State Champ Radio Music
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It’s safe to say anyone who hits the stage at the CMA Awards has seriously lived some life, but Stephen Wilson Jr. might have ‘em all beat at least in terms of strange paths to the country spotlight.
The Indiana-born Wilson has been a boxer, competing in the Golden Gloves of America amateur competition; 10 years ago, he was wearing a lab coat and working as a microbiologist; not long after that, he became a songwriter in Nashville, signed to Big Loud. But following the death of his comparatively extroverted father in 2018, something changed, and he began to warm up to the idea of stepping into his own spotlight. His debut album, søn of dad, dropped this year, and although he skews country, he’s covered everyone from Nirvana to Smashing Pumpkins.
Have you played Billboard’s “A Little Bit Country” Crossword?Play now!
At the 2025 CMA Awards on Wednesday (Nov. 19) night, Wilson appeared on stage, wearing mostly black but rocking a floral ball cap with the Virgin Mary on it. In his firm, raspy tone, Wilson slowly but surely captivated the Bridgestone Arena with a soul-rending cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me.”
Ahead of his performance of “Stand By Me,” which turned heads when he brought it to the Atlanta-based YouTube series Live at the Print Shop in Oct. 2024, Wilson spoke to Billboard correspondents on the CMA Awards red carpet and explained how the 1986 film of the same name influenced his decision to trot out this iconic song.
“I’m a big Stephen King fan,” Wilson told Billboard. “I play this song called ‘Stand By Me,’ which I’m playing tonight as well, because of a movie called Stand By Me based off a Stephen King [story called The Body]. It’s been haunting me my whole life. I started playing this song after my dad died to kinda bring him back. I turned it into a hymn for me. And then fast-forward these years later, I get invited to sing this song and write this song with Shaboozey for a Stephen King movie called The Long Walk and here we are playing both of those songs. The world is weird, life is weird and I’m just here for it.”
Later in the evening, Wilson joined Shaboozey to perform that song, “Took a Walk,” on the CMA Awards stage, too.
Check out Billboard’s interview with Stephen Wilson Jr. on the CMA Awards red carpet below.
Trending on Billboard With 20 studio albums under his belt, country superstar Kenny Chesney had plenty of songs to choose from for his performance at the 2025 CMA Awards — so many, in fact, that he couldn’t pick just one. Hopping on stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Chesney was introduced by host Lainey Wilson, who […]
Trending on Billboard Zach Top didn’t need anyone to hold his beer when he won big at the Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday night (Nov. 19) — he just took it right on up with him. Shortly after performing on stage at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, the 28-year-old singer-songwriter was crowned new artist of […]
Trending on Billboard Following a Luke Combs performance of “Back in the Saddle,” host Lainey Wilson properly kicked off the 2025 CMA Awards, with a medley of country favorites originally performed by some of the stars in the Nashville crowd. After some introductory remarks about how excited she was to be hosting the awards and […]
Trending on Billboard When it came time to kick off the 2025 CMA Awards on Wednesday night (Nov. 19), Luke Combs didn’t waste any time — he just hopped “Back in the Saddle.” Taking to the stage at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Combs — dressed in his usual short-sleeved button-up shirt and baseball cap — […]
Trending on Billboard 50 Cent’s film empire continues to expand. The G-Unit boss is on board as a producer for the upcoming crime drama Moses the Black, which will star rappers Wiz Khalifa and Quavo. The gangland flick is slated to come to U.S. theaters on Jan. 30, 2026. Omar Epps, Chukwudi Iwuji, Detroit rapper Skilla […]
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Venesti and Mike Bahía take “Difícile,” their first partnership, to No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart (dated Nov. 22), as the song rallies 13-1 in its 11th week.
“Difícil” soars to No. 1 on the overall Latin radio ranking with 8.24 million audience impressions earned in the United States during the tracking week of Nov. 7-13 (up 55%), according to Luminate. Leading the song’s radio surge are Univision stations KVVF in San José, Calif., KQMR in Phoenix, and KAMA in Houston.
“We are No. 1 on Billboard with Venesti!” Mike Bahía shared with Billboard. “Thank you for the invitation, my friend. I am grateful to Chappell [Warner Chappell Music Latin] for bringing us together, grateful to Luis Salazar, the producer, and Samantha Cámara, one of the composers I love collaborating with. Beyond happy, this is sooo cool, pure fuel.”
“I would like to thank God, first of, because we are No. 1 on Billboard,” Venesti adds. “Grateful to Billboard for their consistent love, my radio crew in the States, my incredible fans, my team, AP Global Music, and Mike Bahía for believing in the song.”
Bahía achieves his first No. 1 on the Latin Airplay chart with “Difícile.” Plus, he becomes the sixth act to earn their inaugural chart-topper in 2025, joining Kapo, benny blanco, The Marías, Gerardo Coronel ‘El Jerry,’ and Morat.
Venesti, meanwhile, banks his third champ, after “Umaye” and “No Es Normal,” with Nacho and Maffio, both one-week rulers in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Elsewehere, “Difícile” reaches new heights on Latin Pop Airplay, as the song climbs 3-1 for its week atop. This also marks Bahía’s first No. 1 there.
Trending on Billboard Doja Cat kicked off her Tour Ma Vie World Tour in New Zealand on Tuesday, and she’s responding to a few early critics of the global trek. It appears some fans weren’t thrilled with clips from Doja’s tour opener, as they took issue with the wardrobe changes, set design, visuals and storytelling […]
Trending on Billboard The 2025 CMA Awards are going down Wednesday night (Nov. 19) live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, and the biggest and brightest stars in country music are all coming to the party. Ella Langley, Megan Moroney and Lainey Wilson lead the way in nominations, tied with six nods apiece. Zach Top follows with […]
Trending on Billboard
It’s officially ladies’ night at the 2025 CMA Awards on Wednesday (Nov. 19), with Ella Langley, Megan Moroney and Lainey Wilson entering the night as the top nominees with six nods apiece.
In fact, Langley nabbed one of the early CMA Awards, taking home music video of the year for her Riley Green collab “You Look Like You Love Me” — a video she co-directed with John Park and Wales Toney.
But who will take home the other prizes? The 59th annual CMA Awards are broadcasting live tonight from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, 8 to 11 p.m. ET on ABC, and you can follow along with Billboard for the complete winners list below.
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Single of the Year
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
“Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” – Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
“You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green; Producer: Will Bundy; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
Album of the Year
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone; Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
I’m the Problem – Morgan Wallen; Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi; Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Song of the Year
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
“4x4xU”; Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
“Am I Okay?”; Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie”; Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
“Texas” ; Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
“You Look Like You Love Me”; Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Morgan Wallen
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
Musical Event of the Year
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley); Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll; Producer: Micah Nichols
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood); Producer: Trent Willmon
WINNER: “Pour Me a Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton); Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney); Producer: Kristian Bush
Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Brent Mason – Guitar
Rob McNelley – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar
Music Video of the Year
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney; Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood); Director: Dustin Haney
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson; Director: TK McKamy
“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton; Director: Running Bear
WINNER: “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green; Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
New Artist of the Year
Ella Langley
Shaboozey
Zach Top
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.
CMA Broadcast Awards winners will be determined by a final round of judging this month. Entries are judged by a panel of broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions. The winners were revealed on Tuesday Oct. 7. Recipients will be celebrated at the CMA Awards.
Broadcast Personality of the Year (by market size):
Weekly National
WINNER: “Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton” (Lon Helton) – LH Productions
“The Country Top 40 With Fitz” (Cory “Fitz” Fitzner) – Hubbard Broadcasting
“The Original Country Gold” (Rowdy Yates) – Syndicated Media
“Today’s Country Radio” (Kelleigh Bannen) – Apple Music Radio
“Y’all Access with Kelly Sutton” (Kelly Sutton) – Compass Media Group
Daily National
“Big D & Bubba” (“Big D” Derek Haskins, “Bubba” Sean Powell, Carsen Humphreville, Jonathan Shaffer, and Garrett Freche) – Silverfish Media
“Highway Mornings With Cody Alan” (Cody Alan and Lauryn Snapp) – SiriusXM
“Ridin’ With Rowdy” (Rowdy Yates) – SuiteRadio / RFC Media
WINNER: “The Rob and Holly Show” (Rob Stone and Holly Hutton) – Audacy
“Wilhite and Wall Show” (Darren Wilhite and Tim Wall) – Ebert Productions
Major Market
WINNER: “Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Sam Sansevere, and “Dubs” Michael Wilczynski) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
“Hawkeye and Michelle” (“Hawkeye” Mark Louis Rybczyk and Michelle Rodriguez) – KSCS, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
“The Lo Show” (Lauren “Lo” Barker) – KKBQ, Houston
“Rachel Ryan” (Rachel Ryan) – KSCS, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
“The Scotty Kay Show” (Scotty Kay) – WUSN, Chicago
Large Market
“Deb & Matt in the Morning” (Deborah Honeycutt and Matt Malone) – WFMS, Indianapolis, Ind.
WINNER: “The Q Morning Crew w/ Mike & Amanda” (Mike Wheless and Amanda Daughtry) – WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
“Scott and Shannen” (Scott Dolphin and “Shannen O” Oesterreich) – WMIL, Milwaukee, Wis.
“Tim & Chelsea” (Tim Leary and Chelsea Taylor) – WIRK, West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Fla.
“Wayne D and Tay” (“Wayne D” Danielson and Tay Hamilton) – WSIX, Nashville
Medium Market
“The Doc Show with Chewy” (Ken “Doc” Medek and Sean “Chewy” Medek) – WGGY, Wilkes Barre-Scranton, Pa.
“Ellis and Bradley Show” (Bill Ellis and Beth Bradley) – WSSL, Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.
“Joey & Nancy” (Joey Tack, Nancy Barger, and Karly Duggan) – WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn.
WINNER: “Mo & StyckMan” (Melissa “Mo” Wagner and Greg “StyckMan” Owens) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Spencer Graves Show” (Spencer Graves, Megan Terry, and Blair Davis) – WDXB, Birmingham, Ala.
Small Market
WINNER: “Ben & Arnie” (Ben Butler and Arnie Andrews) – WCOW, La Crosse, Wis.
“Brent Lane and The Cat Pak Morning Show” (Brent Lane and Jordan Glass) – WYCT, Pensacola, Fla.
“Dan Austin Show” (Dan Austin) – WQHK, Fort Wayne, Ind.
“Hilley & Hart” (Kevin Hilley and Erin Hart) – KATI, Columbia, Mo.
“Liz & Scotty in the Morning” (Liz Del Grosso and Scotty Cox) – KCLR, Columbia, Mo.
Radio Station of the Year (by market size):
Major Market
WINNER: KKBQ – Houston
KSCS – Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
KYGO – Denver-Boulder, Colo.
WUSN – Chicago
WXTU – Philadelphia
Large Market
WCTK – Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, R.I.
WMIL – Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
WSIX – Nashville
WINNER: WUBE – Cincinnati
WWKA – Orlando, Fla.
Medium Market
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
WHKO – Dayton, Ohio
WINNER: WIVK – Knoxville, Tenn.
WLFP – Memphis, Tenn.
WQMX – Akron, Ohio
Small Market
KATI – Columbia, Mo.
KCLR – Columbia, Mo.
WCOW – La Crosse, Wis.
WKML – Fayetteville, N.C.
WINNER: WXBQ – Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va.
