February 12, 2026 News@CountryAircheck.com

Borchetta Departing BMLG: Saying that BMLG Chair/CEO Scott Borchetta "has made a lasting mark on the music industry with his sharp eye for talent and his unique vision,” HYBE America Chairman/CEO Isaac Lee announced that Borchetta is leaving the now HYBE-owned company he launched more than 20 years ago, as reported this afternoon (2/12) via Breaking News. Borchetta has reacquired the Big Machine Records brand for future ventures. HYBE retains assets, distribution and a number of the label group's artists, including Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Midland, Justin Moore, Carly Pearce, Preston Cooper, Jackson Dean and Mae Estes, as well as publishing company Big Machine Music. It will operate under a new name and leadership to be announced "in the upcoming days." Borchetta launched Big Machine Records in 2005, selling it to Ithaca Holdings in 2019; HYBE purchased BMLG from Ithaca in 2021. See Country Aircheck's 20th anniversary interview with Borchetta in the Fall 2025 print special here, which includes his explanation of a different ownership structure for Nashville Harbor, which was not mentioned in today's press release.

Reve-News: Non-profit performing rights organization ASCAP collected a record $1.945 billion in total revenues in 2025, an increase of 6% from 2024. Total royalty distributions to its songwriters, composers and publishers increased 3.7%, to $1.759b. "While creators are under attack globally by disruptive technologies and opportunistic private businesses, ASCAP’s sole focus is to serve our members," says CEO Elizabeth Matthews. Adds Chairman/Pres. Paul Williams, "We showed the world that our fierce commitment to putting creators first is our number one imperative.” See the complete annual report here.

May The Source Be With You: MusiCares/Belmont U.'s Debbie Cheek Carroll, Sony/Warner's Paige Conners, Warner Records Nashville's Cris Lacy, WSM-AM/Grand Ole Opry's Margie McGahey, BMI's Sherry Oakley and Big Yellow Dog's Carla Wallace will be inducted into the Source Nashville Hall of Fame during an Aug. 25 gala at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. All inductees are women who have made a significant impact on the Nashville music industry. Ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks.

Pretty Heat: Parker McCollum, Max McNown, Carter Faith and Zach John King will perform during Amazon Music Presents: Country Heat at CRS 2026 March 18 from 6-8:30pm in the Broadway Performance Hall. And a reminder that a one-day-only “Lucky for You” 13% discount for CRS 2026 will be available tomorrow (2/13) using code LUCKY here.

Festive All: Jon Pardi and Hudson Westbrook will headline the Bulls, Bands & Barrels Summer Jam happening June 26–27 at the Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, MO. Braxton Keith, Anne Wilson, The Creekers and Tyler Nance are also set to perform. Tickets (available 2/20) here.

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

The final day to register online for CRS 2026 is Feb. 18.
Ella Langley leads early 2026 airplay, while Cody Johnson returns to the stage in Country Aircheck Weekly.
Dave Thomas was named PD/morning host for WSIG/Harrisonburg, VA. (2/11)
WFRG/Utica, NY's Dave "Wheels" Wheeler departed. (2/10)
Valory Pres. George Briner retired. (2/9)
iHeartMedia's Bill Stewart was named Tucson SVPP. (2/9)

Bits & Pieces: Audacy WGGY/Wilkes-Barre, PA's The Doc Show with Chewy won Outstanding Local Radio Personality/Team in the 2026 Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters 2026 Excellence in Broadcasting Awards. Recipients will be celebrated at an April 10 luncheon at The Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey Hotel.

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for Feb. 11, according to Mediabase 24/7.

JASON ALDEAN/How Far Does A Goodbye Go (Macon Music/Broken Bow) 4656 points
MORGAN WALLEN/20 Cigarettes (Big Loud) 4225 points
ELLA LANGLEY/Choosin' Texas (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers) 4220 points
SHABOOZEY & JELLY ROLL/Amen (Empire/Magnolia/Stoney Creek) 3949 points
THOMAS RHETT f/JORDAN DAVIS/Ain't A Bad Life (MCA/Valory) 3148 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for Feb. 8-10, compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase 24/7.

JASON ALDEAN/How Far Does A Goodbye Go (Macon Music/Broken Bow) +2617 points
LUKE COMBS/Sleepless In A Hotel Room (Columbia) +1870 points
GEORGE BIRGE f/LUKE BRYAN/Ride, Ride, Ride (Records Nashville/MCA) +1691 points
CODY JOHNSON/The Fall (CoJo/Warner/WRN) +1593 points
LUKE COMBS/Days Like These (Columbia) +1230 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (2/13): Scott Thomas (Parmalee), Erin Duvall, the late Boudleaux Bryant.

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Back-To-Plaque: Nashville Harbor's Riley Green (in hat) celebrates back-to-back solo-written No. 1s “Worst Way” and “Don’t Mind If I Do" with the label's Ryan Dokke, Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen (l-r).

Keeps Me Maine: Santa Anna/Akando's Tyler Nance (c) with WTHT/Portland, ME’s Jadd Naamani, Michelle Taylor and Amy Ryan and the label's JC Coffey (l-r) at the station's Nashville Newcomers.

Da Bomb: Sony Music Nashville's Zach John King (c) with KSCS' Al Farb (l) and KPLX/KSCS' Mike Preston at The Bomb Factory in Dallas.