Gregg Swedberg, KEEY: It's Good To Be King

Maybe it's the long winters, maybe it's their shared love of ice fishing, or maybe they just like each other, but country programmers in the Midwest are a tight bunch. They know their markets and they know the markets around them.

When Billboard Radio Monitor asked those in the know to name the region's top programmers and radio stations, three words came up again and again: Gregg Swedberg, KEEY.

Swedberg and Clear Channel's country outlet were not alone in receiving nods, mind you, but the admiration programmers and record promoters who work the region have for the man and his station is clear.

With that in mind, Radio Monitor decided to turn the tables and ask Swedberg, who serves as regional VP of programming in addition to his PD duties, for his list of top country stations in the Midwest. While he listed a fair amount of his company's stations?what good manager wouldn't, after all?he named some others.



Here's his list:

Clear Channel's WBCT Grand Rapids, Mich.: "Fun, incredibly knowledgeable staff, will play a new song, really loves country and you can hear it."

Clear Channel's WMIL Milwaukee: "Perfect fit in Milwaukee for that audience. Really connects with their audience and community."

CBS Radio's WUSN Chicago: "[PD] Mike Peterson has really elevated that station and I love how 'America's Country Station' sounds."

Triad Broadcasting's KVOX-FM Fargo, N.D.: "I know how good this station is because I've been trying to help bring it down for years, and it won't come down. Everyone, please hire these people away. Strongly connected to their audience."

Clear Channel's KQDY Bismarck, N.D.: "Owns the market, excellent morning guy really reflects what's going on there."

Clear Channel's KYSM Mankato, Minn.: "Years of heritage have cemented this station, and they have a great PD as well."

Clear Channel's KKCB Duluth, Minn.: "Great morning show, great imaging. Sharp staff."

Asked about the top programmer in the region, Swedberg says, "All this will do is get me in trouble, but let's go with Doug Montgomery, WBCT. He's a great tactician, a great leader, a fierce competitor and a surprisingly good dancer for a big man." ?KEN TUCKER