Rolling Stone Calls Out Country PDs

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Fresh off the heels of a big night at the Grammys for Kacey Musgraves, Marissa Ross at Rolling Stone writes that Country radio has a choice to make. The never-ending debate about why female artists do not get a lot of Country airplay is sure to be a big part of the annual Country Radio Seminar that begins Wednesday in Nashville.

As Ross points out, it was at the UMG luncheon seven years ago that Musgraves belted out “Merry Go Round” at the Ryman Auditorium. The song peaked at number 10 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart. Her song, “Blowin’ Smoke” would only make it to number 23, “Follow Your Arrow” was halted at number 43, and “Keep It to Yourself” made it into the 30s.

Johnny Chiang

Johnny Chiang, Director of Operations for Cox Media Group Houston, who was ranked second on Radio Ink’s 2019 Best Country Program Director’s list, says KKBQ has been a fan of Kacey’s from day one. “I believe we are the 2nd most-played Country radio station of her music since her debut years back. Kacey Musgraves is without a doubt one of the brilliant music makers today, not just in the Country format, but all genres. Yes, radio does have a decision to make: are we going to give this talented artist a legitimate shot on our platform, or are we going to ignore someone who our audience and fans obviously adore? I can only speak for KKBQ, and we’re going all-in on the business of Kacey Musgraves, like we did in the past, and again now.”

Julie Stevens

KRTY San Jose PD, and Radio Ink’s 22nd Best PD of 2019, Julie Stevens tells Radio Ink she loves Kacey Musgraves. “We played everything mentioned in this article so I am probably the wrong person to ask. I will say the Grammys are a long way from Nashville. The winner’s usually represent what they THINK country is and people who vote have very little understanding of the audience much less a recognition of artist name or titles.

Ross called Musgrave’s win for Album of the Year this past Sunday at the Grammys poetic justice. And on Thursday at the UMG luncheon at The Ryman, UMG has Kassi Ashton and Caylee Hammack scheduled to perform. Ross says, “Like Musgraves, it’s possible that they’ll wow the room and embark on their own highly promoted song launches, which Country radio can either deem a hit or ignore. Sadly, the odds aren’t in their favor.”

See the full Rolling Stone article HERE.

8 COMMENTS

  1. While listening to Musgrave’s songs, including Rainbow, High Horses, Butterflies and Golden Hour, I was reminded of my own experience.
    If a Country P.D. were to play me those songs, show me a photo of Kacey in western garb with a horse chewing on her hat, and then told me she was the epitome of Even Newer Country, I would go, “Well, yeah. Of course!”
    The experience about which I am reminded is when I was told that Shania was/wasn’t Country.
    I mean, that’s still an open discussion.

  2. While TheBigA makes a point, it’s also based on an ongoing acceptances of what used to be considered “Country”.
    For years, now, many fans and participants have described country music as “Rock ‘n’ Roll – with a hat!”
    Gone are the days when, “If it don’ got a fiddle, a banjo an’ a steel guitar – it ain’t Country.”
    I’m almost semi-certain. 🙂

    • Once again, have you listened to the record? Please listen before you post. I have. It’s not now nor would it ever be considered country. It’s a pop record, produced by a pop producer named Daniel Tashian of the pop band the Silver Seas.

  3. Has anyone here listened to this album? It’s not very country. I can see why the Grammy voters love it. But it’s mostly pop. The last “Nashville” artist to win Album of the Year was Taylor Swift. This follows in that tradition. To include this as part of the women on country radio debate is ignoring the sound of this record.

  4. Hence, the 50-record playlists.
    “Playing what you want.”?
    Nonsense.
    Picked from headquarters, played and copied everywhere. 🙂

  5. Well, I’m happy for Kacey, after all a grammy is a pretty nice honor. Alicia Keys has 15….how much airplay is she getting? My mom used to watch the Oscars every year on TV, then go rent all of the top winners. She was always disappointed and would ask me “How did that get best picture?” And I could only guess it was awarded for it’s craft, not it’s popularity. We don’t play songs on the radio to honor the craft used in their making. We play songs people want to hear. Perhaps people don’t want to hear her kind of introspective journey on this background media canvas. Why else would Bro Country still rock the commute? Just sayin…

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