"American Country Countdown" -- also known as "ACC" or "American Country Countdown with Bob Kingsley" -- is an internationally syndicated radio program which counts down the top 40 country songs of the previous week, from No. 40 to No. 1, as recorded by Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles Chart. The program is hosted by radio personality Bob Kingsley.
Based on the success of "American Top 40," Casey Kasem and Don Bustany created a country version of the top 40 program called "ACC." The three-hour weekly show premiered in 1973 and was hosted by comedian Don Bowman.
Kingsley, who had been program director at country station KLAC-Los Angeles, became ACC's producer in 1974. Behind the scenes, Kingsley molded the fledgling program into a major success, and he succeeded Bowman in 1978.
During the early years of the show, the jingle, "My kind of country, my kind of music" was closely associated with "ACC." While the program's content during its early years was almost exclusively the songs in that week's Top 40, ACC was lauded as an outstanding show that contained a lot of information about the songs and performers.
Changes through the years
Through the years, "ACC" underwent many changes. The show was expanded to four hours in January 1986, and new features were added:
- From 1986-1991, a chronological playback of all the No. 1 songs, from 1970 to 1989; three songs were played per week.
- From 1991-1996, the No. 1 songs were played alphabetically; at first, the list ranged from 1966 to 1990, but in later years of this feature, the list was shortened to highlight songs from 1980 to 1993. Again, three songs were played each week.
Today, the show features the following:
- "ACC Mailbag," where listeners are invited to request a song and share a story about why it means so much to them. "ACC Mailbag" began in 1996; two such songs are featured per week.
- "ACC Calendar," which spotlights a classic song; birthday of a performer or songwriter; or innovation in country music's history. This feature was added in 1986 upon ACC's expansion to four hours.
Also during the 1990s, highlights of interviews from top country singers -- sharing humorous stories or the background of one of their songs -- began to be included.
ACC Specials
"ACC" broadcasts several special programs throughout the year. The most notable include:
- "Christmas in America," aired either Christmas eve or Christmas day.
- The "Year End Countdown," which counts down the top 50 songs of the year (from Nos. 50 to 1); from 1973 to 1998, this was a Top 100 countdown. The most notable highlight is a montage of all the No. 1 songs included in the countdown's survey period (usually, the previous November to the current November) before Kingsley plays the year's top song.
Other special programs -- usually centering on a theme or to promote a much-anticipated album that is about to go on sale -- air throughout the year. Past specials have paid homage to the West, presented unusual chart facts or accomplishments, profiled a performer and presented the top female and male singers of the past decade.
On the occassions when Kingsley is absent, a top radio personality from one of "ACC's affiliates will fill in as host.
Awards
"ACC" was named Billboard magazine's "Network/Syndicated Progam of the Year: Country" from 1987 to 2002. Kingsley twice won the Country Music Association's National Broadcast Personality of the Year award (in 2001 and 2003).
Worldwide syndication
Today, "ACC" is heard on more than 1,000 radio stations in the United States and worldwide, and can be heard on the Armed Forces Radio Network.
"ACC" is produced by KCCS Productions through exclusive arrangement with ABC Radio Networks. Tom Rounds' Radio Express distributes the program to radio stations outside the United States.
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