading themselves thin.
In thinking about the future, how much longer can the current advertising spot system last? Is there a better way to set up advertising and partnerships to better utilize time, money, positioning and ratings? Especially with the current battle that has emerged with other entertainment options (some of them commerical free).
The only time I find myself sticking around is if the spot is delivered with personality by the DJ or talk show host. If it is done live with improvisation, all the better. Give me authenticity and creativeness. If a host can pull that off, it is not only entertaining, but the represented company is better served. However, this can backfire when the host is delivering too many live spots and they suddenly become recorded “live” reads. Which leads us back to annoying.
An even better scenario for advertisers is the shorter and focused spots that are live or that “sponsor” an entire half hour or other segment of time. You know the type….”This half hour brought to you by insert company here…..”
Am I the only one that thinks something different should emerge in the way ads are produced, presented and scheduled? Maybe an entirely new and innovative type of advertising revenue stream will emerge through podcasting, texting, or social networking? There has to be a better way.
It will take a bold radio company to step out and set a new course.
From emarketer.com:
A January 2008 Arbitron-Edison Media Research study found that an estimated 33 million Americans had listened to online radio in the past week.
This represents 13% of the US population ages 12 and older, and is an increase over the previous year when 11% of the population (29 million) had listened to online radio in the past week.
Podcasting use is also rising and now reaches 18% of the US population, up from 13% a year ago. An estimated 23 million, or 9% of Americans had listened to a podcast in the past month.
“Traditional radio and Internet-only radio must realize that they are now part of an even broader world of online information and entertainment options and respond accordingly,” said Pierre Bouvard, president of sales and marketing at Arbitron.
“Advertisers who want to go where the trends are pointing need to be more involved with the new forms of audio media as they continue to expand,” Mr. Bouvard said.
Midas Records/No Strings Attached recording artist Adam Gregory is making his U.S. debut with the release of “Crazy Days.” The single was co-written by Adam, Lee Brice, Kyle Jacobs and Joe Leathers and was co-produced by Keith Follese and Brad Allen.
Though he’s just 22 years old, Adam Gregory draws on more than a decade’s worth of writing and performing experience for his upcoming debut album on Midas.
Growing up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Adam’s musical journey began when he wrote his first composition at age 12 and was signed to a record deal with Sony Canada. After recording his debut album, he launched into life as a road warrior opening shows for the likes of Alan Jackson, Keith Urban and Lonestar. Adam scored several top ten hits on Canada’s country charts throughout his teens, gaining a loyal following with the release of three studio albums.
Now in Nashville, Adam looks forward to bringing his music to the U.S. market. He is currently on a series of radio tours promoting the single release and looking forward to continued touring in support of the upcoming album.
An integration of CBS Radio’s webstreams into Last.FM is underway and includes all formats. This follows last month’s announcement of AOL and CBS Radio joining together for sharing content. Last.FM CEO Felix Miller hopes it will lead to more collaboration.
This type of integration and partnership is essential for the long term relevancy of terrestrial radio. There is still much to do, but it is a step in the right direction.
Wanna hear it? Go to their myspace site and click on it.
You can also go here to check out the lyrics.
Batter up!!
Thank you Trace for being an exemplary representative of the country music community on “Celebrity Apprentice”. You handled yourself with class and integrity. We all can learn a thing or two by the character you displayed, which is not as common as it should be.
I’m sure you’ve made a lot of new fans, and rightly so.
Emerson Drive was a recent guest of the Big 98 WSIX in Nashville. The band performed six songs acoustically at the station’s Full Throttle Garage and answered questions from the invited listeners. Two of the songs are going to be on the next album. Check out “Extra Mile” by clicking here.
The rest of the tunes are here.
Emerson Drive is still in the studio working on the album tentatively scheduled for a Fall release.
If not, why not? Radio will need to embrace aggressive podcasting and video strategies to compete for the attention of future listeners. The age of P1 demo of many country radio stations is rising because they are losing younger generations of consumers. These tech savvy “self broadcasting” demos are getting what they want when they want it. They aren’t waiting around through ad spots and countless other songs to hear their new favorite.
Creative and innovative use of podcasts, video, web sites, and mobile based activity will not only enable radio to stay in the game, but be active in the lives of listeners. This could also answer the concerns of being local and developing engaging personalities, but radio companies need to make a commitment in making it happen. Will they?
These new media outlets will not only expand the brand of the station, but also be more easily monitored and accurately measured for advertising purposes. For example, YouTube users can now better analyze the viewing patterns of videos far more easily according to this story from Media Week.
The bottom line is creating entertaining content value and connecting to the listener and consumer. The more ways radio can do that the better chance they have to compete and win in a quickly changing landscape.
KFTX GM/morning show host, radio legend and Country Music DJ Hall of Fame member Dr. Bruce Stratton is now a movie star. He is making a special appearance in the soon to be released western film Palo Pinto Gold.
Shot in Texas, the movie stars Roy Clark, Mel Tillis, Trent Willmon, and Anthony Henslee. Special guest appearances, besides Corpus Christi’s own Dr. Bruce, by Kinky Friedman, Jay Novacek, Kevin Fowler and Robert Earl Keen.
Dr. Bruce is the bartender, seen at 1:10 into the trailer which can be viewed below. Notice how well he delivers his lines!
For a synopsis of the film and more information you go to www.palopintogold.com.
In the event you haven’t had the opportuntity to see, or if you have somehow forgotten, just how good Whiskey Falls is in a room. No frills, no enhancements, no dog & pony……so turn it up:
Performing “Falling Into You” at a CRS lunch for radio programmers hosted by Bob Kingsley. Thanks to Bob and crew for having us and for their amazing support!
“Load Up The Bases” by Whiskey Falls has been officially named the FSN South and SportSouth pre and post-game theme for the Atlanta Braves’ 2008 season. The guys are shooting the video at Wild Bill’s in Duluth, Georgia today. Stay tuned for more huge partnerships in the forthcoming baseball season!
The Academy of Country Music has announced the nominations for the categories, which, due to time constraints, will not be televised during the show. Congratulations to all of the radio stations and individuals up for an award. Click on the following link to see all of the nominations……. Read the rest of this entry »
KYGO Denver PD Joel Burke has authored another great piece to share……..
TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD!
By Joel Burke
I flipped on the television the other night and began clicking through the endless channels. My choices were either reality shows or one program after another featuring bad news or trashy gossip. It made me wonder if there’s anything good happening!
So, in my next round of weekly meetings with each person who works for me, I started off by asking them to tell me something good that had happened to them in the past week, no matter how big or how small!
One person after another gave me a blank stare. Each one tilted their head and looked away like a dog that hears a high-pitched sound. It was as if I was asking for the solution to a chemistry problem. After some prodding and asking questions, I finally began to hear a trickle of thoughts, dripping out like a slow leaky faucet.
This weeklong experiment showed me that if I asked people to talk about “something bad” that had happened in the past week, the responses would be swift. I’m sure I would hear every detail, and that water faucet would be turned on full blast.
Why do we remember and dwell on every bad experience that comes along no matter how big or how small? And why, at the same time, can’t we remember when someone at the grocery store let us cut in line because we had fewer items?
Read the rest of this entry »
More behind the scenes footage of Emerson Drive at Country Radio Seminar with a special guest appearance by Charlie Daniels.
RADIO IN 3D
by Daniel Anstandig
Radio cannot grow if its operators insist on constricting the delivery of their brands to the sense of sound. Sure, there is no way around the fact that “speakers to ears” is our primary delivery method. Still, listeners and advertisers are now challenging radio stations to “think outside the speakers” into the interactive world. They want three-dimensional radio.
Many advertisers are now convinced that an audio ad is no longer enough to reach their customers. New Media has opened up new options to reach consumers—outside of television and radio, and local direct advertisers are buying campaigns that are “diversified” in nature. Radio/advertising companies that offer a multi-dimensional solution to advertisers (including audio, online showcasing, online lead generation, etc.) are more likely to win the lion-share of the business. Many of the radio companies we consult on building their digital marketing/sales strategies have reported that the street-level enthusiasm for radio buys with an interactive bend is at an all-time high.
McVay New Media’s 2008 Interactive Revenue forecast is calling for a 9% increase in this year’s spending on local banner ads alone. Across the United States in 2008, we will see approximately $10 Billion spent on local internet advertising by local direct buyers. Last year, radio is estimated to have pulled a whopping 1% share of that revenue.
These numbers concur with a study done by Borrell and Associates, which estimates that only 1.1% of last year’s $8.5 Billion spent in local online advertising (banners, audio/video streaming, and paid search engine placement combined) went to a radio station. Approximately $1.2 Billion dollars in streaming audio/video advertising alone will be placed online by local advertisers in 2008 (up 317% from 2007). It is estimated that $6.3 Billion will be spent by local advertisers on banner ads alone.
Broadcasters now stand at a cross-roads on whether to further include interactive media into their advertising-product-portfolio or not. The operators that effectively include interactive media in their strategies for audience and revenue growth will see returns this year. The operators without a vision for including interactive in their plans will leave money on the table—and sacrifice dollars to local internet portals.
Does anyone think it is interesting that Lee Abrams left XM to work for Randy Michaels? Jerry Del Calliano thinks it is not only interesting, but suspicious. Find out what he means on his blog Inside Music Media.
Lee, in his own blog, makes a comment about his new partnership with Randy: “We ARE going to re-write the future of media. He’s the kinda guy you want to do it with.”
I look forward to hearing more.
KRYS PD Frank Edwards returned from the snow in Nashville on Saturday to thunderstorms that rolled through Corpus Christi yesterday afternoon. No one knows for sure if it was straight winds or a tornado, but it did considerable damage to the building, including tearing off part of the roof, that houses the Clear Channel affiliates including K99. Check out the video here to see the aftermath.
Whiskey Falls rocked the packed house at the CRS After Midnite Disco Party! Seven, Damon, Buck and Wally jammed for 30 minutes at the annual bash (only one act beside WF played that long!). The band shined with three different lead singers on songs ranging from rock to disco to one of their own originals. Following are the guys getting funky on “Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself Again” & “Rapper’s Delight”. Blair has it right when he said Whiskey Falls ”kicks butt!”.
Now that I am fully recovered and rested from Country Radio Seminar, I can get caught up on the blog and the rest of my life.
The keynote address at CRS was actually turned into a panel after the cancellation of Sean Hannity a few days before. The hot topic? Sound performance rights for music on terrestrial radio. It was a high octane discussion fueled by radio consultant Joel Raab. Unfortunately, I don’t think it went far enough into the matter and like most panel discussions, ended without any ideas toward resolution.
David Ross writes about the keynote in Music Row:
Moderator/radio consultant Joel Raab framed the session with a brief synopsis of the opposing points of view. Labels and artists want terrestrial radio to pay a sound copyright fee, something which is recognized in all but four other countries worldwide. Radio’s stance is that they expose the product and therefore already perform a service for the artists and labels, so the use is a fair exchange. Panelists included Mike Kraski of Tenacity Management, John Simpson of SoundExchange, Tom Taylor from Radio-info.com and NAB Exec. VP John David. “Radio revenues are flat,” said Taylor, “but labels are in true pain. My hunch is that this year nothing happens, but this issue won’t go away.” “I wish everyone fun at the label parties,” said David, immediately adopting an argumentative stance while intimating the labels still have lavish party budgets. “We are not impressed with the $1.25 million small station proposed exemption, either. Our intention is that the money is not going to come.”
Simpson pointed out that these artist royalties are collected overseas, but in most cases not sent to the U.S. because this country does not have a reciprocal right. SoundExchange collects performance rights in sound recordings for digital transmissions, satellite radio and cable radio. “Artists who had great records of songs they didn’t write get nothing when their music is played over and over for years,” Simpson remarked. “In some sad cases they are forced to work until they die to pay the bills.”
Kraski delivered the label point of view. “On our side it is a moral imperative,” he said. “If one side wins big while the other loses then we all fail. We need radio, and radio needs content. There has to be a middle ground.” Kraski also answered the exposure argument by saying at least 40% of radio airplay is Gold music which doesn’t need exposure and is just to the benefit of the station.
Audience questions quickly brought the emotional impact of this economic issue to a boil. Radio audience members cheered when David said, “Zero is the only acceptable number to pay.” Fortunately the crowd was small and moderator Raab wisely cut off the discussion with a fade to lunch.
I attended several tech panels today, which I am glad to see on the schedule. One in particular was a panel that had Sean Ross from Edison Research, Dean Ernst from Play MPE and Jim Kerr from Pollack Media Group.
They each debated and rated the hottest tech trends as “Boom” or “Bust”. Here’s a quick rundown on how they voted:
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HD Radio: Majority BUST
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iPhone: Majority BOOM (shows you how fast technology moves because this has been an obvious boom for a while now)
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Internet Radio: Majority BOOM (although they said it would take a while to get up to speed)
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Podcasting: Majority BOOM
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360 Label Deals: Mostly BUST (in my opinion this is relative to which artists and managers)
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User Generated Content: Majority BOOM
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Mobile Content Distribution Channel: Majority BOOM
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DRM-Free Music: Majority BOOM
CRS greetings to those of you who couldn’t make the trip……..”Wish You Were Here!”
Whiskey Falls had an early wake up call on Saturday morning to get prepped for an appearance on the CBS Early Show. For those of you who slept in, here is the segment on the 2nd Cup Cafe.
I recently witnessed the best country music show of the year so far- Keith Urban & Carrie Underwood. Yes I know, they are not artists I work directly with, but I’m in this business because I love music and will give it recognition whenever it is good or when an artist does the right things. I may also let you know when I feel like a song is doing nothing but taking up valuable space; but I’m not here to talk about the Garth & Huey Lewis single today.
Anyway, if you have seen a show with Keith Urban lately and you don’t vote for him as Entertainer of the Year, you are on crack! I’ve seen him as part of The Ranch and then a few times after going solo. He has always put on a solid show and is a great guy to hang with, but after the show I just experienced I can testify he is hands down the most charismatic and exciting performer in the country format. From his backstage visits with fans and radio, to the inventive production and the powerful show, it was done first class. He gets it! Carrie Underwood opened and she certainly is a star and a nice fit for Urban. A complete home run for the guys and the gals.
Between sets a talented DJ was spinning and mixing music from all genres and all generations. I was impressed how the entire evening was very relevant to the crowd and you could feel the exciting buzz of the house from start to finish.
I am fortunate to be working with Emerson Drive, Whiskey Falls and Adam Gregory because I really do believe they are phenomenal artists, but if all I did was write and talk about my own artists then I would be doing a disservice to you and to myself. We are all in this together and I’m not simply an outlet for company talking points. My mission is much bigger than that.
Country Radio Seminar is coming up next week. Some of you radio folks are attending, but most of you are unable to make it because of budgetary reasons. For those of you in the latter category, keep coming back to “For The Record” for articles and video updates as the event kicks off on Tuesday.
I’ll try to provide you a virtual postcard from CRS 2008.
The next country music star is about to shine. Adam Gregory just wrapped up a video in Florida for his first single “Crazy Days”. The following clip is behind the scenes footage from the making of the music video. Do yourself a favor and at least listen to this incredible track. Be ahead of the game and click play!
Jerry Del Colliano from Inside Music Media lists the 5 new rules for radio PD’s (addressed to consolidators or other serial abusers), so look out:
1. One PD per station. It used to be that a successful program director lived, breathed and experienced his or her one radio station 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This was an acknowledgment that the program director of a successful radio station is a specialist not a generalist. Consolidators anxious to get the most bang for the buck have spread otherwise qualified PDs beyond their core competency. If you want great radio stations that can program to the available market (which does not include the next generation), then suck it up and pay for one quarterback per station. Stop with the shortcuts and you’ll see a better return on your investment. And don’t tell me about the handful of PDs who are programming more than one station for you — imagine what they could do with one?
2. No airshift. (Does anyone know CPR for our consolidator friends?). The PD is responsible for talent, commercials, promotions, music or content, audience and community relations. Need I go on. If yours is a small market, an exception is allowed. Bigger markets — no exceptions. You don’t need your brain surgeons cleaning up the operating room at the end of the day. I know you don’t like this one but look at the results you are not getting by repurposing your PD. If you accept the suggestions so far, read on.
3. Outline goals and expectations on one page. How do you expect your content quarterback to do that which you ask him or her to do if you don’t articulate your goals and expectations on a piece of paper? I know. I know. Legal told you not to so when you fire an otherwise good PD who has achieved their goals you won’t have to lose the ensuing lawsuit. But really, put the items on a list. Make the program director sign off. Then, proceed to step four.
4. Give full authority to the PD to do his/her job. No meddling. No backseat programming. Leave your PD to either do what they promise or risk being replaced at the end of the year. Oh, no changing the rules in mid-stream. No using “corporate is making us cutback” as an excuse to stay involved. Warren Buffett, the billionaire who knows a little bit more than the Mays family about making money gives the people who run the companies he acquires full autonomy to do their jobs. Unlike the geniuses in radio, the Oracle from Omaha butts out. In fact, legend has it he only meets in person once a year for about two hours for an accounting of goals.
5. Fully fund the programming budget. Too many PDs have no real budget or the budget they have looks like Swiss cheese. If you suspect that corporate is going to ask for further givebacks during the year, under budget programming by the percentage of cutback you anticipate. You can’t expect a PD to do their job without knowing how much money they have to spend. In fact, put the amount on the goal sheet(#3 above) and make him or her sign off on it. Channel your inner Warren Buffett.
Check out the entire article here.
Many of tomorrow’s popular artists are going to need more than a single and a CD to explode. To find entry into new media, exposure to potential fans and to sell their music it will be necessary to market and brand themselves with innovative means. Multi-level partnerships, sponsorships, new media, special events, sports and mobile based marketing are just a few important ways to reach the targets. Whiskey Falls is already making it happen. Other radio formats are recognizing the opportunities available to them with acts that are offering value not only in spins, but beyond them. When will the Country format do the same?
Here is an article from the current issue of Billboard by Ken Tucker:
Whiskey Falls is not just a band—it’s a four-man marketing machine. Made up of Seven Williams, Wally Brandt, Damon Johnson and Buck Johnson (no relation), the quartet has a history of building support for its career through the unlikeliest of partners. Even before the group released its first single, “Last Train Running,” last year on Nashville-based independent Midas Records, it had already built a network of sponsors. AAMCO, the American Tailgater’s Assn., the Laborers’ International Union of North America, the National Hod Rod Assn. and even NBC soap opera “Days of Our Lives” are all in the band’s corner.
That’s not by chance—it’s by design, lead singer Williams says.“We realized the more we could do for ourselves, the more that we could help our record label, the more we could help our relationship with radio, the more we could give back to our fans,” Williams told Billboard last year.
Country WSSL Greenville, S.C., OM/PD Steve Geoffries says the band “really understands the new avenues of marketing.” The station recruited Whiskey Falls to document life on the road for a Web site feature dubbed “Road to Fame.” “We post the video online and let our audience follow their long day from start to finish,” Geoffries says. The band also checks in with the station’s morning show each week to update listeners.“They’ve been in the market a couple of times for performances and they have developed a following here,” Country WGH Norfolk, Va., PD John Shomby says. “They really have learned what it takes to get known and they are doing it.”
The band’s appearance at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Mountain Region Heatseekers chart can likely be attributed to a busy week of performances leading up to the Super Bowl in Scottsdale, Ariz., including a gig for thousands of tailgaters outside the University of Phoenix Stadium, where the big game was held.
Geoffries says the band’s new single, “Falling Into You”—No. 46 on Hot Country Songs—is “contagious.” WSSL played the song 16 times during the week ending Feb. 17, according to Nielsen BDS.
Inside Music Media is the blog of Jerry Del Colliano, founder of Inside Radio and current professor of Music Industry at USC. I could not decide which article to link to because they are all extremely relevant and well done, so I will just encourage you to check them all out.
Thanks to Chris Huff at KSCS/Dallas for the heads up.
Emerson Drive played a BIG show in El Paso Friday night full of amazing energy and excitement. Thanks to Marty Austin and the entire KHEY and Whiskey Dicks crew for a fantastic night! Texas did indeed show E Drive the love! We will be back and in DFW the first week of April. Here is the latest installment of ED TV with some El Paso highlights for your viewing enjoyment:
Tell Me a Story
By: Daniel Anstandig
Music legend Ray Charles once said that he “was born with music inside” himself. It could be said that the best loved songs in history are the ones that resonate and harmonize with the music inside of us.
Country music is best known for producing these songs that reach into the souls of their listeners. The stories told by many Country songs can make your heart race, put a lump in your throat, and send tears down your face. They’re the songs and stories that have turned country radio stations into empires.
The world’s most powerful and best loved radio stations aren’t without persuasive stories themselves. Case in point: KLBJ in Austin… not just another radio station. It’s the radio station that was rescued from bankruptcy in 1942 by young entrepreneur, Lady Bird Johnson. KLBJ does a terrific job of summarizing their rich history at www.590klbj.com/History. WMMS is known in Cleveland (and beyond) as a way of life for Clevelanders more than a music service. Its logo (the Buzzard) and the many bands it made famous have kept it alive in Cleveland pop culture for years. WSM in Nashville catapulted its way into music history with the Grand Ol’ Opry. Read the rest of this entry »
……without reading about the dilemmas of the music industry. On two separate flights (American & Northwest), in two different flight magazines. The first is an American Way article on the problematic future of the music business. The second is from NEA World Travler on how former artists are taking their personal experience into the ever changing music business world. Both good reads. Without the peanuts though.