Country Aircheck Country Aircheck
Menu
  • Home
  • Archives
    • Country Aircheck Weekly
    • CRS Daily Buzz
    • Voter Guides
  • Print Publications
  • Job Board
    • Actively Seeking
    • Job Listings
  • Search
  • Subscribe Free
More
CAW-logo.png

 

Dylan-Salisbury24.jpg

In This Issue (9/29) 

“My first day, Kevin James was in the building promoting a movie and I was like, ‘Well, this is it. I’m in.’”

Click Here To Download | Archives


 

current-CAT-button.jpg

Click here for the current issue


 

Radio Vision

Jake-Worthington10125.jpg Fort Worth: Big Loud Texas' Jake Worthington opens for Zach Top at Red Rocks. Pictured (l-r) are KSCS/Dallas' Mike Preston, Townsquare's Kurt Johnson, Worthington, KNIX/Phoenix's Reid Spivey, the label's Kelley Bradshaw, KKBQ/Houston's Lauren "Lo" Sessions-Barker and KXKT/Omaha's Hoss Michaels.
Jordan-Davis10125.jpg I Sain't Sayin': MCA's Jordan Davis (in hat) with KSD's Dusty Panhorst, the label's Donna Jo Passuntino and WIL's Marty Brooks (l-r) in St. Louis.
locash10125.jpg Peels Like A Party: Galaxy's LoCash play the Savannah Bananas' closer. Pictured (l-r) are the label's Skip Bishop, the duo's Preston Brust, KSSN/Little Rock's Jess Jennings, the duo's Chris Lucas and the label's Cheryl Broz.
joeandjelly93025.jpg Grand Slam: Stoney Creek's Jelly Roll joins Joe Nichols' Home Run For Hope event to raise money for an ADA-compliant baseball field in Nashville; sign the petition here.
hardy93025.jpg Country! Country! Nights Live: Big Loud's Hardy joins Country Nights Live with Bev Rainey.
tripletigers93025.jpg Tiger Beat: The Triple Tigers team celebrates recent No. 1s for Russell Dickerson (“Happen To Me”) and Scotty McCreery (“Bottle Rockets”). Pictured (back, l-r) are Annie Ortmeier, Kevin Herring, Julianna Vaughn, Diane Lockner and Blake Nixon; (front, l-r) Hope Garrison, Mackenzie Cooper, Raffaella Braun and Liz Scherff.
Thomas-Rhett93025.jpg Old Trix: Valory's Thomas Rhett (l) with SiriusXM Highway Mornings' Cody Alan.
tucker93025.jpg

Home Is Where The Chart Is: EMI's Tucker Wetmore plays a hometown show in Ridgefield, WA. Pictured (l-r) are KUPL/Portland's Dylan Salisbury, the label's Briarman Whitfield, Chelsea Washington, Wetmore, B-Dub Radio's Bryan "B Dub" Washington, KWJJ/Portland's Danny Dwyer and radio vet Val Steele.

Jackson-Wendell93025.jpg

Signage: Singer/songwriter Jackson Wendell (c) signs on with Red Light's Enzo DeVincenzo (r) and Nick Rhodes for management.

keith92925.jpg

Go Home W KU: MCA's Keith Urban in Chicago (top) and Minneapolis. Pictured (top, l-r) are KTOM/Monterey & KHGE/Fresno's Sam Diggedy, the label's Donna Jo Passuntino, Urban, the label's Katie Bright and WUSN's Marci Braun; (bottom, l-r) KEEY's Gregg Swedberg, Passuntino, Urban, Bright and KEEY's Pat Knight.

jasonaldean92925.jpg She's (Kickin') Country: Broken Bow's Jason Aldean (l) with WCKN/Charleston, SC's Hunter Meyer.
Ashley-Cooke92925.jpg Cooked: Big Loud's Ashley Cooke (c) with WCYQ's Matt Cooper and the label's Kelley Bradshaw at the Knoxville stop of the Parker McCollum Tour.

Top Stories

Aug CDM Ratings
wusy22.jpg

Chatt's In The Cradle: Here are select Nielsen Audio Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM) ratings for August 2025 (three-month rolling average, 5/29-8/20) compared with June and July. Ranks (in parentheses) are among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

Chattanooga, TN
(Market 94)

WUSY Audacy
9.7 (3) - 9.5 (3) - 9.2 (3)
WUUQ Bahakel Classic Country
3.2 (7) - 3.1 (8) - 2.3 (8t)
WOGT Cumulus 
1.3 (13) - 1.4 (13) - 0.9 (14)

Huntsville, AL
(99)          

WDRM iHeartMedia
10.6 (1) - 10.5 (1) - 8.7 (1)
WWFF Cumulus
1.0 (14) - 0.8 (15) - 1.2 (13t)

Jackson, MS
(125)
WMSI iHeartMedia
3.7 (9t) - 3.2 (8) - 3.4 (8)
WUSJ 
New South
4.4 (6t) - 2.9 (9) - 3.1 (9)
WHJT New South Classic Country
2.2 (10) - 2.2 (11) - 2.2 (10t)
Madison, WI
(89)   
WMAD iHeartMedia
4.4 (6) - 4.5 (4) - 3.8 (6t)
WWQM Mid-West Family
3.3 (8) - 3.4 (7) - 3.8 (6t)
Oct 1, 2025 Share
Wilson Set To Host CMA Awards
Lainey-Wilson25.jpg

Lainey Wilson will host The 59th Annual CMA Awards, set for Nov. 19 at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Wilson co-hosted the 2024 show with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning (Breaking News 9/30/24). Wilson is among the top nominees this year with nods in six categories, including Entertainer of the Year.

“I grew up watching the CMA Awards like it was the Super Bowl, so to be hosting for a second year is a true honor,” says Wilson, a nine-time CMA winner. “I’m humbled that CMA has trusted me with this role, and I can’t wait to love on this genre that has given me so much.” The show airs live on ABC from 7-10pm CT, and will be available the next day on Hulu. Find tickets here.

Sep 30, 2025 Share
Aug CDM Ratings
ratings7122.jpg

Deal Or Mobile: Here are select Nielsen Audio Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM) ratings for August 2025 (three-month rolling average, 5/29-8/20) compared with June and July. Ranks (in parentheses) are among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

Colorado Springs, CO
(Market 91)

KCCY iHeartMedia
4.9 (4t) - 4.7 (5) - 4.4 (6t)
KATC Cumulus
4.7 (6t) - 4.0 (7t) - 3.3 (10)

Des Moines, IA
(71)      

KHKI Cumulus
7.5 (2) - 8.1 (2) - 6.8 (2)
KJJY Cumulus
4.9 (6t) - 4.3 (9) - 3.3 (11)

Mobile, AL
(100) 
WKSJ iHeartMedia
6.3 (3) - 7.0 (3) - 7.8 (3)
Largest share since Oct. 2020.
Spokane, WA
(90) 
KICR Blue Sky
3.1 (9t) - 2.5 (12t) - 2.8 (8t)
KDRK 
Stephens
4.4 (4t) - 4.0 (4t) - 2.4 (10t)
KXLY QueenB
Does not subscribe.
Wichita, KS
(104)
  
KFDI SummitMedia
7.2 (1) - 5.8 (3t) - 5.5 (5t)
KZSN iHeartMedia
6.1 (3t) - 5.6 (6) - 5.5 (5t)
KVWF Murfin
2.0 (14t) - 2.2 (15) - 2.5 (14)
Largest share since entering the format in June 2023.
KFTI-AM SummitMedia Classic Country
0.7 (19t) - 0.7 (19t) - 0.5 (18t)
Sep 30, 2025 Share
Aug CDM Ratings
WKKO K100 FM Radio - Listen Live & Stream Online.png

Head To Toledo: Here are select Nielsen Audio Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM) ratings for August 2025 (three-month rolling average, 5/29-8/20) compared with June and July. Ranks (in parentheses) are among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

Columbia, SC
(Market 88)

WCOS iHeartMedia
7.0 (2) - 5.9 (2t) - 5.4 (3)

Little Rock, AR
(93)   
KSSN iHeartMedia
7.3 (4) - 6.3 (4) - 5.6 (4)
KMJX iHeartMedia Cl. Country
5.3 (5) - 5.7 (5) - 5.2 (6)
Springfield, MA
(103)
WRNX iHeartMedia 
4.1 (4t) - 4.1 (6t) - 3.9 (5t)
Toledo, OH
(108) 
WKKO Cumulus
8.4 (1) - 7.9 (1t) - 9.6 (1)
Largest share since Oct. 2023.
WCKY iHeartMedia Classic Country
1.5 (11) - 1.5 (11) - 1.3 (11t)
WMIM Cumulus
0.7 (13t) - 0.7 (13t) - 0.9 (13)
Sep 29, 2025 Share
Recent Stories
Oct 1, 2025 Brew Town Pro: Milwaukee Radio Alliance Pres./GM Colleen Valkoun has returned to iHeartMedia's six-station Milwaukee cluster, including WMIL... Read full story
Oct 1, 2025 Toledo Talkin': Cumulus WKKO/Toledo midday host Johny D is now co-hosting mornings with incumbent Lyn Casye. He succeeds Marco, who ... Read full story
Oct 1, 2025 Gordon's Wish Sticks: Songwriter, entertainment attorney and former SESAC EVP Dennis Lord has joined the Nashville-based Gordon Law ... Read full story
Oct 1, 2025 Creative Process: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum VP/Creative Warren Denney will retire at the end of the year after more than 18 years with the... Read full story
Oct 1, 2025 Crash Diet: Connoisseur WCLI/Dayton is stunting ahead of a potential format change teased for tomorrow (10/2) at 5pm ET. Under previous owner Alpha, ... Read full story
Oct 1, 2025 Here Comes The Guide: Country Aircheck’s CMA Voter’s Guide – a quick-reference, category-by-category look at the nominees, featuring label ... Read full story
Oct 1, 2025 ICYMI: Lainey Wilson is the only country artist featured in Time magazine's "2025 Time100 Next" list, recognizing emerging leaders who are shaping the... Read full story
Oct 1, 2025 Crib Note: Apple Music Country host Kelleigh Bannen and husband Jeff Grossman welcomed their second child, Anne Carlyle ... Read full story
Sep 30, 2025 Bell Bottom CMA: As announced via Breaking News, Lainey Wilson is returning to host The 59th Annual CMA Awards, airing live ... Read full story
Sep 30, 2025 Sounds Like The Radio: The nomination period to be considered for the Country Radio Hall of Fame (CRHoF) class of 2026 runs through Oct 31. ... Read full story
Sep 30, 2025 Bits & Pieces: iHeartMedia WKSF/Asheville, NC is hosting an online auction benefiting Hurricane Helene relief in and around Western ... Read full story
Sep 30, 2025 Chronicle: Graham Artist Management and nightclub chain Graham Central Station founder Herbert "Herb" Graham died Sept. 25 in Odessa, TX at the ... Read full story
Sep 29, 2025 Beasley's Rich Leaves: Beasley VP/Operations Kevin Rich has departed the company, where he has worked since 2022. Prior to joining Beasley in its ... Read full story
Sep 29, 2025 Drive Time: Shuffle: Owens KUZZ/Bakersfield PD/afternoon host Brent Michaels has moved to mornings paired with incumbent co-host Ness Heraldez. He ... Read full story
Sep 29, 2025 Benefit News: Eric Church's nonprofit, Chief Cares, is expanding homeownership in its Avery County, NC housing community, Blue Haven. Not ... Read full story
Sep 29, 2025 Bits & Pieces: Joining the radio personalities serving as Grand Ole Opry guest announcers during its 100th year are: WGGE/Parkersburg, WV's Rob &... Read full story
Sep 29, 2025 ICYMI: Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan announced their April 25 show at Sanford Stadium at the University of Georgia on SEC Nation. Tickets for the ... Read full story
Sep 29, 2025 Life Note: Dolly Parton has rescheduled six December shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas until September 2026 citing "health ... Read full story


thumbnailCAP092025.png CAPdlbutton-homepage.png

The Fall Print Special



cmavg25-cover.png

The 2025 CMA
Voter's Guide
A quick reference guide to the 2025 CMA Nominees

 



Buzz 3 p1.png

Inside This Issue: 

Exstream: What Is Mainstream Country?

You Never Forget Your First … Cousin

Survey Says: NuVoodoo Research



25CAC-web-label-contacts-button.png

 

 

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Don't miss a single story

Subscribe to receive the latest from Country Aircheck.

Subscribe Free
Country Aircheck

© 2025 Country Aircheck