February 20, 2026 News@CountryAircheck.com

Johnson Steps Back: iHeartMedia Area SVPP/Nebraska-Iowa Erik Johnson is stepping back from the role, but will continue hosting afternoons at KXKT/Omaha. Johnson joined iHeart in 2008 from crosstown Journal Top 40 KQCH (CAT 1/23/08), and was promoted from PD of KXKT and Classic Country KFFF/Omaha to SVPP in 2016 (CAT 4/13/16). EVP/Programming Steve Geofferies is seeking his successor, to be based in Des Moines, IA. Find details and apply here.

Lawrence To Retire: MacDonald Broadcasting Saginaw, MI MM Bob Lawrence will retire Feb. 27, saying in a social media post, "I'm truly proud of all I've accomplished throughout this wonderful career that has filled nearly half a century in the blink of an eye." Prior to joining the Saginaw cluster, which includes WKCQ, last June (CAT 5/19/25), Lawrence was MM for 7 Mountains Media in Parkersburg, WV. Earlier jobs include GM/National Radio Talent at the Radio Advertising Bureau; MM at New South/Jackson, MS; VP/Programming at Saga and Pres./CEO of Pinnacle Media. Reach him here.

Contact Update: ASCAP is relocating its Nashville office from its current location on Music Row to a new building in the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood. The new location is scheduled to open in the fall. In addition to a "more modern workspace and technology capabilities," it will include upgraded writers’ rooms and an event space for member gatherings and performances.

Somewhere In My Care: MCA's Keith Urban will participate in a Gator Harrison-moderated Q&A, "The Power Of Music And A Mission" about his support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, March 19 at 11am during CRS 2026. Registration is available on-site for $799 through the start of the event. A limited number of New Faces of Country Music tickets are available for $110, sold separately.

Tour Support: The Red Clay Strays have added shows at venues including Columbia, MD’s Merriweather Post Pavilion (July 30), Boston's TD Garden (Aug. 1), and Atlanta's State Farm Arena (Nov. 13) to their 2026 schedule. Joining on select dates are The Revivalists, Haley Reinhart, Travis Tritt and Brent Cobb. Tickets here next Friday (2/27).

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

Scott Borchetta addresses what’s ahead in Country Aircheck Weekly.
Justin Hammons is taking over afternoons on KIQK/Rapid City, SD.
Larry Mac was upped to Lotus Dir./Operations & Programming.
Jake Basden was named CEO of the newly rebranded Blue Highway Records.
Brad Turcotte joined TEG Live as SVP/Country.

Crib Note: Luke Combs and wife Nicole Combs recently welcomed their third son, Chet Wiley Combs, acknowledging via social media on what was to have been his due date yesterday (2/19) that he has been part of the family "these last few weeks."

Chronicle: Elk River Media/Fayetteville, TN Owner/CEO John Malone passed Feb. 18 at the age of 62. One of his first jobs in radio was working on-air at Classic Rock WEKR, which he purchased in 2021, along with Classic Country WYTM. After a stint at WSM-AM/Nashville, Malone spent time at various stations in Huntsville and at iHeartMedia/Tuscaloosa, AL, before fulfilling his dream of owning his hometown stations in Fayetteville. Read Tom Hanrahan's remembrance here.

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for Feb. 19, according to Mediabase.

MORGAN WALLEN/20 Cigarettes (Big Loud) 4898 points
ELLA LANGLEY/Choosin' Texas (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers) 4337 points
SHABOOZEY & JELLY ROLL/Amen (Empire/Magnolia/Stoney Creek) 4007 points
JASON ALDEAN/How Far Does A Goodbye Go (Macon Music/Broken Bow) 3446 points
JUSTIN MOORE/Time's Ticking (Blue Highway) 3152 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for Feb. 15-19, compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase.

MORGAN WALLEN/20 Cigarettes (Big Loud) +3049 points
LUKE COMBS/Sleepless In A Hotel Room (Columbia) +2176 points
RASCAL FLATTS w/JONAS BROTHERS/I Dare You (Republic/Nash. Harbor) +2142 points
JUSTIN MOORE/Time's Ticking (Blue Highway) +1786 points
GEORGE BIRGE f/LUKE BRYAN/Ride, Ride, Ride (Records Nashville/MCA) +1086 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (2/21): Zach Swon (The Swon Brothers), Mary Chapin Carpenter, Eric Heatherly, Bruce Reiner.

Sunday's Birthdays (2/22): Greg Holland, Dave Hanner, Jamice Jennings, Keith Kaufman, Rebekah Gordon, Ellen Mundy Ford, the late Del Wood.

Monday's Birthdays (2/23): Monta Vaden, Dusty Drake, Steve Holy, Rusty Young, Jo Pincek Hunt, Norbert Nix, Lisa Manning.

Outlaw & Order: Stone Country's Ben Gallaher (r) with Cumulus' Travis Daily.

Add Hatter: Speaking of Daily, here he is with RCA's Corey Kent and Ali O'Connell.

Slow Dance In A Private Lot: MCA's Jordan Davis (l) with Audacy's Tim Roberts and the label's Miranda McDonald at Totally Private in Nashville.

"Gary" Go Round: Big Loud's Stephen Wilson Jr. at the White Oak Music Hall in Houston. Pictured (l-r) are the label's Kelley Bradshaw, KKBQ's Lauren "Lo" Sessions-Barker, Wilson and KILT's Nick Russo.