Today's Best Country
Encyclopedia
Best Country Today is one of the 24 hour live formats produced by Cumulus Media Networks. It is designed to appeal to a wide range of listeners, concentrating on a younger audience than would generally listen to traditional Country stations. It is one of two country formats produced by Cumulus, the other being Real Country
, which skews toward older listeners.
Some of the featured artists are Kenny Chesney
, Faith Hill
, George Strait
, The Wreckers
and other contemporary Country music artists.
formats over 20 years ago, it's studios and offices were located in Mokena, Illinois
, just outside of Chicago
. Shortly after SMN was purchased by ABC/Capital Cities in 1990, the format was moved to Dallas, Texas
, along with the other SMN formats such as The Touch, Timeless Classics, The Classic Rock Experience, Oldies Radio, Hits & Favorites, Real Country, and Today's Best Hits had previously been established at the Dallas location. In its over 20 year history, Today's Best Country/Country Coast-To-Coast has had three Operations Managers, Mark Edwards, Dave Nicholson and Gary Reynolds.
Citadel Broadcasting
purchased ABC Radio Networks (now Cumulus Media Networks) and the ABC Owned and Operated radio stations from The Walt Disney Company
in February, 2006 and continue to use the ABC name for several years afterward. The Citadel acquisition does not include Radio Disney
or the ESPN radio stations
. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media
on September 16, 2011.
is distributed on the network on weekends. Robinson's show is also syndicated outside the network as an evening show.
Real country
Real Country is a 24-hour radio format produced by Cumulus Media Networks. Real Country, originally one of the Satellite Music Network stations, is marketed at the 18 to 54 demographic in rural areas of the United States...
, which skews toward older listeners.
Some of the featured artists are Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney
Kenneth "Kenny" Arnold Chesney is an American country music singer and songwriter. Chesney has recorded 15 albums, 14 of which have been certified gold or higher by the RIAA. He has also produced more than 30 Top Ten singles on the U.S...
, Faith Hill
Faith Hill
Faith Hill is an American country singer. She is known both for her commercial success and her marriage to fellow country star Tim McGraw. Hill has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and accumulated eight number-one singles and three number-one albums on the U.S...
, George Strait
George Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
, The Wreckers
The Wreckers
-Studio albums:-Live albums:-Singles:-Featured singles:^ Song was credited as Santana with Michelle Branch and The Wreckers.-Music videos:-Awards and nominations:-External links:***...
and other contemporary Country music artists.
History
Beginning as one of the original Satellite Music NetworkSatellite Music Network
Satellite Music Network was the first satellite delivered network to provide complete live 24-hour a day music programming to local stations, under several different formats...
formats over 20 years ago, it's studios and offices were located in Mokena, Illinois
Mokena, Illinois
Mokena is a village in Will County, Illinois, United States. The population was 14,583 at the 2000 census, with a special census conducted in 2007. The 2007 census showed that the population of the village increased to 18,669 people residing within the corporate limits...
, just outside of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. Shortly after SMN was purchased by ABC/Capital Cities in 1990, the format was moved to Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, along with the other SMN formats such as The Touch, Timeless Classics, The Classic Rock Experience, Oldies Radio, Hits & Favorites, Real Country, and Today's Best Hits had previously been established at the Dallas location. In its over 20 year history, Today's Best Country/Country Coast-To-Coast has had three Operations Managers, Mark Edwards, Dave Nicholson and Gary Reynolds.
Citadel Broadcasting
Citadel Broadcasting
Citadel Broadcasting Corporation was a Las Vegas, Nevada-based broadcast holding company. Citadel owned 243 radio stations across the United States and was the third-largest radio station owner in the country...
purchased ABC Radio Networks (now Cumulus Media Networks) and the ABC Owned and Operated radio stations from The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
in February, 2006 and continue to use the ABC name for several years afterward. The Citadel acquisition does not include Radio Disney
Radio Disney
Radio Disney is a radio network based in Burbank, California and headquartered out of the Disney Channel headquarters on West Alameda Ave., from where it has been based since November 2008. Prior to that, the network was based in Dallas, Texas...
or the ESPN radio stations
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media, Inc. is the second largest Owner and Operator of AM and FM radio stations in the United States, behind Clear Channel Communications, operating 570 stations in 150 markets as of September 16, 2011. The company also owns Cumulus Media Networks...
on September 16, 2011.
Programming
Hosts currently heard on Best Country Today include Charlie Derek, the mononymous Darcy, Cadillac Jack, Jeremy Robinson, and Chaz Mixon. American Country CountdownAmerican Country Countdown
American Country Countdown, also known as ACC or American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks, is an internationally syndicated radio program which counts down the top 30 country songs of the previous week, from No. 30 to No. 1, according to the Mediabase country chart...
is distributed on the network on weekends. Robinson's show is also syndicated outside the network as an evening show.
Alumni
- Jim Beedle
- Mark Edwards
- Doug Thompson
- Jim Brady http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/ART18/582393910
- Hubcap Carter (deceased) http://www.firststrategy.com/hubcap.htm
- Ted Clark
- Kurt Schaeffer
- Bob Forester
- Michael Hardeman http://www.michaelhardeman.com/default.aspx
- Ed Leal
- Bill Lee
- Dave Marcum (deceased) http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Marcum&GSfn=David&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=16921027&
- Catfish Prewitt http://www.thecatfishonline.com/
- Steve Sharp
- Joe Soto http://www.v103.com/pages/joe.html
- Jerry Walker
- Jim Weaver http://countrystarsonline.com/jimweaverproductions
- Becky Wight
- Randy Williams
- Jim Casey