Country Consultant To Radio: "Take Females Out" #SaladGate
Sept 13, 2017 12:26:50 GMT -5
Post by travelrocks24 on Sept 13, 2017 12:26:50 GMT -5
There was an article in Billboard this week regarding how few women have topped the Country Airplay chart this year.
Carly Pearce earns her first top 10 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart as her debut hit, “Every Little Thing” (Big Machine), climbs 12-9 (24.2 million, up 10 percent, according to Nielsen Music). This achievement encouraged us to take a look at how many solo women have reached the region this year and how the
results compare historically, as the topic of women populating radio playlists (or the lack of) has initiated much chatter in recent years. In the first 38 chart weeks of 2017, one solo woman has topped Country Airplay, with three others (including Pearce), hitting the top 10.
Lauren Alaina led the April 22 list when “Road Less Traveled” became her first No. 1. Kelsea Ballerini’s “Yeah Boy” peaked at No. 3 (May 13), and Carrie Underwood’s “Dirty Laundry” hit No. 2 (Jan. 21). How does that stack up to a year ago? In the first 38 weeks of 2016, seven songs by solo women reached the top 10, including four No. 1s by two artists: Ballerini’s “Dibs” and “Peter Pan,” and Underwood’s “Heartbeat” and “Church Bells.” The other three top 10s: “Burning House” by Cam (No. 2), “I Got the Boy” by Jana Kramer (No. 6) and “My Church” by Maren Morris (No. 9). Five years ago, in the first 38 frames of 2012, six songs by solo women achieved Country Airplay top 10 success, three of which hit No. 1. And a decade ago, six songs by solo females also reached that region, including Taylor Swift’s first two top 10s: “Tim McGraw” (No. 6) and “Teardrops on My Guitar” (No. 2). When comparing those years, not much variance is evident. KKBQHouston PD Johnny Chiang says that a song’s potential, not an artist’s gender, is what should determine initial airplay. “Male, female, group — it just doesn’t matter. It’s about how good the song is. If any programmers are actually favoring male acts over females, it’s just dumb.”
WWQM Madison, Wis., PD Fletcher Keyes notes, “Morris’ ‘My Church’ did not reach No. 1 on the chart, but we just tested 400 songs and ‘Church’ ranked
15th. That means she’s reaching critical mass.” As for Pearce, Chiang feels strongly about her chances for further success. “We’ve been on ‘Every Little Thing’ since day one, and it’s stronger than ever,” he says. “I’m a believer. The song is a hit.”
Carly Pearce earns her first top 10 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart as her debut hit, “Every Little Thing” (Big Machine), climbs 12-9 (24.2 million, up 10 percent, according to Nielsen Music). This achievement encouraged us to take a look at how many solo women have reached the region this year and how the
results compare historically, as the topic of women populating radio playlists (or the lack of) has initiated much chatter in recent years. In the first 38 chart weeks of 2017, one solo woman has topped Country Airplay, with three others (including Pearce), hitting the top 10.
Lauren Alaina led the April 22 list when “Road Less Traveled” became her first No. 1. Kelsea Ballerini’s “Yeah Boy” peaked at No. 3 (May 13), and Carrie Underwood’s “Dirty Laundry” hit No. 2 (Jan. 21). How does that stack up to a year ago? In the first 38 weeks of 2016, seven songs by solo women reached the top 10, including four No. 1s by two artists: Ballerini’s “Dibs” and “Peter Pan,” and Underwood’s “Heartbeat” and “Church Bells.” The other three top 10s: “Burning House” by Cam (No. 2), “I Got the Boy” by Jana Kramer (No. 6) and “My Church” by Maren Morris (No. 9). Five years ago, in the first 38 frames of 2012, six songs by solo women achieved Country Airplay top 10 success, three of which hit No. 1. And a decade ago, six songs by solo females also reached that region, including Taylor Swift’s first two top 10s: “Tim McGraw” (No. 6) and “Teardrops on My Guitar” (No. 2). When comparing those years, not much variance is evident. KKBQHouston PD Johnny Chiang says that a song’s potential, not an artist’s gender, is what should determine initial airplay. “Male, female, group — it just doesn’t matter. It’s about how good the song is. If any programmers are actually favoring male acts over females, it’s just dumb.”
WWQM Madison, Wis., PD Fletcher Keyes notes, “Morris’ ‘My Church’ did not reach No. 1 on the chart, but we just tested 400 songs and ‘Church’ ranked
15th. That means she’s reaching critical mass.” As for Pearce, Chiang feels strongly about her chances for further success. “We’ve been on ‘Every Little Thing’ since day one, and it’s stronger than ever,” he says. “I’m a believer. The song is a hit.”
