What's Hot and What's Not - May Edition

Hot...

It’s all about the color green this month!

Expect moviegoers to shell out the greenbacks to see that friendly green ogre...Shrek the Third as well as “going green” [environmentally] are what's hot this month!

The third installment of Pirates of the Caribbean follows closely behind (and rates particularly high among 18-34 year olds), while women cite babydoll tops as the hottest summer fashion.

Not?

Espadrilles…although women are a little more amenable to this trend, 75% of consumers overall are shying away from this summer sandal style.

BIG American Idol Prediction: Among those watching the show, 45.6% predict Melinda Doolittle will take home the top prize, while Jordin Sparks will likely be runner-up (22.0%).

KWNR's Brooks O'Brian Sings Soprano

Country Aircheck reports: HBO's acclaimed series The Sopranos draws to a close this season, but not before one of Country radio's own gets a quick vocal cameo.

"Out of the blue one day I got an e-mail from the production crew asking if they could use a 'station ID' as a way to show what city Tony is in (obviously they won't be on the strip!). So of course I used my voice and they liked it. Don't blink or look away because it's quick, but hey it's my three seconds of fame. I know the scene it will be used in but don't want to be a spoiler so I'll just say that it is the last scene of the show before the credits roll. And how about this: I won't even get to see it in real time because I'll be immersed in ACM events here in Vegas. But the TiVo is set to record!"

The "Y" In Y-98 Is The Same One Used In K-E-L-L-Y (At Least It Is In St. Louis)

A very clever and timely stunt by KEZK & KYKY/St. Louis PD Mark Edwards' crew: KYKY - KELLY

Have You Checked To See If Your Station Is On "Yes.com?"

Smile, you are being monitored (commercials too, in many cases)!

Yes.com's mission: "Turning broadcasts into communities allowing audiences to interact with 2,600+ radio stations."

It looks to me like they use Mediaguide as their source for immediate monitors in real time. Now, monitoring your competition just got even easier.

New Book Names Top 100 Country Music Fan Clubs

Writer Amy Jordan, offers an inside look at America’s top country music artists and their fan clubs, including superstar entertainers like Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, George Strait and Rascal Flatts.

Each listing includes free stuff like music, download and photos that fans can get without joining a club.

The top 100 are named alphabetically from Trace Adkins to Trisha Yearwood. The book includes perennial favorites with informal clubs like Garth Brooks and Reba, along with newcomers like American Idol Carrie Underwood and The Wreckers.

Among the book’s more controversial picks is the Dixie Chicks, whose comments about President Bush and the war in Iraq have become a lightning rod for debate in the country music community.

“Country music stands for freedom. That the Dixie Chicks are free to write songs that speak from their hearts makes the music all the more special,” Jordan said. The Dixie Chicks do not have a formal fan club but you can sign up for free email news. Free is good. And country music fan clubs offer a plethora of freebies for their fans. “Country music fan clubs are just a wonderful, secret treasure-trove for fans,” Jordan said.

Want free music and free photographs? Visit a fan club website. Want to meet your favorite country music singer? Join the fan club and you may get a meet-and-greet pass for the next concert in your town.

Country music fans can get free screensavers, photographs, newsletters and even new music online. Most new bands have street teams that can be joined for free. Or pay to join the official fan club and receive extra benefits like the chance to meet your favorite singer or autographed merchandise.

The book includes a chapter with tips on how to join a fan club. Each fan club entry includes:

• How to join and the cost
• Contact information
• Who offers backstage passes, and how many
• How to get free music, photos and autographs

Major Labels No Longer Rule Country Music?

My advice, artists, before you accept that headline as gospel: WATCH YOUR PENNIES AND PICK NOTHING BUT GREAT, GREAT SONGS!

Sarah Rodman staff writer at the Boston Globe did this story on April 15, but it just got picked up in syndication today. Unfortunately, that timing means that the story which is appearing today in papers like the Chicago Trib misses an important detail: the end of "903."

Pam Tillis joins a growing number of artists, both established and brand new, who in the past few years have decided to bypass the major labels in favor of independents, with the creative freedom and often more equitable financial arrangements they can offer. What's surprising about this trend is that Nashville and country radio seem to be accepting these indie upstarts, breaking the decades-old chokehold the majors have had on playlists and offering a wider variety of options to listeners. The names include up-and-comers such as Taylor Swift (who is on Big Machine) and Jason Aldean (Broken Bow), artists who kicked around in the majors before corporate musical chairs left them without a seat -- Jack Ingram (Big Machine) and Little Big Town (Equity Music Group), for instance -- and hit acts who decided to strike out on their own, like Toby Keith (Show Dog Nashville). These artists and others have watched their indie singles and albums hit the Top 20, garner gold and platinum sales, and score major award nominations. That's big news for a musical genre that clings to old habits.

The Country Music Hall Of Fame Welcomes Sonny James, George Strait and Harold Bradley

The 2007 Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion ceremony was the perfect mix of laughter and tears. You can’t blame the honorees for shedding the latter—the experience of receiving the highest honor your industry can bestow is overwhelmingly emotional. During their acceptance speeches, all three men were overcome by their feelings.

For inductee Harold Bradley, the moment came when he recalled his late brother Owen. “He was like a second father to me,” said Harold, choking back tears. “Here I am, getting to go into the Hall of Fame with him. And that’s very emotional to me.”

Sonny James has always been openly emotional. He brought notes to keep himself in check, but when he came to the part about his beloved bandmembers, he lost it. “Guys, we’ve got a good sound, but we’re friends first,” he recalled saying to his men. “That’s the way it started.” The tears began to flow before he added, “And today, we’re even closer.”

Even the normally stoic George Strait trembled with emotion. “From the first time I started singing country music, I dreamed of getting in the Hall of Fame,” he said in a shaky voice. Nodding to longtime manager Erv Woolsey, he added, “Thanks, Erv, for introducing me to Jim Foglesong,” the executive who signed Strait to MCA. The singer has now been with the label longer than any of its current employees.

The ceremony, staged in the Ford Theater at the Hall of Fame on Sunday night (5/6), began with Bud Wendell’s welcoming remarks. “Your presence honors all of the members of the Country Music Hall of Fame,” he told the attendees.

-- Bobby Karl in Music Row

Toby Keith Says Rock And Roll Is Dead

Keith: Country is "America's Music"

TK has a lot of buddies in rock and roll, like Sammy Hagar and Bob Seger, but says his friends, as well as other rock legends, are looking for a new home for their style of music, and Nashville just might be the place.

"I'll probably get flamed for saying this," he tells Dial-Global, "but rock and roll is dead, and all my friends who play rock and roll have a tough time finding a market to get airtime for their projects. I'm not saying that to bash rock and roll, I'm saying that my buddies like Sam Hagar and those guys, if they put a new album out, there's no stations really. When I was a kid you'd have thought rock would have lived forever. Rock and roll was like a religion, and it's gone. Country has stayed the course, and country is America's music now. We write the lyric that means something. We are America's music."

Dunkin' Donuts Survey Says: Forget Breakfast In Bed For Mom Sunday, Let Her Sleep

As Mother's Day approaches, you may want to think twice before servingmom breakfast in bed. According to a survey, 70 percent of moms would rather sleep or have uninterrupted time to themselves than get breakfast in bed on Mother's Day.

L-A's "Go Country" Gets Off To A Nice (ARB) Start

KKGO started broadcasting country music at 1260 on the AM dial four months after KZLA rode off into the sunset, then swapped frequencies with sister KMZT, classical station K-Mozart, and took its twang to FM.

In Arbitron survey results released last week, KKGO rose from .6% of the L.A.-Orange County listening audience ages 12 and up to .8% between the last quarter of 2006 and the first three months of 2007. But, the LA Times reported yesterday in its Calendar section, the results were more dramatic than they appear: The frequency change came two-thirds of the way through the ratings period; in March alone, KKGO's first full month on FM, it registered a 1.9% audience share. That bettered the 1.7% that KZLA averaged in its last full ratings period, spring 2006.

"I'm absolutely thrilled. The country just went wild," said Saul Levine, owner of both KKGO and KMZT. "We're so delighted we made the switch."

"I think they're being overwhelmed with positive responses," said R.J. Curtis, former program director of KZLA and now country music editor of the trade publication Radio & Records. "I know the listeners are pumped. You don't know how much you love something until it's gone."

Stagecoach Draws At Most 25,000, Loses Money, But Will Be Back

Geoff Boucher of the LA Times writes: The crowd favored barbecue pits over mosh pits, and their guitar heroes wore boots and Stetsons, not sneakers and tattoos. In their campgrounds, instead of scruffy teenagers passing joints, it was a sea of shining RVs stocked with Budweiser on ice, but in terms of attendence this weekend's event wasn't even half of last week's show at the same venue.

The inaugural Stagecoach festival kicked off Saturday with George Strait, Alan Jackson and Willie Nelson on the same stages that last week held rockers such as Rage Against the Machine and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn and Emmylou Harris performed today.

But the young event will have to do some major growing to catch the three-day Coachella Music and Arts Festival. Coachella brought in 60,000 people per day. Stagecoach had failed to crack the 25,000 mark as of Saturday and probably will lose money.

"This is more like the spirit of our community and the rhythm of our community than the Coachella show," said Cindy Torrez, 40, of Indio.

Promoter Paul Tollett says that the event will be back regardless, and that he thinks it has a chance eventually to surpass its famous rock cousin.

Damage That Takes Your Breath Away

Coverage by many Kansas radio broadcasters like the Morris Radio Group cluster in Salina which makes you proud!

This Guy Has A Great Set Of Ears!

Bob Lefsetz is always a fun read and I thought I was going to dislike his latest "Letter" blog when it started off with the question "..How did country music become rock and roll?"

(Here's my answer: so that we could appeal to today's 28-49 year olds, especially 28-39. Country is a pop music format, commercial art, that has been morphing and growing since format radio was born in the 1950's, doing a more consistent job than any other format that has been around for half a century at staying in touch with 35-44 year olds, year after year, as the demo transitions.)

..BUT, then he won me over when he nominated Little Big Town’s "The Road To Here"as his pick for best album of the year so far. He REALLY won me over when he wrote: "That’s what music is, a friend. It gets you through the loneliness. We’re all just looking for something to get us through the loneliness."

Gosh, I wish he HAD gone to Stagecoach! I would have loved to read his take on it. I am sure he would have had a great time.

(PS: thanks to Dave Schneider, PD at KICX-106 for forwarding the thought-provoking article to me)

Cinqo de Mayo

On May 5, 1862, 6000 French soldiers waged battle against 2000 Mexican fighters in two forts. Though one fort was destroyed, 2000 French perished -- and the Mexicans won the Battle of Puebla. Not exactly Mexican Independence Day, this was a significant victory -- one where heart and valor bested numbers and theoretical military superiority.

As an opportunity to celebrate one's heritage and take pride in their quest for autonomy, Cinqo de Mayo is a milestone that speaks to the heroism of a humble, but hard-working people. As a reason to be festive and come together, it merges struggle with euphoria: never a bad balance to strike.

Thanks to Holly Gleason for the history lesson.

Don Anthony Wants You To Help Write A Chapter Of His New Book

Maybe you've heard. I'm writing a book called "Why People Don't Like You'- Seeing Yourself The Way Other's Do. It's based on a theory that regardless of our likable qualities, it's the negative sides of our persona--the one's we don't see as easily--that hold back our likability most.

We'd like to think we know our shortcomings? To an extent, we do. But imagine being secretly videotaped for a week and then having it played back for review: Seeing yourself the way others do: in the checkout line at the grocery store; chatting with a mechanic, a friend, a relative, a stranger, or someone you don't particularly like. We might be surprised who we would see.

One of my chapters is called "The Ultimate Jerk." I haven't written it yet and there's a reason: I want your input. Basically, I'd like for you---with no names mentioned--to describe for me one of the biggest jerks, scumbags, pricks or... major ass----s youÕve ever known. I've yet to find anyone who doesn't know at least one. With your help and many others, I'll attempt to create "The Ultimate Jerk." Perhaps you can share a short story about this person that makes it clear why they're so detestable.

Email your input to themouth@tds.net And just for legal purposes, your input acknowledges that you"re sending this free of any compensation both now or in the future. Space permitting, I will try listing your name in our credits.

Now, close your eyes and picture your ultimate jerk.

Wow, that was quick, huh?

-- Don Anthony, Talent Masters, The Morning Mouth, Morning Show Boot Camp (AND SOON), author

Food For Thought

"...the lack of women (in management) inevitably tilts and shapes one of the country's most popular and influential media....(making) it into a fortress for the male perspective, too often with all the testosterone that
implies..."

The Perks Of Monarchy

Papa John's, Crown Royal Gift Queen At Derby: Media Post's Nina M. Lentini says Queen Elizabeth II will leave the Kentucky Derby with whiskey blended from the original Canadian blend created as a gift to her parents nearly 70 years ago. Not to be outdone, Louisville-based Papa John's CEO, himself a Brit, is giving the royal family pizza for life.

Given Her Majesty's AGE, there's a joke there, but I am not gonna touch it!

Big Dog Daddy Goes Viral

Don't be surprised if a TK fan tells you about his new album, which is due out on June 3:

"Interested in winning a flyaway trip to Toby's show at Red Rocks? How about getting a limited print collectible Special Warrior Edition copy of Toby's new studio album, Big Dog Daddy by street date? How'd you like to be set for Father's Day because each CD you order comes with a special Father's Day card from Toby! How about helping to promote our favorite Big Dog, and getting rewarded for your efforts? We've put together the most incredible presale offering in TobyKeith.com's history, and we're proud to let you in on it! Not only can you get a limited print collectible Special Warrior Edition Big Dog Daddy CD, but you could find yourself (and a guest) rockin to Toby's Big Dog Daddy Tour at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado! We have all that and more at TobyKeith.com with the launch of Operation: Big Dog. "

Get a lesson in using fans to grow a brand from Toby Keith's new website. He writes a pretty compelling promo too!

Age 21-27 Prefers "Brand Simple"

Outlaw Consulting, a San Francisco research firm, concluded that Generation Y trendsetters are more drawn to brands that speak to them in a "straightforward and stripped-down way, use plain packaging, and avoid excess," says Holly Brickley, an Outlaw strategic analyst. The bottom line, concluded the survey, is that any company that is inconvenient or confusing, or that used over-designed imagery, is seen as out of touch and too "corporate."

Good news for country: our poster child artists today are absolutely authentically-talented, emotive and genuine in their personal packaging and imaging.

Challenge for country radio: can we say the same about our radio stations?

We have three to five years to get it right, if we want to involve tomorrow's 25-34 target.

Study today's most-successful country stations, many of whom are A&O clients, and you'll hear stations in the midst of aggressively reinventing themselves right now.

I'm Getting "ACM-Cited"

Now that the off-camera winners have been announced (click on the Academy Of Country Music website's news/media center for the full listing of events and activites), you know it's only a few days away! If you will be in Las Vegas, please come to our 5/14 event, cosponsored by Warner Brothers/Nashville and Country Aircheck. We'd love to see you! RSVP soon, so we have enough breakfast for you! Don't worry, our bags will be packed full of ideas and information to share...

Proportion Of Americans Who Have Purchased A CD In The Past 6 Months Falls 15% Since 2002

Half Of Americans Aged 12 And Older Purchased A CD In The Past 6 Months

Amidst continued declines in the global music industry that amount to a nearly 25% reduction since 2000, recent research from Ipsos’ TEMPO: Keeping Pace with Digital Music Behavior reveal for the first time that the proportion of Americans who have purchased CDs in the past six months has dropped approximately 15% since 2002. The study also shows that while this decrease is largely attributable to shifting consumer behaviors toward digital music acquisition methods, a majority of American Music Downloaders continue to purchase CDs by their favorite artists, and instead frequently rely on music downloading for sampling new and unfamiliar music.

Sound Codes And Perceived Variety

Ask country music radio listeners why they prefer the format over CHR, hot or soft a/c, adult hits, oldies, easy listening and their other format options and one word recurs - "variety."

A&O has been learning more about this issue of "music variety" once again in our just-completed "Road Map '07" national perceptual study. We wanted to learn what it was that country fans heard when they were listening to a station they perceived played a "good variety."

The answer, it is clear, is not radically increasing the size of your record library. Rather, it involves carefully mixing the many styles, moods, textures and types of music country stations play -- to avoid playing too many in a row of any one particular "sound."

Set up "sound codes" that go beyond merely prohibiting two of any style from playing back-to-back. Use song types. Era codes. Artist (superstar, B or C act) coding. (for more specifics on every song A&O recommends click on Mark Patric's BLOG for Music Directors).

Balance all of these things so you never play two of the same things in a row and spread out similar genres as widely as your policies, priorities, category and library size permit.

Decide how many songs per hour of each type "fits" for your sta­tion, as well as which kinds may play adjacent to which other types.

Call on Mike or me to help you implement these policies in your music system.

Hurry: A $59.95 HD Radio

Retail is $119.95, and they sold it two weeks ago for $99.95, but today they just added a rebate offer, lowering the price even more.

Now, "all" we need is some really buzz-building new formats which make the average person take notice. A&O has some ideas (we have already built today's hit country, Christian country, classic country, rockin' country (HD2) and traffic & weather together radio (HD3) for clients). But, even better, what are YOURS?

Spidie, Maytag Repairman, Rosie News

From today's "Quick Hits" email

Nominees for the MTV Movie Awards are out.

Best Movie nom's are "300";"Borat"; "Blades of Glory"; "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man'sChest"; "Little Miss Sunshine".

Sony is bringing Spider-Man 3 to 4,253 U.S. theaters Friday, the widest opening of all time for any film.

Did you catch the new Maytag repairman during American Idol Tuesday night?

He's so bored he was working on an office copier. If you missedthe news last month, the new Maytag guy is Clay Jackson, a real estateagent from Virginia.

Rosie O'Donnell says she will soon divulge her future plans intelevision.

[Word has it one of the networks is going to give her afull hour every weekday to interview various snack cakes.]

Visiting a park in Walkersville, Maryland, will mean packing your own toilet paper.

Last week, vandals set some paper on fire in a men'sbathroom at a community park so the town manager says Walkersvillewill no longer provide the TP. Sheryl Crow will be happy.

Val Gregoire's wallet has been returned -- 56 years after he lost itto a mugger.
Val died in 2003, but a Boston demolition worker returnedit to his wife recently after finding it in the wall of an oldtheatre. The wallet still contained photos, a copy of his birthcertificate and an Armed Forces Liberty Pass from April 11, 1951.

To SUBSCRIBE to Steve Holstein's (free) "InterPrep Quick Hits": Send an email to interprep-subscribe@googlegroups.com. You will be asked to reply to a confirmation email.

Keith Cancels England Show

Keith Urban canceled a show in Manchester, England, Saturday night April 28, citing voice problems. Dick Shuey's Twangtown USA reports Keith was scheduled to perform at Manchester Academy and the Manchester Evening News on its website says that Urban pulled out at the last minute because he had “lost his voice.” Fans were not told that the show was canceled until they arrived at the venue. Promoters say that tickets for the canceled date will be valid for Keith’s October show at the Manchester Apollo, while fans who cannot attend that performance can receive a refund. Keith’s next scheduled tour date is May 11 in Brisbane, Australia.

I suppose anytime an friend has spent time in rehab even their closest adherents worry when (possible lapses?) things like this happen. Let's hold onto hope that what sounds like an excuse IS indeed a REASON and that voice gets better fast.

Deana Carter Headlines University Of Tennessee Commencement Celebration

Carter, a U-T alumna, will perform May 9th in the Humanities amphitheater. Mixed with her songs, Carter will talk about her memories of U-T.

A university-wide commencement ceremony will not be held this year because of ongoing renovation in Thompson-Boling Arena. Individual colleges will hold their own ceremonies, and a committee of students and staff planned the kickoff event.

First PPM Results Reveal Ethnic Variations

Erik Sass reports AFRICAN-AMERICANS LISTEN TO RADIO MORE frequently and for longer periods of time than other ethnic groups, according to data released last Friday by Arbitron.

That finding is part of the first "currency" radio ratings in the Philadelphia area, based on results from its Portable People Meter, a passive electronic measurement device. The ratings, covering March 8-April 4, revealed that 9.4% of African-Americans over the age of 6 were listening to the radio during an average quarter-hour measurement period, as compared with 9.1% of the overall radio market.

African-Americans also listened to the radio for a longer period of time, on average, than the population at large: They averaged 12 hours of listening a week, versus 11.5 hours for the total population. Interestingly, the Arbitron data shows that Hispanics listened to radio less than the population at large, on average, with 8.6% of Hispanics surveyed listening during an average quarter hour, and a total average listening time of 11 hours.

Could this hurt country? Not so far, it seems, since WXTU is also doing VERY well in the Philly PPM data (their cume almost doubles and XTU ranks #6 in 12+ share, trending 3.7-5.5)! Radio as a whole has greater reach (96% of persons 6+), but much lower Time Spent Listening -- including among African-Americans and Hispanics, according to the ARB PR), so let's suspend judgment for a bit until we've seen these 'facts' replicated consistently over the next two years, since a change in the panel sample could radically change the results and the average panelist lasts about six months.

When Consumers Create Their Own Survey

BIGresearch found out exactly what happens with their second annual Voice of the People Survey and it appears many are in need of a good night’s sleep as only 24.2% said they get their required eight hours or more a night. A higher percentage of women said they got eight or more hours of sleep a night than did men (25.6% vs. 22.8%). People over the age of 55 had the highest percentage (27.7%) of those who got eight or more hours of sleep, while 35-54 year olds were the most sleep deprived.

All of the questions in the survey were submitted by Respondents from BIGresearch’s monthly Consumer Intentions & Actions (CIA) Survey Panel. “The Voice of the People Survey is designed to be a fun survey that allows Respondents to conceive questions that may be of interest to them or simply something light that they want to gauge how others may answer,” said Gary Drenik, President & CEO of BIGresearch.

Some of the other questions asked include:

Do you believe the Government has alien technology that can be used to reduce our dependence on foreign oil?
Yes 30.2%
No 35.4%
I don’t know 34.4%

When you retire, what will go first?
You 36.0%
Your money 64.0%
Do you feel people like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan are corrupting the morals of today’s youth?
Not at all 2.7%
Not really 13.4%
Undecided 9.1%
Somewhat 33.3%
Very much 41.5%
Is there too much technology in your life?
Yes 13.4%
No 54.4%
Just right 32.2%

When asked the write-in question, “Which national TV news anchor is the most biased?” Katie Couric took the top spot with 7% saying she’s the most biased. Fox News was cited as the most biased national news network with 39.6% saying so.

To view the complete Voice of the People report and other BIGresearch samples, click on Complimentary Top Line Findings or contact Phil Rist at (614) 846-0146.

Acts Of Courage Are All Around Us

.. like this one, which not only made me smile, but also made me very proud.

"I understand that I am not the only one in transition as I move from Mike to Christine. Everyone who knows me and my work will be transitioning as well. That will take time. And that's all right. To borrow a piece of well-worn sports parlance, we will take it one day at a time. Painfully and reluctantly, I began the coming-out process a few months ago. To my everlasting amazement, friends and colleagues almost universally have been supportive and encouraging, often breaking the tension with good-natured doses of humor. When I told my boss Randy Harvey, he leaned back in his chair, looked through his office window to scan the newsroom and mused, 'Well, no one can ever say we don't have diversity on this staff.'"

- LA Times sports writer Christine Daniels (the former Mike Penner)

I hope it goes as well for Christine as is has for me.

This, I have learned: the vast majority of people are so wonderfully supportive and generous, but of course there are no guarantees.

Coming out about anything personal is always a huge risk.

Reading this revelation made me remember that maybe it's been too long since I have said THANKS to you .. and so many others in the music, country and radio businesses who have simply been amazingly kind to me.

I am confident that Christine will find the same level of acceptance from her readers and industry I have from mine (making me a poster child for carpe diem)!

Moving? Almost HALF Disconnect Their "Land Line" Phone

This is the bigger problem for ARB (and other researchers) than the end of the E-diary:

According to Telephia's Total Communications Survey for Q4 2006, recent movers--those who have moved residences in the past year--are more likely to subscribe to a home phone service from a cable MSO, mobile carrier or VoIP provider. Overall, 49 percent of households who have moved recently have chosen non-traditional residential phone options. Twenty-five percent have opted for wireless only; thirteen percent have chosen a cable phone option; and six percent have switched to a VoIP phone service.

ARB's E-Diary Hurts Response Rates

Inside Radio reports:

Arbitron calls a screeching halt to the “eDiary.” The idea seemed like a natural – give diarykeepers the option of notating their listening online. But Arbitron says eDiary – just introduced in the Winter book – “appears to have a negative impact on return rate.” They’re suspending its use and say they caught the problem in time to put out more sample for Phase III.

Albright & O'Malley's "Roadmap '07" study of 9,348 country listeners which was conducted in February estimated that 21.7% of country listeners "have ever participated in a survey of radio listenership where you had to either keep track of your listening on paper, or online or where you had to recall your listening habits on the phone."

* 21.4% "liked" the experience, 6.9% "loved" it.

* 6.3% "hated" it, 20.1% "didn't like it but didn't hate it."

* 45.3% had no opinion, positive or negative on the experience of reporting their radio listening.

In our survey, which was conducted online to A&O client station databases, so not surprisingly 19% of respondents said they would be very interested in keeping track of their radio listening online. But, very close behind at 17% was a paper diary and at 16% by a pager-like device.

Of course, it would have been very nice had the online diary improved response rates for our sample of country radio listeners, but it doesn't appear that the loss of the web diary will negatively impact our audience's participation in either paper diary surveys or portable metered ratings.

Montgomery Gentry Coming To West Point

West Point’s Eisenhower Hall Theatre will present Montgomery Gentry at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 6.

One Hundred Forty Bucks a Pop, for Mom

According to the National Retail Federation's 2007 Mother's Day Consumer Actions and Intentions survey, consumers plan to spend $15.73 billion This Mother's Day, spending an average of $139.14 on the holiday compared to last year's $122.16.

The study found 84.5% of consumers plan to celebrate this year by spending:

-$1.6 billion on clothes and accessories (37.0%)
-$2.1 billion on jewelry (32.8%)
-$2.3 billion on flowers (72.4%)
-$3.1 billion on a special dinner or brunch at their favorite restaurant (61.0%)
-$1.3 billion on a trip to the spa or beauty salon (19.7%)

NRF President and CEO, Tracy Mullin, said

"For mom, it's the thought that counts..."

Yes, I Know It's Going To Be Expensive To Stream

But, take a look at these stats from Dave Van Dyke at Bridge Ratings and ask yourself: what's the ALTERNATIVE?

Rosanne Cash: “I can buy you a drink, also - and tell the truth!”

Rosanne Cash and Kris Kristofferon in bar, arguing about the check. It sounds like a joke, but it's real -- and she was making the point that just because she inducted him (very eloquently, in fact), her wish to honor him extends beyond tribute. One doesn't preclude the other… and how often in celebration, does it turn to a tug-of-war? Just because I see you as you are, honor you for being special, it doesn't mean I can't fete you as well. Indeed, it doesn't indict what I said -- but is merely an adjunct... an exercise in action backing the words that've been uttered. Don't ever let upside down agendas steal that pleasure from you. Though in this case, the legend won.

-- Holly Gleason (email her if you'd like her entire, delicious "Yummy List" email)

Jimmy Wayne Update

Wayne has been working on his sophomore release for several months; tracks are being produced by both Mark Bright & Nathan Chapman. Jimmy noted both producers bring something unique to the table:

“Being in the studio with a producer like Mark was awesome. He's very smart and musical. He knows exactly what he wants. He has a style. And Nathan Chapman is new. His excitement level is astronomical. He's fun to be around, like and old soul. He's very creative and fearless…Nathan has a style as well. The outcome is very satisfying.”

John Zarling reports Jimmy can’t wait for fans to hear the outcome, but in the meantime, 2003’s most played new artist is giving back to numerous charities. He was the featured performer at the Southern Oregon Inaugural Autism Gala on April 13th, which was held at the Rogue Valley Country Club in Medford, Oregon.

PS to air personalities from Jaye Albright: the above quote, while very fascinating to those of us in the music biz is exactly the kind of statement from an artist I'd say you should never, ever use on the air. For me, it completely fails the 'who cares' test.

Jimmy Wayne's name is barely familiar, so why link it on the air with Nashville insiders listeners know nothing about?

A better bet, if you want to mention Jimmy on the air before he has anything new you can play is to talk about his former hit songs listeners may know and like, or mention where he's going to be playing, if it happens to be in your area.

Winning content relates to your listener's life, 100% of the time.

The 24th Annual International Country Music Conference

What a treasure Jeff Walker is for country music, not just in the USA, but also around the world: The seminar will provide an informative and entertaining mix of educational panels and discussions of great historical interest to fans of Country Music in the Massey Board Room at Belmont University, May 24th-26th, 2007. ICMC will kick-off on Thursday, May 24th at 2:00 pm.

Over the course of the day, there will be eight panels including: "Mountain Religion in the Music of Ralph Stanley," "The Songs, The Stories, The Changes: Songwriting in Nashville: 1958-2001," and "Teaching the Vietnam War: Aussie Country Music and the Battle of Long Van." The day will conclude with a keynote presentation entitled "

A 50th Anniversary Special: RCA Studio B" and will feature legendary guitarist Harold Bradley.

Music Row: Urban, Chesney Tour News

Keith Urban opened his Love, Pain & the whole crazy World Tour last night (4/19) before a standing room only crowd at Tonhalle Hall in Munich, Germany. He played for more than two hours, running through hits, new songs, and even give a rare performance of one of his earliest fan favorites, “You Won,” at the special request of a young Austrian woman that Urban met via The Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The first installment of the new GAC series, Kenny Chesney: The Making of the Flip Flop Summer Tour, will air tomorrow, April 21 at 8 p.m. CT on Great American Country. Cameramen shot over 150 hours of video and 2,500 still photos as they followed Chesney and his crew through more than six months of planning for the new tour.

Stations Across The Nation Will Be Going Silent At Noon ET Today

Hopefully, you will be among them. A suggested script is now circulating on the internet:

"At noon Eastern Time today, bells will toll across the nation in memory of the students and faculty killed at Virginia Tech. At that time (YOUR STATION) will join radio stations across the country for 32-seconds of silence in memory ofthe 32 killed. Join us at (local time) as we pause to honor and remember thestudents and faculty of Virginia Tech."

Fox's "Idol," "House" Dominate Tuesday Prime

FOX'S TAG TEAM OF "AMERICAN Idol" and "House" continues to dominate Tuesdays. If there is a chink in the "Idol" armor, it comes from its 10% to 12% lower ratings, versus its effort against the same episode of a year ago. "Idol" earned a 9.9 rating/27 share among adults 18-49 viewers.

The better news for Fox is its still ascending show, "House," which nearly matched "Idol" numbers, earning a 9.1/22 in 18-49. Plus, the "House" that Hugh Laurie built was closer to "Idol" on the younger demos, adults 18-34, where it earned a 8.4 rating, compared to the 8.5 from "Idol."

All this overwhelmed the rest of the network lineup on Tuesday night, with Fox earning a 9.5/25.

New Study: Digital Platforms Continue to Extend Radio Beyond the AM/FM Dial

Listening to AM/FM radio stays strong despite growing use of digital audio platforms. Thank you, ARB, we "knew" it of course, but it's also true that we needed this!

“Broadcasters should promote the vitality of over-the-air radio,” said Bill Rose, senior vice president, Marketing, Arbitron Inc. “On a weekly basis, AM/FM radio is used by the overwhelming majority of Americans, and it continues to have a big impact on the lives of consumers. In addition, the widely held perception that people who use new digital platforms listen less to over-the-air radio is false. In fact, users of digital radio platforms spend just as much time listening to over-the-air radio as the average consumer.”

Carrie Underwood Is #1 Star

American Idol season four winner CARRIE UNDERWOOD is currently Yahoo's most-searched-for country singer. Carrie holds a commanding lead, earning twice as much search buzz as TIM MCGRAW.

The Top 20 searched-for country artists on Yahoo right now are:
1. Carrie Underwood
2. Tim McGraw
3. Rascal Flatts
4. Taylor Swift
5. Kenny Chesney
6. Johnny Cash
7. Keith Urban
8. Dixie Chicks
9. Martina McBride
10. Faith Hill
11. Sara Evans
12. Reba McEntire
13. Garth Brooks
14. Brooks and Dunn
15. Dolly Parton
16. Big and Rich
17. Josh Turner
18. Sheryl Crow
19. Gretchen Wilson
20. LeAnn Rimes

Look at all those females! "Search buzz," eh? You won't see that on any local country station's research on its listeners preferences for radio airplay. This listing says more about Yahoo than it does about who's really hot in country music, of course, but I sure do agree that Carrie is a star, no doubt!

It's About Time

The fact that Don Imus had to get fired for something like this to happen is too bad, but it's good to see that some in the African American community's consciousness seemingly has been raised too: Jackson Radio Station Bans Offensive Music:

"Hot 97.7, a hip-hop station, is taking a closer look at what they put out over the airwaves. Their goal is to eliminate anything that would be offensive to listeners, whether it's violent, sexist, or racist. Station G.M Terrill Weiss says, "It's art; I understant it's art, but the message sometimes is so negative that young people listening to that music get the impression that it's acceptable to use that kind of language, and to have those kinds of attributes, and we don't want to perpretrate that."

The station's entire playlists will have to be re-vamped, every song's lyrics examined to deterimine if it's acceptable to hit the air. Anything deemed too hard or offensive will be banned. That goes for syndicated programming, too. Weiss says, "We're looking at that right now -- whether or not we can continue with Russ Parr, because he tends to use some of that shock value on air, and we don't want him to represent us that way."

- David Kenney, WLBT-3 TV

Interprep Quick Hits

Have you subscribed to Steve Holstein's free daily email yet? Here's today's:

The Norman campus of the University of Oklahoma had a scary situationTuesday morning and went to a campus-wide lockdown. But before lunchtime the lockdown was lifted and officials issued a statement attributing it to a yoga mat mistaken for a weapon. Turns out it wasn't a yoga mat -- it was an umbrella.

The Washington Post calls them "grief profiteers" -- people who register domain names that tie in with tragedy. Already a number ofVirginia Tech massacre domains have been purchased.

Today is Pet Owners Independence Day. Dog and cat owners take the day off from work and the pets go to work in their place.

How's this for an insult: Sanjaya (American Idol) was Maxim magazine's online Girl of the Day Tuesday at MaximOnline.com.

Ideas For Tomorrow's Shows

What are some possible ideas, topics for the show tomorrow in light of the tragedy at Virginia Tech? I've been talking with my radio buddies around the country and we've been sharing ideas and numbers.

1. Right now I'm contacting all the local colleges in Houston and either having them on tomorrow to talk about what precautions they are taking so this doesn't happen here, or having them at least send me a press release.

2. Let the high school kids and college kids talk to us on the show. Let the kids be the focus and let them talk, talk, talk.

3. We are tracking down people who witnessed the event and hopefully we'll be talking to them tomorrow morning.

4. Besides all the national audio for tomorrow we need local audio. Get this from the local TV stations' websites, Newspaper, etc.

5. Track down people who lived through this at Columbine to let us know what these people are going through. The Anniversary for Columbine is next week.

6. This is always a good time to get a Pastor type that is known in your city to talk to the show and spread some positives thoughts to everybody.

6. Did I mention let the kids talk about this awful tragedy?

-- Eric Rowe, Executive Producer, The Roula and Ryan Show, 104.1 KRBE, Houston, TX

Phone Topic: Webkinz, Good? Or, BAD?

There's lots of ink on the topic right now:

Pet Project, Latest toy craze is over Webkinz, Is the Webkinz Craze Bad for Kids?, Call it MySpace for tots, A very young generation finds home on Internet (LAT-WP), Webkinz Craze.

To me, they are simply the Cabbage Patch dolls of 2007. Am I wrong?

What’s NOT Hot: Fashions Going To The Dogs

Call me silly, but I always find something to talk about in the monthly consumer trend report from this online researcher, which reports on what's HOT:

"...audiences have declared soon-to-be-released Spiderman 3, The Apple iPhone is also highly anticipated, Dancing with the Stars is trotting up ratings with females, while men are getting a kick out Will Ferrell."

What’s Not?

"Dressing up your pet…consumers agree these fashion offenders should be sent straight to the pound."

Imus Fallout For Media Marketers: Janet Jackson Chill Will Turn Icy

Fortunately, the country format is not one where as MediaPost's Wayne Friedman posits

"Most of the media gains success by being edgy -- from FX to cable news shows. Time magazine recently reminded us that for Bill O'Reilly on Fox or Glenn Beck on CNN, "offense is the coin of the cable realm." What would happen if advertisers believed that someone was unfairly targeted, that someone's reputation was hurt?"

.. but his media critique is still worthy of a read and serious thought! Dittos with the comments of Edison Research's Sean Ross:

"Maybe the most disheartening thing about the comments that led to Don Imus' firing yesterday is that for most people who spend any time with Talk radio or edgy high-profile morning shows, those comments weren't the worst thing they'd ever heard on the radio.Imus' comments were inexcusable, but they weren't unusual... If anything positive is to come from the Imus controversy in the long run, it is that PDs, GMs, and owners must instill and reinforce a policy of "first do no harm to the audience" and make very clear that they mean to the whole audience, not just those in the target demo. Air talent will always make mistakes, but an ongoing series of deliberate provocations is different from an unfortunate stray remark. And so much recent content has been more insidious because it so often reflects not even a personality's true beliefs, but a calculated desire for publicity and an inability to get it without choosing to hurt others. If all of that were gone, we would all have a better chance of moving forward together."

Cleveland Plain Dealer: "The New Face Of Country Music"

"Tune in KISS-FM for a spell and you're likely to hear country megastars Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood sandwiched around MTV pop queen Gwen Stefani and the alt hip-hop of Gym Class Heroes. What was once as odd as mixing Skoal with Bazooka Joe isn't anymore. "Our job is to play the hits, no matter where they come from," says WAKS FM/96.5 program director Bo Matthews. As it turns out, more and more pop hits are coming from
country."

-- Plain Dealer Reporter Bill Lubinger has spent the past few week's looking into the new, fresh face of Nashville, which has to make A&O pals at Clear Channel/Cleveland, OM Kevin Metheny and new WGAR PD Brian Jennings very happy indeed .. (I, too, am loving all of the attention, of course, but am starting to wonder if it's time for Alan Jackson to pen another verse to "Gone Country"..)

Kenny Chesney Phases & Stages: The Flip Flop Summer Tour Takes GAC Inside The Process As Chesney Prepares

Kenny drew 1.3 million people to his 2006 concert tour, more than any other artist in pop, rock, rap or country music. Now, Great American Country (GAC) opens the door to let Kenny Chesney fans experience all the hard work and preparation that goes into creating a world-class stage show in an exclusive GAC special, Kenny Chesney Phases & Stages: The Flip Flop Summer Tour. The premiere episode of the two-part series airs on GAC April 21 at 9 p.m. ET, followed on April 28 by Part Two. Here's the official PR.

Reporter Nearly Hits Tim McGraw

Jim Rose:

A reporter for the Tennessean, SARAH B. GILLIAM, motored down 4th Avenue past the Country Music Hall of Fame around noon the other day and swerved her vehicle to avoid striking Country music Superstar TIM MCGRAW as he got out of his uptown black SUV to greet cameras in front of the museum. She said TIM didn't notice her potential calamity and continued his huge smile for the flashing cameras. Entertainer of the Year nominee, MCGRAW and his wife, Top Female Vocalist nominee FAITH HILL, were appearing for a press conference at the museum to announce their summer Soul2Soul II music tour.

Bon Jovi news, Billy Currington's new dog

* Bon Jovi fans will be able to add another band collectible to their memorabilia, as Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora are the latest musicians to join McFarlane Toys' line of action figures. The Tempe, Ariz.-based firm worked closely with the Bon Jovi principals to select the proper pose, accessories and facial expressions. Previous acts imortalized as action figures include Kiss, Metallica, and Motley Crue. The Jon and Richie figures will hit stores in August and will sell for $10-$12.

* Billy Currington has a new band member out on the road with him: a 9-week old chocolate labrador retriever puppy he named Paco. Billy bought the pup from a breeder in Minnesota and is already working with Paco on his basic obedience commands. Billy reports that the training is going well; earlier this week, Paco made it through the whole night without any potty-training "accidents" in the house.

-- Katie Dean

Bridge Ratings Says Country Will GROW 24% In The Next Five Years

According to Bridge, the top formats that will benefit from "Internet drift" are Rock, AC, Modern Rock, Adult Hits and Smooth Jazz. Looking at projections for five years from now, the greatest terrestrial radio gainers will be Country, News/Talk, Urban, Spanish and CHR.

A&O Will Be At The ACM Awards And I Hope YOU Will Be Too

You are the first, other than our clients, to hear about this, even as final details are being confirmed:

ALBRIGHT & O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES THEIR FIRST PRE-ACM AIR PERSONALITY SEMINAR, PROMISES TO TEACH ATTENDEES HOW TO USE STORYTELLING TO INCREASE AUDIENCE

MGM Grand Convention Center event adds Warner Brothers artist Joanna Cotten for finale

Country radio specialists Jaye Albright and Michael O’Malley are presenting yet another reason to be in Las Vegas for the 40th annual Academy Of Country Music Awards events.

The country radio specialists have created a terrific slate of presentations, seminars, workshops and special events for their clients and friends who are attending the ACM Awards, and now they are opening the meeting to the public free by invitation only.

Warner Brothers/Nashville introduce attendees to the label’s newest artist, talented songwriter-storyteller and singer Joanna Cotton who will perform and share her personal stories, how she turns them into hit songs.

Where: MGM Grand Hotel Convention Center, 3rd Floor Premiere Ballroom
When: 9:00 am-1:00 pm, Monday, May 14, 2007

Admission to this meeting is FREE and open to the public working in non-competitive situations with Albright & O’Malley clients, but is by invitation only.

To receive an invitation, contact Michael O’Malley at 732 937-5757/Email: Mike@albrightandomalley.com or Jaye Albright at 206 498-6261/Email: Jaye@albrightandomalley.com.

SEMINAR AND WORKSHOP

A&O PROMISES TO DEMONSTRATE MATHMETICALLY HOW TO INCREASE YOUR CUME BY NEARLY 40,000 WHEN YOU GET BACK TO YOUR RADIO STATION JUST BE ADDING THE POWER OF NARRATIVE TO YOUR CONTENT CREATION.

This is about the power of getting your audience to market for you – getting them talking about your show and leveraging the power Word of Mouth can deliver. Good story telling not only has the ability to make you stand out and be remembered, but it also can help you feel better about your performance overall…

TALE OF TWO DEPARTMENTS: SALES AND PROGRAMMING

· Sales: which is more effective way to sell – telling a story about how your station recently helped a business generate immediate cash flow with a promotion that had customers bidding on surplus furniture and that the crowd was so big that they had to call their family members to come to the store to help park cars…or by giving facts about how many people listen in an average quarter hour on Saturday between 10am and 3pm

· Or for programming where we tell the story of how we befriended a mutt from the pound and found a home for him with a lonely little girl, new to the neighborhood, who hadn’t made friends because when she and her family moved here last month most of the kids in the neighborhood were at camp or away on vacation. Or the fact that we have a public affairs show on Sunday morning from 5-6am that addresses issues like animal over-population.

The entertaining and informative seminar will teach you..

WHAT ALL GREAT STORIES AND STORY TELLERS HAVE IN COMMON
WHERE TO FIND STORIES
HOW TO BUILD A STORY
HOW LONG A STORY SHOULD BE
THE SIX COMPONENTS OF ANY GOOD STORY
HOW TO TARGET YOUR STORY FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT
EMBELLISHMENT TOOLS AND TACTICS
HOW TO CRITIQUE AND IMPROVE STORYTELLING CONTENT

…using entertaining examples of some of radio’s most entertaining, compelling and effective storytellers. Though A&O developed this in-depth seminar and workshop primarily for radio personalities and programmers, writers and artists of all types will find it useful, fun and informative.

By the end of the seminar, you will be telling YOUR stories, for fun and profit!

PS - FRESH RESEARCH

In preparation for the Pre-ACM event, Albright & O'Malley has commissioned MJI Interactive in the U.S. and Mediascore in Canada to conduct our second national online test of almost 700 country songs. This research project is in the field now and has already involved over six thousand country radio listeners.

See what country radio listeners all across North America are doing right now. TAKE THE SURVEY yourself. Click on this link or paste it into your browser and sign up as if you were one of your listeners: http://radioconsult.listenersurvey.com/

A similar study was conducted exactly one year ago, so A&O will not only have the most up-to-date information on country music acceptance and targeting trends for 2007, but they will also be able to track trends in artist, era, genre and music style familiarity, compatability and popularity for the last several years in both America and Canada.

Attendees will also learn new insights from A&O’s ongoing nationwide, web-based perceptual studies of the country audience, which have been dubbed “Roadmap ’07,” created with the assistance of Mercury Radio Research's Mark Ramsey. New findings on music era/genre preferences, technology issues including streaming, voicetracking and HD, how stations can best engage their listeners will be analyzed and an Action Plan developed based on the studies.