Issue 261 Q&A: Cumulus SVPP Mike McVay - Country … · Q&A: Cumulus SVPP Mike McVay ... CEO Steve Moore. ... the guitar, click here. The Reunion of Professional Entertainers is holding
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Q&A: Cumulus SVPP Mike McVay Cumulus’ now-final acquisition of Citadel may be the most significant shift in the radio business in a decade, and in the weeks preceding the deal’s consummation, the company made one of the industry’s biggest hires with the addition of Mike McVay as Sr. VP/Programming (Breaking News 7/31). Country Aircheck asked McVay for his thoughts on corporate programming policies, Country as a format and the combined companies in this exclusive interview: CA: What programming changes might be in the offing? MM: I’m taking an anthropological view of both Citadel and Cumulus. I want to study these tribes and learn their customs and observe their habits before suggesting major changes. That doesn’t mean that we aren’t going to make changes. You can bet that we will, but they will be calculated changes. By bringing in outsiders, individuals who aren’t [currently] inside of either company, Lew Dickey, John Dickey and Jon Pinch [CEO and Co-COOs] have sent a signal to the industry that they’re ready to change the culture of the companies in order to change the culture of our industry. Cumulus is a pure play radio company. We are intent on creating great content that excites listeners about our product/s and sells our advertisers’ products, services and merchandise. Let there be no mistake that we are mercenaries, but the new Cumulus way is going to be designed to generate revenue by being the best product in every market. There are those in the broadcast trade industry that would have you believe that our senior management is made up of bankers who bought their way into radio. Lew Dickey and John Dickey both grew-up in a radio family. They’re second-generation
broadcasters who grew up washing the station vehicles and working promotions. They know radio. Their father, Lew Dickey, Sr., was one of my mentors and he was one of my first clients when I started McVay Media in 1984. Jon Pinch and I also worked together for the first time in 1984. Jon hired me to consult him in Milwaukee during his first-ever GM job. Our history together is what makes this such a great relationship. We trust each other implicitly. No games. No egos. We are mono-focused. How closely will new policies mirror the old when it comes to a central programming philosophy and “group adds?” There is the perception that local PDs and MDs have little input into their stations’ programming, music in particular. I can’t really address what the previous policies were as I’ve not been involved in them. I’ve not seen any signs of a PD having no input into what happens at their stations. Let me address what is really a two-part question by revealing my intentions as Sr. VP/Corporate Programming: (continued on page 6)
Livin’ Large: Arista’s Ronnie Dunn visits with Country radio execs prior to his performance at the NAB Marconi Awards Dinner in Chicago last week. Dunn received two standing ovations, including one for his new single “Cost Of Livin’.” Pictured (l-r) are Sony/Nashville’s Skip Bishop, WYCD/Detroit’s Suzanne Belanger and Tim Roberts, Dial Global’s Beau Phillips, Dunn, WUSN/Chicago’s Marci Braun, Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton, West Virginia Radio and McVay/Cook’s Charlie Cook, Arista’s Lesly Tyson and Marconi nominee WUSY/Chattanooga’s Bill Poindexter.
participate in the 2012 Mildred Carter Mentoring Program, which matches up-and-coming women in the radio industry with female professionals in all aspects of radio. For mentee criteria and details on how to apply, click here. The deadline is Oct. 28.
Chart Chat Congrats to Rodney Atkins, Adrian Michaels, Mike Rogers and the whole Curb promotion staff on scoring this week’s No. 1 single with Atkins’ “Take A Back Road.” The song is the title track from Atkins upcoming album, in stores Oct. 4.
Industry News The CMA Songwriters Series returns to New York City on Nov. 3 at Joe’s Pub, featuring Rodney Atkins and songwriters Dave Berg, Marla Cannon-Goodman and Bob DiPiero. CMA and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena have entered into a three-year agreement that will keep the organization’s annual awards show at the arena through 2013. Bridgestone has been the CMA Awards venue since 2006.
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Tie One On: MCA execs visit with Trisha Yearwood and her producer Garth Fundis in this 1995 shot. Pictured (l-r) are Fundis, Scott Borchetta, Yearwood, Bruce Hinton and Tony Brown. Send your photos to [email protected].
Live Nation, UMG Form Partnership Live Nation’s Front Line Management division and Universal Music Group have formed a joint venture designed to strengthen artists and their brands via direct-to-consumer bundling initiatives. Front Line will manage the partnership, bringing together concert tickets, artist websites and music products for select UMG artists worldwide; Live Nation Ticketmaster division will handle ticketing and bundling products. Irving Azoff, Live Nation Executive Chairman and Chairman/CEO of Front Line said of the venture, “We see tremendous opportunities to work together to create a broad range of products built on the power of music and the direct connection between artists and fans.”
CMA Pushes Education The CMA’s college outreach initiative, “CMA EDU,” has widened its chapter representation to Lipscomb University in Nashville and Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN. The program provides college students hands-on marketing, promotion and networking opportunities, leadership training and other educational experiences through advancing the profile of country music. The program started with Belmont University in Nashville with 115 members and has grown to more than 250 this fall. “Interest in starting similar groups at schools outside central Tennessee has been high, and we are looking forward to building a program that will benefit college students interested in Country music and gaining valuable business experience,” says CMA CEO Steve Moore. More here.
Radio News Clear Channel was recently presented with the Fisher House Foundation’s Patriot Award in recognition of its ongoing support of the organization, which provides free temporary housing to families of service members who need medical care. Clear Channel has raised nearly $1 million for Fisher House and provided an additional $5 million in media exposure. The Mentoring & Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) Group is accepting applications for three candidates to
Parallel Music Publishing has opened its doors, sharing space with the parent company Parallel Entertainment at 1505 16th Ave South, Nashville, TN 37214. Publishing exec Tim Hunze says, “We are up and running and are looking for great writers.” Phone: 615-750-2613. Opry Live will return to GAC Oct. 4 with the first episode highlighting George Jones’ 80th birthday celebration. The shows will air on the network Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays. Specific dates are TBA. More here. The Gibson Foundation will offer a limited edition J-200 Ray Whitley Special guitar. Only 100 will be produced and all proceeds go to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Working On A Building campaign, raising money for the museum’s $75 million wing expansion. For more information on the guitar, click here. The Reunion of Professional Entertainers is holding it’s 24th Banquet Awards Show Oct. 6. Details here.
Artist News Martina McBride will join Michael Buble, Jimmy Kimmel, Smokey Robinson, Train and host, tennis legend Andre Agassi, for his 16th Grand Slam for Children benefit on Oct. 29 in Las Vegas. Andy Griggs has penned a new Louisiana State University’s fight song titled “The Bayou Brawl.” The track features LSU alumni on background vocals and is available via iTunes here. Christian Kane was voted Sexiest Voice in Entertainment Weekly’s “Summer TV: Your Hottie Awards” poll. More here. Randy Travis will celebrate 25 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry Oct. 4. Carrie Underwood and Josh Turner join Travis on the bill. Portions of the show will be featured in GAC’s Opry Live airing Oct. 15. Craig Morgan is the first country artist to participate in the Fantasy Hunting League, which will award participants more than $60,000 in cash and prizes through Feb. 28. More here. Vince Gill and Amy Grant will receive The Community Foundation Of Middle Tennessee’s Joe Kraft Humanitarian
Off The recOrd: TOm gOssin
Gloriana’s Tom Gossin gives an industry spin on the artist interview:What station did you grow up listening to? My dad was a college radio DJ and always said he could play a mean stereo, so he was our own personal station.Any interesting finds on the road? We hit flea markets and thrift stores in a lot of small towns. We definitely see some weird stuff. The last thing I got was a pocketknife with a naked woman on it named
“Roxanne.” Taylor Swift gave us a creepy accordion-playing yard gnome. It sits in our front lounge. We try not to look at it. What nasty truck stop food tempts you? We have a drawer on the bus that’s a whole truck stop candy aisle. We never open that drawer because once we do, it’s over. Which regional is the worst driver? It’s whoever gets the most emails or texts. We issued a no-texting rule because they swerve too much. I’ve got the “oh, sh*t” handle going.Who’s the prankster? My brother Mike. He’s always putting toothpaste on somebody’s bunk light switch. Who have you seen live lately that you’ve tried to emulate or borrow ideas from? We played with Alan Jackson recently, and he’s an old favorite of ours. His whole set list is hits. That’s a good goal to work toward. Who takes the longest to get through airport security? Me. I always get picked for a secondary screening. Of course, nothing happens. Anything embarrassing fall out of your suitcase mid-search? This one time at a small airport, they were taking all the stuff out where everybody could see my things, and a couple condoms fell out. I thought, “Thank you very much. Now everybody knows I’m not getting laid.”
Tom Gossin
Martina McBride
Award Nov. 1 at Nashville’s Loews Vanderbilt for supporting several charities including Challenge America and the Red Cross. More here. The McClymonts and Professional Bull Riders have teamed to the Kick It Up Down Under Sweepstakes. Participants who correctly identify the winning racecar at the end of their video “Wrapped Up Good” will be entered to win a trip to see the trio live in Australia in January. More here.
my Tunes: music ThaT shaPed my Life Stoney Creek’s GM/Operations April
Rider discusses her most influential songs, albums and concerts:1. Meatloaf’s Bat Out Of Hell: I drove miles of Indiana backroads to “Paradise By Dashboard Light,” “You Took the Words Right Out Of My Mouth” and “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad.” I can still smell the honeysuckle when I hear those songs. 2. Journey’s Escape: This album shaped my early teenage years. From “Open Arms”
to “Don’t Stop Believin’,” it was like they made this album for me and my boyfriend Steve Perry. Right?3. Dwight Yoakam/Suspicious Minds: I have trust issues. This song made me understand why. 4. Garth Brooks/The River: This song will be my inspiration for a tattoo someday if I get one. The analogies in this song inspired me to take some big chances. 5. Van Halen, 5150 Tour, 1986: This was my first real rock concert. Eddie Van Halen and Sammy Hagar put on an amazing show. • A highly regarded song or album you’ve never heard: Colbie Caillat’s Coco. I hear it’s great. I will get there.• An “important” piece of music you just don’t get: Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart.” How in the hell?• An album you played or listened to incessantly: Colt Ford’s Ride Through The Country. Jay Cruze gave me his album on a visit to WUSY/Chattanooga, TN. I listened to it all the way home and kept it in heavy rotation until someone stole it (cough, cough – Adrian).• One obscure or country song everyone should listen to right now: Rodney Atkins’ “Invisibly Shaken.” Everyone missed this song. Well, except for that 15-year-old girl that played it for me on her iPod this weekend to see if I knew it! True.
The Week’s Top Stories Full coverage at www.countryaircheck.com.• Citadel’s KUBL/Salt Lake City PD Ed Hill was named PD for CBS Radio’s KMPS/Seattle. (BN 9/15)• WZZK/Birmingham PD Justin Case was promoted to OM for three stations in the Cox cluster. (CAT 9/16)• MCA Southwest Regional EJ Bernas resigned to take the newly created post of VP/Music & Entertainment for the Tin Roof Corporation. (CAT 9/14)• Redneck Records’ Bob Mitchell joined Dale Morris and Marc Oswald as a management partner. (CAT 9/15)
Q&A: Mike McVay (continued from page 1) We will be an organized group. We’re going to be strategic in our planning and tactical in our execution. You’ve known me for most of my career. I’ve always been a strong believer in systems. My 28 years as a consultant taught me that most programmers are incapable of doing their job because of the many distractions that are a part of the job daily. The lack of organization inside most radio stations makes it impossible for the programming team to focus on the competition. They cannot get out of the way of themselves to do their job. We will have systems, rules and requirements. We will create a structure that allows creative people to excel. We will empower the program directors in the larger markets that they can make music decisions. Sr. VP/Programming Jan Jeffries and I agree that if we cannot trust a PD to be involved in deciding what to play, then we have the wrong PD. That’s not to say that the smaller markets won’t be directed as to what to play, but that’s more about available time and less a commentary on the PD’s abilities at that level. We will be more focused than ever before on generating huge ratings. Our purpose in business is not to satisfy the music industry. It is to generate revenue via ratings. Having said that, it would be foolish for us to ignore the value that the music industry brings to radio. I’ve consulted on both the radio and music sides of the
April Rider
street. I understand many different facets of this business. We want to be partners with the labels. We want to change the culture of our industry. I’m hopeful that we can do that together. We need them as much as they need us. What is your role in working with stations? This is a reckoning. The platform that we’ll have will be nearly 600 radio stations and two radio networks. We have
a significant investment in digital platforms. We have the ability to reach millions of listeners on a daily basis. My role will be to oversee this large platform. COO John Dickey and I are partners in creating the strategies that will be employed to grow our listenership. Jan Jeffries and his team of Corporate Programmers (Greg Frey, Val Garris, Jim Mahanay, Emily Bolden, Maurice DeVoe and Dick Stadlen) will be in the field working to implement these strategies. We are a team in the truest sense of the word. Thoughts on having 88 Country stations? The country format is strong. It is America’s music. I’m a member of the Country Radio Broadcasters board of directors and personally a believer in the format. CRB, CMA – other formats don’t have these type of organizations. The job Cumulus has done in the format to date is admirable. The company has some great Country programmers and air talent, as does Citadel. I cannot wait to meet them all and participate in their weekly Country music conference calls. I’ve always been a talent-friendly programmer, and am excited to be able to sit down with the talent and talk about their programs. We want to attract the very best programmers and the very best air talent. Will you be hiring format captains? We will be promoting from within both companies and looking outside, as well, for individuals who will work with us as format captains. I’d like them to be imbedded. The biggest requirement is that they have experience as successful programmers. Great people skills are important. Being a tireless worker is a big plus. If you are a superstar, or want to be one, then you should reach out to me at [email protected]. With the purchase of Citadel, Cumulus will have both WKDF & WSM-FM/Nashville, and KSCS & KPLX/Dallas. What is the plan for those two markets? That question is above my pay scale, but our plans presently are to allow them to compete. Both you and Jan Jeffries carry the title Sr. VP/Programming. What are the differences in your respective roles? My role is as SVP/Corporate Programming, Jan’s is as SVP/
Katie Armiger Confessions Of A Nice Girl (The True Confessional) (Cold River) The double disc deluxe version of Armiger’s 2010 album adds the current single “I Do But I Do,” new song “Worth It,” a “Best Song Ever” dance mix and an acoustic version of “Cry Cry Cry.”
Programming. We’re both guiding the company’s direction and implementing the strategies that have been designed for each market. I am creating the operating systems that we’ll be using. Jan and his team will be implementing and teaching these systems to bring together Cumulus and Citadel. What will your involvement be with Citadel Media? The radio stations and the networks both fall under my supervision. There are qualified programmers in both divisions. We will evaluate the programming that we have in the network and ascertain if they have a role on our radio stations. Based on my experience in syndicating The Donny Osmond Show, The Mark McGrath Show, and in having Listener Driven Radio with Citadel, the network business is complex. [VP/Operations] Dennis Green joined the radio network to partner with us, and the Citadel Media team, to develop product that will have clearance. If our stations cannot feel good about carrying a product that our network is syndicating, then we made a mistake. What one thing would you want our readers to know about Cumulus? We’re going to hire a team of superstars. If you’re a great talent, or if you’re a great PD, then consider Cumulus. If you’re coming in from Citadel relax, enjoy the ride and be prepared to become part of what I hope will be an elite team. Let’s collectively change the culture of this business. Again, my email is [email protected]. CAC
Country Aircheck Top Spin GainersLADY ANTEBELLUM/We Owned The Night (Capitol) 480JASON ALDEAN/Tattoos On This Town (Broken Bow) 456ZAC BROWN BAND/Keep Me In Mind (So. Grnd/Atl./BPG) 430RONNIE DUNN/Cost Of Livin' (Arista) 363RODNEY ATKINS/Take A Back Road (Curb) 358BLAKE SHELTON/God Gave Me You (Warner Bros/WMN) 354KENNY CHESNEY f/ GRACE POTTER/You And Tequila (BNA) 305BAND PERRY/All Your Life (Republic Nashville) 253TOBY KEITH/Made In America (Show Dog-Universal) 249GEORGE STRAIT/Here For A Good Time (MCA Nashville) 228
Country Aircheck Top Point GainersJASON ALDEAN/Tattoos On This Town (Broken Bow) 1448 4LADY ANTEBELLUM/We Owned The Night (Capitol) 1369 4ZAC BROWN BAND/Keep Me In Mind (So. Grnd/Atl./BPG) 1173 4BLAKE SHELTON/God Gave Me You (Warner Bros/WMN) 1163 4RODNEY ATKINS/Take A Back Road (Curb) 1073 4RONNIE DUNN/Cost Of Livin' (Arista) 1040
KENNY CHESNEY/You And Tequila f/Grace Potter (BNA) 1008
GEORGE STRAIT/Here For A Good Time (MCA Nashville) 818
BAND PERRY/All Your Life (Republic Nashville) 691
TOBY KEITH/Made In America (Show Dog-Universal) 648
Country Aircheck Add LeadersZAC BROWN BAND/Keep Me In Mind (So. Grnd/Atl./BPG) 33
CHRIS YOUNG/You (RCA) 20
LUKE BRYAN/I Don't Want This Night To End (Capitol) 19
JANEDEAR GIRLS/Merry Go Round (Warner Bros./WMN) 14
CHRIS CAGLE/Got My Country On (BPG) 11
SCOTTY MCCREERY/The Trouble With Girls (19/Interscope/Mercury) 10
MARTINA MCBRIDE/I'm Gonna Love You Through It (Republic Nashville) 9
ALAN JACKSON/Long Way To Go (EMI Nashville) 8
JASON ALDEAN/Tattoos On This Town (Broken Bow) 8
LOST TRAILERS/Underdog (Stokes Tunes/HTP) 8
Country Aircheck Top Recurrents Points
ZAC BROWN BAND f/J. BUFFETT/Knee Deep (So. Grnd/Atl./BPG) 8840
JASON ALDEAN/Dirt Road Anthem (Broken Bow) 8402
DIERKS BENTLEY/Am I The Only One (Capitol Nashville) 7941
BLAKE SHELTON/Honey Bee (Warner Bros/WMN) 7932
LADY ANTEBELLUM/Just A Kiss (Capitol) 7701
LUKE BRYAN/Country Girl (Shake It For Me) (Capitol) 6038
THOMPSON SQUARE/Are You Gonna Kiss... (Stoney Creek) 5354
BRAD PAISLEY f/ALABAMA/Old Alabama (Arista) 4930
CHRIS YOUNG/Tomorrow (RCA) 4792
JUSTIN MOORE/If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away (Valory) 4348
Activator Top Point GainersZAC BROWN BAND/Keep Me In Mind (So. Grnd/Atl./BPG) 2430 4JASON ALDEAN/Tattoos On This Town (Broken Bow) 1505 4LADY ANTEBELLUM/We Owned The Night (Capitol) 1243 4BLAKE SHELTON/God Gave Me You (Warner Bros./WMN) 1212 4ERIC CHURCH/Drink In My Hand (EMI Nashville) 1161 4RODNEY ATKINS/Take A Back Road (Curb) 838RASCAL FLATTS/Easy (Big Machine) 793MIRANDA LAMBERT/Baggage Claim (RCA) 789LUKE BRYAN/I Donít Want This Night To End (Capitol) 785GEORGE STRAIT/Here For A Good Time (MCA) 736
Activator Top Spin GainersZAC BROWN BAND/Keep Me In Mind (So. Grnd/Atl./BPG) 444JASON ALDEAN/Tattoos On This Town (Broken Bow) 256LADY ANTEBELLUM/We Owned The Night (Capitol) 229BLAKE SHELTON/God Gave Me You (Warner Bros./WMN) 220ERIC CHURCH/Drink In My Hand (EMI Nashville) 200RODNEY ATKINS/Take A Back Road (Curb) 149LUKE BRYAN/I Donít Want This Night To End (Capitol) 140GEORGE STRAIT/Here For A Good Time (MCA) 139MIRANDA LAMBERT/Baggage Claim (RCA) 136BAND PERRY/All Your Life (Republic Nashville) 136
September 19, 2011 Country Aircheck Chart Info Chart Page 3
September 26COY TAYLOR/Fall For You (Twang City/Flying Island)CRYSTAL SHAWANDA/Love Enough (Sun/Nine North)KIP MOORE/Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck (MCA)
OctOber 3BLAKE WISE/Can’t Live Without (Broken Bow)BILL GENTRY/This Letter (Tenacity)BRENT ANDERSON/Amy’s Song (Sea Gayle/Arista)COREY SMITH/Maybe Next Year (Average Joes)SUNNY SWEENEY/Drink Myself Single (Republic Nashville)
LEANN RIMES/Give (Curb) 392 points, 132 spins No adds
Aircheck Activity includes the top 15 songs that rank 45-50 on this week’s chart or are those that are not charted and have a minimum of 300 airplay points and have shown growth in two of the past three weeks. (* indicates auto adds)
add daTes
September 19, 2011 Country Aircheck Chart Info Chart Page 4
CMTCHRISTIAN KANE/Let Me Go (BPG)LEANN RIMES/Give (Curb)RODNEY ATKINS/Take A Back Road (Curb)WILL HOGE/When I Get My Wings (Ryko)
CMT PUREANDY GIBSON/Wanna Make You Love Me (DMP/R&J)DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS/Live Forever (Dualtone)MONTGOMERY GENTRY/Where I Come From (Average Joes )RODNEY ATKINS/Take A Back Road (Curb)WILL HOGE/When I Get My Wings (Ryko)
GACASHTON SHEPHERD/Where Country Grows (MCA)RODNEY ATKINS/Take A Back Road (Curb)