The Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown

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.

A slightly-late-but-worth-the-wait edition packed with a brand-new #1 that’s shot up from last week’s #20, 4 fresh debuts, 7 returning favourites, and a rare tie at #17 — so you’re getting 21 songs instead of 20!Host Mike Kear is joined by acclaimed songwriter Brink Brinkman, who shares stories and insights — including the backstory of his personal favourite song, “Bluefield Mountain Wind,” recorded by Greg Blake.Plus: a heartfelt tribute to Rod and Judy Jones on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Bluegrass & Traditional Country Music Society of Australia.Full songs. No edits. All heart. Hit play — it’s a good one.