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May 8, 2024 News@CountryAircheck.com

Alpha/Missouri Cuts: Alpha Media has made significant cuts across programming staffs at its Missouri stations. The Park Hills, MO Daily Journal Online reports the on air staffs at Alpha's three Farmington stations, which include Country KTJJ, were dismissed yesterday (5/7). KTJJ morning co-host Mark Toti, who joined the station in 1983, told the paper, "I will look back on the people I have worked with and the community with a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment. I’m sorry it ended the way it did, but I’m looking forward to better things down the road." Country Aircheck has also confirmed the departure of MD/afternoon host Luke Turnbough, who had been with the station since 1998.

At Alpha's Moberly, MO cluster, Dir./Content Brad Boyer, whose oversight included Classic Country KRES, exited after 38 years with the cluster. He shared on social media, "I went from a college student to a grandpa in one work place. Thank you KWIX-KRES-KIRK-KTCM listeners for making this the greatest job." No word on plans for the positions.

Runyan To Depart KMYY: Stephens Media Group KMYY/Monroe, LA PD/midday host John Runyan will depart May 15 to take a job closer to family in Fayetteville, AR. He has been with Stephens since 2019. The company is seeking a "versatile radio host and programmer" to oversee its four station cluster in the market, and likely co-host an AC morning show. Candidates should have programming and drive-time experience. Send résumé, "compelling" aircheck and references to SVP/Programming Bob Thornton here.

Next Of Kenzie: Former Curb promotions intern Kenzie Couch has joined MCA as Coord./Promotions. The role had previously been handled by Shannon Hogan, who was recently elevated to Dir./Southeast Promotion (CAT 2/28). "Kenzie's personality and energy can brighten anyone's day," says MCA VP Miranda McDonald. "And if anyone tries to steal her, I will fight them in Rumble On The Row." Couch is a 2023 graduate of the University of Tennessee; reach her here.

Speaking of McDonald, she was featured in her hometown Newcastle, WY News Letter Journal. Read it here.

Reve-News: Beasley reported Q1 2024 net revenues of $54.4 million, down 5.9% from the same period last year. Operating loss was $1.1m, compared to an income of $413,000 last year. Digital revenue increased from $10.0m to $11.0m. "We expect digital to account for between 20% and 25% of total revenue in 2024, driven by the ongoing growth and success of our premium content creation and digital services," says CEO Caroline Beasley. The report comes a day after the company initiated a 7% reduction in workforce (CAT 5/7). See full release here.

I Love This Star: ACM New Artist nominees Kassi Ashton, Ashley Cooke, Hannah Ellis, Kameron Marlowe, Kylie Morgan, Megan Moroney, Neon Union, Restless Road, Dylan Scott, Conner Smith, Nate Smith and Tigirlily Gold will perform during the ACM Country Kickoff at The Star, taking place next Tuesday (5/14) and Wednesday (5/15) in Frisco, TX. The free outdoor stage will also host Chayce Beckham, Annie Bosko, Tyler Braden, Tiera Kennedy, Jenna Paulette, Alana Springsteen, Matt Stell and more; VIP tickets here.

Fun Bobby: Cumulus/Lafayette, LA KXKC and Top 40 KSMB Brand Mgr. Bobby Novosad was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters during its Prestige Ceremony March 22 in Baton Rouge. Novosad, who also does mornings on KSMB, is a veteran of more than 40 years in the market. He says, "I never imagined in my career that I would win an award for enjoying something that I wanted to do since the age of five." Congtatulate him here.

Bits & Pieces: Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley will open a second location of their free, referral-based grocery, The Store, in North Nashville, according to the Nashville Business Journal. The first location, opened in 2020, allows low income local families and individuals to shop for their basic needs with dignity, without being charged.

Cumulus/Albuquerque, including KRST, collected more than 5,100 new and gently used kids books during its Rock and Brew Book Drive, which ran throughout April. Listeners could drop off books at designated local breweries, and receive a dollar off on a beer for each book donated.

Stories Of The Week: Search for news and people in the archives at countryaircheck.com.

Riser House's Jennifer Johnson and Empire's Heather Vassar are featured in Country Aircheck Weekly.
Mike "Sandman" Sanders joined WZZK/Birmingham as PD/on-air talent.
John E Kage w as named KUBL/ Salt Lake City PD.
Chronicle: Gary Shelton (DJ Rax).

ICYMI: Reba McEntire debuted new single "I Can't" on NBC's The Voice (5/7). Additionally, her new sitcom, Happy's Place, has been given a series order by NBC.

Life Note: Big Loud's Craig Wiseman is recuperating from open heart surgery performed last month to have his aortic valve replaced. He reports on social media that his doctor says his heart is strong and his recovery is "well ahead of expectations," and tells Country Aircheck he's "looking forward to Craig 2.0." Send best wishes here.

Web/Tube Check Tonight (5/8): Kacey Musgraves, Apple Music Live at 9pm CT (Apple Music and Apple TV+).

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for May 7, according to Mediabase 24/7.

JORDAN DAVIS/Tucson Too Late (MCA) 4684 points
TYLER HUBBARD/Back Then Right Now (EMI Nashville) 4275 points
BAILEY ZIMMERMAN/Where It Ends (Elektra/Warner/WEA) 4136 points
SAM HUNT/Outskirts (MCA) 3739 points
KENNY CHESNEY/Take Her Home (Warner/WEA) 3595 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for May 5-7 compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase 24/7.

JORDAN DAVIS/Tucson Too Late (MCA) +2163 points
RANDY TRAVIS/Where That Came From (Warner) +1278 points
MORGAN WALLEN f/ERNEST/Cowgirls (Big Loud) +1101 points
KANE BROWN & MARSHMELLO/Miles On It (RCA) +1008 points
DREW BALDRIDGE/She's Somebody's Daughter (Lyric Ridge) +959 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (5/9): Cliff Audretch, Jr., Charlie Dean, Tyne Parrish, the late Hank Snow.

Hard Rock Bottom Of Your iHeart: Country Music Hall of Famer Randy Travis visits iHeartMedia/Nashville with his Warner Music Nashville team. Pictured (back, l-r) are the label's Lou Ramirez and Ben Kline, iH's Gator Harrison, Mary Davis and iH's Rod Phillips; (front, l-r) the label's Justin Luffman, iH's Jackie Tigue, Travis, iH's Kristen Williams and producer Kyle Lehning.

Ain't Worth The Key: Warner/WMN's Cole Swindell at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater during the Key West Songwriters Festival. Pictured (l-r) are BMI’s Mason Hunter and Mike O’Neill, Swindell and BMI’s Clay Bradley and Leslie Roberts.

iHart: Curb's Kelsey Hart with iHeart's John Sykes (top) and the label's Allyson Gelnett with iHeart's Jackie Tigue (bottom) at iHeartCountry Festival in Austin.

Air To The Throne: Warner/WAR's Randall King visits Country Aircheck. Pictured (l-r) are CA's Chuck Aly, Caitlin DeForest, (virtual) Chris Huff and Kelley Hampton, Durango Management's Scott Gunter, King, CA's Phyllis Stark and Lon Helton and Durango's Clayton Toney.

Signage: Songwriter Brian Fuller signs with Sony Music Publishing Nashville. Pictured (back, l-r) are SMPN's Kenley Flynn, Dale Bobo, Josh Van Valkenburg, Anna Weisband, Tom Luteran and Synnovea Cleveland; (front, l-r) SMPN's Aubrey Landon, Fuller and SMPN's Rusty Gaston.

Signage: Songwriter Jackson Nance signs with Eclipse Music Group and Electric Feel Publishing. Pictured (l-r) are EMG's Anna Thiel, Kurt Locher and Penny Gattis, EFP's John Owen Bradley, Nance and EFP's Austin Rosen.

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