LWSO Quick Hits

• BaD Radio will be back Tuesday and they will be addressing all the rumors about "Leaving The Ticket".  Bob Sturm has been active on twitter and I can definitely tell he feels great about his decision and what has happened.  I don't truly know what happened with this whole deal but I think Bob is so relieved to have a deal with Cumulus and The Ticket.  I bet its great to be offered that great deal by The Fan but money can't always buy happiness.  Can't wait to listen.
• Greggo just jumped on twitter and said he was going to talk all about the Richie Whitt situation. Should be interesting.  No he is not in rehab and thankfully not dead.  Keep in tune to that. 
• 105.3 The Fan really has to feel like the Mavericks right now not being able to sign these big names from The Ticket.  More money, better equipment and more excess.  The only problem, less control, less fun and less listeners.  This one has to really hurt.  Now the battle for #2 continues. 
• Richie Whitt was apparently on Fox 4 but I missed it, did he say anything worth a damn? Most likely not. 

BaD Radio Stays with The Ticket

Bob Sturm and Scott Ferrall

In the 11th hour (not really sure how close it was) Bob Sturm tweets out: We are staying home for years to come. In the end, just can't leave you or our brothers or the special thing we have all built. #1310.  Cumulus decided to match the offer after evaluating the current situation at the station.  Donovan and Rich were not going to be a successful replacement and Shake Joint isn't seasoned enough to be given the permanent spot. Cumulus obviously saw more pros than cons to lock up BaD Radio.

 Bob Sturm tweeted about an hour before the decision. It was very cryptic and almost very telling.  Its almost like Bob and Dan were performing their own "Mad Men" episode in real life.  Leaving little clues and people reading to much into nothing.  It was a wild ride and I think I lost some sleep about this.  Again I think I need help, I should care this much. 

I'm extremely relieved over this decision and I know it was a tough one.  We of course don't know all the ins and outs of this deal but it will be interesting to hear what happened.  If this went the other way, dominoes would have started to fall.  The Ticket for now is out of the woods for now but soon their will be another HARD decision to be made.  

The Summerbash Experience

Ferrell going absolutely nuts. Love him! 

This is very hard to write right now with the current situation at the Ticket but I would love to write about the experience I had at this year's Summerbash.  This is actually my second time to go to Summerbash, last year I went, a complete blast.  I met some of my sports heroes and it was generally a great time.

After work schedules and baby sitters, I arrived at Sneaky Pete's at around 5.  I had a buddy of mine save us a spot near the pool, perfect spot to just put your legs in the pool and watch the action.   Hardline segments were solid but I know what this is all about.  Round tables and on my way to Lewisville I heard the "Ferrell" segment, it was gold!  Ferrell shows up to do 2 segments with the guys. OH MY GOD!! Ferrell is now in
my trust tree,  he is pure entertainment.  Cocky? You gotta when you've been in the business as long as he has.  He was absolutely the highlight of the evening.  If you listened on the radio you didn't know that when he was going nuts and screaming on the radio, he was jumping up and trying to get the crowd into it.  At the end I was entertained and that's all that matters. 

Now after these round tables my memory is getting fuzzy.  It was my buddy's birthday celebration so we had ordered enough buckets to put out a house fire.  I got it together and I think they did start playing music.  I'm not gonna go over the set list but my favorites, Bob Sturm creep parody for the Mavs championship, Mike Rhyner's Alice in Chains and TC and Jake's Sabatoge parody.  The Ticket Timewasters at Summerbash ends almost the same every time with "Keep on Rockin with The Hardline" and "Sweet Hardline".  One note which was a little different, there was some significant language from some people I have never heard curse.  Junior Miller and Donovan Lewis, Donnie Do during the Summerbash song and I think a couple times before.  Junes then curse basically for no reason at all,  "How are you doing tonight Mother Fuckers", it was jarring but also very cool.  It was like going your whole life not hearing your parents curse and then out of nowhere hearing them say, "Cocksucker". 

 I then went over before the set ended to go over to the left side of the stage and see if I could say hello to some of my favorite radio host.  Last year we tried the same thing and I swear some of the host are illusionist.  I blinked and they were gone.  This year I was pretty lucky.  First one I ran into is I guess my Summerbash friend Jake Kemp, its always a pleasure with that guy.  I walked up to him and he saw me and said, "Calhoun!". I had numerous conversations with him, most I can't write in this.

I then ran into my hero, baseball Jesus, Mike Rhyner.  Last year I met him and he was pretty short, he wasn't mean, just short.  Which is fine, I would be beaten meeting a bunch of dumb listeners.  Well this year was surprisingly much better. I went up to Mike and introduced myself, he smiled and said hello. I asked him some asshole question about Greggo.  No reason to reveal that answer.  He took a picture with me and my buddy and he said he was "not going anywhere" when I asked him to not go to The Fan (little did I know the events that would come later).  I also had another interaction with Mike when talking "Darkwing Duck" and he was so very happy.  We also took in the "twerking" contest together. My fandom of this man then grew so much.  I will for some reason in my dumb never forget that night for that reason alone.

I then ran into my favorite black friend, Donovan Lewis, he is always very gracious. I always tell them my name and most say, "okay" and a few might say, "oh yeah from Twitter".  Donnie Do did say he does and we met last year but I wouldn't be surprised if forgot all about it nor would I blame him. Met Gordon Keith briefly, very nice.  Ran into the great Mike Sirois, probably one of the best conversations I had all night.   Of course so little shoopy, Michael Gruber, very nice but also a little shy.  Another great interaction was with Ticker guy Sean Bass, I of course harassed him about RBIs.  He took it well and then I told him to relax, "we are all black friends".  So to summarize my interactions with Ticket guys, nobody was a jerk, so great success.  

Summerbash for my wife and I and my buddy and his significant other, has become a annual tradition and I hope it continues.  Its my one my few nights I can really cut loose and hang out with some of sports heroes.  Who knows, that night could of be historically significant if rumors develop. 

I guess I can briefly discuss this Bob and Dan situation, really not a lot of difference about that night, nobody was even talking about it.  Dan was little quiet last night, he almost seemed a little weird now that I think about. Bob was just as jolly as he ever was.   At one point at the night Dan and TC sat at a picnic table and talked for a significant time. I remember that only because I walked by and they were sitting there and I went by it seemed a good half an hour to an hour later and they were still there. Regardless of what happens, I really enjoy those guys on the radio.  Will follow them to The Fan? I would like to but Bob always tells me to follow the team and not the players, does this include radio shows?

 I guess if anything, I fear for the end of the line up of 1310 The Ticket.  Hardline is rumored to be done after the end of Mike Rhyner's contract (which ends 2014).  There was talks of BaD Radio taking over that spot but now who knows.  Things could all look very different for sports radio in the next 6 months to a year.  I will say I'm visibly shaken by the news and I don't know what to do really.  I guess at the end of the day, BaD Radio will be on the air in the DFW area (well maybe after 6 months if its true). 

Left to Right (Me, Mike Rhyner, Jacob Sailors

BaD Radio join 105.3 The Fan??

Last time we see BaD Radio broadcasting on 1310 The Ticket?

Just yesterday I was at Sneaky Pete's in Lewisville watching my sports radio heroes performing and shaking hands with dumb listeners like myself.  Today the rumor goes up that Bob Sturm and Dan McDowell are on their way to the rival station 105.3 The Fan.  Richie Whitt former awful radio host reported that BaD radio had came to terms with The Fan and that Cumulus would have till Monday to match the offer.

My thoughts?  I really believe this is a leveraging move by BaD radio to get the best possible deal from Cumulus.  BaD Radio won't leave their situation to deal with the management and instability of CBS radio. Could it happen? Absolutely! Bigger budget and better signal.  I'm sure that is a factor no doubt. This isn't the first time this has happened, Mike Rhyner was tempted with the offer to take The Hardline to The Fan. At the last minute Cumulus came through and kept the HL.  This situation is similar but not exactly the same.  The other rumors are that Cumulus is cutting across the board.  I  heard about it a while ago that the lineup at The Ticket could change very soon. I brushed it off and said, "Whatevs man! BaD Radio forever!".  I could be severely heart broken but at the end of the day, BaD radio won't be dead, just on a different channel.  It won't be the same but I respect the brain of Bob Sturm too much to just turn my back on him.  My respect for Skin is the reason I check in on B&S on The Fan. The Fan will then change their line up even more drastically in the last 6 months than The Ticket.  Interesting to see what happens.

Replacements have been talked about.  I've heard Black and Quack (Donovan Lewis and Rich Phillips) taking over temporarily until they find a full time replacement.  I think some other viable replacements might include Cirque Du Sirois who have filled in at times. I've heard people suggest The Shake Joint (Sean Bass and Jake Kemp) but for some reason I don't see Cat giving them the job. I would love to hear them but there is just not a long track record as a show. We shall see. Everyone relax (I'm only saying this to calm myself down.) at the end of the day we will still have BaD Radio and they will still be the same guys.  Better signal, I'm down.  Will they be able to handle The Fan's management?  STAY TUNED.......

UPDATE: Not really an update but I did forget to say that Bob and Dan have the same agent as Ben and Skin....so there's that.  I don't think that really matters. 

Richie v. Greggo: Hit the Road RaGE

Wow is that title stupid, but guess what? I don't do this for a living.  I have an honest job, I come home to my family and I'm basically as normal as you can get.  I'm also as spare as I can be. I'm an awful writer, not formally educated and my grammar are awful (see what I did there?). A lot of that is because I'm completely ADHD or whatever is to be completely scatter brained, I basically just write what is on my mind.  This isn't about me at all but I just wanted to start that off to tell everyone that when Richie started his "Sportatorium" blog, I was completely intrigued.  I love seeing the behind the scenes of radio stations (yes, I know I'm weird).  Starting Monday he has posted a new entry about his saga with the "Evil Greggo" and more and more I read I realized one thing.  Richie Whitt is an awful human being and a big dumb ass.  Richie ended his blog with "In the beginning, I got Greggo hired. And in the end, Greggo got me fired."  If you come away from that feeling sorry for Richie, you are a bigger dumb ass than Richie.  He wanted to "clear his name" and all he did was make himself look like a POS.  

Now just like Richie, I have evidence that he is an awful person.  He logged into Greggo's twitter and took those DMs screen shots. Wow, how big of asshole do you have to be to do that?? I'm not taking any blame away from Greggo, that definitely incriminates him but good god you are a really bad friend.  For those of you who forget in his wonderful blog in 2008 about the Hardline completely turning his back on Greggo and not supporting him. Over a long period of time the Hardline after many attempts of trying to help Greggo threw there hands up and decided he was lost cause.  Mike Rhyner wasn't going to have Greggo ruin all that they had built for the last 15 years and decided it was best that he go.  Richie made Mike Rhyner out to be the bad guy and now Richie faced with the same situation, DID THE SAME FUCKING THING!  Richie did worse, he then ran his partner in the dirt and now Greggo might be done with his efforts of trying to make a living.  Richie wants to clear his name and completely run his partners name over and over.  Greggo is already completely done in this town, we all don't trust him, we don't believe him. Why do this??  

Richie also says in the end that he didn't write this to dog CBS and that he just wants everyone to see the truth.  I will make this prediction right now, Richie will never have a major radio gig ever again, no way in hell.  Richie would be lucky to find a writing job.  Do you really believe some company would hire him knowing that he wrote a tell all blog because he got fired?  He is completely oblivious to how things work in the world.  Richie will tell you that he will have radio offers and that it wasn't the right fit, bullshit.  In another shocking note, he actually posted him texting an "advertiser" and the "advertiser" telling Richie that CBS wants to have him back.  He then tells the "advertiser", no friggin way they I'm going back, they are lying.  WOW!  I can't believe radio stations aren't just knocking his door down to sign him! Greggo wrote his tell all blog because he knew he was completely done with DFW sports radio.  Greggo was already dead, Richie basically hung himself.  Richie also believe that CBS fired the group so they wouldn't be sued by Greggo, didn't you just say he had numerous fireable offenses? Why would he sue??  I'm confused.  

I'm so glad Richie wrote this blog, no doubt.  I really thought I might come away respecting him, I walked away actually have less respect for the guy.   What did I get from this blog?  Greggo is still Greggo and he won't change.  Richie is a self absorbed ass hole who is only worried about himself. Which isn't a bad thing but when you write about someone else turning their back on someone and in turn do the same damn thing, you're a fucking joke.  Richie knew what he was getting into bringing in Greggo.  He thought Greggo had changed and I think for a little bit he had but there is always a chance for a relapse.  To sit there and act friggin shocked, then crush your partner and say "look at all the good shit I did!", pathetic. Richie might have a different opinion and there is no doubt he does.  I'm just done with that dude. I've had some many run ins with him, he has always talked to me like I'm an idiot.  Well now we know who the real dumb ass is.  I really tried to keep a objective opinion about this whole situation and for the most part I have.  

Hear is what most likely happened.  Management wasn't going to fire Greggo without a solid replacement.  They weren't going to fire Greggo and leave it to the "Rich and Fish Show", they had an idea they would see a significant ratings drop.  I know I've heard both sides that Ben and Skin had no agreement with The Fan, I think the Fan put all their eggs in their basket.  When they finally had the idea they could possibly get them,  RaGE was done.  Greggo absolutely to blame, but Richie wasn't going to be given the reigns.   Richie tries to sheepishly take some blame and then rattled off all the "great things" he had done.   After all this, I'm unfollowing the under whelming account of Richie Whitt and I won't step foot into the "Sportatorium".  What a friggin joke he is. Richie was the one who got Greggo hired and he was the one who got fired with Greggo.  

Richie v. Greggo: How it Ended

So now how it all ended is presented to us with Richie's latest post.  I will move on from my opinion that Richie needs to take some responsibility for the end of RaGE but that is running tired.  He is pissed off and he wants to tell you it was Greggo's fault and CBS management are a bunch of liars.  I know it's really shocking to the public that radio management would operate like this, but I've listened to different radio and they are always doing stupid shit like this.  They are always trying to be the smartest guys in the room and wanting to micro manage everything the talent does.  The last few have been about how wheels off Greggo was and now this was pulling the curtain back on the management at The Fan.

You can tell just listening to The Fan realize how controlling they are of most content on that station. They are suppose to talk a certain amount of sports and are giving a couple of segments to talk about off topics (I say that now but B&S apparently are currently going off sports quite a bit on the station).  The station is also very strict with being on time, sometimes they seem to have unfinished thoughts but they are up against the clock.   I like sometimes while listening to the Ticket, they might have to go over time a little and play a few commercials. My only guess for that reasoning is a consultant that says don't run a bunch of commercials because then you will lose your listeners.  Sometimes you have to hope your listeners love the show so much that they can't wait for the next segment regardless of the time of the commercial.  Sorry to go off on what I believe is good radio.

Anyways, Richie talks about how Gavin Spittle who was the man who had originally hired him.  Gavin Spittle came off has control freak who didn't really know what he was doing. Seems like he has always been in management and hasn't even spoke into microphone.  He demanded the show to have a post show meeting with him but when they got his office, he was no where to be found. I think his response when Richie asked him why he wasn't there, "what I'm not allowed to have a personal life".  Sounds like a teenager who doesn't wanna work all the time and just wants to hangout with his friends.  Spittle was a pretend tough guy and when he actually fired them he was seems so sheepishly.

Regardless the claim in this post was Richie begged his bosses to fire Greggo and nobody would and then when they actually did,  they canned his ass as well. I'm sure I would feel a little slighted but again I don't put it all on Greggo. Greggo should of never been trusted, he is a great guy when sober but when he is under the influence, he is a son of a bitch.  Again, I see Richie's point but I can't feel too sorry him.  I hope Richie puts a lot of this on management.  Greggo wasn't never going to make it with that format and that management. He is spoiled Ticket royalty.

I didn't listen to the RaGE and I especially didn't that last day they were at the Racetrack, but that was really good stuff. Basically Greggo went super "Ticket Guy" on that day, was asking chicks about their cans and other stuff he use to do when at the Ticket. Truthfully things he use to do that made The Hardline #1.  Greggo was pure greatness at The Ticket because he pushed the envelope and he was always very truthful with his HSOs.  Greggo could not do that at the Fan.  I bet he felt like he was a caged animal. The Fan is the cookie cutter sports station that gets the listeners involved and is all sports all the time, he just doesn't operate like that. Richie was perfect for this station. I know he listened to The Ticket since day one and enjoyed the early days but I don't think he cares for what it has become. It was never a match made in heaven.

So I think Richie got a rude awakening about radio. He was use to so much support from his bosses, in radio, not so much. It seems to be a constant tug of war between management and talent (unless of of course you are #1, then I'm sure they bother you less).  Richie is a man with quite the ego and I don't think he will to realize in the words of Greggo that "he isn't that great". Richie believed that if he stayed the course, he would be ok.  Boy was he wrong.

This is why I really hate 105.3 The Fan, and I have some "twitter relationships" with some on air talent but I cannot stand the way they do business.  The Fan and other stations are run by complete bafoons.  I swear to god, what bunch of morons.  I'm the biggest fan of good radio regardless of who it is.  The Ticket is obviously number 1 in my heart and I love the way they do things. I do enjoy some of The Fan's talent and some of the topics but my reason I hate them is because they broadcast like I'm an idiot.  I don't need generic sports opinions (listen to CBS "sports minute" real shallow HSOs).  In a way I also believe there is an art to broadcasting good radio and when you have a large hand telling you what to do, it effects the product.  At the end of the day its broadcasting and it has to be entertaining, it has to be real.  I love sport and I love sport radio.

Richie v. Greggo: High Road to be Fired.

People might be wondering, why are you so obsessed with 105.3 The Fan? I'm obsessed with sports radio and I'm also very interested in the business.  I love when the curtain is pulled back and we can see what is really going on.  Richie Whitt in his 3rd post definitely did that.  This was focused around his dealings behind the scene with his unruly partner.

First of all my overall opinion of the post is very positive.  It was of course well written and very compelling.  Wow was is! Richie in this post talks about how hard he lobbied to basically get Greggo fired and save his job on the Fan.  He was a company man, he loved CBS and loved the Fan.  After more and more run ins, he called on Program Director Bruce Gilber to move Greggo out. Sipping on Modelos together in Mexico they had an agreement that Greggo was done and they would move Fisher in the spot (I'll get to Fish later).  Well the problem was that Gilbert had taken the money from Clear Channel and said, sorry Richie, Greggo is your problem.

Richie Whitt then moves on to the execs to try and get Greggo fired.  He was of course told to have no worries that they would take care of Greggo.  Well we can all see how that went. Some would feel bad for Whitt and say, he would still have a job if it wasn't for Greggo. The problem is that Richie was the son of a bitch who got Greggo the job! He knew Greggo was wheels off. He knew from writing the first Hard Lie that Greggo when impaired would lie. Greggo is a compulsive liar, especially when he is on drugs.  Whitt is not completely innocent. He talks all about his hard work he put in the show and I have no doubt about that, but he jumped on the ship with a drunk captain.  Whitt also doesn't realize that maybe his show wasn't that popular. Yes he had fans, of course he did. But ratings is what matters to those guys and as soon as those guys see nothing improving or getting worse, it's over. Whitt wants to blame this entirely on Greggo and he takes some of the it but he shouldn't take it all. Like I said, he is a great writer but he was not a exceptional talk show host (In my opinion but also the opinion of many).

Whitt wasn't particularly very entertaining or advanced in his sports opinions.  Yeah I guess he had a big sports brain but bringing an original thought wasn't there.  He was Dallas Cowboys homer and he talks in a previous blog that Greggo had drilled Garrett in an interview and they had apparently gotten in trouble. Who cares?? Greggo is old school and was around when the Ticket had the Cowboys and they never kissed the Cowboy's ass.  It's a partnership but its not an avenue to tell the Cowboys how good of a job they are doing.  Again that is just my opinion. What I'm trying to get at is, maybe Richie wasn't that good and they believed they could do better.  And they didn't believe "Rich & Fish" would be a significant upgrade.  So blame Greggo if you want but I would never listen to 5 hours of that.

One part on there I wanted to bring up was an event that both Richie and Greggo brought up in their respective post. It was when new PD Gavin Spittle called out Greggo on his segment about list and basically making their show more "sports friendly". Even Richie knew that was stupid. It's the equivalent to radio stations wanting to play more music instead of talk.  If you have a sports station, TALK SPORTS!!  That just doesn't work in this area, sports stations haven't been able to compete when they do that. You have to know this area.  People in the DFW area like sports talk, personal stories, off sports topics and local new stories ( so many more topics out there but those are some of the big ones that make The Ticket popular).  Richie Whitt should of had a problem with that as well and I'm sure the show took a hit from that directional move.  Which is strange because Ben & Skin who hold RaGE's current spot have many off topics on their show.

Another observation was that Richie put an email of some show prep between the two and it involved  Greggo wanting to do a more entertaining show (which they were told to stay on sports).  Richie response was to just be good soldiers and not get fired.  Well they were good soldiers and they still got shit canned so what was right thing to do? I would have to side on Greggo on this argument. If you are gonna get fired, eff it, do it your way. Don't get fired because your shows ratings suck doing a show you don't wanna do. I think Richie was a fool for that.  I think the moral of this story is, Richie and Greggo were such a bad match up.  Greggo was old school and he never followed the rules. Richie was a company guy who's only goal was to save his own ass.  Again, Richie chose this path and he had to deal with it.

I heard briefly The Fan's morning show response to Richie's blog, RJ and Shan were both pretty receptive but nothing real shocking.  Troy Hughes (I guess he is the newly third man/yuk monkey) have an interesting criticism for the blog.  He thought the personal text, emails and Direct Messages were wrong.  I myself probably wouldn't do it because in some of those messages, he makes other people look bad.  I also kind of wonder how Corby Davidson feels about his DMs being put in this blog.  Richie is the guy who has to live with doing that. I don't think it was wrong but I do believe it makes you look like a dick.

Last show for Richie and Greggo

I'm interested in what will come next with this crazy saga, but I'll be reading.  Richie might be reminding everyone that he is still great writer.  Intentional or unintentional, he might confirming how much of an asshole he really is.  I don't think this post put him in the greatest of light.  I'm not sure what I would of done but I know I also wouldn't of started a show with The Hammer.

Richie v. Greggo: The Real RaGE

So I just finished Richie Whitt's blog about his former partner Greg "The Hammer" Williams.  Here is the link, it was called the The Hard Lie 2: Sh*t hits the Fan.  I will say this first and foremost, Richie and I haven't been the best of friends.  I didn't really enjoy him on air for the most part. He wasn't particularly entertaining or insightful about anything.  I just believe we had difference of opinion on what works in DFW.  The ratings showed it.  Richie was a super Cowboy homer and he didn't really enjoy baseball like I do so that is usually a big turn off for me.  And beyond that I really didn't care for his overzealous reporting (ex. reporting Dez Bryant was going on the IR).  We had a great twitter fight over that one.  But I will say, some of his best work included the original "Hard Lie" when Greggo was fired from the Ticket.  He is a very good writer and he knows how to do it, just compare my work to his.

Its been over 2 months since RaGE was given their walking papers and from day one Greggo has voiced his displeasure with The Fan management.  Basically going scorched Earth on The Fan, while having nothing but good words for his former partner Richie.  Whitt for the most part was pretty quiet.  Thanking fans and commenting on sports just like nothing had changed.  He has had a countdown for his re-opening I guess of his blog "Sportatorium" and out of no where his first posts are about his former partner. I really had no idea how he felt about the situation. Would he trash the Fan as well?  He decides to take aim at his former partner Greggo.  Greggo was basically off his rocker for the good part of the end.  Greggo had crazy ideas and was just not focused at all.   Whitt doesn't go out and say Greggo was on drugs but he doesn't believe he was of sound mind.

Whitt during this blog has many forms of evidence. Text messages, emails and those infamous Direct Messages (still unsure how he got those.). The Greggo lie of trying to get out of work was just strange.  Why did he wanna get out of work??? Was he completely fed up with The Fan? I think with him being clinically depressed he just always expected the worst.  He just wanted to get away. Was he being a dick, nope just a quitter. Whitt also makes some good points about the fact that Greggo might be always looking for attention.  He had in the past tried to talk Greggo of ledge and he wasn't sure that even happened.  I think that might be half true. Greggo has very dark demons inside and has severe issues.  He is also no doubt a compulsive liar.  He has a track record for that.  He would look Mike Rhyner in his eyes and vehemently deny using drugs (we all know what the case was).

Give it a good read and apparently we still have more to come from Whitt. Can't wait. I tweeted this earlier and I stand by this, Richie is a much better writer than radio host. I think Whitt will find a job either writing or maybe doing radio. He will be fine. Greggo is some one you should worry about. I don't respect him anymore or trust in what he says but I have to worry about what will happen to unemployed Greggo.