Fighting the radio wars
We’re No. 3! We’re No. 3!
That’s my rally cry this morning, after radio cohort Rusty Olson and myself were ranked third in Oklahoma City’s crowded drive-time sports talk scene. Five afternoon drive-time shows air, so third is hugging the middle.
What’s most interesting is that another colleague, Mel Bracht, did the rankings. I’ve got no gripe with The Oklahoman media writer. We don’t pal around, but I get along fine with the dirty, no good dog. Just kidding. Just kidding. I didn’t even know the rankings were coming, or the story, which analyzed why the OKC market has four all-sports stations and two more from northern Oklahoma that drift into the north metro.
That’s wild when you think about it. Four all-sports radio stations in a market void, temporarily, of major-league franchises. If that doesn’t scream out the importance of sports in Oklahoma, I don’t know what does.
A couple of other interesting things from the radio front. Mel ranked the five multi-host shows, but the other four don’t really change. The only drive-time show that goes solo is mine, the Writer’s Block, from 5-7 p.m. My long and illustrious radio career spans five years; I’ve been in the newspaper gig almost 29 years. Looking at the list of contenders, the only people who have been doing radio less is another colleague, Jenni Carlson, and Jack Mildren, who was busy banking and running for governor and changing college football history as a quarterback before embarking in radio. Don’t you think that’s interesting? The guy with virtually the least experience, and virtually the least talent, goes solo. I attribute that to the power of The Oklahoman. The No. 1 news agency in Oklahoma packs a punch.
Mel also said that, just like in my newspaper columns, on the radio I like to make controversial statements and stir things up. I plead not guilty. I don’t necessarily like to do such things. And I didn’t know that I did. Heck, on the radio, what’s controversial about advocating the Florida Marlins moving to Brooklyn? What’s controversial about Tuesday Night Football in the NFL? What’s controversial about requesting Adrian Peterson pay for the car he drives off the lot? Isn’t everyone in agreement with those things?
Truthfully, Mel’s report today did me some good. It made me remember what it’s like to be written about. Which is not always good. I wasn’t crazy about being ranked No. 3. Just as I’ll bet Joey Halzle hasn’t been crazy about being ranked No. 3 by me. That’s good medicine to remember. I won’t stop ranking people and teams, but I’ll try to remember that Joey Halzle just might be reading what I write about him. Joey Halzle’s mother, too. That’s a good lesson for the day. Thanks, Mel.
Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel.
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Comments
Amazing amount of sports talk airing in OKC, I agree. I enjoy reading your columns and listening to you much more than the big 2 on the sports animal who strain my nerves so much I can barely drive sanely listening to their incredible egos. And what is worse, they are so predictable with the conversation which is on about the sixth grade level. “Don’t you agree with me”, that “thats the stupidist thing I ever heard!?” “That’s exactly right.” I’m VERY TIRED OF THE TOTAL CLICHE HOUR. Thanks for the breath of fresh air!
Not living in the metro anymore, I can’t receive your radio show but I still follow your columns all the time. I don’t consider you controversial, rather, thought provoking comes more to mind. I always wonder what you will have to say next.
The fun part is that I don’t always agree with your points but that makes it even more entertaining.
The point about number three’s feelings is well taken. We all need to remember that once in a while.
Berry, I disagree with you alot. But you are stand-up guy and the smartest of that bunch