by Dave Tyler - What is the first thing you do when you move into a new (to you) house or apartment? You start making it your own by taking down that ugly wallpaper and putting on a nice coat of fresh paint. Maybe you replace the appliances to your liking. Your home has to be a place you are comfortable in. The same is true of your MusicMaster database!
If you have been a PD or MD for any length of time then chances are you have inherited a former PD/MD’s database or perhaps you had a consultant that did your music but no longer utilize them. That means that you adopted their philosophy and rules too. If everything is running fine and you don’t want to mess with it, well I get that. But if you look at your Rule Tree and it looks like this and you don’t know why, a fresh start may be just what you need.
You may have noticed a section called Rule Cutoff when you have activated some rules in your Rule Tree. A few examples would be on a time or title separation or segue protection rule. Typically you'll have the option to cutoff at the hour marker, sweep marker, break element and record type. The question you might have is "Why would I do that?" Here's an example: Let's say you have a Title Separation of two on your Gender-Female code. You play two females and then your stopset occurs. Would you care if you came out of the stopset and played a female? If not, check the box for the Sweep Marker. This "resets" the counter. The Rule Cutoff allows you to reset the counter for the various options, potentially allowing more flexibility when your log is created.
NAB 2016: MusicMaster Announces Brand New Edition
Are we going to see you at NAB? We're very excited to be showing off a brand new product for large/multi-station organizations: MusicMaster CS (Client-Server). This has been years in the making and is truly the latest in programming software innovation. If that's not your arena, you can also check out what's new in Version 6 of Pro and explore our Nexus-enhanced automation system integration.
MusicMaster is thrilled to support AllAccess.com and the 6th Annual Worldwide Radio Summit, to be held April 13-15 at the amazing and historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in sunny California.
While In Town, Why Not Become a MusicMaster Genius?
MusicMaster President/CEO Joseph Knapp invites all current clients and radio enthusiasts to learn special music scheduling tips. Not only will you meet MusicMaster staff, you’ll bond with some of radio’s most knowledgeable pros. See firsthand how sessions like this have helped Joe and the team advance the software over the past 33 years.
Topics Include: Customize your MusicMaster database • Schedule the best song every time with Optimum Goals • Edit and optimize your music logs much faster • Connect your MusicMaster to other systems • Keyboard shortcuts that slice editing time in half • How to look at turnover in a completely different way • Learn the least used and the most time saving feature in Library Maintenance • The one tip to take with you that lets you diagnose issues in any database • How to use your favorite editor and audio player with your MusicMaster library • How to win between the records with Special Sets • How to run your dream station on your own • Three Scheduling Goals designed to crush your competition • Clock editing secrets • Learn the two biggest issues programmers face when scheduling music • Learn about and master the Swiss Army Knife of rules in the MusicMaster Rule Tree
WWRS Attendees: Contact Us for your free Genius Day ticket.
Dallas Genius Day: Students, Legends Share Insight and Camaraderie
Geniuses-in-training joined by MusicMaster's Joe Knapp, Scott Wirt, Jesus Rodriguez, Drew Bennett and guest presenter Geo Cook.
We brought along three of our most trusted programmers to offer their wisdom at the first MusicMaster Genius Day of 2016 in Dallas, TX. We were joined in our new corporate headquarters auditorium by a group of both new students and seasoned pros looking for a new edge. The participants hailed from all over Texas, Oklahoma, and beyond.
"Unconsultant"
Keith Hill began the day with a thorough overview of general questions we should ask ourselves about our music logs, and daily (and even quarter hourly!) goals we need to meet with our music logs. Keith discussed his favorite MusicMaster tools that help him create perfect logs, while our Director of Learning and Development, Drew Bennett, showed our users how to make that happen in their databases.
This year's Genius Day sessions will not only focus on advanced topics and user tools that have existed for a long time in the software, but also new tools that are featured in Version 6.0. New features like Key Mapping and Recursive Scheduling were key topics during the discussion, and the Genius Day group collaborated on desired additions to the software in an effort to keep bringing user requests to future versions.
Click images to expand
First Genius Day of the year is in session!
Consultant Keith Hill shared some in-depth strategies and theories behind perfect rotations.
Jaime Hamm Valenzuela from Univision San Antonio
Service Broadcasting's George Cook joined us after a working lunch to offer not only his favorite tools and scheduling tips but also his inspiring vision of radio and how a workplace should be built. The entire room learned how an expert staff should work together to make great radio. We met with George's staff and discovered how they operate together and use MusicMaster to win in a Top 5 market.
Joe Knapp is happy to welcome new friends to the MM Headquarters
K104 Legend Geo Cook shares his one-of-a-kind wisdom
Claudia Talamantez from Univision jots down some gems from Geo
Students, Professor and Engineer from UT-Arlington recap what they've learned over lunch
It's a good day when Geo is in the house
Clockwise: MusicMaster's Melanie Ross with Pete Manriquez (KTBZ-HD2), Juan Zavala (Univision), MusicMaster's Jesus Rodriguez and Claudia Talamantez (Univision) collaborate over lunch.
We wrapped up the day with a visit from George Gimarc, author of Punk Diary and Owner/Operator of Today's Comedy Network. In a landscape where winning between the records becomes an even greater focus, George offered tips to schedule non-music, interesting and inovative ways to handle artist id's and insight into scheduling different formats with the MusicMaster Pro software.
MusicMaster's Drew Bennett also shared rules of thumb and secret wisdom with our Genius Day users, arming them with general rules to live by in a MusicMaster database. With these tips in mind, our Genius Day users will be better equipped to tackle any issue or challenge in any scheduling database they encounter.
Keith Solis, Music Director of Smooth R&B 105.7 had this to say of his experience: "I gained a wealth of knowledge from the MusicMaster Genius Day! The new and practical information that I got has already changed my approach to music scheduling which will no doubt have a positive payoff for our listeners!"
Pete Manriquez, Vice President of Programming from KTBZ-HD2 recommends Genius Day even for long-time users of MusicMaster. He says: "What a great experience I had at the MusicMaster Genius Day. I was with some of the top programmers across the country, learning how they apply this amazing program to WIN. You have the creators of MusicMaster present and believe me it doesn't get any better than that! Any question, any idea you may have, they will show you the way. I encourage all programmers to attend because "KNOWLEDGE IS POWER." The more I know on how to maximize the use of MusicMaster the better I can program and keep on winning in radio across the world!
It was another full day of learning and collaborating with MusicMaster users, giving them the opportunity to take full advantage of the software but also giving us the opportunity to learn and grow with our users!
Charlie Holliday and Karol Allan from Studio Stream/Sonic Drive In
Priya Bhaskaran, Kiki J Prater and Lady Jade Burrowes from K104
Guest speaker George Gimarc
Gimarc demos his unique "24/7 Comedy Network" library
Drew Bennett shares an unexpected "Gene Simmons quote"
Students from UT-Arlington on their way to becoming Geniuses
Graduates receive their official MusicMaster Genius Certificates
Of course our Dallas Genius Day wouldn't be complete without a tour of the new MusicMaster offices. We were excited to welcome our fellow music-lovers into Joe Knapp's vinyl record hall of fame, complete with rare albums, antique phonographs and vintage radio memorabilia.
Guests pass through a hall lined with a collection of vintage radio ads
A sneak peek into Joe Knapp's vinyl LP record vault
Knapp in his vault of 45s, most likely answering the question, "Do you have that record?"
Guests take a moment to appreciate one of Knapp's antique record players
Pete Manriquez finds the sweet spot between Knapp's Devialet Silver Phantom speakers
Die hard music lovers are giddy as Knapp opens up his rarest-of-the-rare collection.
Don't worry if you missed this Genius Day. There are still plenty to attend in 2016. Stay tuned to our newsletter for the latest updates, or check our Online Store to register for upcoming sessions.
Next Up For Genius Days
April 13 - Hollywood Genius Day: Join us at the Los Angeles Film school for a day of strategies and solutions you never knew you needed! This session is in association with the World Wide Radio Session. Cost to attend is regularly $39.95, but WWRS attendees may contact us for a free Genius Day ticket. Register Here
May 13 - Dallas Genius Day: Our second annual session at the MusicMaster headquarters! Join our team and honored guest speakers for a fun and enlightening day at the office! Register Here
Visit MusicMaster in Paris at the Radiodays Europe March 13-15
Radiodays Europe is here once again, and as usual our crew will be present at Booth 42-43 to greet you, answer your questions, have a coffee with you, or run through the software with you.
Radiodays Europe is the leading radio event in Europe and we are proud to be a premium partner of that event for years now.
So, if you are coming to the show, make sure to set aside some time to meet us.
See you there!!
Country Radio Show 2016: Low Temps, Big Stars
CRS2016, as is becoming the norm, was another cold, snowy adventure in Nashville. This year brought a new venue with the move to the beautiful Omni Hotel and Convention center. The only complaint that was heard was about not bringing enough clothes for the cold and NO Bridge Bar. That being said, by all indications CRS2016 was a roaring success.
MusicMaster's Jerry Butler and Jeff Schroeder manned the MusicMaster booth in the exhibit hall, answering questions and welcoming anyone that wanted to chat. Some of the people that stopped by the booth are pictured below. We would all like to thank everyone that went out of their way to swing by and say hi.
Jerry Butler with the Swon Brothers
Michael Martin Murphy, Jerry Butler
Jeff Schroeder, Jerry Butler with Scott Borchetta of Big Machine Records
Jerry Butler, Bill Anderson and Jeff Schroeder
Jerry Butler, Billy Dean and Jeff Schroeder
Jerry Butler with Tara Thompson
As is always the case with CRS, there were shows all day every day. The highlight of our adventure had to be Jerry's place center stage at the Big Machine Label Group party, starring Steven Tyler. Jerry was close enough that he actually got a high five from Steven, although Jeff missed that picture! Some of Jeff's other amazing shots from the show are below.
Steven Tyler at the BMLG Show
Captured by our very own Jeff Schroeder
What an exciting show!
Scott Borchetta
Justin Moore
Jennifer Nettles
Trace Adkins
Tara Thompson
MusicMaster University Program Students Tour CMT
What happens when you get a MusicMaster Raving Fan and the team from Texas A&M together? You get an educational experience these students will never forget. Stacey Cato, Manager of Music & Talent at CMT, is a Raving Fan of MusicMaster while Texas A&M is the first university to offer our MusicMaster University program. The Team at Texas A&M got a chance to tour CMT and visit with Stacey Cato to learn how he uses MusicMaster daily to program CMT and reach over 92 million households.
Stacey Cato: Raving Fan
Pictured left to right: Paige Nicole Broussard, Stacey Cato, Kendall Miller, Danielle Marie Bishop, Alicia Torres, Kara Slaughter, Angie Flores, Geordian Garrett, Ashley Yopp and Dr. Billy McKim. [Photo courtesy of Two Redwines Photography]
MusicMaster Visits Big River Broadcasting
Few companies can claim to have pioneers as their founders. Big River Broadcasting was started by and continues to be operated by Florence, Alabama native Sam Phillips' family. Sam always loved great music and radio, starting his entertainment career as a disc jockey at a local Muscle Shoals radio station. From there, Sam moved his family to Memphis where he was exposed to the cultural richness of tenant farmers, preachers and front-porch musicians. Sam eventually started a small recording studio which would change the world!
Nick Martin (GM), Halley Phillips (Dir of Marketing), Jalessa (Producer WSMB-AM), Jerry Phillips (The MAN), Jeff Schroeder (MusicMaster’s nice guy), Chip Valentine (PD WQLT-FM), Fletch (OM)
National Religious Broadcasters Convention 2016
MusicMaster Scheduling joined hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of clients and friends at the recent NRB Convention, February 22-26 at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center of Nashville. Convention participants were encouraged by Film and Entertainment Summits, Church Media Sessions, Digital Media Training, Public Worship Services, Film Screenings, and a Presidential Candidates Forum. Attendees will gather next in late February 2017 at a new location, Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
MusicMaster's Marianne Burkett with Jeff Smulyan, Founder and CEO of Emmis Communications, and MusicMaster's Shane Finch
Marianne Burkett shares a moment with MusicMaster client, Bill Harrier of The Joy FM Network
Saddleback Church Pastor and Author, Rick Warren
"Powitanie" to MusicMaster Radio Merkury Klasyka
Radio Merkury, based in Poznan, Poland, is a long time client, having used MusicMaster now for over 20 years on their Pop channel. Music Director Jedrzej called us a few months ago and asked if MusicMaster would be able to handle classical music for their new channel Merkury Klasyka..
Of course we were happy to report that MusicMaster is in fact handling hundreds of classical music stations all around the world. Immediately we started working on the data concept and basic architecture and in February, ON AIR consultant Matthias Müller (the cool guy with the glasses…) went to Poznan to do the final touch up and training with Jedrzej and his charming colleague Magdalena.
ln April they will go live with this new channel. We are happy to welcome Radio Merkury with their new channel Klasyka to the MusicMaster family!
Jedrzej and Magdalena from Radio Merkury with Matthias Müller from ON AIR
Ray Collier - KSHE, St. Louis
Ray shares: "Before MusicMaster, we had music scheduling software. It got music on the air and that is literally all. What we have now is 100% control of everything in our library. And what we have with Drew Bennett and the group at MusicMaster are partners committed to making the vision of our station a reality."
Buddy Van Arsdale
Buddy's objectives: "Use all available tools, from music research, perceptual studies, to talking to the audience at events and in the community. Determine the kind of radio station they want, and put all my strategic and artistic effort into creating it for them, from music scheduling, creative imaging, entertaining talent and fun promotions. When they like it and the ratings go up, it’s the best feeling in the world."
Programming Inspiration
"The late Rusty Walker. Rusty had a passion for good radio and he was a good teacher on strategy and most importantly, making an emotional connection with the listeners. Also, John King, who taught me how to coach talent in positive way and always made me feel like I was an important part of his team."
Radio Programming History Successful stints as Operations Manager in Jackson, MS, Tucson, Oxnard-Ventura, CA. Great Programming resume in Nashville, and Richmond, VA. Companies included SFX, Journal, Cumulus, Cox and Summit Media.
Future Radio Challenge "I’m looking to share my extensive skill set with a company that supports a strong product, great talent, and provides the tools to win the market. "
Radiodays Europe is here once again, and as usual our crew will be present at Booth 42-43 to greet you, answer your questions, have a coffee with you, or run through the software with you. 
MusicMaster Scheduling joined hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of clients and friends at the recent NRB Convention, February 22-26 at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center of Nashville. Convention participants were encouraged by Film and Entertainment Summits, Church Media Sessions, Digital Media Training, Public Worship Services, Film Screenings, and a Presidential Candidates Forum. Attendees will gather next in late February 2017 at a new location, Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
