weekly February 9, 2026, Issue 998
Q1 Airplay: Langley Leads
Powered by two songs that have amassed considerable airplay in the early stages of the 2026 chart year, Ella Langley is the most-heard artist on Country radio. Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” and her collaboration with Riley Green on “Don’t Mind If I Do,” are both in the top 10 songs of the year so far. She edges out Morgan Wallen for the top spot, one he’s earned for the full years of 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Three months in, the race to be the top airplay artist of 2026 is already a good one (see list page 7). With two artists in the top five and the No. 1 Ella Langley song of the year so far, Big Loud isn’t a shock to anyone as the label airplay chart share leader. Like Wallen, the company has taken the airplay crown four years in a row. Driving considerable chart share for them in 2026 is Hardy, who joins Wallen in the top five artists on the strength of his recent No. 1 “Favorite Country Song.” Beyond that song and Wallen’s “20 Cigarettes” and “I Ain’t Comin’ Morgan Wallen Back” (with Post Malone), contributions were made to Big Loud’s share by Miranda Lambert, Ernest, Lauren Alaina and Ashley Cooke. Clocking in second among labels, Sony Nashville has nine titles generating airplay, including Q1’s No. 4 song, “6 Months Later.” 1. Big Loud 11.2% That entry and her 2. Sony 9.5% “Beautiful Things” helped 3. Stoney Creek 7.0% (tie) Megan Moroney take 3. Triple Tigers 7.0% (tie)) the No. 3 overall artist 5. WAR 6.8% slot. Three titles from 6. Valory 6.2% Luke Combs – “Days 7. MCA 6.0% Like These,” “Back In The 8. Broken Bow 5.8% Saddle” and “Sleepless 9. Nashville Harbor 4.8% In A Hotel Room” – also 10. Records Nashville 4.6% added to Sony’s total.
Top 2026 Airplay Labels (Q1)
(continued on page 8)
Power House: River House/Warner/WAR’s Hudson Westbrook celebrates his inaugural No. 1, "House Again," with the WWQM/ Madison, WI team. Pictured (l-r) are the station‘s Reese Hurley, Cailynn Wright and Randy Hawke, Westbrook, WAR‘s Connor Brock and the station‘s Kristi Kelly.
Tour Launch: CoJo’s Ear Rodeo
Cody Johnson launched his Cody Johnson Live 26 Tour this past weekend (2/6-7) with back-to-back shows at Birmingham’s Legacy Arena at The BJCC, marking his first public performance in more than three months and since undergoing surgery for a ruptured ear drum. The evening carried a sense of anticipation not only from the crowd, but from Johnson himself, who was gracious about being back onstage and openly celebrated the moment CoJo Dojo Casa House: Conard (l) with fans, according to WDXB/Birmingham with Johnson in the & WDRM/Huntsville PD Dino Conard, who “Boom Boom Room.” attended the kickoff Friday (Feb. 6). (continued on page 5)
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