Home Blog Page 219

Marcellus Wiley Speaks Out After Domestic Violence Arrest, Divorce Details Go Public

Garrett Searight
-
0
Marcellus Wiley Speaks Out After Domestic Violence Arrest, Divorce Details Go Public

Marcellus Wiley has publicly addressed allegations tied to his ongoing divorce. The former sports media personality says he’ll fight the claims through the legal process.

What We Know: Marcellus Wiley issued a public statement after his July 4th arrest and subsequent release on bond Monday. The statement comes as his divorce from his wife, Annemarie, has become increasingly public. Court filings include allegations of emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse, along with claims of financial manipulation. Wiley has not admitted wrongdoing and said he’ll respond through the legal system. His comments marked his first extensive public response since the allegations surfaced.

What They Said: “I never wanted my family’s issues and struggles to become public for any reason, including divorce leverage. But I unfortunately knew this day was inevitable. I was willing to endure anything—even hell itself—if it meant being with my children every single day. I am their hero, and now I am fighting to make sure the positive and real image they know of me is the one that endures. I am prepared to address these allegations and related matters through the legal process and with evidence. My focus remains on my children, my integrity, and the truth. Thanks for your understanding.” -Marcellus Wiley

What Remains Unclear: The legal proceedings remain ongoing, and a court hasn’t ruled on the allegations made by Annemarie Wiley. It’s also unclear when additional hearings or evidence will become public. As a result, many of the claims remain disputed.

What It Means: Marcellus Wiley’s statement signals he’ll contest the allegations in court rather than through media appearances. Meanwhile, the case has drawn significant attention because of his high-profile sports media career. Until the legal process concludes, the allegations remain unproven, and the outcome could shape both his public image and any future return to broadcasting.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

The Big 12 Didn’t Land a Monster Deal — It Sold Its Soul for Peanuts

Jason Barrett
-
2
The Big 12 Didn’t Land a Monster Deal — It Sold Its Soul for Peanuts

I thought the news from the Big 12 yesterday was a joke when I initially read it. No way would a College conference put an energy drink’s name in front of its own, right?

Guess again. That’s exactly what they did. They sold the naming rights to their entire identity, rebranding as Monster Energy Big 12 Football and Monster Energy Big 12 Basketball.

This is not only an embarrassment to the conference, but it opens the door to copycats. What’s next, Olive Garden Audacy? Car Shield’s Daily Wire? CitiBank ESPN? If companies spend enough maybe we’d have JetBlue’s Jason Barrett too.

Let’s look at the math for a second. Twenty million annually for the entire conference. Divided among sixteen member schools that amounts to roughly one million dollars per program per year. Doesn’t that seem awfully low to own the identity of an entire conference?

But wait, it gets worse.

The deal is for conference naming rights over two sports, football and men and women’s basketball. However, a name change like this most certainly affects every other sport. There is no separation in the eyes of the public. Furthermore, if you add up the total amount of football and basketball games each season, each school plays roughly 70-75 games. Assuming the twenty million figure is correct, that means each school receives roughly 15K per game to rename an entire conference.

Owning the conference’s name is bad enough, but this deal also includes co-branded jersey patches worn by every team in football and basketball, co-branded logos on every playing field and basketball court, and a renaming of the conference’s regular seasons — now officially known as “Monster Energy Big 12 Football” and “Monster Energy Big 12 Basketball.” Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark labeled Monster Energy as the conference’s “entitlement partner” for both sports.

This is the equivalent of a radio sales person selling a $300 per month package to a client for one hundred spots, ownership of a show’s podcast channel, and the naming rights to the media company.

I want to be clear, this isn’t an emotional response. My interest in the Big 12 is low. This is simply business analysis. There is no justifiable explanation to sell a conference’s identity for peanuts. Stupid short-term decisions create long-term consequences. It reminds me of when Major League Baseball tried to replace Cracker Jacks with Crunch and Munch in the early 2000’s. The powers that be forgot that the 7th inning stretch literally said “Buy me some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks“. Fans were not going to insert the Crunch and Munch name into the popular song, let alone buy the product. They revolted as soon as they heard about it.

The difference is, this is much worse.

The Big 12 Conference is 31 years old. It has produced Heisman Trophy winners, Final Four programs, and national championships. Kansas basketball. Texas football. Oklahoma’s dynasty. These are identities built over decades of genuine cultural investment that no sponsorship dollar can replicate or accelerate. When you put an energy drink’s name in front of your own, you are making a statement about what your brand is actually worth to you.

The statement the Big 12 made this week is that it is worth $20 million annually. That number might sound significant until you compare it to what the Big Ten and SEC generate in media rights deals. They earn billions. Twenty million is not a landmark deal for a Power Four conference. It is a sign that the conference needs money so bad they might soon let fans bid to call plays.

Every advertiser and sponsor currently associated with the Big 12 now operates under a brand umbrella that identifies an energy drink ahead of a college athletics conference. Sponsorship is a prestige business. Companies pay to be associated with names that carry cultural authority. When the name of a conference becomes subordinate to the name of a sponsor, the conference’s ability to attract premium partnership dollars from companies that require that authority is diminished — not enhanced.

Yormark called this deal “the first of its kind” in college athletics. He is right. It is the first of its kind. Because no executive has made the dumb decision to devalue their conference’s reputation and identity for a one dollar holler.

The history of media and sports business is full of organizations that chased short-term revenue at the expense of long-term brand equity. The Big 12 may look back at this deal as necessary survival in a restructured college athletics landscape. Or it may look back at it as the moment it decided an energy drink was worth more than its soul.

Either way, it made a choice. Publicly. Without fully understanding the harm it was doing to its reputation. If they did any research, it must’ve been done by the group that told Cracker Barrell to change its logo.

Fans are going to dislike this move. That’s not hard to figure out. But the conference might want to take some of that newfound money to investigate whether their identity was worth more than the equivalent of a Jelly of the Month Club membership.

Better yet, they can save their time and money and just read this column. It doesn’t take a genius to know that staining your name is a bad business decision. The least they could’ve done was partnered with McDonalds to put the Big 12 logo on the Extra Value Meals Menu.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Two Years Later, Audacy’s WCBS 880 Decision Looks Smarter Than Ever

Garrett Searight
-
2
Two Years Later, Audacy’s WCBS 880 Decision Looks Smarter Than Ever

Two years ago this week, Audacy announced it was ending WCBS 880’s all-news run in New York, striking a deal with Good Karma Brands to move ESPN New York onto the historic 880 AM signal. The news sent a jolt through the industry, and it left plenty of longtime listeners wondering what had happened to a brand that had defined New York radio for decades. Looking back now, though, the anxiety over that decision looks a lot bigger than the outcome turned out to be.

At the time, I wondered whether the move signaled trouble ahead for all-news radio across Audacy’s portfolio. That question felt especially urgent since it came right after KRLD 1080 in Dallas pivoted away from all-news programming in favor of talk. Two major markets losing their all-news identities within a short stretch felt like more than coincidence — it felt like the start of a trend.

But trends don’t always play out the way we expect them to. WCBS 880 was a heritage brand, and it meant something to generations of New Yorkers who relied on it for weather, traffic, and breaking news updates. Still, 1010 WINS never skipped a beat. Ben Mevorach has kept the brand humming along near the top of the ratings and revenue charts, and that success has quieted a lot of the concern that spread through the industry back in 2024.

What This Anniversary Really Reveals

Hindsight makes this a lot clearer than it seemed two years ago. The WCBS 880 decision wasn’t really about walking away from all-news radio. Instead, it marked a turning point where Audacy showed it was willing to partner with other radio groups whenever those partnerships made business sense.

Good Karma Brands got a more affordable New York outlet for its ESPN content, and Audacy got to reallocate resources toward its strongest news product already in the market.

That willingness to collaborate didn’t stop there, either. Since striking the Good Karma deal, Audacy has worked with iHeartMedia to place its stations on the iHeartRadio app, expanding its digital footprint well beyond what either company’s platform could offer alone. Audacy also partnered with Townsquare Media to launch a Michigan sports network built around content from 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit.

Neither partnership would’ve seemed obvious a few years back, yet both moves suggest an Audacy that’s now more focused on smart business than on rigid competitive lines.

Why New York Radio Came Out Ahead

New York’s radio landscape looks stronger today than it did the week Audacy made its announcement. ESPN New York found a stronger signal in 880 AM, giving the brand better reach and a clearer path to compete in one of the country’s toughest sports radio markets.

Meanwhile, WINS solidified its position as the market’s go-to all-news source, and that clarity has benefited both listeners and advertisers who know exactly where to turn.

None of that erases the sentimental loss plenty of longtime WCBS 880 listeners still feel today. Nostalgia matters in this business, and heritage brands carry weight that goes beyond the ratings books. But nostalgia alone can’t sustain a format if the business fundamentals don’t support it, and Audacy’s leadership clearly understood that reality when they made this call.

Two years later, the numbers back up the decision. Audacy’s willingness to partner across the industry has paid dividends well beyond New York, and its approach to collaboration now looks like a blueprint rather than a gamble. So while it’s fair to feel a pang of nostalgia every time this anniversary rolls around, it’s also fair to say the radio landscape adapted, and adapted well.

Sometimes the boldest moves in this business don’t look bold until you’ve had a couple years to watch them play out. This is one of those moments. And if Audacy’s recent track record is any indication, it won’t be the last time a tough call turns into a smart one.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Spotify’s Explicit Music Drop Reveals a Bigger Shift for Radio

David Hill
-
0
Spotify’s Explicit Music Drop Reveals a Bigger Shift for Radio

One statistic caught my attention this week, and it had nothing to do with radio.

According to a recent Digital Music News report, just 13% of Spotify’s Top 50 songs now carry an explicit label. That is down dramatically from 74% in 2018. Meanwhile, Apple Music’s Top 50 continues to feature a much larger share of explicit tracks.

At first glance, it looks like listeners have decided they want cleaner music. However, I don’t buy it.

DSPs Are Developing Their Own Identities

Instead, I think we are witnessing something much bigger. The major digital service providers are beginning to develop distinct personalities, and that is changing the kinds of music that succeed on each platform.

For years, the music business chased one universal hit. A song broke on radio, found its way to streaming, showed up on YouTube, and eventually became part of pop culture. Today, however, success looks very different.

Spotify Has Become Everyday Listening

Spotify has evolved into the soundtrack for everyday life. Whether you are working, driving, exercising, or cooking dinner, Spotify has become the default choice for millions of listeners. That environment naturally favors songs with broad appeal. Therefore, a clean record has more opportunities to appear on editorial playlists, algorithmic recommendations, workplace playlists, and family listening sessions.

Apple Music, on the other hand, appears to serve a different purpose. Its audience has long leaned toward intentional music fans — listeners who actively search for artists, albums, and genres instead of simply letting an algorithm decide what comes next.

TikTok Creates Moments, Not Always Hits

Then there is TikTok. TikTok does not necessarily create hit songs. Instead, it creates hit moments. Fifteen seconds can launch an artist into the mainstream without the rest of the record becoming a streaming powerhouse.

YouTube brings another audience altogether. It rewards videos, live performances, fan communities, and long-tail discovery.

The result is significant. The same song no longer has to dominate every platform to be considered successful. That is a meaningful change from even five years ago, and it raises an interesting question for radio programmers.

Radio’s Advantage Has to Shift

For decades, radio distinguished itself by playing the clean version of popular music. Programmers edited lyrics because they had to. Broad audiences expected it, advertisers appreciated it, and regulators required it.

However, what happens when the biggest streaming platform is already rewarding cleaner songs? That advantage begins to disappear.

Consequently, radio’s value shifts away from simply providing a family-friendly version of today’s hits. Instead, it moves back toward the things streaming still struggles to replicate: trusted personalities, local storytelling, community involvement, companionship, and human curation.

Streaming Has Grown Up

There is another trend worth watching. Streaming has matured. The audience is no longer made up exclusively of teenagers. Millennials are parents now. Generation X has fully embraced streaming.

Meanwhile, music increasingly fills kitchens, offices, living rooms, and workplaces instead of only headphones. That broader listening environment naturally favors songs that fit more situations.

None of this suggests explicit music is disappearing. Hip-hop remains one of the most influential genres in the world. Artists are not suddenly changing how they write because Spotify says so. Instead, listeners are making different choices depending on where they are listening.

The Platform Now Shapes the Hit

That is the distinction I think matters most. We are no longer living in one music culture. Rather, we are living in multiple music ecosystems.

Spotify has its own identity. Apple Music has another. TikTok has become its own launchpad. YouTube, meanwhile, rewards entirely different behavior.

And yet, radio continues to offer something none of those platforms can fully replicate: personalities who create a genuine connection with listeners every single day.

Maybe the real story is not that music is getting cleaner. Maybe every platform is simply becoming better at serving a different audience. If that is true, then programmers, labels, and artists should not be asking how to create one song that wins everywhere. Instead, they should be asking which platform they are trying to win in the first place.

That may turn out to be one of the biggest shifts in music consumption this decade. It deserves far more attention than whether a song carries an “Explicit” label.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox. information right in your inbox.

Laid Off By Innovation? Use AI To Get Hired Faster, Part 2

Phil Becker
-
0
Laid Off By Innovation? Use AI To Get Hired Faster, Part 2

Last week, I shared the first five prompts media pros can use with AI after a layoff. Since then, I have heard from people who said it helped, whether they were officially wished well in their “future endeavors” or were already smart enough to start looking for future endeavors on their own.

Last week was about getting your story right, and in some cases, helping you write it right.

Here are prompts 6 through 10 in my radio RIFs series: Real Internet Fixes.

6. Do Not Use Your Old Job Title

One of the biggest traps after leaving media is searching only for the title you used to have.

I used to have hair. I used to look like I was in a boy band. But this is not about the former way you describe yourself. It is about what your experience qualifies you for now.

We say, “I programmed a station.”

A hiring manager outside radio may hear, “So you made playlists?”

What you actually did was manage a brand, grow audience, coach talent, analyze data, generate revenue, produce events, and make decisions with incomplete information.

Not bad for someone who once had frosted tips and hoop earrings.

Prompt: Hidden Job Title Finder

Act as a career strategist for a media professional. Based on my resume, identify 25 job titles I should search for that may not use my old media title. Include keywords, industries, transferable skills, and language to translate for non-media hiring managers.

A company may not be looking for a “radio person.” But it may need someone who knows how to earn attention, build an audience, and still believes they could murder “Bye Bye Bye” at the Christmas party.

7. Build A Target List Before You Apply Everywhere

When you are looking for work, panic can make every posting look like a possibility, especially around the 1st and 15th of every month.

Before you apply everywhere, build a target list: media companies, podcast companies, sports teams, entertainment brands, creator platforms, agencies, streaming companies, universities, and tech companies that need people who understand audience, community, storytelling, and all five members of O-Town.

Prompt: Target Company Builder

Act as a job search strategist. Create a target list of companies and categories for someone with my media background. Include why each fits, job titles to search, keywords to use, proof from my career to show, and who inside the company I should try to reach.

Pick 20 companies. Follow their leaders. Invite them to connect. You may only be 98 degrees from Kevin Bacon.

The worst time to build a relationship is after the job is posted and 50 million people have applied. I just picked that number out of thin air.

8. Write Outreach That Does Not Sound Like Everyone Else

Most networking messages are awful. They are too vague, too long, too needy, too formal, and written like the lyrics of a 2gether song.

“Hope this message finds you well.” It found them annoyed.

Prompt: Human Networking Message

Act as a thoughtful career coach. Rewrite this message so it sounds human, specific, and confident. I want to reach out to [PERSON] because [REASON]. My background is [SUMMARY]. I am looking for [TARGET ROLES]. My ask is [SPECIFIC HELP]. Give me a warm version, a professional version, and a short LinkedIn DM.

Follow-up matters too. If someone gives you advice, thank them. If they make an introduction, update them. If they send a job, tell them what happened.

9. Prep For Interviews Like You Already Work There

Media people are usually good talkers, but being good at words and stuff is not the same as being prepared.

An interview is different because the person across from you is not just listening to your experience. They are evaluating the risk of bringing you into their company.

Can this person do the job? Will they fit here? Are they stuck in their old industry? Can they manage change? Do they understand business?

Prompt: Interview Prep Room

Act as the hiring manager for this job. I am pasting the job description and my resume. Give me the 10 most likely questions, the concern behind each, the best story from my background to use, a conversational answer, three smart questions to ask, and one thing to avoid saying.

Then practice out loud. Show them you are not the new kid on the block. Go through the interview question by question, step by step.

10. Build A Weekly Job Search System

A job search can become a full-time job with no boss, no structure, no feedback, and no idea how you are doing.

One day you feel productive because you applied to 18 jobs. The next day you cannot remember which resume you sent, who you followed up with, or who you already told the story of your life to.

Prompt: Job Search Operating System

Act as my job search project manager. Create a weekly job search system with a spreadsheet format, Monday through Friday plan, weekly checklist, follow-up schedule, opportunity scoring system, and a short Friday review prompt so I can learn what worked.

AI will not get you hired by itself. But it can help you move faster, search wider, follow up smarter, prepare better, and stay organized while you process what happened.

Your previous company may have used innovation to decide your role was no longer part of its future.

But you can use that same innovation to find yours.

So the next time you are sitting in the interview chair, you can confidently say, “It’s gonna be me.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Kyle Long Opens up About His Dream Role With The NFL Today on CBS Sports

John Mamola
-
0
Kyle Long Opens up About His Dream Role With The NFL Today on CBS Sports

There’s an old saying that the greatest things in life come when you least expect them. In any career, there’s a benefit to being in the right place at the right time. Some say you need a little luck as well. However, luck only occurs when preparation meets opportunity. Kyle Long always dreamed of following in his father’s footsteps. Howie Long, Kyle’s father, was a giant influence on his life. From his Hall of Fame career on the football field to becoming one of the guiding voices of the sport off it.

That path his father helped pave ultimately led to many of the same doors opening. Long was a first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He went on to become a three-time Pro Bowl selection before officially retiring from the league in 2022. While his NFL career didn’t mirror his father’s, Long followed a similar path after retirement by joining CBS Sports.

For the last three years, Long has been a budding star with CBS Sports as one of the network’s NFL analysts. He became a fixture on the network with That Other Pregame Show and, more recently, The NFL Today+. However, following Matt Ryan’s departure from The NFL Today for an executive role with the Atlanta Falcons, questions emerged about who would fill Ryan’s seat on the network’s flagship NFL pregame program.

“When I first got the phone call, I thought it was going to be gaging my opinion on someone else in sports media,” recalled Long about the call from CBS executives regarding the open chair on The NFL Today. “It went from being another ‘teammate call’ asking my opinion on possibilities, to being a call about me. I was floored by it.”

Beginning this fall, Kyle Long, along with Russell Wilson, will be the latest additions to The NFL Today on CBS. The one-hour pregame show will feature Long and Wilson alongside Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher and host James Brown. As part of the promotion, both Wilson and Long will also serve as studio analysts on THE NFL TODAY+, CBS Sports’ digital NFL pregame show streaming on Paramount+, CBS Sports HQ and the NFL on CBS YouTube channel.

“This opportunity is something I’m not taking for granted. It’s cliche, but it’s a lifelong dream of mine since I was old enough to realize what goals are,” explains Long. “The stars have aligned. The universe has been very good to me and my family. Football has been a huge part of my identity.”

A Family Competition

The dream began for Long in 1994 when his father became one of the original faces of the NFL on FOX. For the last 30 seasons, Howie Long has continued to provide insight, analysis and opinion on the network’s signature pregame show. Now, his son reaches the same pinnacle. With FOX NFL Sunday and The NFL Today occupying the same time slot on competing networks, father and son will compete for the attention of football fans across America.

“He always told me he’d have a couple good plays left in him as a football player if I ever wanted to challenge him. The great news is we’re not wearing helmets anymore big guy,” joked Long. “The NFL on CBS is my family, but those guys [NFL on FOX] are my family too in a weird way.”

Long revealed that while working game days at CBS Sports, he would often venture into the control room to watch his father and his longtime colleagues on FOX. From time to time, the two exchanged quick texts about their wardrobes or squeezed in a FaceTime call during commercial breaks.

All joking aside, Long feels blessed to have witnessed his father’s rise on and off the football field.

“We have visibility on one another, and we always check in on one another. My dad is an amazing support system. I’m very lucky to have someone in my life that’s done it the right way for so long be my north star,” explains Long. “He told me to always be myself. It’s cliche, but in my case lean into it. I’m not going to fool anyone like I’m a chemist. I am what I am. He told me that all the time, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

When it came to his second act following football, Long leaned on his father’s routine as a guide. While sports media was always the destination, he chose the studio route over pursuing a career in the broadcast booth like many of his contemporaries.

“My dad always told me that the studio is a fantastic way to do it. First and foremost, you get suited and booted one time a week. If you do a game, you are home three nights a week. People don’t understand the rigors, travel, schedule that these people have,” said Long. “The studio is the same every Sunday. My dad tried to explain that to me early. When I told him I had some interest in calling games, he told me to pump the brakes on the idea.”

Long experimented with the broadcast booth by calling several college football games over the past few seasons, satisfying his curiosity about the role. While he enjoyed the experience, he ultimately concluded that studio television offered the perfect balance between football analysis and the lifestyle he wanted.

Adding Russell Wilson

What makes the moment even more special for Long is entering the role alongside Russell Wilson. The two have shared a bond dating back to childhood, when they played baseball against one another.

The venture will be Wilson’s first full-time television role, but Long believes his longtime friend is more than prepared for the opportunity.

“Russell already gets the media stuff. Our relationship is very unique. There was a respectful competitive animus there. Now, we get to sit next to one another and there will be barbs thrown, laughs had. For the most part, this guy is ready for this,” said Long. “He’s a great dude. We hit a home run, and I’m so lucky to share a desk with Russell Wilson.”

Long’s goal on The NFL Today is simple: celebrate the game. He looks forward to being a great teammate on an established program while helping continue its tradition of success. Rather than reinventing the show, Long wants to collaborate, listen and embrace the fun that comes with Sunday afternoons.

With that built-in chemistry already in place from sharing CBS hallways over the past few seasons, Long believes viewers can expect plenty of spontaneous and memorable moments.

“With the level of player and athletes that we have on our show, I think it would be entertaining to get up and move around. I have a hard time sitting still. Sometimes I run out of the camera. The more of that stuff, the better,” said Long. “Always ask for forgiveness than permission. There will be a lot of fun and cool elements to come. Russell [Wilson] wants to get up and demonstrate. He would be a head coach or quarterback coach if he wasn’t doing this. He is obsessed with ball. This is going to be fun.”

Talkin’ Ball On Sundays

For more than three decades, football fans have associated the Long name with insightful Sunday analysis. Beginning this fall, they’ll have a choice between two Longs in the same time slot.

Howie Long built a Hall of Fame career on the field before becoming one of television’s most recognizable NFL analysts. Kyle Long earned his own football credentials, spent the last three years proving himself in the studio and, when the opportunity finally arrived, was ready to answer.

The dream may have started by watching his father, but the next chapter belongs to him.

“Success for me is waking up with my hair on fire every Sunday. Bringing that energy and teamwork to The NFL Today every Sunday,” said Long. “Always bringing things that keep the offense moving. That’s what I’m looking forward to bringing to the table.”

Come Week 1, there won’t just be another Long on NFL television. There will be another Long carrying the family name into a new generation—this time from a different desk, on a different network and with a chance to build a legacy entirely his own.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

How Brian “Head” Welch Helped ZAHNA Rise From Near Death

Terrie Carr
-
0
How Brian “Head” Welch Helped ZAHNA Rise From Near Death

Discovering new artists has always been a passion of mine. As a content creator and podcaster, it’s not only important to “find the future,” but to believe in the artists you champion. With that said, I’m super impressed by ZAHNA.

Born Suzi Martinez in Mexico and cutting her teeth playing battle-of-the-bands gigs at BBQ joints in Texas, ZAHNA’s hard work is finally paying off. She has exploded onto the metalcore scene with raw power, a history of survival — not just in the music business, but in life — and, of course, her heavy-hitting anthems. Her web bio reads: ZAHNA IS A HARD ROCK FORCE OF NATURE WHO HAS PASSED THROUGH DEATH ITSELF — AND IT’S MADE HER FEARLESS.

Here’s the story. Just as her career was getting off the ground in 2020, COVID hit, her kidney disease moved in the wrong direction, and she discovered she needed a transplant as soon as possible. Life-threatening illness and financial hardship quickly became ZAHNA’s new reality.

Fighting Back: A Story of Survival

So, what happened next? ZAHNA never gave up. Thankfully, she received a kidney donated by her mom. Her strength and health eventually returned, and she picked up the pieces and started over. With her faith guiding her and help from a famous fan — Brian “Head” Welch of the mega-band KORN — ZAHNA was reborn.

A new album is coming in September called Break or Breakthrough on XOVR Records — pronounced “Crossover” — a label co-founded by Brian. The album features a collaboration with Head titled “Defiler.” Additionally, there are tour dates with her favorite band, Flyleaf, and a powerful new energy surrounding everything she’s doing.

For any struggling musician, it’s a story of survival that proves anything is possible. I absolutely loved interviewing her. ZAHNA’s energy is a force.

Terrie Carr on Women in Metal

Terrie Carr: I’m so inspired by what the women in metal are doing these days. I have to call this out because women in metal now are doing things that we didn’t in a different generation coming up in the music business and in the radio world. We were not allowed to do what you guys are doing. You guys are taking your careers and saying, “You know what, this is my career. I’m not changing for anyone. I’m gonna have good people in my wheelhouse. I have the tenacity to be in it for the long haul. And I don’t really care what a label or a manager is telling me.”

Now — I’m not saying you wouldn’t be open to good advice from a producer or someone around you who sees something or feels there is a way to make it better. But back in the day, you had to be one kind of rock woman. It’s you, Molly from Living Dead Girl, Kristin from Daedric — you ladies are doing what you want to do to move your careers forward.

ZAHNA on Kidney Failure and Finding Fearlessness

ZAHNA: I definitely used to be more timid. But after I experienced kidney failure in 2019, I realized I really don’t have time to worry anymore — I’ve got to just do or die, literally. So that’s what we’re here to do. I was 24 years old then. I’m 33 now, so it’s been about 10 years since I was diagnosed, and about seven years since my transplant. My kidney was donated by my mother, and it was such a paradigm shift in my mind — some really psychologically trying times.

But I have to admit that without that experience, I would not have found the tenacity to get to this point. Because there was so much more beyond that — it’s like just surviving by the seat of your pants. And then all of a sudden, it’s a Cinderella story. You’re out of the castle, and you don’t know how it happened, but it did!

Terrie Carr on Brian “Head” Welch and the XOVR Deal

Terrie Carr: You’ve got a new record coming out in September called Break or Breakthrough — very exciting. I want to talk about famous fans, because I think part of that paradigm shift you were describing was when Brian “Head” Welch became a fan. Brian, of course, is from KORN. And it’s not necessarily that you reached out to him and said, “Hey, here’s our stuff — can you produce our record?” He kind of became a ZAHNA fan because he saw you live, right? You got on his radar.

ZAHNA: Yeah, that’s exactly what happened. We have a really tight-knit music community, and you’re going to rub shoulders with a lot of cool people. We just happened to play his actual time slot at a festival — the show was running late, and our set got pushed to his spot. So he was already there. And of course, you hear about artists through the grapevine who are trying to come up. But if I hadn’t done my last independent album the way I did — I worked really hard for three years to come up not only out of kidney disease and transplant and the COVID mess, but also out of being on the brink of financial ruin. I had just put about $20,000 into touring right before the pandemic shut everything down. So I was like, “Dude, I have a lot of bills to pay.” It was just a different kind of hell.

I was working three jobs, pulling waitressing shifts. It was so difficult because I had lost so much muscle throughout my kidney transplant. There were real fears about not being able to stand very long. But literally, you have your health insurance and all your meds to pay for — plus all the debt you accrued because you believe.

A Victory Yell: The Signing That Changed Everything

Terrie Carr: So you’re on Brian’s label now — XOVR, or “Crossover” — which is very cool. It’s got that little X. When I first saw it, I was like, “What is this label?” Then I was like, “Oh, it’s XOVR — I get it now, it’s Brian!” (He’s well known for his Christian faith.) And I think it was your husband who came to you and said, “Head’s a fan, and I think he wants to sign the band.”

ZAHNA: When I found out they were actually interested in signing me, I was at my husband’s gig at the restaurant — he’s a working musician too. I just stepped out back and started screaming into the air. It was a victory yell, I guess. (Laughs.) Because you don’t know what you’re going to do when you finally catch the rabbit. You’ve been trying for years to chase this thing you don’t even know is real. You don’t even know if it’s actually a safe bet. Everything you do in music is kind of a gamble — it’s a really chaotic industry, and a lot of investment goes in that could be all for naught. But when someone like Brian finally sees you, you just feel unstoppable.

What’s Next for ZAHNA

Check out ZAHNA and Brian together on her song “Defiler” and her incredible latest single “The Archer.” ZAHNA and her band hit the road with their favorite band, Flyleaf, for some summer dates. My full interview with ZAHNA is linked below.

Metal fans have a lot to look forward to in the genre. It’s a really exciting time for heavy music.

Zahna With Terrie Carr  

Listen to Zahna with Terrie 

Zahna Featuring Brian “Head” Welch – Defiler

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Zena Keita, Meghan McKeown, Autumn Johnson Shine on WNBA on ION Pregame Show

John Molori
-
0
Zena Keita, Meghan McKeown, Autumn Johnson Shine on WNBA on ION Pregame Show

This season, the WNBA has not only showcased proven talent on the court, but has also given exposure to equally strong talent in the studio. The WNBA on ION Pregame Show scored a triple-double with Zena Keita, Meghan McKeown, and Autumn Johnson previewing this past week’s Minnesota Lynx at New York Liberty tilt. The flashy show open was fitting, as it introduced a program that was fast-paced and attention-grabbing. With live look-ins, fan shots, and player entrances, viewers got an inside look at what was going on at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

This has been a good year for the WNBA. Frontline players like A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, Kahleah Copper, and Angel Reese are playing at a high level. Meanwhile, multimedia personality Sophie Cunningham is generating excitement with fashion pointers, three-point shots, and simply pointing at opponents. Young, skilled, and tough players like Paige Bueckers and Olivia Miles have set the WNBA up for a potentially long run of growing popularity.

Amid this exciting backdrop, ION has done a terrific job of bringing the exuberance of the league to life. Basketball is largely about battles, and in the WNBA, discord, rivalries, and heated exchanges are on the rise. The league has brought back rough-and-tumble, hard-nosed basketball, the likes of which have not been seen since the 1980s and 1990s, when teams like the Celtics, Pistons, Pacers, and Knicks played a physical brand of ball.

A Cup Run and a Rookie’s Resolve

The ION Pregame Show also looked back on the Liberty’s 2026 Commissioner’s Cup victory over Las Vegas, 93-85. The win was highlighted by a terrific performance from New York’s Sabrina Ionescu, another of the league’s superstars. Keita, McKeown, and Johnson talked about Ionescu, as well as the aforementioned Miles, who, in her rookie season with the Lynx, has not backed down from any opponent.

This on-air trio has done a terrific job of highlighting games and players all season long. The ION Pregame Show offers several segments with different perspectives on the matchups. My favorite is the opener, where Keita asked McKeown and Johnson for “one word” to describe the Lynx-Liberty game. McKeown went with “caliber,” saying this is a playoff-caliber matchup. Johnson followed up with the word “titans,” explaining that you have one of the top teams in the league in Minnesota going against the Commissioner’s Cup champion Liberty.

Keita, McKeown, and Johnson work really well together. They are all versatile, able to play the role of host, reporter, and analyst. Johnson brings a varied background to the set as an analyst for the Big Ten Network and a beat reporter for NCAA.com. She also played hoops at Kennesaw State University. Keita brings knowledge aplenty, working for NBC Sports Bay Area and hosting a number of women’s basketball podcasts. She did a nice job of breaking down Miles’ rookie season thus far, complete with stats and analysis.

Feature Stories and All-Star Buzz

This edition of the ION Pregame Show featured a cool feature story on Chicago Sky rookie Gabriela Jaquez, the former UCLA star. I liked the style of this package, with no voiceover or stand-up from a reporter. The sound was provided by Jaquez herself, with video and images showing her life in basketball. The show also looked at the upcoming 2026 WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago on July 25. A graphic showed this year’s All-Star starters featuring Bueckers, Clark, Miles, Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Natasha Howard, Jessica Shepard, Stewart, Gabby Williams, and Wilson.

Following the graphic, McKeown talked about Shepard’s talent finally being recognized, while Johnson discussed the fact that Reese was not named a starter despite the Atlanta Dream star’s impressive season. Johnson quoted Reese saying that the snub was a “slap in the face.” Following a break later in the show, Keita, McKeown, and Johnson rifled through some recent WNBA game highlights. Together, they have developed a really effective conversational style — each one giving input on the various plays without talking over each other.

The word chemistry is often tossed around, but with Keita, McKeown, and Johnson, it is caught and slam dunked. They know their roles on a given show and bring a dynamic feel to the broadcast.

Setting the Scene for Game Night

The players are the most important part of any sports league, but do not underestimate the impact of prepared, informed, and entertaining network broadcasters. On a pregame show especially, they are the ones who set the scene and lead into the action on the court. They create interest and anticipation. It is clear that Keita, McKeown, and Johnson get this, and they do it without becoming publicists for the league. They bring a deep knowledge of both collegiate and professional women’s basketball and specialize in opinion and candor. In short, they make you want to watch the upcoming game.

The WNBA on ION Pregame Show frequently goes back to live look-ins with both teams warming up for the game. As video isolates individual players taking layups, stretching, and taking jumpers, Keita, McKeown, and Johnson focus on those players and what they bring to that night’s game. Minnesota’s Natasha Howard and Nia Coffey were discussed, as were Ionescu and Stewart on the New York side. Ionescu has come on strong lately for the Liberty, and Keita stressed the consistent pick-and-roll threat that she and Stewart provide.

Segments, Keys to the Game, and Closing Thoughts

Another one of the many segments on the show is a play on words called “I Have My Ion,” where the panelists discuss what they are specifically looking at in the upcoming game. Johnson focused on Napheesa Collier and what she brings to the Lynx attack coming back from injury. As the WNBA on ION Pregame Show neared its end, Keita, McKeown, and Johnson moved to a stand-up segment, giving their keys to the game. This is where McKeown was at her best. This skyrocketing talent certainly has found a fine niche talking WNBA on ION, but her impressive and growing résumé also includes work for FOX Sports, ESPN, and NBC Sports. McKeown is also a former basketball player at Northwestern. I can easily see her moving on to a more substantive role in media quite soon. She combines opinion and analysis as well as anyone.

Keita brought the best out of both McKeown and Johnson on this show. I like the fun tone and attitude that she brings to the program. Johnson is adept at combining her reporting and analysis chops to present facts and opinion in a direct, unabashed manner. The WNBA on ION Pregame Show is really well formatted and directed, with Keita moving the production from segment to segment, and McKeown and Johnson understanding the pace with clear and concise thoughts. In this, its 30th season, the WNBA is finally realizing that basketball is not enough. You need to draw an audience with personality, feeling, and passion. The WNBA on ION Pregame Show does just that.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Sal Licata, John Jastremski Team for ‘New York Sports Rush’ Podcast with BetRivers Network

Garrett Searight
-
1
Sal Licata, John Jastremski Team for ‘New York Sports Rush’ Podcast with BetRivers Network

Sal Licata and John Jastremski are teaming up for a new sports podcast. The former WFAN hosts will launch New York Sports Rush with BetRivers Network.

What We Know: BetRivers Network has added another New York-focused program to its growing lineup. Sal Licata and John Jastremski will co-host New York Sports Rush, a new podcast scheduled to air three times per week. The show reunites two personalities who previously worked together at WFAN. Jastremski remains a prominent voice in New York sports media through his podcasting and digital work, while Licata most recently hosted middays alongside Brandon Tierney before departing WFAN last year. As a result, the new venture gives both hosts a platform to discuss the city’s teams, storylines, and biggest debates in a digital-first environment.

What They Said: “How cool is this? Three days a week. In case you weren’t sick of me enough already, now you get to see me three days a week.” – John Jastremski

“I’m looking forward to it. But I love the opportunity here to talk some New York sports. Just two passionate, diehard New York sports fans having some fun with it. You’re right. We’ve worked together quite a bit, whether it’s day or night. Now, I’m going to be hanging out with you more than I hang out with my wife.” – Sal Licata

What’s at Stake: Sports media companies continue to invest in personality-driven content as audiences increasingly consume shows through podcasts and streaming platforms. Therefore, BetRivers Network gains another recognizable New York-based program, while Licata expands his presence following his radio departure. Meanwhile, Jastremski adds another outlet to an already established sports media portfolio.

What It Means: The launch highlights the continued value of established local sports voices. Although both hosts built their reputations in traditional radio, they’re now leveraging those connections in podcasting. Consequently, New York Sports Rush gives New York sports fans another destination for opinion, analysis, and conversation from two familiar voices.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

33% View Stations With AI Voices Less Favorably, New Crowd React Media Data Shows

Garrett Searight
-
0
33% View Stations With AI Voices Less Favorably, New Crowd React Media Data Shows

AI voices continue to divide radio listeners. New research suggests disclosure can change audience perception.

What We Know: Crowd React Media’s latest study examined how listeners perceive AI-generated voices compared to human voiceover talent. While AI performed competitively in many areas, listeners consistently rated human voices higher for energy, comedy, and relatability or friendliness. Overall, respondents also reacted more favorably to messages delivered by human voices. However, the study found that opinions shifted once listeners learned the voices they heard were generated by AI instead of humans. Although 44% of respondents expressed at least some level of positivity toward AI voices, that support didn’t fully translate into favorable views of stations using the technology.

What the Numbers Show: The Crowd React Media study found that 25% of respondents were very positive about AI-generated voices, while another 19% were somewhat positive. Meanwhile, 13% said they were very negative and another 13% were somewhat negative, with 30% remaining neutral. Even so, listeners viewed stations using AI voices less favorably after learning the technology was involved. According to the survey, 33% said they’d feel less favorable toward a station using AI voices, compared to just 21% who said they’d feel more favorable. Another 47% said it would make no difference.

What Remains Unclear: The findings don’t explain whether negative reactions would affect actual listening habits or advertiser support. Likewise, the research doesn’t indicate whether opinions would soften as AI voices become more common across radio, podcasting, and other audio platforms. It’s also unclear whether local personalities would receive different reactions than syndicated or promotional voiceovers.

What It Means: Radio companies continue searching for ways to reduce costs and increase efficiency, and AI voice technology offers an attractive option. However, this research suggests broadcasters should weigh potential savings against audience perception. Even listeners who generally accept AI appear hesitant when stations replace human voices, reinforcing that authenticity and personality remain valuable competitive advantages for broadcasters.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

1...218219220...2,883Page 219 of 2,883