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Why Dari Nowkhah Is Coming Home To Play For The Ref

John Mamola
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Why Dari Nowkhah Is Coming Home To Play For The Ref

Dari Nowkhah is no stranger to hosting a program on sports talk radio. For 14 years, he, alongside Mel Kiper Jr., hosted a weekend program on Saturday mornings for ESPN Radio simply called Dari and Mel. The content was structured around the biggest stories in sports from around the country to serve the hundreds of affiliates that carried the program for all those years. Last week, just a year removed from the last show of Dari and Mel, Nowkhah was announced as the co-host of a new morning show on The Ref in Norman, Oklahoma.

“Toby Rowland hit me up one day and said, ‘Would you ever have any interest in doing a daily radio show in Oklahoma?’” said Nowkhah. “I never really thought about it, but the in Oklahoma part of it kind of intrigues me.”

Nowkhah, a Tulsa, OK native, graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1998 and has stayed up with all things Sooners in his role on the SEC Network. After 14 years of doing radio with Mel Kiper on ESPN Radio, and the last seven years on SiriusXM, a chance to do local morning radio sounded like a fun new venture when presented.

“The first thing we needed to do was go to ESPN and see if they’d even allow it, because they certainly have the right to say no,” Nowkhah explained. “They essentially made me the offer at The Ref. Ultimately, if ESPN said ‘alright, we can do it,’ then I was going to take the opportunity to do it.”

After a month of waiting for a verdict, Nowkhah received the green light from the network and his opportunity to return to Norman was official. Beginning June 30, Nowkhah and co-host Josh Helmer will be hosting a daily program from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Central Time covering all things Sooners and Thunder.

“He (Helmer) does a great job,” said Nowkhah, who had only listened and never spoken to Helmer at the time of this interview. “I look forward to shooting the bull with him off the air and certainly on the air.”

Delivering A Hometown Sound Away From Home

With the new role, Nowkhah says his plan is to stay at his home in Charlotte, NC, as his role with ESPN and the SEC Network allows him full access to a plethora of information regarding the Sooners. Leaning on his relationships built through his alma mater and working for the network will help him keep up with all the happenings on a day-to-day basis, albeit he’s many miles away.

“I’m pretty dialed in there to do everything and I can watch anything,” noted Nowkhah. “Josh and I will talk and text every day, many times, to prepare for the show. It’s not going to be difficult in any way just because I’m not actually physically in Norman.”

Regarding his approach, Nowkhah understands that a program that appeals to the broader national audience that he spoke to on ESPN Radio for many years is different than the audience he will be speaking with on The Ref. He noted he’s never done local radio before on a daily basis, but is looking forward to the challenge of delivering content that appeals to the “REF Army” fanbase.

“You’re not talking sports for three hours every single day, and I’m good with that,” said Nowkhah. “It’s a very laid-back approach. In national radio, whether on SiriusXM or ESPN Radio, it’s you and your co-host. If you veer too far—especially on the ESPN Radio side—from sports for too long, you’ve got someone in your ear saying, ‘Let’s get back on track.’”

Reflecting On The End Of ‘Dari And Mel’

Referencing his 14 years of working on a show with Mel Kiper Jr. for ESPN Radio, Nowkhah joked that oftentimes he was the person in the ear of Kiper attempting to get their show back on track. Last May, the news of Dari and Mel ending their long-running radio program was surprising to many. Nowkhah called the move “sad” at the time the program was coming to an end. However, after over a decade on the air together, the show never got a look to crack the weekday lineup with all the other changes that have happened on ESPN Radio since 2010.

“Honestly, I never really wanted to,” said Nowkhah. “I never really had a conversation about doing a regular weekday show. Never had the desire to do it.”

When he worked in Bristol, CT for ESPN, the heavy workload of working multiple television shows and many late nights was not a workload that he desired. While beginning to build his family, Nowkhah says he never approached ESPN about the weekday lineup on the radio network, which they also, in turn, never approached him about the concept.

“I was totally good with a one-day-a-week thing, and frankly, I loved to work with Mel,” Nowkhah explained. “I know he never wanted to do five days a week. If they brought that show forward, it was never going to happen.”

Understanding What Makes Mel Kiper Jr. Special

Nowkhah says his relationship with ESPN’s lead NFL Draft personality means the world to him and believes the NFL Draft is not the massive event it has become without Kiper. He says that Kiper should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but in talking with Kiper about the honor, he notes that Kiper could not care less about being honored in Canton, OH.

Kiper was the focus of a flood of criticism following this year’s NFL Draft for his numerous and bombastic commentaries surrounding the fall of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Nowkhah says he hasn’t heard any of the criticism that Kiper received following the NFL Draft, recalling his work on the SEC Network during the event at the same time. While he says he doesn’t want to go back and watch how Kiper handled the moment, he understands how moments like that could happen with Kiper.

“His work is incredibly important to him,” Nowkhah noted. “If he believes a certain player is in some way being wronged or teams are just flat-out screwing up, he’s going to call that. It becomes a real passion of his, and sometimes maybe that passion leads him astray to a point where it becomes more than it needs to be.”

Nowkhah recalled when Kiper was high on Josh Allen when others weren’t, and Kiper wanted to make people around the country understand that his information on Allen was good information regarding his potential for the NFL. He believes that Shedeur Sanders is now the new Josh Allen for Kiper to potentially prove the doubters wrong again.

“Mel’s a passionate dude. He’s one of my favorite people on Earth,” said Nowkhah about his former radio partner. “Did he go over the top? He might have. Mel doesn’t care about making a splash and being the center of attention. In fact, that’s the most un-Mel thing in the world.”

Preparing For Boomer Sooner

Working alongside a passionate co-host to provide content to a passionate audience who care deeply about all things SEC, Nowkhah’s range of experience has led him back to where his dreams of working in broadcasting began. When a simple phone call from an Oklahoma legend spurred an idea that has now become reality, for Nowkhah, he’s excited to bring a quality national approach to a passionate local audience on The Ref where anything can happen at any time.

“In this market, on this station, I’ve noticed they’re not afraid to get off track,” joked Nowkhah. “Conversations can go in any number of ways, and I’m great with that. It’ll be a bit of a different vibe, but I’m looking forward to 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.

Red, White & Rock Your Memorial Day Weekend

Keith Cunningham
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Red, White & Rock Your Memorial Day Weekend

As we head into Memorial Day weekend, it’s no secret Rock artists are widely associated with showing support for our U.S. armed forces. This doesn’t mean artists are lining up as pro-war, nor is it about cranking our collective angst to 11 and scaring the bejesus out of bad guys with “Welcome to the Jungle.”

That’s certainly a part of it; the Marines aren’t blasting Kenny G. to announce their arrival, and GNR’s ‘Jungle’ did reportedly help in capturing General Noriega, but there’s more to it.

First, though, let’s get some Memorial Day housekeeping out of the way. For RockTernative programmers and talent, it’s an important time of year to pause and make sure messaging is properly balanced.

On the one hand, the holiday marks the unofficial kickoff to summer. Many instinctively lean their messaging towards a party vibe loaded with BBQ, beer and general mayhem that Red, White and Blue Rockers love.

On the other hand, I don’t need to explain the true meaning of Memorial Day, which doesn’t exactly equate to the same symbolism as going on a three-day bender at the lake with your homies.

You determine how to balance messages at your brand, on your show, socials, at your BBQs or whatever … but give it some thought. Memorial Day weekend does take on different meanings for different people.

Why is Rock music so ingrained with the branches of service that house or have housed the real American heroes?  For starters, it doesn’t hurt that Elvis, Jimi Hendrix, John Fogerty and others served in the military in the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Rock has literally been on the front lines since the beginning, as an important part of the American soundtrack and for troops far away from home. In the early days, music by Rock pioneers was played on reel-to-reel players and turntables at U.S military bases around the world. We’ve come a long way.

But more importantly, Rock music has a long history, dating back before most of us were born, of always being at the forefront of time and reflecting the tone of the country, and sometimes multiple tones at once. 

What surrounds our Troops and their jobs is very complex, and there’s no shortage of great Rock songs that tell real tales of emotion and thought. Free love, pro or anti-war, raging against any number of political machines, Rock artists are no strangers to wearing their hearts on their sleeves.

Like the symbol of freedom represented by the flag, they call it like they see it. For example, while they’re seemingly attending very different BBQs this weekend, do you think Ted Nugent or Billie Joe care what you think of them? They don’t. They’re Rockers. They’re going to bravely and unapologetically say what’s on their mind.

But regardless of which side of the fence one sits, RockTernative artists are supportive of the Troops. You’ve heard the songs, seen them giving salutes and honoring veterans at shows across the country. It’s not an admiration club that’s exclusive to Rock, we could say the same for artists from other genres, especially our brothers and sisters at Country, but there’s no denying it at Rock.

That’s what this is all about: honoring those who have or are currently serving, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice so the rest of us can call it like we see it and listen to whatever type of music we choose.

Yes, there’s a raw and authentic nature to some Rock music that resonates in aggressive situations. Given that servicemen and women may be entering life-or-death combat, cranking “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to elevate energy, morale and confidence makes sense. A former Navy SEAL who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and places he couldn’t disclose, told me his unit would always play Metallica heading into hot zones.

My ramblings aren’t a raw-raw-rally of any kind. It’s a reminder that, as divided as we can be at times, we at least have freedom and music in common, thanks to our real heroes – the US military’s servicemen and women. And if wrapping the reminder up in a Rock bow helps get the message through, Mission Accomplished.

As you go about your Memorial Day weekend, even if it does become a weekend at the lake you’ll deny ever happened, make it a point to remember the important stuff.

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. 

Nikki Nite Knows the Battle For Time and Attention is Tougher Than Ever For Radio

Jeff Lynn
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Nikki Nite Knows the Battle For Time and Attention is Tougher Than Ever For Radio

Nikki Nite is Audacy AC Format VP, Vice President of Programming & Operations at Audacy Austin, Brand Manager for 96.5 KYXY in San Diego and Brand Manager of Majic 95.5 and Mix 94.7 in Austin. She was peer-voted a spot in Barrett Media’s Top 20 AC/Hot AC Program Directors of 2024.

I began our conversation by asking Nite what she sees as radio’s advantage in the battle for the ear.

“Our personalities, our content. It’s programming basics on music stations. You have to get that right, but the thing that differentiates us is everything that’s in between all that great music that we’re playing.”

“How the station is positioned, branded in the mind of the listener, how consistent are you with that messaging? Are you pleasing your core consumer over and over? And then our air talent. That’s what can’t be duplicated, right? Anybody can play a Taylor Swift song, but not anybody can talk about Taylor Swift in the same way a particular personality would.”

On the flipside, what should radio be doing better to win that battle?

“Amplifying our content in as many places as possible. Just really giving our talent the opportunity to make those connections beyond the traditional FM broadcast or the streaming broadcast. Where else are we diligently exposing this content to consumers who will then come back to us on our core brands and consume it?”

“How well are we putting ourselves out there next to all of our competitors? I think we’ve all grown past this, but sometimes we fall into believing that we’re just competing with the other radio stations that are in our market.”

“We’re competing against every piece of digital entertainment that is out there. TikTok videos, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts —all of it is competing for the consumer’s time and attention. Therefore, we need our content to be available in the same places where people seeking that content can be exposed to it.”

Nite sees social media as a tool for brand extension.

“It’s great if you can give your very passionate audience a deeper look into who you are and what you offer that’s unique. It’s another avenue to grow superfans. Talent needs to be able to handle the workload, be consistent, and produce quality work. I wouldn’t do it just for the sake of doing it. I would do it if you have a plan and if you think you can execute it with excellence.”

Nikki Nite

The Nielsen 3-minute qualifier remains top of mind for many as we navigate through the early returns. Has Nite seen any notable changes in Austin?

“I think we’re seeing larger audiences represented that were likely always there, but just weren’t being captured with the older methodology, so that’s encouraging.”

However, regarding changing tactics, Nite believes that brand execution is still job one.

“We’ve just continued to execute with excellence. The same rules apply. You need to have amazing content, be a great brand, connect with your audience, and then, in a PPM market, you must hit your marks in basic mathematics. Beyond that, great stations just win.”

As a successful woman in a leadership role, I asked Nite how she feels the radio industry is doing with putting women in leadership positions.

“I just think radio needs great leaders, whether they’re men or women. I’m very encouraged that there are more women in leadership roles in our industry. Women have had more opportunities, and I’m encouraged by seeing women mentor other women. I’m also encouraged by seeing the men who mentor women.”

“The radio industry just needs as many creative people and thought leaders as possible. I’m glad that more of them have been women, and that women have had more opportunities.”

With Adult Contemporary formats, the amount of current product in the music mix is a frequent topic of discussion. How does Nite see that on her stations?

“Familiarity is so important in the Adult Contemporary format, and really at most formats. But particularly at Adult Contemporary radio. I believe in letting songs become more familiar, because that audience is coming to you for comfort. For their favorite songs that they know, and they don’t want to discover anything new. There is a place for that at Adult Contemporary, but I don’t make it the focus.”

As far as comfort goes, does that extend to escapism from today’s angry political climate?

“We’re an entertainment medium. I think all entertainment plays a role in that. One of the great privileges that we have as broadcasters, beyond serving our communities, which is so important, is that we get to make people happy.”

“Sometimes we forget that there could be somebody who turns on your station that’s having the worst day, and you may play their favorite song. Or an air talent says something that makes them smile, or makes them feel encouraged, or amuses them. All of a sudden, their day is better, and there’s something to be said for that.”

I asked Nite what advice she would give someone starting out who wants to be on the radio or do what she does.

“Just do it. Somebody told me a story the other day about a young person who came to their radio station, walked into the building, and said, ‘I want to work here.’ They said, well we don’t have any on-air positions right now. We have some sales positions, and the person said, ‘well, I can sell,’ and they ended up getting an interview, and got hired on the spot.”

“Now they’re inside a radio station, experiencing all the different roles that exist, and being exposed to those things, and starting to build themselves a path.”

“I would say, get in there, and find any opportunities you can and learn about all the different roles that exist in this business. You’ll find your place, and you’ll find people who want to help you. They are all there.”

“My biggest advice would be to say out loud what you want. Ask people to help you, and generally, they will. If you don’t tell people what you want, nobody knows, and nobody can help you.”

“I just love this business, and I feel very fortunate to have been able to be a part of it through all of its evolution and hopefully continue to be a part of it as we continue to evolve.”

“It’s exciting because it is always changing. It doesn’t stay the same, and if we can embrace that and be comfortable with that, I think great things will keep happening. As long as we’re open to change and we take intelligent risks.”

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. 

Why the Unlikely Pairing of Kristin Brey and Steve Scaffidi Works for 620 WTMJ

Garrett Searight
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Why the Unlikely Pairing of Kristin Brey and Steve Scaffidi Works for 620 WTMJ

Last month, 620 WTMJ paired Kristin Brey with Steve Scaffidi as part of a lineup shuffle for the Good Karma Brands Milwaukee news/talk station.

On the surface, an outsider could view the pairing as an unlikely one.

Brey is a liberal millennial woman. Scaffidi is a conservative boomer man.

And yet, the two had instant chemistry, according to Brey, who said the reason she’s in radio in Milwaukee in the first place is do to her now partner.

“When I first got back to Wisconsin and I started doing different social media stuff, he invited me to come onto his show,” said Brey.

After meeting for coffee, Scaffidi had a grander idea.

“He was like ‘Why don’t you just come on once a week?’ And so for over a year, I was coming on his show on Wednesdays for once a week, which started as like a half hour, turned into an hour. Then I was filling in for his show when he was off,” Brey explained. “I think it actually was a missed opportunity from the get-go of pairing he and I together back then. Because we just had an instant rapport, really good chemistry, could get along really well. That started way back when he first had me on his show.

“The fact that we’re doing it now it feels awesome,” she continued. “It’s so easy and effortless to do a show with him every day. I think that’s just the personal side of it, as far as what our relationship is and how easy it is to just talk to each other and have an interesting conversation together.”

She added that despite the differences in gender, generation, and political leanings, the show is still an interesting listen.

“On paper, we are very different,” she noted. “There’s a built-in tension when it comes to how we see the world, a positive tension, and tension instead of just a pile on like we agree with each other all the time, but yet it always comes from the foundation of friendship.”

Brey credited both her partner and herself for utilizing their thick skin and trust in one another to make the show successful.

Kristin Brey recently celebrated her one-year anniversary of rejoining 620 WTMJ, this time in a full-time capacity after previously working at the station in a part-time role. For the majority of her first year with the Milwaukee news/talk outlet, she was paired with Brian Noonan, who exited the station amid the lineup shuffle. She gave credit to her former partner, saying she enjoyed her time hosting a more news magazine-style program with him, but believes a show more focused on opinionated talk fits her style better.

“I was outside of my comfort zone doing Spanning the State (her show with Noonan), it wasn’t all politics,” said Brey. “It had a limit of trying to focus on Wisconsin stories … I was trying to be more objective. It was less of a talk show, not approaching things from my opinion on this. I think that stretched me and lot of my ability to make interesting radio. Especially since I was on topics that weren’t the biggest stories of the day. It was kind of like NPR with a little bit more personality. But I think it was really good to do that because it stretched me in my broadcasting ability and how to approach radio and how to approach topics.”

News/talk radio is dominated by conservative voices, mostly from men, on either solo or tandem shows. So Kristin Brey shared that she appreciates getting the opportunity to bring a different voice and perspective to the airwaves alongside her friend from 10 AM to Noon.

“I think it’s very unique what we’re getting to do,” she concluded. “Not just because of the ideology differences, but because of the gender, because of the age. I’m very glad that we get to do this before whenever that guy decides that he’s gonna retire,” she joked. “So at least we get to do this until he decides to hang it up. But he’s got a lot of energy, so I don’t know when that’s gonna be.” 

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 Leadoff Spot’ is a Perfect Baseball Breakfast on MLB Network

John Molori
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‘The Leadoff Spot’ is a Perfect Baseball Breakfast on MLB Network

The Leadoff Spot, a daily morning program on MLB Network Radio and SiriusXM, has moved to television on MLB Network, airing weekdays at 9:00 a.m. EST. Hosted by former MLB GM Steve Phillips, Xavier Scruggs, and Eduardo Perez, the program gives a recap of the previous day’s MLB games plus a look ahead to upcoming action.

The first thing that strikes me about this program is the diversity of the hosts. You have Phillips, a hardened, old-school MLB executive; Scruggs, a regular on MLB Network who provides a fresh, contemporary, and unique view of the game; and Perez, a second-generation Major Leaguer who has established himself as one of the best baseball analysts in the business.

The Leadoff Spot has transitioned seamlessly to television. While Perez, Phillips, and Scruggs come from different places in baseball, it’s as if they were meant to be together. Their differing backgrounds and opinions on the game meld perfectly. While you can tell that Scruggs comes from a commentary perspective, Perez from a player perspective, and Phillips from a front office perspective, they share a love of the game, knowledge, preparation, and a pure enjoyment of talking baseball.

I caught a few episodes this past week. The show begins with a cool opening montage spotlighting some of the top players of the game, including Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Bryce Harper, and Elly De La Cruz. When Phillips opens the show with a hearty, “Welcome into The Leadoff Spot,” you know you’re ready for some in-depth baseball intelligence. Phillips was joined by Kevin Frandsen, a Nationals game analyst and ex-big leaguer, and the pair opened by talking about the surging St. Louis Cardinals.

An In Depth Morning Show For Baseball Fans

The Leadoff Spot is interesting because from a two-shot of Phillips and Frandsen, video cuts to a graphic with the line score and audio of the game—not video. Remember, this show takes its roots in radio, so it is largely carried by the hosts and sound. Video highlights did eventually follow as Phillips and Frandsen discussed the Cards’ win over the Tigers. Graphics are a huge part of The Leadoff Spot. While the panelists are exchanging ideas, there is a sidebar with statistics galore. Stats and trends are emphasized on this program. A graphic showed that the Cardinals are 17–6 since April 25 and 16–6 at home, while their starting pitchers have been stingy in surrendering runs. The Leadoff Spot is a program for baseball fans who like a deep dive into the numbers.

The Leadoff Spot (FB Screengrab)
(Facebook Screengrab)

Frandsen did a really nice job alongside Phillips. He gave a solid statistical analysis of Royals pitcher Kris Bubic who, after a nice outing this past week, dropped his ERA to 1.47. Frandsen said that Bubic is changing speeds well and not allowing hitters to make a lot of contact at the plate. Hardball mavens eat this stuff up for sure.

I like the multifaceted nature of The Leadoff Spot. While listening to the hosts’ chit-chat, you can check out a graphic sidebar with quotes from the previous night’s game. On this particular program, it showed a quote from Royals first baseman Vinny Pasquantino who said of Bubic, “It’s just ridiculous. He’s been a horse for us. He’s just so good at getting weak contact, mixing guys up.”

The Leadoff Spot is like a pregame show, actual game, postgame show, and press conference rolled into one production. This edition also featured an interview with former MLB superstar Andruw Jones. I like the way the producers shake up the hosting combinations as well. Earlier in the week, former MLB catcher Chris Gimenez and Scruggs took the controls. Scruggs raved about the MLB debut of Phillies pitcher Mick Abel. His description of the nerves and pressure that a young hurler battles in his first outing was telling.

Abel pitched extremely well in a 1–0 victory over Pittsburgh, going up against superstar Paul Skenes. He pitched six innings, gave up five hits and zero earned runs, and had nine strikeouts. The “Around the Bases” segment of The Leadoff Spot uses audio, video, commentary, and analysis to give a complete view of the games. Gimenez offered an interesting take on the Yankees and Mets so far this season. In discussing their game that the Yankees won 8–2, he implied that the Yankees may have already peaked offensively, while the Mets have yet to show their true firepower at the plate. Gimenez said he is waiting to see that Juan Soto shuffle for the Mets—an interesting viewpoint on one team versus another.

Scruggs continues to develop into one of the best and most entertaining baseball minds across multimedia platforms. His excitement and enthusiasm for the game are palpable. I really liked his analysis when talking about a recent Angels victory over the Dodgers. He said that to beat the Dodgers, you must have production up and down the lineup. Scruggs highlighted the work of Taylor Ward, Zach Neto, and Matthew Lugo, who all stepped up for the Halos.

Stepping Up To The Plate, Swinging For The Fence

Phillips, Scruggs, and Perez are the particulars on The Leadoff Spot, but it’s really cool how the program’s producers give each of these talents the chance to carry the show solo with varied guests. In this light, the line between host and analyst becomes blurry in a really positive way. Phillips, Scruggs, and Perez cannot be pigeonholed into any category. They are multi-talented on-air personalities.

I caught a previous episode of the show where Perez took the lead role, joined by ESPN, SiriusXM, and SNY personality Dani Wexelman. Perez, always excellent at getting into the minutiae of baseball, talked about the baffling puzzlement in pitching to Ohtani. He said that if you pitch him away, Ohtani will go out and get it, so you try to bang him inside instead—and he will hit that as well. Perez also talked about the depth of talent in the Dodgers’ lineup with players getting on base to give Ohtani RBI opportunities. Wexelman expertly countered with a take on Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and his ability to handle a roster of superstars, moving great players in and out of the lineup. She also talked about the Dodgers organization’s ability to develop catchers, pointing to the solid play of young backstop Dalton Rushing.

Whether it is a combination of Phillips, Perez, and Scruggs working together or a unique mingling of personalities and perspectives, this show has a roster stacked with versatility and verve. Don’t let the name fool you—The Leadoff Spot features a solid, heart-of-the-order trio of regulars with a lot of meat up and down the lineup.

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.

Lou Rawk, From KUBE to the Seattle Kraken

BMM Staff
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Lou Rawk, From KUBE to the Seattle Kraken

In Seattle’s music scene, collaboration and community serve as the heart pumping blood all over. Since 2006, Lou Rawk has placed his stamp on the Rain City as a DJ in the flesh and on the airways.

As a kid, he always had an instrument in his hand, so it was only a matter of time before he’d get around to the turntables. Of course, a rich palette of ‘90s hip-hop helped him hone his craft even better!

Today, Lou Rawk is the official DJ for the Seattle Kraken! Away from the ice, you can catch him spinning here and there at various gigs and parties. However, his radio days began at 104.9 KUBE—the premier hip-hop station in Seattle.

“When KUBE 104.9 was in its heyday, I got the call from DJ Supa Sam, because he was one of the judges for a battle I won when I was at U Dub (University of Washington) in college. KUBE was putting a mixtape together for a Saturday show, and that’s how I got my foot in the door.”

“I didn’t think I was making waves, but because the program director never called me, never sent me an email saying, ‘Hey, good job,’ or anything like that. But one day, I got a call from the program director, and his boss was on the phone too. I was thinking I had messed up, like, ‘did I accidentally play some curse words on the radio?’ But it turned out to be a good thing! They wanted me to be on the air live, mixing for the wake-up show!

“Supa Sam was on his way out and dropped my name as a potential replacement. So, they called me up to the live show, but I was going to Japan the next day! I got back from Japan on February 9th. They told me on February 10th to come in at 5am so I could meet everybody and they could show me the ropes.”

“I was on the ‘Wake Up Show’ when it was KUBE 93 again. I was with Strawberry, Lisette, and Jenna. They wanted somebody they could trust when it came to mixing live and could deliver results. Everybody else pre-records and sends in their mix. I’m glad I got to put in my time there and got to meet a lot of cool people. Strawberry and I are really cool now, and we still work together. He’s the in-game announcer for the Kraken.” 

Dylan Fleming: Why is KUBE special in Seattle?

Lou Rawk: KUBE 93 has always been the main hip-hop station in Seattle since 1982. Mix 92.5 played some hip-hop, but that’s more of a Top 40 open genre format. KUBE 93 has always really stayed true to hip-hop. I miss when they would let people call in and freestyle on Fridays. I was with KUBE for about 2-3 years, then the pandemic hit.

At that time, I was DJing full time, and so that wiped out my income stream. That’s when I started branching out. I had to get a regular day job because I was too proud to ask my mom to pay my rent during the pandemic.

I was working both ends of the clock. I’d work days, and then I worked nights for a funeral home chain. I would transport dead bodies. (Whoa, yeah, I know, pretty crazy icebreaker.) But then in the morning, right after my shift, I’d head to the station, do the mixes and then sleep during the day.

DF: Are there still opportunities in radio for independent artists, DJs, or people looking for jobs?

LR: With the uptick in streaming services, I feel like a radio station can push the envelope and go completely digital. Let go of the old school notion of music program directors [that could happen]. When I was DJing for the radio, I had all my indie artist homies asking me if I could play their track.

I would sneak their tracks in here and there, but I always got in trouble with the PD. I think if a radio station is really community-focused and doesn’t care about the marketing numbers or the ratings, it would do a lot better in today’s environment. Especially when you have all these creators with all these digital avenues, making YouTube videos and such. If a radio station approached it in the same way, they’d make some waves.

How did you become the official DJ for the Kraken?

LR: Another one of the judges from the battle I won in college was DJ Side, who’s the music director for the Kraken. Ever since he saw my battle, we became friends and would do gigs together.

Lou Rawk
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DF: What is your typical week like nowadays?

LR: On a heavy-stacked weekend, I have a club gig on Friday and a wedding all day on Saturday. If there’s a Kraken game in town, like a Sunday afternoon, or you switch the days. If I get a Saturday game at the Kraken, I work the pre-game, sometimes even the post-game at the same time. That would be a pretty, hectic week.

I still freestyle a lot now when I mix, just because I feed off the room’s energy that the people are giving me. I’ve still got these routines and sets in my back pocket, just in case. I don’t really know where the room is going, and I know that there’s some stuff I kind of revert back to the stuff I know works, just to get things rolling again.

Recently, you were on a YouTube series called Spin the Block Radio. Can you speak on that?

LR: Yeah, that’s my boy Dolo Beats show! We go way back; we were in a youth group together! It’s funny because a lot of the new school cats that he’s friends with asked him how he knew me. He told them we’re church brothers, straight up!

What’s funny is that I didn’t even ask him to be a guest on his YouTube series. I just saw his first episode when he was spinning in his car. His production value, the [camera] angles, everything was on point. I texted him just to tell him to keep doing what he was doing. He said it would be an honor to have me as his first guest.

DF: I love how Seattle’s KEXP would do in-studio live performances from bands. They were among the first radio stations to bring that to YouTube, along with NPR Tiny Desk concerts. I became aware of what they were doing without even listening to the station.

LR: I love KEXP for that too! And their team is super cool. I met a few of them in my radio days.

DF: If you could establish something on the radio, either in Seattle or anywhere, what would you do?

LR: I would throw back the mix shows and get my boys who are really keeping true school DJ stuff alive, and not just be dancing behind a controller. What would be fun, too, is that we used to have a podcast where we talked about DJ stories and experiences we’ve had at different venues, events, and even DJ weddings. There are tons of stories from DJing weddings alone.

DF: Do you believe a radio station still has to compete with YouTube, streaming, and podcasts?

LR: Yeah, for sure. I’m surprised at how many people recognize me from the radio. I didn’t even think people listened when I was on it. I believe the traditional radio infrastructure, where executives had to please labels or endorse payola, has largely stopped.

If the radio station was really focused on the music and not the money or the ratings, I think that would make a huge difference, right? The audience for radio is still out there; we just have to change the face of 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. 

Bay Area Sports Collective Adds Three Podcasts To Network

BSM Staff
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Bay Area Sports Collective Adds Three Podcasts To Network

Bay Area Sports Collective, headed by Tom Tolbert, Paul McCaffrey, and John Lund, three of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most accomplished sports broadcasters, have launched three new podcasts this week. The announcement introduces a lineup that includes three-time World Series champion Jeremy Affeldt, longtime TV personality Amy Gutierrez, sports media executive Celeste Gehring, and veteran radio host Rod Brooks.

The new podcast slate features Built For The Storm with Affeldt, Girl, How’d You Get That Gig? hosted by Gutierrez and Gehring, and Quality Hang with Rod Brooks & Friends. Produced and distributed by Bay Area Sports Collective, these titles reflect the network’s mission as “The Bay Area’s New Home for Sports.” Bay Area Sports Collective was co-founded in March by former Bay Area radio programmer Jeremiah Crowe.

“After launching Bay Area Sports Collective in early March, it became apparent there were other hosts who wanted to join our team,” Crowe said. “We are proud to expand our growing podcast network with additional hosts the local Bay Area sports fans know and trust. The future looks bright for the collective and our fans.”

The network officially kicked off its launch Wednesday with the premiere of Built For The Storm. The other two podcasts, Girl, How’d You Get That Gig? and Quality Hang with Rod Brooks & Friends, will debut on Friday. All shows will be livestreamed on YouTube and available on all major podcast platforms.

Affeldt’s Built For The Storm offers listeners his personal perspective on the San Francisco Giants and Major League Baseball, while also spotlighting inspirational underdog stories from across the sports and entertainment industries.

“After 14 years in the big leagues and three World Series rings, I figure it’s time to talk about the game,” said Affeldt. “I’m beyond excited to join Bay Area Sports Collective and bring my stories from the bullpen to the mic!”

Meanwhile, Girl, How’d You Get That Gig? pairs Gutierrez, affectionately known as “Amy G,” with Gehring to highlight success stories from women navigating careers across the sports landscape.

“There really couldn’t be a better home for our podcast than with Bay Area Sports Collective,” said Gehring. “My co-host Amy G and I feel we’ve created a supportive, inspiring and resourceful podcast highlighting the amazing work women are doing in sports, and we can’t wait to share it with the Bay Area fan base.”

Gutierrez added: “This has been a true passion project for Celeste and me. We’re proud and inspired to be the first female-hosted podcast with Bay Area Sports Collective. Not to mention, the opportunity to reconnect with and join the stellar lineup of existing hosts I’ve had the opportunity to work with throughout my career.”

Rounding out the trio of shows is Quality Hang with Rod Brooks & Friends. Hosted by Rod Brooks, former San Francisco sports talk personality and current analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area, the podcast delivers a laid-back yet insightful look at the intersection of sports and pop culture. The show will also feature celebrity guests from the comedy and music worlds discussing their favorite teams and sports moments.

“Some of the best times I had in radio were while working with Paul McCaffrey, Tony Rhein, Tom Tolbert and John Lund,” said Brooks. “I’m pumped to work with my friends again and wouldn’t do this with any other crew!”

Bay Area Sports Collective podcasts are available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Audioboom and other podcast services.

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.

Fox News Files Motion Accusing Smartmatic of Destroying Evidence in Defamation Lawsuit

BNM Staff
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Fox News filed a motion on Wednesday accusing almost two dozen Smartmatic executives and sales employees of destroying or intentionally concealing evidence related to the election machine company’s lawsuit against the cable network.

The news network alleges that Smartmatic CEO Antonio Mugica ordered the company’s president, Roger Pinate Jr., to delete messages that discussed issues about the company’s $2.7 billion lawsuit against Fox News. Pinate Jr. has subsequently been indicted for a scheme to pay $1 million in bribes to foreign governments to see their machines used in elections.

The network also argues that deleted messages by the election machine company “have left serious gaps in the record from individuals who were directly responsible for developing Smartmatic’s far-fetched damages story.” It alleges that the actions by company leaders were widespread, arguing that nearly two dozen employees deleted messages and data related to the case either “shortly before or while this case was pending.”

Lawyers for Fox News have requested sanctions against Smartmatic for the conduct.

“Smartmatic’s flagrant discovery misconduct cannot be tolerated,” the filing from Fox News attorneys alleges. “Fox seeks an order finding intentional spoliation by Smartmatic, and entering all relief that the Court deems appropriate, including but not limited to adverse inferences that the spoliated evidence undermined Smartmatic’s damages claims, striking Smartmatic’s lost-profits claims for opportunities arising after 2022, and limiting Smartmatic’s general damages claims to nominal damages.”

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.

Alliance for Women in Media Hosts 50th Gracie Awards

BMM Staff
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Alliance for Women in Media Hosts 50th Gracie Awards

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation hosted the 50th Annual Gracie Awards Gala last night (May 20) at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA.

Premiere Networks syndicated personalities and podcasters Angela Yee, the host of “Way Up with Angela Yee” and “Angela Yee’s Lip Service” podcast, along with Amy Brown, co-host of “The Bobby Bones Show” and host of “Women of iHeartCountry” and “Feeling Things with Amy & Kat” podcast were both honored.

Yee took home a Gracie Award for the second year in a row for “Way Up with Angela Yee” in the Host – Midday [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial] category.

Brown received recognition in the Weekend Host/Personality [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial] category for her work on Women of iHeartCountry. This marks her second achievement in this field, following a previous Gracie award for The Bobby Bones Show in 2012.

Presenters included Atsuko Okatsuka, Bethany Joy Lenz, Christina Hendricks, Jenna Dewan, Jillian Escoto Ong, Jimmy Kimmel, Jo Ling Kent, Joey King, Karen Pittman, Kyle Richards, Monica Lewinsky, Sean Valentine, and Teddi Mellencamp. Past winners in attendance included Norah O’Donnell, Lisa Ling, Yee, and Ed Begley Jr..

This year, a record-breaking 160 winners were named from all across the media landscape.

See that list of winners here.

Photo Courtesy iHeartMedia

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Stan Verrett to Depart ESPN at the End of Summer: Report

BSM Staff
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Stan Verrett to Depart ESPN at the End of Summer: Report

Stan Verrett, longtime anchor for SportsCenter on ESPN, will reportedly not be having his contract renewed by the network and will thus depart the entity later in the summer. Verrett, who joined ESPN in 2000 anchoring on ESPNEWS, had been hosting the Los Angeles-based edition of SportsCenter alongside Neil Everett for 14 years. Since Everett retired from the network in 2023, he had been hosting the late-night edition of the flagship program with Linda Cohn until signing off earlier in the week. Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports was the first to report this news.

“My life is in Los Angeles is now,” Verrett said in a social media post on X. “Nothing but gratitude for 25 years of living a dream at ESPN. I’m not retiring. Really excited about the future and some incredible opportunities. Stay tuned.”

Glasspiegel reported that there are plans for Verrett to anchor the show in the coming months, along with appearing at stops during the SportsCenter 50 States in 50 Days event that begins on June 27. Verrett recently hosted the final edition of SportsCenter from Los Angeles alongside Everett and Cohn ahead of its move to the Bristol headquarters.

“We’re grateful for Stan’s many contributions and all he has brought to SportsCenter over the years,” Dave Roberts, executive vice president and executive editor, sports news and entertainment at ESPN, said in a statement. “We thank him and wish him continued success.”

Before his time with ESPN, Verrett worked on the air at WDSU-TV, an NBC-affiliated station in New Orleans, La., and he is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C. Verrett also worked as a sports anchor and reporter at WVEC-TV, an ABC-affiliated station in Norfolk, Va., and he also hosted a morning radio show in the city, along with programs in Charleston, S.C. and Washington, D.C.

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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