The Country Radio Seminar is winding down today. Tonight is the always anticipated “New Faces Show.”
Attending the seminar always reinvigorates you. Don’t lose that. Return to your market and immediately start implementing the ideas and promotions you were excited about.
Too often, we return to our markets with new ideas and things we want to implement. Then, the reality of all your duties and meetings enters your conscience, and you will slip right back into your routine, and all the things you learned will fall into the background and eventually slip away.
One trick I had was an agreement with a good friend in the format that we would schedule a call each Friday afternoon. The idea was to keep the ideas alive and let each other know what we had implemented and how it worked.
I didn’t want to be on the call each week and say I had done nothing.
The research presentation is always fantastic. But tread carefully. It’s a great tool, but making significant adjustments just off that could be a terrible mistake. It’s not local research.
Look at the findings, especially listening habits, what Country listeners consume, and where, and proceed very carefully from there.
I’m confident that you made some new acquaintances. If you interacted with format and industry leaders, take the time to email them when you get back to tell them how much you enjoyed the conversation.
This is a way to put a long tail on CRS, and it will help cement a spot in the person’s memory. This includes label reps and vendors. You never know when they will have a job posting that interests you.
It also wouldn’t hurt to email RJ Curtis and share your thoughts. Offer to be on the agenda committee, a panel, or help with room counts. I’m certain you will be surprised at the response you receive.
Community Connections:
103.5 KTU, New York, hosted its annual winter coat drive and collected 670 coats for needy New Yorkers.
Alice 105.9 Denver recently held the 24th annual “Alice 105.9 Cares for Kids Radiothon.” The radiothon raised $1.1 million for the Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Lite Rock 97.3 Ithaca raised $13,000 with its Wine and Dine 2025. Proceeds benefit the local United Way.
99.5 The River Albany, NY, is broadening its annual charity initiative, “99.5 The River Pay Less for the Dress.” This year’s event will span two days and aim to provide more local teenagers with access to affordable prom attire.
Industry Happenings:
Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio has opened applications for the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Country Radio program.
Designed to support Women in leadership roles in Country Radio, the one-year program provides direct access to industry leaders to support career development.
Applications close March 22. Apply here.
Add Ons:
Compass Media’s “Y’All Access With Kelly Sutton” has crossed the 50-affiliate mark by adding Froggy 101.7 and 104.9 Frankfurt, KY, and Zia Country 99.5 KXPZ Las Cruces, NM.
B-Dub Radio, hosted by Bryan “B-Dub” Washington, has reached 50 affiliates, including the recent addition of WIL-FM in St. Louis.
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Jeff Lynn serves as Editor of Barrett Media’s Music Radio coverage. Prior to joining Barrett Media, Jeff spent time programming in Milwaukee, Omaha, Cleveland, Des Moines, and Madison for multiple radio groups, including iHeartMedia, Townsquare Media, NRG Media, and Entercom (now Audacy). He also worked as a Country Format Editor for All Access until the outlet shut down in August 2023.
To get in touch with Jeff by email, reach him at Jeff@BarrettMedia.com.
