Conway, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – Northeast Arkansas was well represented Monday night as the 9th Annual Arkansas Country Music Awards honored the state’s top talent at Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus.
The annual event celebrates the best of Arkansas’s artists, musicians, broadcasters, and industry professionals.
Among the evening’s biggest winners was Jonesboro radio station KDXY 104.9 The Fox, which captured the Arkansas Country Radio Station of the Year honors for the third time in its history.
The Jonesboro station took home the hardware against a competitive field of nominees, including KHPQ “Hot Country 92.1” (Clinton), KKYR “Kicker 102.5” (Texarkana), KTCS “KTCS 99.9” (Fort Smith), and KWCK “Continuous Country 99.9” (Searcy).
Accepting the award on behalf of The Fox, Jonesboro Media Group President and General Manager Trey Stafford highlighted the enduring impact of local radio and country music promotion across the state.
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“Thank you for continuing to recognize the role that country radio still plays in promoting country music in Arkansas,” Stafford told the crowd. “Two hundred thirty-three million people in the nation still listen to radio every week. Radio is still a great music discovery option.”
Stafford praised his fellow nominees and underscored the vital role local stations play when it matters most.
“We celebrate the wins in our communities. We grieve the losses. We raise money. We also get our butts out of bed and cover severe weather and let you know what’s going to happen. That is, if we’re a good local radio station. Thank you for honoring us very much. It means a lot.”
The honor caps off an incredibly successful season for the station. Just last month, the Arkansas Broadcasters Association recognized KDXY with multiple Broadcast Excellence Awards, including Radio Station of the Year and Morning Show of the Year.
| READ MORE: The Fox Named Arkansas Radio Station of the Year
Marybeth Byrd performs during the Arkansas Country Music Awards at Reynolds Performance Hall on June 1, 2026, in Conway, Arkansas. (Photo by Jason Epperson/Eppic Shots)
Cliff & Susan perform during the Arkansas Country Music Awards at Reynolds Performance Hall on June 1, 2026, in Conway, Arkansas. (Photo by Jason Epperson/Eppic Shots)
Trey Stafford, president and general manager of Jonesboro Media Group, accepts the Country Radio Station of the Year award for KDXY 104.9 The Fox during the Arkansas Country Music Awards at Reynolds Performance Hall on June 1, 2026, in Conway, Arkansas. (Photo by Jason Epperson/Eppic Shots)
The Band Trippp, from left, Chaz Stafford, JD Stafford and Treyson Stafford perform during the Arkansas Country Music Awards at Reynolds Performance Hall on June 1, 2026, in Conway, Arkansas. (Photo by Jason Epperson/Eppic Shots)
Local Connections and Standout Performances
The night featured several other major Northeast Arkansas highlights:
- The Collins Theatre in Paragould was named Venue of the Year.
- Mountain View-based bluegrass group Sylamore Special took home Bluegrass Artist of the Year.
- Jonesboro-born brothers Treyson, JD, and Chaz Stafford – performing as the country trio TRIPPP – were nominated for Vocal Duo/Group of the Year and delivered a live performance of their song, “Made It.”
- Armorel native and former American Idol and The Voice contestant Marybeth Byrd was also in attendance as a nominee, later sharing her praise for the event on social media: “This state is such a gem of talent.”
A Legendary Surprise
The most talked-about moment of the night came during the induction of legendary producer and songwriter Allen Reynolds into the Arkansas Country Music Hall of Fame.
The crowd was caught completely off guard when country music superstar Garth Brooks walked onto the stage to personally honor Reynolds, who produced many of Brooks’ definitive hits. According to Mountain View musician and writer Al Timberlane, the venue immediately erupted into a standing ovation.
Brooks spoke candidly about friendship, loyalty, and gratitude before welcoming Reynolds into the Hall of Fame alongside country music pioneers The Whites and the husband-and-wife duo Jimmy Doyle and Patsy Gayle.
2026 Arkansas Country Music Award Winners
The evening’s top honor, Entertainer of the Year, went to Cliff & Susan, who also captured Vocal Duo/Group of the Year honors.
Other major category winners included:
- Country Artist of the Year: David Adam Byrnes
- Female Vocalist of the Year: Kelsey Lamb
- Male Vocalist of the Year & Song of the Year: Tyler Kinch (Song: “Dancing with a Cowboy,” written by Darren Barry)
- Album of the Year: Waylon Wyatt (Til the Sun Goes Down)
- Music Collaboration of the Year: Waylon Wyatt and Bayker Blankenship (“Sunday Supper”)
- Songwriter & Video of the Year: Lance Carpenter (“All American”)
- Americana Artist of the Year: Jesse Welles
- Acoustic Act of the Year: Cam Shelton
- Young Artist of the Year: Presley Shipp
- Inspirational Recording of the Year: Boone & Company (“I’m Going Up”)
- Arkansas Honors Arkansas Recipient: Ted Mullenix
Industry & Musician Awards:
- Music Producer/Sound Engineer: Jeremy Huddleston
- Promoter of the Year: Rickey Crawford
- Bass Player of the Year: Garrett Jones
- Drummer of the Year: Quinn Hill
- Fiddle Player of the Year: Jenee Fleenor
- Guitar Player of the Year: Randall George
- Specialty/Utility Musician: Josh Matheny
- Publication/Blog/Podcast of the Year: AY Magazine
Now in its ninth year, the Arkansas Country Music Awards continue to showcase the deep well of talent across the Natural State, honoring the individuals and venues keeping the state’s music scene thriving.
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