Your Country Radio HOF Class Of 2026!
• The Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was just announced during CRS Honors at CRS 2026, with Hall of Fame inductees Mike Moore (Class of ’24) and Trish Biondo (Class of ’23) revealing this year’s honorees, which include three On-Air Personality inductees and four Radio inductees, representing the pinnacle of dedication and impact in Country radio.
The On-Air Personality inductees are Chris Carr, Michael J, and Rick Jackson. The Radio inductees are Marci Braun, Phil Hunt, Bruce Logan, and John Marks.
• Chris Carr has spent nearly three decades in Country radio, including 24 years in Minneapolis across two tours of duty at iHeartMedia’s KEEY (K102). Between those runs, he spent six years at Hubbard’s WUBE/Cincinnati, delivering strong ratings and earning multiple industry honors in both markets.
• Michael J has hosted afternoon drive on iHeartMedia’s WPOC/Baltimore since 2000, adding middays at sister WMZQ/Washington, D.C. in 2007, commuting daily between the two markets.
• Rick Jackson‘s half-century career began in the mid-’70s in Denver. In 1980 he helped launch KYGO, hosting mornings and later serving as PD & MD. In 1986, Jackson launched the syndicated Rick Jackson’s Country Classics, which he continues to host today. He also served as GM of KSON/San Diego from 2009-2016.
• Marci Braun serves as Regional Brand Manager for Audacy, overseeing KMNB/Minneapolis and WUSN/Chicago, where she has worked since 2004, starting as MD/on-air, and rising to her current leadership role in 2020.
• Phil Hunt has influenced Country radio across every market size during a 50-year career, with roles ranging from Program Director of KSSN/Little Rock, SVP of Client Services at Rusty Walker Programming, EVP/Country Brand Manager for Clear Channel, and founder of Hunt Media.
• Bruce Logan is currently in his second run as VP of Programming for Audacy Houston, with direct oversight of KILT-FM. He earlier spent 17 years as Regional VP for iHeartMedia’s Carolina markets. Additional management roles include Operations Manager at Hubbard’s WIRK/West Palm Beach and programming stops in Savannah and Louisville.
• John Marks is a 51-year radio pro who most recently served as Global Head of Country Programming for Spotify, following his role as Head of Country Programming for SiriusXM. His terrestrial programming stops include KSON/San Diego, KKAT/Salt Lake City, KWNR & KFMS/Las Vegas, KRPM/Seattle, and more.
The Country Radio Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the Country format.
The Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction and Dinner will be held August 3 at the Virgin Hotel Nashville. More information about the event, including the date, time, and ticket details, will be released closer to the event. For a list of past inductees, visit CountryRadioSeminar.com.
