August 2016

Welcome to MusicMaster!

New From the MusicMaster Blog

by Drew Bennett - It’s a challenge to keep a radio station’s database in the best shape it should be. Day in and day out, you’re making changes, moving songs around, adjusting rules all to keep the station sounding the best it can. Maintaining a database can be a real challenge and perhaps it’s time to ask for more money. Your job is super important! When you open a database to take a look around, you’ll know with some certainty whether the database is being properly maintained or not. Today, you can compare your data to the seven signs of a dysfunctional database.

1. Incomplete Song Cards
This is one of the earliest signs that something is wrong in the data. You can also bet that there’s something wrong on the air, too. If your data is incomplete, it’s impossible for your rule tree to maximize your library and generate a good log. If Artist Keywords are missing from songs or if song cards contain incomplete attribute fields, the database is in trouble. Rules aren’t able to test and pass or fail all songs. The spirit and the sound of the station can’t be achieved without complete data so look here first when grading the dysfunction of your database.

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Custom Hot-Keys

by Dave Tyler - One of the reasons MusicMaster has become the music scheduling software of choice is because of your ability to customize what see and how you use MusicMaster. MusicMaster users from all over the world are excited about the many new features and tools within MusicMaster Pro 6.0 and one of those is Custom Hot-Keys or Key Mapping! Key Mapping allows you to create hot keys that you want and need in both Library Maintenance as well as the Schedule Editor. For our example we will work in Library Maintenance.

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Quick Tip: Format Lists

Your clocks are the way you define your sound. You can introduce pre-determined variables by using Format Lists. Format Lists are like mini clocks within a format clock. It lets you call for a specific sequence of elements and then insert that list within a clock. For instance, you might have a sequence of currents or golds that you want to use. Create that in a Format List and then each time you call for that list in the clock, it will go through the elements. Curious what it could do for your station? Read more about it here The Format List is Controlled Inconsistency

Master Class #3: Using Special Sets to Create Music Promo Teasers

Are you tired of your music promos sounding stale or needing to be constantly updated? Did you know you can use MusicMaster to link your song teasers automatically to the upcoming playlist? Let MusicMaster's special sets do the work for you. For more information on using special sets, give us a call or check out the MusicMaster Blog.

MusicMaster Adds CBI National Student Media Genius Day to Lineup

MusicMaster Learning and Development Director Drew Bennett will launch the annual CBI convention in Philadelphia, PA with a remarkable educational opportunity. Bennett will pass along music scheduling tips for users of all skill levels. The workshop will include Q&A, roundtable discussion, and special presentations by several industry leading guest speakers, including Vince Benedetto, President/CEO Bold Gold Media . The official convention schedule begins on October 20, but MusicMaster and the CBI board are proudly connecting for this daylong learning session on October 19 from 10am - 4pm at the Philadelphia Sonesta Hotel. The CBI represents students involved in radio, television, webcasting and other related media activities. With a commitment to cooperative efforts, The MusicMaster Genius Day is just another example of how the CBI is bringing more resources to the members of the organization. To register, click the banner below.

If you haven't made it to a Genius Day yet this year, you still have plenty of opportunities. This is an excellent opportunity to put your department's training and development budget to good use. You'll spend a whole day learning new strategies from special guest speakers. Our MusicMaster team will answer all your burning questions and show you how to use MusicMaster like you never have before. Each of the following events are associated with an upcoming regional or format-specific trade show, allowing you to maximize your time and travel.

Click on an event below for more information.

European Genius Day Tour Dates

Following the series of Genius Days in the US, the wave spills over the Atlantic towards Europe. ON AIR has officially announced the stops on their grand Genius Day tour, with many locations throughout the continent for the convenience of our European users. Check the dates below to find the workshop closest to you. Registration for the Genius Tour begins in September. Please visit the ON AIR Website for updates, or contact a representative for more information.

European Genius Tour

Berlin: 27.09.2016
Munich: 28.09.2016
Paris: 05.10.2016
Madrid: 06.10.2016
Vienna: 13.10.2016
Helsinki: 19.10.2016
Frankfurt: 19.10.2016
Warsaw: 08.11.2016
Milano: 10.11.2016
Switzerland: TBA

Missed Us At Conclave Genius Day? Now, Watch Presentations Online

Conclave Genius Day 2016

On July 13, broadcast professionals from all the Midwest and beyond gathered in Minneapolis for the annual Conclave Convention. Their aims were set on networking with colleagues, taking in the workshops, showcasing the latest and greatest, and (perhaps) hitting the shops at the landmark Mall of America. A devoted group of attendees gathered a day early to attend the annual MusicMaster "Conclave Genius Day Workshop", hosted by MusicMaster's Drew Bennett, Joe Knapp and Paul Ziino. In addition to tackling questions and diving deep into program features, we were privileged to present the wisdom and humor of Paige Nienaber ("Evil Genius"), Keith Hill ("Unconsultant"), Kipper McGee ("Brandwidth" Expert) and Lisa Barry (Radio Personality).

Those who were unable to attend had the opportunity to join in via Facebook Live Video, watching a real-time stream of each presentation. You can find all of those videos on our Facebook page. Links are below! Speaking of, if you haven't "liked us" on Facebook yet, now would be a great chance to hit that thumbs up and stay connected with the latest from MusicMaster.

Genius Day Presentation Videos

Opening Address with Lisa Barry

MusicMaster Version 6 Features

Paige Nienaber "Evil Genius" Presents on Unique Promotions

Keith Hill "The Unconsultant" Presents on Rotations and TSL

Kipper McGee "Brandwidth" Expert Presents on New Media Branding Strategy


Lisa Barry (Host KTIS Mpls/St.Paul and Spirit 1059 Austin) kicks off the day with an inspiring presentation about the "three minute miracle" that radio can bring to its listeners.	Drew Bennett, MusicMaster Learning & Development Director, takes the podium for an in-depth look at new Version 6 features.	Drew Bennett likes to remind our audience that there "are no stupid questions".


(L-R) Glen Lewerenz (Relevant Radio Network), Greg Cypin (KUPL) and Rico Garcia (Results Radio)	(L-R)Bob Thompson (KOLV) and David Moore (KSLX)	"Brandwidth" expert and author Kipper McGee listens to other guests, prior to delivering his own enlightening presentation on media branding.


"Evil Genius" Paige Nienaber (CPR Promotions) delivers another of his famously humorous presentations on standout radio promotions.	Paige has the audience in stiches. (L-R) Will Sterrett (Rockcastle Media Networks), Doug Montgomery (Free Agent), Karen "Trixie" Emerick (Rockcastle Media Networks), Jennifer and Glen Lewerenz (Relevant Radio Network).	Among other things, Paige speaks about how promotions that respond directly to current trends and local listener needs are the most memorable.


Keith Hill (the "Unconsultant") knows how to win an audience over with both an engaging presentation and ample doses of sugar	Keith's presentation delivers wisdom on creating the perfect rotations to increase TSL.

Some of the attendees take a moment at the end of the workshop to pose with members of the MusicMaster team

Users Gather at MusicMaster Meeting Point: Lokalrundfunktage 2016

On July 5th and 6th, Rainer Eichhorn, Max Mueller and Jochen Reinecke of ON AIR were present for the Lokalrundfunktage Show in Nuremberg at the MusicMaster Meeting Point. The show hosted over 1,100 visitors across two days. Attendees participated in several lectures and presentations as well as THE cool aftershow party featuring live music. Jochen reports: "We had a blast and enjoyed the opportunity to have relaxed and interesting chats with our clients, partners and friends." The next conference where you can meet the ON AIR team will be at the IBC in Amsterdam from September 12th to 16th.


ON AIR's Max Mueller and Jochen Reinecke with Viktor Worms (former PD of Antenne Bayern, now Consultant and Trainer	Max Mueller with Andreas Duerr, CEO of Radio Fantasy, Augsburg

Jocehn Reinecke is ready to greet guests a the MusicMaster Meeting Point

MusicMaster Pro 6.0sr3 Available Soon

MusicMaster PRO 6.0sr3 will be available shortly. We're just putting the final touches on the latest pack of fixes and improvements. New options include the ability to customize the Category QuickMove feature by adding up to three additional fields of your choice. Speaking of adding extras, you can now configure up to seven toolbar functions. To all our new friends in Brazil, Olá and be sure to check out the ECAD Special History Report we've added to make your use of MusicMaster easier. All that plus various enhancements and adjustments are coming your way soon, via Help, Check for Update.

MusicMaster Welcomes In Touch Ministries

MusicMaster welcomes In Touch Ministries, the worldwide media ministry founded by Dr. Charles Stanley. In Touch began in 1972, when a half-hour program called "The Chapel Hour" was launched on WXIA-TV 11 and WANX 46, Atlanta-area television stations.

Today, "In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley" can be heard around the world in 120 countries via radio and television broadcasts, podcasts, the In Touch Messenger, mobile apps, and on the Web. In Touch Ministries programs are seen and heard around the world on more than 2,600 radio and television outlets in more than 50 languages. According to recent U.S. Nielsen ratings, “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” radio broadcasts are heard by more than 800,00 people in the U.S. alone each week.

Dr. Charles Stanley, founder and president of In Touch Ministries

According to Albert Anaya, InTouch General Manager, "As we continue to expand the ministries into different languages and cultures, we see MusicMaster Scheduling allowing us to thematically highlight the lessons of Dr. Stanley with music and content. Not so much Southern Gospel or CCM, but a wide-range of music that emphasizes the message. The integration of MusicMaster with our studio automation excites us about future ministry opportunities."

Thanks for joining the global MusicMaster family!

Entercom Staffers Put a Ring on It

Love is in the air at Entercom's Kansas City, as Leigh McNabb and Mike Wickett are newly engaged. Leigh is the Program Director of 99.7 The Point in Kansas City and Mike Wickett moves South this week to join her in the City of Fountains, signing off as morning show Co-Host on Entercom's Milwaukee Sports radio 105.7 The Fan. He will start his new gig as midday Co-Host of Entercom's Kansas City Newstalk 98.1 KMBZ on Monday, August 8. All of us at MusicMaster say congratulations and are so very excited to see this amazing, beautiful couple prepare to Tie the Knot!

The happy couple: Mike Wickett and Leigh McNabb

Larry Stone - President/General Manager of Stonecom Radio, Cookeville, TN

Larry shares: "One of the things that still makes radio fun to me….the ability to take a concept from the cobwebs of your brain….and make it happen on the radio. "Ooh…that sounds so cool." Come on. Admit it. Budget concerns. Endless meetings. Reports. People problems. Off air transmitters. Salespeople. Beyond all that, we still gravitate to those moments when radio sounds so great. MusicMaster gives me a lot of those moments at our operation here in Cookeville, TN. We have a country station, a rock station, a light rock product, and a news talk station. We use MusicMaster on all four.

And yes, that means the talk station as well.

People always lift an eyebrow when I say that….but why limit the power of MusicMaster to just music. It can do so many of the same things to make your talk product hum too. We program all of our satellite shows as lognotes to work seamlessly with Scott Studios. Use dayparting to schedule imaging in the best way to drive audience….why promote a weekend talk show on Monday? Why not mention Clark Howard coming up next at 9am? Artist keyword scheduling is something I use extensively on imaging across all my stations to make sure I am mentioning the morning show enough….but not too much….or syndicated shows just the right amount.

On the News Talk station, you also harness the power of rest and sliding rests to make sure the same messages are not getting to listeners at the same time – whether it’s imaging or promos or PSAs.

Marianne of MusicMaster Support (she’s the best, by the way) always laughs when she sees my database…with so many categories and colors. But the program allows you so many options with special programs, special hours and the like. I can create special opens and use them throughout the year by just dragging them into a clock.

MusicMaster entered my life when I served as operations manager at WKDF/WGFX in Nashville. Since then, much has changed for me. But MusicMaster has remained a powerful tool to help me make radio sound cool…..and super serve our community."

Shawn Turner

Just off 23 years with Corus Entertainment in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, Shawn Turner is now looking for his next big adventure.

In his 30 year radio career so far, he's had the chance to do pretty much every single format; AC, CHR, Talk, Country, and AAA.

Plus, Shawn held many different positions in several markets including Oshawa, Toronto, and Barrie... those positions included morning show host, midday announcer, afternoon drive announcer, program director, and music director. He really enjoys working with and coaching new talent.

Shawn is also very well versed in Music Master, plus social media and website maintenance. He has also worked with Wide Orbit. In the studio, Shawn has worked with Media Touch, Scott Studios, and CDs.

He is very passionate about radio and still really prides himself on putting on the best show and putting forth the most interesting and relevant social media and blog posts. Shawn is now searching for an opportunity that best fits his diverse skill sets.

Click here to contact Shawn Turner today!