Boon Boon Pow: Neon Coast Artist Mgr. Nikki Boon has been named Chief Creative Officer after a decade with the company. She will provide creative oversight and direction for the roster, which includes Kane Brown, Restless Road, Randall King and Julia Cole, and adds international strategy to her role. "Nikki dreams bigger than anyone I know and has the rare ability to take an idea beyond the unexpected and see possibilities others can’t imagine," says Founder/Owner Martha Earls. Adds Boon, "I’m excited to support each artist’s manager, building on what they’ve already created and finding new ways to connect with fans at home and around the world.”

Wolf Whistle: Melissa "Mo" Wagner and Greg "StyckMan" Owens move from overnights to afternoons at Audacy WDAF/Kansas City, effective Nov. 2. Then-KILT/Houston MD/afternoon host Nick Russo had added afternoons at WDAF last year (CAT 9/18/25); he departed the company in August (CAT 8/24). Based at WUSY/Chattanooga, Mo & StyckMan is also heard in mornings at WLFP/Memphis and as hosts of 3rd Shift Country, the company's nationwide overnight show, among others.

Hear Her Loar: Smack Day-to-Day Manager Marissa Loar has been promoted to VP/Management. Loar joined the company in 2016, rising from intern to Coord./Management to Assoc. Day-To-Day Mgr., and holding her most recent position since 2019. She also ran the company's influencer marketing service, SmackTok, when it launched in 2021 (CAT 10/6/21). Smack Pres. Robert Carlton says, "I’m better at my job for having worked alongside her all these years ... Now she has the authority to do it on a bigger scale – to sign who she believes in and grow this division her way.” Reach Loar here.

Apple Gardner: ACM Sr. Mgr./Content & Editorial Libby Gardner is joining DCP Sr. Mgr./Creative Strategy & Activation, based in New York City. Her last day with ACM is Monday (11/2). "From starting as an intern in 2018 to moving with the organization from Los Angeles to Nashville, I’ve had the privilege of being part of some of the Academy’s most memorable milestones, all while the Academy played such a meaningful role in so many of my own," she says. Reach her here, and, for ACM projects or inquiries, Head/Creative & Marketing Steve Mekler here.

Hall-oween: Tomorrow (10/30) is the last day to submit nominations for the Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2027; apply here. Candidates must have worked in the radio industry for a minimum of 20 years, with at least 15 of those spent in the Country format. The new class will be announced during CRS 2027 March 17-19 at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Festive All: Jon Pardi, Zach Top and Thomas Rhett will headline Country Thunder Wisconsin 2027 in Twin Lakes, WI July 15-18; full lineup and ticket info here.

Zach Bryan, Kacey Musgraves and Nathaniel Rateliff headline the eighth annual Under The Big Sky festival July 16-18 in Whitefish, MT. Additional performers include Midland, Sam Barber, Paul Cauthen, Dawes and The Wallflowers. Tickets (11/6) here.

Backstage Access Presents: Music City (CAT 9/22) has added an Atlantic Outpost showcase featuring Stella Lefty, Charley Crockett, Briley King and more Nov. 18 in Nashville. 

Trick Or Treat Yourself: CRS registration is 10% off the three-day price of $799 today (10/29) only. No Fall sale promo code is required; register here. CRS 2027 will take place at the Omni Nashville March 17-19.

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

• Country Cares For St. Jude Kids Seminar is recapped in Country Aircheck Weekly.
• Josh Connett was named MD at KJKE/Oklahoma City. (10/28)
• Matt Weitzel joined WFRE/Frederick, MD as APD/afternoon host. (10/27)
• WUSW/Buffalo, NY flipped to "US Country" with PD Ken Johnson. (10/26)

Bits & Pieces: The Broadcasters Foundation of America is opening its College Scholarship Program to students pursuing careers in broadcasting, regardless of whether they come from a broadcasting family. In addition to the original $10,000 scholarship for a qualifying student from a broadcast family, the BFOA will award six new scholarships of $2,500 each annually. Details here.

Country Aircheck Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for Oct. 28, according to Mediabase.

1. MORGAN WALLEN/Been By Now (Big Loud) 4590 points
2. LUKE BRYAN/Country And She Knows It (MCA) 4466 points
3. ELLA LANGLEY/Loving Life Again (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers) 4418 points
4. ZACH JOHN KING/Get To Drinkin' (SMN) 3540 points
5. DAN + SHAY/Say So (Warner/WRN) 3471 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for Oct. 25-28, compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase.  

1. LUKE BRYAN/Country And She Knows It (MCA) +3384 points
2. ZACH TOP/South Of Sanity (Leo33) +1263 points
3. JELLY ROLL/Hands Up (Stoney Creek) +566 points
4. LUKE COMBS/Rethink Some Things (Columbia) +498 points
5. HUDSON WESTBROOK/Painted You Pretty (River House/Warner/WAR) +449 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (10/30): Kassidy Osborn, T. Graham Brown, TJ Harris, Johnny Park, Ron Howie, Lia Knight, Rachel Werner, the late Patsy Montana, the late Mike Owens.