Two decades of country radio hits have been narrowed down to one standout, and Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried” has claimed the top spot.
As part of its 20th anniversary, Country Aircheck compiled a list of the Top 100 songs that defined country radio from 2006 through 2026. While the ranking features major names including Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Sam Hunt and Darius Rucker, it was Zac Brown Band’s signature hit that ultimately landed at No. 1.
“Chicken Fried” Takes the Top Spot
Written by Zac Brown and Wyatt Durrette, “Chicken Fried” became a breakthrough song for Zac Brown Band after the group recorded its own version. The track had also previously been recorded by The Lost Trailers before Zac Brown Band took it into the studio.
The song went on to become the band’s first major chart success, reaching the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Hot Country Songs chart. Its popularity continued long after its original release, becoming a familiar soundtrack for cookouts, tailgates and summer days.
The full Top 10 from Country Aircheck’s anniversary list is:
- “Chicken Fried” – Zac Brown Band
- “Body Like A Back Road” – Sam Hunt
- “Wagon Wheel” – Darius Rucker
- “Honey Bee” – Blake Shelton
- “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” – Jake Owen
- “Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood
- “Cruise” – Florida Georgia Line
- “One of Them Girls” – Lee Brice
- “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” – Cole Swindell
- “Good Directions” – Billy Currington
Luke Combs Had the Most Songs on the List
Although Zac Brown Band secured the No. 1 song, another country star dominated the ranking by sheer number of entries.
Luke Combs appeared 10 times among the 100 songs, giving him the most entries of any artist. His songs on the list include “She Got the Best of Me,” “When It Rains It Pours,” “Fast Car,” “Hurricane,” “Forever After All,” “The Kind of Love We Make,” “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “One Number Away,” “Beautiful Crazy” and “Lovin’ on You.”
He was followed by Jason Aldean with eight entries and Luke Bryan with seven, while Zac Brown Band landed five songs in the Top 100. Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen each had four.
Zac Brown Band’s five appearances included “Chicken Fried,” “Toes,” “Knee Deep,” “Whatever It Is” and “Homegrown,” underscoring the group’s lasting presence on country radio across the two-decade period.
A List That Spans Two Decades of Country Hits
The anniversary ranking stretches from established radio staples to more recent successes. Among the newer songs represented are Cody Johnson’s “‘Til You Can’t,” Luke Combs’ “Fast Car,” Bailey Zimmerman’s “Rock and a Hard Place,” Jelly Roll’s “Need a Favor,” Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen.
The list also offers a snapshot of how country radio evolved between 2006 and 2026, with songs from multiple generations of artists appearing alongside one another.
Still, after 20 years of hits, it was “Chicken Fried” that took the anniversary honor at the very top.
Source: Compiled from various sources.
