The Gig Apple: As reported earlier via Breaking News, Apple has expanded its radio offerings, including new channels Apple Music Country and Apple Music Hits alongside the newly rebranded Apple Music 1 (formerly Beats 1). As first tipped last month, former Emmis/New York SVP/MM Charlie Morgan (CAT 7/9) has been named Dir./Talent Development across all three stations, while Michael Bryan, who left Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in February (CAT 2/28), serves as Head/Apple Music Country. Former iHeartMedia KAJA & KRPT/San Antonio and KASE & KVET/Austin APD/MD/on-air talent Bree Wagner (CAT 1/14) joins as Coord./Music, and former Austin City Limits Radio PD Emily Parker is Exec. Producer. Apple Music Country broadcasts from Apple’s new Nashville headquarters. Reach Morgan here, Bryan here, Wagner here and Parker here.

The station’s air personalities include Wagner, Kelleigh Bannen, Ty Bentli, Alecia Davis, Ward Guenther, Nada and Tiera with weekly shows hosted by Ashley Eicher and Kelly McCartney. Exclusive programming is available from artists, songwriters and producers including Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Breland, Luke Bryan, Dave Cobb, Luke Combs, Morgan Evans, Florida Georgia Line, Jesse Frasure, Pat Green, Willie Jones, Luke Laird, Chrissy Metz, Midland, Rissi Palmer, Carrie Underwood and Morgan Wallen. See the full schedule here. Bannen was the first voice heard on Apple Music Country at 11am CT with Bentli, Guenther and Tiera ­– the station’s core four anchors – alongside her for the launch special. Bentli previously hosted Westwood One nationally syndicated morning program The Ty Bentli Show prior to his departure in February (CAT 2/28). Bannen and Tiera are both singer/songwriters, and Guenther is best known as the founder of Nashville-based Whiskey Jam. Additional radio veterans have joined the brand in various capacities, including former The Ty Bentli Show Digital Prod./Social Media Mgr. Bryan Webb, who is serving as a Producer. The first song played during the Apple Music Country launch was The Chicks’ “Texas Man.”