The first number-one song actually published under the Country Airplay banner was "Take a Little Ride" by Jason Aldean, but as Billboard also recognizes the history of the Hot Country Songs chart since 1990 as part of this chart the magazine recognizes the first chart-topper as "Nobody's Home" by Clint Black.
The first of these was called "Country & Western Records Most Played By Folk Disk Jockeys", and debuted with the December 10, 1949, issue.
[3] Beginning with the chart dated October 20, 2012, Billboard changed the methodology of Hot Country Songs to again incorporate sales and now also include streaming.
In addition, the airplay component of the chart now factored in plays on stations of all genres instead of the previous genre-specific radio panel.
Billboard now recognizes the Hot Country Songs charts from January 20, 1990, until October 13, 2012, as part of the history of both listings.