LON HELTON

Lon Helton's career began in Monmouth, IL at WVPC-FM and WRAM. He went on to work at WGIL-AM & FM/Galesburg, IL, KLAK/Denver, WMAQ/Chicago, WJJD & WJEZ/Chicago and KHJ and KLAC in Los Angeles.

He has hosted national Country music radio programs since 1984, most notably Country Countdown USA since its inception in 1992. Other programs include Country Close-Up, Nashville Live, Listen-In, Country Star Traks and more than 100 album world premieres.

Helton joined Radio & Records as Country Editor in 1983. In 2006 he launched the Country radio and music industry trade publication, Country Aircheck.

A 2006 inductee into the Country Radio Hall of Fame, he has been honored as the National Broadcast Personality of the Year by the CMA an unequalled 11 times and by the ACM  an unmatched five times. Industry accolades also include the “Angels Among Us” award, the highest honor of St. Jude Country Cares; the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award; the Country Radio Broadcasters’ Humanitarian Award and the J. William Denny Award for distinguished service to the CMA Board.

Helton served on the Boards of the Country Music Association (President and Chair, 1999-2002), the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the Country Music Foundation, the St. Jude Country Radio Advisory Council and the Country Music Retirement Community.

He and Anne have been married since 1972; they have two children, Amanda and Brad; son-in-law Jim; and three granddaughters, Samantha and Presley, and Ellie.

Lon Helton was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2022.