It’s a big week on the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown — we’ve got a brand new Number 1, four debut entries, and seven songs making their return! Mike takes us through the Top 20 IN FULL, plus we feature two standout tracks from the Grassicana chart based on last week’s survey,  and five songs from the albums nominated for IBMA 2025 Album of the Year.

This week’s show includes music from:

Also featuring songs by The Steeldrivers and Wood Box Heroes, and a whole lot of chart movement, surprises, and behind-the-scenes stories.

📍 Produced in Sydney, Australia — heard worldwide.
 🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Join Mike Kear in Sydney for this week’s Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown, featuring the 20 most-played bluegrass songs worldwide according to the Bluegrass Today radio survey published Friday night. Every chart song is played in full, so you get to hear exactly what’s making waves on bluegrass radio right now.

This week’s show also includes a special feature on the Grassicana chart, showcasing songs with strong bluegrass roots that branch out into Americana, folk, and country influences. It’s a great chance to hear the best of what’s new and fresh across the whole roots music landscape.

Settle in and enjoy the very best in bluegrass and beyond.

You can catch the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown as a podcast where we play full songs,   all of them in the top 20 Chart anytime. Just search in your favorite podcast app. And for the full chart details, head to BluegrassToday.com. Plus, if you want to hear bonus segments and extras that don’t make it to air, check out our Patreon page at patreon.com/BTTop20  

Welcome to the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown – your guide to the 20 most-played bluegrass songs on radio this week! Join host Mike Kear as he counts them down, sharing artist stories, songwriter credits, and behind-the-scenes insights straight from the world of bluegrass.

Each week’s show is based on the authoritative BluegrassToday.com airplay chart, keeping you up to date with the latest hits, fresh debuts, and fast risers in the genre.

Tune in for two hours of the best in bluegrass – from traditional favorites to cutting-edge new releases – plus special segments, artist interviews, and more.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and enjoy the music that keeps bluegrass vibrant and alive around the world!

 This is the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown — the radio show and podcast that brings you the 20 most-played songs in bluegrass, based on the official BluegrassToday.com airplay chart. Hosted by Mike Kear in Sydney, Australia, and broadcast on great radio stations around the world, each episode features the latest hits, artist stories, and a few personal favourites thrown in for good measure. This week’s show runs 1 hour and 48 minutes and includes optional spaces for local content if aired on radio. 

It’s another big week on the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown! This time, we’ve got a new number 1 song — plus six fresh debuts, some long-running chart favorites, and a few surprises along the way.

We also take a moment to highlight what’s happening over on the Bluegrass Gospel chart, with top songs from Junior Sisk, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, and Mark Houser featuring Rhonda Vincent. And we check in with the Grassicana chart to feature one of the hottest rising voices, Caroline Owens, with her brand-new single.

Host Mike Kear brings you artist stories, songwriting credits, and a few personal reflections along the way — including a heartfelt new song from Gena Britt written in memory of her dad for Father’s Day.

It’s 1 hour and 40 minutes of the best in contemporary bluegrass — from the chart-toppers to the hidden gems.

A slightly-late-but-worth-the-wait edition packed with a brand-new #1 that’s shot up from last week’s #20, 4 fresh debuts, 7 returning favourites, and a rare tie at #17 — so you’re getting 21 songs instead of 20!

Host Mike Kear is joined by acclaimed songwriter Brink Brinkman, who shares stories and insights — including the backstory of his personal favourite song, “Bluefield Mountain Wind,” recorded by Greg Blake.

Plus: a heartfelt tribute to Rod and Judy Jones on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Bluegrass & Traditional Country Music Society of Australia.

Full songs. No edits. All heart.
Hit play — it’s a good one.

Welcome to the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown — the authoritative chart show for modern bluegrass fans around the world.

Each week, award-winning broadcaster Mike Kear counts down the 20 most-played bluegrass songs in the world, based on the BluegrassToday.com airplay chart. You'll hear full songs, artist backstories, songwriting insights, and a touch of good-natured storytelling — all packed into a polished, 1 hour and 48-minute show.

Whether you're a lifelong bluegrass fan or just discovering the genre, this is your front-row seat to what’s happening right now in bluegrass. New episodes drop every week — subscribe and stay in the loop with the music that’s making waves across the globe.

Mike Kear has posted another podcast for the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown.   

As usual Mike spins IN FULL the Top 20 songs played this past week on bluegrass radio stations all over the world. This week there are 4 debut songs, and  5 songs returning to the countdown.  And he’ll also take a quick look at some exciting new songs only just released.   The countdown is the exhibition window to the very best new bluegrass music in the world.

Mike has a co-host  joining him this week.  She’s Caroline Wright,  the founder of Bluegrass Hawaii.   They are the most welcoming, friendy group of bluegrassers you’ll ever have the good fortune to meet.   Check them out on their website at bluegrasshawaii.   Caroline was a major contributor to the countdown show as it was getting off the ground 146 weeks ago.   

We hope you’ll enjoy the next couple of hours as we count down to the new number 1 most played song in the world in bluegrass radio according to the survey conducted by Bluegrasstoday.com last week,  and published on Friday night.  

Available NOW, at podomatic.com/bttop20 or on iHeart radio, Apple/iTunes, Amazon Music, Player FM, Audible, or wherever you catch your favorite podcasts!

Mike Kear has posted another podcast for the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Countdown.   

As usual Mike spins IN FULL the Top 20 songs played this past week on bluegrass radio stations all over the world. This week there are 4 debut songs, and  5 songs returning to the countdown.  And he’ll also take a quick look at some exciting new songs only just released.   The countdown is the exhibition window to the very best new bluegrass music in the world.

We hope you’ll enjoy the next couple of hours as we count down to the new number 1 most played song in the world in bluegrass radio according to the survey conducted by Bluegrasstoday.com last week,  and published on Friday night.  

Available NOW, at podomatic.com/bttop20 or on iHeart radio, Apple/iTunes, Amazon Music, Player FM, Audible, or wherever you catch your favorite podcasts!