MusicRow Weekly (CountryBreakout Award Winners, News, Charts, More…)

This week’s MusicRow Weekly features the release of the 2025 Country Radio & Streaming issue, available now in a fully digital format. The annual issue dives into the evolving landscape of radio and streaming, offering insights into the trends and innovations shaping the industry. Click here to see the full edition.

Also in this week’s newsletter, we unveil the winners of the 2024 MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards. These honors recognize the artists and industry professionals behind the music that resonated across small-town America throughout the past year. Based on spins reported by secondary market stations on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, the awards celebrate the dedication and creativity that brought these songs to life.

Alongside these highlights, readers can find an in-depth look at some of country music’s recent chart-topping hits, as well as an exclusive interview with Ashley Till, the voice behind SiriusXM’s Y2Kountry. Till shares her perspective on the genre’s lasting appeal and the songs that continue to define the early 2000s era.

In industry news, Dennis Reese has returned to Sony Music Nashville as Senior Vice President of Radio Marketing & Promotion, bringing decades of experience back to the label.

Dan Killian has been named an owner and shareholder at FBMM after nearly 15 years in the business and more than a decade with the entertainment business management firm. Meanwhile, Paramount Global has announced a pause on several major events, including the 2025 CMT Music Awards, as it reassesses the future of these productions. On the label front, rising independent artist Alexandra Kay has signed a deal with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, marking a new chapter in her already successful career.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included, with Dylan Scott clinching the No. 1 spot with “This Town’s Been Good To Us.” Explore more chart data here.

MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.