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Blake Shelton has moved into sole possession of second place on Billboard’s Country Airplay all-time list after his latest single reached No. 1, a milestone that reshapes the chart’s landscape and underscores radio’s continued role in defining country careers. The achievement matters now because it alters legacy rankings that artists, labels and programmers watch closely—and it highlights how both veteran names and new arrivals are competing for airtime in 2025.
The song, written by Beau Bailey, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis and Drew Parker and produced by longtime collaborator Scott Hendricks, gives Shelton a notable boost on radio. It is his first No. 1 as the sole credited artist since 2019 and follows a recent run as a featured performer on Post Malone’s “Pour Me a Drink,” which topped the chart for three weeks in October 2024. Shelton’s first taste of the summit came with his debut single “Austin” in 2001, which still stands as his longest-lasting leader at five weeks.
Beyond the personal milestone, the shift has broader implications for programming and chart narratives. Radio playlists and streaming habits that favor established stars can slow the ascent of newer artists—yet this season also shows openings for fresh voices. That tension plays out in weekly rotations and in how labels prioritize singles for promotion.
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Where Shelton now sits on the Country Airplay leaderboard
The table below shows the top artists by lifetime Country Airplay No. 1s, reflecting the updated totals after Shelton’s newest chart-topper.
| Position | Artist | No. 1s |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenny Chesney | 33 |
| 2 | Blake Shelton | 30 |
| 3 | Tim McGraw | 29 |
| 4–6 | Luke Bryan / Alan Jackson / George Strait | 26 each |
| 7 | Jason Aldean | 25 |
| 8–9 | Keith Urban / Thomas Rhett | 21 each |
| 10–12 | Brooks & Dunn / Toby Keith / Brad Paisley | 20 each |
| 13–15 | Garth Brooks / Luke Combs / Morgan Wallen | 19 each |
| 16 | Dierks Bentley | 18 |
| 17–18 | Florida Georgia Line / Carrie Underwood | 16 each |
For Shelton, the milestone is both symbolic and practical: more No. 1s translate into sustained radio relationships, licensing appeal and a reinforced public profile that can affect festival bookings and catalog streaming.
Westbrook re-enters the top 10
Hudson Westbrook’s single “House Again” climbed back into the Country Airplay top 10 this week (moving from No. 11 to No. 10) after drawing an audience of 19.6 million—a 6% increase. The rebound illustrates how holiday airplay cycles and playlist updates can briefly revive songs and push emerging acts higher.
Westbrook was among the last breakout names to reach the chart’s top tier in 2025, joining several other artists who scored their first career top 10s this year. That trend points to a steady stream of newcomers earning meaningful radio traction even as legacy performers continue to rack up milestones.
- Hootie & the Blowfish — “Bottle Rockets” (with Scotty McCreery)
- John Morgan — “Friends Like That” (featuring Jason Aldean)
- Josh Ross — “Single Again”
- Zach Top — “I Never Lie”
- Hudson Westbrook — “House Again”
In 2024, the chart saw an even larger influx: 16 artists achieved their first top 10s, underlining how radio format gatekeepers are balancing heritage artists with new talent. For listeners and industry observers, the mix of veterans and rookies shaping the Country Airplay tallies will be a story to watch through the rest of the year.
