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Paramount Global Channels Could Go Dark on YouTube TV Amid Carriage Dispute

BSM Staff
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Paramount Global Channels Could Go Dark on YouTube TV Amid Carriage Dispute

Paramount Global and YouTube TV are currently involved in a carriage dispute, leading to customers of the over-the-top streaming service not receiving certain channels. Amid the expiration of its existing contract on Thursday, networks owned by Paramount Global, including CBS, MTV and Nickelodeon, could go dark on the subscription service. In an internal memo shared by Dade Hayes of Deadline on Wednesday night from Paramount co-chief executive officers George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins, leadership conveyed what was taking place and emphasized that Google was “unwilling to agree to reasonable terms consistent with the market.” Conversely, Google said that it was engaging in “good faith negotiations” but had been unable to reach a deal.

YouTube TV recently took part in a price hike, augmenting the cost of its service by 14% to $82.99 per month. The streaming service recently surpassed 8 million subscribers and is also the home of NFL Sunday Ticket. Nielsen Media Research measured YouTube viewing on connected televisions to secure an 11.1% share of total TV usage throughout the month of November. YouTube TV articulated that if it cannot agree to terms with Paramount Global or if the content remains unavailable for an extended period, it will offer subscribers an $8 credit.

“Paramount is an important partner for us and as you can imagine, this is not the outcome that we want,” the YouTube team wrote in a blog post. “We’re still in active conversations with Paramount and are hopeful we can come to an agreement to keep their content available on YouTube TV.”

Paramount Global has a special webpage that emphasizes YouTube TV trying to pressure the company into agreeing “to unfavorable and one-sided terms.” Moreover, the company is stating that it has made “a series of offers to YouTube TV” that are good for its customers. Paramount Global currently has the rights to various programs resonating with the marketplace, including the No. 1 new series, comedy series and news magazine, along with top rankings in daytime and late night. CBS also broadcasts NFL games and recently attained its most-watched regular season slate of games since 1998.

“Paramount has a long track record of successfully and amicably renewing partnerships with every major distributor, including several in recent months,” a Paramount spokesperson said, “and we will continue our efforts to reach a new agreement with YouTube TV.”

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.

Boston Sports Radio Reacts To Alex Bregman Signing With The Red Sox: Head-2-Head

John Mamola
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Boston Sports Radio Reacts To Alex Bregman Signing With The Red Sox: Head-2-Head

One of the most crucial factors in securing a radio station’s brand identity is being ‘on’ when news breaks. In the competitive world of sports radio, timeliness and engagement are everything. Two of the largest and most successful sports radio brands in the country, 98.5 The Sports Hub and WEEI 93.7FM, both call Boston home and always find themselves going head-to-head in covering major stories. 

On Wednesday night, just after 10:30 PM ET, the Boston Red Sox made waves by signing the most sought-after free agent remaining on the market. Infielder Alex Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million deal with reports indicating that the $40 million annual salary was at least $10 million higher per year than what other MLB teams were willing to offer the nine-year pro, making this a blockbuster move for Boston. 

Given the late-night timing of the signing, both stations were broadcasting national syndication at the moment the news broke. This presented an interesting opportunity to evaluate how these powerhouse brands captured the moment on social media and how their respective morning shows handled the news as Boston sports fans woke up to the headline. 

Morning Show Breakdown: WEEI vs. The Sports Hub 

A direct comparison of the first 30 minutes of the key 7 AM hour on each station provided a clear contrast in coverage approaches. WEEI’s Greg Hill Show dedicated significantly more time to discussing Bregman’s signing than The Sports Hub’s Toucher and Hardy did. 

As expected, both stations led off their morning drive hours with sports updates, with Bregman’s signing featured as the lead story. However, the similarities largely ended there. WEEI seamlessly transitioned into a segment called The Lead, during which all four show members reacted to the signing. The discussion extended beyond just the contract details, diving into how this acquisition reshaped the Red Sox’s standing among Boston’s professional teams and their potential path back to championship contention. The energy and engagement made it clear that this was a major moment for Boston sports. 

However, the remaining portion of WEEI’s 30-minute window was more varied, touching on online mock drafts about ‘Who Killed President Bradford,’ mentions of the Bruins’ upcoming schedule—even though the NHL is on break until February 22nd—and a feature called They Said It, which focused on Travis Kelce’s comments regarding his NFL future. Even so, WEEI bookended the half-hour with another reference to Bregman, as co-host Courtney Cox’s trending report once again placed the signing at the forefront. 

Meanwhile, over on The Sports Hub, the difference in coverage was stark. Outside of a brief mention in the top-of-the-hour update, there was no other discussion of the Bregman signing during the Toucher and Hardy show’s 30-minute span. Instead, the conversation centered around rock-jock Eddie Trunk’s obsession with 1980s hair bands, the latest nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a segment critiquing former Patriots GM Michael Lombardi’s analysis on CBSSports.com. The absence of any substantial discussion on Bregman’s signing was notable, especially considering its impact on Boston sports. 

Social Media Engagement: WEEI Takes the Lead 

In today’s digital landscape, sports radio stations must not only dominate the airwaves but also establish a strong presence across social media platforms. Here, WEEI once again demonstrated a more proactive approach to engaging with its audience. 

Shortly after the news broke, WEEI took to its social media channels—including Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook—with original station-branded creative content announcing the signing. By early Thursday morning, the station had already posted two clips from The Greg Hill Show reacting to the signing, ensuring that their audience could engage with the content even if they missed the live broadcast. Additionally, WEEI’s website featured an article on the signing as well as a reaction piece by Red Sox beat reporter Rob Bradford by 8 AM. Both articles were shared across Facebook and X, generating engagement, shares, and discussions among fans.

By contrast, The Sports Hub’s social media presence was noticeably subdued. As of 8 AM Thursday, the station had yet to post anything about Bregman’s signing on Instagram, neither in a standard post nor as a reel or story. On X and Facebook, the station did post the news, but with minimal engagement-driving elements. While a reaction column by Tony Massarotti was available on The Sports Hub’s website, it was not actively promoted on the station’s social media channels, further limiting its reach. 

Conclusion 

In the constant battle for audience attention, being first to react and providing engaging content when major sports news breaks is a crucial element of sports radio dominance. In this instance, WEEI emerged as the clear winner, delivering a more robust, engaging, and timely response across both its on-air programming and digital platforms. 

While The Sports Hub boasts strong overall listenership and an established brand, its lack of immediate engagement with the Alex Bregman signing highlights an opportunity for improvement when it comes to capitalizing on breaking news. Meanwhile, WEEI ensured that its audience not only received the news but also had multiple ways to engage with it as the sun rose on Thursday morning. 

As the sports media landscape continues to evolve, it’s these moments that define which brands stay ahead of the curve. In this particular head-to-head showdown, WEEI proved to be Boston’s sports original, capturing the city’s biggest sports story in real time while The Sports Hub chose to lean into pop culture and alternative content the morning after a major news story happened with the local team. 

This serves as a case study in how critical it is for sports radio stations to remain agile, reactive, and fully engaged—both on the air and online—when major news drops in their market. Because when it comes to sports radio, the competition isn’t just about having the best hosts or the highest ratings; it’s about being there when your audience needs you most. 

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.

107.3 Planet Radio Jacksonville DJ Eric Leffler Passes Away

BMM Staff
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107.3 Planet Radio Jacksonville DJ Eric Leffler Passes Away

Music radio is mourning the passing of Jacksonville personality Eric Leffler. Known as DJ EL, Leffler hosted on 107.3 Planet Radio WPLA and was the in-game DJ for the Jacksonville Jaguars, NASCAR, and Welcome to Rockville.

A post from 107.3 Planet Radio said, “He had a gift for creating unforgettable moments and spreading joy wherever he went. He transformed every event into a celebration. We’re celebrating his legacy and keeping the music alive in honor of him.”

A post from VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena read, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Block Party DJ and radio host, Eric Leffler. We are truly grateful for the cherished memories he created and the contagious energy he infused into our concerts. You will be missed! Thank you for everything, DJ EL!.”

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.

Nexstar Names Ric Harris VP and GM of WGN-TV in Chicago

BNM Staff
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Nexstar Names Ric Harris VP and GM of WGN-TV in Chicago

Nexstar Media Group has announced the appointment of Ric Harris as its Vice President and General Manager of operations at its Chicago cluster, overseeing WGN-TV.

Harris joins after spending 25 years working in broadcasting management. He most recently spent 10 years serving as the President and General Manager of NBC 10, Telemundo 62, and NBC Sports Philadelphia. Earlier in his career, he served as the President and General Manager of WVIT-TV in Hartford.

“WGN is a powerhouse in local news and the home of high-quality CW programming, including live sports like Xfinity series racing, college football and basketball, and WWE NXT wrestling, as well as original entertainment programs,” said Harris. “WGN has forged a deep connection with Chicago-area viewers and has a legacy of quality programming, special coverage of important local events, and service to the community. When you combine all that with the resources of Nexstar, you create a tremendous opportunity for success.”

In his new role, Ric Harris will report to Nexstar Senior Vice President and Regional Manager Brandin Stewart.

“Nexstar is extremely fortunate to have someone with Ric’s talent and experience leading our Chicago media businesses,” said Stewart. “He is a strategic thinker and has been successful everywhere he’s worked by developing a deep connection with local viewers, advertising clients, and his staff. He’s the perfect choice to capitalize on WGN-TV’s strengths and I am looking forward to working with him as he takes on this new role.”

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.

Corey Dylan Joins Z90.3 XHITZ Tijuana/San Diego

BMM Staff
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Corey Dylan Joins Z90.3 XHITZ Tijuana/San Diego

Top 40 Z90.3 XHITZ Tijuana/San Diego has named Corey Dylan as the midday host.

Dylan previously hosted mornings across town at 100.7 Big-FM KFBG. That station is being sold to Lotus Communications.

PD R Dub said in a news release, “Corey Dylan is already cooking with fire,” First week in, and I’m beyond impressed. Sharp, dynamic, and effortlessly dialed in, every show is a ride through the wild, weird, and wonderful world of pop culture, trending madness, and social media mayhem. Buckle up—this is gonna be good.”

Dylan’s previous stops include New Country 101.5 and Kicks 101.5 WKHX Atlanta, Mix 100.7 WMTX and WFLA, Tampa, and WFLA TV.

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 Averages 2.01 Million Viewers for Los Angeles Lakers Debut of Luka Dončić

BSM Staff
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ESPN Averages 2.01 Million Viewers for Los Angeles Lakers Debut of Luka Dončić

Prior to the NBA trading deadline, the basketball world was sent into a state of shock when All-Star guard Luka Dončić was traded by the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a three-team deal. Dončić, a five-time All-Star and last season’s scoring champion, had been sidelined for the last month and a half with a calf injury, but he made his long-awaited debut for his new team on Monday night. Ahead of Dončić taking the floor, the Lakers game against the Utah Jazz was moved to ESPN, the second attempt to televise the occurrence nationally after he and superstar forward LeBron James had been held out of the Saturday matchup.

With Dončić and James in the starting lineup for Monday’s game from Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers-Jazz game averaged 2.01 million viewers on ESPN, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. This contest finished first on the day in various key demographics, including Persons and Males ages 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, and it also marked the most-watched NBA game on cable in over two months.

The return of guard Klay Thompson to face the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center had averaged 2.14 million viewers in early November, a game that ironically included Dončić on the Mavericks. The 19-point Lakers victory peaked with 2.55 million viewers during the 11:15 p.m. EST quarter-hour and ranks fifth among NBA games exclusive to cable this season.

In a corresponding decision to air the Lakers-Jazz game, ESPN moved the end of the Baylor-Houston college basketball game to its ESPNU linear network. The game had averaged 758,000 viewers prior to the shift, which ended in a 76-65 win for the Cougars. Dončić played 24 minutes for the Lakers, scoring 14 points on 5-for-14 shooting with five rebounds and four assists on a minutes restriction.

The next national television game featuring the Lakers will take place on Saturday, Feb. 22 when the team faces the Denver Nuggets in prime time television on ABC at 8:30 p.m. EST. Shortly thereafter, Dončić and the Lakers will face the Mavericks on TNT, marking the first time he will face his former team. Anthony Davis, who was traded by the Lakers to the Mavericks in the deal, is likely to be without the star forward after he suffered an adductor injury during his debut.

Data from the Nielsen Big Data + Panel indicates that Dončić’s debut finished above the national average audience for NBA games of 1.77 million viewers. A recent report from Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal divulges that viewership during the month of February is up by double digits compared to the previous month. This measurement system recently garnered accreditation from the Media Rating Council, and the company’s out-of-home measurement methodologies now cover 100% of the U.S. contiguous television population.

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.

‘The Madden Cruiser: A Bayou Adventure with Bill Belichick’ Was the Hidden Gem of Super Bowl Weekend

John Molori
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‘The Madden Cruiser: A Bayou Adventure with Bill Belichick’ Was the Hidden Gem of Super Bowl Weekend

As we close the door on the 2024 NFL season and postseason, it is fitting to look back on a weekend of Super Bowl programming beyond the big game itself. From pregame shows to profiles to historic features, there was a plethora of programming to view as we prepared for the Kansas City Chiefs versus Philadelphia Eagles tilt in Super Bowl LIX. However one program served as a hidden gem in his television treasure chest, modeled after a man named Madden and his legendary transportation.

It was called The Madden Cruiser: A Bayou Adventure with Bill Belichick. This one-hour FOX sports program aired on Super Bowl Sunday at noon featuring Belichick aboard legendary coach and broadcaster John Madden’s iconic bus. I buckled in for an unforgettable road trip through the heart of New Orleans, site of this year’s Super Bowl.

It wasn’t just a bus trip, however. It was a trip through some amazing football history. Belichick hosted and narrated the show – a wide ranging and vivid journey through the deep New Orleans pigskin culture. A master historian of the game, Belichick is a coaches’ coach who has great admiration for those who came before him. The ex-Patriots czar and current University of North Carolina Tar Heels football head coach has done a lot of television this year. The Madden Cruiser: A Bayou Adventure with Bill Belichick is his best work.

The program had style, character, texture, and feel. Belichick’s first cohort on the trip was NFL on FOX analyst Michael Strahan. The pair looked back on the larger than life figure that was John Madden and his impact on football. Belichick stated that Madden called more Super Bowls in New Orleans than in any other city.

In another historic feature, Belichick returned to the site of New Orleans’ famed Tulane Stadium. The production values on this program were unbelievable. As Belichick walked through this hallowed ground, you heard sound of historic broadcasts from the stadium. One of my favorite parts of the show was when former Saints’ QB Archie Manning joined Belichick. The elder Manning, father of Cooper, Peyton, and Eli, is one of the truly great men of the NFL, all about credibility, integrity, and a gentlemanly manner.

As a quarterback at Ole Miss, Archie Manning won the 1970 Sugar Bowl in Tulane Stadium before joining the Saints. The Madden Cruiser: A Bayou Adventure with Bill Belichick did a great job reflecting on the players and coaches who brought personality to New Orleans Super Bowls – men like Hank Stram, Roger Staubach, Terry Bradshaw, Mike Ditka, Bob Griese, Bob Lilly, and so many more. Manning and Belichick also shared one of John Madden’s famous Turduckens.

Belichick’s next stop on the tour took him to New Orleans’ voodoo priestess Madame Cinnamon Black. They talked about the fact that the Superdome was built on an old burial ground supposedly cursing the Saints as losers for their first 20 seasons.

Belichick then took out an actual voodoo doll that he received before Super Bowl XXXVI where his Patriots upset the Rams. He joined former Patriot Ty Law inside the Superdome reflecting on previous Patriots’ losses in that stadium before Law and company broke the Pats’ ‘curse’ in 2002. Law was legitimately freaked out by the voodoo doll in a really fun exchange between the coach and his former player.

Belichick looked back on a couple of his favorite New Orleans Super Bowl moments including Super Bowl XXVIII where Emmitt Smith had a tremendous second half helping the Cowboys beat the Bills and, of course, Super Bowl LI, where Belichick’s Patriots erased a 28-3 second half deficit to win the championship.

The Madden Cruiser: A Bayou Adventure with Bill Belichick visited famed Preservation Hall, a historic jazz venue in the Big Easy since 1961. Belichick talked about the history of Preservation Hall and its intimacy as well as the dynamic and rhythmic Southern University band that played at several Super Bowls. He also recalled several players who came out of New Orleans including Steve Van Buren, Fred Dean, Peyton and Eli, as well as Louisiana natives Jim Taylor, Marshall Faulk, and Dak Prescott.

Another terrific stop was at Saint Augustine High School for a chat with Louisiana football icon Tyrann Mathieu on the many NFL players who came out of that school’s football program. Mathieu, a St. Augustine product, talked about some of the players as their high school game clips ran on screen. Next on this wild ride was a visit with Louisiana native and Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed who won Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans with the Ravens.

In the conversation, Belichick told Reed that he and Tom Brady always had to game plan around Reed. In fact, Belichick once told Reed face-to-face that he is the greatest free safety ever to have played the game. Reed grew up just 10 minutes from the Superdome and looked back on his Super Bowl win, a game that featured brotherly opposing head coaches John and Jim Harbaugh as well as a power outage in the Superdome.

I absolutely loved the many clips of past New Orleans Super Bowls – Cowboys’ fullback Robert Newhouse throwing a touchdown pass in Super Bowl XII versus Denver, the Niners scoring 55 points against the Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV, and Chicago’s Refrigerator Perry scoring a touchdown versus New England in Super Bowl XX.

The program also looked back on 2005’s Hurricane Katrina and how the Superdome was used to house 20,000 people forced to leave their homes. Belichick also visited the Hurricane Katrina Memorial joined by FOX’s Curt Menefee and New Orleans’ own entertainment personality Rocsi Diaz. They paid homage to those whose lives were lost and looked back on the first game at the Superdome following the hurricane where the Saints beat Atlanta highlighted by Steve Gleason’s blocked punt.

As the show wound down, Diaz gave us an inside look at the Madden Cruiser with some great still shots of the legendary John Madden himself. Strahan then met up with Tom Brady and Erin Andrews of the NFL on FOX with Brady talking about his New Orleans Super Bowl memories and both discussing their Super Bowl pregame jitters.

Honestly, this was one of the finest Super Bowl pregame offerings I have ever seen. It eschewed the overdone ramblings on the Eagles and Chiefs, instead giving viewers some real football memories and knowledge.

Bill Belichick cruising through a historic football city like New Orleans with the joyous spirit of John Madden hovering over the entire production was my absolute favorite program of Super Bowl weekend. It provided fans with a spectacular sendoff as another NFL season ended. Forget baseball and Iowa, The Madden Cruiser: A Bayou Adventure with Bill Belichick was absolute football heaven.

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.

If It’s Good For A Super Bowl Ad Why Not A Music Format?

Robby Bridges
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If It’s Good For A Super Bowl Ad Why Not A Music Format?

One hundred twenty-six million Americans tuned into the big game this year. Among the music heard during the much-celebrated commercials (at $8 million for a 30-second ad) were Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild,” The Who’s “Baba O’ Riley,” one of the more talked about featured Seal singing his “Kiss From a Rose” and even that track is 30 this year.

Expedia recently used Clarence Henry’s 1961 track “But I Do” and Steppenwolf also appeared last year in a Pampers ad campaign ostensibly targeting young parents.

What’s fascinating is that the “mad men” (and women) seem to have no issue regularly using “oldies,” i.e., 1960s hits, in their ads, but they balk at the idea of media serving up the music.

The argument is flawed in two ways: first, as evidenced by what I’d imagine is focus group studied ads, old songs don’t only appeal to old people, and second, older Americans have most of the disposable income, and they’ll spend it in several categories.

Why is there this schism in what is acceptable to ad agencies and what is not? Why do advertisers refuse to reach upper demos when the idea that “older people are set in their ways and not susceptible to ad messaging” is much more outdated than the ’60s hits too taboo to build a format around?

Today’s 70-year-old is not living the lifestyle a 70-year-old did 70 years ago, even 25. Madison Avenue might be wise to update their thinking on demos (and again, gold songs and formats test with people who didn’t grow up with them also) as they have with creative.

The Kendrick Lamar Halftime Show was polarizing, but the NFL was convinced to go young. Soon-to-be 83-year-old Paul McCartney played a pop-up show in New York at a dive bar Tuesday, and it sold out in seconds with a stand-by line, causing a traffic issue in the city.

Whose song would you want in your client’s ad? And who WOULDN’T want that broad Sir Paul fandom?!

Also Steppenwolf had other hits guys just saying, use “Sookie Sookie” or “Rock Me” next time!

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.

Promo Meeting: Executive Orders For Your Show

Jeff Lynn
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Promo Meeting: Executive Orders For Your Show

Both Promo Meeting and The Pulse last week dealt with the idea of seizing a moment and creating content around those moments in news and pop culture.

Executive Orders

What I am about to suggest comes with a healthy dose of caution. Do not step on a political landmine, but have some fun.

Get your PD to come into the morning show each day for a week, interrupt the show, and say, “I have just signed an executive order requiring you to give away $1,000 this morning.”

The next day, it can be gasoline, groceries, etc. Capture the moment and have some fun with it.

The Hat of Embarrassing Questions

I programmed a station where the GM and Sales Manager were always trying to get an interview with a client or non-profit on the morning show. It was a constant battle because we knew that they were giant turnouts.

While turning most away, we came up with the Hat of Embarrassing Questions. Anyone client, artist, or anyone wanting a spot on the morning show had to agree to answer a question from the hat.

Don’t go deep. The goal is not to truly embarrass the guest but to add some content to what might otherwise be a dull segment… at best.

Examples:

  • Tell us about your first kiss.
  • Tell us something that you are ashamed of.
  • What was your High School nickname?

Unlimited possibilities and something to have fun with.

Lyrictosis

OK, I made up that word. But how much fun have you had laughing at that one friend of yours who constantly sings the wrong word or misunderstands the lyrics? Like CCR’s Bad Moon Rising… there’s a bathroom on the right.

With AI tools like Suno, writing and producing parody songs is nearly effortless. How about rewriting lyrics and having listeners try to decipher and name the original?

It’s something that people can play along with vicariously. Just be careful not to create into a copyright violation.

Theme Song

Again, with tools like AI, creating a song takes five minutes. Every guest on your show, every segment or benchmark, can and should have its own custom musical intro.

It’s never been easier. It will add a show biz and production element that most are not doing. It even allows you to create a theater of the mind house band.

Suno offers a free membership. I’m sure there are others. Check them out and have fun with them.           

Let Barrett Media showcase you best. Email me here, jeff@barrettmedia.com

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.

Countdown To CRS: John Willyard, John Willyard Productions

Jeff Lynn
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Countdown To CRS: John Willyard, John Willyard Productions

John Willyard is the premier imaging voice of Country Radio. His list of credits is long, including being the first voice actor to be inducted into the Country Radio Hall Of Fame.

Willyard is a familiar face to those attending CRS. His welcoming demeanor generally leads to a crowd gathering around him in the hall.

When Willyard was starting his Voice Actor career, one of his real champions was the late Rusty Walker. Walker and his consulting team worked on and helped create a signature sound for Country Radio.

Not surprisingly one of Willyard’s best CRS memories was meeting Rusty and his team for the first time.

“I’ll never forget it. Outside of the Pickin Parlor, I was walking toward Rusty Walker and his top men were with him, Scott Husky, Bob Glasco, and J.J. Jobe, and there were a few other PDs. But that’s the first time I ever met Rusty, and I certainly needed to express my sincere gratitude to him for recommending me as heavily as he did from the get-go.” 

“I was barely into imaging Country stations, the first one being KZLA in Los Angeles, and little did I know who the consultant was. And then I started getting these calls all the time. Every day, I’d get a call. They’d ask for a demo sent on cassette and FedEx, and I’d ask them, who had you call? Rusty. Every time, it was Rusty. Those are some fond memories.”

A couple of well-known people from the football world also had a lasting impact.

“I remember keynote people that really blew me away. Terry Bradshaw comes to mind. He was one of the finest keynote speakers we ever had. Coach Lou Holtz. If I’m not mistaken, they were both at Gaylord Opryland.”

“I looked forward to the Charlie Monk monologues on New Faces Night. Those were amazing. That was like a roast in itself. It roasted the whole industry. It was good-natured with just enough teeth, and only Charlie could do it. Only Charlie could pull it off.”

For someone whose job means spending a lot of time alone in his studio, Willyard looks forward to the comradery and reconnecting with friends at CRS.

“I’m in a cocoon in a way because I’m a single-person operation in this private studio of mine. So, the professional stimulation is something I look forward to.”

Willyard (r) in studio with the late Chris Corley

If CRS asked Willyard to create a panel for the seminar, what would it look like?

“I’ve been thinking about that lately, and I will quote Scott Roddy, who recently said on a Zoom meeting, and he was directing this to a number of imaging voices, he said, ‘you people are the most heard voice on any given station.’”

And as someone who sees a lot of scripts, what tips would he offer on writing and imaging?

“I know they’re wearing a lot of hats, but I see a lot of misspellings and grammar and stuff, and sometimes I have to stop and go, what was that word? And I know there have been people, I’ve heard these stories, and so have you, about voice people who will start on a rant while they’re recording and swear at the PD or whoever wrote it. I’ve never done that. I would never do it on recording. Because, you know, the famous Casey Kasem, or worse yet, Ernie Anderson, that stuff will live. It’ll live forever.”

The opportunity to see and take in music at CRS is nearly unlimited, which provided some good memories for Willyard as well. One involved Garth Brooks and people dropping a business card in a bin for a special prize.

“If your card was pulled, you got to come up and sing your favorite song with Garth. It was so funny because they announced the winner and he ran up there and was immediately on the phone. And you can hear the conversation because they’ve got the mics up, and he’s standing right next to Garth. And he says I don’t care what’s on. He says, ‘Dump it. If you’re in a commercial break, just dump it. Go to me. I’m standing here with Garth ’”

“And the guy is arguing with him, ‘I can’t do that right now.’ We have to wait a minute. So, eventually, they did ‘Friends in Low Places’ together.”

Another year, a show presented a series of artists and their CMA number-one singles.

“It was one of the tightest productions I’ve ever seen. It was the CMA’s number one singles of the year through the decades. The first one out was Jack Green. He came out in this nudie suit and sang ‘There Goes My Everything.’ It was the first number one single awarded on the CMA Awards.”

“Tanya Tucker came out, Oak Ridge Boys. It was just stupendous.”

Willyard’s long-time dedication to being at CRS has led others to see the advantage of being at the seminar.

“It’s hard to distill. Because in the early days, for several years, at least 10 or 15 years, there would be only one other imaging voice there. Sometimes it was just me. But in the last eight-nine years, there have been over 20.”

If you’re attending CRS, seek out John. I promise you will enjoy the conversation.

Reach out by email 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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