February 18, 2026 News@CountryAircheck.com

Mac Book: Lotus/Tucson Classic Country KLPX PD Larry Mac has been named Dir./Operations & Programming. In his expanded role, Mac will oversee the seven-station cluster's Spanish-language stations, while continuing to support operations and programming for the other stations including KLPX, where he's also heard on-air in afternoons. He took over programming for KLPX when it flipped from Spanish AC in 2025 (CAT 4/28/25). Reach him here.

Three Spreadsheets To The Win: Farris, Self & Moore's Hannah Haggerty, Gator Pizer and Amanda Mitchell have been promoted to Business Manager; Lauren Frick has been upped to Client Manager; and Zach D’Onofrio has been named Royalty Assistant. "I'm honored to step into this new chapter," says Mitchell. "I’m equally proud to see Zach and Lauren step into new positions." Adds Hagerty, "Over the past 10 years, Gator and I have had the chance to progress from interns to business managers with the mentorship and trust of the partners and our internal team." The business management firm's new website can be viewed here.

The Stars Look Very Different Today: Nashville-based business management firm Wiles + Taylor & Co. has been acquired by California-based Ground Control Business Management. "Wiles + Taylor adds a high-caliber team on tour operations, royalty administration, and the real-world complexity behind modern music income," says Ground Control CEO Chris Bucci. Adds Wiles + Taylor President Dwight Wiles, "This partnership gives us additional infrastructure to keep serving our clients’ evolving needs while preserving continuity for our talented team." More info here.

Festive All: Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, The Red Clay Strays and Kaitlin Butts are among the artists performing during Bourbon & Beyond Sept. 24-27 in Louisville, KY; full schedule here.

Sleepless In An Omni Hotel Room: Today (2/18) is the final day to register online for CRS 2026, taking place March 18-20 in Nashville, before the on-site rate increases to $799.

Machine In Motion: “When I walked into the big studio room last Thursday with all of them, knowing it was going to be the very last time we’d all be ‘Big Machine,’ it was tough.” Big Machine’s next era comes into focus as Scott Borchetta addresses what’s ahead, while Country’s latest Nielsen CDM daypart leaders emerge. Read it all in last night's (2/17) Country Aircheck Weekly.

Tour Support: Steve Earle: Fifty One Years of Songs and Stories will include more than 70 performances across the US and Canada, beginning Feb. 21 in Nashville; ticket info here.

Clarification: ACM Lifting Lives is continuing to offer support to anyone in the industry displaced, lacking power or otherwise affected by severe winter weather – not just ACM members. Those affected and in need of financial assistance can fill out an application here.

Bits & Pieces: The Darius Rucker Big Band Gala April 7 at Charleston, SC's Gaillard Center will raise money for the CMA Foundation’s music education initiatives benefitting Charleston County Schools and the Carolyn G. Rucker Nursing Scholarship at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. Tickets here Friday (2/20).

iHeartMedia KWBL/Denver midday host Denise Plante will guest announce at the Grand Ole Opry Saturday (2/21).

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

Jake Basden was named CEO of the newly rebranded Blue Highway Records.
Brad Turcotte joined TEG Live as SVP/Country.
WLKK & W284AP/Buffalo, NY flipped to a simulcast of Sports.

ICYMI: The Band Perry performed "Psychological" on Live With Kelly And Mark yesterday (2/17).

Crib Note: Audacy WKIS/Miami APD/MD/morning host Tim “TC” Conlon and wife Kristin welcomed their second child, son Coast Timothy, Feb. 16. He joins sister Quinn Sage. "You complete our family, little man," Conlon shared on social media. Congratulate them here.

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for Feb. 17, according to Mediabase.

ELLA LANGLEY/Choosin' Texas (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers) 4485 points
MORGAN WALLEN/20 Cigarettes (Big Loud) 4478 points
SHABOOZEY & JELLY ROLL/Amen (Empire/Magnolia/Stoney Creek) 4284 points
JASON ALDEAN/How Far Does A Goodbye Go (Macon Music/Broken Bow) 3467 points
JUSTIN MOORE/Time's Ticking (Blue Highway) 3175 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for Feb. 15-17, compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase.

MORGAN WALLEN/20 Cigarettes (Big Loud) +1670 points
LUKE COMBS/Sleepless In A Hotel Room (Columbia) +1402 points
RASCAL FLATTS w/JONAS BROTHERS/I Dare You (Republic/Nash. Harbor) +1076 points
JUSTIN MOORE/Time's Ticking (Blue Highway) +957 points
GEORGE BIRGE f/LUKE BRYAN/Ride, Ride, Ride (Records Nashville/MCA) +825 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (2/19): Jeff Middleton (The Dirt Drifters), Lorianne Crook, Joe Redmond, Hayley Frank.

Going Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down: Among those pictured at this week’s iHeartCountry Summit in Nashville are Rachel Elliot, Dino Conard, Gregg Swedberg, Dusty Panhorst, Scot “Froggy” Langley, Patti Diaz, Jill Strada, Michelle Buckles, JoJo Turnbeaugh, Casey Carter, Jenny Shields and Jess Jennings.

Huntin', Wishin' And Lovin' Every Day: Saga/Jonesboro, AR, which includes Country KDXY, raises $544,008 (54 wishes) during its 28th Have-A-Heart Wishathon.

I'll 'BEE Your Superman: EMI's Eric Church (sunglasses) with WBEE/Rochester's Billy Kidd (far right) and wife Val and daughter Rebecca prior to his Evangeline vs. The Machine tour stop in Buffalo.