January 16, 2026 News@CountryAircheck.com

Under The Whistle-toe: Here are select Nielsen Audio Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM) ratings for December 2025 (three-month rolling average, 9/18-12/10) compared with October and November. Ranks (in parentheses) are among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

Birmingham, AL (Market 61)	WZZK SummitMedia 5.6 (4) - 5.1 (5) - 4.9 (5t) WDXB iHeartMedia 4.3 (7t) - 4.4 (7t) - 4.2 (7)
Buffalo, NY (59)	WYRK Townsquare 8.4 (3) - 8.4 (3) - 7.6 (3) WLKK Audacy 1.3 (14) - 1.4 (14) - 1.4 (11)
Greenville, SC (53)	WSSL iHeartMedia 5.8 (4) - 6.4 (2) - 6.7 (3) Largest share since April 2025. WESC iHeartMedia Classic Country 5.4 (5) - 5.7 (4) - 5.2 (5)
Richmond, VA (52)	WKHK SummitMedia 7.3 (2) - 6.2 (3) - 5.4 (4) WRXL-HD2 Audacy 1.1 (15) - 1.0 (15) - 1.4 (15) Largest share since Jan. 2025.
Rochester, NY (60)	WBEE Audacy 8.2 (2) - 7.3 (2) - 5.9 (3t) WDVI iHeartMedia 2.1 (10) - 2.1 (9) - 1.9 (10t)

Kickin' Ashe: Here are select Nielsen Audio Fall 2025 (9/18-12/10) two-book per year diary ratings for subscribing stations compared with their last books (Fall 2024 and Spring 2025). Ranks (in parentheses) are also among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

Asheville, NC (Market 149)	WKSF iHeartMedia 16.2 (1) - 9.5 (2) - 11.9 (1)
Fredericksburg, VA (130)	WFLS Connoisseur 7.7 (2) - 8.7 (2) - 7.2 (2) WGRX Telemedia 2.6 (5) - 4.0 (4) - 4.0 (3)
Tuscaloosa, AL (193)	WTXT iHeartMedia 3.5 (5) - 4.4 (4) - 4.3 (4) WFFN Townsquare 5.3 (4) - 3.8 (5t) - 3.1 (6t)

WQXK's Graaf Retires: In the wake of Cumulus WQXK/Youngstown, OH morning co-host Doug James' Jan. 8 death (CAT 1/12), his longtime co-host MaryAnne Graaf has retired, doing her last show yesterday (1/15). James and Graaf had shared the morning mic since 1991. She told listeners on social media, "I could never have dreamed this career when I came here June 1st, 1985. It truly was a dream job. Thank you all for allowing me to join you each morning. It has been an absolute joy!" No word on plans for the position.

Nouveau Rich: Nashville Music Guide magazine's Randy Rich has launched music publishing company Get Rich Trying and signed John Major as its first songwriter. Industry veteran Preshias Harris is consulting and will assist in operations while overseeing copyright registrations. Rich plans to sign four more writers in the company's initial phase. Offices are at 810 Dominic Drive, Nashville.

Screenshot 2026-01-16 at 12.20.45 PM.png

Tour Support: Drake Milligan has added 23 U.S. and Australian dates to his now 40-show Tumbleweed World Tour, which kicks off Feb. 22 in Hampton, GA and currently runs through Sept. 11-12 with two nights in Gstaad, Switzerland. Additional shows are being added. Tickets here.

Festive All: The Marcus King Band, Kaitlin Butts, Zach John King, Lauren Watkins, Waylon Wyatt, Tiera Kennedy, McCoy Moore and more will perform during the invite-only Live In The Vineyard Goes Country in Napa Valley, CA April 21–23.

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

Former CMT staffers shared memories from their time with the network in Country Aircheck Weekly.
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern is retiring at year-end. (1/14)
KSON/San Diego afternoon host Kimo Jensen is retiring in June. (1/14)
Sony Music Publishing Nashville acquired Big Yellow Dog Music. (1/13)
WJEN/Rutland, VT midday host Erin Bourne and afternoon personality Jay Kennedy moved to nights and middays, respectively, and Chris O'Neil returned in afternoons. (1/12)
Chronicle: Doug James, "Ron Ellis" Whiddon.

Bits & Pieces: Craig Morgan has been promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 in the Army Reserve. The promotion ceremony took place yesterday (1/15) at The Pentagon, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth officiating. Morgan re-enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023, and was sworn in onstage at the Grand Ole Opry (CAT 7/31/23). He previously served 17 years in the Army and Army Reserve with the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions.

Programming Note: The Country Aircheck offices will be closed Monday (1/19) in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The deadline for reporting adds has been extended to Tuesday (1/20) at 2pm CT. Country Aircheck Weekly will be delivered Tuesday night.

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for Jan. 15, according to Mediabase 24/7.

MEGAN MORONEY/6 Months Later (Col. NY/Columbia) 4375 points
HARDY/Favorite Country Song (Big Loud) 4048 points
ELLA LANGLEY/Choosin' Texas (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers) 3814 points
JASON ALDEAN/How Far Does A Goodbye Go (Macon Music/Broken Bow) 3304 points
MORGAN WALLEN/20 Cigarettes (Big Loud) 3017 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for Jan. 11-15, compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase 24/7.

MEGAN MORONEY/6 Months Later (Col. NY/Columbia) +4940 points
ELLA LANGLEY/Choosin' Texas (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers) +1911 points
RILEY GREEN/Change My Mind (Nash. Harbor) +1625 points
HARDY/Favorite Country Song (Big Loud) +1402 points
TUCKER WETMORE/Brunette (Back Blocks/Mercury) +1153 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (1/17): Steve Earle, Amanda Wilkinson, Ryan Barnstead, Kim Markovchick, Mitch Schneider.

Sunday's Birthdays (1/18): Mark Collie, Bobby Goldsboro, Glen Templeton, Allison DeMarcus, Travis Hensley, Bob Mitchell, Jake Basden, Liz Santana, Bill Moore, Lucas Hoge, the late Dene Hallam.

Monday's Birthdays (1/19): Dolly Parton, Kendra Slaubaugh (Tigirlily), Bill Carter, Cooper Samuels, Steve Stewart, Brent Lane, Emilee Warner, the late Phil Everly.

Tuesday's Birthdays (1/20): Brantley Gilbert, Tenille Townes, John Michael Montgomery, Stephen Giuttari, Matt Vieira, Carina Patterson, Karen McGuire, Pat Garrett, Brian Egan, the late Slim Whitman.

Chevy With A Thrift Kit: Mercury's Priscilla Block talks thrifting, new music and more on SiriusXM Highway Mornings with Cody Alan. Pictured (l-r) are SXM's Victoria Alfonso, the label's Houston Gaither, Block, Alan and SXM's Lauryn Snapp and Lexi Sidders.

Stay Country Or Dice Tryin': Wheelhouse's Blake Shelton kicks off his Las Vegas residency last night (1/15). Pictured (l-r) are Country Aircheck's Lon Helton, KCYE's Aimee Thomas, Shelton and KCYE’s Shawn Stevens.

Signage: Singer/songwriter Alex Lambert signs with Big Loud Texas. Pictured (l-r) are the label's Jon Randall and Miranda Lambert, Lambert and the label's Brendon Anthony.

Signage: Singer/songwriter Madden Metcalf signs with MCA and songwriter/producer Freddy Wexler's Wexler Records. Pictured (l-r) are MCA's Rob Femia, Wexler, Metcalf and MCA's Mike Harris and Katie McCartney.

Signage: DeVille/Big Loud's Cody Lohden (c) signs with The Neal Agency for booking. Pictured with (l-r) TNA's Simone Chretien, Greenhouse Management's Kiley Donohoe and TNA's Adi Sharma and Ryan Beuschel.