Asheville - The Next Branson?

The new Carolina Country Theater musical attraction cranks up operations tomorrow (5/8) with a family-friendly show that its backers hope will draw locals and tourists alike:

“It’s a performance with great entertainers doing some of your favorite songs,” said Jody Medford, who grew up in Enka and worked in similar shows in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and Branson. “We will have everything from the Oak Ridge Boys to Keith Urban (songs) and end with a huge gospel segment.”

B-105.1 Books Six Acts For Taste of Cincinnati

Appearing 5/27-29: Megan Mullins, Gary Nichols, Trent Tomlinson, Rockie Lynne, Bomshel and Phil Vassar on Central Parkway in downtown Cincinnati. It's always a HUGE show.

Study: Fox News May Have Been Responsible For Bush's 2000 Election

Is it possible that Fox News got President Bush elected in 2000? According to a new study, the answer is yes. I bring this up not to get political on you, but to make a point. However, first, here's the story which got me thinking about the issue of how a radio communicator can be relevant without being either Steven Colbert OR Bill O'Reilly:

Factoring out other influences, Fox News alone may have influenced enough voters--including more than 10,000 in the pivotal state of Florida--to have put Bush into the White House. "Our estimates imply that Fox News convinced 3 to 8 percent of its audience to shift its voting behavior towards the Republican Party, a sizable media persuasion effect," says Stefano DellaVigna of the University of California at Berkeley and Ethan Kaplan of StockholmUniversity, who conducted the study. To check out the possibility that Fox News has that kind of persuasive clout, Rick Morin of The Washington Post ran his own experiment to check out what he calls the Fox News Effect. What he discovered was "strong evidence that people apply a political litmus test to the news, avoiding sources they view as unfriendly while seeking out compatible sources."

First, ask me if I am surprised. What's next? Another study to find out why so many Americans incorrectly believed that Saddam had a direct connection to 9/11? Meanwhile, Fox News and their friends will probably dismiss this study - merely because it appears in the Post, I assume. These are strange times, indeed, when the perceived viewpoint of the messenger may be more important than the message. So, how about YOU? Are you "Fair and balanced" or "The Last Reporter Standing"? If you, like me, would rather be somewhere in between them, is there any hope of being seen as relevant by both sides? Or, is the only way to be entertaining and "credible" to pick a side and alienate some folks? I sure hope not.

CJJR: Mothers' Day Week "Song Of The Day"

In the event you don't subscribe to Vancouver's JRfm Online Insider, here is today's email from midday personality Crystal Darche:

It's me again, with the details about Crystal's JRfm Song of the Day (and yes, Crystal O'Kee is back I'm just a sucker for punishment!).

Next week, every morning at about 7:40am the Waking Crew will tell you what that day's JRfm Song of the Day is. I'll remind you at about 9:25am, and then I'll play it before 2pm. If you're caller nine, and brave enough to sing a few bars, you'll win $100 to spend at Milestones Restaurant - Visit Milestones for Spring Inspirations - a menu of flavours inspired by California Wine Country, AND just in time for Mother's Day, you'll be in to win a family portrait and photo session from Kevin James Day (the official JRfm photographer ).

You'll be Mom's favourite for sure!

So you can practice ahead of time, here are the songs for next week (and the hours that you'll hear them). I'm gonna play songs by and about famous Moms!

* Monday May 8: 1pm hour"Piece of My Heart" by Faith Hill
* Tuesday May 9: 11am hour"Suds in the Bucket" by Sara Evans
* Wednesday May 10: Noon hour"Tonite the Heartache's on Me" by the Dixie Chicks
Thursday May 11: 10am hour"Any Man of Mine" by Shania Twain
* Friday May 12: 1pm hour"Mr. Mom" by Lonestar

Good Luck,

Crystal Darche
New Country, 93.7 JRFM Vancouver

Have You Ever Read A Press Release And Said To Yourself...

... WOW, have I got some homework to do! If not, take a gander at this one:

Reinforcing their commitment to emerging technology and cutting edge wireless media, Jones Radio Networks® (JRN) is pleased to announce that Jim Ginsburg has been named Director of Wireless Media. Ginsburg also serves as Vice President of Jones Banana Network™.

“Our growth into various wireless technologies is happening now with our use of SMS, ring tones, podcasting, RSS, comedy animations and more,” said Phil Barry, Group VP/GM of JRN. “Jim will be key to helping us identify how to appropriately create and deliver content to all of the emerging wireless platforms.”

Specifically, Ginsburg will work to establish and direct implementation for text messaging services, audio/video content, and other applications, products and services oriented to mobile devices like cellular telephones, personal digital assistant units and MP3 players.

In his expanding role, Ginsburg will also seek to activate a host of services for JRN affiliates and their customers to interact and enjoy media in new ways.

Ginsburg has served as an executive in the information technology, education, Internet, cable television and wireless fields for the Jones companies since 1981. He has focused on developing new business opportunities and leading the development of technological business solutions.

If more than 25% of the above was Greek to you, allow me to suggest that you need to do some self-education and fast!

Canadian Radio = $$$$+

Canada's commercial radio stations recorded a 24 per cent increase in pre-tax profit last year, at a time when the industry is raising concerns about its future with the rise of new competitors such as iPods and satellite radio.

Profit before interest and taxes rose to nearly $277-million in 2005 for commercial stations on the FM and AM dials. Revenue, meanwhile, climbed to $1.3-billion, a gain of almost 9 per cent over 2004.

Those increases outpaced the industry average over the last five years, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said in a statement announcing the numbers.

It's truly amazing, working in both countries as we do, to compare how strong radio is right now in Canada with how poorly it's been doing in the USA.

As profileration of new licenses is beginning at warp speed in Canada right now, I am reminded of FCC docket 80-90 and the consolidation it "required" (?) in 1996 which has failed to live up to its financial promise as the Cumulus layoffs in their newly-acquired markets this week continue to demonstrate.

Hopefully, Canadians are carefully studying the path their southern neighbors have taken over the last 15 years and will manage to avoid the pitfalls that U.S. radio's economic doldrums and seeming inability to find growth are symptoms of.

There's no way to downsize your way to better customer satisfaction at a time when personal media are also emerging at warp+ speed.

Carrie Underwood Ready To Doll It Up At ACM's

Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith report that Carrie says she's "really doing it up big" for her performance on the 41st annual spring country awards TV show:

"You have to have three to five dresses with you when you go to these things. You have the red carpet dress, the dress for presenting or performing, another outfit for the after-parties, and sometimes you'll be sitting down in the audience in a different outfit." And the fifth dress? "You never know what might happen. It never hurts to be prepared. I love these awards shows. They're really an adrenaline rush. You hope you'll be nominated, and then when they announce your category, your heart starts beating so hard. I'd love to win an ACM award."

It Will Take Fans To Make Sure "Reba" Gets Renewed

Believe it or not, there seems to be some doubt about Reba McEntire’s return for a 6th season of “Reba,” on the WB Network.

Reba won’t know if she’s coming back until May 18th and the WB announces the fall lineup. Some fans have already rallied to support “Reba.” Premiere Prep reports that Reba was one of just seven that U-S-A Today readers voted to keep on the air in the paper's annual "Save Our Shows" poll.

Longtime Music City journalist, based in L.A., Neil Haislop writes: Personally, I hope country radio listeners and TV fans unite to keep country music’s greatest ambassador on the air a while longer. “Reba” is one of the very few sitcoms that gives more than just a couple of chuckles, with lots of laughs out loud thanks to the good performances and lots of funny gags in every episode. The cool thing about Reba is that she’s stepped very far away from country music doing this series and her stint on Broadway. In doing so she made country proud, but never severed the country roots of her success as and entertainer. She returned to the studio and to the concert trail and plans to do so again this year.

Fans can let the WB know you want “Reba” and Reba to stay on the air.

KMPS "Single" De Mayo"

KMPS and Steve Holy are throwing a FREE Single-De-Mayo party at McCabe's in Tacoma on 5/5! Steve Holy will be performing his songs "Good Morning Beautiful" and "Brand New Girlfriend" and many others. All listeners have to do is show up:

The promo: "It's Flo, your Afternoon TrafficNut gearing up for another insanely busy weekend! I'm startin' EARLY hosting the KMPS "SINGLE de Mayo" bash Friday at McCabe's in Tacoma starring Steve Holy! If you're 21 or older, enjoy specials on eats and drinks and a LIVE SHOW with Steve! (Sing it now: "...I Got A Brand New Girlfriend...I'm ridin' shotgun like a Shitzu hound...."I love that part!)"

Proposed Drag Race: B&D's Toyota vs Toby's Ford?

Toyota picks up Brooks & Dunn to promote new trucks

So... who's ready for a tug of war between Toby Keith in a Ford F-150 versus Brooks & Dunn in a Tundra? If reality television can't make it happen, perhaps America's truck sales charts will.

Contacts - for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., Martine Charles, 206-295-9114 (cell) or for Brooks & Dunn, M-Relations' Michele Schweitzer, 212-661-9411. Here's the official press release.

Poll: Who Do You Trust - Government Or The Press?

Americans don't agree that the media report all sides of a story. In fact, Americans stand out from citizens of the other countries surveyed on a number of dimensions. They are the most critical of the news media's reporting of all sides of a story; 69 percent disagree that the media does this. They are also significantly more inclined to disagree (46 percent) that the media reports news accurately, and more likely to agree (68 percent) that the media covers too many "bad news" stories.

The results of a new poll conducted by the BBC, Reuters, and The Media Center on trust in the media are out today. Worldwide, TV was also seen as the most "important" news source (56 percent), followed by newspapers (21 percent), the Internet (9 percent), and radio (9 percent).

While some 72 percent of respondents characterized themselves as keen news followers, almost three in ten people have abandoned a media source over the past year due to a lack of trust in its content. Young urban males ages 18 to 24 were most likely to have stopped using a news source because of a breach of trust.

The younger people are, the less likely they are to get their news from either television or newspapers, and the more likely they are to rely on the Internet. Women are more likely than men to name television as their more important source of news, while men are more likely than women to name newspapers and the Internet.

Polling was conducted in person or by telephone from March 10 to April 4, 2006 with a total sample of 10,230 people. In four of the 10 countries, the sample was limited to major urban areas. The margin of error per country is +/- 3% 19 times out of 20.

(Duh!) "Fewer Van/Truck/SUV Buyers"

According to The Media Audit, the number of adults who plan to purchase a van, truck or sport utility vehicle has declined from the previous year.

A new national study released by The Media Audit this month reports that 8% of adults plan to purchase a van, truck or sport utility vehicle in the next 12 months, down from 8.8% a year ago. The study was conducted among adults in The Media Audit's 85 measured markets and they were surveyed between January 2005 and March 2006. This trend precedes recent news of more increases in gasoline prices at the pump and could further hinder sales of larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles. The study also revealed that in general, the percentage of adults who plan to purchase a new or used vehicle is 18.2%, down from 19% a year ago. The news is more positive for the car (sedan) market. The report indicates that 8.5% of U.S. adults plan to purchase a car (sedan) compared to 8.3% a year ago.

Planned purchases of domestic vehicles has decreased from last year. The percentage of adults who plan to purchase a domestic vehicle is 9%, compared to 10% a year ago. However, planned purchases of foreign vehicles remains flat at 6.3%.

The National Study also indicates which are the most popular automotive web sites consumers are visiting. They include Autotrader.com, Carmax.com, Ebay.com, Kelleybluebook.com as well as Cars.com.

Napster Is Free Again

In a bid to gain traction against Apple's dominant iTunes online music store, Napster over the weekend shifted to an advertising-supported model. Visitors can listen to any of the 2 million tunes in its catalog without having to fork over a credit card or download the Napster software application (read more - USA Today)

Cincinnati Radio Becomes A Game Of Fractions

The latest Cincinnati radio ratings, covering (early) January to (early) April, show less than two shares separate the top nine stations in the market, representing the continued ratings trend where no station dominates and at least the top 15 stations out of 30 rated have some demographic to crow about (read more - Rick Bird-Cincy Post)

Overall, many radio execs say the quarterly Arbitron ratings mean less and less as stations engage in new media marketing through the Internet and find different ways to distribute and showcase their content as listening patterns change. Quotes from the story: "It's not like the old days where you would see TV or billboard advertising and big contests that often quantified the ratings...Radio is going through a change. (Our) podcasts get a few thousand hits a day. We are finding new technologies, trying to cultivate an audience in different spots. We have to embrace the new technology."

The Dixie Chicks Make Time's 100 Most Influential People List

QUOTE: "Natalie) Maines' vocal intensity counters that of fans whose doting curdled into death threats, including "a letter/ Sayin' that I better shut up and sing/ Or my life will be over." The Chicks, bless 'em, don't just carry a macrochip on their shoulders. There's instrumental virtuosity and a songwriting range that spans regions and decades. One country and one form of music aren't enough to contain them or stifle their passion. They'll sing but they won't shut up. That seems downright American."

Yes, of course, George Bush made the list too: "Events have a way of slipping the reins of human control, even of someone as powerful as the U.S. President. So Bush, 59, who launched his second term with the outsize goals of ending tyranny in the world and establishing a permanent Republican majority in America, finds himself with public-disapproval ratings higher than any other President's since Richard Nixon chose resignation over impeachment. The causes of Bush's fall from favor are multiple and compounding: Hurricane Katrina, high gas prices, the Jack Abramoff scandal, the CIA-leak investigation, the Dubai Ports deal, a ballooning deficit and, above all, Iraq. An invasion the President sold as vital to national security is now seen by most Americans as a war of choice—and a bad choice."

A Hopeful Sign For Radio Advertisers

Retail Forward's Future Spending Index foresees stronger consumer spending in the month ahead. The index increased in April for the second month in a row, as the month-to-month increase indicates better growth than last year as well.

Steve Spiwak, an economist with Retail Forward, said "Despite fears of an impending slowdown, shoppers are telling us they plan to boost their spending in the near term primarily because they feel better about job prospects. What's encouraging is that the optimism is broad-based,... with all (shopper segments) expressing heightened optimism."

It's going to be a good spring as long as the best customers of our best customers mean what they are saying.

Jack Ingram Proves That Hard Work Pays Off

His current Top 5 hit, “Wherever You Are,” is all about talent, hard work, positive attitude and perseverance ultimately paying off. Since joining Big Machine Records at its inception late last year and releasing his debut album, Live – Wherever You Are, in January, Jack has logged thousands of frequent flier miles, shaken countless hands and sung on TV and radio at 6am more times than ever before in his music career. And you’ll hear nothing but gratitude from the tired Texan, although a day off sounds really good. But an extended period of rest and relaxation will have to wait. Jack and his Beat-Up Ford Band will be opening a number of shows for country superstars Brooks & Dunn in the southeast next month. “I have a Top 5 hit on country radio and I’m going out on tour with Brooks and Dunn…are you sure you have the right number?” Jack asks with a hearty laugh. “Seriously, this feels great, it is great, and, after all, 5 is one of my favorite numbers.”

The song continues its climb to the top of the charts this week.

M O'M's New Blog

Here's a new address to bookmark if you're looking for more radio insights.

Take a regular look and see why I am so proud to be associated with Michael O'Malley!

Stephanie Beaumont Joins FX-101.9, Halifax

You may recognize her name as a country music artist. Now, PD Allan Gidyk, President/GM Robert Pace and the MBS/Halifax team welcome her to their ranks: "Stephanie and her husband Steve have made their home in the Halifax area. She’ll join us May 1. We are all looking forward to Stephanie’s contribution to FX 101.9."

Gas Too Pricey? Make Your Own..

ABC News: Tennessee Man Sells Still and Kits to Make Ethanol at Home
You could be forgiven for not expecting the next John D. Rockefeller to come from Tullahoma, Tenn., of all places. But right in Tullahoma, in his garage-turned-factory, you can find Bill Sasher — the father of do-it-yourself ethanol. Doing it yourself means buying one of Sasher's stills or still-building kits. A fully assembled ethanol kit still costs about $1,400, and Sasher, who runs Dogwood Energy, says with the price of gasoline nudging toward $3 a gallon, business is booming. In the last two months, orders are up 300 percent.

There HAS to be a moonshine joke, to the tune of an old George Jones song, in there somewhere..