Drift Certificate: Former Apple Music Global Head/Country Music Michael Bryan has launched artist management company Southern Drift with Charlie Worsham and Reid and Dan Isbell's God's Country podcast as his first clients, as first tipped here last month (CAT 3/25). Joining Bryan are former Sandbox CFO/COO Taryn Anderson (COO/GM) and Virgin Music Group Sr. Dir./Marketing Jordon Isbell (VP/Marketing and Executive Prod. of God’s Country). “What pushed me to start Southern Drift was seeing the gap between how artists are building today and how the industry is still structured," says Bryan. "We built Southern Drift to move with it, not control it.” Bryan left Apple after five years last fall to take a sabbatical (CAT 10/20/25). Prior to Apple, he spent three years at CAA, and his radio career included iHeartRadio/Nashville SVP/Programming & WSIX PD, as well as stops in Orlando, Norfolk and New Orleans.

OK, Boomer: "We’re excited to see the impact he’ll make as we continue to elevate and strengthen our brands, talent and community connections," says iHeartMedia/Louisville Area Pres. Kristy Beebe, announcing the appointment of Christopher "Boomer" Layfield as VP/Programming for the cluster, including WAMZ, as reported this afternoon (4/23) via Breaking News. The market was previously led by Rachel Elliot, who departed her Dir./Country Programming role for the Kentucky/West Virginia division earlier this month (CAT 4/13). Layfield left his position as Vox AM/FM/Digital Burlington, VT OM, which included PD oversight of Country WCPV, last year (CAT 9/22/25). Prior to Vox, he was Cumulus/Indianapolis SVPP, with programming oversight for WFMS.

Word To The Wise: Anotherland Agency VP/New Business Megan Wise has joined Breakaway as VP/Brand Partnerships. In her new role, Wise will develop collaborations that connect brands with Breakaway’s Gen-Z and millennial audience. “As Breakaway continues to scale its brand partnerships business, [Megan] has a proven ability to translate cultural insight into meaningful, revenue-driving partnerships," says CEO/Co-Founder Adam Lynn. Wise joined Anotherland Agency from the CMA last year (CAT 4/10/25).

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

• Country Aircheck Weekly spotlights women rewriting the playbook. 
• Radio HoF nominees include Andie Summers, Big D & Bubba and Lee Arnold. (4/22)
• Shania Twain will host the ACM Awards. (4/22)
• Black River is partnering with Akando Music for radio promotion. (4/22)
• 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)

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for April 22, according to Mediabase.

1. LUKE COMBS/Days Like These (Columbia) 4404 points
2. LUKE COMBS/Sleepless In A Hotel Room (Columbia) 4360 points
3. TUCKER WETMORE/Brunette (Back Blocks/Mercury) 3356 points 
4. CODY JOHNSON/The Fall (CoJo/Warner/WRN) 3321 points
5. RILEY GREEN/Change My Mind (Nash. Harbor) 3293 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for April 19-22, compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase.  

1. LUKE COMBS/Days Like These (Columbia) +2723 points
2. ELLA LANGLEY/Be Her (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers) +1171 points
3. JOSH ROSS/Hate How You Look (Core/Mercury) +1115 points
4. MORGAN WALLEN/Don't We (Big Loud) +1002 points
5. KANE BROWN/Woman (RCA) +930 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (4/24): Carly Pearce, Morgan Evans, Richard Sterban (Oak Ridge Boys), Kelly Clarkson, Danny Gokey, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Christy McDonald, Lori Evans, Tim McFadden, Brooke Meris, the late Rich Fagan.