Wilson Wins The Dayton Game · 2019-09-10 · Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” was the second. I was a background, commercial jingle and studio singer for years. When I got my record
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Wilson Wins The Dayton Game Cox WHKO/Dayton PD/morning host Nancy Wilson celebrated 30 years with the cluster in May. Though it wasn’t her intent to marry the market, or even be in radio, Wilson has become
a trusted fixture. Starting as the morning news anchor, she mixed and still mixes her personality with the information her hometown needs, and it has paid off in ratings. Here, Wilson discusses her path to hometown stardom, early career highlights, and why she will never ask Dierks Bentley to marry her. CA: What were your early career goals? NW: I grew up in a small county outside of Dayton, which was the big city to me. I decided I wanted to go to the University of Dayton
because we grew up watching Dayton Flyers basketball – clearly a very technical and complicated way to pick a college. I went as a Civil Engineering major, because I thought that was where the big bucks were, but I quickly realized it wasn’t for me. Once I ditched engineering, I had to decide what I thought best suited my skills and strengths, and could provide a career path. I was very inquisitive as a child, and my parents would tease me about interviewing – or sometimes interrogating – people. After thinking on it, I decided to give Broadcast Journalism a try. It wasn’t a big radio school – there was a lot of emphasis on television – but I learned a lot from the instructors who took the time to teach us the technical elements of radio. Talking never gave me much trouble!
September 9, 2019 • Issue 669
Sharon Vaughn
Nancy Wilson
NSHoF 2019: Sharon Vaughn Spotlighting individual inductees leading up to the Oct. 14 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala continues with singer, songwriter and producer Sharon Vaughn. Discovered in Florida by Mel Tillis, this year’s sole female inductee used her love of Roy Rogers to help define the Outlaw Movement with “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys,” a song that “couldn’t have been written by a woman.” (But more on that later.) Vaughn’s credits also
Racecar Spelled Backwards Is Racecar: BMLG Records’ Florida Georgia Line celebrate FGL Fest at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Pictured (l-r) are Big Loud’s Seth England, BMLGR’s Jimmy Harnen, FGL’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, BMLGR’s Matthew Hargis, BMLG’s Mike Rittberg, and Big Loud’s Kevin “Chief” Zaruk.
Beat Freaks: Valory’s Avenue Beat host radio friends in Denver. Pictured (standing, l-r) are the label’s Ashley Sidoti, KWBL’s Chelsea Thomas and JoJo Turnbeaugh, Mary Turnbeaugh, KYGO’s Patrick Knight, the group’s Savana Santos, KUAD/Ft. Collins, CO’s Brad Hansen and wife Renee Kirk, Sarah McCollim and KCCY/Colorado Springs’ Jason McCollim, (seated, l-r) the label’s Amy Staley, Trey and Lynda Tuzil, Westwood One’s George King, the group’s Sami Bearden and Sam Backoff, and Chelsea Washington and KWBL’s Bryan “B-Dub” Washington.
include the Oak Ridge Boys’ breakout song “Y’All Come Back Saloon,” Reba McEntire’s “I’m Not That Lonely Yet,” the Lorrie Morgan and Keith Whitley duet “’Til a Tear Becomes a Rose” and Randy Travis’ “Out of My Bones.” Growing up, I was split down the middle. In one ear, I had Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson. I knew the Great American Songbook backwards and forwards. In the other ear, I was listening to artists like Jimmie Rodgers. My father — who was a beautiful singer — taught me all of those old hillbilly songs. I wrote my first song, “Three Little Monkeys in a Tree,” when I was seven. I’ve always been a storyteller. Instead of having my father tell me bedtime stories, I told him stories. So, with songwriting, the die was cast.
I was discovered by Mel Tillis and brought to Nashville to record with him. Before I even got to town, Chuck Glaser of the Glaser Brothers came to my parents’ house and I started playing songs I had written. I don’t know how in the world I had the
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys: Vaughn with Roy Rogers.
nerve to do that. He said, “Sharon, you’re a songwriter.” I went, “Really?” He was the first person to say those words to me. My first cut and hit was “Y’all Come Back Saloon.” “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” was the second. I was a background, commercial jingle and studio singer for years. When I got my record deal, I was hanging out at the publishing offices when my producer Bill Rice said go home and write me “a cowboys song,” because I’m working on an album [Lullabies Legends And Lies] for Bobby Bare. Titles are golden – so evocative and thought provoking. A title or one line can tell a whole story. Merle Haggard was the world’s best at that. And I turned twenty-one in prison doin’ life without parole / No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried. That’s the entire story of that song in one line…That’s what I aspire to. My favorite line I’ve ever written: It took awhile to get here, but I’m right on time. There were no women writers, except for Cindy Walker in Texas and Marijohn Wilkin. I didn’t know any in Nashville. Linda Hargrove and Kye Fleming came along later. Every
female songwriter was an artist. I was breaking new ground, and nobody took it seriously. It was hard to deny after I had two back-to-back monster hits. Shel Silverstein famously said, “There’s no way a woman wrote ‘My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.’” I thought, “Last time I checked.” It was suspending belief that a woman could do this. Bill Anderson was one of the first to recognize me as a songwriter. Porter Wagoner was supportive — I worked with him and Dolly for years. I really have the musicians, producers and artists I worked with in the studios to thank. It was during the Nashville sound heyday, and I was working sometimes three sessions a day, four to five days a week. I had hundreds of songs infiltrating my psyche. I was learning my trade without even knowing it ... learning how to write songs from the bones out. I’m still mystified that I’m being inducted. I know it’s happening…or at least I think I do. It means more to me than I even want to think about. I admire the people in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame more than anybody. I look around and those faces make a portrait of my life. I know what’s involved — how hard it is to get in, what those people did and sacrificed. You don’t just sit on a rock thinking profound thoughts and wind up in the Hall of Fame. You work your tail off and take a lot of risks. But, I don’t look at it as a period at the end of a sentence. I’m working harder now than I ever have in my life. –Caitlin DeForest
Chart Chat Congratulations to Luke Bryan, Royce Risser, Bobby Young, David Friedman, Chris Schuler and the Capitol promotion team on landing at No. 1 with “Knockin’ Boots.” The song is the first single from Bryan’s forthcoming seventh studio album.
Songwriters are Jon Nite, Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson. And kudos to Mike Wilson and the Black River reps on notching 107 adds for Kelsea Ballerini’s “Homecoming Queen?,” topping this week’s board.
News & Notes Eric Paslay has joined the JDRF Board of Directors. “I know I’ve benefited from those who have served before me on the JDRF Board of Directors, and I hope to do the same for the T1D community,” he says. Big & Rich, Cowboy Troy, Casey Donahew, Gretchen Wilson, Ronnie Milsap, Jessie G. and Frank Ray will play the 7th Annual Las Cruces Country Music Festival Oct. 11-13. Details here. Tracy Lawrence will host his 14th annual Mission:Possible Turkey Fry & Concert benefiting Nashville Rescue Mission
The Marshall Tucker Band’s Doug Gray discusses his most influential music:1. Blackberry Smoke: One of the most unique and important things about the band’s success is that they’ve stayed together and continued to show support for each other over the years.2. Blake Shelton’s “God’s Country”: Enough said.3. Lee Brice: I’ve always really liked his songwriting. He called me a lot before getting a record contract and
has continued to stay in touch. Lee is a really nice guy. 4. Whitney Houston: I saw her early in her career when we were playing at the same venue. She was a star even back then — she just didn’t know it yet.
5. Stéphane Grappelli: I love his Jazz ‘Round Midnight album.Highly regarded music you’ve actually never heard: I haven’t listened to Usher’s latest music yet, but I’m looking forward to it.An album you listened to incessantly: The Pointer Sisters’ self-titled debut album with the single “Yes We Can Can.” It brings back a lot of memories.I love to work and became that way while serving in the military. It’s something that I brought back home with me. I believe in team work and think it’s even stronger when you not only work together, but have the perfect team. That’s what helps us continue to tour with great musicianship.Believe it or not, several people have been buried to “Fly Eagle Fly,” written by Toy Caldwell of Marshall Tucker. Especially the part, “I hope you both live long enough to see the setting sun.”
Doug Gray
MY TUNES: DoUg graY
Nov. 26. Featured artists include Justin Moore, Rhett Akins and Clay Walker. Details and tickets here. Riser House’s Jordan Rager will headline Zaxby’s inaugural Insane Music Tour Sept. 12-Oct. 18. Dates and information here. Capitol’s Little Big Town will perform at The Centennial Gala: Changing The World for Children in New York City Sept. 12. More here. The NAB Leadership Foundation has launched a First Time Manager Series for first-time radio and television station managers as they transition from individual contributor to team leader. Enroll here. Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Caitlyn Smith and Maddie & Tae will be among the performers with Live In The Vineyard returns Oct.31-Nov. 3 in Napa Valley, CA. See a complete lineup, and get ticketing and VIP information here. Jeannie Seely will host the third annual Dottie West Birthday Bash Oct. 9 at Nashville’s Third & Lindsley. All proceeds will benefit the Musician’s Emergency Relief Fund. Additional information here. O’Neil Hagaman, LLC Mgr./Tax Lynda Ragsdale has been elevated to Dir./Tax.
The Week’s Top Stories Full coverage at countryaircheck.com.• Joey Brooks was named iHeartMedia/Hartford-New Haven, CT SVP/Programming. (CAT 9/9)• BMLG Records’ Michelle Kammerer was upped to Sr. Dir./National Promotion & Marketing. (CAT 9/5)• Troy Clingerman joined Townsquare/Wichita Falls, TX as MM/CRO. (CAT 9/5)• Keith Dakin was elevated to VP/Programming for Connoissuer. (CAT 9/4)• Gigi South joined Cumulus/Savannah, GA as VP/MM. (CAT 9/4)• Jody Williams will leave BMI/Nashville at the end of the year. (CAT 9/4)
Who were your early influences? Growing up, I would listen to AM Top 40 stations and Country 980 WONE-AM/Dayton. My dad loved country music, so my sister and I grew up loving that station. I knew the entire lineup of jocks, and I would get upset when one was on
(continued from page 1)Wilson Wins The Dayton Game
vacation. David G. McFarland stood out to me, and he’s still in the market. His on-air name was “Friendly David G.” and I thought he had the coolest job in the world. There weren’t as many female jocks on-air, and I idolized Patty Spitler on the local Rock station. She had that gritty, Rock voice, and I thought if I could sound like her, maybe I could be like her when I grew up. Do you remember your first on-air gig? I worked at the college station. You had to bring your own music, so my friends would come in for my shift and we’d pick the playlist from my albums. It taught me early on how to be a PD and an MD, and my friends would tell me how I was doing with song selection and my on-air persona. Their feedback helped me stop trying to emulate others and embrace being myself on-air. After graduation, I landed a weekend overnight gig at a small station in Springfield, OH and worked there for about a year. In 1986, I moved to another station across town in Springfield. Next stop: WHKO. How did that go early on? When I came on board in May, the station had just flipped from Easy Listening, so the format was still relatively new to the area. I became an official co-host in mornings approximately two years after I started doing the news. Given the
opportunity to grow with the station, I have been lucky to build my career here. Any early highlights? Meeting artists I grew up listening to – Ronnie Milsap, Randy Travis, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty – taking my dad backstage to meet people he’d admired and whose music I loved because of him, and having them be as kind and wonderful as you’d ever hoped makes you fall even more in love with the format. That genuine kindness and humility has never changed in country music and Country radio. What have you learned from three decades in the same format and city? Coming in with The Class of ‘89 was a blessing. I learned to embrace change by riding a wave that no one saw coming. It taught me to be flexible. Some of the chatter surrounding Lil Nas X and others who are trying to push the boundaries doesn’t upset me, because I remember the backlash surrounding Garth. He wasn’t the first, either. People said those things about
Fancy: Wilson and Reba McEntire are two of Dayton’s favorite women of country.
Woman, Amen: Wilson with Dierks Bentley, to whom she has never proposed marriage.
• Mike Kennedy is joining Entercom/Kansas City as OM/PD for Country WDAF & Hot AC KZPT. (CAT 9/3)• WXCY/Wilmington, DE’s Bob Bloom will retire Sept. 27. (CAT 9/3)• WCYQ/Knoxville’s Loyd Ford departed. (CAT 9/3)
Waylon Jennings and others, too. Right now, we have an AC competitor in town playing Dan + Shay and Thomas Rhett, but again, I’ve seen this before. Those are our artists, and they always will be, just like Garth. How do you approach music decisions? I spend a lot of time looking at metrics. Consumption, streaming, local call-out – all of those things are important and I keep a close watch on them. But it is so important to get face-to-face perspective from listeners, too. I love when
someone comes up to me at a remote – yes, I still do remotes – or an event and tells me about an artist or song they are loving. I strive to be the one to introduce my listeners to new music, but I know they have streaming, YouTube, satellite radio and so many other ways to find things. It all helps us figure out what our audience is loving. Any advice you’d share? When you think about radio, I hope you think about your listeners. Every day, every show, every time I work on music, I am thinking about my audience and my community. Everything we do at the station is based around what we think will be best for the community and what will be engaging and entertaining for our audience. Putting them first has kept us in a good position with ratings. If you think about ratings, it doesn’t always play as well in reverse. Any embarrassing on-air moments you can share? One of my first big country crushes – and I’ve had many – was on Clint Black. I remember being so embarrassed once, because my listeners all knew how much I loved Clint, and I got to interview him at a local grocery store. The listeners who had gathered around kept egging me on saying, “Ask him to marry you!” So, jokingly, I did, and he played along by saying, “How ‘bout we just skip right to the honeymoon?” Anyone who knows me now will tell you how much I love Dierks Bentley, but I haven’t asked him to marry me. Let’s take a page from Tim McGraw’s book and look ahead to your next 30 years. What are your goals? I want to make certain that our listeners feel how much they matter to us. They don’t need us; they have so many options for audio listening, and the space continues to grow. When I first became a PD, I talked to [Cox/Houston OM & KKBQ PD] Johnny Chiang, and he told me, “Take care of your people,
and listen to them, and this will be easy.” He was so right. I grew up here. I know these people, because I’m one of them. If I can continue to do that, I will continue to be successful. The numbers are important, and introducing our audience to new music is important, but there is absolutely nothing more important than staying true to them and the community. Being on-air and on-location as a PD is a huge blessing and has helped me stay connected, too. I can only hope that I get 30 more years on WHKO to connect the things I love most – country music and the people of Dayton. Reach Wilson here. –Monta Vaden
Hair Bigger Than The Beatles: Wilson and Joe Diffie show off the hair trends of the mid 90s.
a third voice to add to its Wild Wake Up with Kelly and Wood morning show. Interested personalities should send résumés and airchecks here.
iHeartMedia/North Ohio RSVP/Programming Keith Kennedy is searching for an SVP/Programming to join the Mansfield, OH cluster, which includes Country WNCO. Interested candidates should send résumés and airchecks to Kennedy here.
Mid-West Family WUSW/Springfield, IL is seeking an on-air personality. Regional OM Mark Van Allen is accepting résumés and airchecks here.
Midwest/Fargo, ND VP/MM Dan Cash is searching for a Brand Mgr. for Country KVOX & Classic Country KMJO. Interested applicants can view the full job posting here; submit résumés, airchecks and links to social media content to Cash here.
Mid-West Family KQYB/La Crosse, WI has an opening for an afternoon personality. Interested candidates should send résumés and airchecks here.
Adams WBTU/Fort Wayne, IN is looking for a midday personality. Send résumés and airchecks to OM JJ Fabini and PD Randy Alomar here.
Townsquare WXXQ/Rockford, IL OM/Brand Mgr. “Sweet Lenny” Barber is on the hunt for an afternoon talent who can also handle Dir./Production duties. Apply here.
NORTHEASTSeven Mountains WIFT (Bigfoot Country)/
Dubois, PA VP/Programming JC Burton is on the prowl for a Production Dir./midday. Send résumés, airchecks and production samples to Burton here.
Townsquare/Poughkeepsie, NY Market Pres. Jason Finkelberg is on the hunt for an OM/Brand Mgr. for the cluster, which includes Country WKXP. Send résumés and airchecks to Finkelberg here.
SOUTHEASTBristol WXBQ/Johnson City, TN is still
searching for a PD to succeed Bill Hagy.
Airchecks and résumés here.Cumulus/Shreveport VP/Programming
Operations Greg Frey is looking for a day-to-day PD for Country KRMD. Interested parties can apply here.
Dick WUBB/Savannah, GA is seeking a PD. OM Gabe Reynolds is accepting résumés, airchecks and sample imaging scripts here.
iHeartMedia WNOE/New Orleans is looking for a PD. Apply here.
Cumulus WIVK/Knoxville is looking for its next PD. See a complete job posting and apply here.
Stephens KLAA/Alexandria, LA is searching for an afternoon personality with the possibility of PD chores for Classic Country sister KBKK. OM/PD Scott Mills is accepting résumés and airchecks here.
Forever WFGS/Murray, KY EVP/Programming, Digital & Sales Development Jared Mims is looking for a midday talent. Send résumés and airchecks to Mims here.
West Virginia Radio WKKW/Morgantown, WV Dir./Human Resources Jodi Hart is seeking a night personality. Send résumés and airchecks to her here.
New South/Jackson, MS GM Gwen Rakestraw is looking to fill the newly created OM/Brand Mgr. position for the cluster, which includes Country WUSJ & Classic Country WHJT. Résumés, airchecks and social media samples to her here.
iHeartMedia KSSN/Little Rock, AR SVP/Programming Chad Heritage is searching for a midday personality; APD/MD responsibilities are possible for the right candidate. See the complete job posting and apply here.
SOUTHWESTCumulus KSCS/Dallas is searching for a
morning co-host for Hawkeye In The Morning. Airchecks and résumés to PD Mac Daniels here.
LCKM KFWR/Fort Worth, TX is searching for a PD/midday host. Send cover letters, résumés and airchecks to OM Gerry Schlegel here.
East Texas Radio KSCH/Sulphur Springs, TX is seeking a morning host; play-by-play experience is a plus. Interested candidates
may send résumés and airchecks to OM Cary Eldridge here.
Cox KKBQ/Houston Dir./Operations Johnny Chiang is looking for an afternoon personality. See the complete job posting and apply here.
WEST COASTTownsquare/Boise is on the hunt for a
morning co-host for Country KAWO. Interested candidates should send résumés and airchecks to OM/PD Jeff Connell here.
Redrock/St. George, UT Pres./CEO Craig Hanson is seeking Asst. OM/on-air talent for the cluster, which includes Country KUTQ. The position will include PD/Content Dir. duties for Top 40 KURR. Send résumés and airchecks here.
Momentum KJUG/Visalia, CA PD Rik McNeil is looking for a morning co-host. See the complete job posting here; résumés and airchecks to McNeil here.
Entercom KFRG/Riverside, CA PD Kevin Callahan is searching for a morning co-host. Apply here.
OTHERCold River Records SVP/Radio Promotion &
Artist Development John Ettinger is searching for a VP/Radio Promotion. Send inquiries to Ettinger here.
Consultant Joel Raab is looking for a morning show co-host for a mid-sized market in the South. He is also on the hunt for an on-air PD for a reporting station in a Top 100 market. Send materials here.
Consultancy RWPC Pres. JJ Jobe is assisting a station in the southeast on the hunt for a PD/on-air personality. Send résumés and airchecks to Jobe here.
The Kim Komando Show is looking for an on-air call screener/sidekick and a Mgr./Affiliate Relations. Apply here and here, respectively.
Average Joes Entertainment is seeking a receptionist who can also handle administrative duties for the label’s marketing department. Apply here.
Country radio shares were up 0.2 points (0.05%) compared to last month. Of the 83 stations listed, 41 increased, 37 decreased and 5 were flat. The cume leader was Entercom’s WNSH/New York with 1,117,900. Cumulus’ KPLX/Dallas was second with 1,050,500.
August 2019 PPM Scoreboard
Station/City JulyCumeRankAugust 6+
ShareRankJuly 6+Share
AugustCume Station/City
Legend: A “+” indicates a Classic Country outlet; a “^” designates co-owned Country stations in the metro; “t” indicates a tie; and a “*” indicates a station that is no longer a subscriber or for which ratings were not available. Ranks are among subscribers.
LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud Stations ADDS
DEBUT
DEBUT
Debut
September 9, 2019
Country Aircheck Top Spin GainersKELSEA BALLERINI/Homecoming Queen? (Black River) 1453
LUKE COMBS/Even Though I'm Leaving (River House/Columbia) 704
DIERKS BENTLEY/Living (Capitol) 682
LUKE BRYAN/Knockin' Boots (Capitol) 632
CHRIS LANE/I Don't Know About You (Big Loud) 489
B. GILBERT & L. ELL/What Happens In A Small Town (Valory) 468
THOMAS RHETT/Remember You Young (Valory) 455
INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine (Warner/WEA) 397
MATT STELL/Prayed For You (Wide Open/Records/GCE/Arista) 372
JON PARDI/Heartache Medication (Capitol) 360
Country Aircheck Top Point GainersKELSEA BALLERINI/Homecoming Queen? (Black River) 4828 ✔DIERKS BENTLEY/Living (Capitol) 2582 ✔LUKE BRYAN/Knockin' Boots (Capitol) 2506 ✔LUKE COMBS/Even Though I'm Leaving (River House/Columbia) 2262 ✔CHRIS LANE/I Don't Know About You (Big Loud) 1549 ✔B. GILBERT & L. ELL/What Happens In A Small Town (Valory) 1501
THOMAS RHETT/Remember You Young (Valory) 1319
INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine (Warner/WEA) 1246
RUSSELL DICKERSON/Every Little Thing (Triple Tigers) 1179
DUSTIN LYNCH/Ridin' Roads (Broken Bow) 1170
Activator Top Spin GainersDIERKS BENTLEY/Living (Capitol) 217
LUKE COMBS/Even Though I'm Leaving (River House/Columbia) 210
Brett Young The Acoustic Sessions (BMLGR)The collection features five tracks co-written by Young from his sophomore release, Ticket To L.A., including singles “Here Tonight” and “Catch.”
George Strait Strait Out Of The Box: Part 1 (MCA)The 72-track re-issue of 1995’s Strait Out of the Box: Part 1 focuses on Strait’s early recording career and boasts 31 No. 1 singles, including “You Look So Good in Love,” “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” and “Check Yes or No.”
Sept. 20Zac Brown Band The Owl (BMG)Riley Green Different Round Here (BMLGR)
Sept. 27Jon Pardi Heartache Medication (Capitol)
MICHAEL RAY/Her World Or Mine (Warner/WEA) Remains at 45* 2,457 points, 738 spins 1 add: WBUL
KING CALAWAY/World For Two (Stoney Creek) Remains at 46* 2,339 points, 797 spins 1 add: WBCT
CHASE RICE/Lonely If You Are (Dack Janiels/Broken Bow) Remains at 47* 2,069 points, 652 spins 3 adds: KTST, WAVW, WGNA
September 16NOAH SCHNACKY/I’ll Be The One (Big Machine) LITTLE BIG TOWN/Over Drinking (Capitol)JASON ALDEAN/We Back (Macon Music/Broken Bow)
September 23B. RAY CYRUS & J. MCGUIRE/Chevys and Fords (Wheelhouse)CHRIS YOUNG/Drowning (RCA)ASHLEY MCBRYDE/One Night Standards (Warner/WAR)FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Blessings (BMLGR)
September 30TENILLE TOWNES/Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking) (Columbia)CJ SOLAR/Coming My Way (Sea Gayle)