The Bull gets loose in country radio

The country music airwaves over Youngstown got a little more crowded this week when iHeartMedia flipped the format of WBBG-106.1 FM from classic hits to The Bull.

The new format – new country hits – pits the station against mighty K-105 FM, the market kingpin, and, to a lesser extent, Froggy 95 out of Pennsylvania.

There doesn’t seem to be much doubt that the Mahoning Valley will welcome another country station. Around here, country is as big as it gets.

Format flips on the major FM channels seldom happen in the Youngstown area, and WBBG had been the oldies channel forever (actually, just since 1987).

But the time was right to go country, said Keith Kennedy, senior vice president for programming for iHeart’s Youngstown and Akron-Canton clusters.

Decisions on formats are based on ratings, said Kennedy, who noted that music trends come and go.

One blue chip about the country format is that it grabs listeners of all ages. “Country music is cradle to grave,” is how Kennedy put it.

Although The Bull is used as a label for many iHeartMedia country stations across the country, the local outlet has a local touch. It’s being manned by existing iHeart staffers (Kat Jackson on morning drive, Matt Appleby in the afternoon and Tony McGinty from 6 p.m. to midnight).

Like its namesake, The Bull has an aggressive swagger.

Kennedy explained how the station is differentiating itself in the market. “First, we are really music intensive,” said Kennedy. “We play a lot of music. We have two-hour commercial-free ‘Bull Rides,’ and that gives listeners a choice over our competitors. And having fewer commercials allows us to spotlight our advertisers, so they don’t get lost.”

YOUNGSTOWN SYMPHONY, POWERS ARE UPBEAT ON SALES

Covelli Centre isn’t the only downtown Youngstown entertainment venue to post strong ticket sales in recent months.

Covelli reported near-record quarterly earnings this week. But the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra also is boasting a rise in ticket sales, as well as strong attendance at its DeYor Performing Arts Center home for concerts by outside promoters.

In comparison to the 2014-15 season, the YSO reported an 11 percent rise in ticket sales for its classical concerts, and an amazing 84 percent rise for its pops concerts.

Meanwhile, the YSO’s community outreach concerts also broke attendance records. The Stained Glass series — free concerts in local houses of worship — gained in numbers, as did the Young Peoples Concert Series.

As for hall rental shows, last weekend’s concert by Mint Condition was a sellout at Powers, which holds 2,300. The April 16 Valley of the Divas concert with Maureen McGovern filled up the adjacent 600-seat Ford Family Recital Hall.

What’s behind the uptick? Patricia Syak, president of the Youngstown Symphony Society, said the YSO had some good programs with wide appeal. The most recent concert, which spotlighted the photos of Ansel Adams, was packed.

Syak also pointed to the outreach programs and the implementation of a social media plan for stoking interest.

Although season subscriptions to the YSO are down, a huge rise in single-ticket sales is more than making up for it, she said.

“There is a perception that things aren’t good around here, and I don’t totally agree with that,” said Syak.

In another bit of great news, the symphony society (which owns and operates the DeYor Performing Arts Center and the orchestra) is in line to receive a $1.25 million capital grant from the state, which Syak said is the largest single state grant ever presented to a Valley arts group.

It will be used to improve the heating and air conditioning systems, sound and lighting upgrades, and to renovate and reopen the downstairs restrooms.

FILMMAKERS BACK IN TOWN

A pair of filmmakers are back in town to meet with city officials on their proposal to make movies here. Marc Clebanoff of Odyssey Motion Pictures and Louis Mandylor, a producer and actor (he played Nick in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2”), will meet with the city’s Economic Development Committee today. The filmmakers were courted by the Youngstown Film Commission and hope to take advantage of the city’s float-loan program.

SEAN JONES IN CONCERT

Sean Jones, the trumpet great who hails from Warren, will give a concert titled Jazz Meets Gospel at 8 p.m. May 20 at August Wilson Center in downtown Pittsburgh. Jones will present his original compositions that combine his gospel roots with his sophisticated modern jazz. For ticket information, go to trustarts.org.