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May 15, 2025 News@CountryAircheck.com

Jacob Departs: The Big Time With Whitney Allen Audio Producer/Podcast Producer & Mgr./ Social Media Binoj Jacob has exited as his position was eliminated. "I highly recommend him for any job," says Allen. "Hopefully somewhere he can showcase his awesome persona." Prior to eight years with the syndicated show, Jacob's background includes Asst. Technical Producer for The Zach Sang Show and Exec. Producer at NBC Sports Radio. He is seeking a new opportunity; reach him here.

A Doug's Life: “Townsquare has an amazing team, so leaving was a tough decision," says retiring VP/Country Content & Programming Doug Montgomery. As reported earlier via Breaking News, he will retire July 31. Montgomery also joked, "But I am excited to finally have the opportunity for new personal experiences. I’ll be spending less time with family and more time in Vegas." He joined Townsquare in 2017 following more than 20 years with iHeartMedia and its predecessors, including as PD of WBCT/Grand Rapids, MI from 1993 to 2009, and seven years as Premium Choice PD (CAT 3/1/16). Reach Montgomery here. The search is on for his successor here.

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All Too Farwell: Outback Presents VP Andrew Farwell has been named Pres. "[Co-CEO] Brian Dorfman and myself have had the distinct pleasure to see Andrew's career grow to this role as President of Outback Presents," says Co-CEO Mike Smardak. Farwell joined the company in 2010. He also serves as VP of the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA).

The Amanda Show: Business management firm Harris, Huelsman, Barnes & Company Asst. Amanda Goff has been upped to Client Mgr., while business management vet Amanda Remo has joined in the same role. Former MLC team member Ryan Spradlin has also been hired as Asst. Client Mgr. Goff joined HHB&C in 2023, with Remo and Spradlin joining last year.

Red River Bleau: Blake Shelton and Lainey Wilson are among the artists performing during the 2025 American Music Awards, airing live from the Fountainebleau Las Vegas May 26 on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Fan voting for all categories – including favorite country artist, album and song – is open here.

Tour Support: Old Dominion added eight arena shows to their How Good Is That – World Tour with Ernest and Redferrin. Tickets go on sale May 22 here.

Festive All: MCA and Warner Music Nashville will each host free, public events during next month's CMA Fest in Nashville. MCA's Sounds Like Nashville Live at the Fifth + Broadway Skydeck takes place June 5-8, with performances scheduled from Bryce Leatherwood, Carter Faith, Caylee Hammack, Colt Graves, Crowe Boys, Evan Bartels, Josh Ross, Landon Smith, Louie TheSinger, Mark Wills, Timothy Wayne, Tucker Wetmore, Vincent Mason, 49 Winchester and more to be announced. More info here.

Warner's Heatwave House returns June 5 to Barstool Nashville, with performances during the all-day event from Austin Snell, Gabby Barrett, Gavin Adcock, Hudson Westbrook, Ian Munsick, Ingrid Andress and William Beckmann. Doors open at 10am, with Snell opening the show at 11am.

Bits & Pieces: Cumulus KPLX/Dallas APD/midday host Smokey Rivers marks his 30th anniversary with the station today (5/15). He joined as PD three years before the station relaunched as "The Wolf," at which point he moved into middays. With the exception of a year in mornings, he's been handling middays ever since. Congratulate him here.

Contact Update: Former Townsquare/Boise Dir./Content Chris Pickett, whose oversight included Country KAWO (CAT 4/2), has joined Hope Media Christian AC KSBJ/Houston as APD/MD. Reach him here.

Stories Of The Week: Search for news and people in the archives at countryaircheck.com.

Radio reacts to the ACM Awards in Country Aircheck Weekly. (5/12)
Candice Watkins will serve as President of Capitol Records Nashville and EVP of Capitol Christian Music Group. (5/13)
Karla Cantrell joined KWEN/Tulsa as APD/afternoon personality. (5/13)
Beasley/Augusta, GA VP/MM Kent Dunn is retiring. (5/13)
WKML/Fayetteville, NC APD/afternoon host Casey Atkins departed. (5/12)
Chronicle: Johnny Rodriguez, Larry Michael Lee, Gerry Wood.

ICYMI: Morgan Wallen: On The Record will air across Audacy Country stations and on the Audacy app and website at 7pm local time Sunday (5/18).

Justin Moore is featured on the latest episode of On The Bus With Troy Vollhoffer.

Chronicle: Sugar Hill Records co-founder Barry Poss passed May 13 from complications of myeloma. He was 79. The Ontario native attended Duke before entering the music business as a graphic artist. He co-founded the Americana and bluegrass oriented Sugar Hill in Durham, NC in 1978 and took full control of the label in 1980. Poss owned Sugar Hill until 1998, after which he remained as President. Among his signings was Ricky Skaggs, who recorded solo and with his band Boone Creek before signing with Epic. Sugar Hill also released projects from Guy Clark, Nickel Creek and Dolly Parton, among others. Poss was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Americana Music Association in 2006. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Beth El Synagogue in Durham, NC or the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for May 14, according to Mediabase 24/7.

MORGAN WALLEN/I'm The Problem (Big Loud) 4693 points
JASON ALDEAN/Whiskey Drink (Macon Music/Broken Bow) 4184 points
KANE BROWN/Backseat Driver (RCA) 3163 points
RILEY GREEN/Worst Way (Nash. Harbor) 3071 points
MEGAN MORONEY/Am I Okay? (Columbia) 3048 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for May 11-14 compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase 24/7.

BAILEY ZIMMERMAN f/LUKE COMBS/Backup Plan (Atlantic/Warner/WEA/Columbia) +2319 points
SAM HUNT/Country House (MCA) +1707 points
RILEY GREEN/Worst Way (Nash. Harbor) +1486 points
MEGAN MORONEY & KENNY CHESNEY/You Had To Be There (Blue Chair/Columbia) +1432 points
MORGAN WALLEN/Just In Case (Big Loud) +1417 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (5/16): Ray Benson, Rick Trevino, Scott Reeves (Blue County), Jared Ashley, Tyson Bowman, Brad Howell, David Macias, Lisa Martin, Kris Daniels, Jeff Olm, Ray Fulcher.

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Let's Go, Gills: Valory's Preston Cooper visits WWQM/Madison, WI's Fish With Friends. Pictured (l-r) are the station's Cailynn Hensen and Fish Calloway, Cooper and the station's Kristi Kelly, Elizabeth Schluter and Kate Gunderson.

Rebels With A Clause: Outback Presents' Leigh Feuerstein, Rebel Music's Stan Gabart and Electric Feel Entertainment's Austin Rosen (l-r) at the opening of Rebel Music's Nashville office.

(Riser) House Always Wins: Riser House's Meghan Patrick with KWNR/Las Vegas' MoJoe Roberts (l) and the label's Roger Fregoso at the station's Next Big Thing series.

Backstreet's Back ... Stage: American Country Countdown's Ryan Fox (in jacket) with the Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and AJ McLean (l-r) at remotes prior to the ACM Awards.

Signage: Singer/songwriter McCoy Moore signs with Sony Music Nashville. Pictured (l-r) are The Neal Agency’s Evan Kantor, Austin Neal and Ryan Beuschel; the label's Ken Robold and Taylor Lindsey; Moore; Track Mgmt.’s Troy “Tracker” Johnson; the label's Nathan Thomas and Lexi Stringer; and Track Mgmt.’s Drew Magid.

Re-Signage: Kane Brown and Kent Earls' Verse 2 Music renews its partnership with Sony Music Publishing Nashville. Pictured (l-r) are Earls, Brown and SMPN's Rusty Gaston.

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