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Audacy Reveals 2025 Stars and Strings Country Concert Lineup

BMM Staff
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Audacy Reveals 2025 Stars and Strings Country Concert Lineup

Audacy has announced the lineup for the 2025 edition of its flagship Country music event, “Stars and Strings.” The annual concert will take place on November 6 at Hard Rock Live, located at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, marking its fourth consecutive year at the venue.

The event features performances from top names, including Dierks Bentley, Dasha, and Nate Smith. Plus, Audacy Launch Artists Zach Top and Hudson Westbrook, among others. Hosted by KISS Country 99.9, “Stars and Strings” continues to blend entertainment with a charitable mission.

The event supports Folds of Honor. A nonprofit dedicated to providing scholarships for spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military members and first responders.

“We’re fired up to bring another incredible ‘Stars and Strings’ show to our fans. All while supporting the vital work of Folds of Honor,” said Tim Roberts, Audacy’s Country Format Vice President.

“This event showcases the power of Country music to connect, uplift, and give back to those who serve our nation. We’re looking forward to another memorable night this November.”

Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded more than 73,000 educational scholarships to families of fallen or disabled U.S. service members and first responders. The organization directs 91 percent of every dollar raised directly to scholarships, ensuring the educational dreams of military families continue to be realized.

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.

ESPN Signs Anthony Slater To Multi-Year Deal As National NBA, Golden State Warriors Writer

BSM Staff
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ESPN Signs Anthony Slater To Multi-Year Deal As National NBA, Golden State Warriors Writer

ESPN continues to bolster its NBA coverage, announcing Wedneday it has signed veteran journalist Anthony Slater to a multi-year deal. Slater will serve as an NBA senior writer, focusing heavily on the Golden State Warriors while also contributing to the network’s national NBA coverage.

Slater, a Rohnert Park, California native, brings over a decade of experience covering the league. Most recently, he was a prominent voice at The Athletic, where he reported extensively on the Warriors’ dynasty era, providing in-depth coverage and analysis that helped elevate the platform’s NBA content.

In his new role at ESPN, Slater will contribute across multiple platforms, including ESPN.com and the ESPN app, as well as making appearances across the network’s television and digital properties. His reporting will continue to center around the Warriors while expanding to include broader league storylines and news.

Slater is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, class of 2012, where he studied journalism and began his reporting career covering college athletics. He quickly transitioned to the NBA beat, first covering the Oklahoma City Thunder before making the move back to his home state to cover the Warriors full-time.

This move continues a trend of ESPN investing in seasoned digital journalists with strong reputations and deep sourcing within NBA circles. With the league’s profile continuing to grow globally and the Warriors entering a critical stretch with aging stars and roster questions, Slater’s addition is expected to bring added depth to ESPN’s coverage.

Slater’s work begins today on ESPN’s digital platforms ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.

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.

Harry Teinowitz Remembered as “An Idea Guy” and “Comedian” by Former Teammates Carmen DeFalco, John Jurkovic

BSM Staff
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Harry Teinowitz Remembered as “An Idea Guy” and “Comedian” by Former Teammates Carmen DeFalco, John Jurkovic

Reaction has been pouring in following news of the passing of Chicago sports radio personality Harry Teinowitz at the age of 64. Teinowitz was a staple of the wildly popular Mac, Jurko, and Harry on ESPN Chicago, drawing massive ratings and notoriety from around the country as a co-host of the “Afternoon Saloon.”

Earlier today, two former co-hosts of Teinowitz shared their memories of their late teammate, as Carmen DeFalco and John Jurkovic began their Carmen & Jurko program.

“Harry’s exceptional knowledge of baseball and basketball and all the minutia in every single sport was an absolute necessity on the show [Mac, Jurko, and Harry],” said Jurkovic. “Harry was a comedian in himself. He understood what was funny and what wasn’t funny. The give and take, his perspective on things compared to Mac’s perspective or my perspective was ultimately the chemistry that we found that drove the show to the heights that it became when it was here.”

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Teinowitz suffered from heart and liver issues and had received a liver transplant within the last two years. The 64-year-old sports radio talent first appeared in Chicago on rival station 670 The Score, where he made football selections on Tom Shaer’s morning program. From there, his career would take him to stops at 97.9 The Loop and WGN Radio, eventually ending up at ESPN Chicago.

“Harry had a pretty wicked sense of humor. He had a quick wit. He did have a very good sense of humor. I don’t think we ever called them dad jokes back then, but boy, did he have a million of them,” said DeFalco. “He was an idea man. When we tell you he was an idea man, he would throw stuff against the wall and in Harry’s mind, it was always going to work.”

Teinowitz was a member of Mac, Jurko, and Harry from 2001–2009, and then with Carmen, Jurko, and Harry from 2009–2013.

“Harry was an actor. He was a comedian. He was a writer. He did do a lot. He tried a lot. He was never afraid to try things, ever,” said DeFalco. “We had a lot of good times and a lot of laughs with Harry. There were some tumultuous times over the years… The ups and downs of the old Mac, Jurko, Harry show, but it really is one of the truly legendary sports talk radio shows—just talk radio shows—that this town has ever seen. And I think it’s important for us to remember that and talk about Harry’s contributions.”

Ultimately, Teinowitz is being remembered today as a charismatic personality around the entertainment industry in Chicago—a comedian, actor, and a radio personality for the better part of three decades.

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.

Saga Communications to Replace Station Voiceover Talents with AI-Replicated Voices

BNM Staff
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Saga Communications to Replace Station Voiceover Talents with AI-Replicated Voices

Saga Communications is moving away from utilizing station imaging voiceover talents and will instead rely on a third-party service for its imaging needs, Barrett Media has learned.

The company is utilizing a third-party solution that will consist of voices from real humans who have trained AI programs to replicate their voices for usage in a variety of ways.

In a statement to Barrett Media, Saga Communications CEO Chris Forgy confirmed the move, stating that while it will see the end of station imaging voice talents, it will help the company maintain several employees in the process.

“When we started this process, we said we wanted to be prudent and control our expenses,” said Forgy. “And we didn’t want to cut people. So where else can we go? That was one of the places we could go. The savings we were able to generate by going through this other way of doing station imaging — utilizing AI — saved about 10 people who otherwise would have lost their jobs as a result of the expense reductions we wanted to put in place.

“It was just to be prudent, to allow us to grow, not to try to cut our way out of a downdraft, because you can’t do that,” he continued. “We’re trying to sell our way out of the downdraft the industry is facing, while at the same time being prudent with our expenses. That kept us from letting no one go, instead of letting 10 people go, if we hadn’t gone down this AI solution path.”

During the first quarter of 2025, Saga Communications reported a 4% decline in overall revenue, with just over $24 million in the quarter ending March 31st. The company decreased its operating loss to $2.3 million during the first three months of the year. It has yet to announce second-quarter financial results.

Forgy added that the company has been in the process of implementing this new strategy for just a few months before feeling comfortable enough with the AI solution to enact the new policy.

Saga Communications plans to utilize the AI-replicated voices for its station imaging across its portfolio of stations, with all 113 AM/FM radio stations utilizing the technology.

While Saga will now utilize AI-replicated voices for its station imaging, Forgy said that the company remains committed to not replacing on-air talents with the emerging technology.

“I’ve said that as long as I’m President and CEO, AI will never replace our on-air personalities, period,” he said. “I think there was and is a lot of trepidation in the marketplaces across the country where people are afraid for their jobs. And justifiably so, because I think some broadcast companies have said, ‘Yeah, we’re gonna we’re gonna use AI, and we’re gonna use it in this way that will impact jobs.’ And it already has, in some cases.”

Previously, Saga Communications had utilized AI in the production of commercials and spec spots, as well as inside its business and corporate offices, but had not utilized the technology in an on-air capacity.

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.

Dave Portnoy, Barstool Sports Reportedly Nearing Deal With FOX Sports

BSM Staff
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Dave Portnoy, Barstool Sports Reportedly Nearing Deal With FOX Sports

FOX Sports appears ready to make a high-profile addition with Barstool Sports and founder Dave Portnoy just days after cancelling three of its weekday programs on FS1.

According to Front Office Sports, the network is nearing a deal that would add Portnoy as a commentator on the network’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show and potentially introduce Barstool-branded content across FS1 programming as part of a licensing deal similar to what ESPN has accomplished with The Pat McAfee Show and The Rich Eisen Show.

The report states the deal is not finalized, and a FOX Sports spokesperson declined to comment.

If completed, Portnoy would join a Big Noon Kickoff cast that includes Urban Meyer, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn, Mark Ingram, Chris “The Bear” Fallica, and host Rob Stone. College Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson also makes recurring appearances throughout the season.

Since launching in 2019, FOX has leaned heavily into the Big Noon window, betting that premier games earlier in the day could siphon attention away from ESPN’s longstanding College GameDay. With this potential move, FOX Sports may be attempting to counter ESPN’s addition of Pat McAfee—who is a former Barstool personality.

Portnoy, a Michigan alum, is no stranger to the FOX audience, having made multiple appearances on FOX News and FOX Business Network. His presence could offer FOX another avenue into attracting a younger audience demographic to their programming which Barstool Sports has traditionally dominated.

Once the report gained steam on social media, Portnoy took to X to address the situation. He said that the report is just a rumor at this stage. However, he did not deny that there was smoke to the fire.

The timing of the Portnoy-Barstool news comes just days following a broader programming shakeup at FS1. Earlier this week, the network cancelled three weekday shows—Breakfast Ball, The Facility, and Speak with no word on what the network’s plans are to replace the programming.

The report states that Barstool Sports is expected to help fill that void on FS1, possibly through a licensing arrangement. No specifics have been identified as to current Barstool Sports programs that could make the leap to television, or if new collaborative programs could be developed.

Barstool Sports attempted to work with ESPN in 2017 on the Barstool Van Talk program hosted by Big Cat and PFT Commenter. The program only lasted a single episode before it was pulled.

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.

Kat Timpf to Miss Time From Fox News Due to Cancer-Related Operations

BNM Staff
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Kat Timpf to Miss Time From Fox News Due to Cancer-Related Operations

After returning from a cancer diagnosis amidst her maternity leave, Fox News contributor Kat Timpf has revealed she’ll be away from her duties with the network and its late-night show Gutfeld! to continue her battle.

During the Fox News late-night show, Timpf shared that she’s going to step away for a few weeks to continue her recovery from a breast cancer diagnosis.

“When I came back, I said that I still had some more surgeries to go — and my first one is next week — so I’m going to be out for a couple of weeks,” Timpf said. “Even the best-case scenario with breast cancer can involve quite a road to feeling whole again. This is the first step in that journey. Just so the internet can’t come up with theories about where I am — that’s where I am.”

Kat Timpf made her return to work in June after stepping away in February to go on maternity leave. However, just before her first child was born, she was informed that she had breast cancer. She later underwent a double mastectomy in March, but had been relatively mum on what her future looked like before marking her return to Gutfeld! about a month ago.

Timpf concluded her message by noting that she’s grateful for all of the support she’s received from the Fox News and Gutfeld! audiences.

“Thank you, everyone, for all your support, vibes, prayers, or however you show it. I really appreciate it, and I can’t wait to come back soon.”

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.

JR Ammons Adds Houston’s Mix 96.5 to Programming Role

BMM Staff
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JR Ammons Adds Houston’s Mix 96.5 to Programming Role

Audacy is expanding the leadership responsibilities of programming executive JR Ammons, naming him Brand Manager for Mix 96.5 KHMX-FM in Houston. The move places Ammons in charge of the station’s overall programming strategy, operations, and talent development.

This move adds to Ammons’ current leadership portfolio, which includes oversight of 99.7 The Point KZPT-FM and 106.5 The Wolf WDAF-FM in Kansas City, as well as 102.5 KEZK and Y98 KYKY-FM in St. Louis. He also serves as Vice President of Programming for Audacy Kansas City.

“JR is a great leader who has delivered outstanding results, and I look forward to seeing him expand his expertise to Mix 96.5,” said Audacy Houston SVP and Market Manager Sarah Frazier.

“Mix 96.5 is one of the most listened to Hot AC stations in the country, with a weekly audience of over a million people,” Ammons said. “I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to work alongside the talented team at KHMX.”

Ammons rejoined Audacy in 2022 after serving 11 years as Operations Manager for WZPL-FM, WNTR-FM, and WXNT-AM in Indianapolis. His programming career also includes stops at WSTR-FM in Atlanta, WAPE-FM in Jacksonville, and KMXV-FM in Kansas City.

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.

Dee Dee Parker Departs Middays at 98.7 Kiss FM Birmingham

BMM Staff
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Dee Dee Parker Departs Middays at 98.7 Kiss FM Birmingham

Dee Dee Parker has wrapped up her run as midday host on SummitMedia’s Urban AC “98.7 Kiss FM” WBHK in Birmingham, AL.

She joined the station in October 2023.

In addition to her Birmingham duties, Parker also handled midday shifts for sister station “107.3 Jamz” WJMZ in the Greenville-Spartanburg market.

Parker was previously a co-host on the nationally syndicated “The Chubb Rock Show.” She was also on air at AC Majic 107.5 WAMJ in Atlanta.

SummitMedia has not yet announced plans for a permanent replacement in the time slot.

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.

Jonathan Hood Remembers Harry Teinowitz as the “Ultimate Teammate” at ESPN Chicago

BSM Staff
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Jonathan Hood Remembers Harry Teinowitz as the “Ultimate Teammate” at ESPN Chicago

Reaction has been pouring in following news of the passing of Chicago sports radio personality Harry Teinowitz at the age of 64. Teinowitz was a staple of the wildly popular Mac, Jurko, and Harry on ESPN Chicago, drawing massive ratings and notoriety from around the country as a co-host of the “Afternoon Saloon.”

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Teinowitz suffered from heart and liver issues and had received a liver transplant within the last two years. The 64-year-old sports radio talent first appeared in Chicago on rival station 670 The Score, where he made football selections on Tom Shaer’s morning program. From there, his career would take him to stops at 97.9 The Loop and WGN Radio, eventually ending up at ESPN Chicago.

As morning began in the Windy City, ESPN Chicago host Jonathan Hood announced the news of Teinowitz’s passing to begin this morning’s Kap & J. Hood show.

“Harry was the ultimate teammate,” remembered Hood. “He was someone that would walk over to your cubicle, your desk or your office and offer a handshake, a smile, and all while he’s leaving you with a joke and a smile. He did that all the time.”

Following the emotional tribute, Hood dived into Teinowitz’s history on ESPN Chicago, including his beginnings co-hosting with Spike Manton. He called the pairing “unconventional and irreverent,” as it featured two comedians sharing a deep love for Chicago sports. Furthermore, Hood noted that Teinowitz’s contributions on Mac, Jurko, and Harry from 2001 to 2009 elevated the radio station to new heights it had not seen before.

“They were number one for many years because of their chemistry. Harry is a big part of that,” said Hood. “Harry was the highlight of all of that, because of his bright personality and his lighthearted nature that he provided to all of us as listeners and teammates of his here at ESPN 1000.”

Moreover, Hood credited Teinowitz’s vast knowledge of Chicago sports and his amazing memory for recalling events surrounding both sports and music—qualities that resonated with the listening audience daily for many years. When Hood previously hosted evenings following Mac, Jurko, and Harry, he knew he was walking into a loyal and energized audience every night.

“They set the station on fire,” said Hood. “Now you gotta be able to take the torch from them and just be able to keep it going. I was always happy to know that when my show started in the evening, I’m coming off the hottest show in Chicago sports at the time.”

In addition to his work in sports radio, Teinowitz had a deep passion for comedy and horse racing. Notably, he grew up around the sport, as his father owned four horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby.

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.

Danny Dwyer, Jake Byron Out at 98.7 The Bull Portland

BMM Staff
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Danny Dwyer, Jake Byron Out at 98.7 The Bull Portland

Danny Dwyer and Jake Bryon have exited Country 98.7 The Bull KUPL in Portland as part of Alpha Media cuts.

Alpha Media is under an LMA for a pending purchase by Connoisseur.

Dwyer told Country Aircheck, “I’ve gotten to do some amazing things over the years, and worked with some amazing people, but I’m not done.”

Dwyer was on air from 9 a.m. to noon and also served as the station’s Music Director. He joined the station in 1998.

Byron first joined the station in 2004. He exited in 2020 amid budget cuts and returned in 2021 to host noon – 3 p.m.

Additionally, Marketing Director Karli Sann is out. She had been in her role since July 2022.

Dwyer can be reached here. 

Reach Byron here. 

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.

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