Audacy’s David Field will be stepping down from his position of President/CEO, as well as a member of the Board of Directors. Current Board member Kelli Turner will serve as interim President/CEO, starting immediately.

“David has left an indelible mark on the industry, growing Audacy from a few small radio stations into a scaled multi-platform audio content and entertainment powerhouse,” shares Michael Del Nin, Chairman of the Board. “He has built a great company with leading positions across the country’s largest markets and an outstanding portfolio of exclusive, premium audio content. Under David’s dedicated leadership, Audacy has been positioned for long-term success, and we look forward to working with Kelli and the entire team as the company begins its next exciting chapter.”

“Since I joined Audacy, then Entercom, we have grown from $10 million in revenues with 10 niche radio stations into a $1.2 billion, multi-platform audio leader with one of the country’s two scaled radio broadcast groups, one of the largest podcast networks and the unrivaled top position in sports audio,” says Field. “Audacy recently completed a very successful 2024, delivering industry-leading EBITDA growth of more than 70% through the third quarter and significant revenue share gains across our radio and digital businesses. With the company in a strong competitive and financial position, now is the optimal time to pass the baton to new leadership. I am deeply proud of our extraordinary team and everything we have accomplished for our listeners, customers, partners, and communities. The company is in great hands, and I look forward to seeing the next chapter of Audacy’s success.”

Turner has been a member of the Audacy Board since September 2024. She has also served on the boards of several advertising and music technology companies, including DoubleVerify, Downtown Music Holdings and Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. Most recently, she was the Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer at Sun Capital Partners, a private investment firm. Before joining Sun Capital Partners, she was the President and Chief Operating Officer of SESAC Holdings. Her experience spans executive roles across the investment and media sectors, including positions at RSL Group, Martha Stewart Living, Time Warner, Allen & Company and Citigroup. Turner holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School.

The Board has begun the search for a permanent CEO. Field will remain with the company in a new role as Special Advisor to the CEO and the Board.

Morgan Wallen remains atop the country albums and streaming songs charts this week, according to Luminate data. His 2023 One Thing At A Time album garnered 37K in total consumption (675K album only and 48 million song streams), and his track “Smile,” from his upcoming album, tops the songs chart with 14 million streams adding to 65 million total.

Also on the albums chart are Wallen again at No. 2 with Dangerous: The Double Album with 28K in total consumption, Post Malone‘s F-1 Trillion with 24K, Jelly Roll‘s Beautifully Broken with 19K and Zach Bryan American Heartbreak with 18K.

On the songs chart, Shaboozey remains at No. 2 with “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” earning 12 million streams this week adding to one billion, Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help” at No. 3 with 11 million streams, Wallen’s “Love Somebody” with 11 million and Sam Barber and Avery Anna‘s “Indigo” with 8.9 million.

Charles Esten Chats With Kelly Clarkson About New Debut Deluxe Edition

Charles Esten appeared Monday (Jan. 27) on the Kelly Clarkson Show to chat about his brand-new Love Ain’t Pretty Deluxe Edition project, celebrating the one-year anniversary of his  independent debut album. The deluxe edition features 14 tracks all co-written by Esten plus nine new bonus tracks.

The 23-track Deluxe Edition includes never-before-heard demos and worktapes from the creation of Love Ain’t Pretty, as well as a live performance recorded from the sold-out “NASHVILLE Reunion Tour “(with Esten, Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson and Sam Palladio) and star-studded collaborations with Keb’ Mo’ and Sara Evans. Esten will perform acoustically at a special vinyl signing at Grimey’s New & Preloved Music on Feb. 5 at 4 p.m. CT.

 

Y’all Access With Kelly Sutton Celebrates 200th Episode

Y’all Access with Kelly Sutton recently celebrated its 200th episode. Nate Smith was on hand to help celebrate the momentous occasion.

 

The Listening Room Hosts Live Song Pitch Round

The Listening Room Cafe’ recently hosted an exclusive Live Song Pitch Round, featuring Sea Gayle Music’s Jordan Fletcher, Barrett Baber, Cam Nemby, Brett Sheroky, Ian Christian and Adam Craig. The unique event, the second in a recurring series, featured songwriters playing their uncut songs to A&R and industry professionals, giving a live public audience a behind-the-scenes look at the heart of Nashville’s songwriting scene.

 

Faith-Based ‘Dawn + Steve’ Podcast Launches

Christian radio personalities Dawn Rae May and Steve Hiller have officially launched Dawn & Steve+, a new weekday podcast featuring in-depth and revealing conversations with authors, ministry leaders, recording artists and cultural influencers on matters of life, faith and biblical Truth. Initial episodes feature guests including bestselling author Joel C. Rosenberg, The Voice of The Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Josh Holland and Dove Award-winning recording artist, author and actress Nicole C. Mullen.

After a decade of commercial success in Music City, artist Canaan Smith has ventured outside of mainstream country to share the struggles, lessons and purpose behind his work in his third studio album Chickahominy, released last Friday (Jan. 24).

“I needed to fail to learn what really matters,” shares Smith. “Looking back at my years in the mainstream country world, I felt lost and struggled with finding my purpose. I find the best version of myself and my music is when I let go of striving for success and exploring who I am as an artist and storyteller, and that journey is what this album is all about.”

Chickahominy hopes to turn the page on Smith’s previous market-driven works and bring listeners an artist who exudes honesty and fearlessness through his songwriting.

The project dives into themes of reckless youth with tracks “Chickahominy” and “18, Stoned & Stupid,” career challenges in “No Mercy” and fears as a new father in “Bad News.” Additionally, Smith embraces narrative-focused works in songs such as “Bread And Honey,” a warning against gambling addiction and “Green,” in which a church-going weed farmer is saved by a strike of lighting and luck at the 11th hour.

Produced by Anthony Olympia, all tracks on the album were co-written by Smith alongside songwriters such as Ben Stennis, Brett Beavers, Trent Tomlinson, Jamie Paulin, Drew Kennedy and more.

With Chickahominy, Smith delivers an album that aims to embody evolution, authenticity and freedom.

Chickahominy Track List:
1. “18, Stoned & Stupid” (Canaan Smith, Brett Beavers, Trent Tomlinson)
2. “Chickahominy” (Canaan Smith, Jamie Paulin)
3. “Ain’t Much To Write Home About” (Canaan Smith, Ben Stennis)
4. “Bread + Honey” (Canaan Smith, Autumn Buysse)
5. “No Mercy” (Canaan Smith, Drew Kennedy)
6. “Pay It Forward” (Canaan Smith, Chase McDaniel, Trent Wayne, Clara Park)
7. “Everyday Joe” (Canaan Smith, Mia Mantia, Park)
8. “Green” (Canaan Smith, Kennedy)
9. “Bad News” (Canaan Smith, Anthony Olympia, Brent Rupard)
10. “See You Again” (Canaan Smith, Chris Bandi)
11. “In Time With You” (Canaan Smith, Rob Williford, Schmitty, Spencer Coats)

Billy Currington is hitting the road on a 16-city tour with Kip Moore this summer. Special guests Marlon Funaki and Jade Eagleson will join on select dates.

The new tour kicks off June 27  in St. Augustine and will visit Los Angeles, Austin, Indianapolis, Raleigh, Boston and more before wrapping in Gilford New Hampshire on Sept. 20.

Tickets will be available for general on-sale beginning Jan. 31. Citi cardmembers will also have access to pre-sale tickets beginning today through Thursday (Jan. 30) through the Citi Entertainment program. Verizon will also offer an exclusive pre-sale through Verizon Access, just for being a customer. Verizon Access Pre-sale tickets for select shows will begin today through Thursday as well.

Moore is known for his blistering live shows in stadiums, arenas, and theaters around the globe, and is gearing up for the release of his new album Solitary Tracks, due Feb. 28. Currington, who has been making hits for nearly two decades, recently released new tracks “Everything Is Changing,” “City Don’t” and “Anchor Man.”

Billy Currington 2025 Tour With Kip Moore Dates:
Fri Jun 27 – St. Augustine FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre !%^
Sat Jun 28 – Boca Raton FL – Mizner Park Amphitheater #%^
Wed Jul 10 – Airway Heights WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest !
Thu Jul 11 – Bend OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater !
Fri Jul 18 – Los Angeles CA – Greek Theatre !
Sat Jul 19 – San Diego CA – Gallagher Square at Petco Park !
Fri Jul 25 – Roanoke VA – Elmwood Park Amphitheater !*
Sat Jul 26 – Doswell VA – Servpro Pavilion !*
Fri Aug 1 – Irving TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory &
Sat Aug 2 – Austin TX – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park &
Fri Sep 5 – Toledo OH – Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre &
Sat Sep 6 – Indianapolis IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park &
Thu Sep 12 – Wilmington NC – Live Oak Bank Pavilion #
Fri Sep 13 – Raleigh NC – Red Hat Amphitheater #
Fri Sep 19 – Boston MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway &
Sat Sep 20 – Gilford NH – BankNH Pavilion &

* Not A Live Nation Date
! – On Sale 1/31
# – On Sale 2/7
& – On Sale 2/14
% without Marlon Funaki
^ with Jade Eagleson