Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 9, 2025
News Summary
Chattanooga, Tennessee, gained recognition at the CMA Broadcast Awards with local stations, including Audacy’s ‘US 101’ WUSY, Cumulus Media’s WIVK, and Bristol Broadcasting’s WXBQ, receiving prestigious awards. The honors highlight the excellence and impact of country radio in the region, complemented by notable personalities like Lon Helton and the Rob and Holly Show. The winners will be celebrated at the Pre-Telecast Ceremony ahead of the annual CMA Awards, showcasing the vibrant community within Tennessee’s radio landscape.
Chattanooga, Tennessee celebrated significant recognition for its local radio stations at the 2025 CMA Broadcast Awards. Three stations from the region were honored for their outstanding contributions to country radio, showcasing the excellence of the medium in Tennessee.
Audacy’s “US 101” WUSY Chattanooga secured its 30th CMA win, affirming its reputation as a leading station in the industry. Cumulus Media’s WIVK Knoxville (107.7) also received a prestigious CMA Broadcast Award, highlighting its dedication to quality programming and listener engagement. Meanwhile, Bristol Broadcasting’s WXBQ Johnson City (96.9) was recognized for its performance, adding to the accolades for Tennessee’s radio talent.
The announcement of the award winners came as a surprise to many, with the lucky stations being notified on-air by Tucker Wetmore, a nominee for CMA New Artist of the Year. This exciting moment exemplified the spirit and camaraderie within the country radio community.
Additionally, “Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton,” hosted by Lon Helton, claimed the title of weekly national Personality of the Year. This recognition emphasizes the importance of compelling programming in the country music landscape. In a related achievement, Rob Stone and Holly Hutton from Audacy’s “The Rob and Holly Show” were awarded daily national Personality of the Year, marking their first CMA win and further showcasing the talent within Tennessee’s radio scene.
For small markets, morning hosts Ben Butler and Arnie Andrews made history by receiving the first CMA win for “Cow 97” WCOW La Crosse, WI, in the small-market Personality of the Year category. This accomplishment signifies a milestone for the station and emphasizes the potential of local voices in the industry.
The winners will be celebrated at the Pre-Telecast Ceremony on November 19, prior to the esteemed 59th Annual CMA Awards. This event allows industry professionals to come together and honor the achievements made throughout the year.
The CMA Broadcast Awards are recognized for their objective evaluation of outstanding achievements based on airchecks, ratings, community involvement, and overall impact. A panel of broadcasting professionals judges the entries, ensuring a fair and competitive selection process.
This year, the Major Market Station of the Year award was claimed by KKBQ in Houston. Each winner had to navigate a rigorous selection process, with entries evaluated on their performance metrics, making the recognition even more prestigious.
The CMA Broadcast Awards celebrate excellence in both broadcast personality and radio station performance across various market sizes. Winning these awards represents not just a moment of pride for the individual station but also for the vibrant and thriving country radio community in Tennessee and beyond.
FAQ
Which Tennessee stations won the 2025 CMA Broadcast Awards?
Audacy’s “US 101” WUSY Chattanooga, Cumulus Media’s WIVK Knoxville (107.7), and Bristol Broadcasting’s WXBQ Johnson City (96.9) received recognition at the awards.
Who won the Personality of the Year awards?
“Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton” won the weekly national Personality of the Year award, while Rob Stone and Holly Hutton from “The Rob and Holly Show” won the daily national Personality of the Year award.
When and where will the winners be honored?
Winners will be honored at the Pre-Telecast Ceremony on November 19, prior to the 59th Annual CMA Awards.
What criteria are used to evaluate the CMA Broadcast Awards entries?
Entries are judged based on airchecks, ratings, community involvement, and overall impact, as evaluated by a panel of broadcasting professionals.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tennessee Radio Stations Shine at CMA Broadcast Awards
Additional Resources
- Country Insider
- Wikipedia: Country Music Association
- Billboard
- Google Search: 2025 CMA Broadcast Awards
- Barrett Media
- Google Scholar: CMA Broadcast Awards
- Radio Online
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Country Music Awards
- Just Jared
- Google News: Country Music Awards
Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER
The BRISTOL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBristol.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bristol, Sullivan County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Border Bash concert series, and the Hot Bristol Night Car Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the Birthplace of Country Music, plus leading businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Ballad Health, Strongwell, and Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
