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| March 30, 2026 News@CountryAircheck.com |
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Grand Kenyon: Audacy/Detroit SVP/MM Debbie Kenyon has been promoted to Regional Pres. for the company's Central U.S. markets. Her oversight now includes Chicago (including WUSN), Minneapolis (KMNB), Cleveland, Milwaukee and Madison, WI. She has led the Detroit market, incuding WYCD, for more than 25 years. “Debbie Kenyon has been a pillar of our business for over a quarter century, and her elevation ... is a testament to her ability to drive innovation and deliver consistent performance,” says Audacy Pres./CEO Kelli Turner.
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Adam Driver: Radio vet Adam Star has returned to Beasley Media as PD of its Augusta, GA stations, including WKXC. He previously served as OM for the Beasley-owned Fort Myers, FL cluster prior to its sale to Sun Broadcasting. Star will be working alongside Beasley programmers, including VP/Brand Strategies and Augusta & Fayetteville, NC Regional OM Tee Gentry and sister News-Talk WGAC & Classic Hits WDRR PD Chris O’Kelley. “Adam has a great instinct for what connects with audiences and how to position our brands for growth,” says VP/Operations AJ Lurie. Reach Star here. |
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Foster Care: iHeartMedia has promoted Providence, NH SVP/Sales Care Jones to Market Pres., overseeing the company’s stations in Providence; Cape Cod, MA; and New Hampshire markets Manchester and Portsmouth, NH (the latter including WTBU). The 15-year company veteran has risen through the iHeart ranks from AE, and previously worked at Citadel Broadcasting. |
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Team Spirit: Singer/songwriter/musician David Ryan Harris has joined Nashville-based Spirit Music as VP/A&R and as a songwriter and a JV partner with his company, Peace Pourage. “Beyond being a fan and friend of David’s, I am excited at the wealth of knowledge and passion for music that he is bringing to Spirit," says CEO Frank Rogers. Harris has written and produced for artists including Hootie & The Blowfish, Christina Perri, Zayn and Natasha Bedingfield. In addition to releasing his own music, he has been singing and playing guitar in John Mayer’s band since 2004.
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On The Go:
Mt. Wilson KKGO/Los Angeles afternoon host Christine Martindale has retired. Concurrently, Adam Bookbinder moves from middays to afternoons, while voiceover talent and former KSCB/Santa Barbara, CA Dir./News & Public Affairs Lisa Osborn has returned to KKGO for middays. Martindale was on her second tour with the station, the first in middays before leaving in March of 2016 after three years, then returning for afternoons later that year (CAT 8/10/16). She previously spent 12 years at crosstown iHeartMedia AC KOST. "After so many wonderful years behind the mic, I’m stepping into a new chapter filled with family, adventure and a whole lot of gratitude," she shared on social media. Additionally, KKGO owner Saul Levine tells Country Aircheck, "We plan to play more '90s, [but] not to the neglect of hot Nashville new development."
Meanwhile, Levine says KKGO was the target of a hacker over the weekend. "We are operating under emergency conditions, but no programming lost," he reports. "A very dramatic first day on air, but Lisa [was] unfazed."
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The Great Santoni: Liggett/RadioFirst WSAQ/Purt Huron, MI noon-to-6pm host Chuck Santoni retired March 27 after 50 years in radio, 21 of those with RadioFirst. Watch his sign-off here. During his tenure, Santoni held the PD and morning host positions. Succeeding him in afternoons is Alternative Rock sister WHLD PD/afternoon host Brad Biewer.
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News Kid On The Block: Former MCA Dir./Media Marketing Cindy Finke has joined BBRMG/BMG as Dir./Publicity. She succeeds Caroline Fields, who left the label group at the end of last year (CAT 12/9/25). Finke exited MCA in October (CAT 10/6/25), and her previous stops include CMT and Nashville Lifestyles. Reach her here.
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Done Deal: Connoisseur is selling its four Topeka, KS stations, including Country WIBW and Classic Country KTPK, to KNZA, Inc., operating locally as MSC Radio Group. The deal is expected to close in early summer. MSC serves Northeast Kansas and Southeast Nebraska with six current stations, including Country KNZA/Hiawatha, KS; KMZA/Seneca, KS and KAIR/Horton, KS.
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All For The Hall: A final reminder that the nomination period for the national Radio Hall of Fame is open through tomorrow (3/31) at 11:59pm PT. Noms made by members of the radio industry and listeners nationwide will be taken into consideration by the Hall's nominating committee. Finalists are then voted on by approximately 1,000 radio industry professionals. Nominate individuals and programs here. |
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Life Note: Longtime
Ryman Hospitality Properties WSM-AM/Nashville morning host and Grand Ole Opry announcer Bill Cody is on a short medical hiatus for an undisclosed reason until his doctors deem a return to work suitable. The station shared with listeners that Cody is "focusing on his health and well-being as he takes time to rest and recharge." Get well messages can be sent to the Grand Ole Opry House at 2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214 or via the contact page at WSMRadio.com.
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| Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for the week ending March 28, according to Mediabase.
- SHABOOZEY & JELLY ROLL/Amen (Empire/Magnolia/Stoney Creek)
- ELLA LANGLEY/Choosin' Texas (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers)
- JUSTIN MOORE/Time's Ticking (Blue Highway)
- THOMAS RHETT f/JORDAN DAVIS/Ain't A Bad Life (Blue Highway/MCA)
- LUKE COMBS/Sleepless In A Hotel Room (Columbia)
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| Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for March 29, compared with the same day last week, according to Mediabase.
- JUSTIN MOORE/Time's Ticking (Blue Highway) +919 points
- ELLA LANGLEY/Be Her (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers) +601 points
- LUKE BRYAN/Country And She Knows It (MCA) +359 points
- BRANTLEY GILBERT/Good Damn (Wheelhouse) +352 points
- KANE BROWN/Woman (RCA) +317 points
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| Tomorrow's Birthdays (3/31): Greg Martin (Kentucky HeadHunters), Liz Sledge, the late John D. Loudermilk, the late Lefty Frizzell, the late Anita Carter (The Carter Sisters).
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Highcountry: WCKN/Charleston, SC's sixth annual Cares for Kids Radiothon raises $281,904 for MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. Pictured (l-r) are the station's Hunter Meyer, Jessica Chandler, the hospital's Harper Brown, the station's Paul O’Malley, Miracle Child David Powell, the station's Tug Cowart, Miracle Child Matthew Chase and the station's Brian Cleary.
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Here's Luking At You: MCA's Luke Grimes visits
Country Nights Live with Bev Rainey. |
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Get To Drivin': Sony Music Nashville’s Zach John King (r) with
SiriusXM's Cody Alan. |
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