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Classic Rock Music: The Year in Review

Mike Stern
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Classic Rock Music: The Year in Review

As 2025 winds down and we get ready for a new year it seems like a good time to look at the music being played in the Classic Rock format to see if there are any valuable lessons to be learned for the year ahead.

Thanks to Mediabase I was able to pull year-to-date statistics for Classic Rock airplay. I decided to look at which artists are receiving the most attention at the format. I also pulled archived numbers for last year, 2020 (5 years ago), 2015 (10 years ago) and 2000 (25 years ago). Here’s what stood out to me.

Consistency Since 2015

When you compare the top artists to last year the best words to describe the results would be incredibly consistent. Aerosmith is still the most-played artist with, in order, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin trading spots to take second and third this year. In fact, while there is some jockeying for position, every one of the top twenty five most-played artists from this year were in the top twenty five last year.

It’s worth noting that the three true Mount Rushmore acts, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd have ranked in the top five for twenty five years. However, five more artists, AC/DC, Queen, Guns N’ Roses, Def Leppard and Journey have taken up residence in the top 10 but, as the chart below shows, haven’t always been there.

Artist2000 Rank2015 Rank2020 Rank2024 Rank2025 Rank
AC/DC264232
QUEEN237665
GUNS N’ ROSES8112976
DEF LEPPARD538788
JOURNEY249101010

The Next Generation

Going deeper to look over the entirety of the one hundred most-played artists from last year to this year, there aren’t a lot of big changes in rank, though the ones that did occur tell a story.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers took the biggest jump inside the top thirty going up four spots to twenty-eight. In addition, The Offspring are up nine spots to sixty-three, Linkin Park up twelve spots to seventy and Smashing Pumpkins up eight spots eighty while 3 Doors Down and Sublime debuted in the top one hundred for the first time at 86 and 94, respectively. In addition, here is how several other nineties artists have ranked over time. The chart illustrates how the format adopted these acts but also how their growth has slowed significantly leaving them unable to reach true core artist status.

Artist2000 Rank2015 Rank2020 Rank2024 Rank2025 Rank
METALLICAn/a 38271314
NIRVANAn/a 43331816
PEARL JAM n/a41372321
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS n/a68413228
GREEN DAY n/a69433029
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS n/a53453534
FOO FIGHTERS n/a74544341
R.E.M. n/an/a 665351
ALICE IN CHAINS n/a83675453

Conversely, the biggest losers include John Mellencamp down seven spots to thirty-five, Jimi Hendrix down eight spots to fifty, Kansas off five spots to sixty-two, Dire Straits and Phil Collins both off six spots to 69 and 76 respectively while Eric Clapton was also off five spots coming in at 89. To further illustrate how the format is changing, here are some other artists who were once considered staples if not Mount Rushmore type acts that have slid down the ranker.

Artist2000 Rank2015 Rank2020 Rank2024 Rank2025 Rank
THE WHO1414253633
BOB SEGER722313336
BAD COMPANY1725364140
DOORS2227294042
BEATLES320466264
ELTON JOHN1647616565
SUPERTRAMP3550637983
BILLY JOEL3365738585
DOOBIE BROTHERS2155729088

The new guard is slowly supplanting the old guard, but evolution is a slow process. Meanwhile these charts also show how the overall sound of the format is getting a little harder due to the changes as softer sounds are falling out of favor.

After a short holiday break, I’ll be back to look under the hood and see what trends are happening in the world of Classic Hits. Hope you have a great holiday season.

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.

Jim Russell Announces Departure From ‘The Jon & Jim Show’ Due to Family Reasons December 29

BSM Staff
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Jim Russell Announces Departure From ‘The Jon & Jim Show’ Due to Family Reasons December 29

Jim Russell, co-host of The Jon & Jim Show on San Diego Sports 760, announced Friday that he will leave the program, with his final broadcast scheduled for December 29. Russell said the decision to step away from the show and the city was motivated by family considerations.

“I’m leaving the Jon and Jim show, and my final show will be on December 29,” Russell said during Friday’s broadcast. Russell, who has been with San Diego Sports 760 for 6 years, explained that the decision came after a deeply personal experience.

“A couple months after we found out that Eryn was pregnant, she had a miscarriage. That was brutal, and it kind of just clicked that we could not raise a family and raise a child in San Diego,” he said.

The host described the choice to leave San Diego after 15 total years of service was exceptionally difficult.

“This was a very tough decision for me and Eryn, especially because I love what I do. I love the show, and have been in San Diego for 15 years now, and it’s become my home. So it was… very difficult to even think about leaving San Diego. But once Eryn experienced the miscarriage and that whole thing happened, it was actually very easy to move,” Russell explained.

He emphasized that the move is intended to be closer to family, providing support and a sense of community as he and his wife plan to start a family.

“The main reason why myself and my wife decided to move, and that’s to be closer to family, because we want to start a family. We know that it’s very difficult to be on an island by yourself to do that. When the miscarriage happened, it just put a lot of things in perspective,” Russell said.

Russell’s departure marks a significant shift for the station. He has been a fixture in the local sports radio scene. The Jon & Jim Show has built a loyal following in San Diego. It blends sports analysis with personal commentary and community engagement

Russell’s presence on the program has been noted for his candid, relatable style. He is also committed to engaging fans both on and off the air. Station management has not yet announced a replacement or how the show’s lineup will be adjusted following Russell’s departure.

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Doug Gottlieb Officially Steps Away From Daily Radio Program To Focus on College Basketball Coaching Role

BSM Staff
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Doug Gottlieb Officially Steps Away From Daily Radio Program To Focus on College Basketball Coaching Role

Doug Gottlieb officially signed off from his daily live radio duties Friday, announcing the end of The Doug Gottlieb Show on FOX Sports Radio as he shifts his professional focus toward coaching and leading the men’s basketball program at Wisconsin–Green Bay.

Gottlieb, who has hosted nationally syndicated sports radio shows for more than two decades, made the announcement during his final broadcast, emphasizing both gratitude for his audience and clarity about what comes next. While the daily live show is ending, Gottlieb made clear he is not leaving audio entirely.

“This will be my last show with live radio,” Gottlieb said. “So just to clarify, I’m still going to do a podcast. The Doug Gottlieb Show podcast. We will use the All Ball platform, and iHeartMedia has been great, and we’re going to work together on it. There are no negatives there.”

The decision marks a significant turning point in Gottlieb’s media career, one that he framed as a necessary step to fully commit to his coaching responsibilities. Gottlieb was hired as head coach at Wisconsin–Green Bay in 2023, a role he has repeatedly described as a dream job.

“Green Bay basketball is incredibly important to me, and you can’t say something’s your dream job and then not be willing to literally and figuratively give your all for it,” Gottlieb said. “The reality to it is Green Bay basketball hasn’t suffered the last year and a half because I haven’t worked hard enough at it. I would say there are times which you guys have picked me up, which has been great, and it’s been all the other things in my life which would suffer.”

Throughout his final show, Gottlieb reflected on the relationship he built with listeners during a 23-year run in sports radio, a stretch that included stints across multiple networks and formats. He leaned into the personal nature of the medium, acknowledging both the connection and occasional friction that comes with opinion-driven programming.

“To those of you who listened for the last 23 years. You’ve been moving through basketball, different jobs, marriage, kids, divorce. Now, coaching, I appreciate you,” Gottlieb said. “Radio is a relationship, consider me your friend. I said something to piss you off is just because I thought your sports team or your player wasn’t as good as some other sports team or player. It was, for the most part, never personal. It’s a pleasure.”

Gottlieb’s departure from daily live radio comes at a time when several established sports media personalities are reevaluating workloads amid expanding responsibilities beyond broadcasting. As he wrapped up the broadcast, Gottlieb left the door open for continued connection through his podcast while offering a seasonal farewell.

“It’s not goodbye forever,” he said. “You can still check out the podcast, but for now, it’s fitting I do Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah.”

FOX Sports Radio has not announced who will replace Gottlieb in their afternoon drive timeslot.

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Craig Carton: “Brandon Tierney, Sal Licata Did Nothing Wrong” as They Depart WFAN

BSM Staff
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Craig Carton: “Brandon Tierney, Sal Licata Did Nothing Wrong” as They Depart WFAN

Craig Carton addressed the ripple effects of his highly publicized return to WFAN, offering praise and empathy for Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata while acknowledging the difficult realities of sports radio roster changes.

Appearing on Evan & Tiki, Carton spoke candidly about how his move back into afternoon drive coincided with the end of Tierney and Licata’s program on the station. While Carton was not involved in the decision-making process, he emphasized that the two hosts handled their departures with professionalism and grace.

“Brandon and Sal didn’t do anything wrong,” Carton said. “It’s a tough business we’ve all chosen, but it’s the business we have chosen. And I thought they handled the news as well as anyone in the history of radio’s ever handled it.”

Tierney and Licata were allowed to remain on the air through the conclusion of their run with the station. Carton noted that decision spoke volumes about the trust WFAN management had in the duo.

“I’ve never been in a situation where a radio station or company allowed someone who’s not continuing at that station to still go on the air,” Carton said. “They never would have let those guys go on the air if there wasn’t an amazing amount of trust, right, and professionalism.”

While Carton acknowledged how painful the situation was for those affected, he expressed confidence in both hosts’ futures.

“I also root for them and want the best for them,” said Carton. “I’m sure they will land on their feet and do amazing things in the future, in their careers.”

Carton also addressed some listener reaction to his return, particularly criticism suggesting his arrival directly caused others to lose their jobs. While understanding that perception, he said the circumstances were more complex than they appeared.

“I get it, and I’m sensitive to it, and I just want the best for those two guys,” Carton said. “Unfortunately, that’s not here right now, but you never know what the future holds.”

In addition to Tierney and Licata’s exit, Carton’s return resulted in Evan & Tiki moving from afternoon drive to middays. Carton made a point to acknowledge the sacrifice Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber made in the reshuffling for his eventual return.

“I am very sensitive to the fact that my coming back has not been good for everybody,” Carton said. “I know you guys moving from afternoon drive. Which I know means the world to you guys, to a different day part isn’t what you expected or wanted.”

Despite the changes, Carton expressed confidence in WFAN’s revamped lineup and gratitude toward his colleagues for embracing the transition. “I appreciate the fact that you’re doing it with a smile on your face. You are going to kill it in middays,” he said.

Licata officially signed off from WFAN last week, while Tierney officially signed off BT & Sal in middays earlier Friday.

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101.1 Big Buck Country Debuts in Greenville

BMM Staff
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101.1 Big Buck Country Debuts in Greenville

Changes are afoot at Audacy Greenville as 101.1 Big Buck Country debuts in the South Carolina market.

The move marks the first new country station in the area in 40 years, the company says. Previously, the 101.1 FM signal featured a classic rock signal.

However, Audacy will focus the attention of 93.3 The Planet to an expanded rock library. As part of that shift, former Classic Rock 101.1 host The Stoneman is moving to afternoons on 93.3 The Planet as part of it’s all local lineup.

“I am excited to give our listeners the best of both worlds, an exciting new home for country fans with 101.1 Big Buck Country, and a stronger, more dynamic rock presence on 93.3 The Planet,” said Audacy Greenville Operations Manager Mark Hendrix.

“We’re expanding our offerings while keeping the personalities and music our audience loves,” Hendrix continued. “This reflects our commitment to serving the Upstate with the best entertainment, talent and radio experience possible.”

The new country station will compete with the already established iHeartMedia country stations in the Greenville/Spartanburg market, as 100.5 The Whistle and 92.5 WESC also broadcast the format in the area.

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Brandon Tierney Teases New Program On YouTube Following WFAN Exit

BSM Staff
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Brandon Tierney Teases New Program On YouTube Following WFAN Exit

Brandon Tierney is wasting little time turning the page. Immediately after an emotional on-air exit from Audacy’s WFAN on Friday afternoon, Tierney announced the launch of a new digital program titled Unkillable to Unleashed, which will debut Monday on YouTube.

The move signals the veteran New York sports radio host’s next chapter following the end of his exit from New York City’s WFAN following the station coming to terms on another return of Craig Carton.

Tierney shared the news with listeners and followers on social media with just a static image and a message of, “Catch you Monday.” Tierney concluded his final BT & Sal program with four hours of emotional conversations surrounding his tenure at the radio station. Emotions ran high as he reflected on his journey, the people he worked alongside, and the uncertainty ahead.

While his departure from the iconic sports radio station marked a significant career shift, Tierney’s post made it clear he is not stepping away from sports media. Details and a personal YouTube channel have not been revealed. The post engagement he received became instantaneous. The move signifies he is pivoting quickly to a platform he believes offers creative freedom and direct audience connection.

Unkillable to Unleashed is being positioned as a personal and professional evolution for Tierney. In his farewell remarks, Tierney expressed gratitude to WFAN management, colleagues, and listeners. He also acknowledged the emotional weight of leaving a station that played a central role in his career.

Speaking with Barrett Media, Tierney looked forward to the challenge ahead.

“It is my mission to find the next thing, and it’s exciting. I’m open to talking to anybody. The industry has changed tremendously. I was smart enough to know that I wasn’t going to have a twenty-year run at WFAN and find myself in my sixties with the option to retire. I always knew there would be a next chapter. Not a footnote, but a big chapter that’s going to look very different than the chapters I’ve written so far. I’m excited about that,” said Tierney.

Whether Unkillable to Unleashed evolves into a daily show, a broader media brand, or a stepping stone to another traditional outlet remains to be seen. What is clear is that Tierney is intent on staying visible, vocal, and engaged immediately following his WFAN exit.

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Mike Missanelli: 97.5 The Fanatic’s ‘Make the Switch’ Campaign Will Never Work Against 94 WIP

BSM Staff
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Mike Missanelli: 97.5 The Fanatic’s ‘Make the Switch’ Campaign Will Never Work Against 94 WIP

Former 97.5 The Fanatic host Mike Missanelli said the station’s recent “Make The Switch” campaign is unlikely to dent the dominance of 94 WIP in the city’s sports radio market. Speaking on The OnPattison Podcast, Missanelli offered a blunt assessment of why the messaging is failing and why The Fanatic is unlikely to close the gap with its longtime competitor.

“They’re so far behind in the ratings that there’s no way they could possibly catch up if they keep doing even what they do,” Missanelli said. “So where do you draw the line? WIP has given people the outrage that they want to hear, whether they want to hear it or not, because they’re listening to that station anyway.”

Missanelli was dismissed from The Fanatic earlier this year after the long-tenured voice of Philadelphia sports radio had returned to the airwaves of 97.5 The Fanatic in August of 2024, following a two-year departure from the brand.

Since his dismissal, several Fanatic talent have pushed a “Make The Switch” campaign the focus on attempting to attack the style of programming their Audacy competitor produces. Missanelli argued that the campaign’s promotional efforts simply aren’t reaching the right audience.

“At this point, The Fanatic would have to hire an airplane and drop little parachutes down, saying that this is what we do because the message isn’t getting heard by enough people,” he said. “The people that Jon Marks is talking to are people that are listening to his show anyway. He’s not lecturing to the WIP audience because he’s not getting to the WIP audience. How’s he get to WIP audience?”

Marks criticized his crosstown rival at 94 WIP for having “fake take radio” following WIP host Joe Giglio calling for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback to have one last shot at keeping his role with the team.

Missanelli also dissected what makes WIP successful, noting the simplicity of the station’s approach.

“It seems that they have a simple formula. You put any ex-football player on, preferably an ex-Eagle, with any nerd co-host, and you got an instant success. Look at their co-hosts. Look at the host that they have over there with the ex-Eagles. They got Larry, Curly, and Shemp. They don’t even have Moe,” Missanelli said, referencing the classic comedic trio.

Looking back on The Fanatic’s struggles, Missanelli traced the decline to a key personnel change.

“The downfall of The Fanatic began when they fired program director Matt Nahigian, who was the guy who knew exactly what he was doing, and we were competitive at that point with the other station,” he said. “The other station is a legacy station. They’ve been around since the 1950s. That brand is already out there. And second of all, they have rights to the two biggest entities in town, the Phillies and the Eagles. So when you’re listening to that station, you’re listening to the bigger sports that are running this town. You’re not going to… you’re going to be more reluctant to change to the other station.”

Missanelli’s critique of his former station underscores the challenge facing The Fanatic as it attempts to lure listeners from WIP, which continues to dominate Philadelphia’s sports radio landscape. Without a significant shake-up in strategy or talent, Missanelli suggested, the “Make The Switch” campaign may have little impact on the entrenched market leader.

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Guy Benson Joining the Washington Examiner in 2026

BNM Staff
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Guy Benson Joining the Washington Examiner in 2026

After exiting his role with Townhall.com after nearly 20 years, Guy Benson has a new home for his written content. He’s joining the Washington Examiner in the new year.

Last month, Benson shared that he was leaving Townhall.com after 18 years. He had served as the Political Editor of the outlet for the past 15 years.

Benson’s exit coincided with the departure of Townhall.com editor Katie Pavlich. Pavlich worked at the outlet for 16 years before departing in October. She has since been named a primetime host on NewsNation.

In a post on social media, Benson shared that he’s “thrilled to be joining” the outlet in the new year.

He added that he’s “excited to work with some outstanding colleagues whose work I’ve admired and read for years.”

The announcement from Guy Benson comes just days after announcing he had inked a contract extension to remain with Fox News. He’ll continue to serve a contributor with a new title of Fox News Political Analyst.

In addition to his work on Fox News, Guy Benson — who was recently diagnosed with cancer and underwent a procedure to remove it — hosts a daily news/talk radio show for Fox News Radio. The Guy Benson Show airs live from 3-6 PM ET.

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.

Damon Amendolara on the End of the Infinity Sports Network: “It’s Demoralizing”

BSM Staff
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Damon Amendolara on the End of the Infinity Sports Network: “It’s Demoralizing”

SiriusXM host Damon Amendolara expressed deep disappointment over the closure of the Infinity Sports Network, where he spent more than a decade of his career. The network, formerly named CBS Sports Radio, had been a fixture in national sports radio for years.

“It is gutting. It’s demoralizing. I spent 11 years of my career at CBS Sports Radio, and did some of the work I’m most proud of in my life with those guys,” Amendolara said, reflecting on his long tenure with the network.

Amendolara, who helped shape the network’s morning lineup during his tenure at CBS Sports Radio, highlighted the high level of national exposure and creative freedom the role afforded him.

“It’s really kind of surreal, those four or five years of morning radio on CBS Sports Radio. I open up against any sports radio show at a national level that has ever done it. I think we had done radio to a level that matches anybody’s execution. It was dynamic, it was eccentric, it was fun,” he said.

The Infinity Sports Network, which evolved from CBS Sports Radio, built a reputation for bold programming and personalities. Amendolara credited that period as some of the most creatively fulfilling of his career.

“I did some of the work I’m most proud of in my life with those guys,” he said, acknowledging both the camaraderie and professional achievement that defined his time at the network.

Earlier this year, Audacy and Cumulus announced the formation of the new Westwood One Sports Network. The announcement served as an extenssion a partnership between Westwood One and Audacy that first began with the launch of CBS Sports Radio in 2012.

Westwood One has handled sales and distribution for the network since its launch. Under this new partnership, Westwood One will handle programming and distribution for most of the syndicated sports lineup. Audacy will continue producing popular BetMGM Network programs moving to the new network. BetMGM will remain a presenting partner and the exclusive sportsbook partner for those programs.

While the closure of the network came as a disappointment, Amendolara noted that it was not entirely unexpected.

“It was predictable. I did sense that there were signs that it wasn’t going to be very long,” he said, hinting at internal shifts that signaled the network’s eventual shutdown.

For Amendolara, the end of the Infinity Sports Network is a professional milestone with both pride and disappointment. It serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of media platforms, even those that achieve national recognition.

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.

Philadelphia Flyers Suspend Radio Play-By-Play Announcer for Inappropriate Comment

BSM Staff
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Philadelphia Flyers Suspend Radio Play-By-Play Announcer for Inappropriate Comment

Philadelphia Flyers play-by-play announcer Tim Saunders has been suspended for two games after making an inappropriate on-air comment during a recent radio broadcast, the team announced.

The incident occurred late in the third period of a Flyers game, when Saunders appeared to believe the team had gone into a television timeout. Assuming the broadcast had shifted to a commercial break, Saunders hummed briefly to fill dead air before making a flippant remark (WARNING: CLIP IS NSFW) to a colleague.

Unbeknownst to Saunders, the microphone was still live, and color commentator Todd Fedoruk quickly realized listeners could hear the exchange. Saunders reportedly laughed it off, assuming Fedoruk was joking.

The Flyers, in a statement, said the organization and their broadcast partner, 97.5 The Fanatic, had issued the suspension and expressed apologies to anyone affected by the comments. The statement did not explicitly name Saunders, but the suspension applies to him.

“This action reflects our commitment to maintaining professionalism and respect in all aspects of our broadcast,” the team said.

Saunders, a longtime voice of the Flyers, has been a fixture in Philadelphia sports media for decades, making the incident all the more notable. The Flyers did not provide further details about the specific content of the comment but stressed that the suspension was intended to uphold standards for both the broadcast team and the organization. The two-game suspension is effective immediately.

Saunders has not issued a public statement. The team and Saunders have not officially stated if they will resume normal broadcast operations following the completion of the suspension.

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