Dr. Bruce Nelson Stratton
RADIO NEWS
Quality Broadcasting’s KFTX/Corpus Christi GM/morning host Dr. Bruce Nelson Stratton has announced his retirement after 50 plus years in radio, 15 of which have been on air with KFTX. His last day will be December 31. “Nobody in this business could ask for a better 52 year career then I have had,” says Stratton. “Imagine getting paid ‘pretty well’ for 52 years for something you would have done for free. Plans include a weekend air shift, handling some very special advertising accounts doing another movie (soon) and calling Scott Borchetta to see if he’s signing any old guys like me. I’m remembering the Moe Bandy song ‘You Ain’t Heard The Last of Me.’” KFTX Sales Manager Cyndi Rowden is expected to take over as GM, and PD/Afternoons Chuck Abel will move to mornings.
(L-R): John Rich and WSLC/Roanoke PD Brett Sharp just before the station's 4th Annual Star-B-Q at the downtown Salems Farmers Market.
SPIN ZONE
Darius Rucker’s “Come Back Song” adds an additional 67 spins for a total of 3576 and hangs on to the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot a second week. Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue” is decidedly unstuck as it gains 110 spins and jumps to No. 2. Hot on the Mercury duo’s heels is Taylor Swift’s “Mine,” which has made quick work of the chart by ascending to No. 3 in only eight weeks. The lone new entrant to the Top 5 is Reba’s “Turn On The Radio,” which moves ahead of The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” with a gain of 119 spins.
There are only two new additions to this week’s chart, which could be a sign that fall’s feverish release schedule is slightly slowing down. Billy Currington’s “Let Me Down Easy” is out front at No. 73, before his previous single “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer” is even off the chart. The second spot also goes to UMG Nashville, as Gary Allan’s “Kiss Me When I’m Down” maneuvers into the No. 78 position.
It’s a difficult time to play the chart game with so many new superstar singles in rotation, but many independent artists are doing it and making some headway. CountryBreakout Award winner Cody McCarver is ahead of the bunch at No. 25, still picking up spins with “I’m America.” Newcomer David Adam Byrnes is a couple slots back at No. 27 with “Sweet Distraction.” Moving through the Top 40 are offerings including “Beautiful” by The Roys (No. 31), “How Long Is Long Enough” by Burns & Poe (No. 32), “What A Day To Shake A Heartache” by Sherry Lynn (No. 35) and “Leaving Home” by Katie Armiger (No. 38).
Upcoming Singles
October 4
Billy Currington/Let Me Down Easy/Mercury
Lady Antebellum/Hello World/Capitol
The Judds/I Will Stand By You/Curb
Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, & Miranda Lambert/Coal Miner’s Daughter/Columbia
October 11
Craig Morgan/Still A Little Chicken Left On The Bone/BNA
Daniel Smith/Until I Close My Eyes For Good/DLS Records
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Billy Currington/Let Me Down Easy/Mercury — 73
Gary Allan/Kiss Me When I’m Down/MCA — 78
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Tim McGraw/Felt Good On My Lips/Curb — 479
Toby Keith/Bullets In The Gun/Show Dog – Universal — 432
Keith Urban/Put You In A Song/Capitol — 418
Lady Antebellum/Hello World/Capitol — 381
Zac Brown Band feat. Alan Jackson/As She’s Walking Away/Atlantic/Bigger Picture — 299
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Andy Vello/Hank It Up/LoozLip Records — 230
Chris Heers/Happy Thought — 229
Troy Olsen/Good Hands/EMI Records — 218
Rocket Club/One Thing Beautiful/Feather — 218
Mike Aiken/Love You Tonight/Aspirion — 213
Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label — New adds
Tim McGraw/Felt Good On My Lips/Curb — 33
Toby Keith/Bullets In The Gun/Show Dog – Universal — 32
Lady Antebellum/Hello World/Capitol — 32
Billy Currington/Let Me Down Easy/Mercury — 15
Keith Urban/Put You In A Song/Capitol — 11
Randy Houser/A Man Like Me/Show Dog – Universal — 7
LoCash Cowboys/Keep In Mind/Stroudavarious — 7
*Most adds rec’d over two weeks
