» Rate & See: Spring books began rolling out yesterday (CAW 7/21) and we'll continue to bring you Country's 12+ Arbitron results as they become available. Here's a look at markets released today:

• Los Angeles: The best book in Mt. Wilson Broadcasting's short history with Country KKGO sees a 1.5-1.9 rise, good for a climb from 22t-17t.
• Chicago: Good news in the Windy City, too, as CBS Radio's WUSN rebounded from a two-book slide by jumping 2.6-3.1 and from 14-9.
• San Diego: Lincoln Financial's KSON dipped to 4.8 after posting one of its best books ever with a 5.5 in Winter '08. The station fell from first to fourth. Clear Channel's KUSS also declined, 2.4-1.9, and from 15t-18.
• Milwaukee: CC's WMIL dropped 7.4-6.0 and from second to fourth.
• Monmouth-Ocean: Press' WKMK rose 2.1-2.3 Fall-Spring, and from 17t-15 for the best ratings in the station format's two-year history.
• Poughkeepsie: CC's WRWD slipped slightly 7.3-7.2 but held on to first place in the market. Cumulus' WKXP fell 1.8-1.3 and 13-18t.
• Victor Valley, CA: Frontier's KATJ slid 4.3-3.4 and 5-6 in its third consecutive down book.
• Williamsport, PA: Backyard's WILQ maintained first place, but declined from 21.9-19.9. CC's WBYL registered its third consecutive book at 5.1 and remains tied for sixth.

» Amie's Back In Dothan: Former WTVY/Dothan, AL morning co-host Amie Pollard, who left the station yesterday (CAW 7/21), will temporarily join cross-town Classic Country WDBT as morning co-host to Roy Fox. Pollard can be reached at 334-790-5596 or here. Also joining WDBT on an interim basis is former WTVY evening jock Elizabeth Parrish, who will take the station live for nights.

» Hip To Be There: Buckley's KUBB/Merced, CA Prod. Dir./MD/midday jock Dee Kelly will be taking a leave of absence beginning July 29 for approximately one month while her mother recovers from hip replacement surgery in England. Morning show producer Mike Ellis and afternoon jock Greg Edwards will be filling in for her during that time. 

» The Kid's In The Hall: Hall Communications' WCTK/Providence launched Tim Leary & The Morning Showgram this past Monday (CAT 6/23) and will be giving away gas cards for the first two weeks. The staff is set up at rotating locations armed with five gas cards per hour until Aug. 1, when Leary surprises one lucky listener with $1,000 in free gas for a total of $6,000 in giveaways.

» Same Schmidt, Different Pay: Former WSOC-FM/Charlotte Account Exec. Jennifer Schmidt has joined Beasley/Fayetteville, NC for the same duties at Country WKML and Classic Hits WFLB.

» All Your Base Are Belong To Us: The exclusive music monitoring agreement between Mediabase and Emmis Radio has been extended, though terms were not disclosed. The deal allows all Emmis' music-formatted stations full access to Mediabase.

» Hudson News: Singer/songwriter Chad Hudson has signed an exclusive recording contract with Robbins/Nashville. His first single, "Somebody Find Me A Preacher," hits radio August 12 and was written by Shane Minor and Wendell Mobley.

» 50 Million Album Man: According to Sony BMG/Nashville, Arista's Alan Jackson has surpassed sales of 50 million albums. "It's a short drive from Georgia to Tennessee, but it's a long way to 50 million albums sold!," says SBMGN Chairman Joe Galante. "Alan's songs and shows have propelled him to this incredible level of success. He has never lost touch with the fans, and they've shown their appreciation year after year with No. 1 singles and platinum sales."

» Kids Dig It: Capitol's Chris Cagle will headline the Give Kids The World Second Annual Benefit Concert Series August 12-14 in Sacramento, Fresno and Riverside, respectively. The three-day event benefits Give Kids The World Village, which specializes in providing children in need with fantasy vacations.