From relative obscurity to national presence almost overnight (pun intended), Justin Franiak was announced as host of Cumulus’ The Overnight Ride late last month (Breaking News 3/26). Airing live from midnight to 5am on 47 of the company’s Country stations, the show is based out of WKDF/Nashville.
Franiak previously worked for Beasley, where he did mornings at AC WJBR/Wilmington, DE and swing at WXTU in his native Philadelphia. Prior jobs in Country include stints at KBBL/Santa Rosa, CA; WHWK/Binghamton, NY; and WPIG/Olean, NY. He also worked for CBS Radio in Philly in a job he colorfully describes as “stunt boy and free t-shirt provider.” Here’s more from Franiak, in his own words:
I once kissed a pig on the mouth for St. Jude while at WPIG. I wanted to do something ridiculous to raise money, so we got a pig, put it on the front lawn of the radio station and I put a carrot in my mouth. But the pig was horrified of me. I just kept putting the carrot in my mouth and the pig eventually ate it. When I edited the bit, it was great, but in reality, it was like 30 minutes of trying to get the pig to come to me.
As a kid, I got interested in a radio career listening to [WMMR/ Philadelphia air personalities] Preston & Steve and Pierre Robert. I thought it was a cool job. On my parents’ refrigerator there’s a signed picture of me with Pierre Robert right next to a picture of Pope John Paul II. So we have the Pope, and the Pope of Rock. In middle school I did the morning PA announcements and decided I wanted to do it as a career. Three months before I graduated high school, I went into the station to watch the Preston & Steve show and came out sure of my career path. I don’t know that I could do a desk job. I tried it on a
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Diamonds Are A Earls’ Best Friend: RCA’s commemorates his second RIAA Diamond certification for “What Ifs, well as nine additional certifications, with Neon Coast and Sony ’ s Taylor Lindsey at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Smokeout Sails South
Now an annual fixture in Chicago with its marriage of country music and barbecue, Windy City Smokeout is getting a sibling May 2-4 in Arlington, TX with the Lonestar Smokeout. The brand expansion has been in the works for almost five years, says organizer Ed Warm
“We had quite a few people over the years saying, ‘What you do is a little bit different and would work in other cities,’” Warm says. “Our research and discussions with people really pointed to Dallas-Ft. Worth as the best market to add. We looked all around the metroplex, but kept coming back
Ed Warm
Justin Franiak
Play It Again: Luke Bryan (l) with Franiak.
to Arlington figuring that it’s neutral between Dallas and Fort Worth.”
Where the Windy City edition (July 10-13 this year) cuts a swath out of the area near Chicago’s United Center, Lonestar isn’t confined by urban constraints. “To give you a picture of the scale of things down there, we took our entire footprint in Chicago and were able to place it into one parking lot at AT&T Stadium,” Warm says. “Everything truly is bigger in Texas.”
Warm says the business environment is “night and day” from what they’ve experienced previously. “It is such a breath of fresh air to go to a state and city where they start with yes and ask how they can help. Chicago’s our hometown and has been great to us, but Chicago has its challenges trying to get things off the ground.”
The two events will share some music – Jon Pardi and Dylan Gossett are playing both – but Lonestar has a local flair with Texas stalwarts including Cody Jinks, Randy Rogers Band, Midland, Eli Young Band, Wyatt Flores and more. And then there’s the barbecue. “Our chef partner has been fantastic about ingratiating himself into the barbecue scene, and we’ve had
great response,” Warm says. “Dallas and Fort Worth have become real barbecue meccas in a way they weren’t 10-12 years ago.”
For some, the Lonestar dates put an extension on Texas week, with 60th ACM Awards events kicking off in nearby Frisco May 6. The proximity wasn’t intentional. “We had been planning this since before the ACM moved the show to Frisco,” Warm says. Additionally, a dollar from every Lonestar Smokeout ticket sale will be donated to ACM Lifting Lives. “Our other charitable partner is the new Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington,” Warm says.
Country stations including KSCS & KPLX – “Mike Preston and his team have been so great!” – as well as KFWR/Fort Worth and Sports KTCK “The Ticket” have been key to raising awareness, as has Billy Bob’s Texas. “We come hat-in-hand with the utmost respect for what has been built here, especially down the road at Billy Bob’s – truly one of, if not the coolest and best-run venue in the country,” Warm says. “Their team has graciously partnered with us on a kickoff party with Dylan Wheeler the night before the festival begins (5/1). We hope this is the start of a long and successful relationship. The Cowboys, Mayor Ross of Arlington and all of North Texas have been incredibly supportive.”
Read 2022 coverage of Windy City Smokeout here (the McKiddy/ Marci moment is worth revisiting) and get details on this year’s events here (Lonestar) and here (Windy City). Reach Warm here –Chuck Aly
Townies: Curb ’ s Dylan Scott celebrates the platinum certifications of “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” and “What He ’ll Never Have“ with his team.
Chart Chat
Congratulations to LoCash (Preston Brust and Chris Lucas), Kerry Wolfe, Cheryl Broz, Kristen Brust, John Lessard, Ray Vaughn and the Galaxy and Studio2Bee (Skip Bishop, Butch Waugh) promotion teams on keeping “Hometown Home” at No. 1 for a second week. It is the first multi-week No. 1 by a duo since “10,000 Hours” by Dan + Shay & Justin Beiber in January 2020. Songwriters are Zach Abend, Andy Albert, Brust and Lucas.
Kudos to Stacy Blythe and the Big Loud crew on racking up 82 adds for “Favorite Country Song” by Hardy. It is his fourth release to top the CA/MB Add Board.
News & Notes
Riley Green has been added as a performer for the Jelly Roll-hosted Opry NextStage Live from Texas May 7 in Plano (CAT 3/28). Tickets here
Willie Nelson has launched (and sold out the first run of) his THCinfused beverage, Willie’s Remedy+. He is donating 1% of all sales to farmers via his Farm Aid Foundation
Author and music biographer Jake Brown (Nashville Songwriter, Behind The Boards: Nashville) will release his newest book, Songs Of Nashville: The Real Stories Behind Country Music’s Greatest Hits, June 24 via Diversion Books. Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, Drew Parker, Josh Thompson, Jim Lauderdale, Hillary Lindsay, Natalie Hemby and Shane McAnally are among those featured. Pre-order here
The Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) has elevated Cox Media Group Exec. Dir./Radio Engineering Roz Clark to the membership rank of Fellow. Clark served two terms on the SBE Board of Directors and has been the treasurer for SBE Chapter 39 since 2013.
Songwriter Jeff Stevens was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame April 12 by Sony Music Publishing’s Dale Bobo. Stevens’ songs have been recorded by George Strait, Tracy Byrd, Tim McGraw and Luke Bryan. Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)’s 34th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will be held March 24-28, 2026 in venues across the city.
Runaway June, John Conlee, Mandy Barnett and Charlie McCoy are among the performers, and Donna Fargo will make an appearance, at the 11th annual Country With Heart benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital June 7 at the Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theatre. Tickets here
The Patsy Cline Museum in downtown Nashville will permanently close May 15 after an eight-year run to make more space for the coowned Johnny Cash Museum, which shares the same building.
“You For A Reason:” This song is something just about everyone can relate to. I wrote it from a romantic perspective, but it can be about friendships, too. A girl came into my life for just a season, but I truly believe the good Lord put her there for a reason. She changed me for the better and brought things out of me that really helped me grow – not just as a person, but in my career, too.
Seasons change, and we all go through different phases. People come and go, but I believe the Lord works through all of it – sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s hard – but there’s always a bigger picture at play. Writing this song was a reflective and healing process for me. That chapter of my life may be closed, but I’m grateful she was part of my story, even if it was just for a season.
“Can A Heart Take:” Written with Ryan Beaver and Randy Montana during a writing retreat, and Beaver actually came in with the title. I was writing from the place of going through a breakup and trying to process it all. It was about asking myself, how much more can my heart really take? Loving someone deeply and then having to let go of that chapter, you try to fill the void in different ways, but in the end, you always find a way through it. For me, music has always been that therapy. Writing this song helped me work through it all.
“Lies:” Blake Pendergrass, Justin Ebach, Ross Copperman and I wrote my song “Relapse” together, and we wrote “Lies” the next time we all were back in the room again after that, and it felt like we were picking up right where we left off.
I had the title “Lies” saved in my phone, but no real melody or structure yet. We were at Ebach’s studio that day, he played this one riff and I immediately went, “That’s it. That’s the one,” and the song just locked in right away.
Blake’s got incredible instincts when it comes to lyrics. He and I work so well together, especially when we’re chasing down unique melodies. The last part of the song really hits for me – it’s about how people talk big about the future and what they want down the road, but if they’re not showing up in the little things now, that future’s never going to happen.
“Take It To The Grave:” A straight-up rock song. We actually wrote it over two years ago, and my day-one fans already knew it as it has been teased on social media, played live and was even my show opener for all 39 dates on the Jelly Roll tour.
We sat on it for a long time, just trying to find the right moment and the right production team to really bring it to life. Once I started working with Mike Elizondo on this latest record – alongside Ross Copperman, too – it finally started to take shape.
This one’s for the folks who love “Ride The Lightning” and that heavier side of what I do. This song is just about owning who you are, standing firm in it, and saying, “I’m gonna take all of this – all the good, all the bad, all the real – with me to the grave.” It’s a full-throttle anthem for anyone who lives unapologetically.
“Crying Whiskey:” Written during a retreat in Miami. Funny enough, it actually started without me. Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Ali Tamposi and Blake Pendergrass had already been working on it before I jumped in.
We’ve all been in those situationships, or gotten that late-night call from someone who’s been out drinking or partying with friends. You pick up the phone, and you already know it’s not real and they’ll feel differently in the morning.
That Miami retreat brought out a lot of great songs, and this one was definitely a standout.
couple of internships and it wasn’t for me. Now, my desk is a soundboard. I began listening to country in college around the time “Chicken Fried” blew up, sharing music with my friends and my wrestling teammates. I was driving one summer with the windows down when “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” came on WXTU. I added the station as a pre-set, started listening more and decided I could work there. Then it became a goal, even though I took twists and turns to get there.
Six years of annoying WXTU [PD] Mark Razz and a few really bad interviews later, I got hired. The first time I met him was before I went to Olean. He handed me a stack of CDs and said, “Listen to these.” I still have all of them. Old Dominion’s Meat And Candy was on top.
Later, when I’d been working four years full time in radio, I decide I’m ready for WXTU. I am not ready. I interview for a job with Razz and it goes horrible. I am thinking, “This is the worst interview I have ever had in my entire life.” So, I tell him that mid-interview. I didn’t get the job. Three weeks later I took a job in California and he called me to say, “Good choice.” [Laughs] California was just too expensive. The day I decided to quit I’d just paid $30 for a dozen chicken wings. I emailed Razz again and he had a part time opening. I started there a couple of weeks later. My first time on the air I was convulsing with nerves. Last year we did a bit where we were going to “sneak” into the CMA Awards, so I jumped in a car with Jeff [Kurkjian] from the WXTU
April 14, 2025
morning show and drove to Nashville. We didn’t really know each other, but we visited a bunch of roadside attractions along the way like Dr. Pepper’s grave in Virginia, Dollywood, a rodeo, and we stayed a night at his parents’ house. We’d call into the show with live hits and make videos along the way. I’d drive and Jeff would edit video in the car. And then we did Radio Row before the CMA Awards. I loved it.
TikTok has fueled my love for smelling good, and cologne. It’s one thing you can control. Before the CMA interviews I put on a lot of cologne, because I knew I’d be super sweaty. What I didn’t realize is the hotter you get, the more cologne projects. I’m talking to Jelly Roll, and he says, “Fat people usually don’t dress well and smell good, but you dress well and you smell good.” I said, “Thank you. I’m wearing Dior.” And he said, “I’m wearing cannabis,” and that was the end of the smell conversation.
Working part time wasn’t sustainable. I saw a Cumulus post for syndicated overnights and, having applied for 800 jobs (many I was not qualified for) only to be told no, I figured that was the worst they could say. I emailed [VP/Country] Travis [Daily] and we were off and running. It’s a little bit of a whirlwind. I still can’t believe I got the job!
My approach to the show is that I’m still a fan. At the end of the day, I love the music. I still geek out when I hear something new, especially an unreleased song that someone posts on TikTok. On-air, I’m just me: slightly weird but approachable and relatable.
Working overnights, it’s surprising how many people are up and listening. They’re at the end of their shift as a nurse, or on their way to an early morning shift. Then there’s people who just hang out, listen to the radio and call me every night. They’re not third shifters, they’re just up. The fact that they choose to listen blows my mind and makes me want to do a better job.
It’s weird being kind of unknown, but this is what I always wanted to do: make a name for myself, somehow, in Country radio. I didn’t know how, but I kept telling myself, if I get on WXTU, and then if I get to Nashville and work hard enough, something will happen. We’re at the beginning of that now.
Federated WBYT/South Bend, IN is seeking a morning co-host. Résumé, aircheck and production samples to PD Jesse Garcia here
Operations Manager
Keystone KICM/Ardmore, OK is seeking an OM who will work directly with the owners and the sales team, and oversee all aspects of the station’s programming. Send résumés here
Midday Host
Zimmer KATI/Columbia, MO is looking for a host to fill the midday shift. See full post and apply here
Morning Show Producer
Hubbard WUBE/Cincinnati has a full-time opening for a morning show producer; full listing here
Morning Co-Host
Mountain Dog Media WFON/Fond du Lac, WI Brand Mgr. Chanda Lynn is seeking a co-host to join her in mornings. The job offers unlimited vacation time, and a base starting salary of $50,000-$60,000 plus endorsement opportunities. Email audio and résumé to Lynn here
PD/Air Personality
SummitMedia KTTS/Springfield, MO has an opening for PD/on-air talent. Apply online here; send airchecks here
Air Personality
MacDonald WKCQ/Saginaw, MI is looking for a live and local host for an unspecified daypart. Email a résumé and short aircheck to OM Jason Addams here
Morning Host
Hubbard WIL/St. Louis is seeking a full-time morning host. See post and apply here
VP/Market Manager
Midwest Communications is seeking a VP/MM for Central Wisconsin. Apply here
Operations Manager
Midwest Communications is seeking an OM for Country WDEZ, Top 40 WIFC and Rock WOZZ/Wausau, WI. Apply here
APD/Air Personality
Radio One is seeking an APD for WLHK/Indianapolis and AC sister WYXB. The job includes an on-air role. Find the full job description and apply here
NORTHEAST
Morning Co-Host
Cumulus WCTO/Allentown OM/PD Jerry Padden is seeking a morning co-host to join incumbent Sam Malone See full post here
Account Executive
iHeartMedia is seeking an AE for its five-station Wilmington, DC cluster, including WDSD. Apply here by May 27.
SOUTHEAST
Air Talent and Board Ops
Bristol Broadcasting/Johnson City, TN, which includes Country WXBQ, is looking for full-time and part-time air talent and board ops. Résumés and airchecks to PD Nikki Thomas here
Promotions Dir.
Holston Valley Broadcasting/Tri-Cities TN, VA is looking for a Promotions Dir. for AC WTFM, Classic Hits WVEK and Rock WRZK. Résumé and social media samples here
APD/MD/Afternoon Host
Southern Stone WKRO/Daytona Beach has an APD/ MD/airstaff opening. Résumés to VP/Programming Jonathan Wiley (DJ Tremble) here
Details on specific postings can be found searching call letters or company names in the archives at www.countryaircheck.com. Submit available jobs here
APD
Listen Up Y’all Media/Natchez, MS Group PD Kidd
Conley is looking for a five-station APD for the cluster that includes WQNZ. Résumés, cover letters, production demos and airchecks here
Morning Co-Host
Saga Classic Country WSIG/Harrisonburg, VA is seeking a morning co-host. Email aircheck audio and resume to OM Brandy Lindsey here
SVP/Programming
iHeartMedia/Atlanta is looking for a SVP/ Programming. See full post here
PD/Air Personality
Consulting firm RWPC, Inc. is seeking candidates for a PD/ air personality opening at a client station in the Southeast. Send materials to RWPC Pres. Scott Huskey here
Morning Show Producer
Hall WPCV/Lakeland, FL is seeking a producer for the Julie And DJ In The Morning show. Send airchecks, cover letter, résumé and social links here. See the full job description here
Program Director
Cumulus is seeking a PD for WKOS & Classic Rock WQUT/Johnson City, TN. Find the job posting here
VP/Events & Promotions
SummitMedia is seeking a Birmingham-based VP/Events & Promotions to support and lead its promotions and events teams nationally, and assist on-site with major events. Apply here
Morning Co-host/Promotions Dir. Hoxeng Trust WYCT/Pensacola, FL is seeking a morning co-host and Dir./Promotions. Send materials to OM Kevin King here
Morning Host
iHeartMedia WKKT/Charlotte is seeking a morning cohost. See details and apply here
Morning Co-Host
Kensington Digital WECB/Dothan, AL is seeking a morning co-host. Send airchecks and résumés to Dir./ Operations Kris Lake here
Digital Content Manager
SummitMedia is recruiting for a newly created Digital Content Manager position, based in Birmingham. See the job positing and apply here
PD/Afternoon Host
Saga KDXY/Jonesboro is seeking a PD/afternoon host. Send résumé, aircheck, and “anything else that’ll make your case” here
SOUTHWEST
Morning Host
Stephens Media Group KKAJ/Ardmore, OK is seeking a morning host. Résumé, aircheck and references to SVP/ Programming Bob Thornton here
Dir./Production
Bryan Broadcasting has an opening for a full-time Dir./ Production based in College Station, TX for its 12 radio stations. Résumé and examples of produced and voiced audio or spots here
General Sales Manager
Cumulus/Dallas is looking for a GSM for the five-station cluster, which includes KPLX & KSCS. See full post here
Morning Host
Cox KCYY/San Antonio has openings for a morning host and co-host. See details and apply here
Morning Co-host
Cox KWEN/Tulsa is seeking a morning co-host. Apply here with an audio or video link.
APD/Afternoon Host
Cox KWEN/Tulsa is looking for an APD/afternoon host; apply here
WEST
Co-Host
Cumulus KBUL/Reno PD/morning host Bob Richards is looking for a co-host to join him on The Moo Crew
Complete posting here
Morning Show Producer
iHeartMedia KNIX/Phoenix is looking for a Morning Show Producer. Apply here
Air Personality
Owens KUZZ/Bakersfield is looking for future part-time and full-time talent. Send résumés and airchecks to PD Brent Michaels here. No phone calls.
Morning Co-host/Dir. of Promotions
Stephens Media/Yakima, WA is seeking a Dir./Promotions and KXDD morning co-host. Send résumé, aircheck, imaging and social media samples to OM Justin Henriksen here
OTHER
Publicity Manager
BBR Music Group/BMG is seeking a Mgr./Publicity. Find job details and apply here
Junior Agent
Kincaid Entertainment Agency is seeking a full-time Junior Agent to join the team. Applicants should have at least a year of experience in the music industry. Submit resumes here
National Director
Warner Music Nashville VP/Radio Anna Cage is seeking a National Dir. Contact her here
Creative Coord./Manager or Director
Creative Nation is looking for a Creative Coord., Mgr. or Dir. to identify, sign, develop and grow their songwriters and catalog. Candidates must have at least one year of experience in publishing; apply here
Dir./Digital Marketing & Artist Development
Sony Music Nashville has an opening for a Dir./Digital Marketing & Artist Development. Apply here
Digital Content Creator
The Country Thunder Music Festivals are recruiting for a suburban Nashville-based Digital Content Creator. Résumés here
Head/Strategic Partnerships & Revenue
The Academy of Country Music (ACM) is looking for a Head/Strategic Partnerships & Revenue; apply here
Management Coordinator
Johnstone Entertainment in Nashville is seeking a Management Coord. to assist in the day-to-day operations of artist management, event coordination and business affairs. Apply here
SEEKING JOBS
• Brandon Adams
Former WYCM/Lafayette, IN PD/midday host badamsontheair@gmail.com
• Britt Bailey
Former KIAI/Mason City, IA Dir./Content and morning host brittsmorningbrewcrew@gmail.com
• Lauren Bartlett
Former Columbia Sr. Dir./Promotion laurenlongbine@gmail.com
• Presleigh (Webb) Bearden
Former iHeartMedia Custom Country Talent Manager and KTCS/Fort Smith, AR morning co-host heypresleigh@gmail.com
• Kia Becht
Former KEEY/Minneapolis MD/morning co-host kebecht@gmail.com
• Carletta Blake
Former WGAR/Cleveland PD/midday host carlettablake@gmail.com
• Karla Cantrell
Former KTST/Oklahoma City & KTGX/Tulsa PD/midday personality karla_cantrell@outlook.com
•Kimmie Caruba
Former WUBL/Atlanta morning co-host kimberlycaruba@gmail.com
•Natalie Cash
Former KTGX/Tulsa MD/Digital Lead/afternoon host natcashradiojob@gmail.com
• Stacey Cato
Former CMT Dir./Music & Talent staceycato@hotmail.com
• Greg Chance
Former iHeartMedia SVP/Programming gchanceonair@gmail.com
• Bryana Cielo
Former CMT Exec. Asst. bryanacielo@gmail.com
• Jim Clerkin
Former MD/morning producer WKLB/Boston Jimclerkin@comcast.net
• A.J. Cobian
Former WIOV/Lancaster, PA afternoon host albertjcobian@gmail.com
•Greg Cole
Former WKCQ/Saginaw, MI OM/PD GCole27000@gmail.com
• Chad Crawford Former Apple Music Radio Content Producer iamchadcrawford@gmail.com
•Don Cristi
Former iHeartMedia SVPP/Oklahoma rocketsurgeryradio@gmail.com
• Lyndsay Cruz
Former Exec. Dir., ACM Lifting Lives lyndsaycruz@gmail.com
• Guy David
Former KFRG/Riverside morning co-host Guydavidradio@gmail.com
• Ashley Dawn Former morning co-host WUBE/Cincinnati Opportunitiesforashley@gmail.com
• Jennifer DeVault
Former CMT Sr. Producer jmdevault1509@gmail.com
• Leah Dickinson
Former iHeartMedia/Baltimore Dir./Marketing & Promotions leahdickinson@gmail.com
• Ben Ealy
Former morning host, WAYZ/Hagerstown, MD ealy.ben@gmail.com
• Paige Elliott
Former Columbia Dir./Promotion paige.eilenberg@gmail.com
• Colby Ericson
Former My Town Media Group Dir./Programming colbyericson1@gmail.com
•“Uncle Sam” Eulenfield
Former KRYS/Corpus Christi afternoon host, Dir./ Production for the Corpus Christi and McAllen clusters, and News-Talk KKTX-AM PD bulkysam@gmail.com
•Rosey Fitchpatrick
Formerly worked in event and artist management, and radio promotion roseyfitch99@gmail.com
• Kevin Freeman
Former WFMS/Indianapolis morning co-host kevin.freeman@gmx.com
• Ransom Garcia
Former KCYE/Las Vegas MD/afternoon personality RansomReynolds@gmail.com
• Blair Garner
Former Westwood One national personality TruthOrBlair@gmail.com
• Tim “Skeeter Nash“ Goodrich Former KDXY/Jonesboro, AR PD/afternoon host SkeeterOnTheAir@gmail.com
• Paul Grosser
Former Sony/Nashville Assoc. Dir./Promotion & Artist Development paulanthonygrosser@gmail.com
• Todd Haller Former Bahakel/Chattanooga, TN OM and WUUQ PD Toddhallerradio@gmail.com
• Lauren Hoffman Former Digital PD, Backstage Country laurenmariehoffman@gmail.com
• Sarah Holden Former Dir./Marketing & Promotions, Midwest/Nashville sarahblu96@gmail.com
• Gunner Jackson Former KMLE/Phoenix morning host mrericlutz@icloud.com
• Bo Jaxon Former WBEE/Rochester morning co-host djbojaxon@gmail.com
• Clay Hunnicutt Former BMLG EVP/Label Operations clayhunnicutt615@gmail.com
• Austin James Former WYNK/Baton Rouge APD/MD/afternoon host brettdiez@outlook.com
• Luke Jensen Outgoing Monument VP/Promotion luke.jensen@sonymusic.com
• Greg Johnson Former Corus Regional Country Programmer gjohnsonmedia@gmail.com
• Nick Jordan Former WNCB/Raleigh APD/afternoon host Nicktjordan9@gmail.com
•Louis Kaplan Former iHeartMedia VPP/Fort Myers loukaps2@gmail.com
• Claire Karliak Former Monument Mgr./Digital Marketing & Streaming karliak9916@gmail.com
• Caleb Karnoutsos Former WBYZ/Baxley, GA PD calebkarnoutsos22@gmail.com
• Tiffany Kay Former Alpha WFLS/Fredericksburg, VA morning co-host tiffanykayradio@yahoo.com
• Steve “Shotgun“ Kelly (a.k.a. Steve Kiser) Former PD/afternoon host KKOW/Pittsburg, KS Djdude68@yahoo.com
• George Lindsey Former morning co-host KILT/Houston tommy.lindsey@gmail.com
• Bruce Logan Former Hubbard/West Palm Beach OM & WIRK/ WEAT PD BruceLoganRadio@gmail.com
• Hannah Loomis Former Monument Coord./Marketing & Promotion hannahgraceloomis@gmail.com
• John Lund
Former iHeartMedia SVP/Programming Panama City/ Tallahasee, FL John.Lund3811@gmail.com
• Monica “Mo” Lunsford Former morning co-host KILT/Houston monicalunsford@gmail.com
• Jenny Matthews Former KBEQ/Kansas City morning host jennymatthewsonair@gmail.com
• Megan McCaffrey Former Monument Dir./Regional Promotion megan.kleinschmidt1@gmail.com
• Pat McKay
Former OM Saga.Manchester, NH and WZID Brand Mgr. mixpat@yahoo.com
• Eric Medler
Former WWQQ/Wilmington, NC morning host ericmedlerstoryteller@gmail.com
• Ansley Neeley
Former Monument Mgr./Marketing & Creative ansleyaneeley@gmail.com
• Todd Nixon
Former PD/morning co-host, KBEQ/Kansas City toddnixonradio@gmail.com (239) 810-3917
• Glenn Noblit Former Monument Dir./Regional Promotion
GPnoblit@icloud.com
• Dale O’Brian Former WPAW/Greensboro morning co-host dalevaught@gmail.com
• Lisa Owen Former Columbia Dir./Promotion Lisa.Owen@verizon.net
•Jacob Pecunes Former Apple Music Radio Producer jacobnashville2013@gmail.com
• Michael Perez
Former WRNX/Springfield, MA midday host justperezplay@gmail.com
• “Sarah Quinn” Peters Former iHeartMedia Greensboro Dir./Marketing sarahjaypeters@gmail.com
• Chris Pickett
Former Townsquare/Boise Dir./Content ChrisPickettRadio@outlook.com
• Kristan Pridgen
Former ACM Exec. Asst. to the CEO & CBO Kristanpridgen78@gmail.com
• Dave Quinn
Former Cumulus/Youngstown, OH Dir./Production quinn@quinnimaging.com
• Greg Raneiri
Former KSON/San Diego Asst. Brand Mgr./MD/ midday host g.raneiri@gmail.com
• Monica Rivera
Former Audacy Digital Content Producer Monicaariveraa@gmail.com
• Abbi Roth
Former CMT Sr. Mgr./Music & Talent abbiroth@gmail.com
• Dave Savage
Former Audacy Sr. Dir./Activation, Central Team dave.savage.events@gmail.com
• Sarah Scott
Former CKSA/Lloydminster, AB mornings sarahevelynscott@gmail.com
• Ray Sells
Former CMT Sr. Dir./Production raymondsellsmedia@gmail.com
• Erik Scott Smith
Former morning co-host KILT/Houston erikscottsmith2@gmail.com
• Mason Stanfield
Former KATC/Colorado Springs PD/morning co-host MasonStanfield@gmail.com
• Buck Stevens
Former WBWN/Bloomington, IL APD/MD/ afternoon host djbuckstevens@hotmail.com
• Jamie “JT” Tanchyk Former KWJJ/Portland, OR afternoon host tanchradio@gmail.com
• Chad Taylor Former OM/air personality Cumulus/Des Moines chadtaylorradio@gmail.com
• Casey Thomas Former Monument VP/Marketing & Commercial Partnerships Caseym.thomas19@gmail.com
• Lauren “LT” Thomas Former Sony/Nashville SVP/Promotion lauren.leigh.thomas@gmail.com
• Brian Thorpe Former Audacy Sr. Dir./National Experiences thorpebrian@gmail.com
• Lauren Tingle Former Apple Music Radio Content Producer l_tingle@icloud.com
• Ray Vaughn Former Magnolia Music Group National Dir./Radio & Streaming rayvaughn77@att.net
• Jordan Walker Former CMT Mgr./Music & Talent jordanstephenswalker@gmail.com
• Cash Warren Former WGH/Norfolk morning co-host jasonabrockett@gmail.com
• Jennifer Way Former Sony/Nashville SVP/Marketing jenpetersonmorley@icloud.com
• Steve Wazz Former WGAR/Cleveland APD/morning co-host wazzradio@gmail.com
• Randy “Mudflap” Wilcox Former WWKT/Florence, SC morning co-host rhwilcox@gmail.com
• Liz Yount Former Summit/Knoxville Dir./Promotions lizkrozengard@gmail.com
February 2025 CDM Scoreboard
Here are February 2025 (three-month rolling average, 11/17/24-3/5/25)
Nielsen Audio Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM) ratings results listed alphabetically by market. Total shares among subscribers in CDM markets on
(2)
(5)
(23t)
NY + 0.6 (20t)
a same-station basis were down 1.5% from January to 381.4, the lowest total share March 2020. WIVK/Knoxville reclaimed the largest share with its 10.7. A “+” indicates a Classic Country outlet; a “t” indicates a tie.
FEB CDM TOP TEN
JAN FEB
(24t)
(19t) WRVE-HD2/Albany, NY
(22)
(18)
(7t) WCTO/Allentown, PA
(2t)
(2)
KCWR/Bakersfield, CA + 1.7 (16t) 1.4 (20t)
KRJK/Bakersfield, CA 1.7 (16t) 1.6 (16t)
KUZZ/Bakersfield, CA 10.1 (1) 9.7 (1)
WYNK/Baton Rouge, LA 4.9 (4) 5.0 (4t)
WDXB/Birmingham, AL 5.2 (5) 4.4 (7)
WZZK/Birmingham, AL 6.0 (4) 5.4 (5)
WLKK/Buffalo, NY 1.3 (12t) 1.2 (13t)
WYRK/Buffalo, NY 8.7 (1) 7.8 (2)
WCKN/Charleston, SC 4.6 (6t) 5.3 (5)
WEZL/Charleston, SC 5.5 (4) 4.7 (6t)
WOGT/Chattanooga, TN 1.4 (14) 1.3 (12t)
WUSY/Chattanooga, TN 10.4 (1) 10.0 (1)
WUUQ/Chattanooga, TN + 3.5 (6) 3.5 (7)
KATC/Colorado Springs, CO 4.3 (5t) 5.4 (3)
KCCY/Colorado Springs, CO 4.3 (5t) 4.4 (5)
WCOS/Columbia, SC 5.1 (4) 5.1 (4t)
WCLI/Dayton, OH + 1.0 (14) 0.7 (13t)
WHKO/Dayton, OH 9.2 (1) 8.9 (1)
WZDA/Dayton, OH 1.8 (11) 1.6 (12)
KHKI/Des Moines, IA 7.5 (2) 7.2 (2t)
KJJY/Des Moines, IA 3.4 (10t) 4.3 (8t)
KSTZ-HD2/Des Moines, IA + 0.5 (18t) 0.5 (19)
KXNO-HD2/Des Moines, IA 0.2 (23t) 0.2 (23t)
KHEY/El Paso, TX 5.0 (5) 6.1 (5)
WCKT/Fort Myers, FL
WHEL/Fort Myers, FL
(12t)
(19)
WWGR/Fort Myers, FL 4.0 (7)
KHGE/Fresno, CA
KSKS/Fresno, CA
(13)
(7)
WBCT/Grand Rapids, MI 6.7 (2t)
WTNR/Grand Rapids, MI
(18t)
WESC/Greenville, SC + 6.9 (2)
(12t)
(15t)
(6)
(11t)
(14)
(2)
(19)
(5) WSSL/Greenville, SC
(3)
WA
WRNX/Springfield, MA
NY
WOLF/Syracuse, NY
OH
OH
KIIM/Tucson, AZ
KHUD/Tucson, AZ
OK
OK
Country Aircheck Add Leaders
HARDY/Favorite Country Song (Big Loud) 82
BRETT YOUNG/Drink With You (Nash. Harbor) 58
CHASE MCDANIEL/Burned Down Heaven (Big Machine) 41
SHABOOZEY/Good News (Empire/Magnolia) 28
RUNAWAY JUNE/New Kind Of Emotion (Quartz Hill) 22
CHRIS YOUNG/Til The Last One Dies (Black River) 20
RUSSELL DICKERSON/Happen To Me (Triple Tigers) 18
MORGAN WALLEN/Just In Case (Big Loud) 16
JELLY ROLL/Heart Of Stone (BMG/Republic/Stoney Creek) 11
KEITH URBAN/Straight Line (Capitol) 8
M. CARPENTER f/MIDLAND/I Wish You Would (Valory/Big Machine) 8
Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers
MORGAN WALLEN/I'm The Problem (Big Loud) 2921 4
MORGAN WALLEN/Just In Case (Big Loud) 2921 4
COREY KENT/This Heart (Combustion/RCA) 1837 4
J. MORGAN f/J. ALDEAN/Friends Like That (Night Train/Broken Bow) 1645 4
JASON ALDEAN/Whiskey Drink (Macon Music/Broken Bow) 1630 4
THOMAS RHETT/After All The Bars Are Closed (Valory) 1269
JORDAN DAVIS/Bar None (MCA) 1229
JELLY ROLL/Heart Of Stone (BMG/Republic/Stoney Creek) 1199
TYLER HUBBARD/Park (EMI Nashville) 1184
SHABOOZEY/Good News (Empire/Magnolia) 1046
Country Aircheck Top Spin Gainers
MORGAN WALLEN/I'm The Problem (Big Loud) 970
MORGAN WALLEN/Just In Case (Big Loud) 807
COREY KENT/This Heart (Combustion/RCA) 570
J. MORGAN f/J. ALDEAN/Friends Like That (Night Train/Broken Bow) 559
JASON ALDEAN/Whiskey Drink (Macon Music/Broken Bow) 448
JORDAN DAVIS/Bar None (MCA) 397
THOMAS RHETT/After All The Bars Are Closed (Valory) 381 TYLER HUBBARD/Park (EMI Nashville) 380
JELLY ROLL/Heart Of Stone (BMG/Republic/Stoney Creek) 339
KANE BROWN/Backseat Driver (RCA) 323
Activator Top Point Gainers
ERIC
/Heart Of
(BMG/Republic/Stoney Creek) 1121
DICKERSON/Happen To Me (Triple Tigers) 1067
/Country House (MCA) 872
WALLEN/Just In Case (Big Loud) 652
GREEN/Worst Way (Nash. Harbor) 632 COREY KENT/This Heart (Combustion/RCA) 580
MEGAN MORONEY/Am I Okay? (Columbia) 506
Activator Top Spin Gainers
ERIC CHURCH/Hands Of Time (EMI Nashville)
/I'm
/This
Country Aircheck Top Recurrents Points
JELLY ROLL/Liar (BMG/Republic/Stoney Creek) 24064
MORGAN WALLEN/Love Somebody (Big Loud) 19810
K. WETZEL & J. MURPH/High Road (Col. NY/Records Nashville) 16910
POST MALONE f/M. WALLEN/I Had Some Help (Big Loud) 13672
SHABOOZEY/A Bar Song (Tipsy) (Empire/Magnolia) 14010
POST MALONE f/BLAKE SHELTON/Pour Me A Drink (Big Loud) 13021
JORDAN DAVIS/I Ain't Sayin' (MCA) 11063
D. MARLOWE & D. SCOTT/Boys Back Home (Columbia/Curb) 9587
KANE BROWN & MARSHMELLO/Miles On It (RCA) 8958
DASHA/Austin (Warner/WMN) 8616
MARKET AIRPLAY PROFILE -
COUNTRY AIRCHECK ACTIVITY
MIRANDA LAMBERT/Run (Republic/Big Loud)
Moves 47-45*
3195 points, 950 spins
3 adds: KWEN, WUBL, WUSJ
MEGHAN PATRICK/Golden Child (Riser House)
Moves 44-46
3177 points, 949 spins
2 adds: KUZZ, WGGY
JUSTIN MOORE/Time’s Ticking (Valory)
Moves 46-47*
3120 points, 957 spins
1 add: KSD
SAM BARBER f/AVERY ANNA/Indigo (Lockeland Spr./Atlantic/Magnolia)
Moves 49-48*
2798 points, 902 spins
2 adds: WBEE, WLFP
TIGIRLILY GOLD/Forever From Here (Sony Music Nashville)
Moves 50-49
2551 points, 816 spins
3 adds: KSON, KUZZ, WCTK
MAX MCNOWN/Better Me For You (Fugitive/The Orchard/Magnolia)
TIM MCGRAW f/PARKER MCCOLLUM/Paper Umbrellas (Big Machine/MCA)
FRANK RAY/Miami In Tennessee (Stoney Creek)
DYLAN SCOTT/What He’ll Never Have (Curb)
APRIL 28
KARLY C/You’ve Seen Heaven (Quirky Cowgirl)
CODY JOHNSON/The Fall (Warner/CoJo/WMN)
TY MYERS/Ends Of The Earth (Columbia /Records)
MAY 5
None listed
CHECK OUT
APRIL 18
Ian Munsick Eagle Feather (Warner/WEA)
Produced by Munsick alongside Jared Conrad and Jeremy Spillman, the Wyoming native’s third studio album features 20 tracks, including duets with Lainey Wilson (“Feather In My Hat”) and Flatland Cavalry’s Cleto Cordero (“God Bless The West”), with songwriter credits by Caitlyn Smith and Stephen Wilson Jr., as well as two rare outside cuts in “Drink Around” and “Horses Not Hearts.”
LoCash Bet The Farm (Galaxy)
To celebrate their fifth album – and first on their own label, Galaxy – the duo launched “One Big Easter Egg Hunt.” The grand prize winner who finds all 16 “easter eggs” hidden in the album cover art will receive a private concert in their hometown.
