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Do the Epstein Files Mark a Fork in the Road for News/Talk Radio Hosts?

Garrett Searight
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Do the Epstein Files Mark a Fork in the Road for News/Talk Radio Hosts?

People are angry about the Epstein Files not being released yet. But what does that have to do with news/talk radio hosts?

Pretty much everything, truthfully.

For nearly a decade now, news/talk radio hosts have echoed sentiments from President Donald Trump to wide swaths of conservative radio listeners. Many have marched in lockstep with the President in whatever stance he took, capitalizing on the popularity of the politics in the process.

Don’t hate the player, hate the game, as they say. I can’t necessarily knock news/talk radio hosts for aligning themselves so closely with a popular political candidate. Could I personally do it? No. But there’s a reason those hosts are making six figures, and I’m typing this from a spare bedroom in my house.

Since his death by apparent suicide in 2019, Jeffrey Epstein has been a hot-button topic in political circles. And the complete lack of transparency in the release of the Epstein Files has been a gigantic frustration to millions of Americans who want answers. Some want the files as a way to denigrate their political opposition, while others believe that a cabal of coastal elites has been operating as sex fiends patiently waiting for Epstein to provide them with their next underage escapade.

For whatever reason, people want the files released, the point remains the same: the overwhelming majority of Americans want to see the files. They want to see the list. The idea that Ghislaine Maxwell is rotting in a prison cell for helping Jeffrey Epstein sex traffic minors to absolutely no one isn’t lost on folks.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Fox News selectively edited an interview with Trump to make it seem as if he definitively stated he would release the Epstein Files. Now, though, Trump is backtracking.

“I don’t understand it, why they would be so interested,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday. “He’s dead for a long time. He was never a big factor in terms of life. I don’t understand what the interest or what the fascination is. I really don’t.”

In a post to his Truth Social account, Trump said that anyone who believes “the Jeffrey Epstein hoax” isn’t a supporter of his, adding that they “have bought into this ‘bullshit,’ hook, line, and sinker. They haven’t learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.”

That comes after Trump took great issue with being asked about the Epstein Files last week, getting snippy with a reporter who dared ask why the files haven’t been released.

Now, I don’t really want to get into why the President of the United States, who was very clearly friends with the disgraced financier for decades, wants to disassociate himself from the scandal and why he’d advocate against the release of the files. I’ll let you connect those dots, which aren’t all that difficult to put together.

But it does put news/talk radio hosts in a hell of a spot, doesn’t it?

On one hand, many have built their brands on being the most ardent supporters of Donald Trump. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen smiling pictures with fawning radio hosts standing beside Trump, smiling at being in the mere proximity of power, while he gives a thumbs up beside the host.

You’ve seen some of those hosts mimic Trump’s statements in recent days. Clay Travis, co-host of The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, said that “This story is not a story. The number one thing to do is just to move on.”

Salem Radio Network host Charlie Kirk responded similarly, saying he was “done talking about Epstein for the time being. I’m gonna trust my friends in the administration. I’m gonna trust my friends in the government to do what needs to be done.”

Now, Kirk insists that he wasn’t done talking about the Epstein Files, despite clearly saying he was done talking about it. His argument was that he hosted a Turning Point USA event over the weekend where others like Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson spoke at length about the topic. And that he was only saying that it was off his radar for that specific show. He’d like everyone to disregard the notion that he said he’d stop talking about the Epstein Files moments after Trump essentially called on his followers to move on from the story.

And that’s where the fork in the road comes. It feels as if, from my perspective, you can either do what the audience wants you to do — which is talk about the Epstein Files, continue to ask why more and more details aren’t being released and why major figures in American society aren’t being held accountable — or you can do what the President wants you to do, and stop talking about it and move on to other items. It can’t be both. That feels like a Catch-22.

Some radio hosts operate with a fundamental misunderstanding of the medium. Topics discussed on your show shouldn’t be what you want to talk about. They should be what the audience wants to hear about. Granted, some hosts have the ability to make what they want to discuss “Topic A” for everyone else, and kudos to them for possessing that skill. But the majority of hosts are simply reacting to the news on their shows. And when the audience decides what is and isn’t news, you’re at their mercy.

So what are news/talk radio hosts going to do? If you’ve blindly followed whatever Trump has said and parroted his stance on whatever the topic du jour is, you’ve built your bed and now it’s time to lie in it, no? But that also makes you a hypocrite, doesn’t it? Because while your brand and style might have been built on being anti-establishment, anti-swamp, or anti-deep state, doesn’t taking your marching orders from those in Washington, D.C., torpedo that argument? Doesn’t acting as a sycophant and doing the bidding of what the most powerful people in the world want you to do make you part of the establishment?

This is one of the first times that the MAGA movement hasn’t been in lockstep with President Trump. And while news/talk radio hosts have gladly courted those listeners, this feels like a do-or-die moment from my perspective. You can’t serve two masters. Are you going to serve your audience, or are you going to serve President Trump, who is very clearly desperate for the Epstein Files story to go away?

That choice is yours and yours alone. But I can’t say I’m envious of those who have to make it.

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.

20 Brands In 20 Days: Kwame Dankwa 95 Triple X Burlington VT

Jeff Lynn
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20 Brands In 20 Days: Kwame Dankwa 95 Triple X Burlington VT

On a weekday morning in Burlington, Vermont, midday host Mel B is riffing about a night at the local bowling alley. It isn’t a canned bit ripped from a prep sheet; it’s her life.

Program Director Kwame Dankwa not only allows that — he expects it. “You always have to bring an aspect of your life that listeners can see themselves doing,” he says. The rule is simple: be real, be relatable, and never talk over the audience’s head.”

95 Triple X is a heritage Top 40 with mileage that matters. “It’s a heritage station. We celebrated 40 years this past November.”

“It has not been the sole CHR, but it has been the longest-running CHR in the market. And there have been competitors that have come and gone. Our most recent competition left the format last year.”

Longevity has meant something else: a launch pad.

“We have a great track record of sending talent to big markets. That matters in a place the size of Burlington, where young air talent often gets its first meaningful reps.

“People love their radio here in this market, and we’re very fortunate for that. Even though Burlington is a small city, it has a lot of influence from Montreal and a great music scene here. That cross-border energy and local creativity widen the lane for a CHR willing to color outside corporate lines.”

When coaching talent, Dankwa encourages forgetting the old programming advice that “no one cares about your life.”

“To an extent, that’s true,” he says. “But you always have to bring an aspect of your life that listeners can see themselves doing.” That’s the filter he gives his staff. Share the part that mirrors the audience; drop the part that feels like inside baseball.

“In a market this size, it’s not PPM. Burlington is still diary‑measured. The listeners know that a lot of people who will start out here are very new. They’re more forgiving of those types of things than they probably would be in a larger market where people have so many more distractions that they hear something they don’t like, they may not come back.”

And keeping and developing that talent is essential.

“So many people have left the business. We need to redefine how we want to have a relationship with our employees so that we can have the new talent, keep them, and retain them. Because in order for this business to grow, no matter where it’s going, we need some type of talent to run the place.”

95 Triple X excels in building community ties, and that is something that Dankwa has worked hard to develop.

“When I first came back here, there was not as big of a relationship between Triple X and the community. I had to do a lot of handshaking and baby kissing to make that happen. To try and get organizations to partner with us and work with us.”

That meant reaching out to the groups that impact daily life in Burlington.

“Especially the nonprofits, especially other organizations in the city that do certain events that may not have worked with us before. Maybe they tried to, and there was no reach back. I think that people now know that Triple X is a place where they can come and we can help them make things happen. And that’s very important to me.”

The station recently went all in for a listener and reaffirmed that promise.

“There was a young woman named Sophie who was suffering from ocular melanoma. We helped the family do a fundraiser with their GoFundMe. We did that for like a month. Then, on the last weekend, we changed our name to “Sophie 95.5” to bring even more attention to her situation and ocular melanoma. Not only is it cancer, but how rare that type of cancer is.”

Programming in northern New England is a seasonal sport. Is there a summer adjustment for 95 Triple X?

“Oh yeah. I’ll play my newer songs earlier in the day. I will do new imaging for the station to hit the summer vibes here. And this year we’ve been trying to get to all of the ‘beaches’ that we can. We say ‘beaches,’ but it’s actually a big lake. There are parts of the lake where you can’t see the other side.”

The station brands it under the “95 Degrees of Summer” umbrella.

“For three and a half months, it is insufferably hot. We try to take advantage of that because for the other eight and a half months we know what it’s like.”

I asked if he saw the same cyclical trend in Top 40 that others are seeing, and how he feels about an Alternative-leaning phase.

“I remember the last time it was very alt like this, it was 2013 when The Lumineers, Imagine Dragons, and Mumford and Sons were ruling the charts all at once. It was hard even to separate them. But I was like, hey, this is what the people want, give it to them.”

And his thoughts on artists leaning into Country, like Beyoncé and Post Malone.

“Artists are always going to experiment. If you’re an artist and you’re exposed to a lot of different things, a genre jump makes sense.”

“Post Malone changed his whole image up, whereas Beyoncé is still Beyoncé. She just has a Country album. The next album will likely be a Rock album. It just feels like she’s trying different things. And I don’t fault her for that.”

To put a bow on the 95 Triple X winning formula, Dankwa says, “Triple X’s formula is building community relationships and maintaining them. It isn’t always easy. Sometimes it can be stressful. Sometimes it can be hard because you get so burnt out.”

The goal is to make the station feel like a meeting of friends at a local pub.

“You go to your local pub, you see your favorite bartender, and you talk to them, and that’s why these places stay in business. Your pub goes — your bartender goes to another pub — then you may go there. And that’s what we try to do.”

Just as that bartender has regulars, Dankwa wants his staff to build personal followings.

 “I want to make sure that everyone on the brand has a brand inside of the brand,” he says.

Dankwa sums it up: “If we’re not showing up for the people who listen to us, then what are we even doing?”

For 95 Triple X, that means more than playing hits — it’s about being present, being human, and giving Burlington a station that feels like it belongs to them.

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.

Blurred Lines: News, Opinion, or Just Pure Spin?

Bob Lawrence
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Blurred Lines: News, Opinion, or Just Pure Spin?

Regardless of political affiliation, the lines between real news and misinformation have grown beyond blurred and are now almost indetectable. The plethora of online platforms has created a reality in which anyone can distribute “legitimate” content.

Of course, this makes it more challenging to distinguish truth from fabrication or political spin. That leaves every reasonable person with a need to parse genuine from fake more than ever. This begs the question, “How are we supposed to navigate this complex environment?”

Fake news isn’t a new phenomenon, but the speed and scale at which it is able to spread has become mindboggling. Social media, blogs, and even some mainstream platforms can circulate stories that are invented or distorted, with no organization more guilty than the next.

The politicized news may be “technically” factual, but is presented with a bias designed to promote an agenda, which muddles the view. By now, we have all seen how these forms of misinformation can shape or solidify opinions, attempt to sway elections, and erode public trust.  

I believe it’s problematic to be able to discern anyone’s affiliations based on their work or the stories they deliver. If you’re old enough to remember Walter Cronkite, Johnny Carson, or any of the classic Hollywood actors, we never knew their subjective opinions.

In fact, Cronkite was a moderate liberal but was viewed as a neutral and trusted journalist for 31 years. Carson’s views are hard to categorize. He held beliefs that, by today’s standards, would suggest he was right in the middle, but again, he never mentioned or discussed them on The Tonight Show during his 30 years as host.  

Several factors contribute to our vulnerability to all the fake and politicized news:

  • Information Overload: The sheer volume of information that makes it to our eyes and ears makes it difficult to determine what is credible and what is not.
  • Confirmation Bias: We are all prone to lean toward whatever confirms our existing belief structure.
  • Emotional Manipulation: We are all much more likely to share the hyper-emotionally charged stories that grab our attention, regardless of their truth. Let’s face it – sometimes we even share stories knowing that they are probably not true.
  • Visual Deception: Enter professional-looking websites, AI or personally generated or doctored images that make false stories appear credible. This can be the most difficult to parse as real or fake.

Given all these challenges, what steps can we take to distinguish between real and fake? Here are some potential strategies I recommend:

Evaluate the Source:  

Before accepting anything as “truth,” check the credibility of its source. Established news organizations do have reputations to protect and usually (not always) adhere to journalistic standards, such as fact-checking and editorial oversight.

We should all be leery of unfamiliar sites and those we have heard are infamous for spreading misinformation. An “About Us” page may allow you to check the publisher’s track record and consider the nature of what is written on that page. Try to determine their overall goal. Barrett Media, for example, does an excellent job with its content and works hard at being a trusted resource.  

Check for Supporting Evidence:

Real news should always be supported by verifiable facts, data, and quotes from credible sources. Does what you are reading or listening to make bold claims without providing evidence? Or does it only cite anonymous sources? If so, you may be a victim of manipulation. Check other sources for validation from other reputable outlets. If it’s a significant story, you should see others reporting it, as well.

Is it News or Opinion?

Too many modern-day “journalists” blur the line purposely in an attempt to deceive and manipulate. True news presents facts impartially, while opinion pieces are designed to persuade or interpret.

The problem with mainstream media is that it often presents more opinion shows than newscasts. All networks and cable outlets are equally guilty of this. They play toward their respective audiences with that goal in mind. The best we can do is use caution when reading, listening, or viewing commentary.

Check Headlines Carefully:

The term “clickbait” was coined by Jay Geiger in a blog post back in 2006. According to Google, it combines “click,” referring to a mouse click, and “bait,” suggesting an enticing lure for online users. The term gained wider recognition and eventually entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 2016.

These types of headlines and sensational images are true hallmarks of fake or politicized news. They tend to exaggerate and misrepresent the article’s content. Images are often taken out of context or digitally altered. Always read beyond the headline and reverse-search images if something seems questionable. Google makes it very easy to do that.

Analyze the Tone:

Fake news is very often emotionally charged, inflammatory, or uses absolute language.

Legitimate journalism should employ measured and precise wording, avoiding overly dramatic phrasing. If it feels like it is trying to provoke anger or fear, proceed with caution. Even politicians themselves, on both sides of the aisle, have become very proficient at this.

Be Aware of Your Own Bias:

Self-awareness is key. Recognize that we all have biases. I try to do this purposefully to challenge my own points of view and find information from a diverse range of resources. This can be a huge challenge for many from all sides of the spectrum. I am also a fan of fact-checking.

There are several reputable organizations, including Snopes, FactCheck.org, and Reuters Fact Check. Sometimes, the more viral a story has become, the greater the risk of it being false.  

The ability for us to parse content is becoming a skill. Sadly, schools, workplaces, and communities don’t always play the important roles they should in fostering independent critical thinking.

By prioritizing education in evaluating sources, understanding context, and recognizing manipulation, hopefully, we can spend time and resources on a more truthful reality and future for all.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Stay updated by signing up for our newsletters to receive the latest information directly in your inbox.

ESPN’s ‘Vibe Check’ Sets a New Tone for Sports Conversation

John Molori
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ESPN’s ‘Vibe Check’ Sets a New Tone for Sports Conversation

Sports programming offers a veritable buffet of options for viewers, but if you are looking for something different on the menu, you might want to try Vibe Check which airs on Disney+ every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Vibe Check debuted in late June as a vehicle to spotlight ESPN’s growing roster of impressive female talent. The core group of hosts includes Elle Duncan, Andraya Carter, Monica McNutt, Chiney Ogwumike, and Hannah Storm, but also features a rotating panel of participants. 

I caught the July 14 edition which aired on ESPN2. The first thing that struck me about this episode of Vibe Check was the trio of panelists and the concept of fish out of water. We seldom see Kelsey Riggs-Cuff, Jen Lada, and Molly McGrath in a conversational studio setting. Riggs-Cuff is most known for her work as an ESPN SportsCenter anchor. Lada is a two-time Emmy winning reporter and is now a key part of ESPN’s venerable and powerful College GameDay show. McGrath is an ESPN/ABC sideline reporter extraordinaire. Seeing these three seated in studio, talking openly and anecdotally was refreshing. It’s good to see such talents try something new.  

I liked the way the show opened without a traditional hello and welcome. It was essentially a cold open with the trio just casually talking mid-sentence. The various backgrounds of these three women bring weight to the Vibe Check discourse.

Setting the Scene and the Vibe

Before she became a mainstay on SportsCenter, Riggs joined ESPN for the launch of ACC Network in 2019 and hosted various studio shows. In 2023, she was named the host of ACC Huddle. She has also anchored pregame, halftime, and postgame studio programming, as well as ESPN’s weekday College Football Live.

Lada files stories for ESPN’s SC Featured, Outside the Lines, and E60. She has also guest hosted on a variety of ESPN Radio and television shows including Baseball Tonight, First Take, and SportsCenter.

McGrath previously hosted College Football Live and College Basketball Live. She has reported on ABC’s XFL telecasts and on ABC/ESPN’s Thursday night college football and men’s college basketball broadcasts.

The shared experiences of these three hosts are combined with their collective sports acumen. This was in full evidence as they ripped through several items on Vibe Check. McGrath opened with a riff on the streaking Boston Red Sox, citing a May 2025 comment from Boston manager Alex Cora when the team was struggling. At the time, Cora said that his team was capable of winning 10 straight games. Lada mentioned that she worked with Alex Cora at ESPN a decade ago and brought up the hot topic of whether the Red Sox will be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.

Vibe Check offers a wide range of topics and, thankfully, eschews the overdone fare of Lakers and Cowboys, two mediocre teams completely unworthy of the time normally given to them on ESPN chat shows. Instead, Lada brought up Milwaukee Brewers rookie pitcher Jason Misiorowski, who was added to the All-Star roster for the National League. Misiorowski is 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA in only five starts for Milwaukee. A debate ensued as to whether a pitcher with just five starts deserves All-Star recognition. McGrath, playing the antagonist role, said that she understands those teams and players who are upset with Misiorowski’s inclusion.

Showcasing a New Experience With Sports Discussions

Vibe Check provides a different attitude, angle, and aspect to sports talk. Riggs-Cuff, Lada, and McGrath blend extremely well together and regularly break free from sports to just some natural chit-chat as if they were hanging out at an outdoor bar having a couple of drinks. From the studio, Riggs-Cuff threw to a package featuring ESPN’s Elle Duncan, who participated in the Celebrity Softball Game as part of MLB’s All-Star festivities. Duncan provided an inside look at the fun and excitement of the extravaganza.

Coming back from the break, a chat graphic showed some fun texting between the three hosts mentioning that it is just 40 days until the college football season starts. Playing off the college football road trips that all three will be taking soon, Riggs-Cuff asked if the group preferred to carry on or check bags when flying. McGrath said she can’t remember the last time she checked a bag and jokingly said that she questions people who check bags because they risk losing them. These three are extremely comfortable with each other. They have shared experiences in television and are equally versatile in career and conversation. All three talked about the evils, perils, and foils of checking a bag at the airport. Viewers can identify with this, which is so important in this type of program.

The Vibe Check conversation next moved to the subject of SEC football and picks to win the conference in 2025. McGrath went with Texas, citing Steve Sarkisian’s coaching prowess. It was also noted that the Longhorns will face Ohio State in an early season, National Championship tester. Lada warned viewers not to sleep on Alabama, and McGrath opined that LSU’s Brian Kelly is the head coach under the most pressure to win this season. This was a really solid and well-rounded college football discussion.

Embrace Conversation, Not Debate

While there is no specific host on Vibe Check, it is Riggs-Cuff who moves the conversation from one topic to another in a very subtle and calm manner. There is a free-flowing movement to the show that is really enticing. Another subtle aspect of Vibe Check is that throughout the discussion, none of the participants look into the camera. They are not trying to pontificate. Instead, they choose to communicate. The show is a real conversation. Lights and cameras just happen to be there. I like that style. While there is certainly disagreement among the participants, Vibe Check doesn’t denigrate into screaming or yelling, which is another refreshing aspect. The trio talked a little Big Ten football, touching on Penn State, Ohio State, and Oregon with some great insight. As for the ACC, Clemson seemed to be the pick.

When I look at a program, I don’t just focus on what is being said, but the backdrop in which it is being said. The Vibe Check set is very colorful and welcoming to the eye. The casual styles reflected in Riggs-Cuff, Lada, and McGrath also create an atmosphere of comfort and cool. There is a really nice sense of rhythm, feeling, and timing to the program. Speaking of timing, Vibe Check even has a segment called “Give Me a Minute,” where each participant has an opportunity to make a case or talk about a subject for 60 seconds. This segment underlies the relaxed swiftness that defines the show. Topics ranged from salary regulation in college football to ceremonial first pitches to family trips to Disney World. Vibe Check is an appropriate name for this refreshing and entertaining program. If you’re looking for a real sports vibe, it’s a show you should check out for sure.

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.

Ross Brittain Reflects on Z100 and Looks Ahead at Radio’s Future

Jeff Lynn
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Ross Brittain Reflects on Z100 and Looks Ahead at Radio’s Future

Ross Brittain’s radio career spans five decades and a remarkable evolution of the industry itself. Starting in college radio at Georgia Tech in the early 1970s, Ross quickly made a name for himself with his sharp wit and humor, landing his first professional job at WIIN in Atlanta.

He later became a key figure in launching one of the most iconic morning shows in American radio history — the Z100 Morning Zoo in New York City — helping redefine morning radio.

Brittain shared with me thoughts on The Morning Zoo, his legendary career and a look at radio’s future.

From College Radio to WIIN Atlanta

For Brittain, the first big break came about because of his wit and spontaneity.

“I was working at the college radio station at Georgia Tech, and because my news inserts and other talk items were so funny, the guys at WIIN Atlanta gave me a job. That was 1973… several years ago, LOL.”

Creating Z100’s Morning Zoo

Following a move to New York City, a collaboration with Scott Shannon transformed the face of morning radio.

“I was let go from WABC-AM in New York because Brian Wilson wanted to do his own show. So, I called up Scott Shannon, who was starting up a new station called Z-100 and said, ‘I could do afternoons!’ He said ‘No, because I don’t think you’re an afternoon jock. But why don’t you come over and help me do the morning show?”

Inside the Morning Zoo Hustle

The Morning Zoo at Z100 combined talent, creativity, and hustle. Each member of the show brought something from their own unique skill set.

“#1 in 64 days? We did a lot of work. Dave Kolin and I did a ton of work after the show, recording bits for the following day. We did a bunch of show prep, writing bits, and probably around five pages of show prep.”

“I also did sound effects, manned the reel-to-reels, and fed bits to the other members of the show. I was like the producer, and Scott was the director, and the PD, who basically had to run the station. J.R. Nelson, our other co-host, doubled as the production director, too.”

“And there were call-ins from John Rio, who did ‘Mr. Leonard,’ the PSA Director, John Bell, and Claire Stevens, who did the news. Everybody had their ‘character’ and specific attributes so that listeners could relate to each of us differently. And the branding was new and badass. No NYC radio station had ever called itself a ‘Flamethrower’ before.”

How Radio Has Changed Since the 1980s

Brittain has observed changes in the industry from the early days of Z100.

“It feels like we had more freedom to have fun and be authentic. Radio stations don’t have the funds to hire a group of people to do a big morning show. Because advertising on that show–or just the regular station—isn’t bringing in the money it would take.”

“And many of the stations that get several people also use them to sell the station or do remotes, etc. Consultants used to understand talent and supported us doing what we did best. More so than in recent years, when it has become a metrics game. The internet also took time away from on-air prep to feeding the content beast.”

What makes for great on-air chemistry?

“Knowing what to bring in a bit or feeding the air talent a great set-up line you know they’ll go off on. Bringing a bit to the table. And while you absolutely have to be thinking ahead and watching the clock and show elements –you HAVE to LISTEN to each other as well.”

Life Behind the Mic: The Reality of Morning Shows

I asked Brittain to tell me something that people don’t know about the life of a radio host. How the early mornings and relentless preparation contrast sharply with the seamless final product on air.

“It’s never great getting up at 4 am to go in and prep a bit for the show before going on. It also means an afternoon nap or going to bed very early, and missing events you’ll probably need to talk about the next day.”

“With any luck, you’ll be able to delegate some of the prep or stream monitoring to other members of the show. Or pick up a prep service to do it for you. And staying on top of social media is a whole other animal.”

What is the one song you loved playing and the one that you never want to hear again?

“The Stones’ ‘19th Nervous Breakdown.’ I played it 19 times in a row during afternoon drive one day and got some great calls. But never again. ‘The Night Chicago Died’ is just a bastard of a song. But I’m from Chicago.”

Photo Facebook

Podcasts, Streaming, and What’s Next for Radio

Does the rise of podcasts and streaming platforms help or hurt traditional radio?

“Please. Podcasts are radio shows, just not on the radio. Better for talk than music, because legal issues don’t let you include entire songs. So, if you can package one of your running bits and upload it daily into a podcast, then advertise it on the show, you may get additional dollars from a sponsor. That way, it doesn’t hurt your audience, and you pick up more ad dollars. But it seems that broadcast radio increasingly supports the stream, not the other way around.”

Ross Brittain’s Most Memorable Guests and Moments

Does Brittain have a favorite show guest?

“Billy Joel. My first guest and I still have an autographed copy of his first album.”

Brittain has navigated some major shifts in the radio industry. From consolidation to syndication and now digital. What has been the most significant change you’ve seen in the industry?

“Two things – consolidation and the internet. Consolidation and the cost-cutting that wiped out local sound. Simulcasting one show to multiple markets took away a major reason to listen: the local angle.”

“Decimating news departments left the air sounding even more sterile. No wonder local advertising started to look elsewhere… like the internet. So, broadcast radio went there, too, and we’re now a streaming product that you can listen to over the air.”

Image 107.1 The Boss Website

You can hear Ross Brittain from 10 am to 3 pm Saturdays on 107.1 The Boss, Monmouth Ocean, New Jersey.

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.

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.

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