Why Today's Big Country Music News Makes Me Feel Old

I've been in this business for close to 40 years, and it's been quite an experience watching this industry adapt to the myriad technological changes that have taken place since I got started. I makes sense that a career in media would put one face to face with the kinds of mind-blowing advances that have been made over the last four decades.

Meeting Famous Country Stars

But on a less "techie" note, meeting the people I've met was something I never anticipated at the beginning, and it's been a welcome privilege ever since. One reason I've gotten to meet and chat with some of country music's biggest stars is because they've visited this radio station. Most times it was because they had just signed their first deal and were doing a radio tour. Martina McBride is a good example. She was here back in the day, and she was sensational.

And in 1993, a regional promoter from now-defunct Capricorn Records brought that label's newest signee to WBKR. He was 26 years old at the time and very excited to get this whole thing started. The late Chuck Urban was our program director at the time, and he and I chatted with these guys for some time. You probably recognize the artist in question.

Dave Spencer; Capricorn Records

Kenny Chesney in the Beginning

This was the debut single they were promoting. It would peak at #59 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart. Obviously, those peaks got a whole lot better.

Country Music Hall of Fame

Today, we got the news that Kenny Chesney, alongside country music legend June Carter Cash and super-producer Tony Brown have become the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Brown goes in as part of the non-musician category. Cash is a Veterans Era inductee while Chesney goes in as a Modern Era inductee.

When I began my career, I just knew I wanted to be on the air and had no idea that would one day mean I'd meet so many big name country artists. But it also never occurred to me that I'd meet a brand new artist where I work who would one day become a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Does it make me feel old? Sure. But let's say "seasoned."

10 Country Stars Who Have Visited the WBKR Studios

We've been fortunate to host multiple country stars, a handful of them early on in their careers.

Gallery Credit: Dave Spencer

25 Best Kenny Chesney Songs That Prove He's Country Music Hall of Fame Worthy

Kenny Chesney's best songs come from three distinct eras of his career. There are early career singles like "How Forever Feels" and mid-2000s hits like "When the Sun Goes Down," "Summertime" and "Anything But Mine."

What truly separates Chesney — a 2025 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee — from other artists is his third act. Six of the 25 songs on this list of Kenny Chesney's best were released after 2010. It's there he took some of his biggest risks, rewarding fans with some of the greatest lyrical moments and sounds of the 21st century.

We ranked the Top 25 Kenny Chesney songs using chart data, streaming and airplay numbers and staff/reader opinion. The year listed alongside the title is the year it was released as a radio single. The No. 1 song on this list exemplifies the best of what the Tennessee native is capable of.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

62 Artists Not in the Country Music Hall of Fame

Which county singer is most deserving of a Country Music Hall of Fame induction? Here are 62 artists who don't have a medallion yet, with some thoughts on when each is eligible and if their fans can expect that nod soon.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes