The new program was a creation of Casey Kasem and Don Bustany, the same duo behind AT40, with Tom Rounds as co-creator and Watermark Inc. distributing.
[3] In June 1974, Bustany stepped aside from his duties in order to focus on AT40 and tapped Bob Kingsley, who had been program director at country station KLAC-Los Angeles, to be ACC's producer.
1 hits of the 1970s, and later, the 1980s) and an "ACC Calendar", spotlighting an artist, song, important innovation, or event in country music.
[7] Kingsley hosted the program until December 2005, with his last show being a regular countdown airing Christmas weekend.
[8] Effective the weekend of January 4, 2025 Ryan Fox, morning DJ at Cumulus-owned KPLX in Dallas, will host the program.
The most notable include: Other special programs, usually centering on a theme or to promote a much-anticipated album that was about to go on sale, air throughout the year.
Past specials have paid homage to the West, presented unusual or notable chart facts and performer accomplishments, counted down the top acts of all time, profiled a performer, and presented the top female and male singers of the past decade.
Kingsley twice won the Country Music Association's National Broadcast Personality of the Year award (in 2001 and 2003).
Since 2007, the program has been distributed via Cumulus's "Today's Best Country" network and, since 2013, on most Nash FM stations as well.