Cumulus Media’s Westwood One today announced that Kix Brooks will depart as host of the weekly syndicated “American Country Countdown” at the end of the year.

Brooks, one half of the Country band Brooks and Dunn, has hosted the show since 2006. Ryan Fox, morning host at Cumulus’ “99.5 The Wolf” KPLX Dallas, will become the show’s fourth host starting the weekend of January 4-5, 2025. The Country countdown show is heard on over 300 station affiliates across the country.

Ryan Fox said, “To be given the opportunity to take the reins on one of the longest running, most successful, Country countdown shows in the world and sit in the same chair as Hall of Famers like the legendary Kix Brooks and the late, great Bob Kingsley, is a tremendous honor. This is a terrific era for Country music, and I cannot wait to count down the biggest Country hits from coast to coast!”  
 
Cumulus Chief Content Officer Brian Phillips said, “Weekend countdowns are still a favorite choice of listeners. The modern Country music landscape shifts so quickly that our fans will devour this fast-paced new take on a proven, long-running show. Ryan Fox is down-to-earth and faithful to the music, but also has a gift for gentle irreverence and a sense of the absurd. He’s that talented friend we all welcome in our lives.”