John Morgan Will Reach No. 1 on Billboard Chart
The song "Kid Myself" is set to top the Country Airplay chart on Oct. 17 following a record-breaking 66-week climb.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Country
Live Poll
Do you prefer hit songs that climb to the top of the charts quickly?
John Morgan will earn his first No. 1 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart with the song "Kid Myself" for the week dated Oct. 17. The track rose two spots in its 66th week, marking the second-longest ascent to the top in the chart's 36-year history.
Why it matters
The achievement underscores the significant time and sustained radio support required for developing artists to reach the top of the country charts. Morgan's success follows his previous near-miss in April 2025 when his song "Friends Like That" peaked at No. 2.
The song "Kid Myself" recorded 31.3 million audience impressions between Oct. 2 and Oct. 8. It stands as the second-longest climb to the No. 1 spot in the 36-year history of the Country Airplay chart.
The players
John Morgan
John Morgan is a country music artist from Sylva, N.C., who achieved his first No. 1 hit on the Country Airplay chart.
Luke Combs
Luke Combs is a prominent country music star who has maintained a consistent presence on the charts since 2017.
Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert is a well-known country singer-songwriter who debuted a new track on the Billboard chart.
Ella Langley
Ella Langley is a country artist who entered the Billboard Country Airplay chart with a collaboration.
Tyler Hubbard
Tyler Hubbard is a songwriter and country music performer who co-wrote the chart-topping song "Kid Myself."
The details
Written by John Morgan, Tyler Hubbard, and Jordan Schmidt, the song rose two positions to secure the top spot. Meanwhile, Luke Combs notched his 28th top 10 entry with "Rethink Some Things," while Miranda Lambert and Ella Langley debuted at No. 31 with their collaborative track "Snakeskin Boots."
Timeline
April 2017: Luke Combs first appeared on the Country Airplay chart.
April 2025: John Morgan's "Friends Like That" reached No. 2.
Oct. 2-8, 2026: The song "Kid Myself" recorded 31.3 million impressions.
Oct. 17, 2026: The song "Kid Myself" reaches No. 1 on the chart.
Industry Dynamics
This achievement places John Morgan within the context of the 36-year history of the Billboard Country Airplay chart. His 66-week journey highlights the increasing difficulty for new artists to achieve radio dominance compared to established stars like Luke Combs.
Listeners will find the track "Kid Myself" receiving increased rotation across major country radio stations following this chart milestone. The debut of "Snakeskin Boots" by Miranda Lambert and Ella Langley also provides audiences with new collaborative music to stream.
The takeaway
The success of "Kid Myself" highlights how persistent radio play can eventually overcome industry hurdles for rising artists. Listeners looking for breakout hits should note that sustained audience growth is often the key driver for songs reaching the top of the charts.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in the genre, visit the Country section.
Live Poll
Do you prefer hit songs that climb to the top of the charts quickly?
