The Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown

This week on the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown there's a brand new number one, two new entries, and another look at what's happening on the BluegrassToday Grassicana chart.Join Mike Kear as he counts down the twenty most-played bluegrass songs on Bluegrass Today's weekly airplay chart, with chart facts, artist information, and plenty of great new music from today's bluegrass scene.Featured artists this week include Jaelee Roberts, Kevin Denney, Bronwyn, Dailey & Vincent, Alison Krauss & Union Station,  Mountain, Red Camel Collective, Tony Trischka, and many more.You'll also hear a special Grassicana segment featuring music from Old Crow Medicine Show with Del McCoury, Ronnie McCoury and Molly Tuttle, Caroline Owens, The Infamous Stringdusters, DownRiver Collective, Geary & John, and The Creekers.Thanks for listening, and if you enjoy the show, please tell your bluegrass-loving friends and help us introduce the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown to even more listeners around the world.

This week we've got another packed edition of the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown featuring the twenty hottest songs in bluegrass, as determined by the airplay reports from broadcasters around the world.Along the way we'll welcome several newcomers to the chart, catch up with the artists climbing towards the top, and count down all the way to this week's number one song.This week's programme also includes a special mid-show visit to the Americana chart, featuring four outstanding recordings from Sierra Hull, The Infamous Stringdusters, Old Crow Medicine Show with Del McCoury, Ronnie McCoury and Molly Tuttle, and Caroline Owens.Whether you're a long-time bluegrass fan or just discovering the music, thanks for joining me for another two hours of the very best in contemporary bluegrass and acoustic music.Enjoy the countdown!

This week we celebrate a very special milestone – the 200th edition of the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown.To mark the occasion, I was joined by special guest co-host Terry Herd from Nashville. Terry is CEO and co-founder of Bluegrass Today, an IBMA Broadcaster of the Year, former IBMA board member, creator of SiriusXM's Bluegrass channel, and one of today's most successful bluegrass songwriters.As you'll hear, Terry and I quickly discovered we had far more stories to tell than time available to tell them. The result is a show packed with chart action, songwriting insights, broadcaster tales, and a few laughs along the way.This week's chart features:• A new #1 song• Eight debuts• Six returning songs• Two chart ties, resulting in 22 songs in this week's countdownAppropriately enough, the #1 song this week is Jaelee Roberts' "I'm Putting You Out of My Misery," written by my guest co-host Terry Herd. The song has spent three of its first four weeks on the chart at #1 after debuting straight at the top.My thanks to Terry for making the trip from Nashville to join us for this special edition, and to all the artists, labels, radio stations and listeners who have supported the countdown through its first 200 editions.Whether you've been listening since Countdown #1 or have just discovered the programme, thank you for coming along for the ride.Now let's count down the twenty most-played songs on bluegrass radio this week.Mike KearHawkesbury Radio, Sydney, Australia

Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown – Episode 199This week on the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown we have a brand new number one song, six debuts, six returning songs and a tie at number 11.Red Camel Collective returns to the top of the chart with Finding Your Way Home, while Jaelee Roberts, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers and the Travelin' McCourys continue to battle it out near the top of the countdown.Among this week's new entries are songs from Shawn Camp, Kevin Denney, Andy Leftwich, Laura Leigh Jones and The Po' Ramblin' Boys, while Blue Highway returns with a live recording of The North Side featuring Grayson Lane.Along the way we'll spotlight some of the songwriters behind this week's chart, including Terry Herd, Larry Gatlin, Guy Clark, Lee Ann Womack, Ashby Frank and Brink Brinkman.Thanks for joining me for Episode 199. Next week we'll celebrate a major milestone as the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown reaches Episode 200.  We'll have a specal episode for that with an mportant guest co-host. The Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown is written, produced and hosted by Mike Kear in Sydney, Australia, and is heard on radio stations in Australia and the United States.

This week on the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown from Sydney, Australia, Jaelee Roberts holds on to the number 1 spot for a second straight week with “I’m Putting You Out of My Misery” — her very first chart-topper.We also welcome this week’s highest debut from Anthony J. Howell with the Earl Scruggs classic “Ground Speed,” while Dailey & Vincent continue climbing with “Moon Shines on the Still,” and Jody King featuring Larry Cordle flies into the top 3 with “Jet Airliner.”There’s movement all through the chart this week, including returns from the Travelin’ McCourys, another strong week for Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, and a pair of long-running favourites from Trey Hensley and The Grascals.Plus this week:• A special visit to the Bluegrass Gospel chart• New music from Darin & Brooke Aldridge• A three-way tie at number 2 on the Gospel chart• And plenty of the world’s best new bluegrass musicHosted by Mike Kear in Sydney, Australia.BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown — heard on great radio stations and podcasts around the world.

This week on the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown, we're counting down the most-played songs on bluegrass radio this week, according to the airplay survey conducted by BluegrassToday and published last Friday.It's a busy chart this week. Thanks to a tie, we have 21 songs appearing in the Top 20, including a rare tie at #16. We also have a brand new number one song, giving one band its first trip to the top after a steady climb up the chart.Along the way we'll hear the current #1 gospel song in bluegrass, visit a classic piece of Australian music history with a fresh new recording from John Williamson and The McClymonts, and witness one of the more unusual moments we've seen on the countdown.Join Mike Kear in Sydney, Australia, for two hours of great bluegrass music, artist stories, chart milestones and the songs making the biggest impact on bluegrass radio this week.

This week on the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown, we count down the 20 most-played songs from the latest Bluegrass Today airplay chart.This week's show features:  A brand new number one after a steady ten-week climb.   Two debuts on the countdown.   New music from Bryan Sutton, Brad Kaylor & Mineral Bluff Revue, Caroline Owens and more.   Another strong showing from some of bluegrass music's biggest names, including Lonesome River Band, Special Consensus, Wyatt Ellis, Dailey & Vincent and The Kody Norris Show.   A look at three songs making waves on the Grassicana chart, featuring Della Mae, Caroline Owens and The Infamous Stringdusters.  Along the way you'll hear stories from the artists, chart statistics, and a few of the surprises that make each week's countdown unique.The BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown is produced by Mike Kear at Hawkesbury Radio in Sydney, Australia, and is based on the weekly Bluegrass Today airplay survey.Thanks for listening, and we'll do it all again next week with another countdown of the most-played songs in bluegrass radio.BluegrassToday and the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown are trademarks used with permission.

This week on the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown we have a brand new number one song, four songs making their debut appearances, and another three songs returning to the chart.The Lonesome River Band races all the way to the top with Pretty Little Widow in only its second week on the countdown, while Dailey & Vincent continue their remarkable chart success with both Ruby and the fast-rising Moon Shines on the Still.We also feature new music from Buddy Melton, Throwdown Thursday, Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours, Rebekah Speer and more, along with a special 50th anniversary appearance from Special Consensus.This week’s countdown also includes stories behind the songs, chart milestones, artist background information, and another look at some of the fastest-moving songs currently climbing bluegrass radio around the world.Featured artists this week include:• The Lonesome River Band• Dailey & Vincent• Buddy Melton• Red Camel Collective• Benson• Milan Miller• The Grascals• The Kody Norris Show• Unspoken Tradition• Ashby Frank• Throwdown Thursday• Brad Kaylor & Mineral Bluff Revue• Chris Jones & The Night Drivers• Jody King featuring Larry Cordle• Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper• Special Consensus• Kristy Cox• Wyatt Ellis• Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours• Rebekah SpeerPlus — a quick heads-up: countdown number 200 is now only a few weeks away, and special plans are already underway.The BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown is produced by Hawkesbury Radio in Sydney, Australia and heard on great radio stations and podcasts around the world.

This week on the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown we have a brand new number one song, six debut entries and six returning songs, so there’s plenty happening across the chart this week.Along the way we also spotlight brand new music from Jaelee Roberts, including her latest release “I’m Putting You Out of My Misery,” written by Terry Herd, plus a look back at the song that first established her as one of bluegrass music’s rising stars — “Let Me Be Lonely.”And in a special feature segment this week, we take a look at one of the biggest stories currently developing in bluegrass gospel music — the remarkable domination of the gospel chart by Darin & Brooke Aldridge and their new Billy Blue Records album “Soul Condition,” which this week accounts for fully half of the gospel top ten.Join Mike Kear from Hawkesbury Radio in Sydney, Australia for two hours of the world’s best contemporary bluegrass music, artist information, chart action and a few unexpected moments along the way.The BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown is a production of Hawkesbury Radio in Sydney, Australia. BluegrassToday and the BluegrassToday Top 20 Countdown are trademarks of BluegrassToday.com and are used with permission.

This week on the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown with Mike Kear from Hawkesbury Radio in Sydney, Australia — we have a brand new #1 song after a long battle at the top of the chart.This week’s countdown also features:  4 debut songs   6 returning songs   and plenty of movement right across the Top 20.  After five weeks at #1, Dailey & Vincent’s “Ruby” finally steps aside as a new chart-topper takes control of the Bluegrass Today Weekly Airplay Chart.Along the way we’ll hear the latest from: Kristy Cox Del McCoury Band Della Mae Carson Peters & Iron Mountain Vickie Vaughn and many more of today’s top bluegrass artists. We'll divert to look at a couple of the up and coming songs that are close to joining our countdown,  and we revisit a superb master storyteller that Mike confessed he almost forgot about.  The BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown is produced in Sydney, Australia and heard on great radio stations around the world each week.

Hosted by Mike Kear at Hawkesbury Radio, Sydney, AustraliaThis week on the countdown, Dailey & Vincent continue their remarkable run at number one with Ruby, making it a record fifth week on top — the most by any song in the history of the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown.There are big movers throughout the chart, including Throwdown Thursday surging from #18 to #2 with Next Big Thing, and Chris Jones & The Night Drivers jumping from #19 to #4 with Steal My Today.New entries this week come from Special Consensus, Southern Legacy, Jeff Brown & Wayne Taylor, Della Mae,  and Del McCoury Band.Along the way, we also step outside the chart for a special look at brand new music just arriving at Foggy Hollow headquarters, featuring fresh releases from Claire Lynch, Darin & Brooke Aldridge and Old Crow Medicine Show.Thanks for listening wherever you are around the world.Produced and presented by Mike Kear at Hawkesbury Radio,  Sydney, Australia 

This week’s countdown brings plenty of movement right across the chart — and a rare moment at the very top.For only the second time in the life of the countdown, we have a tie at number one, with two songs sharing the top spot.There are strong debuts, big movers, and another standout performance from a song that continues to rewrite the record books for longevity on the chart.This week’s #1 songs  Jesse Smathers – Take a Drink on Me  Dailey & Vincent – Ruby Show highlights  A rare tie at #1 — only the second time in countdown history   Alison Krauss & Union Station’s Richmond on the James extends its record as the longest-running song on the countdown   Big move into the Top 5 for Darren Nicholson   Strong debut from The Lonesome River Band   Continued consistency from Red Camel Collective  Also featured this week  Carson Peters & Iron Mountain   Appalachian Road Show   Travelin’ McCourys   Sierra Hull   Billy Strings   Wyatt Ellis …and more of the best in bluegrass today  If you enjoy the show, be sure to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode.About the showThe BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown features the most-played songs from the Bluegrass Today airplay chart, presented in full each week.Hosted by Mike Kear at Hawkesbury Radio in Sydney, Australia, and heard on radio stations around the world.

From Hawkesbury Radio in Sydney, Australia, this is the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown. I’m Mike Kear, counting down the Top 20 songs in bluegrass this week, based on the airplay survey of the world’s most influential bluegrass DJs — conducted last week and published Friday by BluegrassToday.com.This week’s show features:  The Top 20 songs in bluegrass  [2] debuts and [7] returns to the countdown   Plus a look at the songs making the biggest moves this week  🎶 This Week’s Top 20As always we'll play every song in the Top 20 Chart,   since there are 2 ties this week that makes 22 songs played IN FULL.    Also we'll play the Top 5 songs in the BluegrassToday Weekly Bluegrass Gospel Chart IN FULL. 📻 About the ShowThe BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown is a syndicated radio show produced in Sydney, Australia, and heard in podcast and on stations around the world.Each week we bring you the official Top 20 bluegrass songs, along with background on the artists, the songs, and the stories behind the music.🌐 Find Out MoreFor the full chart and more bluegrass news, visit: 👉 https://bluegrasstoday.com/chart📩 ContactGot a favourite song? Heard something you liked? Email the show: [email protected]

Produced in Sydney, AustraliaThis week’s countdown has a very different feel — with six brand new debuts, five returning songs, and a brand new number one. Instead of a parade of former chart-toppers, only five former #1 songs appear this week — and one of those accounts for five weeks at the top all by itself.The result is a chart that’s very much on the move.About the CountdownThe BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown is based on the BluegrassToday Airplay Chart, compiled from radio airplay and published every Friday at BluegrassToday.com.Produced byMike Kear Hawkesbury Radio Sydney, Australia

This week on the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown, we’ve got a chart full of movement — including a brand new number one debut, some big jumps, and a few familiar names continuing their strong runs.There’s also time to step just outside the main chart with a couple of special features — including a visit to the Bluegrass Gospel chart and the Grassicana chart.Williamson Branch check in at number five on the gospel chart with These Old Burdens from their album Southern Sunshine — a song that carries a strong message wrapped in the family harmonies they’re known for.And over on the Grassicana chart, Shelby Means makes a debut at number four with Million Reasons. You might recognise that title — it was written by Mark Ronson, Hillary Lindsey, and Steffani Germanotta, better known as Lady Gaga — and it takes on a whole new life in this bluegrass setting.Along the way, we remember Ronnie Bowman, whose voice helped define a generation of bluegrass through his work with Lonesome River Band and beyond.All up, it’s another packed countdown — the top 20 songs in bluegrass this week, based on the airplay survey conducted by BluegrassToday and published on Friday.If you enjoy the show, feel free to get in touch — we always love hearing from listeners.And just quietly… we don’t just talk about the music here — we play it. Every song in this week’s Top 20, in full.

This week on the countdown, we’ve got plenty happening at the top end of the countdown — including a brand new number one song leading the way.    There’s also a big shake-up across the list with seven songs making their debut in the Top 20, along with three returning favourites finding their way back onto the countdown.All songs are played in full.  And with St Patrick’s Day this week, we’ve added a special bonus segment featuring a selection of songs with an Irish flavour to round out the show.Join Mike Kear in Sydney, Australia for the latest from the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown — the world’s most widely heard bluegrass chart show, bringing you the top songs in bluegrass radio airplay each week.

This week on the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown, we count down the twenty most-played songs on the Bluegrass Today airplay chart. The chart is compiled from bluegrass radio stations across the United States and reflects what broadcasters are spinning this week.The countdown features a brand new #1 song, along with eight songs making their debut and seven returning to the chart. It’s another busy week on the chart with plenty of movement throughout the Top 20.Along the way we also take a short musical detour to mark the 25th anniversary of the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?. The soundtrack from that film introduced acoustic roots music to millions of listeners around the world, and we revisit a few memorable performances from the album including Tim Blake Nelson, the Peasall Sisters, the Cox Family with Alison Krauss, and of course the Soggy Bottom Boys with Man of Constant Sorrow.As always, the show features the latest bluegrass releases along with background notes about the artists and the songs making their way up this week’s chart.Thanks for listening to the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown, produced and presented by Mike Kear in Sydney, Australia.

This week on the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown we run down the most-played songs on bluegrass radio, based on the BluegrassToday.com airplay chart.There are Four brand new debuts on the chart this week, including new music from Della Mae, Nick Dumas, and Milan Miller. We also hear from longtime favourites like Blue Highway, Dailey & Vincent, Ashby Frank, and Wyatt Ellis.Trey Hensley appears twice on the chart this week, while Chris Jones & The Night Drivers continue their strong run with one of the most consistent hits on the chart in recent months.And at the top this week, Buddy Melton’s “Blue Skies” returns to the number one spot once again — proof that this song has truly found a home with bluegrass radio.Along the way we also check in with the BluegrassToday Weekly Grassicana Chart, and play some of the top songs from this week's chart.      You can also check out some of the songs that didnt makt it to the podcast at our patreon page http://patreon.com/bttop20  Thanks for listening, and remember — you can always find the full chart at BluegrassToday.com/Chart.

It’s another big week on the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown, with a brand-new number one, four songs making their debut, and six tracks returning to the countdown.Taking over the top spot this week is Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours with “We See Love,” jumping from a debut at #11 last week straight to #1.There’s a tie for #2 this week between The Lonesome River Band with “Bernadette” and Larry Cordle with “This Weary Road,” while strong movers, former chart-toppers, and fresh new voices keep things moving right across the Top 20.You’ll hear new music from Dailey & Vincent, Caroline Owens, and Volume Five, plus returning favourites from Trey Hensley, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Buddy Melton, Irene Kelley, Nick Dumas, and many more.From classic traditional sounds to modern bluegrass energy, it’s a packed two hours of the music bluegrass fans are loving this week.Thanks for listening — and congratulations to all the artists on the chart.

Welcome to Show 182 of the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown, coming to you from Sydney, Australia.This week we’ve got an extra-special brand new #1 song, plus a chart absolutely bursting with movement — including six debut songs and six returning favourites making their way back into the Top 20.We’ll also feature the Top 5 from the BluegrassToday Gospel Chart, and spotlight a great new song from Tina Adair, along with plenty of the best and latest bluegrass from today’s top artists.Two solid hours of today’s most-played bluegrass music, straight from the BluegrassToday radio airplay chart.Thanks for listening, and for supporting bluegrass radio around the world.

Countdown number 181 is in the books, with a busy and lively chart this week.We’ve got two songs debuting on the countdown, along with nine returning favourites, based on the BluegrassToday airplay survey of the world’s most influential bluegrass DJs, conducted last week and published on Friday.This week’s countdown features new and returning music from Billy Strings, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Trey Hensley, Milan Miller, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, and many more — plus a strong showing from independent artists alongside major bluegrass labels.🔹 Longest-running song this week: Shelby Means’ Streets of Boulder, now 18 weeks on the chart and already a two-time #1.🔹 Big movers: Rebekah Speer jumps from #20 straight into the Top 10. Several songs continue to dominate the upper reaches of the chart, spending most of their time in the Top Four.🔹 This week’s #1 song: Buddy Melton – Blue Skies Now in its ninth week on the chart, this marks its second visit to the top spot.To round out the show, we also feature the Top 5 songs from the BluegrassToday Gospel Chart, adding nearly twenty minutes of uplifting bluegrass gospel from Authentic Unlimited, Ashleigh Graham, Nick Chandler & Delivered, Eighteen Mile, and a tie at #1 between Pitney Meyer and Jeff Tolbert & Primitive Road.Hosted by Mike Kear, from Sydney, Australia. Thanks for listening — and we’ll do it all again next week.

This week’s BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown is one of those charts that tells a bigger story.We’ve got a returning number one, a long-awaited debut, and strong staying power across the board — with more than half the chart made up of songs that listeners and programmers keep coming back to. In fact, eleven tracks return to the countdown this week, proving that connection and longevity still count.Along the way, we also take time to shine a light beyond the Top 20, with selections from the BluegrassToday Gospel and Grassicana charts — songs that broaden the picture of what’s resonating across bluegrass, Americana, and roots music right now.From hard-driving tradition to thoughtful songwriting and gospel classics, this episode reflects the depth and diversity of today’s bluegrass world — all wrapped up in a chart shaped entirely by radio airplay.Thanks for listening, and enjoy the music.CheersMike KearWindsor NSW  Australia 

 Show #179Welcome to Show #179 of the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown, coming to you from Sydney, Australia.This week’s program features: 🎵 All 20 songs from the BluegrassToday Weekly Airplay Chart played IN FULL 🎶 Plus seven additional tracks from the BluegrassToday Grassicana Chart  played IN FULL There’s plenty of movement on the chart this week, with: ✅ A brand new number one ✅ Two songs making their debut on the countdown ✅ Eleven songs returning to the chart The countdown is based on the BluegrassToday.com radio airplay survey, published Friday evening.Along the way, you’ll hear new music from Lydia Hamby and NewFound Road, strong climbers from The Infamous Stringdusters, Wyatt Ellis, and Alison Krauss & Union Station, and a dramatic leap to the top of the chart by Chris Jones & The Night Drivers.Thanks for listening — and be sure to join us again next week for another look at what’s moving on the bluegrass charts.

This week’s edition is a little later than usual — thanks for your patience.In this episode we count down the Top 20 bluegrass songs from the BluegrassToday.com airplay chart, plus a special feature on the Top 5 songs from the BluegrassToday Weekly Gospel Chart.An unusual chart week too — for the first time in the history of this countdown there are no debut songs and no new #1, a reminder that strong songs can hold their ground when the field is tight.You’ll hear music this week from artists including The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Billy Strings, Junior Sisk, Shelby Means, Milan Miller, Ashby Frank, Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours, Appalachian Road Show, Irene Kelley, Trey Hensley, and many more.Along the way there’s background on the songs, the writers, the recordings, and the stories behind the music — plus a look at what’s happening across the bluegrass charts right now.🎶 Also this weekWe feature the Top 5 songs from the BluegrassToday Weekly Gospel Chart, highlighting some of the strongest current gospel releases being played on bluegrass radio.🌐 Song list and extrasYou can find the full song list in the BluegrassToday charts at BluegrassToday.com/chart  for this episode.📩 Get in touchQuestions, comments, or song suggestions are always welcome. Mike’s email is [email protected] for listening — and enjoy the countdown.— Mike Kear Sydney, Australia

This week’s countdown is extended slightly with a couple of bonus additions to make up the running time.🌿 Bonus Track — From the Grassicana ChartMany songs from the Grassicana chart also appear on the BluegrassToday Top 20 — but this one hasn’t yet crossed over.Sierra Hull – “Truth Be Told” From the album A Tip Toe High Wire Written by Sierra Hull✝️ BluegrassToday Gospel Chart — Top 4#3 – Becky Buller “The Outlaw” (feat. Becky Isaacs Bowman) Written by Larry Norman From Becky’s covers album Songs That Sing Me (Dark Shadow Records)= #2 (tie) – New River Bluegrass “The Lamb, The Lion And The King” Written by Gerald Crabb (Sound Biscuit Records)= #2 (tie) – Daryl Mosley “I Can Pray” Written by Daryl Mosley (Pinecastle Records)#1 – Corrina Rose Logston Stephens (Rrinaco) — Debut “Angels From The Realms Of Glory” Written by Henry Thomas Smart From the new project Rrinaco (Rebel Records)

Episode 175 – Week of December 29, 2025This week’s BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown reflects a very current and active bluegrass radio chart.On this week’s show: A new number one song, completing a fast climb up the chart Four songs debuting on the countdown Six returning songs, back after time away The longest-running song has reached its 9th week on the chart We also take time during the show to: Step aside from the countdown to feature Russell Moore, including a classic live performance from his years with IIIrd Tyme Out, before hearing him again in his current role with Alison Krauss & Union Station Look at interesting and unusual happenings on the BluegrassToday Weekly Gospel Chart, including a rare three-way tie for number one This episode was produced in Sydney, Australia, and showcases the songs bluegrass radio is playing right now — from brand-new releases to established favourites.

Broadcast from Sydney, Australia — hosted by Mike Kear.This week’s Countdown has a bit of everything — new chart debuts, strong movers, long-running favourites, and a couple of reflective moments along the way.We include a short tribute to Joe Mullins, who is retiring from touring at Christmas. His latest single, “Lord I’m Thankful” (written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell, released by Billy Blue Records), is almost certainly his final appearance on the BluegrassToday chart — a fitting and heartfelt way to mark the moment.Part 1 ended up with a little spare time this week, which the tribute filled nicely, putting the segment just a few seconds over — exactly where I like it for pacing.You’ll also hear the usual blend of stories, chart stats, and notes behind many of the songs.If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend — and if your local station doesn’t carry the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown yet, feel free to give them a nudge. Stations can contact me directly for syndication details.Thanks for listening, and enjoy this week’s Top 20.

This week: A fresh #1, two former chart-toppers returning, and an unusually busy debut week — eight new songs entering the Top 20. We also heard four picks from the BluegrassToday Gospel and Grassicana charts during our mid-show feature.🔥 New #1 This WeekBlue Highway – Is Now the Time Written by Wayne Taylor & Beth Snapp • Down The Road Records Up from #2 last week.📥 Eight DebutsArtists who had songs entering the chart this week: Bryan Sutton & Sierra Hull, Alison Brown and Steve Martin,  Burnett Sisters Band David Parmley, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys 🎧 Mid-Show Feature — Songs from Other BluegrassToday Charts• Burnett Sisters Band – Lovesick Blues — #2 Grassicana • Eighteen Mile – What Mercy Means — #3 Gospel • Jeff Tolbert & Primitive Road – Heaven Is Waiting For Me — #4 Gospel • Russ Carson – Father, Son & Holy Ghost — #4 Gospel (tied)

Welcome to this week’s BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown, produced in Sydney, Australia, where we bring you the 20 most-played songs in bluegrass radio worldwide — as published each Friday night on BluegrassToday.com.This week’s chart gives us strong climbers, powerful debuts, returning favourites, and a familiar face back at number one.This Week’s Number 1Congratulations to Trey Hensley — and to Pinecastle Records — as Can’t Outrun the Blues takes the #1 spot for the second week in a row, after spending two weeks at #2 earlier in its chart run.Highlights From the Countdown Chosen Road arrive with a thoughtful debut at #7. Pitney Meyer return to the chart after 27 weeks away, landing at #6 with Trail of Tears. Benson keep their momentum with Bully of the Town holding strong at #3. Blue Highway’s Is Now the Time* continues climbing — now at #2 and possibly eyeing next week’s top spot. Alison Krauss & Union Station surge from #20 to #12 with Richmond on the James, a song that’s twice been to #1 earlier in its run and will celebrate six months on the countdown next week. (And yes — that’s Richmond, Virginia, on the James River… not the one just 10km up the road from Windsor!) About the CountdownEvery song you hear on the program has earned its place through radio airplay around the world. The Countdown is compiled from bluegrass radio reporting and reflects what broadcasters everywhere are spinning week after week.Thanks for ListeningThank you for supporting bluegrass music — and for joining us for another week of the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown. We’ll be back next week with all the new movement, new debuts, and maybe a new #1.

This week on the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown, I’m joined by one of the most respected broadcasters in bluegrass, Cindy Baucom, host of Knee Deep in Bluegrass and longtime MC of the main stage at MerleFest. Cindy brings her trademark warmth, insight, and good humour as we work our way through a busy chart: one brand-new Number One, five debuts, and seven returning songs.We talk about the artists, the songs, and a few personal stories along the way. Cindy shares some behind-the-scenes knowledge only she can offer, and we compare notes on life, broadcasting, and the bluegrass world today.Because of podcast time constraints, some parts of our conversation had to be omitted from this public version — including a couple of extra stories and “Cindy picks” that didn’t quite fit the broadcast clock. You can hear those extended segments on our Patreon page at: 👉 http://patreon.com/bttop20If you enjoy the show, consider supporting us there — it helps keep the countdown going and gives you access to bonus audio, behind-the-scenes notes, and extra content from our guests.Broadcast from Sydney, Australia. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the music!

Broadcast from Sydney, AustraliaThis week’s countdown features a new Number 1, seven debuts, and eight returning favourites—plus a good-natured bit of chart confusion over two songs called “Working Man Blues.”You’ll hear brand-new music from: Trey Hensley – “Can’t Outrun the Blues” (our highest debut) Jim Hurst – “I’m Leavin’” East Nash Grass – “Bend in the Road” Unspoken Tradition – “Refugee” …and many more. Our oldest returning favourite this week is “Della Jane’s Heart” from Appalachian Road Show, making its 19th appearance on the chart.The Gospel Spotlight features the top four songs from the Bluegrass Today Gospel Chart: Nick Chandler & Delivered – “Follow the Leader” Danny Paisley – “Two Old Church Pews” David Parmley – “No Empty Chairs in Heaven” Lincoln Mash & Heather Alley – “Master Carpenter” Total show length: 1 hour 48 minutes of music, 108 minutes total.Produced and hosted by Mike Kear for Hawkesbury Radio, Sydney Australia and syndicated worldwide.

This week’s chart is full of surprises — seven debuts, six returning songs, two ties (at #19 and #8), and a brand-new #1!We even start the show in an unusual place: #27, where last week’s chart-topper took a record-breaking fall after ten weeks on the countdown.Total music time: 81 minutes 31 seconds Show length: 1 hour 48 minutesHighlights: Jackson Harris debuts with “The Man I Want to Be.” Seth Mulder & Midnight Run return with their twelfth chart song in two years. New music from Brandon Lee Adams, Billy Strings, Jim Hurst, David Parmley, and Grasstime. Ties at #19 and #8 keep things lively. And Will Clark earns his first #1 with “A Different Kind of Lonesome.” Featured Label Partners: Pinecastle • Mountain Fever • Billy Blue • Rebel • Turnberry • RounderProduced in: Sydney, Australia Host: Mike Kear Based on: The official Bluegrass Today Weekly Airplay Chart Copyright © 2025 Hawkesbury Radio and Mike Kear. All rights reserved.

This week’s Countdown is bursting at the seams — 22 songs thanks to two ties, seven debuts, seven returning favorites, and a brand-new #1!   As it happens, the orderof the songs makes it seem like a 3 Act Play! 🪕 Show Highlights Act 1 – Fresh Blood: Six of the seven debut tracks land right up front, bringing a wave of new energy to kick off the show. Act 2 – The Comeback Crew: Familiar favorites return for another run up the chart. Act 3 – The Power End: Three recent Number 1s plus a brand-new chart-topper finish the show in style. 🏆 New Number 1Southern Legacy – “The Hills of Carter County” I called it — and here it is at the top! Lead vocals by Josh Williams, written by Jeff Walter and Marc Rossi (Pinecastle Records).🌟 Debuting This Week Mountain Grass Unit – “Hey Mama” Deanie Richardson & Kimber Ludiker – “Cacklin’ Hen” Kenny & Amanda Smith – “My Runaway” Del McCoury Band – “Just Because” Blue Highway – “Is Now the Time” Rebekah Speer – “Needle in the Heart of West Virginia” Shawn Camp – “New Cut Road” 🎧 Also featuring Greg Blake – “Nora McNally” (IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year) Wyatt Ellis – “Country Boy Rock & Roll” Milan Miller – “Tony Rice Tattoo” Shawn Camp – “Sis Draper” (last week’s #1) Alison Krauss & Union Station – “Richmond on the James” (23 weeks on chart) Plus Crandall Creek, Throwdown Thursday, and Daniel Grindstaff with Marty Stuart. And a special bonus spin of Blue Highway’s “God Moves in a Windstorm” — tucked somewhere in the show for you to discover. 📻 Produced in Sydney, Australia by Mike Kear. Heard worldwide on partner stations and as a podcast every weekend. Visit BluegrassToday.com for the weekly chart.

This week’s Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown comes with a few surprises — a new number one, six brand-new debuts, and ten favourites returning to the chart, including a couple of ties that push us to 22 songs in total.We’ll hear from rising stars like Mountain Grass Unit, East Nash Grass, and Daniel Grind-staff & The Uptown Troubadours, along with bluegrass heavyweights The Travelin’ McCourys, Junior Sisk, and Balsam Range.And between the chart action, Mike shares one of his favourite true stories — about listener Tom “Gumby” Carlson, an IT engineer who once wintered over at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station. With a handful of borrowed instruments, he taught his fellow scientists to play old-time tunes and led the first-ever square dance at the South Pole — where, of course, everyone stood on the north side of the square!Music, stories, and a touch of history — all wrapped up in two hours of the best bluegrass anywhere.

This week’s Countdown celebrates a mix of long-running chart favourites and powerful new arrivals — with fresh stories, gospel inspiration, and even a trip to the South Pole.🏆 Highlights Alison Krauss & Union Station return after a 14-year break with “Richmond on the James.” Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland dominate again — three songs in the Top 20, including the IBMA-decorated “Outrun the Rain.” Shelby Means, Ashby Frank, and Volume Five all climb steadily. Emotional debut for Bobby Osborne & C.J. Lewandowski with “Blue Heartache,” recorded as a tribute after Bobby’s passing. Will Clark launches his solo career with “A Different Kind of Lonesome.” Kevin Denney holds the #1 spot with “Gulf Shore Line,” featuring Andy Leftwich, Rob Ickes, Darrin Vincent & Jaelee Roberts. Four-way tie on the Gospel Chart led by Eighteen Mile, High Road, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, and Kristy Cox, with Jerry Salley & The Oak Ridge Boys just behind — the Oaks’ final studio recording by their original lineup.  Runtime 104 minutes (68 minutes of music + features, stories & Countdown commentary).🔗 CreditsProduced by Hawkesbury Radio with the cooperation of BluegrassToday.com. All songs from the BluegrassToday Weekly Airplay Chart, used by permission. Licensed for full-music podcasting under APRA Australia guidelines.

This week: a brand-new #1 that rocketed from #18 last week to the top, plus five debuts and five songs returning to the countdown. We spin all 20 songs in full, then take a quick look at the BluegrassToday Gospel chart to round things out. Along the way, watch for long-runners still holding strong and a few surprise collaborations making noise on radio.Highlights 🔹 New #1: last week’s debut at #18 jumps straight to the summit 🔹 5 debuts and 5 returners on the main chart 🔹 All 20 tracks played in full (no snippets) 🔹 Spotlight check-in on the BluegrassToday Gospel Top 7 🔹 A 20-week run continues for Alison Krauss & Union Station—can it make the full six months? Support the showIf you enjoy the countdown, please consider supporting us on Patreon—it helps with licensing, hosting, and keeping Studio 5A humming. 👉 [Patreon link]Host: Mike Kear — Studio 5A, northwest Sydney, Australia Powered by: BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown(Thanks for listening. See you next week with a fresh chart!)

This week’s BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown is packed with chart action and award news!🎶 Highlights: A brand-new #1: — 16 weeks on the chart and their 4th time at the very top. 4 debuts including songs from Downriver Collective, Authentic Unlimited, Alison Brown & Steve Martin, and Zeb Snyder. 8 returning songs proving their staying power on bluegrass radio. Special mentions of the IBMA Award winners from last week — tying the chart to the biggest night in bluegrass. Mike Kear brings you the top 20 songs from the BluegrassToday airplay chart, along with backstories, industry news, and a few witty asides. Recorded in Studio 5A in Sydney, Australia, and heard worldwide.🕒 Total show length: 104 minutes.📌 About the Countdown: The BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown reflects what’s happening on bluegrass radio around the world. Updated weekly, it’s the most accurate snapshot of today’s bluegrass scene.

A brand-new #1, three debuts, nine returns, and even two ties — twenty-two songs in the Top 20! Bluegrass legends and rising stars all here in this week’s BluegrassToday Countdown. This week’s BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown is packed with stories and surprises. We welcome three brand-new debuts, nine strong returnees, and even a couple of ties — which means twenty-two songs in the Top 20! At the top, there’s a brand-new number one from bluegrass legend Larry Sparks, proving there’s still plenty of room for the masters alongside the rising stars.Along the way you’ll hear Ashby Frank, Williamson Branch, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Appalachian Road Show, Wyatt Ellis, and many more. As always, Mike Kear brings you the latest chart direct from Sydney, Australia, with backstories, playful asides, and the best bluegrass in the world.Don’t miss this week’s countdown — the official chart from BluegrassToday, played in full and shared with stations around the globe.

This week’s Countdown has it all — comebacks, debuts, big moves, and a brand-new #1 from Zeb Snyder with “Dollar Bill Blues.” Hear every song in full, plus an interview about MountainGrass, Australia’s premier bluegrass event.This week’s BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown is packed with action on the chart: Zeb Snyder rockets from #14 all the way to #1 with his stunning take on Dollar Bill Blues. Appalachian Road Show return to the Top 3 with Della Jane’s Heart, a song that’s already been #1 four times. Benson keep the pressure on with Lover of the Road, holding strong near the top. We’ve also got debuts from Darin & Brooke Aldridge and a second appearance this week by Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, this time featuring Jim Lauderdale. There’s even more packed in: An interview about MountainGrass, the premier bluegrass event in Australia. Fresh stories and insights behind the songs and artists. And a few surprises along the way. As always, you’ll hear every song in full, so settle in and enjoy the very best of today’s bluegrass.

The BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown with Mike Kear — direct from Windsor, Australia. This week’s chart plus Bluegrass on the Rise, five fast-rising tracks rocketing toward the Top 20.We count down the 20 most played songs in bluegrass radio, direct from the BluegrassToday airplay chart — plus we spotlight five fast-rising tracks in our Bluegrass on the Rise segment, songs that are rocketing up the chart and could be Top 20 before long.Featured this week: Vickie Vaughn Band – Leavin’ Billy Strings – Leaning on a Travelin’ Song Tony Trischka (feat. Vince Gill) – Bury Me Beneath the Willow Chris Davis – Gold Rush Town Kody Norris Show – Tennessee You’ll also hear news, backstories, and a full 108 minutes of bluegrass radio — with every song played in full.Whether you’re tuning in from the U.S., Australia, or anywhere else in the world, you’ll get the very best of today’s bluegrass music, straight from the source.

The BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown with Mike Kear — direct from Windsor, Australia. This week’s chart plus Bluegrass on the Rise, five fast-rising tracks rocketing toward the Top 20.We count down the 20 most played songs in bluegrass radio, direct from the BluegrassToday airplay chart — plus we spotlight five fast-rising tracks in our Bluegrass on the Rise segment, songs that are rocketing up the chart and could be Top 20 before long.Featured this week: Vickie Vaughn Band – Leavin’ Billy Strings – Leaning on a Travelin’ Song Tony Trischka (feat. Vince Gill) – Bury Me Beneath the Willow Chris Davis – Gold Rush Town Kody Norris Show – Tennessee You’ll also hear news, backstories, and a full 108 minutes of bluegrass radio — with every song played in full.Whether you’re tuning in from the U.S., Australia, or anywhere else in the world, you’ll get the very best of today’s bluegrass music, straight from the source.

This week’s Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown is packed with great music — including a brand-new #1 from Ashby Frank, multiple debuts, and a few big returners climbing back toward the top. We’ve also got a listener request from Tasmania featuring the Bray Brothers & Red Cravens, plus new singles from Wyatt Ellis, Alison Brown & Steve Martin, and more.Along the way, I share stories behind the songs and artists, a snippet of the original version of an Alison Krauss & Union Station track for comparison, and some deep cuts from my own library to round out the hour.Highlights include: Highest debut of the week: Junior Sisk with The Devil’s Train Former #1s making another run Listener request: Blue Eyed Darling (1961) Extended cut: AJ Lee & Blue Summit’s Glendale Train

This episode of the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown features four debut songs, three return entries, and the reigning #1: Benson’s “Lover of the Road.”You'll hear chart-topping tracks from Alison Krauss & Union Station, Chris Jones, Appalachian Road Show, and Daniel Grindstaff. Plus, Jesse Smathers and Hammertowne make strong first appearances, while Milan Miller’s “Tony Rice Tattoo” becomes the longest-running song on the countdown.This week also includes a special segment featuring all five nominees for IBMA Gospel Recording of the Year. Let your ears—and your heart—help you decide who deserves to win it.Join host Mike Kear from Sydney, Australia, as he shares backstories, artist insights, and the most-played bluegrass songs of the week, based on the official BluegrassToday.com radio airplay chart.

This week on the BluegrassToday Weekly Top 20 Countdown, your host — Agent 254 himself, Mike Kear in Sydney, Australia— is back with another round of bluegrass chart action.🎵 We count down the Top 20 most-played bluegrass songs of the week. 🔥 A new #1 song that climbed to the top in just its second week on the chart. 🆕 Six debuts and five returning tracks keep the chart moving. 🎯 Plus, a quick detour to visit a few songs that “missed it by THAT much.”As always, there’s music, stories, and just enough mischief to keep you wondering if the Cone of Silence is still working.Follow or subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app — or stream it directly from http://podomatic.com/bttop20   It helps us keep the bluegrass flowing!

It’s a big week on the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown — we’ve got a brand new Number 1, four debut entries, and seven songs making their return! Mike takes us through the Top 20 IN FULL, plus we feature two standout tracks from the Grassicana chart based on last week’s survey,  and five songs from the albums nominated for IBMA 2025 Album of the Year.This week’s show includes music from: Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours Ashby Frank Junior Sisk The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys Billy Strings Alison Krauss & Union Station Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland Tony Trischka (with Vince Gill) Bronwyn Keith-Hynes …and many more. Also featuring songs by The Steeldrivers and Wood Box Heroes, and a whole lot of chart movement, surprises, and behind-the-scenes stories.📍 Produced in Sydney, Australia — heard worldwide. 🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Join Mike Kear in Sydney for this week’s Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown, featuring the 20 most-played bluegrass songs worldwide according to the Bluegrass Today radio survey published Friday night. Every chart song is played in full, so you get to hear exactly what’s making waves on bluegrass radio right now.This week’s show also includes a special feature on the Grassicana chart, showcasing songs with strong bluegrass roots that branch out into Americana, folk, and country influences. It’s a great chance to hear the best of what’s new and fresh across the whole roots music landscape.Settle in and enjoy the very best in bluegrass and beyond.

You can catch the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown as a podcast where we play full songs,   all of them in the top 20 Chart anytime. Just search in your favorite podcast app. And for the full chart details, head to BluegrassToday.com. Plus, if you want to hear bonus segments and extras that don’t make it to air, check out our Patreon page at patreon.com/BTTop20  

Welcome to the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown – your guide to the 20 most-played bluegrass songs on radio this week! Join host Mike Kear as he counts them down, sharing artist stories, songwriter credits, and behind-the-scenes insights straight from the world of bluegrass.Each week’s show is based on the authoritative BluegrassToday.com airplay chart, keeping you up to date with the latest hits, fresh debuts, and fast risers in the genre.Tune in for two hours of the best in bluegrass – from traditional favorites to cutting-edge new releases – plus special segments, artist interviews, and more.Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and enjoy the music that keeps bluegrass vibrant and alive around the world!

 This is the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown — the radio show and podcast that brings you the 20 most-played songs in bluegrass, based on the official BluegrassToday.com airplay chart. Hosted by Mike Kear in Sydney, Australia, and broadcast on great radio stations around the world, each episode features the latest hits, artist stories, and a few personal favourites thrown in for good measure. This week’s show runs 1 hour and 48 minutes and includes optional spaces for local content if aired on radio. 

It’s another big week on the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown! This time, we’ve got a new number 1 song — plus six fresh debuts, some long-running chart favorites, and a few surprises along the way.We also take a moment to highlight what’s happening over on the Bluegrass Gospel chart, with top songs from Junior Sisk, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, and Mark Houser featuring Rhonda Vincent. And we check in with the Grassicana chart to feature one of the hottest rising voices, Caroline Owens, with her brand-new single.Host Mike Kear brings you artist stories, songwriting credits, and a few personal reflections along the way — including a heartfelt new song from Gena Britt written in memory of her dad for Father’s Day.It’s 1 hour and 40 minutes of the best in contemporary bluegrass — from the chart-toppers to the hidden gems.