February 10, 2026 News@CountryAircheck.com

Cart Wheel: Townsquare WFRG/Utica, NY Cluster Dir./Content and morning co-host Dave "Wheels" Wheeler has departed after 15 years to take an as yet undisclosed new job, according to this video from his morning co-host, Stacey "Polly Wogg" McAdams. Wheeler, who hosted afternoons at the station until 2020, returned to the air last month when McAdams' husband/co-host Bill "Tad Pole" McAdams retired (CAT 1/2). Tad Pole is filling in temporarily. No word on permanent plans for the position.

East(erlin) Bound: Former Elektra Entertainment Pres. Mike Easterlin has been named Managing Dir. for ONErpm/Nashville. Concurrently, BMI's Josh Tomlinson has been named Dir./A&R, Lindsey Terry, formerly of MCA/Nashville, has been brought on as the Country Marketing Dir., and Chad Neville (ex-Warner Music Nashville) has joined as Project Mgr. Most recently running his own Nashville-based company, Glen West Entertainment, Easterlin's background includes being co-founder of Severance Records, Pres. of Fueled By Ramen and Roadrunner Records, SVP/Promotion at Roadrunner and Lava Records, VP/Pop Promotion at Island Def Jam, Regional Dir./Promotion at Virgin Records and MD at KHYI/Dallas.

Central Perk: Publicist Natalie Blakley has joined Nashville-based Perk PR & Creative Agency. "We've been incredibly intentional about growing the team in a way that protects the culture we've built," says Founder Trevor Perkins. Adds Blakley "I'm so excited to join a team that's not only incredibly strategic but also truly cares about its artists." Blakley most recently worked at Ave East Mktg; reach her here.

Reve-News: Spotify reported revenue of €4.53 billion (approximately $5.39b) for Q4 2025, up 7% year-to-year. Monthly active users grew to 751 million, up 11% year-to-year, while premium subscribers increased 10% to 290m. Operating income was €701m ($834m). See the complete earnings info here.

Gig Alert: The Ryan Seacrest Foundation is seeking a Nashville-based Program Coord. The full-time position supports executive leadership, helps coordinate events and logistics, assists with social media, communications and data organization, and serves as a liaison between the foundation and its national network of Seacrest Studios. Pay is $25-$27/hour plus benefits. Send résumé and cover letter here.

Tour Support: Seven dates have been added to the Trace Adkins 30th Anniversary Tour; schedule here.

Cody Johnson has added six international dates to his Live 26 touring schedule, with fall shows in Manchester, London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin. Openers on these dates are Parker McCollum and Emily Ann Roberts. Tickets for the new shows go on sale Friday (2/13) here.

David Nail has added Southeast dates to his Down To The Studs Tour, which kicks off Feb. 26. Tickets (2/13) for the new shows here.

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Festive All: Brandi Carlile has added a third night to her Echoes Through The Canyon festival, now set for May 29-31 at The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA, headlined by The Highwomen (Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby). Also set to perform are Wynonna Judd, Sheryl Crow, Brittney Spencer, Indigo Girls, Bonnie Raitt, I'm With Her and Sara Bareilles. Tickets (2/13) here.

Ellavation: Ella Langley leads early 2026 airplay, while Cody Johnson returns to the stage for his Live 26 Tour kickoff, with WDXB/Birmingham & WDRM/Huntsville PD Dino Conard reporting from opening night. Read more in Country Aircheck Weekly, along with the songs and labels driving early-year momentum.

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

The final day to register online for CRS 2026 is Feb. 18.
Valory Pres. George Briner retired. (2/9)
iHeartMedia's Bill Stewart was named Tucson SVPP. (2/9)
Dane Schmidt, Jordan Marcus and Jude Warren joined ERN's Cadillac Music. (2/9)

Life Note: Joyce Strassberg, the mother of veteran talent producer Shanna Strassberg (CMT, C.A.M.P. 615, Julien's Auctions), died Jan. 12. No word on services. Reach Shanna here.

ICYMI: The CRS 2026 app is available for download on iPhone and Android devices. Attendees can access the app through mobile app stores by searching “CRS 2026.”

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for Feb. 9, according to Mediabase 24/7.

JASON ALDEAN/How Far Does A Goodbye Go (Macon Music/Broken Bow) 4605 points
ELLA LANGLEY/Choosin' Texas (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers) 4373 points
MORGAN WALLEN/20 Cigarettes (Big Loud) 4001 points
SHABOOZEY & JELLY ROLL/Amen (Empire/Magnolia/Stoney Creek) 3951 points
THOMAS RHETT f/JORDAN DAVIS/Ain't A Bad Life (MCA/Valory) 3142 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for Feb. 8-9, compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase 24/7.

JASON ALDEAN/How Far Does A Goodbye Go (Macon Music/Broken Bow) +1418 points
LUKE COMBS/Sleepless In A Hotel Room (Columbia) +932 points
GEORGE BIRGE f/LUKE BRYAN/Ride, Ride, Ride (Records Nashville/MCA) +767 points
LUKE COMBS/Days Like These (Columbia) +691 points
RILEY GREEN/Change My Mind (Nash. Harbor) +686 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (2/11): Sheryl Crow, Jon Jones (Eli Young Band), Cagle.

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Big Dawg: The Townsquare/Lafayette, LA cluster, which includes KMDL, raises more than $227,000 during its St. Jude radiothon (2/12-13).

Man In Plaque: Warner Records Nashville's Redferrin is surprised by the label's Cris Lacy with a platinum plaque for "Just Like Johnny" at the release party for "If I Was California."

Bolo Ty: Col. NY/Records Nashville's Ty Myers in Houston. Pictured (l-r) are Records' Josh Easler and David "Bubba" Berry, KKBQ's Lauren "Lo" Sessions-Barker, Myers, KILT's Nick Russo and Chris Huff, Cherolyn Chiang and Pandora/SXM's Johnny Chiang.

Re-Signage: Songwriter Liz Rose has renewed with Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville in a deal that includes a pact with Liz Rose Music. Pictured (back, l-r) are LRM's Scott Ponce, WCM's Austen Adams and Phil May, and LRM's Dave Pacula; (front, l-r) WCM's Christina Wiltshire, Rose and LRM's Gracie Glass.