I Can Take It From There: Black River is partnering with Akando Music for radio promotion. Their first release will be Chris Young's "I Didn't Come Here To Leave," impacting mid-June. "Chris Young is one of the most consistent hit makers in our format for the last decade," says Triple Tigers/Akando VP/Promo Raffaella Braun. "We are excited to represent him and his music to Country radio." Black River SVP/Promotion Bill Macky, Midwest regional Joe Carroll and West Coast rep Jim Malito exited last week as part of a restructuring (CAT 4/13). Akando launched last summer (CAT 6/16/25).

Jay Walker: iHeartMedia's Jay Shannon has been named OM for the Cox Media Group/San Antonio cluster, including KCYY and Classic Country KKYX, effective May 4. He succeeds Rob Roberts, who retired in March (CAT 2/27). Shannon spent 33 years with iHeart in a variety of roles, most recently PD for Hot AC KDMX and AC KDGE Dallas. Before that, he was VP/Programming for the company's Austin cluster, including KASE & KVET. “With more than three decades in radio, Jay brings a combination of experience, leadership and respect across the industry,” says San Antonio VP/MM Mark Shecterle.

Hall Monitor: Three of the 24 nominees for the Radio Hall of Fame class of 2026 have Country ties: WXTU/Philadelphia morning host Andie Summers, Silverfish's nationally-syndicated Big D & Bubba and Lee Arnold, who worked at WHN/New York from 1970-1988, as reported this morning (4/22) via Breaking News. See the full list of nominees here. Voting by more than 1,000 radio industry pros runs April 24-May 8. The top six vote getters will gain induction alongside two others chosen by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. Inductees will be revealed May 18 and honored at an Oct. 8 ceremony at Chicago's Fairmont Hotel.

Hot Air: No official word, but iHeartMedia WUBL/Atlanta afternoon host Kristen Gates has exited. She joined for mornings in 2008 after three years at crosstown WKHX (CAT 7/24/08), and moved to afternoons in 2022 (CAT 5/20/22). The station currently has Corey Calhoun listed for the daypart on its website.

Honey, I'm Host: “I’m thrilled to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home," says newly announced host Shania Twain. “It’s such an honor to be part of this incredible night celebrating country music’s biggest stars, especially with so many talented women leading nominations this year." The show streams live May 17 at 7pm CT on Prime Video from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Contact Update: Former iHeartMedia Dir./Programming & Brand Strategy Alek Halverson has launched a voice tracking business, noting, "I’ve got a full home studio, ability to take phone calls, and am Nashville-based with opportunities to do artist interviews." Halverson exited iHeart, where his oversight included KAJA/San Antonio & KASE/Austin, last summer (CAT 8/1/25). Previous stops include KKWF/Seattle; Top 40 KLTA/Fargo, ND; Active Rock KQWB/Fargo; and Country KVOX/Fargo. Reach him here.

Festive All: Clay Walker, Jo Dee Messina, Rhett Akins and Sara Evans will open the nightly shows at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest in Nashville June 4-7. Additionally, Caylee Hammack will sing the national anthem Thursday (6/4), and Emily Ann Roberts, The Jack Wharff Band, Kaitlin Butts, Kat Luna, Laci Kaye Booth, Maggie Antone, Scoot Teasley, Vincent Mason, Willow Avalon and Zach John King will perform on the stadium's Platform Stage. Full lineup here and tickets here.

Jessi Murph joins the lineup for the May 28-31 Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach, FL. She will perform on the festival's opening night ahead of headliner Keith Urban; tickets here.

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

• Country Aircheck Weekly spotlights women rewriting the playbook. 
• Gator Harrison joined K-Love as Chief Media Officer. (4/21)
• William E. “Bill” Smith was named VP/MM for Cumulus/Oxnard-Ventura, CA. (4/21)
• Miranda Lambert signed with MCA. (4/20)

Bits & Pieces: McVay Media Pres. Mike McVay was awarded Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc.'s third annual MIW Erica Farber Impact Award April 20 during the group's Lipstick & Lobster Dinner in New York. This award recognizes "true champions of service, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to fostering growth and progress within the industry."

Tube Check Tonight (4/22): Ashley McBryde, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC).

Tube Check Tomorrow (4/23): Cody Alan hosts the Country Network’s Academy of Country Music Awards Nominee Special (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, LGTV, Google Play, via The Country Network app and streaming on TCNCountry.com).

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for April 21, according to Mediabase.

1. LUKE COMBS/Sleepless In A Hotel Room (Columbia) 4434 points
2. LUKE COMBS/Days Like These (Columbia) 4302 points
3. CODY JOHNSON/The Fall (CoJo/Warner/WRN) 3531 points
4. TUCKER WETMORE/Brunette (Back Blocks/Mercury) 3337 points
5. RILEY GREEN/Change My Mind (Nash. Harbor) 3057 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for April 19-21, compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase.  

1. LUKE COMBS/Days Like These (Columbia) +2154 points
2. KANE BROWN/Woman (RCA) +911 points
3. ELLA LANGLEY/Be Her (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers) +817 points
4. JOSH ROSS/Hate How You Look (Core/Mercury) +792 points
5. CODY JOHNSON/The Fall (CoJo/Warner/WRN) +691 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (4/23): Brandi Burleson, Marty Filogamo, Manuel, Brooke Diaz, Larry Santiago, the late Kent Robbins, the late Roy Orbison.

If Heaven Wasn't So Par Away: Blue Highway's Justin Moore (c) raises more than $700,000 for St. Jude with the help of KARK-TV's Caden Michaels, KSSN's Jess Jennings, baseball player Brian McRae and artist Tyler Kinch (l-r) in Little Rock.

Hell Is A Floor Seat: MCA's Vincent Mason opens Morgan Wallen's stadium tour launch in Minneapolis. Pictured (back, l-r) are KEEY's Gregg Swedberg and Rich Davis, Mason, KEEY's Pat Knight, the label's Katie Bright and KMNB's Adam Sprenger; (front, l-r) KZPK/St. Cloud, MN’s Chelsea Valentine, WQPC/Prairie du Chien, WI's Laurie Wild and KSUX/Sioux City, IA’s Josie Cooper.

Texas (When I Buy): Black River's Chris Young performs at the 2026 Houston St. Jude gala and auction. Pictured (l-r) are Matthew Barker and wife/KKBQ's Lauren "Lo" Sessions-Barker, Young, the label's Kellie LaJack, Joni Ruetz and husband/KKBQ's Travis Moon.