One of country radio’s most respected voices and influential broadcasters, Lon Helton, has been selected to receive the 2026 Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) President’s Award, recognizing more than 50 years of leadership, innovation and dedication to the country music radio industry.
The prestigious honor will be presented during the Country Radio Hall of Fame Ceremony on Monday, August 3, at Virgin Hotels Nashville.
For country music fans across North Central Arkansas, Helton is already a familiar voice. Each Sunday at 12 NOON., ArkansasRadio.com Radio Station KWCK 99-9 proudly brings listeners Country Countdown USA, hosted by Lon Helton. The nationally syndicated program features one of country music’s biggest stars each week as they join Helton to count down the Top 30 Country Songs in America.
Recorded live each week on Nashville’s legendary Music Row, the program offers listeners something they won’t hear anywhere else—funny, unrehearsed stories and behind-the-scenes conversations with country music’s biggest artists.
A Lifetime Dedicated to Country Radio
CRB President Kurt Johnson said Helton’s influence on country radio is unmatched.
“Few people in this industry have given more to country radio than Lon Helton. This recognition has never been more earned, or more obvious. Presenting this award to Lon is one of the privileges of my career.”
Helton’s broadcasting career began in 1971, working at radio stations in Illinois before becoming a successful on-air personality and program director in Denver, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Since 1984, Helton has hosted nationally syndicated country music programming, but he is perhaps best known as the creator and host of Country Countdown USA, which debuted in 1992 and remains one of the most successful syndicated country music countdown shows in America.
Over the years, Helton has also hosted Country Close-Up, Nashville Live, Listen-In, Country Star Tracks, and more than 100 world premiere album specials featuring country music’s biggest stars.
Trusted Nashville Insider
Beyond the microphone, Helton is one of the most respected journalists in country music.
He served as Country Editor for Radio & Records beginning in 1983 before launching Country Aircheck in 2006, a publication that remains one of country radio’s leading industry resources.
He also serves as publisher of Country Aircheck and editor of the Mediabase Country Chart, the official chart used each week on Country Countdown USA.
Known throughout Nashville as one of country music’s best-connected interviewers, Helton’s relationships with artists allow listeners to hear candid conversations and stories rarely shared anywhere else.
Award-Winning Career
Helton’s list of accomplishments is among the most impressive in country radio history.
He has been named the Country Music Association’s National Broadcast Personality of the Year an unprecedented 13 times, winning in:
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2021
2023
2025
He has also earned the Academy of Country Music National On-Air Personality Award five times.
His additional honors include:
Country Radio Hall of Fame (2006)
Radio Hall of Fame (2022)
Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award
CRB Humanitarian Award
St. Jude Angels Among Us Award
CMA J. William Denny Award
Leadership Beyond Broadcasting
Throughout his career, Helton has served the country music industry in numerous leadership roles.
He served as President and Chairman of the Country Music Association from 1999 through 2002 and has served on the boards of:
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Country Music Foundation
St. Jude Country Radio Advisory Council
Country Music Retirement Community
National Corvette Museum
His contributions continue to shape the future of country music broadcasting while mentoring generations of radio professionals.
Hear Lon Helton Every Sunday on KWCK 99-9
Arkansas country music fans can hear Lon Helton Country Countdown USA every Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. on ArkansasRadio.com Radio Station KWCK 99-9.
Each week, Helton welcomes one of country music’s chart-topping stars to count down the Top 30 Country Songs while sharing exclusive interviews, backstage stories, humorous moments and the latest news directly from Nashville’s historic Music Row.
It’s one of the most entertaining and informative country music programs heard anywhere—and it’s available every Sunday exclusively on KWCK 99-9, part of the ArkansasRadio.com Radio Stations.
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