Radio Represented In New Country Power Players List

Billboard has unveiled its 12th annual Country Power Players list, spotlighting the executives shaping country music’s continued dominance across charts, streaming, touring, and especially radio and media. 

While the list is topped by agency leader Austin Neal as Executive of the Year, the Media category highlights the programmers, broadcasters, and format captains who keep country music resonating with millions of listeners daily.

Key Radio and Media Honorees

Tim Roberts, Country format vp at Audacy, stands out for steering one of the largest collections of country stations in the U.S. His role involves shaping programming strategy that balances tradition with emerging sounds to maintain strong audience engagement.

At Cumulus Media, several leaders earned recognition:

• Travis Daily, VP of country, oversees the company’s national country strategy.
• Mike Moore serves as operations manager for Cumulus Atlanta and program director for WKHX (New Country 101.5).
• Mike Preston programs two major Dallas-Fort Worth stations: KPLX (99.5 The Wolf) and KSCS (New Country 96.3).

iHeartMedia’s country division boasts significant representation:

• Rod Phillips, Executive vp of programming for iHeartCountry, guides the network’s vast country portfolio.
• Bobby Bones, the multifaceted VP/creative director, hosts The Bobby Bones Show, Country Top 30 With Bobby Bones, and The BobbyCast, while producing Women of iHeartCountry. His on-air presence and creative leadership amplify country’s reach.
• Gator Harrison (former iHeartCountry brand coordinator and senior vp of programming in Nashville, and PD of WSIX The Big 98) now serves as chief media officer on the Ministry Leadership Team at K-Love.
• Jackie Tigue Caldwell, senior director of iHeartCountry artist relations, focuses on building direct connections between artists and the network’s platforms.

R J Curtis

RJ Curtis, executive director of Country Radio Broadcasters and the Country Radio Seminar (CRS), earned a spot for his pivotal role in uniting the radio community, fostering education, and advancing the format through industry events.

SiriusXM’s Johnny Chiang, vp of music programming, represents the satellite and streaming radio side, curating channels that reach dedicated country subscribers nationwide.

These radio and media executives play a crucial role in an era when country music continues to break records on Billboard charts while adapting to digital consumption. Their programming decisions help determine which songs reach No. 1 on Country Airplay, which artists gain mainstream traction, and how the genre evolves without losing its core audience. Billboard’s recognition underscores their influence amid country’s global surge and the ongoing blend of traditional and crossover sounds.

The full Country Power Players list also features leaders from labels, management, publishing, and live events, with Miranda Lambert named Icon and other rising stars highlighted in special categories. The honorees will be celebrated at related events in Nashville in the coming days.