Lon Helton To Receive 2026 CRB President’s Award

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Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has revealed that legendary broadcaster and industry leader Lon Helton will receive the 2026 CRB President’s Award.

The CRB President’s Award honors individuals whose dedication and leadership have helped shape the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) and its mission to support and grow country radio.

“Few people in this industry have given more to country radio than Lon Helton,” shares CRB/CRS Board President Kurt Johnson. “This recognition has never been more earned, or more obvious. Presenting this award to Lon is one of the privileges of my career.”

For more than 50 years, Helton has been one of country radio’s most respected voices as a broadcaster, journalist, mentor and industry leader. His career began in Illinois before taking him to major radio stations in Denver, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Since 1984, he has hosted nationally syndicated country radio programs, including Country Countdown USA, which he launched in 1992 and continues to host today. He has also hosted Country Close-Up, Nashville Live, Listen-In, Country Star Tracks, and more than 100 world-premiere album broadcasts.

Helton has also made a lasting impact as a journalist. He became Country Editor at Radio & Records in 1983 and launched Country Aircheck in 2006, which remains a trusted resource for country radio and the music industry.

A longtime supporter of CRS, Helton has helped bring together broadcasters, artists, record labels,and industry leaders while mentoring generations of radio professionals. His dedication to the format has earned him widespread respect throughout the industry.

Helton was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Radio Hall of Fame in 2022. He is the most awarded national radio personality in CMA history, earning 13 National Broadcast Personality of the Year honors, along with five ACM National On-Air Personality of the Year awards. His many other honors include the St. Jude Angels Among Us Award, the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award, the CRB Humanitarian Award and CMA’s J. William Denny Award.

In addition to his broadcasting career, Helton has served in leadership roles throughout the country music industry, including as CMA President and Chairman from 1999 to 2002. He has also served on the boards of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the Country Music Foundation, the St. Jude Country Radio Advisory Council and the Country Music Retirement Community.

The 2026 CRB President’s Award will be presented during the Country Radio Hall of Fame ceremony on Monday, Aug. 3, at Virgin Hotels Nashville. The event will also honor the Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Madison Hahnen
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