Approaching The Summit is a series of special interviews created in partnership with Point to Point Marketing featuring speakers at the upcoming 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit in New York City. Follow along with this series as prominent names surrounding the event June 30-July 2 share their insights and expectations for what’s to come in the Big Apple. The Summit takes place at the SVA Theatre on West 23rd Street. For tickets and hotel room reservations, click here or visit the Summit section at the top of the website.
Buzz Knight is the Founder of Buzz Knight Media Productions, a podcast company that creates some of the most popular music podcasts in the United States. A former media executive for national radio companies, Knight now leads a growing roster of shows including Takin’ A Walk, Music Saved Me, Comedy Saved Me, and Takin’ A Walk Nashville, all part of the iHeart Podcast Network. His company also has multiple new shows in development.
*Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.*
David Hill: Why is it important for those in the radio industry to attend events like the Barrett Media Audio Summit and commit to continuous learning?
Buzz Knight: If we don’t push ourselves for continuous improvement and non-stop learning, we become victims of industry atrophy. This event is a reminder that standing still is not an option.
DH: What is the value of connecting with peers, friends, and even competitors at gatherings like this?
BK: It is the lifeblood of learning. Connection is key, and feeding off of the energy of an event like this is a one-of-a-kind experience.
DH: What is the biggest challenge facing your format right now?
BK: Some companies are losing sight of the importance of talent growth and nurturing their bench. That is a major mistake, and it needs to be addressed before it becomes irreversible.
DH: What is your favorite memory from past shows or conferences?
BK: The networking experiences stand out most. The ones that are part of our shared history and the new connections formed along the way. Those moments are what you carry with you long after the event ends.
DH: Which speaker, panel, or conversation are you most looking forward to at this year’s Summit?
BK: I am greatly looking forward to the panel I am moderating with industry innovators Lee Abrams, Fred Jacobs, and Mike McVay. The talent-oriented panels are also high on my list. And I am looking forward to spending time with Greg Beharrell, who has quietly emerged as one of the great talents in our business.
DH: How do you view the state of the industry right now, and where do you see it headed?
BK: Risk taking and innovation are a lost art. That is something the industry needs to confront honestly. I won’t spend time on commercial loads because that conversation continues to fall on deaf ears.
DH: What would you tell a younger person in the business who is still trying to find their place?
BK: Keep experimenting. Master the art of multi-platform, which of course includes podcasting. It is something I am greatly invested in, and I believe it is where the next generation of audio talent will make their mark.
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David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.
