Rock trumps country radio in the Arbitron ratings | Idaho Statesman

Country got rocked in the spring 2006 Arbitron radio ratings, which measure listener share.

OK, OK, not exactly rocked. How about knocked off its high horse?

The just-released Arbitrons anointed "K-Hits" — which plays hits from the late '60s and '70s — as king of Treasure Valley radio among listeners 12 and older. Rock station "J-105" was runner-up.

"Kissin' 92," which owned the No. 1 slot in the Arbitrons last fall, dropped nearly two points. Fellow country station KQFC-FM also slipped.

Interesting. Perhaps they should play more Dixie Chicks?

Oldies-turned-cowpoke station "My Country 104.3" barely registered a blip, probably because listeners were still processing the change.

"Mix 106" was huge. That station took the No. 1 spot with listeners ages 25 to 54. "J-105" and "The Eagle 96.9" tied for second in that demographic, which is important to advertisers. "The River" 94.9 FM had its best outing yet — tying for fifth in 25-54 — driven by strong female numbers. (Obviously, it's that hour show I freelance every Sunday night. Um, yeah.)

Top 40 station "Magic 93.1" put a beatdown on "Kiss FM," but neither pop purveyor lit up the universe.

Peruse the Arbitrons yourself: Top finishers are on page 31.

LIVE NOTES: The in-the-round set-up at the sold-out Tim McGraw/Faith Hill show Sunday was so jaw-dropping that I'm now actually worried that the Rolling Stones' staging might be a slight letdown. ... Atlanta blues-rock shredder Chris Duarte doubled his audience size this time around, making Monday's show at Bourbon Street too crowded — but still a string-bending blast. ... Brooklyn trio Early Man was so metal it was mechanical Tuesday at The Bouquet. Screechingly fun headliner 3 Inches of Blood from Canada wound up owning the evening.

SPOKANE STINK: Is The Big Easy a "Big Bully"? Boise-based promoter Bravo Entertainment — still smarting from the fact that corporate behemoth LiveNation is bringing the Rolling Stones to town — would definitely argue no.

But Bravo is part of a music-scene controversy in Spokane, where its 1,500-capacity Big Easy is a tenant of the same building as miniscule Rock Coffee. At least partly because Bravo complained about Rock Coffee, the building's landlord nixed live music at the java joint, which holds fewer than 100 people. Bravo says that problems resulting from inappropriate, amplified gigs at the coffeehouse were scaring off business. Rock Coffee plans to relocate.

A Spokesman-Review newspaper columnist beat up on Bravo, referring to the Big Easy as "Big Bully." Bravo then yanked its advertising. Drama!

What to make of all this?

Besides the fact that Boiseans should be thankful we don't have to live in Spokane, Happy Fish probably shouldn't book Slayer.

UPCOMING: Funky showman Lyrics Born has rapped his way into The Big Easy. He'll headline an Oct. 26 gig with Cut Chemist and Pigeon John. ... Irish-rockers the Young Dubliners will play The Big Easy on Aug. 26. ... Wednesday 13, led by the former Murderdolls frontman of the same name, will bring glam-punk and horror imagery to Grove Street concert house Thursday. Cover is $10.

BEST BET: Here's the problem with Alive After Five: Just as you're getting into a festive mood, it ends — leaving you high and dry on a weeknight in Downtown Boise. That's where Jackie Greene will come in Wednesday (7:30 p.m., Big Easy, $15, TicketWeb, with Curtis Salgado.) The bluesy singer-guitarist-keyboardist is a major talent. Never heard of him? Take a chance. Trust me. He'll keep your party rolling.