Veteran Nashville broadcaster becomes third principal host in history of syndicated country program.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Pure American Networks, Inc. has named veteran Nashville broadcaster and producer Zack Bennett permanent host of the nationally syndicated weekly radio program Pure American Country and its companion program, the daily Pure American Country Radio Minute. Bennett has served as interim host since the June death of longtime host and Country Radio Hall of Famer Bill Cody.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Jim Ed Brown served as its original host, followed by Cody in 2015. Bennett becomes the third principal host in the program's history.
Across the two programs, Pure American Country has an extensive network of 174 radio stations, with coverage exceeding 40.3 million rural Americans — more than half of rural America.
"On every show, we serve our listeners by playing the music they already know and love," Bennett said. "I've always said country music is a family, and that includes everyone who has ever listened to it. I want every show to feel a little bit like a family reunion."
"Whether I have an hour, two hours or 60 seconds, the goal is the same," Bennett said. "Give people something familiar, tell them something they may not have known, and remind them that everything in country music is connected."
For Bennett, taking the program forward also means honoring the broadcaster who entrusted him with it.
"Bill Cody and I worked together for nearly five years, and I had the privilege of learning from him every day," Bennett said. "Bill was one of the finest broadcasters I've ever known, and Pure American Country will always carry his influence. My responsibility is to honor what he built, carry forward the warmth and love of country music he brought to the show, and take it into its next chapter."
Executive Producer Martin Davis said Bennett brings the experience, perspective and storytelling ability needed to lead the program forward.
"Zack has a deep understanding of country music, a broadcaster's instinct for what connects with an audience, and a clear vision for what Pure American Country can be," Davis said. "That balance is exactly what we want as we move into this next chapter."
A Nashville native, Bennett began his radio career in 1999 at WANT-FM in nearby Lebanon, Tennessee. His 27-year career includes six years on Nashville's 95.5 Nash Icon, national country-radio work through Westwood One, and nearly five years at 650 AM WSM, where he currently serves as Assistant Program Director and an on-air host. For the past four years, he has also been part of the team responsible for planning and producing every Grand Ole Opry show.
- Both Pure American Country and the Pure American Country Radio Minute are productions of Pure American Networks, Inc., distributed by Syndication Networks Corporation, and produced in Nashville.
Media Contact
Martin Davis, Pure American Networks, 1 6156214688, [email protected], pureamericancountry.com
SOURCE Pure American Networks
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