Paul Koffy
Paul Koffy Leaves Mornings At KMNB (BUZ'N)/Minneapolis
ENTERCOM Country KMNB (BUZ'N)/MINNEAPOLIS morning personality PAUL KOFFY has left the station after six years. KOFFY first posted the news on his FACEBOOK page this morning (8/16) announcing, "Yesterday (8/15) was my last day at ...
WKHK/Richmond Adds 'The Bobby Bones Show' For Mornings, Lori Kelly Moves To Middays
SUMMIT MEDIA Country WKHK (K95)/RICHMOND, VA has added PREMIERE NETWORKS nationally syndicated "THE BOBBY BONES SHOW" for mornings, effective today (8/13). BONES succeeds longtime ...
Sassy. It's just downright sassy. That's how I feel when I listen to the new smash from Runaway June, "Buy My Own Drinks." It's female empowerment meets "Boss Babe" movement all in one. Tempo, with a catchy hook, and perfect for a sing-along, the song will get stuck in your head in the best possible way. The ladies of Runaway June aren't new to the scene -- most of you know them by now and are familiar with their killer harmonies and unique style. While they made a splash with their debut, "Lipstick," and follow-up single, "Wild West," their third offering is a straight-down-the-middle grand slam, in my opinion. These three independent women are proving that they are ready to take on the world, together, and the lyrics make me want to grab my ladies and turn it up to eleven before we all hit the club. "I can buy my own drinks / I can pay my own tab / And, at the end of the night when they cut off all the light / I can call my own cab / I can drop my own change in the jukebox / I can dance all by myself / So, I can stop thinkin' 'bout, drinkin' about him / I don't need nobody else / Yeah, I can buy my own drinks." This is familiar, relatable, and a surefire hit. Give it the spins it deserves, and watch crowds light up when this one comes on.
If you are a Country radio programmer looking for the perfect, mid-tempo love song to plug in to your playlist, look no further than Chase Rice's latest single, "Eyes On You." By now, we're all familiar with Rice's calming vocals, catchy hooks, and easygoing songwriting style, but "Eyes On You" sounds like a game-changer for his career, if you ask me. With more than 50 million streams worldwide before even being released to Country radio, the track is speaking for itself. As the song becomes more familiar with Country music lovers around the world, you can't help but notice for yourself that the more you hear it, the more you love it. And, it has a chorus that you can't help but sing along to, with an unforgettable melody: "No matter where we go / No matter what we do / If you're there, girl, I've got my eyes on you / Don't matter where we've been / No, there ain't no better view / Than you in my arms with my eyes on you." Chase even said so himself that this is a song that he's been waiting his entire career for; let's make it huge for him. 
If you're thinking that the pendulum is slowly swinging back toward center, you may just be right. Further proof is the debut single from Riley Green, "There Was This Girl." Green is a tall country boy from Alabama who leans on the more traditional side. Evoking a dash of Chris Cagle's "Chicks Dig It" theme and an up-tempo, straight-down-the-middle melody, "There Was This Girl" will have you both smiling in recognition and toe-tapping in no time. A good story-song in disguise, "There Was This Girl" follows the rowdy road-dog along his path to finding musical stardom while also impressing the ladies. "Some folks ask me why I still pick this guitar / They say livin' that life on the road won't get you very far/ I say, man, you should've been down in Tupelo / Seen what was in the front row // There was this girl / Beer in her hand / Shootin' me a 'play a little Skynyrd' grin / She's turnin' it up / She's turnin' me on / And, I'd play her anything she'd sing along / I was out of my mind / She was out of this world / There was this girl." Riley Green has already made quite a name for himself out on the road, playing to packed houses who are already singing along. Jump on the train, and add "There Was This Girl."
I think we can all agree by saying Dan + Shay are on fire, especially with their newly-released, self-titled album. The project debuted at #1 with more than 24,000 in pure album sales during its first week. And, if that doesn't impress you as much as it should, the project's lead single, "Tequila," topped the Mediabase Country singles chart for two consecutive weeks. Now, as the duo releases their new single, "Speechless," it's clear that they are nowhere near ready to throw the towel in when it comes to hit songs. "Speechless" not only sounds like a bonafide #1, but it will also have you grabbing the hand of your significant other, running to the nearest steeple to say "I do," and sing the song's chorus at the top of your lungs: "I'm speechless / Staring at you, standing there in that dress / What it's doing to me ain't a secret / 'Cause watching you is all that I can do / And, I'm speechless / You already know that you're my weakness / After all this time, I'm just as nervous / Every time you walk into the room / I'm speechless." As if the record wasn't good enough on its own, Dan + Shay also blessed our lives with a wedding video to go along with it -- one that features both of their own weddings. Fair warning: it will make you tear up. So, grab the tissues, watch the video, and add "Speechless" to your playlist immediately.
I have long felt that Randy Houser has one of the purest voices in Country music - not to mention an irresistible, mischievous laugh. So, where have these two things been for the past couple of years? Holed up in a studio in East Nashville, writing and producing music that we finally get to hear. And, Houser, whose voice was practically ubiquitous on Country radio a few years ago while churning out three #1 and four platinum singles, has re-emerged from the laboratory with a gangbuster new single, "What Whiskey Does." Sometimes, artists want to ease back into a rhythm after a long hiatus. Apparently, Randy Houser is not one of those artists. "What Whiskey Does" comes right at you - right for you, actually - with a cold intro, quickly showcasing everything Houser does well: the bluesy, soulful, rich voice quality and excruciatingly honest lyrical interpretation that makes you feel as though you're wearing the song, not simply hearing it. Get ready to feel a man in deep pain - and, deep in thought. And, what exactly does whiskey do? "Maybe it'll make me lose my mind / Maybe it'll help me forget this time / Maybe it'll put my fist through the wall / Make me pick up the phone and give you a call / Maybe it'll take me somewhere I've never been / Make the world stand still, make the whole room spin / Maybe make me dance, make me cry." You'll hear a female singing background; that's co-writer Hillary Lindsay, providing balance and nuance. Man, have I missed Houser's voice; hearing it again makes me realize how much I've missed this kind of Country song, driven by emotional storytelling and simple production that triggers feelings. This will stand out and instantly make listeners give your radio station a double-take. Maybe it'll take them somewhere they've never been. Maybe that's just what your radio station needs.
Luke Combs is a hit machine, plain and simple. With his fourth single to terrestrial radio, he is rolling out a fan-favorite with "She Got The Best Of Me," a song about how an ex flame took all the best he has to offer, so we're left with just him, his guitar, and his music. I don't know much about Luke, personally, but I think we may have gotten an okay deal in that, honestly. Luke's music is real and raw, and the infectious hooks have become a staple on radio over the past couple years. His live show proves his fan base is passionate and loyal, and there's a no-holds-barred approach from him in his writing. "I picked myself up off the floor / And, found something new worth living for / In an old dusty hand-me-down six string / And, a couple chords / I'm getting over her / A little more with every song / So sing a-long // She got the best of me / She broke my heart / Now all that's left of me / Is beating in this guitar / Every night, a different town / She follows me around / So, you get what's left of me / Yeah, you get what's left of me / Cause, she got the best of me." I promise -- it's a hit. Add it, spin it, love it.
On the heels of the release of his sophomore album, "Amos," Michael Ray is turning it up with his newest single, "One That Got Away." In the tune, Ray takes the optimistic route when it comes to a new fling -- one he knows won't last, but promises to make the best of it. To top it off, it's an undeniable crowd-pleaser; when he played it at the "Amos" release celebration in Nashville, fans couldn't help but sing along, regardless of whether they knew the real words or not. The song is upbeat from start to finish, but it peaks in the chorus: "She's decoratin' my car / Soon she'll be breakin' my heart / She's too Wild Horses to be all mine / I'll be your Beast of Burden on Borrowed Time / She's gonna rip off ay kind of label / She's into leavin' those strings untied / Keepin' it tax free, under the table / She might only be mine tonight / But, that's alright, that's okay / She's gonna be one hell of a one that got away." Don't let this record be "one that got away;" add it to your playlist now.
"I'm a little bit steady, but / Still a little bit rolling stone / I'm a little bit heaven, but / Still a little bit flesh and bone / I'm little found / Little don't know where I am / I'm a little bit holy water / But, still a little bit burning man / Burning man." If this chorus doesn't completely encompass Dierks Bentley's life and musical style, I'm not really sure what does. This up-tempo track from his spectacular "The Mountain" album features all the things we've grown to love about Dierks over the years -- a little bit rootsy, a little bit rock 'n' roll; a little bit Country, a little bit shredding guitar solo. Amped up by the presence of tour mates Brothers Osborne, "Burning Man" is the best of all the good things in life and a real overview of Dierks' entire new project. Perfect for Summer, and full of hooky appeal, "Burning Man" is another sure-fire hit from one of our format's steady core artists. This one makes perfect sense right out of the gate, and your listeners are sure to identify with the themes while rocking out to the melodies.
"Somebody's gotta play that Country that ain't ever comin' back." Well, I've got some news for you -- it's back, and Garth is the one bringing it back. Many programmers have already stated to me and on social media that this is the Garth song they've been waiting for -- the rowdy, honky-tonk, boot-stompin', raucous jam of a song that made Garth a radio and stage icon. Tempo, tempo, tempo is the name of the game here, along with the flavor of the "90s Country sound" for which many have become nostalgic. Don't be mistaken, however; this is current Garth in his current glory, with a full-bodied vocal and a renewed energy that has come from sell-out crowd spanning his recent three-year-long sell-out tour. "All Day Long" is sticky in the best of ways with instant familiarity and a sing-along sensibility that make it a no-brainer, sure-fire win for your station. "Somebody's gotta feed that jukebox / Somebody's gotta drink that beer / Somebody's gotta get all rowdy and raise some hell in here / Somebody's gotta dance with the women / Spin 'em to a Country song / I can do this night life all day long." And, boy, can he.
The Eli Young Band had me at "Level," their 2005 album release, and I've been an advocate since. So, here I am again, imploring you to take a serious listen to "Love Ain't," the first single from a soon-to-be announced project. I thought radio whiffed on the band's 2016's "Saltwater Gospel," an infectious, up-tempo earworm. Don't let that happen again. I know there's a lot out there to consider, but consider this: though it didn't "officially" go for adds until this week, a few stations that are considered a very tough add are all over this like white on rice. KFDI/Wichita and KILT/Houston are two examples. Those programmers know this has tempo - which every PD/MD always craves - and a big hook. The song is an instant sing-a-long, and sounds terrific on the radio - I heard it while streaming KFDI this week, and though it sounds great if you sample it on the All Access Cool New Music page, it's the kind of tune that sounds better on the radio, popping up unexpected in the music mix. I'm mentioning this part last, lest you think this song relies on an emotional hook: The band has partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides support for injured veterans (all members of the EYB have a personal, family connection to the military). A powerful video accompanies the song, telling the true story of Taylor Morris, who became a quadruple amputee while serving the United States in Afghanistan. The video is an incredible, emotional companion piece to the song - but, the song also stands up on its own, too. You need to bring this into the music meeting, then, quickly get into the control room. It has the potential to be Country's song of the summer. 
If I put together a list of Brett Eldredge's top skills, "singing love songs" would without-a-doubt steal the first place spot. And, anyone who knows Eldredge at all knows that he has been searching to write a real-life love song of his own. Eldredge's newest single at Country radio, "Love Someone," is a clear depiction of what he dreams up when he thinks of his future love story. It's the first track found on his self-titled third studio album and sets the mood for the entire project. As he describes in the chorus, the key to love is simplicity: "'Cause when I wake up in the middle of the night / You're holding me so tight / I mean, my oh my / It sure feels good to love someone / When you laugh at the way I dance / When you smile when you're holding my hand / I look at you, and I understand / It sure feels good to love someone." Along with the song's straightforward lyrics and Eldredge's undeniably recognizable voice, this record has a right-down-the-middle tempo; it's not going to rush your station, but it's also not going to slow it down. In fact, it's only going to make your listeners crave to "Love Someone" -- just as Brett does -- or love the person they're with even more. Add it today, and spread the love.
Arista Nashville's newest signee, Carlton Anderson, is introducing himself to Country radio with his debut single, "Drop Everything." The flirtatious track encompasses the traditional sound that Country radio is craving right now. And, to add to its promising future, the tune is mid-tempo, serving as a great transition from uptempo tunes to ballads within any station's mix. Although he's a new act, Anderson's voice is so smooth, it's as if it's already familiar as he kicks the song off: "You say you made some plans / Already with your friends / You're gonna hit the town / They'll be here any minute now / Oh, and baby I don't know / Who keeps blowin' up your phone / But, you've hit decline / At least a hundred times / You say that it's your boyfriend, but y'all ain't been doin' too good / Well, that's good / And, if you're wonderin' if you oughtta break up with him / Baby, you should / Yeah, you should." The song's clever flirtation and Anderson's personality continue to shine even more within the chorus: "Drop everything, your plans, your man / I don't see a ring on your pretty little hand / Drop some plastic on the tab, my Chevy into gear / Drop your keys by my door, your coat on the floor / We'll go from there, drop everything." With this debut record, I think Anderson proves that he's worth saving a spot on your playlist for. It's impacting now; consider "dropping everything" for it.
Aaron Watson Live At The World’s Biggest Rodeo Show
