Bleav has announced the appointment of Jonathan Dianora as Vice President of Sales and Revenue Operations for the company.
Dianora joins after previously serving as the Director of Revenue Partnerships for CNN Audio and Warner Bros. Discovery. He also has spent time at Acast and iHeartMedia working in advertising sales, ad technology, and integrated marketing, as well as other roles.
“Bleav has built an extraordinary platform that allows us to provide difference-making opportunities across audio and video for our advertising partners,” said Dianora. “I’m really excited to jump in and team up with Bron and the crew to help brands build deeper connections with our engaged audience, unlock authentic creator partnerships that convert, and deliver high-impact campaigns that drive real results.”
In his new role, Dianora will oversee the advertising partnerships and the company’s revenue strategy as it continues to expand its content offerings.
“Jonathan is a proven leader in the audio and digital media space, and we’re excited to bring someone of his caliber to Bleav,” added Bleav founder Bron Heussenstamm. “Jonathan’s deep experience with brands, his sharp insight into the creator economy, and his proven track record will be instrumental as we remain steadfast in our goal to build the world’s premier partnership platform for creators and hosts—empowering them to maximize reach, revenue, and impact.”
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.
As Basketball Night in America made its debut on Sunday evening, a familiar face returned to the NBA on NBC as Bob Costas made his first appearance on the network’s coverage in nearly a quarter-century.
To begin the program, Costas made a tongue-in-cheek reference.
“And as I was saying, back in 2002, welcome to the NBA on NBC,” he said with a wry smile.
He continued by noting the network’s long history with the league.
“The last time the NBA was on NBC, Shaq, Kobe, and the Lakers were finishing off a sweep of the Nets to complete a three-peat,” said Costas. “I hosted it, and the great Marv Albert called it. As you may already have noticed, on occasion, this season will remind you of NBC history with the league, including the return of John Tesch is round ball rock Mike to Rico’s conversation with Michael Jordan, and now and then a flashback to some of the unforgettable moments from the 90s and early 2000s but for the most part, the focus is on a new generation of teams and a new generation of stars presented by a new generation of broadcasters.”
He then tossed to the more permanent host of Basketball Night in America, Maria Taylor.
Bob Costas appears on NBA on NBC coverage for the first time since 2002!
The appearance of Costas to begin the program for NBC Sports comes days after he was announced as the new host of the network’s MLB coverage, which is set to begin later this year.
Costas will make his on-air debut with NBC’s new primetime Major League Baseball package on March 26, when the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Opening Day. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET, marking MLB’s lone primetime game that evening.
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.
77 WABC has announced a new weekend show hosted by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY).
The Pulse of the People will air on Sundays at 5 PM ET, with the debut episode taking place on February 1st.
The new show comes on the heels of Cuomo falling in the race for mayor of New York City to Zohran Mamdani.
“This is a moment when our country has rarely felt more divided, politics more polarizing, and public discourse more toxic,” Andrew Cuomo said. “The Pulse of the People is about cutting through the noise and the rancor to have real, substantive, fact-based conversations about the issues that actually affect people’s lives. I’ve spent my career focused on making government work and getting results, and that’s the same straightforward, problem-solving approach I’ll bring to this program.”
The one-hour program will give “gives listeners the opportunity to share their views, concerns, and experiences — from Albany to New York City” the station said.
“Today on WABC Radio, we are introducing a new program, The Pulse of the People, hosted by former Governor Andrew Cuomo,” said Red Apple Media owner John Catsimatidis. “The show will focus on listener calls and open discussion about the issues, concerns, and views of New Yorkers. WABC Radio believes in bipartisan conversation and thoughtful discussion of solutions, and we invite listeners to tune in and be part of the discussion.”
“77WABC has a long history of bringing voices from every level of government to our audience, including former governors, mayors, and leaders from federal, state, and city government,” added Red Apple Media President Chad Lopez. “Our station serves as a platform for informed discussion, diverse viewpoints, and meaningful listener engagement. The Pulse of the People builds on that tradition by expanding opportunities for the public to participate directly in conversations about the issues that matter most to New Yorkers.”
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.
Barrett Media’s Top 20 series for Sports Radio starts with the Top 20 National Sports Radio Shows of 2025. Stay tuned to this website, our newsletters and X, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and/or Instagram to learn of the results for Sports Radio’s Major and Mid Sized market winners. At the conclusion of the Top 20 series in March, I will record a video discussing the entire process. That video will be posted on the Barrett Media YouTube page. Be sure to subscribe so you’re notified once the video goes live.
As you review these results, please remember that they represent the collective feedback shared by our industry voters. Barrett Media does not vote in this process. Our role is to assemble the group, collect the votes, and present the information.
Important Information
#1 – These results are based on 2025’s performance. 2026 changes have no effect on the voting. That explains why shows from the Infinity Sports Network, FOX Sports Radio, etc. are on the list despite no longer being on the air in 2026.
#2 – We ask our voters to supply photos and logos to avoid headaches. Some comply, but most don’t. 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 – Our executive panel consists of forty three (43) program directors and corporate executives from radio’s top broadcasting companies. They include Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Beasley, Good Karma Brands, Bonneville, SiriusXM, ESPN Radio, FOX Sports Radio, Radio One, and a bunch of independently owned and operated radio stations. Our voting group is large because we want feedback from every part of the country. We also do that to assure the results don’t favor any one company.
#4 – The criteria for our voters included the ear test, originality, multi-platform impact, ratings success, clearance (national shows) and industry buzz. Keep in mind, our voters live in different cities, work for different companies, have different tastes, 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.
#5 –A total of 90 shows were eligible for voting consideration in the National Sports Radio Shows category.
And the Winner Is…
For the third straight year and fourth time total since we started this series, our voters have selected The Dan Patrick Show as the Top National Sports Radio Show of 2025. DP finished ahead of The Herd with Colin Cowherd to earn the victory. DP and Colin have occupied the top 2 slots in this category for most of the past decade. Congrats to Dan, Paul, Todd, Seton, Marvin and all involved with Fox Sports Radio on the well earned recognition.
In addition, this was a big year for SiriusXM. Mad Dog Sports Radio snagged 4 of the top 9 slots this year. The company also had three other shows land on the Top 20. In what will go down as a first since we started this series, a wrestling radio program cracked the Top 20. Congrats to all involved with Busted Open. A highly popular and exceptional show, it was cool to see Dave and his partners be recognized for their performance.
Finally, Infinity Sports Network was replaced by Westwood One in late-December, but the network didn’t go out quietly. Two of their shows earned spots in the Top 20: Maggie & Perloff and The Zach Gelb Show. They may not air at this time on national sports radio but for Maggie, Andrew and Zach, it’s cool to know their work was valued by those in leadership positions.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for creating the artwork, and each voter who participated in the process. Now without further delay, here are Barrett Media’s Top 20 National Sports Radio Shows of 2025.
Additional Notes:
The Dan Patrick Show cruised to a sixty seven (67) point victory over The Herd with Colin Cowherd thanks in part to a category best nineteen (19) first place votes.
Spots 21-25 belonged to Moving the Chains, The Odd Couple, GameNight, Ben Maller and Amber & Ian.
The closest contests saw D.A. and Babs and Full Ride slip by Unsportsmanlike and Moving the Chains by two (2) points each.
Of the 90 shows eligible displayed on voter ballots, eight (8) received at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries.Sign upfor our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
AUDITORY FX is expanding its footprint in the radio imaging space with the release of Sonic Survival Kits V2, a new audio effects library designed for producers navigating an increasingly competitive and fast-paced audio landscape.
The latest release builds on the momentum of the original Sonic Survival Kits, which debuted in 2019 and helped establish AUDITORY FX as a value-driven option for stations, podcasters, and production teams seeking high-quality imaging without premium pricing.
According to a company release, Version 2 reflects both the evolution of production demands and the feedback gathered from users over the past several years.
The new library includes 309 total audio tracks, positioning it as a comprehensive toolkit rather than a niche add-on. More than 100 music beds anchor the package, with timed cutdowns and separate mix-outs designed to streamline workflow.
In addition, the collection delivers over 200 effects, which AUDITORY FX describes as “survival-ready” elements built for daily use in promos, sweepers, and branded content.
Steve Stone, a nationally recognized voiceover artist and audio producer, created the library and continues to serve as the creative force behind AUDITORY FX. Stone said the brand’s mission remains focused on accessibility without sacrificing quality.
“At AUDITORY FX, we take great pride in crafting high-quality, affordable radio imaging tools tailored for the most demanding producers in the industry,” Stone said in the announcement.
Rather than chasing novelty, Sonic Survival Kits V2 appears designed to emphasize versatility, offering producers tools they can deploy repeatedly across formats and dayparts.
The library is available as an instant digital download and delivered as a single ZIP file. Users receive both 24-bit/96 kHz and 16-bit/44.1 kHz WAV formats, allowing for flexibility across broadcast and digital environments.
AUDITORY FX also includes a buyout and royalty-free license, removing usage barriers for commercial applications. To support adoption, the company has introduced the library at a special introductory price of $89, a move consistent with AUDITORY FX’s emphasis on affordability.
More information about Sonic Survival Kits V2 is available at auditoryfx.com.
For many Americans, the Super Bowl is more than just the game itself. It comes with concert events, a global halftime show, and commercials never seen anywhere else, all paired with endless dips and drinks at home. For six decades and counting, the NFL’s Super Bowl has represented the largest slice of Americana this country holds close to its chest.
It is also big business. This year, a 30-second Super Bowl ad can cost up to $10 million, a new record and $2 million more than last year. For perspective, during Super Bowl XXXV, 25 years ago, the highest price tag was $2.2 million. That figure would not even get a company into the conversation today.
With that kind of money involved, rules matter. Like any major sporting event, the NFL and its broadcast partners prohibit certain categories of advertising due to controversial subject matter. While the full list is not public, common sense applies. You are not going to see the Marlboro Man scrolling PornHub in a Super Bowl advertisement. Last week, reports surfaced that prediction market commercials have joined that prohibited list. That raises a fair question: Is this about controversy, or is it about control?
I am not a legal expert on prediction market trading. What is clear, however, is that prediction markets represent another way to wager on sports outcomes, which places them squarely adjacent to sports gambling. Some may dispute that comparison, but the logic mirrors the moneyline offered by sportsbooks everywhere, which asks the same question without explicitly spelling it out.
Chances are, you have already seen ads for prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Robinhood. They have appeared on televisions, mobile devices, and nearly every social feed imaginable.
The concept itself is straightforward. Prediction markets are federally regulated and allow users to trade on yes-or-no outcomes of real-world events. That includes sports, and the structure closely resembles stock trading. Unlike sportsbooks, prediction markets do not require state-by-state approval. Instead, they fall under the oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
That regulatory difference has real consequences. Prediction markets have already begun cutting into sportsbook revenue. According to ESPN.com, Citizens equity research analyst Jordan Bender estimates Super Bowl betting at U.S. sportsbooks will drop 2% year over year. Why, prediction markets are a big reason.
The numbers back that up. On championship weekend alone, more than $79 million was traded on the winner of the AFC Championship Game at Kalshi alone.
Not surprisingly, sportsbooks have responded by developing their own versions of prediction markets to navigate regulatory gray areas. In the process, the American Gaming Association no longer counts DraftKings or FanDuel among its members.
That context makes the NFL’s decision to prohibit prediction market advertising particularly intriguing.
In December, NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Miller submitted written testimony to the House Committee on Agriculture expressing “concerns regarding the potential impact of sports-related events contracts on the integrity of our games,” especially in states where sports betting remains illegal.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell echoed that sentiment at a Genius Sports event. “That’s not something we’re about to enter into,” Goodell said, noting the league would not participate in prediction markets without a regulatory framework. He also emphasized the league’s desire for greater comfort regarding risks to competitive integrity.
Yet FanDuel and DraftKings already offer prediction-style products. Both companies will flood Super Bowl broadcasts with advertisements. If prediction markets pose such a threat, why are those companies still welcome?
Their sportsbooks are not legal in every state either. I live in Florida, where Hard Rock Bet is the only option, yet I still see constant FanDuel and DraftKings ads. Meanwhile, recent FBI arrests tied to gambling-related scandals have only heightened concerns about integrity across sports.
Anyone who believes those issues will stop here is not paying attention.
Which leads to the uncomfortable question. Is this really about integrity, or is it about money?
The NFL is the most powerful sports brand in the United States and shows no signs of slowing down. Even so, it does not accept advertising dollars from major prediction market platforms like Kalshi or Robinhood.
Other leagues do. Major League Soccer and the NHL have partnerships in place. So do major media organizations, including CNN, CNBC, Yahoo, and The Wall Street Journal.
We’re honored and proud to be named the Official Prediction Market Partner of the NHL.
That leaves a few possibilities. Perhaps the NFL is protecting existing partnerships. Maybe it is prioritizing clients already inside the tent by not accepting revenue from a intrusive competitor. Or maybe it is signaling that exclusivity comes at a higher price for their existing client, and newcomers need not apply.
That may explain why the prohibited advertising list remains private. A public list would require consistency and regular updates. Flexibility allows the league to adjust as business interests evolve without public knowlegde.
If prediction markets were truly unacceptable, the NFL would sever ties with sportsbooks that operate similar products. Instead, it continues to welcome their advertising dollars while shutting out competitors.
The league’s integrity argument also rings hollow when history suggests that game-fixing is inevitable. MLB and the NHL have already faced those realities recently. As legalized betting expands and prediction markets become mainstream, the risks will follow.
The NFL does not need prediction market money. It is already the richest league in professional sports. Still, drawing a hard line against prediction markets while embracing sportsbook partners that provide the same offering during the Super Bowl feels less like principle and more like positioning.
Seen through that lens, the decision looks strategic. Prediction markets are acceptable when they fit neatly within existing relationships, but problematic when they threaten the league’s preferred business model.
That contradiction invites scrutiny.
In a Super Bowl defined by billion-dollar deals and tightly managed partnerships, the line between integrity and economics has never been thinner.
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.
Damon Johnson may not be immediately top of mind when it comes to legendary guitarists, but he is rock royalty. A master player, singer, and songwriter. I first met Johnson in 1993, when he came into my midday show on WDHA with his guitar as the leader of Brother Cane to play live on the air.
The band’s incredible self-titled debut had just come out and launched multiple radio singles. These included Got No Shame, Hard Act To Follow, and That Don’t Satisfy Me. It was an organic, guitar-driven rock sound that dominated rock radio at a time when grunge ruled. Their second release, 1995’s Seeds, gave them another number one with And Fools Shine On,. Then a third #1 followed on their third album, Wishpool, with I Lie In The Bed I Make.
Brother Cane eventually disbanded, and Damon went on to play guitar with Alice Cooper, Thin Lizzy, and John Waite. He was also in the band Black Star Riders, released solo material, and in 2021 joined Lynyrd Skynyrd as a temporary fill-in for legendary guitarist Gary Rossington. He has retained his role to this day following Gary’s death in 2023.
Both Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke credit Damon with being integral in keeping the classic Skynyrd guitar sound alive. So what does this super-busy guitar hero do to kick off 2026?
He decides to get the band back together and release the first new Brother Cane full album in 28 years, called Magnolia Medicine, which comes out April 17.
I recently caught up with Damon for my Carr Stereo podcast to discuss working again with writer, producer, and friend Marti Frederiksen. He was the one who worked on the first three Brother Cane records, capturing the band’s authentic sound.
We also talked about when he felt like he was truly a Lynyrd Skynyrd member, his first meeting with his idol Eddie Van Halen, and what Magnolia Medicine means.
*Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.*
Terrie Carr – We spoke in 2023 and there was some new music, but not a full new record. What got the Brother Cane machine back on the trail?
Damon Johnson – When you and I spoke in 2023, myself and Glenn Maxey, and then Jared and Tony, and the guys that I’ve been making music with here in Nashville for over 10 years. We had just kind of dipped our toe back in the water of, hey, we wrote a couple of new songs, we put them up on the streaming sites. Let’s book a few shows, and that’s what we did.
We played probably 18-20 shows. We had a lot of fun and everybody went back to their other commitments. A lot of credit goes to my manager, Kevin Lee. He’s wonderful, and he called me out of the blue one day.
He said, ‘If you were to roll up your sleeves and make a full length new record. It would be the optimum thing to do to move the band forward.’
We were all really kind of blown away and very pleased with the reaction we got to those two songs back in 2023. If we were going to do it right and not mess around, Marti Frederiksen to be involved.
Marti was my main co-writer, collaborator on all the radio hits that Brother Cane had. Got No Shame, Hard Act To Follow, And Fools Shine On, Breadmaker, I Lie In The Bed I Make, Machete. All written by myself and the very talented Marti Frederiksen.
I took Marti to breakfast here in Nashville. I told him I want to do the work. Start swinging a hammer. I already had a bunch of ideas, some really good songs. I promised him I wasn’t going to waste his time, and I got a ton of great ideas to get started with.
He goes, ‘“’Damon, you’re my brother. I would love to be involved. Let’s do another Brother Cane record.’”’
It was like riding in a car, cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway in a convertible at about 55 miles an hour. No traffic. Easy, easy. The songs just flowed like water. Proud of myself that I had a lot of stuff to say.
TC– The title has a very special meaning to you as well. Talk to me about the Magnolia Medicine that was in your life.
DJ– The Magnolia tree is very specific to the South. I’ve had Magnolia trees in my yard. Both ,y grandmothers had them and I had them at my home as a kid. My wife, Linda, and I moved to Nashville in 2013. We bought this single, small Magnolia tree. We planted it in our backyard. We don’t have a big yard, but it’s cool.
Last year, as we’re working on this Brother Cane record, I was working in my yard and I noticed that this little Magnolia tree looks completely dead. All the trees are starting to sprout, blooms, not that one though. I’m not Mr. Horticulture guy, but I was like, that tree looks dead.
So there’s a little mom-and-pop plant store down the street. I took a picture, snapped off a little twig of this thing, and took it to this old guy. I asked his thoughts on the tree, and asked if we were out of luck.
Then he picked up this little bottle about the size of my AirPod case here. He shook it and told me to pour a capful of this in a five-gallon bucket of water. Pour it on the root, and wished me luck.
I did exactly what he said once a week for like two or three weeks. I’m back outside. Linda’s in the front yard working on her flowers. I look out there at that tree, and there’s this one gorgeous white bloom that has sprouted on the top of it. I kind of trotted back up to the front yard and told Linda. You could see a couple of other small bulbs coming.
That old man, he sold me some Magnolia Medicine. Linda then took her gloves off, and dropped them on the ground and says, ‘That’s the name of your album.’
Brother Cane’s first single from Magnolia Medicine, If This Means War, is out streaming everywhere. It is a heavy guitar adventure combined with the band’s signature classic, driving bass sound and impactful lyrics. April 17th can’t come soon enough.
For the full interview, which also discusses Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Halen, and a possible Brother Cane tour, check out my Carr Stereo Podcast.
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.
Over one year ago, I conducted a (very) small research study for this column about the spots ESPN inserts in games available on what was then ESPN+. This column is a 2026 version of that study and, appropriately enough, appears in Barrett Media on Groundhog Day.
I’m a Washington Capitals fan and was a season ticket holder for a number of years when I lived in the DC area. Living out of market now, I can get nearly all of the Caps games on the ESPN platform and, even better, I can choose which version to watch — the Caps version or the opponent’s telecast. The only exception is nationally televised games, and I have “traditional” ESPN as well as TBS and TNT, so I’m covered.
ESPN “covers” the local spots with their own when you watch a game on their platform. The amount of repetition of spots was so bad that I tracked all the spots from one game and reported the results in my column of February 3, 2025. One year later, I repeated the “study” using last Tuesday’s Caps-Kraken game. For a Caps fan, the game was terrible, perhaps the worst game the Caps have played all year, losing 5-1 at Climate Pledge Arena.
The study results were mixed. There was some improvement, but three advertisers were allowed to pummel me with frequencies beyond what any normal viewer should endure. And because this is a digital operation, the targeting should be better than linear television.
If the digital world really knows more about me, I’ll need to visit my doctor very soon. Apparently, I have one of the following: Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, or psoriatic arthritis. How do I know this? I counted 15 spots for Tremfya and, according to Johnson & Johnson, it works on all of those diseases.
Also, the digital systems know something about my history that I never knew. There were ten spots for TikTok, all of which informed me that they have systems in place to protect teens. I don’t have children and have no teens in my household, but TikTok assures me that they’re watching out. And I don’t even have a TikTok account!
Next came Kalshi. In fact, the betting — I mean “trading” — platform showed me nine times that the odds for David against Goliath were pretty long. And with Kalshi, I can bet — I mean “trade” — on anything!
No other advertiser appeared more than three times in the game broadcast, which is reasonable. The only one with three spots was Navy Federal, and each spot was a different execution.
On to the ESPN promos. By my count, there were 31 ESPN promos, with the biggest number for a logical event — the NHL Stadium Series game in Tampa, held on Saturday. Here’s a table for you:
ESPN Promo
Number of Spots
NHL Stadium Series
6
NFL Pro Bowl (Flag Football)
4
La Liga
4
Inside the NBA
3
NBA on ESPN and ABC
3
Australian Open Tennis on ESPN
3
ESPN Golf Coverage
3
Women’s Volleyball on ESPN
3
WWE Royal Rumble on ESPN
2
One other improvement over last year was a major reduction in the number of spots that started but were cut by the return to the game coverage. I saw only one this year, and it would have been the fourth promo for the Australian Open.
There is one other issue when one watches a game on ESPN, and that’s the fill. Sometimes it’s a few seconds, and other times it can last for a minute or more. When the system apparently does not have a spot to fill or knows that only a few seconds are left in the break, it puts up a shot of an ESPN building — likely fictitious, but I’ve never visited Bristol — which has windows that highlight various ESPN programs, mostly 30 for 30 episodes. Meanwhile, you see clouds pass in the sky, and the sound is outdoor noise — wind with a few bird chirps. Some words on the screen inform the viewer that the program is in a commercial break, as if we couldn’t figure that out.
Here’s my suggestion to ESPN. What does ESPN do extraordinarily well? Scores and highlights of just about any sporting event in the entire world. Rather than the same boring video, why not put up scores? If I were watching linear ESPN, I’d see scores and headlines continuously at the bottom of the screen. But when I’m on the ESPN platform watching an NHL game — and I assume it’s the same for any other event — I see the same building, the same clouds going by, and hear the same sound.
Monumental Sports, which runs the Caps games as well as Ted Leonsis’ other teams in Washington, doesn’t seem to think that any other NHL games are played whenever the Caps play. There may be a mention of other scores by the announce team, but don’t count on it. ESPN could put up the scores during the break. Perhaps one less promo here and there, replaced with the latest NHL scores and some sports headlines?
Last year, I suggested that ESPN should “eat their own dog food” and have an exec watch a local game on their platform. Perhaps someone did, as this year was marginally better than last year’s review. But much as I love the option to view games of a favorite team, I’m the viewer. I can deal with spots, but can’t the company cap the frequencies? And would it be possible to offer something ESPN excels at — scores and headlines? In the meantime, I’ll talk to my doctor about Tremfya.
When you endeavor to write a weekly column, you eventually end up finding inspiration in a lot of strange places. This week, my inspiration comes from a book about, well, inspiration. It started when I read Sean Ross’ column titled “When I Stopped Feeling Self-Conscious About Music.” In it, he shares an essay he wrote for a book called Life Goes On: The Lessons We Learned from Eighties Music, edited by Eric J. Shoars. The book is a compilation of essays like Sean’s that do exactly that — recount the personal meaning, or inspiration, a group of Generation Xers got from the music of their youth, especially 80s Music. It’s a neat project.
I won’t spoil what Ross wrote, other than to say the song he chose for his inspiration was “Mickey” by Toni Basil. If that doesn’t get you to check it out, nothing will.
But it also got me thinking about what professional lessons can be learned from 80s Music, and I have a few thoughts spurred on by certain songs:
ZZ Top “Legs”: The lesson I learned from this song is that Top 40 airplay really makes a difference in the impact a song has on your programming. ZZ Top wasn’t a new band when the Eliminator album came out, but when “Legs” crossed to Top 40, the little band from Texas was exposed to a whole new audience who probably had never heard “LaGrange” and certainly didn’t know “Jesus Just Left Chicago.”
Today, it’s songs like “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and other eighties rock songs that crossed to Top 40 that expand your station’s cume appeal. At times, I’ve heard Classic Rock programmers decry those songs as “cheesy hits” and not want to play them. But the fact is, there is more value in a spin for those titles than there is for “Cheap Sunglasses” or “Wheel in the Sky.”
Metallica “Master of Puppets”: When Metallica released the Master of Puppets album in 1986, it was too scary for most rock radio. But as former Coleman Insights research guru Chris Ackerman used to tell me, “Time dampens all tempo.”
Today, the title song is not only a staple at Rock and played on some Classic Rock stations, but it was also used in a climactic scene in the TV show Stranger Things, exposing it to a whole new, younger audience. Eventually, it turns out that if they are good, a lot of the scary songs aren’t so bad after all.
Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”: Back in the eighties, Annie Lennox, with her short cut and bright red hair, was Alternative. People paid attention to Eurythmics because of MTV, not because the band fit into the mainstream.
But in 2025, “Sweet Dreams” was the most played song at Adult Hits, number three at Classic Hits, and it’s just outside the Top 500 at Classic Rock. It’s a good reminder that, especially in a world where streaming is ubiquitous and consumers have access to every song ever recorded, the genre lines we once used to define ourselves and our friend groups are blurring. And with that, the expectation of what can be played on your radio station is changing, too.
If you are intrigued by the book, Life Goes On: The Lessons We Learned From Eighties Music, you can learn more about it here. If you have a lesson, personal or professional, that ties back to an eighties song or artist, share it with me at mike@jacobsmedia.com. Maybe you can be the inspiration for my next column.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
Don Lemon being arrested after the Minnesota church protest was catnip for conservative media, and many couldn’t resist taking the bait.
The former CNN anchor has been a frequent punching bag on the right for years, so the reaction wasn’t surprising. Clips were dunked. Jokes were made. Victory laps were run. To some, it felt like karma finally showing up on time.
Others pushed back hard, arguing the arrest went against the First Amendment. They weren’t wrong to raise that concern. Over the last several years, a loud segment of conservative media has branded itself as First Amendment absolutists. Free speech, free press, and free expression became rallying cries. Those principles weren’t supposed to depend on whether the speaker was liked.
That’s where this whole thing gets uncomfortable. If you really believe in the First Amendment, you don’t only defend it when your people are involved. You defend it when it protects people you can’t stand. Otherwise, it’s not a principle. It’s just a preference.
There isn’t a less principled take than “I’m glad that guy got arrested. I don’t like him.” That reaction is more about vibes and settling scores than it is about law, rights, or consistency. And it’s exactly the mindset many in conservative media say they’re fighting against.
I’m not qualified to determine whether Don Lemon truly ran afoul of the FACE Act. I haven’t seen every angle, read every report, or studied every charge. Courts exist for a reason, and they’ll sort that out. What I do know is this: I don’t know that there’s a situation where someone in media gets arrested while working, and I’d cheer it on, regardless of politics.
That doesn’t mean journalists should get a free pass. If someone breaks the law, they can be charged. Having a microphone doesn’t create immunity. Most serious people agree on that. The problem is the glee, not the process. It’s the celebration of state power being used against a disliked figure.
Conservative media has spent years warning about weaponized law enforcement. They’ve talked endlessly about selective prosecution. They’ve argued that vague statutes can be used to chill speech. And don’t get me started about how often the words “cancel culture run amok” have been spoken in recent years. Those concerns don’t magically disappear because the person in cuffs is Don Lemon.
This is where the absolutist talk meets its stress test. Do you still care when the precedent might be used against you later? Or does your commitment fade when the target wears the wrong jersey? It’s easy to defend speech when it flatters you. It’s harder when it annoys you.
As they say, it ain’t no fun when the rabbit’s got the gun. That saying exists for a reason. Power doesn’t stay neatly confined to your enemies. It travels. It mutates. And it eventually comes looking for new hosts.
Today it’s Lemon. Tomorrow, it’s someone else who crossed an invisible line. Maybe it’s a conservative reporter covering a protest. Maybe it’s someone you actually like.
The smarter move is to slow down and lower the volume. Ask whether cheering an arrest aligns with the values you claim to hold. Decide if your defense of the First Amendment is situational or sincere. Those choices matter more than a viral clip.
You don’t have to like Don Lemon. You don’t have to defend his opinions. And you don’t even have to feel bad for him. But if you care about free expression, you should care about the rules being applied evenly.
Otherwise, don’t be shocked when the applause dies down and the spotlight turns your way.
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.
