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July 13, 2026 News@CountryAircheck.com

Florida Man: Cumulus Regional VP for Huntsville, AL and Chattanooga, TN John Lewis adds those duties for the company's stations in Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola, FL. The markets were previously overseen by Regional VP/MM Don Boyd (CAT 7/8). Lewis' purview now includes Country WXBM/Pensacola and WYZB/Fort Walton Beach, in addition to WWFF/Huntsville and WOGT/Chattanooga. A 17-year company veteran, Lewis was named to his most recent role in 2022, and previously oversaw Cumulus stations in Macon, GA; Albany, NY; Pensacola; Lexington, KY and Memphis.

One More Kay: Audacy WUSN/Chicago afternoon host Scotty Kay adds that daypart at sister KSON/San Diego, effective today (7/13). He succeeds Kimo Jensen, who retired last month (CAT 1/14). Kay shared on social media, "I know I have some big shoes to fill following the amazing Kimo, and I’m incredibly honored to join such a talented, passionate team at such a legendary station." Kay is also heard in mornings on Audacy's KMNB/Minneapolis.

She's Syndicated: Connoisseur KBAY/San Jose MD/afternoon personality Emily Harlan's weekly, all-female artist She's Country show has been picked up for national syndication by Compass Media Networks as a three-hour weekend show in partnership with Connoisseur. Harlan launched the show as an hourlong feature on KBAY in 2023 (CAT 3/7/23). In a social media post, she says, "I am wildly excited, proud and humbled for this new adventure and just so dang grateful for the people in my corner." Reach Harlan here, and Compass' Doug Ingold for affiliate information here; listen to a demo here.

Something About Mary: Former Marker KPLM/Palm Springs, CA morning personality Mary Lockrem joins Connoisseur's crosstown KDES for middays, a daypart that had previously been automated. Lockrem worked at Marker from 2022-2025. KPLM OM Todd Violette says, "She brings experience, personality and a genuine connection to our community that listeners will hear every day."

Wolf Whistle: Market veteran Brad Elliott has joined Community Broadcast Partners KABW/Abilene, TX for afternoons. It's a return to radio for Elliott, who has more than 30 years of broadcasting experience, and previously worked in the market for Townsquare. Former VP/Programming and KABW afternoon host Kaden Kimberlin departed for a position at a local church.

Air Apparent: Beasley Media Group Chief Communications Officer Heidi Raphael has been named Pres./CEO of the New York State Broadcasters Association. She succeeds David Donovan, who has led the association for the past 15 years and will transition from the role later this year while continuing to direct NYSBA's government relations and advocacy efforts in Albany and Washington, D.C. Raphael has been with Beasley for nine years, and was SVP/Corporate Communication at Greater Media for 20 years before that.

Tour Support: Brantley Gilbert has extended his Real American Tour through November with stops in Boston, Savannah, Cincinnati, Biloxi, MS, and more. He'll be joined by John Morgan, along with Jay Webb and Atlus on select dates. Tickets here Friday (7/17).

Mitchell Tenpenny's Speed of Light Tour now has shows scheduled through the fall; schedule and tickets for the new leg here.

Ingrid Andress will embark on the eight-show fall Nowhere Else To Go Tour Sept. 9 in Boise, ID, with stops including New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Denver and Washington, DC. Tickets (7/17) here.

Turnpike Troubadours added three shows to their fall tour: Oct. 15 in San Diego (with Steve Earle and Reckless Kelly), Oct. 17 in Long Beach, CA (with Earle) and Oct. 23 in Fort Lauderdale (with Muscadine Bloodline). Tickets (7/17) here.

Cody Celebrated: To honor its late morning host Bill Cody, who died last month (Breaking News 6/9), Ryman Hospitality Properties WSM-AM/Nashville has added a Saturday morning show, The Essential Bill Cody Collection, airing from 9-10am CT. The station describes it as a "celebration of the music, memories, stories and unforgettable conversations that made Bill such a beloved part of the WSM family."

Benefit News: The Eric Church Band and Corient's Music Row for MusiCares will raise money for the nonprofit at Chief’s on Broadway Aug. 9. Joining band members Jeff Hyde and Driver Williams are Casey Beathard, Luke Dick, Jonathan Singleton and Dan Isbell. Tickets here.

Artists including Dierks Bentley, Dylan Gossett, Jon Pardi, Lainey Wilson, Parker McCollum, The War and Treaty and Warren Zeiders are participating in Amazon Music's Stream It Forward campaign that turns music streams into donations to Water.org.

Bits & Pieces: Megan Moroney has launched her fragrance, Calliope, named for the muse in Greek mythology and descibed as having a "floral musk" that blends peach blossom, jasmine, pink peony and warm mineral musk. Moroney says she has "spent the last year-and-a-half hand crafting the concept, scent and design." Pre-order for late July shipping here.

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for the week ending July 11, according to Mediabase.

JASON ALDEAN/Don't Tell On Me (Macon Music/Broken Bow)
COREY KENT f/KOE WETZEL/Rocky Mountain Low (Combustion/RCA)
MORGAN WALLEN/Don't We (Big Loud)
ELLA LANGLEY & MORGAN WALLEN/I Can't Love You Anymore (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers/Big Loud)
LUKE COMBS/Be By You (Columbia)

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for July 12, compared with the same day last week, according to Mediabase.

JASON ALDEAN/Don't Tell On Me (Macon Music/Broken Bow) +888 points
LAINEY WILSON & JOHN MAYER/Phone, Keys, Wallet (Broken Bow) +584 points
ELLA LANGLEY & MORGAN WALLEN/I Can't Love You Anyomore (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers/Big Loud) +506 points
STELLA LEFTY/Boston (Sandlot/Atlantic Outpost) +493 points
RILEY GREEN/Think As You Drunk (Nash. Harbor) +427 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (7/14): Koe Wetzel, Jamey Johnson, Leslie Satcher, Ray Herndon, Rory Bourke, Buzz Stone, Angel Mullins, Steve Sharp, Fount Lynch, John Spalding, the late Del Reeves, the late Marijohn Wilkin, the late Eric Marshall.

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Damned If I BBQ: Lost Highway's Vincent Mason celebrates the add day for "Damned If I Do" with WUSN's Marci Braun at Chicago's Windy City Smokeout.

Hang Tight Honey BBQ: Broken Bow's Lainey Wilson (in hat) with Red Light's Chuck Swaney, Braun and the label's Dawn Ferris (l-r) at Windy City Smokeout.

Slow Cook In A Parking Lot: MCA's Jordan Davis at Windy City Smokeout. Pictured (l-r) are WUSN's Kyle Milnamow and Braun, Davis, the label's Donna Jo Passuntino, WUSN's Melissa McGurren and Swaney.

Signage: Robyn Ottolini has partnered with ONErpm for her debut album, A Safe Place To Land, out Aug. 21. Pictured (l-r) are ONErpm’s Lindsey Terry and Mike Easterlin, Ottolini, ONErpm’s Emmanuel Zunz, Delmege MGMT’s Chelsea Smith and ONErpm’s Ryan Cunningham.

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