Blue Rate Special: Here are select Nielsen Audio Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM) ratings for March 2025 (three-month rolling average, 1/9-4/2) compared with January and February. Ranks (in parentheses) are among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

Trailblazer: "I'm sure everybody deals with a little bit of imposter syndrome, but I won't lie to you," said Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson at last night's (5/8) 60th Academy of Country Music Awards. "But I read something not long ago that just said, 'If something is given to you, then you need to accept it with an open heart and an open mind.'" Wilson joins Taylor Swift (2011-2012) and Carrie Underwood (2009-2010) as the third female artist to win EOTY back-to-back.

The winningest artist of the night was Ella Langley, whose five trophies included New Female Artist and Single for "You Look Like You Love Me" with Riley Green. Additional highlights included Alan Jackson receiving the inaugural Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award and a 12-minute opening set that included Clint Black, Wynonna Judd, LeAnn Rimes, Little Big Town and Dan + Shay. Full list of winners here; performance links below in ICYMI.

Word To The Wise: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Sr. Dir./Facilities, Operations & Sustainability Leigh Anne Wise is retiring after 41 years with the organization. She's succeeded in the role by Dir./Facilities Ed Schulte. "We’re grateful for [Leigh Anne's] incredible 41 years of service, and we look forward to Ed’s steady leadership and expertise as we continue to serve our community and museum visitors," says CEO Kyle Young. Wise joined the museum in March 1984 as a tour guide, and Schulte in 2023.

Tour Support: Jackson Dean has expanded his On The Back Of My Dreams World Tour to Australia and New Zealand; schedule here.

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

• Explore positioning statements and hear KWNR/Las Vegas’ MoJoe Roberts discuss his Big Ass Stadium Tour experience in Country Aircheck Weekly.
• Audacy/New Orleans VP & Dir./Sales Robby Bowen shifted to the company's Chicago cluster.
• Connoisseur Media acquired Alpha Media.
• UMG/Nashville (MCA) EVP/Marketing Lori Christian departed. 
• Brian Thomas joined Taiwan's English-language station as Programming Asst. and host of Country Club.

Bits & Pieces: Chris Stapleton's Traveller Whiskey is now the official whiskey of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Chase Matthew is featured on the latest episode of Lauren Alaina's LA Lately. 

Items from artists including Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash are included in Julien's Auctions' Music Icons; full list here.

Dan + Shay will headline Navy Federal’s MAM JAM Concert Series in Cedar Park, TX (5/17) and Wilmington, NC (5/31) in celebration of Military Appreciation Month.

ICYMI: Performances from last night's (5/8) 60th Academy of Country Music Awards included:

• Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson's "Trailblazer"
• Wilson's "Whirlwind"
• Jelly Roll and Shaboozey's "Amen"
• Chris Stapleton's "It Takes A Woman" and "Blue Ain't Your Color"
• Blake Shelton's "Texas"
• Cody Johnson's "The Fall"
• Rascal Flatts and Backstreet Boys' "What Hurts The Most" and "Life Is A Highway"
• Eric Church's "Hands Of Time"

More clips here; full show available on Prime Video.

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for May 8, according to Mediabase 24/7.

1. ZACH TOP/I Never Lie (Leo33) 4614 points
2. MORGAN WALLEN/I'm The Problem (Big Loud) 4266 points
3. JASON ALDEAN/Whiskey Drink (Macon Music/Broken Bow) 3888 points 
4. MEGAN MORONEY/Am I Okay? (Columbia) 3114 points
5. KANE BROWN/Backseat Driver (RCA) 2887 points 

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for May 4-8 compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase 24/7.  

1. ZACH TOP/I Never Lie (Leo33) +4539 points
2. BAILEY ZIMMERMAN f/LUKE COMBS/Backup Plan (Atlantic/Warner/WEA/Columbia) +3490 points
3. NATE SMITH/Fix What You Didn't Break (RCA) +1472 points
4. JOSH ROSS/Single Again (Core/Mercury) +1372 points
5. MORGAN WALLEN/Just In Case (Big Loud) +1267 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (5/10): Carson Chamberlain, Randy Goodman, Wes Halliwell, Barry Dean, Jai Kershner, Anthony Donatelli, the late Mother Maybelle Carter, the late Kevin O’Neal.

Sunday's Birthdays (5/11): Royce Risser, Dawn Buehler, Jennifer Falco, Mark Herndon, Kevin Fowler, Karen Dalessandro, Gina Keltner, Eric Dale.

Monday's Birthdays (5/12): Kix Brooks, Eddie Kilgallon (Ricochet), Bobby Tomberlin, Billy Swan, Mark Anderson, Rusty Sherrill, Thomas Archer, Dr. Don Carpenter, Tim Butler, Retta Harvey, Patricia Wittmer, the late Bob Montgomery.

Meat & Greet: After 25 years and zero trophies, KSON/San Diego's John Flint and Tammy Lee decide to throw their own awards for categories including Best Meat Sweats and Best Gym for Dad Bods. The city also proclaimed a "John and Tammy, San Diego's Morning Show Day" (pictured).

Pushing SheDaisies: An impromptu reunion of former Lyric Street staffers (Kevin Herring, Chris Palmer, Jen Shaffer, Katie Dean, Greg McCarn and Chris Loss, l-r) during ACM Week.