September 4, 2024 News@CountryAircheck.com

Specific To The Pacific: iHeartMedia SVP/Sales for Fresno, Modesto and Bakersfield Devonne Etcheverry has been named Area Pres. for the company's Pacific Area, overseeing more than 35 stations in those markets, as well as Monterey, Riverside and Spokane. She succeeds Steve Darnell, who shifted to Metro Pres. for Sacramento in July (CAT 7/25/24). Etcheverry, who reports to Division Pres. Don Lankford, began her career on the promotions team at KBOS/Fresno in 1997, and has held many positions at the company since then.

Gaining Mass: Beasley WXTU/Philadelphia MD/afternoon host Nicole Michalik has added middays on sister WKLB/Boston. She takes over the shift from Carolyn Kruse, who retired last month after 31 years with the station (CAT 8/2). Coupled with last month's addition of The Andie Summers Show (CAT 8/22), WKLB and WXTU now share two-thirds of their prime daypart personalities.

Cash Me Outside: Former Max Media WGH/Norfolk morning co-host Jason "Cash" Warren has joined Davis Media WBQK/Williamsburg, VA as morning host. Warren is the second talent addition to the six-month old station (CAT 3/25) following Gideon Dean joining in nights last month (CAT 8/1). Reach Warren here.

LA Gets Gold: Mt. Wilson Classical KMZT-AM/Los Angeles is now directing listeners to its FM translator K252FO and sister KKGO's HD2 channel, both of which will continue to carry the Classical format. Sources tell Country Aircheck KMZT-AM will go all-Taylor Swift on Sept. 6, leading to a flip to Classic Country on Oct. 1, focusing on the '80s and '90s. The AM's call letters will change to KKGO to match the FM.

Gig Alert: Big Loud is looking to fill a newly created VP/Streaming position to grow and lead its streaming department. The role will work with streaming partners in strategizing releases for the label and oversee department staff. Candidates need seven+ years industry experience, preferably in a similar role, and a deep understanding of platforms including Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Pandora, etc. Full details here; email here.

Legends, Launch & Larry: Get a front row seat at the 21st annual SOURCE Awards, where legends Brenda Lee and Jeannie Seely honored trailblazing women in the music industry. Ride along for the opening weekend of Jelly Roll's Beautifully Broken Tour. And go Off The Record with Larry Fleet. It's all in Tuesday's (9/3) Country Aircheck Weekly.

Counter Invasion: Management firm Invasion Group has expanded into Nashville, adding to the company's established offices in New York and Boston. Heading the new Music City shop is management veteran Courtney Oertel, most recently of Oertel Artist Management. Invasion clients include Rissi Palmer and Zac Brown Band's John Driskell Hopkins. Oertel also previously served as VP/Creative Strategy & Brand Alignment for Hopkins' foundation, Hop On A Cure. Reach her here.

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

WUBE/Cincinnati swapped drive time shifts.
Brett Pomykala returned to iHeartMedia as SVP/Sales for the Washington, DC cluster.
Blake Shelton parted ways with Warner Music Nashville.
Chronicle: Steve Zana.

ICYMI: The August CRS360 episode, “Turning This Moment Into A Movement,” featuring moderator Kenny Jay and panelists Brittani Johnson, Kathleen Shea and Sam Milkman, is available to watch here.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will feature songwriter Hillary Lindsey in the next installment of its interview series Poets And Prophets Oct. 26 in the museum’s Ford Theater.

Crib Note: iHeartMedia WSIX/Nashville midday personality Brooke Taylor and husband Andrew Lowe welcomed their second child, daughter Ellie Ann, Aug. 20. She joins big sister Emma Grace. Taylor shared her birthing story on social media; congratulate her here.

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for Sept. 3, according to Mediabase 24/7.

DUSTIN LYNCH f/JELLY ROLL/Chevrolet (Broken Bow) 4408 points
CHRIS YOUNG/Young Love & Saturday Nights (RCA) 4318 points
LUKE COMBS/Ain't No Love In Oklahoma (7Ridges/Atlantic/Columbia) 4272 points
LUKE BRYAN/Love You, Miss You, Mean It (Capitol) 3480 points
CHASE MATTHEW/Love You Again (Warner/WAR) 3398 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for Sep. 1-3 compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase 24/7.

CHRIS YOUNG/Young Love & Saturday Nights (RCA) +2354 points
KANE BROWN & MARSHMELLO/Miles On It (RCA) +1542 points
CHASE MATTHEW/Love You Again (Warner/WAR) +1489 points
THOMAS RHETT/Beautiful As You (Valory) +1034 points
CHRIS STAPLETON/Think I'm In Love With You (Mercury) +984 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (9/5): Renee Bell, Tracy Collins, Dave Ogden, Steve Hodges, Lou Ramirez, Joe Britton, the late Jamie Oldaker (The Tractors).

Hi, Road: Columbia/Records Nashville's Koe Wetzel (c) with WWYZ/Hartford's Joey Brooks and Amanda Jo Parker at Mohegan Sun (top) and Records Nashville's Josh Easler, WKLB’s Dawn Santolucito and Records Nashville's Helena Akhtar in Boston (bottom).

Anneime: EMI Nashville's Anne Wilson visits ACM HQ. Pictured (l-r) are the ACM's Haley Montgomery, Capitol Christian Music Group's Hudson Plachy and Brad O’Donnell, Wilson, the label's Cindy Mabe and the ACM's Damon Whiteside and Tommy Moore.

SawRod: Nashville Harbor's Riley Green (l) and SawGod/Columbia/Nashville Harbor's Ella Langley with iHeart's Rod Phillips.

Equal Wine: Performers and guests (Chantrel Reynolds, Mickey Guyton, Chris Housman, Leslie Fram, Carmen Dianne, Valerie Ponzio, Denitia, Julie Williams, Derek Campbell, Brandon Campbell, Shelly Fairchild, Angie K, Cameo Carlson, Tiffany Provenzano and Abbi Roth, l-r) at the CMT Equal Access Showcase at City Winery Nashville.

Meet (And Greet) Virginia: Night Train/BBR's John Morgan with WGH/Norfolk staffers. Pictured (l-r) are Jimmy Ray, Morgan, Karen West, Stephanie Taylor and Barry McKay.

Signage: Songwriter/producer Alexander Palmer signs with Warner Chappell Music and Cornman Music. Pictured (l-r) are CM's Chris Owen and Nate Lowery, WCM's BJ Hill, Palmer, WCM's Ben Vaughn, CM's Brett James and WCM's Julie Hess.