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Jared James Nichols: Rock’s Next Great Guitar Hero

Terrie Carr
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Jared James Nichols: Rock’s Next Great Guitar Hero

Where Are Rock’s New Guitar Heroes? Meet Shredder Jared James Nichols — Guitar. It drives the rock and roll bus. Rock and radio have always embraced shred. Eddie, Eric, Jimmy, Keith, Slash, Nancy, Satch, Lita — I could go on. It seems the guitarist as a whole doesn’t mean as much to the rock format as it used to. Or maybe that’s just something we keep telling ourselves. The classic heroes are top of mind, but the new generation of Guitar Gods? Almost non-existent when it comes to rock radio airplay. They are here, making music. Rock Radio, listen up.

I first met Jared James Nichols when I became a fan of his 2023 release and decided to bring him out to my radio station to play for the fans. A pickless Gibson hero and ambassador, whose hulking presence and power vocals take over every room he plays. Who showed up to the radio appearance? Men, women, and kids holding their guitars to get signed. In fact, one kid rode his bike to the event. Jared not only signed it, he rode it around the radio station parking lot. Jared blew through his own songs and a few covers, including Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen.” That day, I was sold. Jared is a guitar hero — the incredible talent, looks, and personality that rock stars are made of.

Why Rock Radio Needs Its Guitar Gods

You can often find him at the NAMM convention, jamming with greats like Paul Gilbert and Steve Morse. Zakk Wylde and Keith Richards are fans. Why did I decide to highlight Jared in this week’s column? Because rock and radio need our Guitar Gods. Kids are playing, guitar sales are solid, and rock fans love guitar.

Jared James Nichols releases his fourth full-length, “Louder Than Fate,” on Friday, June 5th, on Frontiers Records. I recently got some time with this mega-talented player for my Carr Stereo Podcast. We broke down tracks from the album and discussed being a Gibson Brand Ambassador — alongside Slash, Dave Mustaine, Jerry Cantrell, and Lzzy Hale — recording at the Foo Fighters’ 606 Studios, and where his brand of blues-infused hard rock and metal fits into today’s crowded and often similar-sounding landscape.

*Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

Terrie Carr: One of my favorite guitar players of all time. We’re coming in hot, baby, because we have a fourth studio record which is coming out on Frontiers Records on June 5th, which is called “Louder Than Fate,” and it is a tour de force. Congratulations, my friend. Wow.

Terrie Carr: I’m ready for you to bench press me anytime I see you.

Jared James Nichols: Thank you so much. Thanks for having me, Terrie. It’s always so great to see you and talk to you and hear your voice.

Jared James Nichols: Laughs.

From Wisconsin to the Viper Room

Terrie Carr: You came in as this young kind of kid, making your name and getting top of mind for guitar people. I guess it was 2010-ish, maybe?

Jared James Nichols: Yeah, I would say 2010-ish. I got on the road and I got on some tours and started to mingle a little bit like 2012, 2013. I moved to California from Wisconsin when I was 20, and that was in 2010. Then once I got there, it took a while to figure out my bearings. But yeah, I would say 2012, I started to play shows in Los Angeles. I played the Viper Room. That was my first show in LA, which was insane. Then I started to do these small runs up the coast. Then one thing led to another, and I got on my first tour, which was in 2013, and that was going out to Sturgis to play with Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top and making a run of it. It was one of those things where it was like, “have guitar, will travel,” so I just didn’t stop.

The Pickless Wonder Becomes a Gibson Ambassador

Terrie Carr: You didn’t need your picks! (Jared plays pickless.) Just have guitar, will travel — the Pickless Wonder! And then you became a Gibson ambassador. You got on that list, which is crazy.

Jared James Nichols: That’s crazy. I am from the same town in Wisconsin that Les Paul is from, the guy that they named the guitars after. I’ve loved guitar and that’s been like my passion since I was like 14, 15. And I had this amazing interaction where I started to work with Gibson when I moved to California. And I would go and play at events for them. I got to jam with Robby Krieger of The Doors and do these really cool events. And one thing led to another. And I started getting known through the circles as a Gibson player. And yeah, I would say 2019, they offered me my first signature guitar. I’ve had three since then, another on the way. And then about two and a half years ago, they announced me as a brand ambassador alongside Slash, Dave Mustaine, Jerry Cantrell, Lzzy Hale. It’s crazy. I’m so lucky. I’m so honored and thankful. And yeah, I love Gibson more than I can ever imagine and say.

Terrie Carr: I love the production on this record so much. Talk to me about who you worked with. It’s Jay Rustin, right?

Jared James Nichols: Yeah, Jay Rustin.

Terrie Carr: He just got who you are. He got what this record needed to be. He got the sound. It’s amazing.

Recording “Louder Than Fate” at the Foo Fighters’ 606 Studio

Jared James Nichols: And what’s amazing, too, is Jay, he said, “Hey, let’s go to 606,” which is the Foo Fighters Studio. So what you’re hearing on all of those songs — the drums, the guitars, all of that — was basically tracked live and energetic at 606 in Los Angeles. So even just being there and using that gear and having that experience was something I’ll obviously never forget, but it was just like the energy was right. And it felt like we were making a record. It wasn’t like, “okay, let’s try this, let’s try this”…. It felt like the band, the trio with Jay steering the ship. We just had this great chemistry that made a record!

Chemistry indeed. “Louder Than Fate” is everything a guitar-driven rock record should be. Check out Jared and his band — a killer power trio — on tour too. Riffs drive rock. Radio, your audience will digest a fresh riff master. In fact, they are waiting for one.

For the full interview, check out this week’s Carr Stereo Podcast — Stream Carr Stereo with Jared James Nichols on Podcast Platforms

Jared James Nichols Carr Stereo Podcast Video Interview

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.

NBC Nightly News Won the China Summit Coverage — And Tom Llamas Earned It

Garrett Searight
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NBC Nightly News Won the China Summit Coverage — And Tom Llamas Earned It

Every few years, a major news event forces the big three evening newscasts to pack their bags and justify the kind of production budgets that increasingly skeptical executives eye every quarter. President Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing was one of those moments. All three networks dispatched their anchors to the region — or at least tried to. When the dust settled on a week of coverage, NBC Nightly News and Tom Llamas came out on top. Here’s why.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Yes, CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil couldn’t get a Chinese visa in time and ended up broadcasting from Taipei. That story practically writes itself, and frankly, plenty of people have already written it. A CBS source even told the New York Post that the decision to put Dokoupil in Taiwan was a “cover your a–” move.

Then, to add insult to injury, a cameraman suffered a medical emergency on air during Dokoupil’s very first broadcast from Taiwan. It’s a rough week by any measure.

But dissecting the CBS Evening News situation is almost too easy at this point. The more interesting — and more instructive — question is what separated NBC from ABC among the anchors who actually made it to Beijing.

Muir Was Good. Llamas Was Better.

Let’s be fair to David Muir and the team at World News Tonight. Muir’s broadcasts from China didn’t lack for substance. He reported from Beijing, covered the summit itself, and even came face-to-face with humanoid robots at one of China’s biggest AI developer conferences — a smart piece of enterprise television that showcased China’s technological ambitions during a week when the global tech race was very much front of mind.

There wasn’t anything wrong or bad about what ABC produced. Muir’s team did their jobs well.

But NBC Nightly News went deeper. Llamas and the Nightly team reported on China’s booming electric vehicle industry — a topic with real resonance for American viewers watching gas prices climb amid the ongoing war with Iran. Additional coverage of tariff prices on Chinese EVs coming to the forefront last week only exacerbated the topic. And Llamas’ coverage.

NBC Nightly News took viewers to the Great Wall of China. They sat down with Secretary of State Marco Rubio for an interview that covered Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, Taiwan, and the broader U.S.-China relationship in ways that mattered.

Rubio even told Llamas, “The difference is my job now is no longer just to be a senator. My job is a different job. I’m the chief diplomat of the country, and I execute on the president’s foreign policy.” That’s a consequential interview, and NBC landed it.

The Thursday, May 14, broadcast of NBC Nightly News marked a milestone — Llamas anchored live from the steps of the Imperial Ancestral Hall in Beijing, the first time an evening newscast had ever originated from that location. That’s the kind of visual storytelling that reminds viewers why it still matters that a network sends its anchor overseas rather than phoning it in from a studio in New York.

The Streaming Commitment Sealed It

Here’s where NBC truly separated itself — and it’s a detail that might not get the credit it deserves in the broader media conversation.

NBC announced in advance that Llamas would anchor both NBC Nightly News and Top Story from China — and he delivered on that commitment every single night.

Think about what that means logistically. Llamas was operating on Chinese time, navigating a foreign country, managing the demands of a major international news story, and coordinating production across multiple platforms. It would’ve been completely understandable — and no one would’ve batted an eye — if NBC had quietly slid another anchor into the Top Story chair for the week. The juice, you might argue, wouldn’t be worth the squeeze.

But they didn’t do that. Llamas helmed Top Story, as normal, from China. That’s a commitment to the streaming audience that a lot of networks still treat as an afterthought. It signals something about how NBC values its NBC News NOW viewers — and how seriously Llamas takes the full scope of his role. He didn’t treat Top Story like a side gig to be delegated when things got complicated. He showed up.

That’s the difference between a good week of coverage and a winning one. Muir and ABC turned in solid work. And they deserve praise, undeniably. But Llamas and NBC turned in more of it, across more platforms, with more depth — and without cutting corners on the streaming side when cutting corners would’ve been easy. That’s why NBC Nightly News won the week.

Now, we’ll patiently wait and see if the ratings reflect it.

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.

Jeremy Boreing Opens Up About Painful Exit From The Daily Wire

Garrett Searight
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Jeremy Boreing Opens Up About Painful Exit From The Daily Wire

Jeremy Boreing has shared a behind-the-scenes look at how difficult leaving The Daily Wire has been for him.

What We Know: Jeremy Boreing, co-founder of The Daily Wire alongside Ben Shapiro, departed his CEO role at the company last year. He recently opened up about the experience on the Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey podcast.

What They Said: “I didn’t expect to be separated from the Daily Wire. It’s not what I wanted. And it’s not something that I thought even could happen, much less would happen. It’s the biggest blow I’ve ever gone through in my life, and yeah, I was beat and broken … People would ask me what I was going to do next, and I didn’t have a great answer.

In some ways, I still don’t know what I’m going to do. But there was one day in particular where someone said, ‘What are you going to do next?’ and it struck me kind of how funny … like my wife left me for some other guy and took my house and took my kid, and I was wallowing around sad right now. No one would ask me, ‘What are you going to do next?’ as though the answer is date guys? I’m still exactly who I was before this thing occurred. You just are you. You’ve always done the things that you do … whatever it is in you that drives you has always driven you down similar paths … It was a really liberating realization that I didn’t have to solve my future or reinvent myself … I just had to remember that it’s okay to deal with setbacks in life.” –Jeremy Boreing

What Remains Unclear: Boreing hasn’t publicly detailed the circumstances behind his exit, and the reasons for his departure from The Daily Wire remain unconfirmed.

What It Means: Boreing’s admission shows he’s still processing a significant professional loss. His comments suggest someone still finding his footing, but doing so with self-awareness. We’ll continue to monitor to see if he continues to opine on his high-profile exit.

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.

Fox News Tops 191 Million Unique Visitors in April, Up 46% Year Over Year

Garrett Searight
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Fox News Tops 191 Million Unique Visitors in April, Up 46% Year Over Year

Fox News Digital has released its April 2026 metrics. It saw strong results in a variety of aspects.

What We Know: Fox News Digital finished April 2026 at the top of the Comscore rankings across total digital multiplatform unique visitors, multiplatform views, and multiplatform minutes — leading all broadcast networks and news competitors. Fox News Media also extended its social media interaction streak to 140 consecutive months at the top of all news brands, per Emplifi and Comscore Social.

What the Numbers Show:

MetricApril 2026 Total
Total Digital Multiplatform Unique Visitors191 million (up 46% YoY)
Total Multiplatform Views1.7 billion
Total Multiplatform Minutes3.6 billion

On YouTube, Fox News drew 471.9 million video views — a 45% year-over-year advantage over the field. The Fox News Mobile app also drew 6.3 million unique viewers.

FOXBusiness.com finished third in the business competitive set with 185.3 million multiplatform minutes, 87.9 million multiplatform views, and 20.2 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors.

What Remains Unclear: The April data doesn’t specify which content or coverage areas drove the most traffic. It’s also not clear how much of the unique visitor growth ties to specific news cycles versus ongoing platform investment.

What It Means: Fox News has invested heavily in being everywhere news consumers are. While the network’s cable news ratings remain strong, its digital metrics are just as impressive. The unique visitors on its mobile app are especially impressive.

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.

OutKick Posts 101% Year-Over-Year Growth in Multiplatform Minutes During April 2026

Garrett Searight
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OutKick Posts 101% Year-Over-Year Growth in Multiplatform Minutes During April 2026

OutKick has reported its April 2026 digital metrics. The outlet saw growth in several sectors.

What We Know: OutKick posted a strong April 2026, with Comscore data showing triple-digit year-over-year growth in total multiplatform minutes. The Fox-owned sports and culture platform ranked 26th among more than 350 sports entities for total digital multiplatform unique visitors. It also delivered 9.6 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors for the month.

What the Numbers Show:

MetricApril 2026 Total
Total Multiplatform Minutes48 million (up 101% YoY)
Total Multiplatform Views20 million
Total Desktop & Mobile Unique Visitors3.9 million

On social, OutKick tallied more than 459,100 social actions across Facebook, X, and Instagram. It also generated over 9.6 million total video views on Facebook, X, and YouTube — a 13% increase versus the prior month.

What They Said: “OutKick continues to grow its reach through its engaging content and authentic voices that resonate across sports, culture, and entertainment. In April alone, Tomi Lahren made headlines with interviews featuring Josh Duhamel and Cheryl Hines, while OutKick delivered leading coverage of the NFL draft’s biggest storylines.” — OutKick SVP/Managing Editor Gary Schreier

What Remains Unclear: The April data doesn’t break down which content categories or hosts drove the most traffic. It’s also not yet clear whether the 101% minute growth reflects sustained audience behavior or a bump tied to NFL draft coverage.

What It Means: The figures for OutKick come after the network inked host Dan Dakich to a contract extension.

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Former Infinity Sports Network Host Zach Gelb Joining WEEI, 104.3 WQAM

Garrett Searight
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Former Infinity Sports Network Host Zach Gelb Joining WEEI, 104.3 WQAM

Zach Gelb is joining a pair of Audacy stations as a sports talk host. He’ll be part heard on WEEI and 104.3 WQAM.

What We Know: Gelb has revealed that he’s joining the airstaffs at WEEI in Boston and 104.3 WQAM in Miami. His first appearance on WEEI is scheduled for Saturday, where he’ll helm the 11 AM-2 PM timeslot. Meanwhile, he’s joining 104.3 WQAM in Miami, as well. He’ll make his first appearance on Monday, May 25th from 2-6 PM ET. Gelb hosted afternoon drive on CBS Sports Radio and Infinity Sports Network before the network transitioned to Westwood One Sports late last year.

What They Said: “I’ve joined the on air staff at WEEI. Will be doing a few shows there per month … While I have you here, I also joined the on air staff at 104.3 WQAM a little while back, too.” -Zach Gelb

What Remains Unclear: If Gelb is slated to have a regular appearance on either station’s lineup or if he’ll be working more in a fill-in capacity.

What It Means: Gelb had been hosting a show on 365 Sports since his exit from the national radio stage. He’ll bring plenty of experience to WEEI and 104.3 WQAM. He’s been heard nationally and also on WFAN and SiriusXM during his career.

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.

WLS-AM 890 Program Director Stephanie Tichenor Exits

Garrett Searight
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WLS-AM 890 Program Director Stephanie Tichenor Exits

WLS-AM 890 Program Director Stephanie Tichenor has exited her role at the Cumulus Chicago news/talk station. Sources at Cumulus Media confirmed the news to Barrett Media.

What We Know: Tichenor departed the station after spending the past seven years working as Program Director. She originally joined the station in 2019 after previously working as Director of News and Operations at WGN Radio.

What’s At Stake: Chicago is the third-largest radio market in the country. It’s obviously an important market to Cumulus. WLS-AM 890 is also a heritage brand in the Windy City.

What Remains Unclear: Who, if anyone, will step into the role following Stephanie Tichenor’s absence. A timetable for that replacement is also unknown.

What It Means: Tichenor oversaw WLS through a series of transitions, especially in morning drive. She helped bring Ray Stevens back to the Windy City as morning drive host. That show has since established itself as a competitor in the morning ratings. It also serves as the only local programming in the daily lineup.

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Sal Capaccio Won’t Return to Buffalo Bills Radio Network After Flagship Change

Garrett Searight
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Sal Capaccio Won’t Return to Buffalo Bills Radio Network After Flagship Change

Sal Capaccio is stepping away from his role as sideline reporter on the Buffalo Bills Radio Network. The longtime WGR voice confirmed the change following the news that 97 Rock will be the new flagship station.

What We Know: The Buffalo Bills officially named 97 Rock their new radio flagship on Friday. That announcement ends a 12-year partnership with Audacy and sports station WGR. Capaccio served as the Bills’ sideline voice throughout the WGR era. Now, with 97 Rock taking over as the flagship, the network is building a new broadcast team. Capaccio won’t be part of that lineup on game days. He will remain active in his daily coverage role at WGR.

What They Said: “As many of you know, there will be a change. While I won’t be serving in that role moving forward, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity I’ve had over those years to cover this team from such a unique perspective on game day. To everyone in the Bills organization, and my radio colleagues — I’ll miss being with you on the field and in the booth, but thankful for the long-lasting friendships and relationships we’ve built … I’ll still be at every game, home and away, and can’t wait to see and talk to so many of you once again this season! Thank you for the love.” — Sal Capaccio

What It Means: It’s the end of an era for Bills fans. Capaccio is as knowledgeable as anyone about the franchise and its history.

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.

Amazon Music Debuts Video Podcast Functionality

Garrett Searight
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Amazon Music Debuts Video Podcast Functionality

Amazon Music has joined the likes of Spotify, Netflix, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts by debuting a video podcast functionality.

What We Know: Amazon Music has begun rolling out video podcasts for U.S. customers on iOS and Android. The functionality is available across all subscription tiers. The feature launches initially through Amazon’s ART19 platform, with plans to expand to additional partners later this summer. Among the first shows to offer video are Higher Ground’s IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson. Also joining are Khloé in Wonder Land, Not Skinny But Not Fat, and Let’s Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari. Amazon Music will work directly with creators and publishers to provide instructions on making video content available on the platform.

What They Said: “In today’s rapidly evolving podcast landscape, video has emerged as an increasingly essential format for creators and their audiences. Amazon Music is introducing an integrated video podcast experience for customers, making it simpler for customers to watch a selection of their favorite podcasts without leaving the app. This early experience will help us gather valuable customer feedback to shape and enhance the experience.” -Amazon spokesperson

What Remains Unclear: Several questions remain unanswered. It’s not yet clear which additional distribution partners Amazon Music plans to bring on after this summer’s expansion. The company also hasn’t outlined specific criteria for how creators and publishers outside ART19 can qualify to participate. Additionally, whether video podcasts will eventually extend to other devices or regions beyond the U.S. hasn’t been addressed.

What It Means: Amazon Music is getting into an already crowded space. Many users have selected their favorite platform for watching video podcasts. However, new consumers pop up daily, giving Amazon Music a chance to create new fans.

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.

NewsNation Sets America 250 Documentary Focused on U.S. Navy for Memorial Day

Garrett Searight
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NewsNation Sets America 250 Documentary Focused on U.S. Navy for Memorial Day

As the 250th anniversary of America comes closer, NewsNation has set at least one programming plan for Memorial Day. It features an in-depth look at America’s Navy.

What We Know: NewsNation will premiere a one-hour special, America’s Greatest Sailors: Heroes of the High Seas on Monday, May 25, at 9 PM ET. On Balance anchor Leland Vittert will host the documentary, which will also stream on NewsNationNow.com after its linear debut. The special features rare access to the United States Naval Academy. It also profiles figures from U.S. naval history, including John Paul Jones, David Farragut, Chester Nimitz, Bull Halsey, and James Stockdale. The special will also spotlight three Naval Academy midshipmen preparing to enter service.

What They Said: “As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, NewsNation is proud to mark this historic milestone by celebrating America’s rich history. This documentary honors the sailors whose bravery helped win the Revolutionary War, laying the foundation for one of the strongest naval forces in the world and today’s modern Navy.” -NewsNation President of Programming & Specials Michael Corn

What Remains Unclear: It’s not yet known whether the special will encore beyond its May 25 premiere or expand to additional platforms. It is also unclear what other potential programming related to the America 250 celebration is in store of NewsNation.

What It Means: We’re likely to see an influx of military-related programming as the America 250 celebration approaches. Producing that content to air on Memorial Day makes plenty of sense. It’s the first in what’s likely a long line of similar content in the cable news sphere.

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