This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: A mid-year diversity scorecard. Plus, country media showed rare patience in covering a charged story and two feel good stories to wrap Season 1 of the podcast. 

Listen: Walker Hayes, “Fancy Like” on YouTube

Watch: Hardy Surprises a Soldier’s Family on Instagram 

Read: The Police Report Summarizing the Kristy Lee and Heath Sanders Altercation on Taste of Country

Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: CRB Executive Director RJ Curtis, who’s spent 40 years in radio and digital media, talks about how a fundamental radio rule has seemingly changed and tries to explain why. Plus, is Morgan Wallen’s return to radio good for the medium? He makes a strong case that it is.

More: The latest on CRS

Read: Morgan Wallen's Ban Has Quietly Been Lifted, at Variety

Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Kid Rock plays above the rules, so there’s no way to hold him accountable for calling someone a “f—-t.”  That lack of leverage works both ways however and the media should absolutely cover his antics with aggression. Also, new reports about frosty negotiations between CBS and the ACMs could signal a larger issue for awards shows in 2022 and beyond.   

Read: CBS Balks at Airing 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards Over $22 Million Asking Price at The Wrap.

Read: Kid Rock's "Apology" after he's caught using a homophobic slur, at TMZ.

Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes