The Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown

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 bttop20@gmail.comThanks 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.