Randy Travis will join 2nd Annual American Giving Awards

Randy Travis will join Second Annual American Giving Awards presented by Chase.  It’s set to air Saturday, December 8, 2012 on NBC at 8:00/7:00 p.m. (CT) from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, CA. Travis will serve as a musical performer during the awards show, which is a celebrity tribute to community heroes.  Celebrated actress Glenn Close will be honored with the AGA Leadership Award for her philanthropic endeavors. Twenty-five grant recipients from previous Chase Community Giving programs have been selected to participate in the inspiring, star-studded event.  Five of the charities will be chosen to share $2 million in grants.

“Giving back to the community is something that I support and believe is truly important.  I am honored to be part of this year’s American Giving Awards,” says Travis.

Yes, I Know This Was In Every Trade Already

.. but it bears repeating over and over:

“Although AM/FM radio remains America’s favorite music-listening choice, the basket of Internet radio and streaming services that are available today have, on the whole, replaced CDs for second place.”

NPD’s newly released “Music Acquisition Monitor” tracks growing use of Pandora and other music services, as listening to CDs and digital music downloads declines, putting pressure on traditional forms of music listening.

Sure, we can all gather together at radio and sing kumbaya, deluding ourselves with the mentality that nothing seismic is happening, and maybe if you only have a year or two to retirement that will work for you.

For the rest of us, the rules are changing and just being local and playing good music are not going to cut it.  It’s time to train all of our personalities and news readers to become entertainers.  And, if they can’t do it every hour, every day, it’s time for managers to look for their replacements.

There’s a reason why we have been preaching the following for 15 years, at least.

The A&O&B client stations which have implemented this plan are doing very, very well with these and our other “values based programming” principles guiding strategy. 

If you have any doubts about your station, ask us to do a programming audit for you.

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Website: http://www.albrightandomalley.com

Kenny Chesney’s "No Shoes Nation" Tour

For all dates and locations, click here.

King George On People’s Country Edition Cover

It’s been five years since country music fans have heard from George Strait in an exclusive interview, but as he announced his final trek on The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, he sat down with People Countryto reveal plans for another album after his touring ends, and those things in his life he’s most thankful for. “I’ve got great fans,” he says. “Some of them have been coming out since the 80s, and that means so much to me. They have been so loyal.”

 

Strait describes the sleepless nights that led up to his final decision to make this his final tour, “I had second thoughts about it, and third thoughts. Walking up on stage is still so much fun for me. Such a thrill… there’s nothing like it. I’ll miss that.” He also talks about the journey to selling over 65 million albums and experiencing 59 No. 1 hits. “I’ve been blessed with the ability to sing, and that has taken me so many places I never would have gone otherwise. I’ve had great people around me from the beginning … and they never tried to make me someone I wasn’t.”

 

Pick up a copy of the issue on stands this Friday, Nov. 2.

 

Media Contacts:
Ebie McFarland / Leigh Parr

Essential Broadcast Media

(615) 327-3259

ebie@ebmediapr.com / leigh@ebmediapr.com

 

Lori Christian 

UMG Nashville

(615) 269-2032

lori.christian@emicap.com

 

Taylor and Carrie In The News

Newsday reports:  Taylor Swift, Conor Kennedy spotted kissing at the shore

Hurry up and break up with her, Mr. Kennedy.  We need lots more Taylor Swift songs.  But, then, there’s this item: Taylor Swift buys home near Kennedy family, which makes it sound pretty promising compared to her past celeb-flings, hopefully.  Click to vote pro/con for romantic happiness or more breakup songs.

The Examiner:  Carrie Underwood gives inspring performance on CBS’s ‘Teachers Rock’

The broadcast was near and dear to the American Idol‘s heart, as her mother and sisters are in the profession. The special evening celebrated the hard work, passion and dedication of some of the nation’s best teachers.  In a pre-performance video package, Underwood, alongside her mother Carol, reminisced about being a student in her classroom. “You were hard on me, I thought,” Underwood commented. “Cause I was your daughter in class. I was like Miss Underwood…mom…Miss Underwood.”

Glamour:  A Slick Trick That Makes Legs Look More Toned (Carrie Underwood Used It Here)

Follow The Leader?

I wish Clear Channel had taken their idea to the NAB with the goal of having all of broadcasting get behind 9/11 Day not just as a feather in the cap of one big company proving how powerful and influential it is but instead making the idea much bigger, big enough for all of us.

BUT, they didn’t.  So what now, fellow “frenemies?”  Do we get involved in “their promotion” and get no credit for it in what you know will be the glowing PR to come about how much Clear Channel did for 9/11 Day?

“The overall level of participation surrounding the 10^th anniversary of 9/11 was astounding, and we hope to build on last year’s success,” said Jessica King, Director of Community Engagement for Clear Channel. “Clear Channel’s efforts are intended to remind people across the U.S. that they can pay tribute to those impacted by 9/11 by engaging in simple positive acts.” 

There are lots of ways you can commemorate 9/11, named in federal law as a day of service.  Just sign up on the website by registering your project, if getting credit is what drives you and get started.

Other ways to help:

• United Way, locally could use a strong push right now.
• The Michael Lynch Foundation
• Voices of 9/11
• Graybeards
• The FeelGood Foundation
• Tuesday’s Children
• The 9/11 Memorial

As usual, there is no shortage of ways you can make a difference if you choose to act.

Follow the leader?

Not if the leader is heading toward a cliff, so “study the leader,” first. 

But, when the leader is genuinely leading – and a parade is forming – it’s time to get in step, join it or organize your own parade going the same way.

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Website: http://www.albrightandomalley.com

George Jones On Grand Tour 2012

The country music legend often referred to as the “the greatest living country singer” will mark the end of an era with a farewell tour for his fans titled “The Grand Tour”.  After over fifty years of touring, Jones has decided he is ready to slow down and spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren.  

Jones:  “It is tough to stop doing what I love, but the time has come.”  As a tribute to his loyal fans he wants to tour one more year and let them know, this will be his last.

 

The Grand Tourwill visit approximately 60 cities in 2013.  The star will perform many of his hits such as “White Lightning,” “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” and “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair”.

The legend also plans to record a new studio album for the fans, and Dolly Parton has been writing songs for him.  It will be an album he loves and wants to do.  There is no scheduled street date at this time.

After a brief bout with an upper respiratory infection earlier this year, Jones has returned to the road.  Fans can see him at his upcoming concerts listed here.

Media Contact:
Webster & Associates Public Relations & Marketing
Jeremy Westby / jeremy@websterpr.com/ 615-777-6995 x228
Kirt Webster / kirt@websterpr.com/ 615-777-6995 x230

The 31st Annual “George Strait Team Roping Classic”

The country music icon says the event will take place on Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9, 2013 at the San Antonio Rose Palace.

The GSTRC is the largest open roping event in America with over $700,000 in cash and prizes available to the participants. Last year, 545 teams from all over the country competed for the 2012 GSTRC Championship title and grand prize.

2012’s Champions Clay Tryan (header) from Billings, Montana and Patrick Smith (heeler) from Lipan, Texas were awarded custom-painted Chevrolet Silverado Duallies from Cavender Chevrolet (Boerne, TX), Strait X-treme horse trailers from Bruton Trailers, Twister saddles from Tractor Supply, Resistol Rope bags, jackets from Wrangler and Justin, and were each awarded half of the $203,800 cash payoff.

The event, which originated as a small family roping by George and his brother Buddy in 1982, is now one of the most prestigious open team roping competitions in the country and consistently attracts the biggest names in the sport each year.

Tickets for the 2013 GSTRC are $20. Online sales will open to the general public at 9 a.m. CDT, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012 on George Strait’s official website, http://www.georgestrait.com, after which any remaining tickets can be ordered by phone beginning Wednesday, Oct.10 at 9 a.m. by calling (210) 698-0791.

Media Contacts:
Essential Broadcast Media, LLC
Ebie McFarland / Leigh Parr
(615) 327-3259
ebie@ebmediapr.com / leigh@ebmediapr.com
http://www.ebmediapr.com

Jana Kramer Is "On Your Side" Too

Newcomer Jana has been signed by Nationwide Insurance to sing the company’s well-known “On Your Side” commercial jingle. Kramer’s voice will be featured in new television advertisements Nationwide launched as part of its integrated national marketing campaign, Join the Nation. The commercials debuted during the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics and will continue to air nationally throughout the next year.

“Nationwide is On Your Side is familiar to many people”, said Matt Jauchius, Nationwide’s Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer. “Our new Join the Nation campaign tells the story of what our On Your Side promise truly stands for – and we’re pleased to have such a talented young artist help bring it to life.”

Kramer’s debut single, “Why Ya Wanna,” broke into the Top 10 this week and continues to build at a record pace, ranking as the highest charting female debut since Taylor Swift’s 2006 single “Tim McGraw.”  Kramer has sold over 700,000 single tracks, including almost half a million of “Why Ya Wanna.” Kramer is also the fastest climbing debut artist of this year since releasing her Elektra Nashville self-titled debut album June 5, 2012 and debuting at No. 5 on the Country Chart.

Named one of “Summers Hottest Artists” by People Country and one of the “Season’s Biggest New Names” by Billboard, Kramer is currently on Brad Paisley’s “Virtual Reality Tour” performing through the fall on the “Virtual Opry Stage.”

Press Contact: Nikki Herceg / WMN Publicity / 615 214 1446 /Nikki.Herceg@wmg.com

Commercial Radio News’ "Slow Walk" Compared To Competing Media

Lawrence Stessin Distinguished Professor of Journalism and chair of the Department of Journalism, Media Studies, and Public Relations at Hofstra University, Bob Papper’s annual TV and Radio News Staffing and Profitability Survey for 2012 reports that radio continues to make strides in the use of social media (click to download his pdf report), but we remain well behind television.

Papper:  “A year ago, radio soared in the use of social media; this time around growth was more like a slow walk.  All the categories rose, but, overall, the gains were mostly from stations already engaged in some social media doing more.”

Overall, the use of Facebook in radio news rose another 10% in the last year (following last year’s 10% increase).  Large and major market stations were much more likely to have Facebook pages than stations in small and medium markets.  Non-commercial stations led commercial ones.

Similarly, use of Twitter rose 9% from a year ago (which was up 12% from the year before).  But all of that increase came among “periodic” users of Twitter.  Both “constant” and “daily” use remained essentially unchanged.

Thanks, Bob.  We need your annual “wake up call.”

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Website: http://www.albrightandomalley.com