weekly January 12, 2026, Issue 994
Former Staff Share CMT Stories
Nothing official from Paramount, but with CMT’s last local staff departing in December (CAT 10/30/2025), the network’s run as a Nashville-based content source for country music appears to be over. In tribute, Country Aircheck asked former staffers to share favorite stories from their time at the network. Leslie Fram, Music Strategy & Talent (2011-2024): The big pivot! That’s a standout CMT Music Awards moment from 2022 when Kelsea Ballerini tested positive for COVID-19 just days before the April 11 broadcast. She was Art Felt: Leslie originally scheduled to co-host in person with Fram and Kelsea Anthony Mackie, but pivoted to hosting – and Ballerini. performing her single “Heartfirst” – remotely from her home. The production team quickly recreated elements of the stage in her living room, complete with professional lighting and glam setup. She joined segments via a massive screen, bantering seamlessly with on-site hosts Mackie and last-minute addition Kane Brown (who graciously stepped in to co-host in person). It was widely praised as a professional, resilient handling of a curveball – turning “bitter lemons” into lemonade, as Ballerini put it. Chris Parr, Programming & Talent (19972007): The big bang theory of CMT is an image of Hank Williams, Jr. and Kid Rock shooting a civil war cannon at the top of the second CMT Crossroads. It’s For Those About To Cross(roads): The CMT “big often been credited bang” with Kid Rock (l) and Hank Williams, Jr. Photo courtesy of Ed Rode, whose work is with being the first currently featured in his book and in a Country Crossroads, but Music Hall of Fame & Museum exhibit exhibit.. that was actually (continued on page 5)
Night Shift: Warner/WAR‘s Chase Matthew and Broke/Lyric Ridge’s Julia Cole play KWJJ/Portland‘s Hot Country Nights. Pictured (l-r) are Warner’s Mark Niederhauser, Lyric Ridge’s Louie Newman, the station’s Scott Roddy, Cole, Matthew and the station’s Kristen Flowers, Nick Steele, Kelli Green and Danny Dwyer.
Chart Policies & Calendar
Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart policies and significant dates for 2026 are: Reporting Window: The Mediabase site is open for reporting adds beginning 4am ET/3am CT/1am PT Wednesday through 3pm ET/2pm CT/ noon PT on Mondays, except for the holidays noted below when the deadline shifts to Tuesday at those times. All reporting must be completed before closing time. Even if a reporter is in the system at 1:59 PM CT, if they have not submitted, they will be locked out and no adds will be recorded. A successfully submitted report will result in a confirmation email to the reporter. Absolutely no late adds will be taken after the deadline. (continued on page 3)
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