Beyonce’s candid declaration that she wants to appear on country radio has garnered significant attention, yet her efforts at fulfilling this pledge may face serious hurdles.
On average, it takes over nine hours for two consecutive songs by women artists to play on top country stations.
It’s a big business
Country music has grown from its humble roots into a massive business, with radio as one of its primary platforms fueling this expansion. As the industry evolves, country stations must find innovative ways to engage listeners and compete against other genres – traditionally targeting older listeners but now finding it harder due to streaming services such as TikTok to keep those audiences interested.
Radio station owners of yesteryear tended to specialize in advertising products tailored towards rural and working-class consumers, often through local stores serving them such as feed and seed shops, hardware stores and flour mills. Furthermore, they built relationships within rural communities by hosting live events like rodeos and fairs.
Recently, only radio-played country songs were counted towards the airplay component of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart; however, in 2024 this restriction was lifted, allowing other genres of music to vie for placement on it. This decision has ignited much discussion as to whether country is losing its authenticity.
While critics of country music have often claimed that black artists are being overlooked, others have pointed out how white artists such as Kenny Rogers and Post Malone have had no repercussions for switching genres to country. Some even made it into the top ten Billboard charts whereas many Black artists have struggled to break through into mainstream country music scenes.
Country music’s rise has been in part driven by an increase in women who listen to it; a recent study by Jacobs Media Strategy discovered that women aged 25 or over made up over 50% of country’s audience in the US; however, young listeners remain elusive for this genre.
Crossover hits like Dan + Shay and Gabby Barrett are an indicator that radio format is becoming more diverse, according to experts. They believe this change may be the result of radio’s shifting demographics which have opened the doors more readily for pop artists with country influences.
It’s a genre
Country radio stations specialize in country music and are one of the most popular music formats in America. Country stations feature current hits as well as classic songs from decades past; there are over 100 country stations across America owned by companies like iHeartMedia, Cumulus Media and Townsquare Media.
Country music is an American folk genre originating in the South and Southwest regions, featuring vocal melodies accompanied by instrumental accompaniment. At its origins, country music was an expression of rural working-class life characterized by themes of love, loss and family as well as strong patriotism; today however, its appeal extends far beyond these roots.
Although country music remains increasingly popular, there remain issues regarding its representation on radio. Country radio has historically excluded women and people of color from its roster. Following 98 KCQ’s controversial tweet about female artists being excluded, country radio promised that more female artists would be included into its rotations; two years later however, most stations only play select ones.
As well as addressing diversity issues, country radio industry is also looking to increase ratings with younger audiences by experimenting with different formats and programs. A popular example is Americana; an emerging genre combining elements of country and folk. According to radio experts, Americana could help change public perception of genre.
Country music has a rich history, yet is constantly adapting and growing. New artists such as Kacey Musgraves and Lil Nas X are revolutionizing what country music means by broadening its scope. Their success attracts listeners that had previously been overlooked by genre gatekeepers; young Black country artists Morgan Wallen and Elle King are also making waves, and could serve as examples to other minority artists who might want to pursue country as careers.
It’s a voice
People may think of country music in terms of pickup trucks and cowboy hats, but its roots go much deeper – from West African string instruments to Atlanta hip-hop. While country stations remain true to tradition, they’re working to diversify their formats in ways that benefit women, LGBTQ artists or artists of color in some way – these stations are making a statement in their industry!
Radio formats don’t define themselves by sound alone; rather they reflect specific demographics radio stations are targeting. Music serves to attract and keep listeners, which in turn are then sold to advertisers for sponsorship of airtime – particularly relevant to country music which traditionally targets poor rural and Southern white audiences.
Recent years, however, have seen women and minority artists gain prominence within country music genre. Notable examples include Kacey Musgraves, Lil Nas X and Valerie June – artists rewriting country’s narrative but often dismissed by radio station gatekeepers.
Some country stations have responded to these changes by altering their programming or initiating new initiatives, while many country artists are advocating for greater diversity within the industry. It is important to remember, however, that these efforts won’t succeed without change within radio stations’ culture and hiring practices.
650 AM WSM has long been recognized as the go-to country music station. Established in Nashville for more than 90 years, its shows like Grand Ole Opry have helped define country music across America and around the globe.
K105 and B100 are well known for their commitment to community involvement. Not only have they sponsored Relay for Life events, but have hosted fundraisers like Drink Pink (supporting cancer awareness), Go Red for Women, Miracle Moments for homeless, Goodwill Little Black Dress event as well as raising over $8 Million through radiothons for St Judes Hospital.
It’s a movement
Though streaming and social media have taken away traditional music’s traditional gatekeeper status, country stations remain influential. They can advance favored artists’ careers while setting the genre’s metes and bounds for audiences and the industry at large. Yet these stations also face threats that threaten their survival; therefore they must remain vigilant about keeping their formats fresh and relevant in an age of digital disruption.
One of the biggest challenges facing country music stations today is an ever-shifting audience demographic. As more Millennials and Gen Z listeners move away from traditional country music, overall listenership decreases. To combat this trend, many stations are adopting an unconventional approach to music by adding contemporary artists and playlists; they are also emphasizing storytelling to build communities of fans.
This week, hundreds of program directors, station managers, and media moguls will converge in Nashville for the annual Country Radio Seminar. Over three days of conferences and networking events, they’ll attempt to figure out how country radio can remain relevant as an audience-facing format in the years to come.
Attracting young listeners is one of the greatest challenges facing country radio stations today. Although younger generations tend to have less interest in country music, they’re much more likely to enjoy podcasts or streaming music services such as Spotify. To reach these new demographics, country stations are experimenting with different formats in order to appeal to them; some even introduce new music specifically targeted towards this demographic which helps them compete with genres such as hip-hop and pop.
Retaining and expanding listenership are also among the primary challenges for radio stations, which has experienced some notable station closings recently. Furthermore, some country stations are struggling to penetrate urban markets.
Recent news of New York City’s only country station’s conversion into a classic hip-hop station should serve as a wakeup call for those still invested in mainstream country radio formats. As more urban areas embrace country music, it is crucial that its stations adapt accordingly.