American Idol 2021 winner Chayce Beckham “23” tops Billboard Country Airplay Chart
Congratulations to Chayce Beckham. His heartfelt single “23,” first introduced to audiences as his original “winner’s single” after he won American Idol in 2021, has climbed from No. 6 to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart dated April 6, marking Beckham’s first chart-topper on this list.
According to Luminate, the song gained 22% during the March 22–28 tracking week, rising to 28.2 million audience impressions. That surge pushed “23” to the top of the Country Airplay chart in its 60th week on the list, making it one of the longest climbs to No. 1 in recent memory. Billboard notes this is the longest journey to the summit since Dylan Scott’s “Can’t Have Mine,” which reached No. 1 in its 62nd week last December.
Beckham expressed gratitude in a statement to Billboard: “I’m so grateful for my family, my team and all the country music fans around the world who made this possible. Thank you to country radio for embracing this song and making this all a dream come true for me.” The milestone highlights the organic momentum the track built through sustained listener support and streaming before receiving full radio backing.
The rise of “23” also represents one of the bigger leaps to No. 1 in recent years: Billboard points out it is the largest jump to the Country Airplay top position since Thomas Rhett’s “Angels Don’t Always Have Wings” moved 6–1 last September. That kind of movement underlines how strong audience engagement and streaming performance can influence radio traction and chart outcomes.
“23” is Beckham’s second entry on the Country Airplay chart. His duet with Lindsay Ell, “Can’t Do Without Me,” previously reached No. 46 in June 2022. The Apple Valley, California native wrote “23” a year before his Idol victory and became the first contestant in the show’s history to win while performing an original song on the finale.
Chayce is the first ABC era American Idol winner to top the Country Airplay Chart
Beckham becomes the fourth Idol winner to reach No. 1 on Country Airplay, joining a distinguished group that includes Carrie Underwood (16 No. 1s since her 2005 win), Scotty McCreery (five No. 1s after his 2011 victory), and Kelly Clarkson (the inaugural 2002 winner, who also topped the chart). Notably, Chayce is the first winner from the ABC revival era of American Idol—the series resumed on ABC in 2018 after FOX ended the original run—to achieve a Country Airplay No. 1.
“23” also carries a songwriting distinction: it is the first solo-written Country Airplay No. 1 since Luke Combs’ cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” topped the chart for five weeks beginning last July. Beckham’s achievement underscores the impact of authentic, personal songwriting in country music; his original composition connected with listeners over an extended period before radio fully embraced it.
Initially, 19 Recordings/Wheelhouse Records/BMG did not immediately push “23” to radio after Beckham’s Idol victory. Instead, the song’s streaming performance steadily grew over months, compelling the label to eventually promote it to radio. That patient strategy demonstrates how modern hits can emerge through streaming and fan-driven momentum rather than immediate promotional campaigns.
What’s next for Chayce: Debut album drops April 5
Looking ahead, Beckham will spend the summer on the road supporting American Idol judge Luke Bryan on tour. For ticket information and tour updates, visit his official site at www.ChayceBeckham.com. Before the tour, he will release his debut album, Bad for Me, on April 5.
Produced by Bart Butler, known for his work with Jon Pardi, Midland, and Warren Zeiders, Bad for Me places Beckham’s songwriting at the center. The record blends dusky Western sonics and rock-driven energy, pairing fiddle and steel with loping rhythms that support his weathered vocal delivery. Beckham wrote or co-wrote nine of the album’s 13 tracks, showcasing the personal storytelling that helped “23” resonate with fans.
The album features “23,” which is streaming at strong weekly numbers, and several songs Beckham wrote entirely on his own before his television success. Highlights include the fan-favorite, emotionally raw track “Mama,” which he performed on American Idol, and the rollicking barroom rocker “Drink You Off My Mind.” Together, these tracks reflect his background and the honest, lived-in perspective that informs his music.
Beckham’s No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart marks a significant milestone early in his career. It validates the slow-burn approach to breaking a single today—one that relies on sustained listener engagement across streaming platforms and eventual radio endorsement. As his debut album arrives and he joins a major summer tour, Chayce Beckham is poised to turn this chart success into broader momentum across country radio and live audiences.