tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-371980862024-03-12T20:59:55.352-04:00Country CommentsInsights on the radio, communications and music industries from Country Radio Programming and Marketing Consultant Joel Raab.Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-32956361687847171332020-03-21T19:04:00.003-04:002020-03-21T19:04:51.463-04:00RIP Kenny Rogers <div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px;">Kenny Rogers’ music was the soundtrack of my life. As a kid, I heard a song by The First Edition called "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town.” It was provocative for its time. I had no idea it was a Country song. I barely knew what Country music was. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px;">Then, in the mid-70's, Kenny was attempting to resurrect his career as a Country star. My brother Dan and I attended a United Artists Records show at The Nashville Auditorium. Kenny Rogers closed the show and impressed a tough crowd of radio programmers. Several years later, songs like "The Gambler" and "Coward of the County" were a mainstay during my programming and on-air career. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px;">In New York, my station (WHN) premiered "Islands In The Stream", while our competitor fumed. A few years earlier, backstage at a Kenny Rogers show, I asked Kenny's manager Ken Kragen if it would be ok to ask Kenny to do some promo liners. Kragen said no. I asked Kenny, and he said yes. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px;"> Fast forward about fifteen years, and I'm on a CRS Panel, "Too Pop or Too Country" (or words to that effect), and I'm sitting next to Kenny Rogers. NEXT TO KENNY ROGERS. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. He was open and real and told us that he just wanted a shot to stay in the game. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-LcvXEeTg0/XnadbfCePyI/AAAAAAAAAZc/F-jHGsFrRa0PewLlgXDKNKbR6D3J2pMEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Kenny%2BRogers%2BII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-LcvXEeTg0/XnadbfCePyI/AAAAAAAAAZc/F-jHGsFrRa0PewLlgXDKNKbR6D3J2pMEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Kenny%2BRogers%2BII.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px;">And he did, longer than most artists. My last encounter with Kenny was at a show in Trenton, New Jersey, where I had a chance to say hello backstage. It was a brief encounter after an energetic show by the then 70-ish entertainer. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px;">Kenny, we'll miss you - but we'll always have your music through the years. </span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-33172236891611682072019-12-27T18:07:00.001-05:002019-12-27T19:39:31.937-05:00<h2>
RIP Don Imus</h2>
I stood in awe. I met Don Imus in Cleveland when he was a guest on the morning show on my station. He was touting a new book and was amazingly fun and clever, as always. . A few years earlier, he had worked at my station (WHK) and I always thought it was cool that I got to work the same board he did. <br />
<br />
As a kid, I remember when he came to New York to WNBC from WGAR in Cleveland. The show was fresh and outrageous. The Right Reverend Billy Sol Hargis selling his plastic Jesus for your dashboard, complete with music accompaniment, was just great radio. <br />
<br />
Before becoming a talk jock, he broke the rules in music radio, singing along with the songs, and changing the words to get a laugh. He had demons that drove him from New York to Cleveland and then back to New York again, where he cleaned up his act and thrived. <br />
<br />
Charles McCord, the staff news guy at WNBC, and Imus just clicked. I felt his show was never the same after Charles retired, though Imus soldiered on. <br />
<br />
I was one of his biggest fans and feel honored that I met him, albeit briefly. A giant in radio is gone and I'm sad.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNmC731V4q0/XgaOsj5DWoI/AAAAAAAAAYM/UUTd3W20SGwLkhpksQ2s7N89b1xMQhetwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Imus%2BI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNmC731V4q0/XgaOsj5DWoI/AAAAAAAAAYM/UUTd3W20SGwLkhpksQ2s7N89b1xMQhetwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Imus%2BI.jpg" /></a></div>
Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-25926116308817272372019-12-25T16:44:00.000-05:002020-01-03T10:57:19.972-05:00<h2>
MY HOPES FOR 2020:</h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Let's have songs with more tempo and less snap tracks. </span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Some strong artists reaching the superstar level. Other new artists starting down that road. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
The NAB will come up with a campaign to promote the brand of FM/AM radio. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
More women like Lynn Anderson and Crystal Gayle will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.<br />
<br />
More women Brand Managers and General Managers. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Less people get laid off from radio companies. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Digital integration that will further benefit broadcast radio, while in the process broadcast basics will not be neglected. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYtinUQbT7Q/XgPbv9C0ioI/AAAAAAAAAX0/-6FwcolToyMEhHaxV9SZLUfheJdD-3_OQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Crystal%2BGayle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="194" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYtinUQbT7Q/XgPbv9C0ioI/AAAAAAAAAX0/-6FwcolToyMEhHaxV9SZLUfheJdD-3_OQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Crystal%2BGayle.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUaU0NEnxS4/XgPbzuPUV-I/AAAAAAAAAX4/vmtm4LUs-Xsi6Na0z54hbGGagOyKU67qQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Lynn%2BAnderson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="276" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUaU0NEnxS4/XgPbzuPUV-I/AAAAAAAAAX4/vmtm4LUs-Xsi6Na0z54hbGGagOyKU67qQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Lynn%2BAnderson.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-1743471109100112832017-11-09T10:09:00.002-05:002017-11-09T10:09:34.020-05:002017 CMA Awards<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year's show had a different feel. It was more somber, yet set the right tone in the wake of the Vegas massacre. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eric Church opened the show with a touching version of
Amazing Grace, followed by every star of the show performing Hootie and The
Blowfish’s “Hold My Hand”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood had another great opening
monologue, with Tim and Faith teasing them about their 10 Years as hosts
(giving them Brad and Carrie Barbie Dolls). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keith Urban has a surprise win for Single of the Year with “Blue
Ain’t Your Color.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taylor Swift wins for Song of the Year for “Better Man”
(recorded by Little Big Town). Women
have now won the CMA for Song of the Year for seven consecutive years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eddie Montgomery (from Montgomery Gentry) was joined by
Rascal Flatts and Dierks Bentley for “My Town”, in a tribute to the late Troy
Gentry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brother’s Osborne paid tribute to Don Williams singing “Tulsa
Time”. (They also won for “It Ain’t My
Fault” for Video of the Year and Vocal Duo of the Year). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tim and Faith killed it on their new song “Rest of My Life”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little Big Town remembered Glen Campbell with “Wichita
Lineman.” Amazing harmony. The writer Jimmy Webb, played piano. And LBT won Vocal Group of the Year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miranda Lambert wins for 7<sup>th</sup> time as Female
Vocalist of the Year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Garth Brooks walks away with Entertainer of the Year for the
second year in a row. I prefer to focus on that aspect of Garth's evening.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6lJa19VZMU/WgRvU7jbIKI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/2G_5cKtYWdQKnImqezHP4iT1u1bAx_FQACLcBGAs/s1600/CMA%2BAwards%2BBrad%2Band%2BCarrie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6lJa19VZMU/WgRvU7jbIKI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/2G_5cKtYWdQKnImqezHP4iT1u1bAx_FQACLcBGAs/s1600/CMA%2BAwards%2BBrad%2Band%2BCarrie.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkdlB-87Wx0/WgRvXkw-cgI/AAAAAAAAAUU/hud5QwM55EEWxIET8U550I363gbpZatKACLcBGAs/s1600/cma-awards-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="526" height="229" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkdlB-87Wx0/WgRvXkw-cgI/AAAAAAAAAUU/hud5QwM55EEWxIET8U550I363gbpZatKACLcBGAs/s320/cma-awards-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(My wife says the men were better dressed tonight than the
women, do you agree?)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-32253873906707633962016-04-11T10:02:00.001-04:002016-04-11T12:25:50.458-04:00Merle Haggard RIP.As you can see, I haven't blogged in several years. Merle Haggard has inspired me to do so once again. Merle (along with Johnny Cash) IS the reason I fell in love with Country music and later, Country radio. He could do it all. Write, sing, perform, even produce. Merle was a great collaborator with Willie Nelson and others. He did it his own way, sometimes to his own detriment. I can't believe it took until 1994 for him to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Seriously? I had two brief encounters with the man prior to shows. Once early in my career, and later in 2013. As you can see from this picture, he looked you in the eye and made the moment count. This picture is one of my most prized possessions. When he saw the picture again in 2013, he remarked, "you've aged better than me". <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl_9DWOpLfs/VwuuYRKU-jI/AAAAAAAAATA/Nxfspy2FJSwlBZd3X3XbVmGaPj8mSFtxQ/s1600/HAGGARD%2B1994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl_9DWOpLfs/VwuuYRKU-jI/AAAAAAAAATA/Nxfspy2FJSwlBZd3X3XbVmGaPj8mSFtxQ/s320/HAGGARD%2B1994.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
While I feel sad, I feel honored to have grown up with Merle's music and his presence in the world which will never be replaced. As Eric Church said in a recent song, "I Pledge Allegiance to the Hag".Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-18024090441092768002013-12-25T13:18:00.002-05:002013-12-25T16:42:39.264-05:00Happy Birthday Barbara MandrellOn Christmas day, I find myself reminiscing about one of the greatest entertainers ever - Barbara Mandrell. Today is her birthday. She personifies grace, beauty and talent. How difficult it must have been to be a woman (let alone a tiny woman) in a man's business. <br />
<br />
When I was an on-air PD at WEEP (then WDSY's sister station) in Pittsburgh in the 80's - Barbara surprised our station with a visit. I was on the air. She entered the lobby. Unbeknown to me, I started playing one of her songs (I think it was "Woman to Woman") <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FPyBPnGSxXY/UrshWh0MTwI/AAAAAAAAAQs/4qGZ5R6A4CQ/s1600/download.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FPyBPnGSxXY/UrshWh0MTwI/AAAAAAAAAQs/4qGZ5R6A4CQ/s1600/download.jpeg" height="200" width="157" /></a></div>
- and talked about how she had really come into her own - and how her career was blossoming. She heard every word I said over the lobby speaker. Once the on air light went off, Barbara burst into the studio, sat on my lap and finished the show with me. Barry Mardit was there too. <br />
<br />
A luncheon was held in her honor that day - and she insisted that I sit next to her. From that day on, I was a lifetime fan. I was sad when she retired in 1997 - but not before winning countless awards, hosting a successful network TV show and entertaining millions. She never carried the bitterness that some performers have when the next generation surpasses their popularity. Barbara left us wanting more - as it should be.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YzciPiTdVw/UrtQ7QMh36I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/ZsWBg931_rA/s1600/Mandrell+Raab+autograph+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YzciPiTdVw/UrtQ7QMh36I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/ZsWBg931_rA/s1600/Mandrell+Raab+autograph+picture.jpg" /></a></div>
Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-23551954011734494562013-11-11T16:35:00.001-05:002013-11-11T16:35:04.046-05:00CMA Awards 2013<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Luke Bryan opened the show
wearing sequins and a baseball cap with "That's My Kind of Night" ... and
Florida Georgia Line cruised through their biggest hit. Do sequins and baseball
caps go together? Just askin' ...<br /></span>
<br />
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley's
monologue was excellent as always! Best laughs were for Obamacare jokes. </span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Loved the Zac Brown-Luke Bryan hug during
Brad and Carrie's monologue. Is the hatchet buried? Was there ever a hatchet to
begin with? </span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Song of the Year was "I Drive Your Truck".
Lee Brice graciously congratulated the writers of his number one hit.
</span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The network censored "roll a joint" from
Kacey Musgraves song. Wonder if the unsensored version aired in Colorado and Washington?</span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Florida Georgia Line had a big night with a
Single of Year win for "Cruise" and the Vocal Duo of the Year award.
<br /><br />Taylor Swift increased her Country "cred" performing with Vince Gill and
Alison Krauss on an acoustic version of "Red". </span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Blake Shelton wins Album of the Year - the
award he really wanted to win. He also walks off with Male Vocalist of the Year.
</span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tim McGraw looked painfully thin ... (Steve
Jobs thin) - is he OK? Let's hope so! <br /><br />Taylor Swift's Pinnacle award was
presented to her by all the stars she opened for ... Rascal Flatts ... George
Strait ... Brad Paisley ... Tim and Faith ...and Keith Urban. She seemed
genuinely touched. </span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 28px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Miranda Lambert has now tied Martina
McBride & Reba McEntire for most Female Vocalist of the Year awards (four).
</span></span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Blake
Shelton wins Male Vocalist. </span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">George Strait wins Enterainer of the Year. Did anyone see that coming? A great honor to cap off an amazing career that's still going strong. </span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-79918032550846270952013-05-17T15:15:00.001-04:002013-05-17T15:25:53.731-04:00Paul DrewI met the legendary Paul Drew in Cleveland when I was a young Program Director. He was giving seminars for Program Directors. My station paid for me to go. Mike McVay, also a Cleveland PD at the time, was also in attendance. Little did our companies know that Mr. Drew was giving a seminar which included a lengthy discussion on how programmers could get better deals for themselves. We didn't know that until we arrived. <br />
<br />
What stood out to me from that day was the common theme of the session. "You don't ask, you don't get". It seems obvious and<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZllI0nnIEDg/UZaBiJGVBgI/AAAAAAAAAQM/5P1oLizd7wY/s1600/Paul+Drew.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZllI0nnIEDg/UZaBiJGVBgI/AAAAAAAAAQM/5P1oLizd7wY/s1600/Paul+Drew.png" /></a></div>
simple, yet how many times do we assume that something would or should come our way when we have neglected to ask for it? "You don't ask, you don't get". It never hurts to ask. You might get a lot more than you might have expected in the first place. <br />
<br />
From that day forward, I learned to ask. And I got a whole lot more. Thank you, Paul Drew. Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-51179718591529876892013-03-03T17:13:00.003-05:002013-03-03T17:13:36.442-05:00Lives of Country Radio Listeners<strong>Heartbeat Of Country Radio:</strong> Check this out from Country Radio Seminar: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.edisonresearch.com/home/archives/2013/02/country-radios-heartbeat-the-lives-of-your-listeners.php">http://www.edisonresearch.com/home/archives/2013/02/country-radios-heartbeat-the-lives-of-your-listeners.php</a>Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-24628175040304435652013-02-15T10:48:00.002-05:002013-02-15T10:48:37.224-05:00State Of The Country FormatMy article was posted in yesterday's Radio Ink Daily. <a href="http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=2616519&spid=24698">www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=2616519&spid=24698 </a>Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-84230610268105553212012-08-12T10:04:00.000-04:002012-08-12T17:48:34.172-04:00Randy Travis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCLi4zgRQco/UCe3YqIRL9I/AAAAAAAAANA/M-9CPA5Tru4/s1600/Randy+Travis.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCLi4zgRQco/UCe3YqIRL9I/AAAAAAAAANA/M-9CPA5Tru4/s1600/Randy+Travis.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
CNN's Phil Gast has an excellent article on what Randy Travis faces both personally and professionally:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/10/showbiz/randy-travis-career/index.html?hpt=en_c2" style="background-color: white; color: blue; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;" target="_blank">Click here: Can country singer Randy Travis get past his rough patch? - CNN.com</a>Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-80441093711396586502012-05-21T17:22:00.000-04:002012-05-21T17:22:08.383-04:00<strong>Rusty Walker:</strong> I, like many of us in the radio community, am shaken by Rusty Walker's death. I had a high regard for Rusty, both personally and professionally. Although we were competitors for years, I got to see Rusty at work, as we co-consulted on several stations over the years. His love for radio, music, and most importantly, people, is what I remember most. He was a tenacious competitor who seized every advantage imaginable to win for his clients. I was proud for him, and for Country radio, at his induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame. His wonderful family beamed at the well-deserved honor. I'm glad that it happened while he was here to enjoy it. Rusty may have signed off from earth, but his influence will be felt for years to come. <br />
<br />
<br />Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-60101548825090875442012-04-09T12:40:00.002-04:002012-04-16T16:41:35.879-04:00Not So Deep Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hYZTBpGfXY4/T4Lo2fRxqjI/AAAAAAAAAL0/QZ8Rc1xs-HM/s1600/keith_toby_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hYZTBpGfXY4/T4Lo2fRxqjI/AAAAAAAAAL0/QZ8Rc1xs-HM/s200/keith_toby_.jpg" width="171" /></a><strong><u>Who's a Classic Artist?:</u></strong> Listeners are now refering to Toby Keith and Tim McGraw as "classic" artists. That's not a bad thing for them, as they are still strong and active, like George Strait is, but it does show that the newer artists are gaining momentum and challenging the format's big guns. </div><strong><u>Ball Cap Acts</u></strong>: Remember the term "Hat Acts"? These are the stars who wear cowboy hats. Nearly every major superstar in recent years has worn one. However, a new trend is emerging: the "Ball Cap" acts, like Luke Bryan, Eric Church and others. I can't say that I coined this phrase, but it does speak to the newer Country music that's more rock edged, yet no less Country than what has been released in the past.<br />
<strong><u>ACM Awards Show:</u></strong> Performances were great as usual, however, the artists seem to have a tough time hearing themselves, making pitch a challenge. Also, the lack of big hit songs in the first half-hour may have kept the ratings from reaching their accustomed level. If a radio station played a half-hour of unfamiliar songs, we might have a ratings problem. <br />
<strong><u>Congrats To Taylor Swift:</u></strong> Shut out until the fan-voted Entertainer of the Year, Taylor Swift got the well- deserved ACM win in this category. Can you think of anyone who puts on a better show, or who has done more to bring Country to the masses? I can't.<br />
<strong><u>Ronnie vs. Kix</u></strong>: Both former Brooks and Dunn guys have current singles. Ironically, programmers seem to be preferring the Kix single. Who'd a thunk it?Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-90642056407443567052011-11-10T13:54:00.002-05:002011-11-10T13:58:03.394-05:00CMA Awards: My 2 Cents<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2QACHgWBMns/TrwbZyIFPQI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/imUmIEy8maI/s1600/Brad+and+Carrie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2QACHgWBMns/TrwbZyIFPQI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/imUmIEy8maI/s200/Brad+and+Carrie.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood did the best job anyone has ever done hosting that show. They were everything you wanted in hosts. The Tim and Faith Barbi doll segment is a CLASSIC! <br />
<br />
Great to see Taylor Swift win Entertainer of the Year. She's done more to help Country music and Country radio than she gets credit for through the halo effect of her mass appeal popularity. <br />
<br />
Zac Brown Band should have won SOMETHING for the great year they had. That said, I wished they had performed one of their great songs instead of "Georgia On My Mind". <br />
<br />
Why do some artists get two turns - while many worthy ones get none? Just askin'?? <br />
<br />
Too bad the Hall of Fame has become an afterthought. Not even a picture of the winners. Seems like lately other genres are doing a better job honoring their pioneers. <br />
<br />
Now, we should start a Facebook page to lobby for Brad and Carrie to host the Oscars!Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-5465619021779350312011-10-11T10:14:00.000-04:002011-10-11T10:14:38.877-04:00Fishing Is King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9fk6jIVr-I/TpRPNO28iSI/AAAAAAAAAJk/_ofBhL3c254/s1600/Fishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9fk6jIVr-I/TpRPNO28iSI/AAAAAAAAAJk/_ofBhL3c254/s1600/Fishing.jpg" /></a></div>Each year it seems, a different theme becomes popular in Country music. This year, fishing rules. "Just Fishin'", "Bait a Hook" and simply "Fish" are all on the charts. All good songs. I have to say, I much prefer fishing to last year's "my town is smaller than your town and I'm more Country than you" dominant theme. Lifestyle themes are part of the format, and always will be. Let's remember, too, that Country is also about universal themes, told in the clearest most honest way. I wonder what's in store for next year?Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-54224693642646276862011-07-03T11:12:00.000-04:002011-07-03T11:12:38.670-04:00Just saw my first "Back To School" ad - on July 3rd. Is this for Summer School?Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-76272772041923915442011-05-12T09:03:00.000-04:002011-05-13T09:13:03.246-04:00Classic Country Radio Songs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf9CkEwiX78/Tcvnt5FqMzI/AAAAAAAAAFc/yhwx4c6xbRo/s1600/Classic+Radio.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf9CkEwiX78/Tcvnt5FqMzI/AAAAAAAAAFc/yhwx4c6xbRo/s1600/Classic+Radio.bmp" /></a></div>Phil Sweetland wrote a great column today about Country songs that reference Country radio. It made me think of others that I either remember, or learned about from Country music's rich past. Besides the recent Reba hit, "Turn On Your Radio", how about these (in no particular order): <br />
Nothing On But The Radio - Gary Allan<br />
Fading In, Fading Out - Tommy Overstreet<br />
Listen To The Radio - Don Williams<br />
Tiny Blue Transistor Radio - Connie Smith<br />
(Lord Have Mercy On A) Country DJ - Bill Anderson<br />
Radio Lover - George Jones<br />
There Ain't Nothing Wrong With The Radio - Aaron Tippin<br />
Turn Your Radio On - Ray Stevens<br />
I Watched It All On My Radio - Lionel Cartwright<br />
<br />
Radio and Country music are forever entwined in these classic songs.Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-83560497464981261602010-12-05T13:36:00.003-05:002010-12-05T14:01:11.541-05:00No Respect For Merle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_upYWd7NVxWM/TPvdPFPJYAI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/iACy4efzbUA/s1600/MerleHaggard.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_upYWd7NVxWM/TPvdPFPJYAI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/iACy4efzbUA/s1600/MerleHaggard.jpeg" /></a></div>Kennedy Center Awards are tonight. Most of the articles and promotion for the show reads something like, "McCartney, Winfrey and others" honored tonight. One of those "others" is Country Music Hall of Famer Merle Haggard. While I can't argue that Sir Paul and Oprah are more famous than "Hag", to me he means than both of them put together. From the 60's through the 80's, no one loomed larger over the Country music landscape than Merle Haggard. While physically small, he was larger than life. He could do it all; sing, write, and perform while being strong enough to buck the Nashville star system by succeeding his own way. In 2010 Merle Haggard continues to do it his own way. Long live Merle. My hero.Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-38247520739043861532010-11-22T16:46:00.004-05:002010-11-22T16:52:29.170-05:00Wishful Packaging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_upYWd7NVxWM/TOrlub5_UvI/AAAAAAAAAFI/IX6v5I2w-sA/s1600/Number+One.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_upYWd7NVxWM/TOrlub5_UvI/AAAAAAAAAFI/IX6v5I2w-sA/s200/Number+One.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>Is it presumtous to put not yet released songs on a "Greatest Hits" or "Number One's" package? I think it is. If the song or songs are then released to radio and are not hits or do not make number one, what then? I suppose all releases are hits with <em>someone. </em>Just askin'.Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-80059402118259185342010-11-11T10:22:00.001-05:002010-11-11T10:24:27.913-05:00CMA Awards 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_upYWd7NVxWM/TNwJjttKSRI/AAAAAAAAAFA/IHu0bmQfL10/s1600/CMA+Awards+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_upYWd7NVxWM/TNwJjttKSRI/AAAAAAAAAFA/IHu0bmQfL10/s1600/CMA+Awards+Logo.jpg" /></a></div>Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood did a great job hosting again this year, teasing Nashville's royalty and keeping the show moving. Funny line: (paraphrasing) "After the night Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert are having ... expect a baby in 9 months." <br />
<br />
Kelly Clarkson performed a powerful song with Jason Aldean, "Don't You Want To Stay Here A Little While". No surprise that the song was released today to Country radio. <br />
<br />
Gwyneth Paltrow sang the title song from her new movie, "Country Strong". Vince Gill sang with her to lend support. She got a standing ovation (in spite of looking nervous during the performance). <br />
<br />
Blake Shelton wins Male Vocalist of the Year, beating out a bunch of heavyweights. Well deserved. <br />
<br />
Blake's fiance Miranda Lambert wins Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, and sings the Song of the Year for "House That Built Me". 2010 is the Year of Miranda. <br />
<br />
Sissy Spacek introduced a tribute to Loretta Lynn. There wasn't a dry eye in house as Loretta came out to sing "Coal Miner's Daughter" with Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow. I had the privalege of interviewing Loretta (and Sissy) when Coal Miner's Daughter was released, and can tell you that there is no one more genuine and deserving of everything she's received than Loretta Lynn. She is truly a national treasure.<br />
<br />
Why did Taylor Swift utter the word "What?" after her performance. We may never know. We do know that after her incredible 2009, the woman who just sold a million albums got shut out of winning any awards last night.<br />
<br />
Finally, Brad Paisley gets the well deserved Entertainer of the Year award, giving a heartfelt acceptance speech. Glad to know that men are now allowed to cry in Country Music.Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-48132043142353897572010-11-10T07:01:00.001-05:002010-11-10T09:46:00.303-05:00Is Gwyneth Overshadowing the CMA Awards?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_upYWd7NVxWM/TNn4wY2U-CI/AAAAAAAAAE8/VRHIZsbCVo0/s1600/Gwyneth.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_upYWd7NVxWM/TNn4wY2U-CI/AAAAAAAAAE8/VRHIZsbCVo0/s200/Gwyneth.jpeg" width="149" /></a></div>Have you noticed that TV promos for tonight's CMA awards focus mostly on Gwyneth Paltrow's debut singing performance? Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that her spot on the show will no doubt attract viewers who might not otherwise watch. But I can't help feeling that some of our biggest stars are getting the short shrift. At least promotionally. Let's hope her performance on the show is a big hit. It would be even better if her new movie, <i>Country Strong</i>, is a bigger hit.Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-2187710479814867142010-09-01T16:50:00.005-04:002010-10-11T16:01:54.513-04:00Where's Taylor?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_upYWd7NVxWM/TH6-RgsPChI/AAAAAAAAAE0/cuIq0fs8574/s1600/Taylor+Swif+II+picture.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512052201990588946" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_upYWd7NVxWM/TH6-RgsPChI/AAAAAAAAAE0/cuIq0fs8574/s200/Taylor+Swif+II+picture.jpg" style="float: right; height: 193px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 144px;" /></a><br />
<div><b></b>No disrepect to today's CMA nominees (they are a great bunch), but I do not understand how last year's Entertainer of the Year, Taylor Swift, is shunned from even a nomination in that category? Did Kanye West hijack the voting?</div>Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-37147048395478231702010-05-17T16:12:00.002-04:002010-05-17T16:21:13.570-04:00<strong>Shorter Is Better:</strong> At least this is true with respect to song length. Could a trend be emerging? Witness new releases from Justin Moore, Billy Currington, Carrie Underwood in the 2:50 something range. Why does this matter? It helps both radio and records. Radio gets to play more songs and records gets more new songs played. Why? At the risk of sounding techno-geeky, new currents are often in "drop" positions and they are less likely to be dropped by the computer if they are shorter and can get aired before a time sync for commercials. If I lost you on that one, just know that shorter songs are less likely to be dropped. Bring on the shorties!Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-49395785991827064172010-03-11T07:09:00.002-05:002010-03-11T07:15:54.031-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_upYWd7NVxWM/S5je8fvQWpI/AAAAAAAAAEk/_4yl7inmYfo/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 127px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 99px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447348880197835410" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_upYWd7NVxWM/S5je8fvQWpI/AAAAAAAAAEk/_4yl7inmYfo/s200/images.jpeg" /></a><br /><div><strong>Idea For A New Country Song:</strong> Way Out Here we've got a Bonfire going in the Back Woods where I'm a Little More Country than how The Country Boys Roll their Hillbilly Bone. </div>Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37198086.post-1139643464777000332010-01-09T16:31:00.001-05:002010-01-09T16:36:14.263-05:00<strong>Give Back, Advance Your Career:</strong> The state of the radio industry is such that we need all the help we can get. There are quite a few radio organizations that can use your help. Volunteer to serve on committees putting on radio conventions like the Country Radio Seminar, the NAB, The Midwest Conclave and your state broadcasters. Most states put on an annual convention. Not only can you make a difference, but you’ll make valuable contacts that will not only enrich you personally, but will advance your career.<br /><br />If you have time to serve on one committee, serve on two. Make the time. Make a difference. I have the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">privilege</span> of currently serving on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">CRB (Country Radio Seminar)</span> Board and the Agenda Committee for the Midwest Conclave. For more information, drop me an email and I’ll get you the contact information to get you involved. You’ll be glad you did.Joel Raabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062216340681739463noreply@blogger.com0