The Academy of Country Music (ACM) has begun revealing the winners of its prestigious ACM Radio Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in country music radio. The announcements are being made throughout the week during the annual Country Radio Seminar (CRS) in Nashville, a pivotal event for industry professionals. On Wednesday, March 18, country music star Parker McCollum presented the accolades for eight categories, including On-Air Personality of the Year across various market sizes and Radio Station of the Year. The highly anticipated National Daily and National Weekly On-Air Personality of the Year awards will be unveiled on Friday, March 20, by fellow ACM Award winner Lauren Alaina.
This year’s ACM Radio Awards mark a significant moment in the lead-up to the 61st ACM Awards ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main awards show will be livestreamed exclusively on Prime Video, promising a star-studded evening celebrating the best in country music. The radio awards, while distinct from the main event, play a crucial role in acknowledging the vital connection between artists and their fans, often forged through the dedicated work of radio personalities and stations.
Parker McCollum, a Grammy-nominated artist known for his authentic country sound, has himself been a recipient of ACM Awards, earning New Male Artist of the Year in 2022 and Visual Media of the Year in 2024 for his hit "Burn It Down." Lauren Alaina, a former ACM New Female Vocalist of the Year in 2018, brings her own significant industry recognition to the announcement stage. Their involvement underscores the importance of radio in an artist’s career trajectory and the collaborative spirit between the music industry and broadcast media.
The initial wave of winners highlights both established veterans and emerging talents in country radio. In the On-Air Personality categories, the duo Mo & StyckMan secured their third collective ACM Award for Medium Market On-Air Personality of the Year, a testament to their consistent performance and audience engagement. For StyckMan, this marks his impressive sixth overall ACM Radio Award. Chris Carr also received his second Major Market On-Air Personality of the Year award, bringing his total to four ACM Radio Awards. This particular win for Carr was shared with his co-hosts Sam Sansevere and Dubs, acknowledging their collaborative success as a team. The Large Market On-Air Personality of the Year award went to Heather Froglear, marking her first ACM win in this category. Similarly, Eddie Foxx and Amanda Foxx were recognized with their first ACM Award for Small Market On-Air Personality of the Year.
In the Radio Station of the Year categories, established stations demonstrated their enduring appeal and impact. WUBE-FM in Cincinnati clinched its fifth Large Market Radio Station of the Year award, solidifying its position as a powerhouse in country radio. WYCT-FM in Pensacola, Florida, also secured its fifth Small Market Radio Station of the Year honor, reflecting sustained excellence in its market. KSCS-FM in Dallas, Texas, earned its second Major Market Radio Station of the Year award, while WLFP-FM in Memphis, Tennessee, celebrated its inaugural win for Medium Market Radio Station of the Year. These wins underscore the diverse reach and consistent quality of country music programming across various market sizes.
A Deeper Look at the 2024 ACM Radio Award Winners
The ACM Radio Awards are divided into several categories, each designed to honor specific achievements in the dynamic landscape of country music broadcasting. The On-Air Personality awards are segmented by market size, acknowledging the unique challenges and successes of radio professionals in major metropolitan areas, large cities, medium-sized markets, and smaller towns.
On-Air Personality of the Year:
-
Major Market: The competitive Major Market On-Air Personality of the Year award saw Chris Carr & Company (Chris Carr, Sam Sansevere, Dubs) from KEEY-FM in Minneapolis emerge victorious. This category recognizes personalities who connect with vast audiences in the nation’s largest cities, demanding a blend of entertainment, insight, and audience interaction. Carr’s repeated success in this demanding category speaks to his enduring ability to resonate with listeners.
-
Large Market: Heather Froglear of KFRG-FM in Riverside, California, was named the Large Market On-Air Personality of the Year. This award highlights the significant influence personalities have in markets that, while not the absolute largest, still command substantial listenership and are critical for music promotion.
-
Medium Market: The duo Mo & StyckMan of WUSY-FM in Chattanooga, Tennessee, took home the Medium Market On-Air Personality of the Year award. Their consistent recognition in this category demonstrates their deep connection with their regional audience and their ability to craft compelling content that stands out in a competitive medium market environment.
-
Small Market: Eddie Foxx and Amanda Foxx of WKSF-FM in Asheville, North Carolina, were celebrated as the Small Market On-Air Personality of the Year. This award shines a light on the crucial role local radio plays in smaller communities, often serving as a primary source of entertainment and information, and fostering a strong sense of local identity.
Radio Station of the Year:
-
Major Market: KSCS-FM in Dallas, Texas, was recognized as the Major Market Radio Station of the Year. This award celebrates a station that demonstrates exceptional programming, market leadership, and overall impact on the country music landscape within a top-tier market. KSCS-FM’s win underscores its consistent commitment to delivering high-quality country music content to a large and discerning audience.
-
Large Market: WUBE-FM in Cincinnati earned the Large Market Radio Station of the Year award. This marks a significant achievement for the station, highlighting its ability to maintain a strong presence and influence within its market through effective programming and community engagement.
-
Medium Market: WLFP-FM in Memphis, Tennessee, received the Medium Market Radio Station of the Year award, marking its first win in this category. This recognition signifies the station’s growing impact and its success in captivating audiences within its market.
-
Small Market: WYCT-FM in Pensacola, Florida, was named the Small Market Radio Station of the Year. This award acknowledges the station’s dedication to serving its local community with excellent country music programming and its ability to thrive in a smaller market setting.
The Significance of Radio in Country Music
Country radio has long been considered the lifeblood of the country music industry. For decades, radio airplay has been a primary driver of an artist’s success, influencing chart performance, concert ticket sales, and overall public awareness. The ACM Radio Awards serve as a vital recognition of this symbiotic relationship, acknowledging the individuals and stations that champion country music and connect artists with their fans on a daily basis.
The Country Radio Seminar itself is a testament to the industry’s dedication to this medium. Held annually, CRS brings together radio programmers, artists, record label executives, and other industry professionals to discuss trends, share insights, and celebrate achievements. It’s a crucial networking and educational event that shapes the future of country radio.
The ACM Radio Awards, in particular, highlight the diverse strategies employed by radio stations and personalities to engage listeners. From the high-energy personalities in major markets to the community-focused approach in smaller towns, each award recognizes a unique path to success. The data indicates a trend of consistent excellence, with stations like WUBE-FM and WYCT-FM earning multiple awards, suggesting a strong and stable foundation in their respective markets.
Anticipation for National Awards and the 61st ACM Awards
As the Country Radio Seminar continues, anticipation is building for the announcement of the National Daily and National Weekly On-Air Personality of the Year awards. These national categories recognize personalities whose reach extends across the country, influencing a broader audience and often shaping national trends in country music consumption. The nominees in these categories represent the pinnacle of national country radio broadcasting.
The revelation of these final radio awards will serve as a fitting prelude to the main event, the 61st ACM Awards. The ACM Awards have a rich history, dating back to 1966, and have evolved to become one of the most prestigious honors in country music. The move to a livestream-exclusive format on Prime Video for the 61st annual show signifies a forward-thinking approach to audience engagement, aiming to reach a wider, digitally-connected viewership. This partnership with Prime Video underscores the growing integration of music awards with streaming platforms, a trend observed across the broader entertainment industry.
The ACM Radio Awards, while often overshadowed by the main awards ceremony, play an indispensable role in the ecosystem of country music. They acknowledge the tireless efforts of those who work behind the scenes and on the airwaves, ensuring that country music continues to reach new audiences and resonate with existing fans. As the industry looks towards the future, the continued strength and innovation demonstrated by these radio award winners promise a vibrant and engaging landscape for country music enthusiasts worldwide. The ongoing dialogue and collaboration between artists, radio professionals, and the Academy of Country Music at events like CRS and the ACM Awards ceremony are crucial for the genre’s sustained growth and cultural impact.
