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Will country radio play the new Dixie Chicks?

J

Jay_F

I just read on the Drudge Report that the new Dixie Chicks CD will contain a hardcore anti-Bush song. Will country radio play the new Dixie Chicks product? My guess is that in a competitive situation, many stations will play it safe and boycott the Chicks, their negative scores are just too high.

Even if Bush's poll numbers are down, many of his remaining supporters are country music fans. Besides, even the country listeners who dislike Bush have an even greater dislike for entertainers who feel the need to preach their politcal opinions.
 
Please...country radio doesnt boycott the Chicks...their listeners do.


> I just read on the Drudge Report that the new Dixie Chicks
> CD will contain a hardcore anti-Bush song. Will country
> radio play the new Dixie Chicks product? My guess is that in
> a competitive situation, many stations will play it safe and
> boycott the Chicks, their negative scores are just too high.
>
>
> Even if Bush's poll numbers are down, many of his remaining
> supporters are country music fans. Besides, even the country
> listeners who dislike Bush have an even greater dislike for
> entertainers who feel the need to preach their politcal
> opinions.
>
 
Listeners that were whipped into a frenzy by certain country radio stations that made a big freaking deal about the comments which in turn affected the stations that kept quiet under the assumption that the controversy would die. The controversy wouldn't have been so blown out of proportion if you didn't have country radio stations burning CDs, etc. So yeah, there was a country radio boycott.

At this point, I'm more concerned that the Chicks have publicly distanced themselves from Nashville and have publicly stated how uncomfortable they feel in the country format. That's a bigger issue for me now.

> Please...country radio doesnt boycott the Chicks...their
> listeners do.
>
>
> > I just read on the Drudge Report that the new Dixie Chicks
>
> > CD will contain a hardcore anti-Bush song. Will country
> > radio play the new Dixie Chicks product? My guess is that
> in
> > a competitive situation, many stations will play it safe
> and
> > boycott the Chicks, their negative scores are just too
> high.
> >
> >
> > Even if Bush's poll numbers are down, many of his
> remaining
> > supporters are country music fans. Besides, even the
> country
> > listeners who dislike Bush have an even greater dislike
> for
> > entertainers who feel the need to preach their politcal
> > opinions.
> >
>
 
There was like always a few stations that took that low road, but by and large, the outcry from listeners was so strong that radio HAD to react. No different than any song that burned, they burned. So i agree some radio did try and make a promotion out of it, but many major markets made no public statement on behalf of radio other than letting their music cool.



Listeners that were whipped into a frenzy by certain country
> radio stations that made a big freaking deal about the
> comments which in turn affected the stations that kept quiet
> under the assumption that the controversy would die. The
> controversy wouldn't have been so blown out of proportion if
> you didn't have country radio stations burning CDs, etc. So
> yeah, there was a country radio boycott.
>
> At this point, I'm more concerned that the Chicks have
> publicly distanced themselves from Nashville and have
> publicly stated how uncomfortable they feel in the country
> format. That's a bigger issue for me now.
>
> > Please...country radio doesnt boycott the Chicks...their
> > listeners do.
> >
> >
> > > I just read on the Drudge Report that the new Dixie
> Chicks
> >
> > > CD will contain a hardcore anti-Bush song. Will country
> > > radio play the new Dixie Chicks product? My guess is
> that
> > in
> > > a competitive situation, many stations will play it safe
>
> > and
> > > boycott the Chicks, their negative scores are just too
> > high.
> > >
> > >
> > > Even if Bush's poll numbers are down, many of his
> > remaining
> > > supporters are country music fans. Besides, even the
> > country
> > > listeners who dislike Bush have an even greater dislike
> > for
> > > entertainers who feel the need to preach their politcal
> > > opinions.
> > >
> >
>
 
I'm not convinced that it was country music listeners that fanned the flames of discontent. A large chunk of the complaints were coming from Limbaugh or Hannity listeners...or were a part of an organized right wing political protest movement. I read a lot of the e-mails and it was rather clear that most of it wasn't coming from our listeners because most of it was essentially people cutting and pasting the same form letter and having very little knowledge of the station. We did get complaints from listeners what what we did get from listeners tended to be much more civil. Whatever outcry came from country music listeners was built on around the continuing coverage of the controversy.

I will admit that the Chicks handled the controversy very badly. In my view, they should have said nothing and have done nothing. I think it was Natalie fighting back that turned country music fans against them and not the original comments.


> There was like always a few stations that took that low
> road, but by and large, the outcry from listeners was so
> strong that radio HAD to react. No different than any song
> that burned, they burned. So i agree some radio did try and
> make a promotion out of it, but many major markets made no
> public statement on behalf of radio other than letting their
> music cool.
>
>
>
> Listeners that were whipped into a frenzy by certain
> country
> > radio stations that made a big freaking deal about the
> > comments which in turn affected the stations that kept
> quiet
> > under the assumption that the controversy would die. The
> > controversy wouldn't have been so blown out of proportion
> if
> > you didn't have country radio stations burning CDs, etc.
> So
> > yeah, there was a country radio boycott.
> >
> > At this point, I'm more concerned that the Chicks have
> > publicly distanced themselves from Nashville and have
> > publicly stated how uncomfortable they feel in the country
>
> > format. That's a bigger issue for me now.
> >
> > > Please...country radio doesnt boycott the Chicks...their
>
> > > listeners do.
> > >
> > >
> > > > I just read on the Drudge Report that the new Dixie
> > Chicks
> > >
> > > > CD will contain a hardcore anti-Bush song. Will
> country
> > > > radio play the new Dixie Chicks product? My guess is
> > that
> > > in
> > > > a competitive situation, many stations will play it
> safe
> >
> > > and
> > > > boycott the Chicks, their negative scores are just too
>
> > > high.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Even if Bush's poll numbers are down, many of his
> > > remaining
> > > > supporters are country music fans. Besides, even the
> > > country
> > > > listeners who dislike Bush have an even greater
> dislike
> > > for
> > > > entertainers who feel the need to preach their
> politcal
> > > > opinions.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
 
> Will country radio play the new Dixie Chicks product?

Not if they'd like to retain the same level of listeners & advertisers.

There's zero to gain from playing them (the format doesn't seem to have suffered from their absence in the slightest) but there's definitely something to lose from doing so.

Seems pretty obvious what the right call for stations to make would be here.
 
One of three things can happen...

I figure that one of three things can happen...

#1 (likely). Some stations will play the new Dixie Chicks...some will steadfastly refuse to play them...while most of the others will sit on the fence to gauge reaction and will get very little either way meaning the Chicks won't get much airplay.

#2. (possible). Some stations will play them to overwhelmingly positive reaction that the rest of country radio will have to play them so they're not left out.

#3. (unlikely). Most of country radio won't play them sparking a huge liberal media led backlash against country radio resulting in a huge flood of letters, phone calls and e-mails to stations from Chicks fans and others demanding that the Chicks get played or they'll boycott their advertisers.

If #2 or #3 happen, I'd hate to be working for a station that programmed themselves into a corner by publicly bashing and boycotting them.

What I'm fairly confident about is that whether or not the Dixie Chicks get played or not, their next album will generate a lot of publicity which will generate a lot of sales...at least initially.

I agree that there's not much to be gained by playing them (unless country music listeners embrace them and demand to hear them again) but I think the format did suffer a little from their loss (country radio ratings seemed to trend down during and after the controversy). What we lost were the non-country fans who were brought in to the format by the Chicks and I think we slightly re-inforced the negative hillbilly stereotype that successfully keeps many non-country fans from sampling the format. The controversy played well with our P-1s and P-2s, but I think it damaged us in trying to bring in cume-building P-3s which is the most fickle audience. I think we've since recovered because artists like Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich have started to bring that audience back.


> > Will country radio play the new Dixie Chicks product?
>
> Not if they'd like to retain the same level of listeners &
> advertisers.
>
> There's zero to gain from playing them (the format doesn't
> seem to have suffered from their absence in the slightest)
> but there's definitely something to lose from doing so.
>
> Seems pretty obvious what the right call for stations to
> make would be here.
>
 
I agree that you are correct with the emails. We discount most email outcrys because to your point, they are usually from someone with an axe to grind, and very likely not a listener to begin with. But all our Chicks research came from pushed email blasts to our core audience who were limited to one response, and many radio friends did the same, so the listeners were very much involved in the outcry, even if you consider those politically motivated to stir the pot.

Grim reality, Chicks didn't and still don't know their audience and its values. Those listeners, without the "cause" people, spoke very loudly and I am convined will again. Radio is in a no win if they play them. No upside to playing the gamble. Whatever they release... its just a song, no one will miss it. Then the only people we will hear from are the "cause" people who dont listen to us to begin with. They will go away, but the true listener will be VERY passionate and noisy.



I'm not convinced that it was country music listeners that
> fanned the flames of discontent. A large chunk of the
> complaints were coming from Limbaugh or Hannity
> listeners...or were a part of an organized right wing
> political protest movement. I read a lot of the e-mails and
> it was rather clear that most of it wasn't coming from our
> listeners because most of it was essentially people cutting
> and pasting the same form letter and having very little
> knowledge of the station. We did get complaints from
> listeners what what we did get from listeners tended to be
> much more civil. Whatever outcry came from country music
> listeners was built on around the continuing coverage of the
> controversy.
>
> I will admit that the Chicks handled the controversy very
> badly. In my view, they should have said nothing and have
> done nothing. I think it was Natalie fighting back that
> turned country music fans against them and not the original
> comments.
>
>
> > There was like always a few stations that took that low
> > road, but by and large, the outcry from listeners was so
> > strong that radio HAD to react. No different than any
> song
> > that burned, they burned. So i agree some radio did try
> and
> > make a promotion out of it, but many major markets made no
>
> > public statement on behalf of radio other than letting
> their
> > music cool.
> >
> >
> >
> > Listeners that were whipped into a frenzy by certain
> > country
> > > radio stations that made a big freaking deal about the
> > > comments which in turn affected the stations that kept
> > quiet
> > > under the assumption that the controversy would die.
> The
> > > controversy wouldn't have been so blown out of
> proportion
> > if
> > > you didn't have country radio stations burning CDs, etc.
>
> > So
> > > yeah, there was a country radio boycott.
> > >
> > > At this point, I'm more concerned that the Chicks have
> > > publicly distanced themselves from Nashville and have
> > > publicly stated how uncomfortable they feel in the
> country
> >
> > > format. That's a bigger issue for me now.
> > >
> > > > Please...country radio doesnt boycott the
> Chicks...their
> >
> > > > listeners do.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > I just read on the Drudge Report that the new Dixie
> > > Chicks
> > > >
> > > > > CD will contain a hardcore anti-Bush song. Will
> > country
> > > > > radio play the new Dixie Chicks product? My guess is
>
> > > that
> > > > in
> > > > > a competitive situation, many stations will play it
> > safe
> > >
> > > > and
> > > > > boycott the Chicks, their negative scores are just
> too
> >
> > > > high.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Even if Bush's poll numbers are down, many of his
> > > > remaining
> > > > > supporters are country music fans. Besides, even the
>
> > > > country
> > > > > listeners who dislike Bush have an even greater
> > dislike
> > > > for
> > > > > entertainers who feel the need to preach their
> > politcal
> > > > > opinions.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
 
I don't disagree with the results of the research that you've conducted, because the research that I've seen indicates that the country audience for the most part isn't clamoring to hear the Dixie Chicks. I do disagree you over the root cause for the disinterest, and I have some problems with your research methodology.

I maintain today that the controversy would've died down in a few days if certain country radio stations hadn't fanned the anti-Chicks hysteria with their knee-jerk reactions. The core country audience certainly wouldn't have agreed with Natalie's comments, but the average fan wouldn't have spontaneously been inspired to boycott their country radio stations if the idea hadn't been generated by certain country radio stations to begin with. For example, if certain bible-belt country radio stations decided to publicly boycott Tim McGraw and burn his CDs because he was singing about a couple having an abortion in "Red Ragtop", you can bet that the story would've been picked up by the media and by Rush/Hannity/etc., and the core country fans would've jumped on the bandwagon (and Tim McGraw's career would be in trouble). As it stands, I'm sure there were a small group of country listeners upset over "Red Ragtop" (we had complaints), but since there was no bandwagon for them to jump on, it never became an issue (it wasn't worth boycotting country radio over). Give listeners a bandwagon and they'll jump on it, and it happened with the Dixie Chicks. As for the lack of listener interest right now, that's partly due to the controversy but also partly because they've been out of sight and out of mind lately (and partly because they're a somewhat polarizing act which was true before the controversy). That could change with the release of the new album and frankly, I don't have a clue how the country audience will react. The political circumstances are entirely different now since the tide of public opinion is starting to turn against Bush and the war. I agree that there's no reason to play them if you have nothing to gain, but there's there will be enough publicity surrounding a new release that given the changes in the political landscape that country radio may have some decisions to make...especially if the music is as good as its rumored to be. We'll see.

As for your research methodology, sending out e-mail blasts to your core audience is a great way to keep them informed of what's going on at your station and making them feel like a part of the station...but its a very poor method of doing research, since your core audience is such a small part of your cume. A station has to realize what it gets from its core audience. They are the ones who win your contests, who show up for your remotes, and are the ones you hope wind up with Arbitron diaries...but they're also the ones most likely to complain that you play too many songs or artists over and over, will complain about not hearing certain songs or artists, or complain about a jock's show prep or the content of a certain song. Your core audience represents perhaps 10% of your total listening audience, while the other 90% or more that you never hear from comprises the audience that you actually get your ratings from. You certainly want to make your core happy, but you can't make your programming decisions based entirely on their suggestions or complaints, otherwise your lose your cume and thus the bulk of your advertisers.

> I agree that you are correct with the emails. We discount
> most email outcrys because to your point, they are usually
> from someone with an axe to grind, and very likely not a
> listener to begin with. But all our Chicks research came
> from pushed email blasts to our core audience who were
> limited to one response, and many radio friends did the
> same, so the listeners were very much involved in the
> outcry, even if you consider those politically motivated to
> stir the pot.
>
> Grim reality, Chicks didn't and still don't know their
> audience and its values. Those listeners, without the
> "cause" people, spoke very loudly and I am convined will
> again. Radio is in a no win if they play them. No upside to
> playing the gamble. Whatever they release... its just a
> song, no one will miss it. Then the only people we will hear
> from are the "cause" people who dont listen to us to begin
> with. They will go away, but the true listener will be VERY
> passionate and noisy.
>
>
>
> I'm not convinced that it was country music listeners that
> > fanned the flames of discontent. A large chunk of the
> > complaints were coming from Limbaugh or Hannity
> > listeners...or were a part of an organized right wing
> > political protest movement. I read a lot of the e-mails
> and
> > it was rather clear that most of it wasn't coming from our
>
> > listeners because most of it was essentially people
> cutting
> > and pasting the same form letter and having very little
> > knowledge of the station. We did get complaints from
> > listeners what what we did get from listeners tended to be
>
> > much more civil. Whatever outcry came from country music
> > listeners was built on around the continuing coverage of
> the
> > controversy.
> >
> > I will admit that the Chicks handled the controversy very
> > badly. In my view, they should have said nothing and have
>
> > done nothing. I think it was Natalie fighting back that
> > turned country music fans against them and not the
> original
> > comments.
> >
> >
> > > There was like always a few stations that took that low
> > > road, but by and large, the outcry from listeners was so
>
> > > strong that radio HAD to react. No different than any
> > song
> > > that burned, they burned. So i agree some radio did try
>
> > and
> > > make a promotion out of it, but many major markets made
> no
> >
> > > public statement on behalf of radio other than letting
> > their
> > > music cool.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Listeners that were whipped into a frenzy by certain
> > > country
> > > > radio stations that made a big freaking deal about the
>
> > > > comments which in turn affected the stations that kept
>
> > > quiet
> > > > under the assumption that the controversy would die.
> > The
> > > > controversy wouldn't have been so blown out of
> > proportion
> > > if
> > > > you didn't have country radio stations burning CDs,
> etc.
> >
> > > So
> > > > yeah, there was a country radio boycott.
> > > >
> > > > At this point, I'm more concerned that the Chicks have
>
> > > > publicly distanced themselves from Nashville and have
> > > > publicly stated how uncomfortable they feel in the
> > country
> > >
> > > > format. That's a bigger issue for me now.
> > > >
> > > > > Please...country radio doesnt boycott the
> > Chicks...their
> > >
> > > > > listeners do.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > > I just read on the Drudge Report that the new
> Dixie
> > > > Chicks
> > > > >
> > > > > > CD will contain a hardcore anti-Bush song. Will
> > > country
> > > > > > radio play the new Dixie Chicks product? My guess
> is
> >
> > > > that
> > > > > in
> > > > > > a competitive situation, many stations will play
> it
> > > safe
> > > >
> > > > > and
> > > > > > boycott the Chicks, their negative scores are just
>
> > too
> > >
> > > > > high.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Even if Bush's poll numbers are down, many of his
> > > > > remaining
> > > > > > supporters are country music fans. Besides, even
> the
> >
> > > > > country
> > > > > > listeners who dislike Bush have an even greater
> > > dislike
> > > > > for
> > > > > > entertainers who feel the need to preach their
> > > politcal
> > > > > > opinions.
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
 
Correct me if I'm wrong Keith but this is how I think it may play out...

Depending upon the angle the Chicks go with the new single (I personally haven't heard it so I don't know if it's something that will be aimed more for a/c like the description in a write up on GACTV's website as sounding "70's classic rock" making this whole post moot then (supposedly the producer is the same person who did the final Cash Cds) but:

I see the chicks getting it out probably on GAC and CMT with a few stations trying it out just to see the phones on it. By the reaction from those sources, will we see it more, or they will be just another blip on the country boards from a formally top rated group like some other groups.

I think we will see the song in areas that lean liberal and moderate first IMO also... Like I would possibly expect airplay along the east coast more than in their native Texas however.


RFLA
 
Thanks for your comments. I have nothing to debate here, I didnt intend this to be a crusade, or get into the detail of our research abilites. fact is we had 15,000 responses in 36 hours, different group every 3 weeks until we got tired of asking...all the same. this might be smaller percent of the overall cume, but a strong message and we have spent a great deal of money with researchers that would have yielded the same result. it is not valueless data. WE all make plenty of decisions on a basline of respondents significantly less, core or not. And who better than someone who is intimately involved in the station. we are not talking hot dogs at a remote here, they are value statements.

No conspiracy, we said nothing...absolutely nothing...and let the listener speak...and speak they did. we couldnt air a PSA with their music under it without getting pummelled by calls in our market. Again, there is no conspiracy, just the reality that our format has listeners with strong values and patriotic passions. no one nor few stations anywhere could sway the national sentiment so strongly. What could and did is the reality of strong empassioned people crying foul. i have no personal opinion here because mine dosnt count. I miss thier library on the air, but not enough to deal with the fallout.


> I don't disagree with the results of the research that
> you've conducted, because the research that I've seen
> indicates that the country audience for the most part isn't
> clamoring to hear the Dixie Chicks. I do disagree you over
> the root cause for the disinterest, and I have some problems
> with your research methodology.
>
> I maintain today that the controversy would've died down in
> a few days if certain country radio stations hadn't fanned
> the anti-Chicks hysteria with their knee-jerk reactions.
> The core country audience certainly wouldn't have agreed
> with Natalie's comments, but the average fan wouldn't have
> spontaneously been inspired to boycott their country radio
> stations if the idea hadn't been generated by certain
> country radio stations to begin with. For example, if
> certain bible-belt country radio stations decided to
> publicly boycott Tim McGraw and burn his CDs because he was
> singing about a couple having an abortion in "Red Ragtop",
> you can bet that the story would've been picked up by the
> media and by Rush/Hannity/etc., and the core country fans
> would've jumped on the bandwagon (and Tim McGraw's career
> would be in trouble). As it stands, I'm sure there were a
> small group of country listeners upset over "Red Ragtop" (we
> had complaints), but since there was no bandwagon for them
> to jump on, it never became an issue (it wasn't worth
> boycotting country radio over). Give listeners a bandwagon
> and they'll jump on it, and it happened with the Dixie
> Chicks. As for the lack of listener interest right now,
> that's partly due to the controversy but also partly because
> they've been out of sight and out of mind lately (and partly
> because they're a somewhat polarizing act which was true
> before the controversy). That could change with the release
> of the new album and frankly, I don't have a clue how the
> country audience will react. The political circumstances are
> entirely different now since the tide of public opinion is
> starting to turn against Bush and the war. I agree that
> there's no reason to play them if you have nothing to gain,
> but there's there will be enough publicity surrounding a new
> release that given the changes in the political landscape
> that country radio may have some decisions to
> make...especially if the music is as good as its rumored to
> be. We'll see.
>
> As for your research methodology, sending out e-mail blasts
> to your core audience is a great way to keep them informed
> of what's going on at your station and making them feel like
> a part of the station...but its a very poor method of doing
> research, since your core audience is such a small part of
> your cume. A station has to realize what it gets from its
> core audience. They are the ones who win your contests, who
> show up for your remotes, and are the ones you hope wind up
> with Arbitron diaries...but they're also the ones most
> likely to complain that you play too many songs or artists
> over and over, will complain about not hearing certain songs
> or artists, or complain about a jock's show prep or the
> content of a certain song. Your core audience represents
> perhaps 10% of your total listening audience, while the
> other 90% or more that you never hear from comprises the
> audience that you actually get your ratings from. You
> certainly want to make your core happy, but you can't make
> your programming decisions based entirely on their
> suggestions or complaints, otherwise your lose your cume and
> thus the bulk of your advertisers.
>
> > I agree that you are correct with the emails. We discount
> > most email outcrys because to your point, they are usually
>
> > from someone with an axe to grind, and very likely not a
> > listener to begin with. But all our Chicks research came
> > from pushed email blasts to our core audience who were
> > limited to one response, and many radio friends did the
> > same, so the listeners were very much involved in the
> > outcry, even if you consider those politically motivated
> to
> > stir the pot.
> >
> > Grim reality, Chicks didn't and still don't know their
> > audience and its values. Those listeners, without the
> > "cause" people, spoke very loudly and I am convined will
> > again. Radio is in a no win if they play them. No upside
> to
> > playing the gamble. Whatever they release... its just a
> > song, no one will miss it. Then the only people we will
> hear
> > from are the "cause" people who dont listen to us to begin
>
> > with. They will go away, but the true listener will be
> VERY
> > passionate and noisy.
> >
> >
> >
> > I'm not convinced that it was country music listeners
> that
> > > fanned the flames of discontent. A large chunk of the
> > > complaints were coming from Limbaugh or Hannity
> > > listeners...or were a part of an organized right wing
> > > political protest movement. I read a lot of the e-mails
> > and
> > > it was rather clear that most of it wasn't coming from
> our
> >
> > > listeners because most of it was essentially people
> > cutting
> > > and pasting the same form letter and having very little
> > > knowledge of the station. We did get complaints from
> > > listeners what what we did get from listeners tended to
> be
> >
> > > much more civil. Whatever outcry came from country music
>
> > > listeners was built on around the continuing coverage of
>
> > the
> > > controversy.
> > >
> > > I will admit that the Chicks handled the controversy
> very
> > > badly. In my view, they should have said nothing and
> have
> >
> > > done nothing. I think it was Natalie fighting back that
>
> > > turned country music fans against them and not the
> > original
> > > comments.
> > >
> > >
> > > > There was like always a few stations that took that
> low
> > > > road, but by and large, the outcry from listeners was
> so
> >
> > > > strong that radio HAD to react. No different than any
>
> > > song
> > > > that burned, they burned. So i agree some radio did
> try
> >
> > > and
> > > > make a promotion out of it, but many major markets
> made
> > no
> > >
> > > > public statement on behalf of radio other than letting
>
> > > their
> > > > music cool.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Listeners that were whipped into a frenzy by certain
> > > > country
> > > > > radio stations that made a big freaking deal about
> the
> >
> > > > > comments which in turn affected the stations that
> kept
> >
> > > > quiet
> > > > > under the assumption that the controversy would die.
>
> > > The
> > > > > controversy wouldn't have been so blown out of
> > > proportion
> > > > if
> > > > > you didn't have country radio stations burning CDs,
> > etc.
> > >
> > > > So
> > > > > yeah, there was a country radio boycott.
> > > > >
> > > > > At this point, I'm more concerned that the Chicks
> have
> >
> > > > > publicly distanced themselves from Nashville and
> have
> > > > > publicly stated how uncomfortable they feel in the
> > > country
> > > >
> > > > > format. That's a bigger issue for me now.
> > > > >
> > > > > > Please...country radio doesnt boycott the
> > > Chicks...their
> > > >
> > > > > > listeners do.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > I just read on the Drudge Report that the new
> > Dixie
> > > > > Chicks
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > CD will contain a hardcore anti-Bush song. Will
> > > > country
> > > > > > > radio play the new Dixie Chicks product? My
> guess
> > is
> > >
> > > > > that
> > > > > > in
> > > > > > > a competitive situation, many stations will play
>
> > it
> > > > safe
> > > > >
> > > > > > and
> > > > > > > boycott the Chicks, their negative scores are
> just
> >
> > > too
> > > >
> > > > > > high.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Even if Bush's poll numbers are down, many of
> his
> > > > > > remaining
> > > > > > > supporters are country music fans. Besides, even
>
> > the
> > >
> > > > > > country
> > > > > > > listeners who dislike Bush have an even greater
> > > > dislike
> > > > > > for
> > > > > > > entertainers who feel the need to preach their
> > > > politcal
> > > > > > > opinions.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
 
Yes, I think that is the most likely outcome.



> Correct me if I'm wrong Keith but this is how I think it may
> play out...
>
> Depending upon the angle the Chicks go with the new single
> (I personally haven't heard it so I don't know if it's
> something that will be aimed more for a/c like the
> description in a write up on GACTV's website as sounding
> "70's classic rock" making this whole post moot then
> (supposedly the producer is the same person who did the
> final Cash Cds) but:
>
> I see the chicks getting it out probably on GAC and CMT with
> a few stations trying it out just to see the phones on it.
> By the reaction from those sources, will we see it more, or
> they will be just another blip on the country boards from a
> formally top rated group like some other groups.
>
> I think we will see the song in areas that lean liberal and
> moderate first IMO also... Like I would possibly expect
> airplay along the east coast more than in their native Texas
> however.
>
>
> RFLA
>
 
No problem...you've been much more cordial than folks I've had disagreements with in the past.

It's seems that you work in a more southern market than I work in (Wilmington, DE) so you probably had to put up with more than we did. We played them during the controversy, but quietly pulled them when they started questioning whether or not they still belonged in the format. That's my biggest concern right now.

I'm probably a little more sensitive than others over the issue because the controversy made me feel uncomfortable about working in the format since I share the same sentiment about the Iraqi war as the Chicks do. If I hadn't been working in country radio and was just a country radio fan, the controversy would've driven me away from the format (likely for good) as I'm sure it did for other fans. It's one thing for a format to express certain values...especially family values that cross political bounds and are shared by many people, but it's another thing to set up a political litmus test on your listeners as well as your artists. It seemed that in response to the controversy, it led the format to releasing songs that started sounding like Republican Party campaign commercials. While that played well to the fan base, I'm sure that it turned away some of our cume and country ratings seemed to be down during and following the controversy. I'm more interested in expanding the fan base of the format, than limiting it.

I think the format has gotten over it, but my worst fear is a mainstream media and politically liberal backlash against country radio if the new Chicks music doesn't get played on country radio. I don't think it will happen, but it is my worst fear. I really don't want to go through another controversy.


> Thanks for your comments. I have nothing to debate here, I
> didnt intend this to be a crusade, or get into the detail of
> our research abilites. fact is we had 15,000 responses in 36
> hours, different group every 3 weeks until we got tired of
> asking...all the same. this might be smaller percent of the
> overall cume, but a strong message and we have spent a great
> deal of money with researchers that would have yielded the
> same result. it is not valueless data. WE all make plenty of
> decisions on a basline of respondents significantly less,
> core or not. And who better than someone who is intimately
> involved in the station. we are not talking hot dogs at a
> remote here, they are value statements.
>
> No conspiracy, we said nothing...absolutely nothing...and
> let the listener speak...and speak they did. we couldnt air
> a PSA with their music under it without getting pummelled by
> calls in our market. Again, there is no conspiracy, just
> the reality that our format has listeners with strong values
> and patriotic passions. no one nor few stations anywhere
> could sway the national sentiment so strongly. What could
> and did is the reality of strong empassioned people crying
> foul. i have no personal opinion here because mine dosnt
> count. I miss thier library on the air, but not enough to
> deal with the fallout.
>
>
> > I don't disagree with the results of the research that
> > you've conducted, because the research that I've seen
> > indicates that the country audience for the most part
> isn't
> > clamoring to hear the Dixie Chicks. I do disagree you over
>
> > the root cause for the disinterest, and I have some
> problems
> > with your research methodology.
> >
> > I maintain today that the controversy would've died down
> in
> > a few days if certain country radio stations hadn't fanned
>
> > the anti-Chicks hysteria with their knee-jerk reactions.
> > The core country audience certainly wouldn't have agreed
> > with Natalie's comments, but the average fan wouldn't have
>
> > spontaneously been inspired to boycott their country radio
>
> > stations if the idea hadn't been generated by certain
> > country radio stations to begin with. For example, if
> > certain bible-belt country radio stations decided to
> > publicly boycott Tim McGraw and burn his CDs because he
> was
> > singing about a couple having an abortion in "Red Ragtop",
>
> > you can bet that the story would've been picked up by the
> > media and by Rush/Hannity/etc., and the core country fans
> > would've jumped on the bandwagon (and Tim McGraw's career
> > would be in trouble). As it stands, I'm sure there were a
>
> > small group of country listeners upset over "Red Ragtop"
> (we
> > had complaints), but since there was no bandwagon for them
>
> > to jump on, it never became an issue (it wasn't worth
> > boycotting country radio over). Give listeners a
> bandwagon
> > and they'll jump on it, and it happened with the Dixie
> > Chicks. As for the lack of listener interest right now,
> > that's partly due to the controversy but also partly
> because
> > they've been out of sight and out of mind lately (and
> partly
> > because they're a somewhat polarizing act which was true
> > before the controversy). That could change with the
> release
> > of the new album and frankly, I don't have a clue how the
> > country audience will react. The political circumstances
> are
> > entirely different now since the tide of public opinion is
>
> > starting to turn against Bush and the war. I agree that
> > there's no reason to play them if you have nothing to
> gain,
> > but there's there will be enough publicity surrounding a
> new
> > release that given the changes in the political landscape
> > that country radio may have some decisions to
> > make...especially if the music is as good as its rumored
> to
> > be. We'll see.
> >
> > As for your research methodology, sending out e-mail
> blasts
> > to your core audience is a great way to keep them informed
>
> > of what's going on at your station and making them feel
> like
> > a part of the station...but its a very poor method of
> doing
> > research, since your core audience is such a small part of
>
> > your cume. A station has to realize what it gets from its
>
> > core audience. They are the ones who win your contests,
> who
> > show up for your remotes, and are the ones you hope wind
> up
> > with Arbitron diaries...but they're also the ones most
> > likely to complain that you play too many songs or artists
>
> > over and over, will complain about not hearing certain
> songs
> > or artists, or complain about a jock's show prep or the
> > content of a certain song. Your core audience represents
> > perhaps 10% of your total listening audience, while the
> > other 90% or more that you never hear from comprises the
> > audience that you actually get your ratings from. You
> > certainly want to make your core happy, but you can't make
>
> > your programming decisions based entirely on their
> > suggestions or complaints, otherwise your lose your cume
> and
> > thus the bulk of your advertisers.
> >
> > > I agree that you are correct with the emails. We
> discount
> > > most email outcrys because to your point, they are
> usually
> >
> > > from someone with an axe to grind, and very likely not a
>
> > > listener to begin with. But all our Chicks research
> came
> > > from pushed email blasts to our core audience who were
> > > limited to one response, and many radio friends did the
> > > same, so the listeners were very much involved in the
> > > outcry, even if you consider those politically motivated
>
> > to
> > > stir the pot.
> > >
> > > Grim reality, Chicks didn't and still don't know their
> > > audience and its values. Those listeners, without the
> > > "cause" people, spoke very loudly and I am convined will
>
> > > again. Radio is in a no win if they play them. No
> upside
> > to
> > > playing the gamble. Whatever they release... its just a
> > > song, no one will miss it. Then the only people we will
> > hear
> > > from are the "cause" people who dont listen to us to
> begin
> >
> > > with. They will go away, but the true listener will be
> > VERY
> > > passionate and noisy.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I'm not convinced that it was country music listeners
> > that
> > > > fanned the flames of discontent. A large chunk of the
>
> > > > complaints were coming from Limbaugh or Hannity
> > > > listeners...or were a part of an organized right wing
> > > > political protest movement. I read a lot of the
> e-mails
> > > and
> > > > it was rather clear that most of it wasn't coming from
>
> > our
> > >
> > > > listeners because most of it was essentially people
> > > cutting
> > > > and pasting the same form letter and having very
> little
> > > > knowledge of the station. We did get complaints from
> > > > listeners what what we did get from listeners tended
> to
> > be
> > >
> > > > much more civil. Whatever outcry came from country
> music
> >
> > > > listeners was built on around the continuing coverage
> of
> >
> > > the
> > > > controversy.
> > > >
> > > > I will admit that the Chicks handled the controversy
> > very
> > > > badly. In my view, they should have said nothing and
> > have
> > >
> > > > done nothing. I think it was Natalie fighting back
> that
> >
> > > > turned country music fans against them and not the
> > > original
> > > > comments.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > There was like always a few stations that took that
> > low
> > > > > road, but by and large, the outcry from listeners
> was
> > so
> > >
> > > > > strong that radio HAD to react. No different than
> any
> >
> > > > song
> > > > > that burned, they burned. So i agree some radio did
>
> > try
> > >
> > > > and
> > > > > make a promotion out of it, but many major markets
> > made
> > > no
> > > >
> > > > > public statement on behalf of radio other than
> letting
> >
> > > > their
> > > > > music cool.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Listeners that were whipped into a frenzy by
> certain
> > > > > country
> > > > > > radio stations that made a big freaking deal about
>
> > the
> > >
> > > > > > comments which in turn affected the stations that
> > kept
> > >
> > > > > quiet
> > > > > > under the assumption that the controversy would
> die.
> >
> > > > The
> > > > > > controversy wouldn't have been so blown out of
> > > > proportion
> > > > > if
> > > > > > you didn't have country radio stations burning
> CDs,
> > > etc.
> > > >
> > > > > So
> > > > > > yeah, there was a country radio boycott.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > At this point, I'm more concerned that the Chicks
> > have
> > >
> > > > > > publicly distanced themselves from Nashville and
> > have
> > > > > > publicly stated how uncomfortable they feel in the
>
> > > > country
> > > > >
> > > > > > format. That's a bigger issue for me now.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > Please...country radio doesnt boycott the
> > > > Chicks...their
> > > > >
> > > > > > > listeners do.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I just read on the Drudge Report that the new
> > > Dixie
> > > > > > Chicks
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > CD will contain a hardcore anti-Bush song.
> Will
> > > > > country
> > > > > > > > radio play the new Dixie Chicks product? My
> > guess
> > > is
> > > >
> > > > > > that
> > > > > > > in
> > > > > > > > a competitive situation, many stations will
> play
> >
> > > it
> > > > > safe
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > and
> > > > > > > > boycott the Chicks, their negative scores are
> > just
> > >
> > > > too
> > > > >
> > > > > > > high.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Even if Bush's poll numbers are down, many of
> > his
> > > > > > > remaining
> > > > > > > > supporters are country music fans. Besides,
> even
> >
> > > the
> > > >
> > > > > > > country
> > > > > > > > listeners who dislike Bush have an even
> greater
> > > > > dislike
> > > > > > > for
> > > > > > > > entertainers who feel the need to preach their
>
> > > > > politcal
> > > > > > > > opinions.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
 
come on..we can bash bill clinton all day long and no one cares. so what if they bashed the president. after the last few years i cant see anything good hes done!! why start this stupid boycott again?! classic rock stations play crosby stills and nash..who also bash the president as well as bruce springsteen and jackson brown. if the song is good play it. it its redneck pop throw it in the trash with the rest of your garbage..its the usa..freedom of speech..hello!!



> Listeners that were whipped into a frenzy by certain country
> radio stations that made a big freaking deal about the
> comments which in turn affected the stations that kept quiet
> under the assumption that the controversy would die. The
> controversy wouldn't have been so blown out of proportion if
> you didn't have country radio stations burning CDs, etc. So
> yeah, there was a country radio boycott.
>
> At this point, I'm more concerned that the Chicks have
> publicly distanced themselves from Nashville and have
> publicly stated how uncomfortable they feel in the country
> format. That's a bigger issue for me now.
>
> > Please...country radio doesnt boycott the Chicks...their
> > listeners do.
> >
> >
> > > I just read on the Drudge Report that the new Dixie
> Chicks
> >
> > > CD will contain a hardcore anti-Bush song. Will country
> > > radio play the new Dixie Chicks product? My guess is
> that
> > in
> > > a competitive situation, many stations will play it safe
>
> > and
> > > boycott the Chicks, their negative scores are just too
> > high.
> > >
> > >
> > > Even if Bush's poll numbers are down, many of his
> > remaining
> > > supporters are country music fans. Besides, even the
> > country
> > > listeners who dislike Bush have an even greater dislike
> > for
> > > entertainers who feel the need to preach their politcal
> > > opinions.
> > >
> >
>
<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
 
> come on..we can bash bill clinton all day long and no one
> cares. so what if they bashed the president. after the last
> few years i cant see anything good hes done!! why start this
> stupid boycott again?! classic rock stations play crosby
> stills and nash..who also bash the president as well as
> bruce springsteen and jackson brown. if the song is good
> play it. it its redneck pop throw it in the trash with the
> rest of your garbage..its the usa..freedom of
> speech..hello!!
>
>

When the classic rock artists you mentioned bash the President their fans love it. After all, many of those artists became popular during the late 60s hippie/anti-war/counterculture era. The country audience (as a whole) does not share that outlook.



>
> > Listeners that were whipped into a frenzy by certain
> country
> > radio stations that made a big freaking deal about the
> > comments which in turn affected the stations that kept
> quiet
> > under the assumption that the controversy would die. The
> > controversy wouldn't have been so blown out of proportion
> if
> > you didn't have country radio stations burning CDs, etc.
> So
> > yeah, there was a country radio boycott.
> >
> > At this point, I'm more concerned that the Chicks have
> > publicly distanced themselves from Nashville and have
> > publicly stated how uncomfortable they feel in the country
>
> > format. That's a bigger issue for me now.
> >
> > > Please...country radio doesnt boycott the Chicks...their
>
> > > listeners do.
> > >
> > >
> > > > I just read on the Drudge Report that the new Dixie
> > Chicks
> > >
> > > > CD will contain a hardcore anti-Bush song. Will
> country
> > > > radio play the new Dixie Chicks product? My guess is
> > that
> > > in
> > > > a competitive situation, many stations will play it
> safe
> >
> > > and
> > > > boycott the Chicks, their negative scores are just too
>
> > > high.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Even if Bush's poll numbers are down, many of his
> > > remaining
> > > > supporters are country music fans. Besides, even the
> > > country
> > > > listeners who dislike Bush have an even greater
> dislike
> > > for
> > > > entertainers who feel the need to preach their
> politcal
> > > > opinions.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
 
Agreed...speaking of Redneck Pop, that over-the-top Patrio-Facist stuff by Toby Keith was grating on the ears as well.

But to me the Dixie Chicks are equally as unlistenable, though I am happy they are speaking out against the Moron in Chief.


AT this point, even a band like Highway 101 sounds REALL GOOD, almost like SOLID GOLD. I listened to some of their late 80's and early 90's material thinking to myself, Why did I not like them so much before? Those were good days, when Nashville went Country the last time. George Strait was at the top, and Clint Black had some solid hits, and Alan Jackson was just getting started, and you could still hear steel guitar in a Reba song. Vern Gosdin and Mark Chesnutt regularly charted.

Along came Garth, about the time Ropin' the Wind came out, and it got to his head and he started bashing guitars... and Country music hasn't been worth listening to since.

Why not go the route of Gary Morris? He was a fine singer, just didn't care to sound country, so he went into broadway. Why can't some of these so-called artists go the way of soft-rock, or heavy metal? Why do they continue to stink up Nashville?

Call 'em rock, pop, rap, anything but Country. Calling them Country is like calling Johnny Cash Sue.
 
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