February 26, 2015, Issue 2 Powered by Country Aircheck

Group Hug: CRS 2015 Opening Ceremonies guests (l-r) Artist Humanitarian honorees Lady Antebellum, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, keynote speaker Todd Wagner and CRB/CRS Exec. Dir. Bill Mayne.

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Open Says A Me CRB Board Chair Charlie Morgan welcomed, Capitol’s Mickey Guyton sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean urged the crowd to “spend lots of money” and CRS 2016’s new site, Nashville’s Omni Hotel, was previewed. Scholarships were presented to three first-time CRS attendees, as well as a $25,000 endowment to the University of North Texas’ broadcasting program. Attendees weren’t the only ones adjusting to CRS 2015’s later-than-usual start. “Good morning,” said CRS Exec. Dir. Bill Mayne, not long after the 3pm start of Opening Ceremonies Wednesday (2/25). That lighter moment soon gave way to sentiment, as Mayne presented the qualifications of Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award recipient and Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan. “Thank you, CRS, for all you do for the radio industry and country music,” Smulyan said. “And also thanks to the people at Emmis ... it’s been a wonderful journey. I am deeply humbled.” Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood surprised the crowd to reveal the 2015 Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees, who will be honored at the Omni June 24. “You already said that,” Yearwood told Brooks at one point, coaching him through the script. Her husband bantered, “It’s the same way at home.” The inductees, as revealed earlier via Country Aircheck Breaking News, are KBEQ/Kansas City PD/morning host Mike Kennedy, consultant Joel Raab, KAJA/San Antonio

morning host Randy Carroll, WMIL/Milwaukee morning co-host Karen Dalessandro and former Clear Channel/Chattanooga, TN GM Sammy George. Lady Antebellum were honored with the Artist Humanitarian Award. “You guys have led by example,” noted Charles Kelley. “Starting out, we got to be involved in so many St. Jude Radiothons. The Country radio community as a whole has taught us as artists how to give back.” Fisher House President Dave Coker explained his organization’s sponsorship by saying, “We’ve learned that

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one of the most effective ways we can connect the public with our program is through radio. I’m grateful for this opportunity to thank you for all you do to tell our story.”

Key Of A Billion Notes Digital business mogul, philanthropist and Chideo founder Todd Wagner, interviewed by Morgan, discussed the entrepreneurial spirit. First and foremost, he looks for those who swim far enough away from safety they can’t get back. “You have to really be at risk,” he said. “To have any chance, you have to have ... fear of failure that’s incredibly high and motivating.” That notion is one that gives him hope. “You can’t copy the entrepreneurial spirit that exists in this country,” he said. “Even though I know for a few years it’s seemed like [the future was] turning away from America, I just don’t believe that. This is the country of innovators and dreamers, and I mean that in the best way.” He encouraged employees to take those risks in the proper venue. “I get incredible ideas from the people around me,” he said. Wagner also urged managers to create safety for employee ideas. “People will talk among themselves, but don’t always want to say it to the boss,” he said. “My job is always to be poking and asking ... getting to the root of the problem. I know everything’s not great, so tell me what’s going on.”

Other topics included: -Humble beginnings: “Mark [Cuban] and I in his upstairs bedroom with an ISDN line and a 486 Packard Bell computer. We had a radio connected and I walked out to go to the bathroom and kicked over the radio. Mark screams, ‘We’re off the Internet!’” -Going public – “Every time Lou Dobbs said Broadcast.com, we did a shot.” -Learning not to say “a little more than $5 billion”: “A person came up right after my speech and said, ‘Todd, don’t ever round off by hundreds of millions. It’s 5.7.’” -The radio industry: “It’s very similar to the movie theater industry. It’s got to work harder than it used to – we have to earn people’s business every day. I don’t think it’s going anywhere.”

A&O&B On Time Albright & O’Malley & Brenner’s 2015 Pre-CRS Seminar touched on boosting radio’s share of ad buys, changes and challenges in the music industry, gaining listener loyalty through social media and creating content. Some takeaways from the Roadmap Study: - Of 11,573 mostly P1 respondents in 67 U.S. and Canada markets, 80% are very satisfied with Country radio, up from 71.8% last year. - Of the two percent “not satisfied,” the top three reasons stayed the same from 2014: song repetition, too many commercials and too much new music. - In the U.S., 40% of respondents say they’ve discovered a new act they really like from their local station, and 43% in Canada said the same. That’s a decline from last year. - The most listening still happens on the car radio. - Facebook is still the leading social media platform, used by more than 80% of respondents, compared to Pinterest at 17%, followed by Instagram and then Twitter. United States of Stations: Max Media/Norfolk MM Dave Paulus, whose oversight includes Country WGH, described a project in which five market GMs worked together to build radio’s piece of the advertising pie. “This was not a ‘rah rah radio’ session,” Paulus said. “It was a legitimate session to help advertisers. The theme was using radio to enhance digital.” Paulus offered five suggestions for other markets: take a deep breath and be patient; find a marketplace partner that believes in the cause; find an objective presenter and don’t make it all about radio; don’t let the urgent replace the important – stay committed to the project no matter what else comes up; and drink heavily.

Good Paneling: Panelists from Albright & O’Malley & Brenner’s 2015 Pre-CRS Seminar Wednesday (2/25). Pictured (l-r) are Nielsen Entertainment’s Josh Bennett, Jacobs Media’s Lori Lewis, A&O&B’s Mike O’Malley and Becky Brenner and Max Media/Norfolk’s Dave Paulus. Keynote speaker Jim Ed Norman is not pictured.

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Norman Rocks Well: Curb CEO Jim Ed Norman pointed out that along with the positive growth he’s seen in his 40 years in the music business, there has also been a counter. The digital revolution has given more artists access, but that means more people fighting for a limited amount of space. “We have to change the notion that we’re just making three-minute vignettes,” he says. “We’re trying to find and develop artists. “You’re dealing with a tremendous amount of competency,” added Norman. “But this business is a notch above that. Our job is to come up with music people love and are enthralled by.” Norman said you can do anything but you can’t do everything. When asked for multitasking tips, he pulled out a note card and recited Paulus’ five. Social Proportion: Jacobs Media’s Lori Lewis said the most important part of social media is making sure the product is right. Once that’s in place, it’s all about how you treat the fans, not how often or what time you post. She pointed to the misconception that more followers equals brand impact. “It’s a vanity metric,” she said. Lewis said stations should study the things that get a response and do more of those. She also suggested using the fans’ language. For example, Facebook is used more to connect with family and friends, and Twitter is for following celebrities. Speak in their language and be relatable to increase their loyalty to your station. Acting The Part: O’Malley’s daughter Christie O’Malley chimed in via Facetime, with tips from her acting and improv experience on creating content by using what’s around you. Her steps included gathering information and exaggerating facts to make them funny. How do you know when a bit is over? She says ask yourself: If you stopped right now and ran off the stage, would the audience applaud?

Oom Poppa Mow Mow As the Grand Ole Opry celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, stars including Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Eli Young Band and The Oak Ridge Boys demonstrated how the institution endures. After opening remarks from WSM-AM/Nashville morning man and Opry announcer Bill Cody, Mickey Guyton started “Why Baby Why.” Chase Bryant was next with “Change Your Name” and “Take It On Back.” EYB brought “Crazy Girl” and “Drunk Last Night,” and RaeLynn delivered “God Made Girls,” among others. Relaxed and confident Curb newcomer Mo Pitney sang “Country” before hushing the room with “Clean Up On Aisle Five.” After “Bartender,” Lady A closed the night with “One Great Mystery.” Especially noteworthy performances were Guyton’s “Better Than You Left Me” and Brice’s always-moving “I Drive Your Truck,” prefaced with praise for the military. And the crowd was most definitely on fire for the Oaks’ “Elvira.” Bass man Richard Sterban may have rattled every bone in the place.

The Day Ahead Here’s an all-in look at CRS 2015 proceedings forThursday, Feb. 26:

8amProgramming Mentoring BreakfastKen Boesen, Michael Bryan, Grover Collins, Charlie Cook, Shelly Easton, Ed Hill, Clay Hunnicutt, Phil Hunt, Buzz Jackson, Jeff Kapugi, Bruce Logan, Mike Moore, Brian WrightNCC, Level 1, Room 108

Mickey Guyton

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9amIncreasing Your Resilience & Performance with EQ (Emotional Intelligence) with Lori AddicksNCC, Level 2, Rooms 204-205

10amState of the Music: When a Style Becomes a MovementLon Helton (moderator), Becky Brenner, Nate Deaton, Shelly Easton, Jon Miller, Tori NugentNCC, Level 2, Room 206

10am How 3 Become 1: Lady AntebellumTom Roland (interviewer)NCC, Level 2, Rooms 204-205

11amCRS Research Presentation: Do Mornings Still Drive Country Radio? Sponsored by Fisher House FoundationLarry Rosin, Megan LazovickNCC, Level 2, Rooms 204-205

12pmUMG Lunch and PerformanceBilly Currington, Brothers Osborne, Canaan Smith, Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, David Nail, Dierks Bentley, Easton Corbin, Eric Church, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Little Big Town, Mickey Guyton, Vince GillRyman Auditorium

2pmDirect from the Consumer Electronics Show: Coolest Gadgets & Gizmos for 2015Ted Cohen, Thomas MeyerNCC, Level 2, Rooms 204-205

2pmHow to Move People in Order to Movethe NeedleGregg Lindahl (moderator), Christy Amador, Suzanne Durham, Alex Restrepo, Brian ThomasNCC, Level 2, Room 206

2pmHow to Use Real-Time Research to Think Like Your Target MarketDan Halyburton (moderator), Daniel Anstandig, David Bakula, Joseph Cacciola, Jeremy HolleyNCC, Level 2, Rooms 209 - 210

3pmGet Your Unfair Share of the Digital Pie: Secrets of Top AEs in Digital SalesBeverlee Brannigan (moderator), Kevin Epps, Kelly LeClair, Diane Williams NCC, Level 2, 208

3pmWant a Winning Team? Get a Killer Coach Erica Farber, Gator Harrison, Doug Montgomery, Tim Richards, Brian WrightSponsored by The Mix GroupNCC, Level 2, Rooms 204-205

3pmCMA 101: Three Ways CMA Can Help Your Station Maximize ExposureNCC, Level 2, Room 209-210

3pmFrom Zero to Hero: Successful Promotions with No BudgetLon Helton (moderator), Jessica Beattie, Jessica Brown, Bob Leighton, JoJamie HahrNCC, Level 2, Room 206

4pmGen-Setters: 18-34 Listener Trends & How They Will Shape Our FutureDan Halyburton (moderator), Andrew Cohen, J.R. Schumann, Tom Webster, Ellen SuttonNCC, Level 2, Rooms 206

4pmThe Power of the Connected CarChris Barker (moderator), Derek Kuhn, Paul Brenner, Joel Hoffmann, John EllisNCC, Level 2, Rooms 204-205

6pmAnnual Sony Nashville Boat Show & Dinner Cruise (invite only)General Jackson Boat DockRiverfront Taxi Dock (1st & Broadway)

7pmBob Kingsley’s Acoustic AlleyBob DiPiero, Michael Carter, Rhett Akins, JT Harding, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite, Chris DeStefano, Jimmy Robbins, Liz Rose, Caitlyn Smith, Nicolle Galyon, Lori McKenna, Hillary LindseyRenaissance Belmont Room

9pmSpin Doctors Music Group Thursday Night Throwdown featuring a Tribute to Billy BlockTen Mile Creek, Jeremy Staubus, Justin McCorkle, Greg Shirley, Iron Cowboy, Kayla Calabrese, New Black Seven, Chris Dags, Angel Mary & The Tennessee Werewolves, Presley & Taylor Hard Rock Cafe (100 Broadway)

10pmSamantha Landrum Showcase Presented by Reviver Records Renaissance Fisk Ballroom

10:30pmStriking Matches ShowcaseACME Feed & Seed Penthouse (Broadway & 1st Ave. S)

12amBlackjack Billy ShowcasePresented by Reviver RecordsRenaissance Fisk Ballroom