August 14, 2026 News@CountryAircheck.com

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A Joy Named Sioux: Here are select Nielsen Audio Spring 2026 (4/2-6/24) two-book per year diary ratings for subscribing stations compared with their last books (Spring 2025 and Fall 2025). Ranks (in parentheses) are also among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

Bismarck, ND (Market 229)	KQDY iHeartMedia 7.0 (3t) - 7.7 (3t) - 5.8 (4) KUSB Townsquare 4.0 (8t) - 3.8 (8t) - 4.9 (5t) KBMR-AM iHeartMedia Cl. Country 4.0 (8t) - 2.9 (10t) - 4.9 (5t)
Jackson, TN (241)	WOGY Forever 9.6 (2t) - 9.3 (3) - 8.0 (3t) WWYN Thomas 2.7 (7t) - 2.7 (7t) - 4.0 (6t)
San Angelo, TX (235)	KKCN Townsquare 2.4 (8t) - 3.9 (4t) - 3.8 (5t) KGKL Townsquare 4.8 (4) - 2.6 (6t) - 2.5 (7t)
Sioux City, IA (233)	KSUX Powell 8.7 (2t) - 10.8 (1t) - 10.6 (1) KKYY Powell Classic Country 3.3 (10) - 3.6 (10) - 4.7 (9t)
Sioux Falls, SD (168)	KTWB Midwest 13.0 (1) - 13.5 (1) - 10.3 (1) KIKN Townsquare 3.2 (9) - 4.3 (8) - 5.6 (5) KXRB Townsquare Cl. Country 4.2 (7t) - 2.9 (10) - 4.2 (8)

Jiminy Cricket: 7 Mountains Media Head/Promotions Stephanie "Cricket" Waford has been named Brand Mgr./morning host at the company's WFKY & WVKY/Frankfort, KY. Former morning host Paisley Dunn-Banks departed the radio industry in March (CAT 3/9). Additionally, Brett "Jumpin' Jim Beam" Waford has returned to afternoons following a brief hiatus, replacing OM/PD/afternoon host Dale O’Brian (CAT 5/1/25). Waford also handles middays as "Tractor" on Classic Rock sister WKYW & W228CL/Frankfort and Active Rock WHBR/Parkersburg, WV. Reach Cricket here.

Arch Support: Hubbard WIL/St. Louis is seeking a local morning show to succeed sister WUBE/Cincinnati's Jesse Tack and Anna Marie. WIL picked up Jesse & Anna last year (CAT 4/23/25). That show, which also includes Jake Thomson, remains on the air at WUBE, where the hosts have been paired since 2022. Find the WIL job posting and apply here. The job requires previous on-air experience in Hot AC, Top 40, Country, Rock or a similar format, with a track record of Nielsen success.

Reve-News: Cumulus reported Q2 2026 net revenue of $167.9 million, down 9.7% year-over-year. Adjusted EBITDA was $16.0m, down from the prior year's $22.4m. The company reported a net loss of $9.2m, compared to a net loss of $12.8m in Q2 2025. Broadcast radio revenue was down 10.6% for spot and 21.5% for network, while digital was down 0.3%. "With our plan of reorganization confirmed by the court and the FCC approval process well underway, we are positioned to emerge from Chapter 11 with a stronger balance sheet to capitalize on future market opportunities," says CEO Mary Berner. Full release here.

Texas And Ohs: The Texas Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2026 includes 10 who spent time in Country radio:

Doug Abernethy, KKBQ/Houston
Dave E. Crockett, KKBQ
Diane Day, KYKX and KKUS/Tyler
JoJo Cerda & James Paczkowski (Jojo & Patches), KTEX/McAllen
Kevin Kline, KKBQ
Eric Raines, KVET, KOKE and KKMJ-HD3/Austin
Clyde “Kooter” Roberson, KSAM/Huntsville
Chrissie Roberts, KAYD/Beaumont
J.D. Rose, KFAN/Fredericksburg
Barry Wolverton, KBEC/Waxahachie; KCLE/Cleburne
Additionally, two individuals well be inducted posthumously as "Lone Star Legends":
David Anderson, KOKE
Ted Stecker, KAJA San Antonio; KSCS/Dallas

The induction ceremony will take place Nov. 7 at the Texas Museum of Broadcasting & Communications in Kilgore. Ticket information is available here.

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Tour Support: Warren Zeiders will play a series of shows in support of No Brakes (out Sep. 25): Nashville (9/23), Detroit (9/25), Toronto (9/28) and State College, PA (9/30). Tickets here.

Bits & Pieces: Former Westwood One syndicated Morning Koffy co-host Jasmine Sadry has been named President of the Dallas-Fort Worth Affiliate of the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM). "I'm excited to continue building opportunities for women to connect, learn, mentor one another and celebrate the incredible work happening across North Texas media," she says.

Tuesday's Gone: Voting for Country Aircheck's Power 31 closes Tuesday (8/18). Industry leaders with the greatest influence in developing Artists & Music can be ranked here; those influencing Airplay & Exposure here. Valid industry email address is required; final ranking will be featured in Country Aircheck's 20th anniversary Fall print issue.

Benefit News: CreatiVets has received a $350,000 grant through Lowe’s Community Impact program to support the renovation of a vacant church into a 24/7 healing center in Nashville.

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

The 2026 airplay race is getting tight in Country Aircheck Weekly, and the Country Radio Hall of Fame welcomes a new class.
Nick Rivers was named APD for WSOC/Charlotte. (8/13)
WRN restructured its marketing team. (8/13)
WLWI/Montgomery, AL PD/afternoon host Greg "Thomas" Tomasello exited. (8/12)
Ben Farber moved to full time at label/management company Version III. (8/11)
Dilan "Hef" Ames and Alyssa Ramsey joined Hey Now. (8/10)

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Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for August 13, according to Mediabase.

ELLA LANGLEY & MORGAN WALLEN/I Can't Love You Anymore (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers/Big Loud) 4561 points
LUKE COMBS/Be By You (Columbia) 4234 points
BAILEY ZIMMERMAN/Chevy Silverado (Atlantic/Warner/WRN) 3947 points
KANE BROWN/Woman (RCA) 3320 points
STELLA LEFTY/Boston (Sandlot/Atlantic Outpost) 3310 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for August 9-13, compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase.

MORGAN WALLEN/Been By Now (Big Loud) +2818 points
KOE WETZEL f/ELLA LANGLEY/Jaded (Col. NY/Records Nashville) +2780 points
KANE BROWN/Woman (RCA) +1189 points
ALEXANDRA KAY/Straight For The Heart (Wheelhouse) +1047 points
LUKE COMBS/Be By You (Columbia) +896 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (8/15): Jimmy Webb, Paul Jefferson, Danelle Leverett, Kelley Falcon, John Grady, Tammy Luker, Jeff Solima, David Newmark, the late Rose Maddox, the late Don Rich.

Sunday's Birthdays (8/16): Ashton Shepherd, Dan Smyers (Dan + Shay), Emily Strayer (The Chicks), Danny Flowers, Kevin Herring, Pat Higdon, Steve Powell, Joe Simpson, Rick Stewart, April Taylor, the late Tandy Rice, the late Billy Joe Shaver.

Monday's Birthdays (8/17): Mitchell Tenpenny, Colton Swon (The Swon Brothers), Kevin Welch, Bud Wendell, Tommy Daniel, Mindi McCormick, Linda O’Brian, Mike Sirls.

Friends In Lei Places: Rock Wall/Empire's Josh Tatofi makes his Grand Ole Opry debut. Pictured (l-r) are Empire's Zak Waters and Sydney Owen, Tatofi, Empire's Jennifer Way and Bri Small and PacifiCast's Tana Tupai.

Living The Dreamsicle: Columbia's Maren Morris (c) talks about Taylor Swift's wedding, the 10th anniversary of Hero and more with Country Heat Weekly's Kelly Sutton (l) and Amber Anderson.

Petal To The Medal: Sony Music Nashville's McCoy Moore with new Country Radio Hall of Famer/WUSN's Marci Braun (c) and the label's Anna Widmer in Chicago.