RadioInsight

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RossOnRadioInsight: First Listen KLIV "Country Gold 1590" San Jose

Posted: 14 Jun 2016 12:07 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/blog/blogs/...1590-san-jose/



I’ve always liked Country 95.3 KRTY San Jose.

For the last 25 years, they’ve cheerfully done their own thing, often
impervious to bad times elsewhere in the Country format, and regardless of
whether there’s a country station in nearby San Francisco. Musically,
they’ve always been assertively current, and they’ve always been
unapologetically country. KRTY is one of a half-dozen stations where Eric
Paslay’s “She Don’t Love You,” not a big enough hit elsewhere, is still in
recurrent. And why shouldn’t it be?

So I was excited when KRTY owner Empire Broadcasting announced that it was
planning to switch News/Talk AM KLIV to classic country after the
California Primary. I understood the dismay of some listeners over losing a
low-rated outlet for local news and information, but I personally wanted to
hear what KRTY did with country gold on a new station (it has done a
country gold stream in the past). And because KRTY was so unapologetically
country, I was expecting something older and more traditional.

On its launch at least, Country Gold 1590 is anything but. The bulk of the
music I’ve heard today has been mid-‘90s through early ‘00s. There’s some
music from the Garth Brooks-era early ‘90s, but there’s also a lot of
1996-2004 (and, so far, not much ‘80s). It’s an era that cuts off just
before most contemporary country stations pick up; (although some are a lot
newer than that). It’s also a lot of music from a period that was
considered a down time for the format although, again, the late ‘90s/early
‘00s sounded better on KRTY than elsewhere.

Classic Country was once the most niche of formats. Now there seems to be a
new one signing on several times a month, if mostly in small markets. For
years, the relatively small number of listeners who grew up with country
before the early ‘80s kept the potential audience’s age prohibitively old
for many broadcasters. But being able to play the ‘90s changed things. And
even the early 2000s are now missing from the radio, as evidenced by the
launch of Sirius XM’s “Y2Kountry.”

If you’re looking for ‘70s/early ‘80s country, there’s Classic Country 1370
KSOP (Classic Country 1370) Salt Lake City, the AM counterpart to Z104
KSOP-FM. Those stations are also operated by a heritage, standalone country
operator. The music is different, but the stations are good for the reason
that the San Jose stations are good. As I write KSOP-AM is playing
“Paradise Tonight” by Charly McClain Mickey Gilley, the most rockin’
country song of summer 1983. KLIV is playing Alan Jackson Jimmy Buffett,
“It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.”

But I’m enjoying Country Gold 1590 today. There’s “oh wow” value in both
sets of music, and Empire brings a lot of resources and enthusiasm to the
station. For some owners, classic country is an automated afterthought.
Country Gold 1590 has jingles, and the midday shift I’ve been listening to
today is hosted. (If you’ve been operating a locally programmed News/Talk
AM, doing classic country right is still a manageable expense.) There’s
also a giveaway of Kenny Rogers/Nitty Gritty Dirt Band tickets.

Here’s Country Gold 1590 just before 11 a.m. on Monday, June 13:

Toby Keith, “I Want To Talk About Me”

John Michael Montgomery, “Letters From Home”

Tim McGraw, “Red Ragtop”

Alabama, “If You’re Gonna Play In Texas”

Tracy Byrd, “Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo”

Tracy Lawrence, “Stars Over Texas”

Chris Cagle, “Never Ever Gone”

Reba McEntire, “It’s Your Call”

Toby Keith, “How Do You Like Me Now”

Clint Black, “Summer’s Comin’”

George Strait, “Easy Come, Easy Go”

Dixie Chicks, “Long Time Gone”

Brooks Dunn, “It’s Getting Better All The Time”

Reba McEntire, “Take It Back”

Tim McGraw Faith Hill, “It’s Your Love”

Alan Jackson, “Livin’ On Love”

Garth Brooks, “The River”

Mary Chapin Carpenter, “Shut Up And Kiss Me”

Mark Chesnutt, “I Just Wanted You To Know”

Jo Dee Messina, “I’m Alright”

Brooks Dunn, “My Maria”



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Jim Clerkin Named Play 97.3 Birmingham Program Director

Posted: 14 Jun 2016 08:36 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/blog/headli...gram-director/



SummitMedia Adult CHR 97.3 Play WPYA Gardendale/Birmingham AL has named Jim
Clerkin as its first Program Director.

Up until now Clerkin has spent his entire career at iHeartMedia CHR Kiss
108 WXKS Boston where he started as an intern before moving up to Morning
Show Producer and finally APD/MD until his exit last fall. He will also
host afternoons at WPYA.

SummitMedia Corp, LLC announces the appointment of Jim Clerkin as PD and
afternoon drive host for its new Hot AC station WPYA 97.3 Play/Birmingham,
AL. Clerkin spent 16 years in Boston at the legendary CHR WXKS Kiss 108.
Clerkin will handle Programming duties and host 3-7 PM on 97.3 Play.

Clerkin commented, I’m so excited to be joining the team at SummitMedia. I
can’t wait to head down to Birmingham and dive into Play!

I very happy to add Jim to the SummitMedia programming team. Jim’s
experience, creativity and talent make him the perfect fit for 97.3 Play,
adds SummitMedia SVP of Programming Bill Tanner.



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Lance Hale Named WRXK Program Director

Posted: 14 Jun 2016 07:00 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/blog/headli...gram-director/



Beasley Media has named Lance Hale as its Program Director following the
promotion of Jeff Zito to WBRN Tampa.

Hale joins Beasley from Community Broadcasters in Watertown NY where he
programmed Active Rock 94 Rock WOTT and Country 100.7 The Eagle WEFX. He
previously worked for Beasley Fort Myers as APD/MD of Alternative 99X WJBX
from 1999-2002 and has also programmed WAVF Charleston, WLRS Louisville,
and WRQC Fort Myers.

Hale will start his new position on Tuesday, July 5.

Beasley Media Group, Inc. a subsidiary of Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc.,
(NASDAQ: BBGI) today confirmed Lance Hale has been named Program Director
at the longtime leading Fort Myers station WRXK / 96K-ROCK.

With more than more than 14 years of programming experience, including a
stint as Music Director /Assistant PD for WJBX in Ft. Myers, Lance Hale
will return to Beasley to take the WRXK Program Director’s reins at on
Tuesday, July 5. Lance will replace Jeff Zito, who has moved up the Gulf
Coast to work as Program Director at Beasley’s WBRN / 98.7 NO RULES ROCK in
Tampa.

“We are eager to get Lance back on board at Beasley!” said Beasley’s Ft
Myers Operations Manager Adam Star “ “Lance has already worked
successfully with us. He’s the perfect PD to lead K-ROCK into the future!

“Lance is absolutely the best choice to step into the critical Program
Director role at K-ROCK,” commented Beasley’s Vice President of Programming
Justin Chase. “Lance’s knowledge of the market, his passion for the format
and his solid programming skills will serve this important 30-year heritage
station well.”

“Thanks to all of my friends at Beasley for showing such devotion to me,
and welcoming me back on your team, Added Lance. There’s nothing better
than this PD job at K-ROCK! I can’t wait to get started. Let’s rock!”



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Zach Dillon Joins KDWB As APD/MD/Afternoons

Posted: 13 Jun 2016 03:14 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/blog/headli...dmdafternoons/



iHeartMedia CHR 101.3 KDWB Minneapolis has filled its APD/MD/Afternoon host
opening with the incoming transfer of Zach Dillon.

Dillon most recently programmed CHR 96.7 Kiss-FM KHFI Austin for the
company. He takes the place of Lucas Phelan, who declined to renew his
contract in April. Dillon has also programmed KTBT Tulsa, KPLV Las Vegas,
and KWTX Waco for iHeart.

iHeartMedia names Zach Dillon as Assistant Program Director, Music Director
and afternoon talent for KDWB-FM/Minneapolis, effective June 13. Hell KDWBs
on-air content and music programming as well as host the stations afternoon
show from 1-6pm. Dillon most recently served as Program Director for CHR
KHFI-FM (96.7 KISS FM)/Austin. He joined the iHM/Austin cluster from CHR
KTBT-FM (92.1 The Beat)/Tulsa.

Zachs experience level both inside and outside our company make him the
perfect choice to be my right hand man at KDWB, said Director of CHR
Programming/Western Great Lakes Region Rich Davis. I look forward to his
contributions on the air and in the programming department as we solidify
the powerhouse that is KDWB in the Twin Cities.

I am so thrilled to join such a phenomenal station like KDWB and continuing
my work with iHeartMedia, added Dillon. Afternoons in Minneapolis, here I
come. So excited to buy my very first snow blower and spend summers on Lake
Minnetonka.

Prior to working in Tulsa, Dillon was Program Director and morning host at
sister CHR KPLV in Las Vegas, and has also programmed KWTX in Waco, TX and
Hot AC WDAQ in Danbury, CT.