Day 3 of Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2024 presented by Radio.Cloud begins with a look at the Top 20 Classic Rock radio shows of 2024. We’ve also announced today the Classic Rock format’s Top 20 program directors. Stay updated on all of the results by visiting the website, following BM on X, Facebook or LinkedIn or signing up for our newsletters.
Our Top 20 series has highlighted the Sports and News/Talk formats for years, but this is our first entry for music radio. It’s by far the largest project we’ve ever done. 173 program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants voted in this series. 250+ were invited to be a part of it. Though some brand leaders and company executives didn’t make time to vote and some didn’t respond, I’m ecstatic with our turnout. I wasn’t sure what to expect when this process began given that I’m a new face to some, but many knew our brand, and were excited to participate. It’s been fun connecting with many accomplished radio professionals.
As you review these results, please remember that they represent the collective feedback shared by our industry voters. I do not vote in this process. My role is to assemble the group, collect their votes, and present the information. At the conclusion of the series, Jeff Lynn and I will record a video for the Barrett Media YouTube page sharing our takeaways from the series. Be sure to subscribe to the page so you’re notified of when the video goes live.
Given the size of Music Radio formats, we are presenting the Top 20 shows and programmers from ALL markets. This includes Major Markets, Mid-Markets, and syndicated programs. The best of the best if you will. Some formats are combined due to similarities such as AC/Hot AC, Adult/Classic Hits, and Rock (Active/Modern Rock). There are also a few shows, hosts and/or programmers who appear on lists in multiple formats due to their stations featuring music and programming that crosses over.
Important Information
#1 – Music radio is a massive space, and stations don’t always provide or update information. That makes it hard at times to issue credit to deserving programmers or hosts. We’ve tried to be accurate with the spelling of names, shows, brands, cities, and positions, but we’re human, and mistakes happen. If you see an error, please email Jason@BarrettMedia.com so we can make a correction.
#2 – We’ve asked the voters to supply photos and logos to avoid headaches. Some comply, but most don’t. That’s consistent with voters in our sports and news/talk series too. It forces us to spend a lot of time digging for images to highlight everyone. For that reason, there are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. Thanks in advance for understanding.
#3 – This series specifically focuses on United States terrestrial music radio shows and programmers. Shows and brand leaders with Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, SiriusXM, YouTube, podcasts and programming outside the United States are not included.
#4 – 53 Classic Rock radio program directors appeared on ballots turned in by our voters. Executives were asked to rank their Top 10 selections using the following criteria: Quality of Shows (ear test), Originality, Ability to Entertain-Inform-Connect Across Multiple Platforms, Ratings Success, Clearance (national shows) and Industry Buzz. A 1st place vote equals 20 points, 2nd gets 18, and it goes down by 2 each time until reaching 10th and earning 2 points. Remember, our voters live in different cities, have individual tastes, work for different companies, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.
#4 – 27 broadcasting companies are represented in this series. Among them include iHeartMedia, Audacy, Cumulus Media, Townsquare Media, Beasley Media, Hubbard Radio, Bonneville, Meruelo Media, Radio One, Cox Media Group, Alpha Media, Connoisseur Media, Saga Communications, Hearst Communications, Rubber City Radio Group, Cromwell Media, Press Communications, Pamal Broadcasting, Lotus Communications, Shamrock Communications, Midwest Communications, Seven Mountains Media, Summit Media, Buck Owens, Local Media San Diego, Colorado Springs Radio Broadcasters, and Milwaukee Media Group. Another 18 consulting groups were involved as well. We involve people from different groups and cities to make sure balance is provided.
#5 – Though we have a total of 173 voters in this series, the number voting on each format is lower. This is by design. We wanted experts from each format to vote on what they know best. This means that 39 programmers, consultants, and executives voted on the Classic Rock category, not managers from other formats with less knowledge of Rock radio’s best shows and leaders.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for doing an excellent job with our graphics, and Stephanie Eads for helping with the voting process. I’d also like to thank every single voter who made time to participate. Now without further delay, here are the Top 20 Rock Radio Shows of 2024.
Additional Notes:
- Keith Hastings won a tightly contested race against Eric Wellman by 10 points. Wellman captured more first place votes (10 to 8) but Hastings received more total votes from the voting panel.
- Spots 21-25 belonged to LA Lloyd, Chris Crowley, Matt Spatz, Joe Calgaro and Robby Bridges.
- The closest finish saw Garner Goin finish 3 points ahead of Dustin Matthews for 13th place.
- Of the 53 program directors to receive votes, 12 received at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media Top 20 of 2024 in Music Radio Upcoming Schedule:
- Thursday January 23 = BMM Top 20 Adult/Classic Hits Radio Shows and Program Directors
- Friday January 24 = BMM Top 20 Country Radio Shows and Program Directors
- Monday January 27 = BMM Top 20 Urban/Hip-Hop Radio Shows and Program Directors
- Tuesday January 28 = BMM Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows and Program Directors
- Wednesday January 29 = BMM Top 20 CHR/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
