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In This Issue (6/15) 

“This man was a treasure to no telling how many listeners, artists, colleagues, his precious family and to those of us who were lucky enough to call him friend.”

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Radio Vision

Zach-Top61726.jpg Ain't In It For My Wealth: Leo33's Zach Top (in hat) with KSCS/Dallas' Jessica MacKenzie-Williams and Mike Preston, the label's Tracy Gibson and KSCS' Al Farb (l-r) at Choctaw Casino in Durant, OK.
Zach-John-King61726.jpg Get To Choppin': Sony Music Nashville’s Zach John King plays the Braves Country Fest in Atlanta. Pictured (l-r) are the label's Jansen Morgan, WKHX's Lucas Phelan, King and WKHX's Mike Moore.
ELI-WINDERS61726.jpg Signage: Singer/songwriter Eli Winders (c) commemorates his Big Loud Publishing signing with Big Loud's Sara Knabe, BLP's Kimberly Gleason and Katie Flynn, manager Layne Lindroth and BLP's Sydney Burdette and Michael Giangreco (l-r).
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Signage: Singer/songwriter Kyle Schuesler signs with Liz Rose Music. Pictured (l-r) are LRM's Scott Ponce, Gracie Glass and Liz Rose, Schuesler, American Recordings' Michael Goldberg and LRM's Kate Shirley and Dave Pacula.

Russell-Dickerson61626.jpg Grand Ole Wapry: SiriusXM The Highway's Cody Alan, Fetty Wap and Triple Tigers' Russell Dickerson (l-r).
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Tucker Unbuttonmore: Mercury's Tucker Wetmore (c) with Moses Bigler and wife/WKHK/Richmond, VA's Carletta Blake, guest Bella, WGH/Norfolk's Karen West and the label's Summer Harlow.

johnmorgan61526.jpg We Write At Dawn: Broken Bow's John Morgan (c) with Audacy's Sam Rudnick, the label's Shelley Hargis, Audacy's Tim Roberts and Holly Hutton, the label's Lee Adams and Audacy's Andrea Burtscher (l-r) at Audacy Live Presents: Songwriter Session.
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Mile Tie Club: Big Machine's Cole Goodwin (top) and Records Nashville/Columbia's Mack Geiger meet Music Choice's Jim Murphy. Pictured (top, l-r) the label's Jay Cruze, Murphy, Goodwin and the label's Andrew Thoen; (bottom) Murphy and Geiger.

Megan-Moroney61526.jpg Boot Scootin' Doggie: Columbia's Megan Moroney (holding Boots) with WPOC/Baltimore & WMZQ/Washington D.C.'s Jeff Kapugi, WKHK/Richmond, VA's Carletta Blake and WGTY/York's Scott Donato (l-r).
jr61526.jpg JR²: Stoney Creek's Jelly Roll (l) with WITL/Lansing, MI’s Jonathan “JR” Ruppel.

Top Stories

Tarleton Named Leo33 Co-Head
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Morris Higham Management Head/Marketing Shane Tarleton has been named Co-Head of Leo33 alongside Co-Head Katie Dean. “As we continue building our roster and expanding the company's reach, [Shane's] strategic perspective and proven track record make him the ideal partner to help lead our next phase of growth," says Dean. Adds Tarleton, "I'm thrilled to join the team and help shape the next chapter of growth for both the company and the incredible roster we have the privilege to serve." Tarleton left WMN, where he served as EVP/Artist Development, in 2023 after 13 years (CAT 10/5/23), and joined Morris Higham in 2024 (CAT 9/12/24).

Jun 16, 2026 Share
Layfield Adds WUBL Programming
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iHeartMedia WFUS/Tampa PD Ashley Layfield has added programming duties for WUBL/Atlanta. Additionally, WMZQ/Washington, DC MD/evening host Corey Calhoun has joined in afternoons. "Corey’s experience across multiple markets, combined with his passion for country music and audience engagement, makes him a perfect fit for afternoons on 94.9 The Bull, while Ashley is one of the most respected programming leaders in our industry," says EVP/Programming Jill Strada. Layfield took over programming at WFUS in 2022 (CAT 11/1/22). Previous stops include WWKA/Orlando. Calhoun spent eight years at WMZQ (CAT 6/5) with prior stops at WAMZ/Louisville, iHeart/Waycross, GA and WLTO/Lexington, KY.

Jun 16, 2026 Share
Calder Named OM For Beasley/Tampa
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Former Audacy Classic Hip-Hop WPOW/Miami Dir./Programming & Operations and Hot AC sister WOMX/Orlando Brand Mgr. Will Calder has been named OM for Beasley's six-station Tampa cluster, including WQYK. He succeeds Rick Thomas, who stepped down June 1 to spend more time with family (CAT 5/19). "Few people understand Florida radio as well as Will does," says Beasley/Tampa VP/MM Ron deCastro. "His track record of building successful brands, leading high-performing teams and connecting with audiences makes him a tremendous addition to our leadership team." Calder's prior Florida programming roles include WPYO/Orlando and WPOI/Tampa.

Jun 11, 2026 Share
April CDM Ratings
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Miss Universe: Here are select Nielsen Audio Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM) ratings for April 2026 (three-month rolling average, 2/5-4/29) compared with February and March. Ranks (in parentheses) are among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

Jackson, MS
(125)
WMSI iHeartMedia
3.7 (8) - 4.0 (6) - 4.4 (5)
Largest share since Feb. 2024.
WUSJ New South
3.4 (9) - 3.3 (8) - 3.4 (8)
WHJT New South Classic Country
2.0 (11) - 2.0 (10) - 2.1 (9)
Jun 11, 2026 Share
April CDM Ratings
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Hunts-Thrill: Here are select Nielsen Audio Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM) ratings for April 2026 (three-month rolling average, 2/5-4/29) compared with February and March. Ranks (in parentheses) are among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

Chattanooga, TN
(Market 93)

WUSY Audacy
10.7 (1) - 8.6 (1) - 7.2 (2)
WUUQ Bahakel Classic Country
3.8 (4) - 3.3 (5t) - 3.9 (4)
Largest share since Dec. 2024.
WOGT Cumulus 
Does not subscribe.

Huntsville, AL
(99)          

WDRM iHeartMedia
11.0 (1) - 11.9 (1) - 12.5 (1)
Largest share since Spring 2015.
WWFF Cumulus
Does not subscribe.

Jun 10, 2026 Share
Recent Stories
Jun 17, 2026 May 2026 PPM Ratings: Day three of Nielsen Audio's May 2026 (4/30-5/27) PPM ratings are below. Ranks (in parentheses) are among subscribers.... Read full story
Jun 17, 2026 Wind Up Managing You: Mercury's Tucker Wetmore has signed with Sandbox Entertainment for management, with Founder/CEO Jason Owen serving as ... Read full story
Jun 17, 2026 New & Approved: The Recording Academy has made several rule updates ahead of the 2027 Grammy Awards. Among them, the number of years an artist can... Read full story
Jun 17, 2026 Tour Support: Graham Barham's Club Country Tour kicks off Sept. 24 in Cocoa Beach, FL. Joining on select dates are Jake Banfield and Fuller; tickets ... Read full story
Jun 17, 2026 Bits & Pieces: The Big Machine Records-signed Backbeat Troubadours (Billy Bob Thornton and Mark Collie) will perform during the Borchetta ... Read full story
Jun 16, 2026 Co Beer And Country Music: “Leo33 represents a forward-thinking approach to the business — one that values creativity, culture and deep partnerships ... Read full story
Jun 16, 2026 Back In The Saddle: Danny Dwyer is now the morning host on Audacy KWJJ/Portland, OR, where he was hired to do daily morning show segments ... Read full story
Jun 16, 2026 Bull Shift: As reported via Breaking News, iHeartMedia WFUS/Tampa PD Ashley Layfield has added WUBL/Atlanta to her programming purview.... Read full story
Jun 16, 2026 Knight Departs: Trending Media KXIA/Marshalltown, IA afternoon host Jonathan Knight has departed the station where he has worked since 2016, some of ... Read full story
Jun 16, 2026 For A Song: Ahead of the ninth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, the Nashville Songwriters Association International revealed Riley Green ... Read full story
Jun 16, 2026 The Voice Of The Opry: Friends and colleagues, including Dan Rogers and Sarah Trahern, remember the late Country Radio Hall of Famer Bill Cody. Plus, ... Read full story
Jun 16, 2026 Special Delivery: Skyview Networks' Country Top 40 with Fitz (CT40) will offer a four-hour Independence Day special, Let Freedom ... Read full story
Jun 16, 2026 Contact Update: Former iHeartMedia/St. Louis & Indianapolis Market & Area President John Beck has joined brokerage Media ... Read full story
Jun 16, 2026 ICYMI: Tyler Braden joined the Savannah Bananas and The Firefighters for a performance of "More Than A Prayer." Julian Bunetta was recognized as ... Read full story
Jun 15, 2026 Glass City Gig: Former Classic Country WSIG/Harrisonburg, VA morning host Bill Fox has been named OM for the seven station Cumulus/Toledo ... Read full story
Jun 15, 2026 Nikki Don't Lose That Number: M&M Texas Country/Red Dirt KRMX/Waco, TX morning co-host "Nikki Jo" Lothlen has moved to the previously music-... Read full story
Jun 15, 2026 Self Evident: Clint Black and Brothers Osborne will be among the performers for Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4 in Nashville, and included in ... Read full story
Jun 15, 2026 Festive All: The 19th Stagecoach has been set for April 23-25, 2027 in Indio, CA. Advance ticket sales start June 18 here. The annual Buckeye ... Read full story
Jun 15, 2026 Bits & Pieces: Radio One KKBQ/Houston morning hosts Andy "Riggs" Riggle, Erica Rico and Katelyn Maida challenged local graduating seniors to work ... Read full story
Jun 15, 2026 Crib Note: WSOC/Charlotte, NC PD Cameron Moore and her husband, Shelton Clinard, welcomed son Ellis Walter Clinard June 5. Congratulate... Read full story
Jun 15, 2026 Chronicle: Former Grand Ole Opry GM Robert "Bob" Whittaker died June 5 at his home in Baxter, TN. He was 85. Whittaker led the Opry as GM ... Read full story
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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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