Monday Morning Mediabase Update – 07/12/09

Why stations are playing NB and not Heartless boggles the mind. Mix98.5 (Hot AC) in Boston is playing Heartless. No MW, but c’est la vie.

Great to see Mandisa do so well. I hear “My Deliverer” played quite frequently. “Here Comes Goodbye” was a great hit for Chris, but I wish “Arise” would do better. Phil is also increasing in radio play, although I wish the station closest to me, Sarasota, FL, would add him already. :thumbdown_tb: I am glad Orlando is second in radioplay for him, and that Jacksonville has started playing him. He has some videos up of his July 5th concert at his dad’s church’s youtube account, hendersonvillecog . He tweeted that he was at the Seattle airport, flying to Tokyo. I think it’s for his appearance in the Philippines this coming weekend. Go Phil!

http://myasiafest.com/

Why stations are playing NB and not Heartless boggles the mind

Heartless was never sent for officially sent to radio stations for adds and some radio stations are in the habit of playing the coronation single each year (why, I do not know).

Mix98.5 (Hot AC) in Boston is playing Heartless.

MIx98.5 is crazy for that song. According to the add report, it played “Heartless” 64 times during the last 7 days. If all HAC stations played it that often, the thing would be a mega-hit.

No MW, but c’est la vie.

MW has fallen off radio. In the last month, it got 2 spins (no spins last week).

I heard that Kris was supposed to record a version of “Heartless” this weekend for radio…

And Mix 98.5 loves their Idols. They were the station that put Chris Daughtry’s “Wanted Dead or Alive” into heavy rotation after Season 5 was over…

Wow, congrats to Jordin and Daughtry for their new singles that seem to be shooting up the pop chart.

Will Kelly’s next single be coming soon?

I heard that Kris was supposed to record a version of ‘Heartless’  this weekend for radio’ ¦

Interesting…I hope they know what they are doing if they’re pushing this considering the Fray version is still floating around (not to mention Kanye’s original!) I wonder if that’s what he’ll be performing on the Tonight Show when he’s on this week, too.

That’s great news, MJ! Kris’ voice is really radio-friendly, and the kind I’d listen to in the real world. I like his version of heartless, but i hope he records it acoustic for the radio.

I hope Jive does release Heartless to the radio. The Fray’s version never took off, but Kris’ version has been selling well, even though it’s only available on itunes. I hope Kris sings it with the edge and attitude that he had on top 3 night. He could get so much attention if that song takes off at radio, and it’s a better representation of his skills and talent than No Boundaries aka “No Melody.”

Ha, I guess NB really was a boat anchor…in this case it’s fitting they cut it loose. I have a feeling we’re never going to hear that song again.

I heard that Kris was supposed to record a version of ‘Heartless’  this weekend for radio’ ¦

Very interesting indeed. I think it’s great, but I do wonder about The Fray’s version (not so much Kanye’s, but whatev. )

Then again, does this mean that TPTB not only pulled NoBo from the tour, they’re ditching it as his “single” too in favor of “Heartless.” Not a bad move, considering how popular and successful “Heartless” as been even as a non-single. Hmmmm…. Who are these PTB and what have they done with the “real” PTB?!

I hope Jive does release Heartless to the radio. The Fray’s version never took off,

The Fray’s version of Heartless gets played all the time in Los Angeles on 98.7 and 93.1. I’ve never heard Kris’s version of Heartless played. And for that matter, I’ve never heard Adam’s Mad World either. Granted I’m only listening to those stations to and from work…No idol love in L.A.

Granted I’m only listening to those stations to and from work’ ¦No idol love in L.A.

Tell me about it…if you’re not Daughtry or Kelly, getting airplay for an Idol in SoCali is like pulling teeth. And even then it’s only HAC, Top 40 won’t play unless it’s rhythmic or dance. (or Taylor Swift, lol)

I heard that Kris was supposed to record a version of ‘Heartless’  this weekend for radio’ ¦

Interesting development.

Hmmmm’ ¦. Who are these PTB and what have they done with the ‘real’  PTB?!

Yes, it’s kind of shocking, isn’t it? Whatever they’ve done with the “real” PTB, I hope they keep doing it.

Ha, I guess NB really was a boat anchor’ ¦in this case it’s fitting they cut it loose.

Total boat anchor. And many people know I’m pretty quick on the trigger when it comes to wanting to get rid of boat anchors (probably one of the many reasons I don’t work in the music biz)

I have a feeling we’re never going to hear that song again.

Looks like it. I have visions of Kris doing a Snoopy-style happy dance.

mj
Jul 13th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
I heard that Kris was supposed to record a version of ‘Heartless’  this weekend for radio’ ¦

Muah!

Why didn’t they do this almost 2 months ago?

* happy dance *

The Fray’s version of Heartless gets played all the time in Los Angeles on 98.7 and 93.1. I’ve never heard Kris’s version of Heartless played. And for that matter, I’ve never heard Adam’s Mad World either. Granted I’m only listening to those stations to and from work’ ¦No idol love in L.A.

As you said, this is only two stations in one city. Here’s a comparison for you, Kris’ version has sold 270,000 copies so far, The Fray’s a little over 77,000.

A better comparison, look at the mediabase add charts for No Boundaries and the Fray’s version of Heartless, NB is on a lot more stations, mainly because it was sent out for adds, while the Fray’s version was never really released as a single, and only took off on the charts after Kris performed his version on AI.

Add History for No Boundaries: http://addboard.mediabase.com/SongAddHistory.asp?Sngcde=ALLENB1&ob=1&format=XX

Add History for The Fray’s version of Heartless: http://addboard.mediabase.com/SongAddHistory.asp?Sngcde=FRAYH2&ob=1&format=XX

Another big difference between the two versions, except for a few HAC stations, the Fray’s version is being played on alternative rock stations, I doubt that’s the market that Jive is aiming for with Kris’ version.

Long time lurker, finally posting for the first time…

Just had to say I heard the Kris version of No Boundaries on the radio here in Dallas yesterday. And then heard Time of My Life for the first time in many months today. Coronation songs seem to have a life of their own!

I heard that Kris was supposed to record a version of ‘Heartless’  this weekend for radio’ ¦

This is massively exciting to me! I hope it’s the concert/rock version vs. the acoustic show version.

Yay!

I would love if “Heartless” was released to radio. On a related note (that being idols singing other artists hits), I heard Chris Daughtry on WPLJ tonight on the way home from work. He’s doing a free concert for the radio station. In the 4 minute drive from work to my house, Chris was singing an acoustic version of “Poker Face”. It was LOL worthy.

Just a note about The Frays version of “Heartless”: yes it is stripped down too, and more sung than rapped. But Kris does it somewhat differently, and his voice is simply more expressive on this song (to me) than what The Frays did. It’s kind of like Chris Cornell’s “Billie Jean” vs. David Cook’s: same general approach, very different sound and feeling.

I’m very glad to see Kris getting some airplay. I quite sincerely believe that NB is only getting airplay because of him. [I hate that song.] Jordin’s coronation single didn’t get airplay—even though, obviously, she turned out to be someone that radio ultimately was willing to play. So, between the suckiness of the song and the fact that not all coronation songs get airplay, it’s a good sign that he’s gotten some traction with it. And Heartless getting airplay is a real bonus. No guarantees, but it tends to show (at least to me) that radio is open to Kris, which can only be a benefit to him.

Very intriguing rumor about a newly-recorded radio version of Heartless. I agree with FolkFan that even the limited radio play for both NB and Heartless is a very good sign for Kris and for Jive. NB, despite its widely-held suckitude, is still holding on to 400 spins per week. And Heartless has defied a complete lack of promo and has actually been gaining spins every week since the finale. That kind of organic growth is most certainly catching the eye of TPTB – at least enough to get them to consider giving it an actual release.

As for the Fray’s version, it is currently pulling 473 spins/week, down from a peak of 621 three weeks ago. Those spins are almost entirely on ALT. Kanye’s original is still getting 3245, mostly on CHR and Rhythmic. Over-saturation on the song could be an issue, but it seems like its worth a try, at least to keep Kris’s voice on the radio until they’ve recorded and prepped an actual debut single for release at the end of the summer. It looks like there may be a niche for him with the song at HAC/AC.

ETA: And if this phenomenon doesn’t make Kanye’s Heartless a major frontrunner for a Song of the Year Grammy, I don’t know what.

I heard that Kris was supposed to record a version of ‘Heartless’  this weekend for radio’ ¦

I read this earlier on my Blackberry, but I still can’t figure out how to comment on that thing. :dunce_tb:

YES!! I knew it! This is the same old TPTB, alright. The only thing that matters to them is the money, and they can see where the downloads and love are going. This really could be big for him…and Jive…and Kanye!

ETA: And if this phenomenon doesn’t make Kanye’s Heartless a major frontrunner for a Song of the Year Grammy, I don’t know what.

Exactly! Something about this song is tapping into the zeitgeist…at least this year. All the versions sort of converge, and each increases the exponential growth of the phenomenon…I can’t believe I just got philosophical about a Kanye song…

Anyway, my point is that it’s the song, and Kris was smart enough to hop along for ride…and maybe increase the speed of growth just enough to get into that “okay, fine, we’ll give the damn song the Grammy already because if we don’t we look like even more clueless idiots than we already do” territory (see: Outkast – Hey Ya!), instead of just, “you know, that song should be a contender, but the academy still hates to honor modern R&B/Hip Hop…damn old bastards!” (see: too many songs to count)

And Mix 98.5 loves their Idols. They were the station that put Chris Daughtry’s ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’  into heavy rotation after Season 5 was over’ ¦

I have to believe TPTB see the dollar signs. All American boy with an easily recognizable radio friendly, classic pop/ rock sensibility who also happens to be a decent songwriter. He needs to work on technique, but the basics are already there.

I asked before in a tour thread, but I think it got lost. I’ve noticed the set up for Kris seems to be different. They’ve dropped a scrim between the band and him. I was wondering how much that effects his appearance. Like they want it to appear as though his set is “The Kris Show” with the classic marquee projections and all that. Am I correct, or completely off base?

If so, I know a good part of it is simply to differentiate him from Adam. To psychologically decrease the ability for people (read: reviewers) to compare the two acts. Let them both stand on their own. It’s still pretty cool.

ETA…I had point about post-tour comparisons in that last bit somewhere, but I forgot what it was…I’m getting old…dammit.

ETAA: I remembered! I was hoping it would continue post-tour in that subtle psychological way, and that 19M catches on to the tour designers awesomeness. It would be good for both of them.

Mix98.5 (Hot AC) in Boston is playing Heartless.

MIx98.5 is crazy for that song. According to the add report, it played ‘Heartless’  64 times during the last 7 days. If all HAC stations played it that often, the thing would be a mega-hit.

And Mix 98.5 loves their Idols. They were the station that put Chris Daughtry’s ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’  into heavy rotation after Season 5 was over’ ¦

I don’t listen to the radio all that much, but I’ve heard it three times in the past three or four days on that station. I’m glad they’re re-doing it for radio, but I like a lot about that version. Not the arrangement, but his vocal. Not only gorgeous but sexy, and still edgy — in a different way from the live version. He really makes it his own. (I re-wrote this a few times but I find I can’t describe what I feel about it. Sorry. I gave it a shot.)

Kris’ version of Heartless is much more melodic than the other two, especially in the verses. He manages to keep the rap feel, while adding melody. Niiiiiice.

IMO, song of the year should be between Heartless and Shinedown’s Second Chance, which hit #1 on t40, HAC and AC, and Active rock, and alternative rock and mainstream rock.

Although I have been pimping Second Chance for almost a year, as it looted and burned multiple charts, I would switch teams in a heartbeat, if Kris scores a radio hit with Heartless.

1 H. Montanna/D. Archuletta ‘I Wanna Know You’  (7)

So soon we forget how to spell his name.