Lon Helton Receives CRB President’s Award
2026 Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees pose together during the 2026 Induction Ceremony. Pictured (L–R): CRB/CRS Executive Director RJ Curtis, Marci Braun, Chris Carr, Bruce Logan, Rick Jackson, Michael J., John Marks, Phil Hunt, and CRB/CRS Board President, Kurt Johnson
Download Here | Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen
(NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Aug. 4, 2026) Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) hosted the 2026 Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Monday, Aug. 3, at the Virgin Hotel Nashville, celebrating seven legendary radio professionals whose careers have shaped and advanced the country radio format.
The evening honored Chris Carr, Michael J., Rick Jackson, Marci Braun, Phil Hunt, Bruce Logan, and John Marks, recognizing decades of excellence in broadcasting, programming, leadership, and service to the country music industry.
This year’s ceremony also recognized legendary broadcaster, journalist, and industry leader Lon Helton, who received the prestigious 2026 CRB President’s Award. Presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and played a vital role in shaping the success of the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) and its mission to advance the country radio format, the award honors Helton’s more than five decades of extraordinary service to country radio. As the longtime host of Country Countdown USA, founder of Country Aircheck, a 2006 Country Radio Hall of Fame inductee, and a 2022 Radio Hall of Fame inductee, Helton has helped inform, mentor, and inspire generations of broadcasters while playing an instrumental role in the continued growth and evolution of the country music industry.
CRB dedicated the night to the late Bill Cody, beloved WSM announcer and Country Radio Hall of Fame inductee, celebrating his remarkable legacy and the lasting impact he made on country radio, the artists he championed, and the countless listeners he inspired throughout his distinguished career.
ON-AIR INDUCTEES:
Chris Carr: Chris Carr has spent nearly three decades in country radio, including 24 years in the Minneapolis market across two tenures at iHeartMedia’s KEEY (K102). Between those runs, he spent six years at Hubbard’s WUBE/Cincinnati, delivering strong ratings and earning multiple industry honors in both markets. Carr is a six-time CMA Personality of the Year (2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2025) and a three-time ACM Personality of the Year (2010, 2012, 2015). He has twice been named Twin Cities Personality of the Year and is a two-time Marconi Award nominee. Through his work with the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Radiothon, Carr has helped raise more than $25 million, earning St. Jude’s “Leading the Way” Award in 2025.
Michael J.: Michael J. is one of the most recognizable voices in country radio. Since 2000, he has hosted afternoon drive on WPOC/Baltimore, and beginning in 2007, he simultaneously hosted middays on WMZQ/Washington, D.C., commuting daily between the two markets. Michael J. has also delivered point-to-point and custom programming across iHeartCountry stations nationwide and currently hosts middays on the iHeart Custom Country Channel. His career includes time at WWW/Detroit, along with experience in CHR, AC, and AOR formats, and roles as Music Director and Program Director. His charitable work includes raising millions for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Rick Jackson: With more than 50 years in country radio, Rick Jackson’s career spans on-air, programming, and executive leadership roles. He began in the mid-1970s in Denver at KERE and KLAL before helping launch KYGO/Denver in 1980, where he hosted mornings and later served as Music Director and Program Director. In 1986, Jackson launched the syndicated Rick Jackson’s Country Classics, which he continues to host today. He also served as General Manager of KSON/San Diego from 2009–2016. His honors include Favorite Denver Radio Personality (1985), Radio Ink’s Large Market General Manager of the Year (2002), and a Marconi Award for Large Market Station of the Year (KSON, 2012).
RADIO INDUCTEES:
Marci Braun: Marci Braun serves as Regional Brand Manager for Audacy, overseeing KMNB/Minneapolis and WUSN/Chicago, where she has worked since 2004. She began her career with Midwest Communications in Green Bay and later worked at WDEZ/Wausau before joining WUSN as Music Director and on-air personality, rising to her current leadership role in 2020. Under her leadership, WUSN has helped raise more than $25 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and she has served for more than a decade on the St. Jude Radio Advisory Board. Her honors include multiple Radio & Records Music Director of the Year awards, CRS/Country Aircheck Music Director of the Year (2010–2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020), CRS/Country Aircheck Program Director of the Year (2022, 2024), inclusion on Radio Ink’s Top Country PD list (2021–2025), and Barrett Media’s Country Programmer of the Year (2024). Braun is also a frequent speaker at the CRS Women’s Mentoring Breakfast.
Phil Hunt: Phil Hunt has influenced country radio across every market size during a 50-year career spanning on-air, programming, corporate leadership, and consulting. His roles have included Program Director at KSSN/Little Rock, Senior Vice President of Client Services at Rusty Walker Programming, Executive Vice President/Country Brand Manager for Clear Channel, and founder of Hunt Media. As a consultant, Hunt has guided stations including WUSN/Chicago, KASE/Austin, KTST/Oklahoma City, and KAJA/San Antonio, among many others. His strategic leadership has helped shape numerous award-winning stations and Hall of Fame careers at both the National Radio Hall of Fame and the Country Radio Hall of Fame.
Bruce Logan: Bruce Logan is currently serving his second tenure as Vice President of Programming for Audacy/Houston, with direct oversight of KILT-FM. Over more than three decades, he has delivered ratings success and market turnarounds in small, medium, and major markets. Logan previously spent 17 years as Regional Vice President for iHeartMedia’s Carolina markets, overseeing WESC, WKKT, WTQR, and WKSF. Additional leadership roles include Operations Manager at WIRK/West Palm Beach and programming positions in Savannah and Louisville. He has been named to Radio Ink’s Top Country PD list for 17 years and has guided multiple stations and air talents to CMA and ACM nominations, awards, and Hall of Fame recognition. Logan has also served on the CRS Agenda Committee for 15 of the past 25 years.
John Marks: John Marks is a 51-year radio veteran whose influence spans terrestrial, satellite, and digital platforms. Most recently, he served as Global Head of Country Programming for Spotify, following his role as Head of Country Programming for SiriusXM, where he oversaw more than 20 channels. His terrestrial programming success includes leadership roles at KSON/San Diego, KKAT/Salt Lake City, KWNR and KFMS/Las Vegas, KRPM/Seattle, KSSN/Little Rock, and WSAI/Cincinnati. Marks has served on the CMA Board of Directors and the ACM Board, and received the CMA Jo Walker-Meador International Award and the British Country Music Association’s International Services to the Industry Award in 2018. He has also been deeply involved in country radio’s partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
For more information, visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com and follow CRS on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also call 615-327-4487 for additional information.
About Country Radio Seminar: Country Radio Seminar (CRS) is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the country music industry, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to country radio. CRS 2027 is scheduled for March 17–19.
About Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.®: Established in 1969, Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc ® is a 501 © 3 non-profit organization that serves as a unifying force, connecting radio broadcasters worldwide with the dynamic country music industry. Our mission is to ensure its vitality and foster growth within the industry.
Lon Helton, Recipient of the
2026 CRB President’s Award
Download Here | Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen
2026 Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees pose together during the 2026 Induction Ceremony. Pictured (L–R): Marci Braun, Chris Carr, Bruce Logan, Rick Jackson, Michael J., John Marks, and Phil Hunt
Download Here | Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen