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In This Issue (4/20) 

“I needed guidance and, quite honestly, I needed support.”

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Radio Vision

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If Heaven Wasn't So Par Away: Blue Highway's Justin Moore (c) raises more than $700,000 for St. Jude with the help of KARK-TV's Caden Michaels, KSSN's Jess Jennings, radio vet Brian McRae and artist Tyler Kinch (l-r) in Little Rock.

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Hell Is A Floor Seat: MCA's Vincent Mason opens Morgan Wallen's stadium tour launch in Minneapolis. Pictured (back, l-r) are KEEY's Gregg Swedberg and Rich Davis, Mason, KEEY's Pat Knight, the label's Katie Bright and KMNB's Adam Sprenger; (front, l-r) KZPK/St. Cloud, MN’s Chelsea Valentine, WQPC/Prairie du Chien, WI's Laurie Wild and KSUX/Sioux City, IA’s Josie Cooper.

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Texas (When I Buy): Black River's Chris Young performs at the 2026 Houston St. Jude gala and auction. Pictured (l-r) are Matthew Barker and wife/KKBQ's Lauren "Lo" Sessions-Barker, Young, the label's Kellie LaJack, Joni Ruetz and husband/KKBQ's Travis Moon.

Josh-Ross42126.jpg Sleeve Me Too: The Core/Mercury's Josh Ross (c) with WFMS/Indianapolis' Matt Malone and Brooks O’Brian.
Lainey-Wilson42126.jpg Half Of My Heart Like A Truck: Broken Bow's Lainey Wilson talks headlining Stagecoach and advice from Melissa Etheridge with John Mayer for his SiriusXM channel (ch. 14).
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Caberneh? Records/Columbia/16camino's Dax at Backstage Access Presents Napa Valley. Pictured (l-r) are KSKS/Fresno, CA and KATM/Modesto, CA's Andy Winford, Dax, KILT/Houston's Bruce Logan, WXTU/Philadelphia's Mark Razz and 16camino's John Ettinger and Ryan Barnstead.

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Single Belles Rock: Deluge Records Nashville/East Music Row Records' Belles celebrates the release of single “Son Of Jolene." Pictured (l-r) are songwriter Tyler Bank, promo vet Joe Schuld, Red Light's Christina Dunkley, songwriter Dan Harrison, Deluge's Stephanie Greene, EMRR's Johnny Gates, Belles, EMRR's David Robkin, Jennifer Robkin and EMRR's Austin Luther.

Tina-Parol42126.jpg Signage: Singer/songwriter/producer Tina Parol signs with Curb | Word Music Publishing. Pictured (back, l-r) are Curb’s Trevor Mathiesen and Jonathan Mason; (front, l-r) Curb’s Bryan Stewart, Parol and Curb’s John Nemoy.
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Bank Roll: Warner/CoJo/WMN’s Cody Johnson celebrates mulitple certifications, including platinum “Til You Can't” (6x) and “The Painter" (3x), with the label's Cris Lacy at a listening party for Banks Of The Trinity.

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One Thing At A Tide: Big Loud's Morgan Wallen plays Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL. Pictured (back, l-r) are WZYP/Huntsville's Samantha Imker, Republic's Christina Palmese, Cumulus' Laura Dickerson, the label's Sarah Headley, Wallen, Summit's Randy Chase, WLFP/Memphis' Erin Austin and Chris Michaels and WGKX/Memphis' Beth Argo and Derrill "Argo" Jr.; (front, l-r) WDXB/Birmingham & WDRM/Huntsville's Dino Conard and the label's Nikki Wood and Tyler Waugh.

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Green Back: WNCY/Appleton-Green Bay's St. Jude Jam raises money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Pictured (l-r) are LoCash's Preston Brust, Leo33's Trey Pendley, the station's Natalie "Nat" Gross, Riser's House's Meghan Patrick, the station's Hannah Damas, Big Loud's Ashley Cooke, the station's Rachel Chase, LoCash's Chris Lucas and the station's Randy "Shotgun" Shannon and Shawn Joseph.

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Tide Or Die: Sony Music Nashville’s Zach John King (r) with the label's Jansen Morgan and Summit's Randy Chase at the Tuscaloosa, AL stop of Morgan Wallen's Still The Problem Tour.

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What My World Strikes Around: MCA's Jordan Davis (in hat) with WXTU/Philadelphia's Mark Razz, WXCY/Wilmington, DE's Charlie Maxx and daughter Melody Gleason, the label's Annie Sandor and Razz's wife Kelly Coleman (l-r) at a Philadelphia Phillies' post-game concert.

Top Stories

Country Nabs Radio Hall Noms; Twain Hosts ACMs
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Country nominees for the Radio Hall of Fame class of 2026 are WXTU/Philadelphia's Andie Summers, Silverfish's Big D & Bubba and WHN/New York's Lee Arnold. Voting by more than 1,000 radio industry pros begins Friday (4/24) and closes May 8. The induction ceremony will be held Oct. 8 at Chicago's Fairmont Hotel.

Also announced this morning, Shania Twain will host the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards May 17 in Las Vegas. The show streams live at 7pm CT on Prime Video from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Previously announced performers are Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert and Riley Green.

Apr 22, 2026 Share
Harrison Departs iHeartMedia
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iHeartMedia/Nashville SVPP & WSIX PD Gator Harrison has joined national Christian AC "K-LOVE" as Chief Media Officer on the Ministry Leadership Team, where he'll oversee the K-LOVE and Air1 radio networks, live events and partnerships. “I dedicated my life to Jesus in 1995 and prayed that He would allow me to do what I love, where I love, all for His glory,” says Harrison. “Through years of growth and preparation, He has faithfully answered that prayer. I am deeply grateful to iHeartMedia for their support and investment in my journey, and I am honored to join the K-LOVE and Air1 family.” Harrison joined the company's Chattanooga cluster in 2010 (CAT 7/9/10) and rose to Nashville SVPP and WSIX PD in 2016 (CAT 9/1/16). Previous stops include WGSQ/Cookeville, TN, Top 40 WYHY/Nashville and Classic Rock WSMT/Sparta, TN. No word on whether Harrison will be replaced at iHeartMedia or if his duties will be absorbed internally. His first day with K-LOVE is May 11.

Apr 21, 2026 Share
Miranda Lambert To MCA

Miranda Lambert has aligned with MCA to support future music releases. Lambert signed with Republic/Big Loud two years ago (Breaking News 4/23/2024) after 20 years with Sony Music Nashville. She will continue her role as a founder of Big Loud Texas, which launched in 2023.

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"Miranda is a generational artist whose influence and artistry continue to shape modern music," says MCA President/CEO Mike Harris. "We are honored to work alongside her as she enters this next chapter and we look forward to building something truly special together." Adds Lambert, "Throughout my life and career, I have found that the common thread in every chapter is finding the right people – songwriters, musicians, collaborators, and team members – to match the moment. I am honored to join a roster and a team with such a rich history of championing artistry."

Lambert sold her publishing catalog to Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Domain Capital Group earlier this year.

Apr 20, 2026 Share
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2026 ACM Voter's Guide
A quick reference guide to the 2026 ACM Nominees



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The CRS 2026 Print Special featuring: Hey-Hi, AI: Emerging Uses
Best CRS Takeaways Ever
Label Contacts
New Faces
Travis Daily: The Interview



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Inside This Issue: 

MC-Yay At Ryman Lunch
Disruption Junction
You Look Like You Love Me
The Day Ahead

 

 

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