The highly anticipated honorees for the Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2025 were unveiled on Wednesday, February 19, during the CRS Honors event. This announcement is part of the larger Country Radio Seminar, taking place in the vibrant heart of Nashville from February 19 to 21. This annual gathering celebrates the contributions of individuals who have shaped the landscape of country radio, making it a pivotal moment for industry recognition.
This year?s distinguished honorees in the radio category include Ginny ?Rogers? Brophey, Clay Hunnicutt, and Gregg Swedberg. The on-air personality category recognizes talented individuals such as Big D & Bubba, Mary McCoy, and Rowdy Yates. These individuals have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also significantly contributed to the country music industry, showcasing their dedication and passion.
A celebratory induction ceremony, the Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction and Dinner, is scheduled for July 21 at the luxurious Virgin Hotel Nashville. This event will honor the remarkable achievements of these inductees, providing them with a platform to share their stories and inspire future generations in the country radio industry.
The Country Radio Hall of Fame serves to honor individuals who have made a profound and lasting impact on the industry. Inductees are recognized in two main categories: on-air personality, which celebrates the accomplishments of on-air talent, and radio, which acknowledges the professionals behind the scenes involved in programming, management, and sales. To be eligible for this prestigious recognition, candidates must have a minimum of 20 years of experience in the radio industry, with at least 15 years dedicated to the country music format.
Big D & Bubba first joined forces in 1996 at WTGE in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Their partnership flourished when they launched their self-syndicated morning show three years later, quickly becoming a staple in country radio. They have received accolades from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music. In 2014, they established their own company, Silverfish, which continues to serve as their radio home, reaching an impressive 97 radio stations and collaborating with 71 broadcast companies. Since 2011, their engaging show has also been broadcasted on the Armed Forces Radio Network each morning, bringing joy to military personnel and their families.
Mary McCoy has captivated radio listeners in Conroe, Texas, for over seven decades, a remarkable achievement recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Her illustrious career began in 1951 when she joined KMCO-AM in Conroe. In the early 1990s, she became one of the first voices on KVST-FM, a new station in the area. For more than 30 years, McCoy has shared her love for country music on K-STAR Country 99.7, where she currently co-hosts six days a week with Larry Galla. In recognition of her contributions, she was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2010 and was part of the 2024 National Radio Hall of Fame class, showcasing her enduring legacy in the industry.
This year, Rowdy Yates celebrates an impressive four decades in the radio industry. His career took off in Denton, Texas, in the mid-1980s, leading to programming and on-air roles in College Station, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His journey continued as he took on positions at KIKK and KILT in Houston, as well as KVOO in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2004, he transitioned into nationally syndicated radio with an eight-year run hosting Country Gold. Since 2013, Yates has owned and operated Syndicated Media LLC in Houston, where he also serves as a host. Since 2019, he has taken on the role of operations manager and PM for RFC Media/Suite Radio Houston, overseeing country formats such as The Brand and The Legend. Additionally, he hosts The Rowdy Ride Home and has received accolades from the Academy of Country Music and the CRS-Country Aircheck Awards. Yates is also a proud member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.
Ginny ?Rogers? Brophey boasts over 40 years of experience in the radio industry, having held positions at WBOS, WKLB, and WBWL. Currently, she serves as the brand manager, air talent, and content creator at Townsquare Media?s WOKQ in Dover and Portsmouth. During her impactful tenure at WBWL, Brophey contributed significantly to the Country Cares radiothon program, benefitting St. Jude Children?s Research Hospital, earning her the title of ?St. Jude Radio Partner of the Year? in 2019. Her dedication to St. Jude has included nine years of service on their Radio Advisory Board. Brophey’s achievements have been celebrated by the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music, the CRS/Country Aircheck Awards, and the New Hampshire Broadcasters Association.
Clay Hunnicutt has achieved remarkable success on both the radio and label sides of the music industry. He began his career at WUSY in Chattanooga, where he undertook various roles, including production director and program director. His expertise led him to program director positions at WGAR in Cleveland and Clear Channel?s five-station cluster in Nashville. Hunnicutt later became the program director for WSIX, and subsequently took on corporate roles at iHeart, including executive VP of programming for major markets. His responsibilities grew to include overseeing country programming for 143 stations and managing national programming platforms for iHeartMedia. Recognized on Billboard?s Power 31 list and named one of Radio Ink?s top 50 programmers, Hunnicutt has also served on the boards of the CMA, ACM, and Country Radio Broadcasters. In 2005, he became part of Leadership Music’s class and later founded Big Loud Records, helping to launch the careers of stars like Morgan Wallen and Hardy. He also served as GM at Big Machine Records and recently held the position of executive VP of label operations for all Big Machine Label Group imprints.
Gregg Swedberg has dedicated 34 years to programming at KEEY (K102) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since being named program director in 1992, he has ascended to various leadership roles, including operations manager, senior VP of programming, regional senior VP, and national country format coordinator for iHeartRadio, the station?s parent company. Swedberg has been recognized as one of the most influential country program directors by Radio Ink since 2000. Under his leadership, KEEY has garnered multiple station of the year honors from the ACM and CMA, and several personalities on K102 have received accolades from both organizations during his tenure.
