CMP Adds ''Country Countdown USA'' with Lon Helton

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Lon Helton

"Country Countdown USA" with Lon Helton enters its 30th year in syndication and selects Compass Media Networks for Affiliate and Advertising Sales beginning August 1. The three-hour weekly show recorded each week from Music Row in Nashville has been a staple on heritage Country radio stations since its inception in 1992. Each week Lon is joined by a different country star co-host while they count down the week's Top 30 hits.

Helton is a prominent figure in Country Radio as host of "Country Countdown USA," publisher of Country Aircheck and editor of the Mediabase Country Chart. He's a member of the board of directors of the Country Music Association and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Helton has been named CMA National Personality of the Year 11 times in the awards 22-year history (winners are not eligible to be nominated 2 years in a row) and the Academy of Country Music has bestowed its' equivalent award 6 times in the last 12 years. Lon was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2006.

Helton commented, "Country Countdown USA has had an amazing run of more than 30 years and more than 20 major awards with Westwood One. Many thanks to everyone there- present and past- for everything. Having worked with Peter in the past, I know that Compass Media Networks and the great team he has assembled is the perfect place to continue the legacy of Country's most listened-to and most unique Country Countdown."

"With open arms, humility, and much excitement, we welcome Lon Helton, his team, his audience, and his affiliates to Compass Media Networks," said Compass Media Networks CEO Peter Kosann. "This is a homecoming in that Lon and I had the pleasure of working together years ago -- it is an absolute thrill to be reunited together again."