Today's Best Country

Infobox Network

network_name = Today's Best Country
country = United States
network_type = Radio network
available = National; also distributed in Canada, Europe, Armed Forces Radio
owner = ABC Radio Networks
(through Citadel Broadcasting)
key_people = Gary Reynolds, Alan Keith, Carl Anderson, Mark Edwards (retired), Dave Nicholson (retired)
launch_date = 1985
founder = John Tyler
past_names =
brand = Today's Best Country
website = [http://www.todaysbestcountryonline.com www.todaysbestcountryonline.com ]

Today's Best Country, also known as Country Coast-To-Coast within the Network, is one of the 24 hour live formats produced by ABC Radio. It is designed to appeal to a wide range of listeners, concentrating on a younger audience than would generally listen to traditional Country stations. It is one of two country formats produced by ABC, the other being Real Country, which skews toward older listeners.

Some of the featured artists are Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, George Strait, The Wreckers and other contemporary Country music artists.

History

Beginning as one of the original Satellite Music Network formats over 20 years ago, it's studios and offices were located in Mokena, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. Shortly after SMN was purchased by ABC/Capital Cities in 1990, the format was moved to Dallas, Texas, along with the other SMN formats such as [http://www.randbandoldschool.com The Touch] , [http://www.timelessmusiconline.com Timeless Classics] , [http://www.theclassicrockexperience.com The Classic Rock Experience] , [http://www.oldiesradioonline.com Oldies Radio] , [http://www.hitsandfavorites.com Hits & Favorites] , [http://www.realcountryonline.com Real Country] , and [http://www.todaysbesthits.com Today's Best Hits] had previously been established at the Dallas location. In its over 20 year history, Today's Best Country/Country Coast-To-Coast has had three Operations Managers, Mark Edwards, Dave Nicholson and Gary Reynolds.

Citadel Broadcasting purchased ABC Radio Networks and the ABC Owned and Operated radio stations from The Walt Disney Company in February, 2006 and will continue to use the ABC name. The Citadel acquisition does not include Radio Disney or the ESPN radio stations.

Alumni

* Jim Beedle
* Jim Brady [http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/ART18/582393910]
* Hubcap Carter (deceased) [http://www.firststrategy.com/hubcap.htm]
* Ted Clark
* Bob Forester
* Michael Hardeman [http://www.michaelhardeman.com/default.aspx]
* Ed Leal
* Bill Lee
* Dave Marcum (deceased) [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Marcum&GSfn=David&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=16921027&]
* Catfish Prewitt [http://www.thecatfishonline.com/]
* Steve Sharp
* Joe Soto [http://www.v103.com/pages/joe.html]
* Jim Weaver [http://countrystarsonline.com/jimweaverproductions]
* Becky Wight
* Randy Williams

Official Web site

* [http://www.todaysbestcountryonline.com/ Today's Best Country]

Sources

Satellite Music Network
http://abcradionetworks.com/show?id=105
http://eclecticmax.blogspot.com/
[http://www.texasradiohalloffame.com/johntyler.html John Tyler, Texas Radio Hall of Fame]
http://www.ABCRadioStaff.com