Country Music Records: Morgan Wallen Sets New Pacing Benchmark
The artist has now topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart 23 times, a feat no other performer has achieved in under eight years.
By Abigail Brooks ·
Morgan Wallen’s single “Been By Now” reached the number one position on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart this week. The track logged 33.5 million audience impressions during the tracking period from October 23 to 29. This achievement marks the 23rd career number one for the singer on that specific radio metric.
Wallen is the eighth artist in the 36-year history of the chart to accumulate that many top spots. He reached this milestone in eight years, outpacing Luke Bryan, who required nearly ten years to achieve the same total. The singer is also the first country artist to secure four or more number one hits in three consecutive years. He posted five chart-toppers in 2024 and four in 2025.
The current year has produced four distinct number one tracks for Wallen. These include “20 Cigarettes,” “Don’t We,” and “I Can’t Love You Anymore,” a collaboration with Ella Langley. “Been By Now” is his first solo release of 2026 and serves as the lead single from his upcoming fifth album. The songwriting credits list Wallen alongside Charlie Handsome, John Byron, Blake Pendergrass, Rocky Block, and Taylor Phillips.
Data discrepancies between charts exist because the song also reached the top of the Mediabase country radio chart one week prior. Whiskey Riff counted that earlier peak as the 24th number one for the artist on that platform. Industry labels monitor both systems, but the Billboard count establishes the historical records cited in industry reporting.
The next scheduled phase of Wallen’s career involves the return of the Sand In My Boots tour in 2027. The song “Been By Now” peaked at number two on the Hot 100 chart, indicating its crossover appeal beyond the country format. The track continues to drive consistent radio play across the country.
The artist’s momentum shows no sign of abating as he prepares for the new year. His discography now reflects a sustained period of commercial success that rivals the most dominant figures in the genre’s modern history. The upcoming album will likely introduce new material that aims to extend this streak of high-performing releases.
