WEBVTT 1 00:00:03.439 --> 00:00:07.559 It's time for Coffee and Company, fueled by Thornton's on 2 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:09.359 Sports Talk seven ninety. 3 00:00:09.599 --> 00:00:11.640 Holy crap, I don't know who the hell we think 4 00:00:11.679 --> 00:00:13.919 we are. Get off our show. 5 00:00:14.400 --> 00:00:14.960 Idiots. 6 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:17.760 The kids are playing or tail life. Countries are screwing 7 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:18.039 it up. 8 00:00:18.199 --> 00:00:22.000 Gold Play Inner Murals, Brother, gold Play Inner Murals. They're 9 00:00:22.039 --> 00:00:24.480 supposed to be mature adults, but they're really not. 10 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:26.239 Who's the kid here? 11 00:00:27.239 --> 00:00:29.000 Who's the kid here? Are you kidding me? 12 00:00:29.679 --> 00:00:30.000 Now? 13 00:00:30.039 --> 00:00:33.799 Here's Nick Coffee. 14 00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:37.039 All right, let's get it started. We made it. It 15 00:00:37.159 --> 00:00:40.880 is Friday, Happy Friday, everybody. When I say we made it, 16 00:00:40.920 --> 00:00:41.960 I mean we made it to the end of the 17 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:45.399 week and uh, Friday, best day of the week. I 18 00:00:45.439 --> 00:00:47.079 can't tell you how many times I've probably said that 19 00:00:47.119 --> 00:00:49.880 over the years, and it's still true here on Friday, 20 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:53.159 May the sixteenth, So welcome in. It is Coffee and Company, 21 00:00:53.159 --> 00:00:56.439 fueled by Thornton's on Sports Talk seven ninety. Take us 22 00:00:56.479 --> 00:00:58.200 with you wherever you go. You can listen live on 23 00:00:58.280 --> 00:01:02.119 the iHeartRadio app. Also listen live at seven ninety Louisville 24 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:06.079 dot com. Nick Coffee, that's me. Austin's out today. As 25 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:10.640 we discussed yesterday, he's out working. I think he's at 26 00:01:10.680 --> 00:01:13.200 a bar with Dwight, like that's work. I mean, I 27 00:01:13.239 --> 00:01:16.400 know a lot of times what we do here talking sports, 28 00:01:16.439 --> 00:01:19.359 having fun, a lot of nonsense. Really, I mean some 29 00:01:19.400 --> 00:01:21.359 people probably laugh that we call it work, but I 30 00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:26.200 mean he's with Dwight Whitten at a happy hour or 31 00:01:26.200 --> 00:01:28.400 something like that. It's an appearance for the Tony and 32 00:01:28.439 --> 00:01:30.439 Dwight Show. So yes, if you can't tell, I'm a 33 00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:33.000 little jealous because you know who didn't like a happy 34 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:36.400 hour on a Friday at three o'clock. But again, they're working, 35 00:01:36.959 --> 00:01:40.560 so without Austin, we'll miss him, but we've got we've 36 00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:42.879 got the show in good hands, mister radio, Rick Ryder 37 00:01:43.159 --> 00:01:46.879 alongside and Vick happy to always be with you, Rick, 38 00:01:47.920 --> 00:01:50.400 always a pleasure, and we'll have some fun today and 39 00:01:50.400 --> 00:01:52.439 I hope you guys will stick with us. I will 40 00:01:52.879 --> 00:01:56.400 start by saying that I've got some nerves right now 41 00:01:56.480 --> 00:01:59.640 that I really haven't felt in a while. 42 00:02:00.239 --> 00:02:01.159 And I don't really know why. 43 00:02:01.239 --> 00:02:03.280 I mean, I know why because I'm about to share 44 00:02:03.319 --> 00:02:07.120 some news that some of you may already know, and 45 00:02:08.800 --> 00:02:10.960 I guess I'll just get to it. And the nerves, 46 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:12.599 by the way, are just because you know, I don't 47 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:17.199 really know what I don't really know what kind of 48 00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:20.639 emotion may come with this, but you know, I guess 49 00:02:20.680 --> 00:02:23.400 there's only one way to find out. So this morning, 50 00:02:23.800 --> 00:02:27.400 I was on news radio eight forty whas set about 51 00:02:27.919 --> 00:02:31.240 eight thirty five, and I joined Tony Cruz, and he 52 00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:34.439 made the announcement that with his retirement coming up, he 53 00:02:34.520 --> 00:02:37.840 will be retiring on I mean, the end of May 54 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:41.599 is whenever he's going to be done with a legendary 55 00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:45.000 career here at news radio eight forty whas. But he 56 00:02:45.039 --> 00:02:48.759 announced that I will be taking over as the host 57 00:02:48.840 --> 00:02:51.199 of Kentucky and his morning news on news Radio eight 58 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:56.199 forty whas. So this has been something that has kind 59 00:02:56.199 --> 00:02:57.680 of been I don't even know if it would be 60 00:02:57.719 --> 00:03:00.560 accurate to say that it's been in the works, because 61 00:03:01.400 --> 00:03:05.280 you know, there's a long process. It's not you know, 62 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:09.240 it's a lengthy process. I should say. It's one of 63 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:11.800 those things that obviously, you know, there's a lot that 64 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:14.039 goes into it from people who I'll never meet that 65 00:03:14.120 --> 00:03:16.520 make these kind of decisions because they're very much higher 66 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:20.159 up in the corporate structure at iHeartMedia. 67 00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:22.360 But I'm really excited. 68 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:26.639 I I mean, I can't really put into words how 69 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:29.800 grateful I am for the opportunity. I'm well aware of 70 00:03:30.520 --> 00:03:34.039 what the opportunity is, meaning, what that job is, what 71 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:36.599 the show is. I mean, it's Kentucky and this morning 72 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:40.360 news on news Radio eight forty Whas I've learned over 73 00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:45.759 the years just how impactful eight forty WHS is in 74 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:48.560 not only in this market, in this region, but just 75 00:03:48.680 --> 00:03:52.479 in radio, the history of the tradition, the legendary and 76 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:56.840 talented broadcasters that have worked on that station, and many 77 00:03:56.840 --> 00:04:00.199 of them are still there right so I'm honored. It 78 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:03.919 still kind of doesn't seem real, and you know, it's 79 00:04:03.960 --> 00:04:06.879 one of those moments in my career. I used to 80 00:04:06.919 --> 00:04:11.960 feel really uncomfortable saying the word career when talking about this, 81 00:04:12.120 --> 00:04:14.719 because you know, you never really know how long you're 82 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:16.480 going to be able to do this. Nobody ever does, 83 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:19.319 and for me, it was always something that for a 84 00:04:19.399 --> 00:04:22.399 long time I just dreamed of being able to do. 85 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:26.560 And here I am. I think I can say career now, 86 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:31.800 successful career, average career, terrible career. I guess that's you know, 87 00:04:31.839 --> 00:04:33.240 you guys can come up with your own way to 88 00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:35.000 describe it. But this is what I do, and I'm 89 00:04:35.079 --> 00:04:38.199 very very, very fortunate. I always try to remind myself 90 00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:42.240 every day with this opportunity at seven ninety the platform 91 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:45.680 I have that, man, this is a dream. Live in 92 00:04:45.720 --> 00:04:49.439 the moment, enjoy it, never take it for granted, because 93 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:53.439 you just never know. So I'm a little The emotions 94 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:56.680 for me are more so just realizing that, like the station, 95 00:04:56.879 --> 00:05:00.480 that I learned what sports radio is far as the 96 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:03.680 format and the culture and the history of not just 97 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:06.839 this station, but just sports radio in general. I mean, 98 00:05:07.480 --> 00:05:11.240 I'm I'm I'm a lifer meeting in radio, I suppose, 99 00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:15.680 but nonetheless, like you know, I whenever I was talking 100 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:19.040 through this whole thing with the folks that thankfully decided 101 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:21.839 to give me the opportunity, you know, it just kind 102 00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:23.360 of hit me that I've been I've been at this 103 00:05:23.399 --> 00:05:26.959 station for almost ten years. I've had three different day parts. 104 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:28.839 I started out in mid days from noon to three 105 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:31.240 for a few years, did the morning stint for a 106 00:05:31.279 --> 00:05:34.560 few years from seven to ten am, and now I've 107 00:05:34.560 --> 00:05:37.399 been here in the afternoons for I believe around a 108 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:40.439 couple of years. So just to be able to say 109 00:05:40.480 --> 00:05:42.240 that I've that I've been able to do that is 110 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:44.839 still something that I you know, not to be so repetitive, 111 00:05:44.839 --> 00:05:48.079 but it doesn't seem like reality because it's it's it's 112 00:05:48.120 --> 00:05:51.319 a dream for me. So the only scenario where I 113 00:05:51.319 --> 00:05:54.839 would ever walk away from from this would be for 114 00:05:55.199 --> 00:05:57.920 the opportunity that I've that I've been given. I'd be 115 00:05:58.839 --> 00:06:01.920 foolish not to take advantage of it, and I'd also 116 00:06:01.959 --> 00:06:04.079 be foolish not to give it everything. I have to 117 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:08.120 make sure that, you know, it doesn't fall apart. It'll 118 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:11.480 be a challenge for me. It'll be certainly different than 119 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:16.879 what this is, but I'm so energized and motivated to 120 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:18.959 make it work. I mean, this is one of the 121 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:21.439 this is I have no choice but to make it work, 122 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:23.160 and I'm confident that it'll be that. 123 00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:25.720 It'll be a you know, a great show. 124 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:27.639 It already is, and I'm going to try to keep that, 125 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:31.720 keep that going and add my own flavor along the way. 126 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:35.600 So I am fortunate to be working with a great 127 00:06:35.720 --> 00:06:38.560 crew that I've really never had before. You know, I'm 128 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:41.600 very grateful for everyone who has in some way been 129 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:45.720 a part of my shows here over the years, from 130 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:50.480 Matt Allen to John Alden to Austin Montgomery to those 131 00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:53.519 who have have filled in many times, like Rick Ryder. 132 00:06:54.040 --> 00:06:55.800 I mean the list goes on and on. There have 133 00:06:55.839 --> 00:06:58.199 been so many people that even you know, it's it's 134 00:06:58.199 --> 00:07:01.879 been great. But as far as a daily thing, I've 135 00:07:01.959 --> 00:07:04.759 really kind of been a one man band when it 136 00:07:04.839 --> 00:07:08.560 comes to just you know, hey, here's three hours, figure 137 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:11.120 it out, like make it work. And you know, at 138 00:07:11.160 --> 00:07:13.439 times that's been challenging. But now I'm going to be 139 00:07:13.519 --> 00:07:17.360 joining a crew that that has a very all Everyone 140 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:20.439 has a very important role in the Kentucky and the 141 00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:24.480 morning news format from five am to nine am. I mean, 142 00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:27.959 it's it's it's teamwork. So I can't wait to work 143 00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:31.639 alongside Scott Fitzgerald, who is has been I mean he 144 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:35.160 himself is a staple within eight forty whas for many, 145 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:37.839 many many years, a guy who works his tail off 146 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:41.399 and you know, is really passionate about about what he 147 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:44.759 does and it comes across in him as a broadcaster. 148 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:47.319 So he'll be joining me as the sports anchor, but 149 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:49.120 also he'll be a part of the show more so 150 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:51.759 than just that to an extent, and I can't wait 151 00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:53.800 for that. I'm going to be reunited with the company 152 00:07:53.839 --> 00:07:56.000 man John Alden, which I'm going to try to speak 153 00:07:56.040 --> 00:07:58.720 that nickname back into existence. They stole him from me. 154 00:07:59.319 --> 00:08:01.079 He made the jump to the big leagues before I 155 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:02.839 was given the opportunity, but hey, I get it. They 156 00:08:02.839 --> 00:08:05.839 could see some real talent with John, but he's the 157 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:09.360 producer of that show now. And then also John Shannon, 158 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:13.560 who gives news updates throughout he's the news anchor. So again, 159 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:18.800 I'm so excited. I'm well aware of what the opportunity 160 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:21.959 is and the challenges that come with it. And although 161 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:23.360 I mean it when I see, I can't wait to 162 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:26.000 get started. And I'm so excited. I'm also going to 163 00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:31.680 cherish the remaining shows I have here at seven ninety 164 00:08:32.559 --> 00:08:35.919 and I want to talk sort of about what this 165 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:39.480 becomes after me, and I guess i'll I need to 166 00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:40.879 get it out of the way and not lead you 167 00:08:40.919 --> 00:08:42.960 to think that I've got some news. I'm teasing. I 168 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:45.000 have no clue and I'm not someone who would have 169 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:47.840 any say so in any decision that's made as far 170 00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:51.759 as what this looks like post me. So again, no clue, 171 00:08:51.799 --> 00:08:53.039 but I do want to talk about that just a 172 00:08:53.039 --> 00:08:55.960 little bit. But again, I'm super excited. And and those 173 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:59.759 who you know, I guess kind of you know, I 174 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:01.559 don't want to talk out of turn here, but you know, 175 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:04.559 if you are someone advocating for me to be in 176 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:07.399 this position to take over for the legendary Tony Cruz, 177 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:09.320 who I mean, I believe I'm going to be the 178 00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:13.559 fourth person to kind of have this position in you know, 179 00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:16.679 fourth or fifth person in the existence of news radio 180 00:09:16.679 --> 00:09:19.679 eight forty whs. That's something that like hits me, hits 181 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:22.039 me deep because that just it doesn't it doesn't seem real. 182 00:09:22.679 --> 00:09:24.919 But again, those who make the decision to you know, 183 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:27.720 get to to advocate for me and say, hey, we 184 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:29.879 want we want Nick to be the guy here. 185 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:30.960 Thank you. 186 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:33.559 And you know, I would hope that if I, if 187 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:36.240 I somehow can't make it work, that you know, you're 188 00:09:36.279 --> 00:09:38.279 not held accountable. But you know, if so, like that's 189 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:40.519 kind of what this is. So I'm beyond grateful for 190 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:43.759 everyone involved, and I know there's many people involved as 191 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:46.679 far as what gets done here, how it all works. 192 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:49.200 And so thank you to Gus Allen, who has been 193 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:51.639 my boss now for a while. We've worked together for 194 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:54.000 a long time and obviously he's been a big part 195 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:59.159 of this entire process. Christy Beebe Nathan Nelson, I mean 196 00:09:59.200 --> 00:10:02.759 even those who used to be with us that are 197 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:04.639 no longer a part of iHeart, that have moved on 198 00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:08.039 to do other things, Josh Everett, Kelly Carl's. 199 00:10:08.039 --> 00:10:10.519 I mean people who have helped me be able to 200 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:12.000 do this. I mean, even going. 201 00:10:11.799 --> 00:10:14.080 Back to Dougan Ryan, who's the first person that ever 202 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:18.519 gave me an opportunity in broadcasting when I was gosh, 203 00:10:18.559 --> 00:10:21.799 twenty maybe twenty three years old, and you know, I 204 00:10:21.919 --> 00:10:24.720 was doing a podcast in my one bedroom apartment with 205 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:27.279 my then girlfriend who's now my wife. So you know, 206 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:29.759 he gave me an opportunity. And I did know early 207 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:32.720 on that it wasn't just something I enjoyed doing as 208 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:35.440 far as talking about sports and talking about Louisville, talking 209 00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:37.840 about my favorite team and having a platform to do it. 210 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:41.720 I just became a nerd for radio in broadcasting, and 211 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:43.879 for so long I just never envisioned in any way 212 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:45.440 I would be a part of it with it not 213 00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:49.559 being super centered around sports. But you know what, I've 214 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:53.000 kind of grown up here. You know, when I got 215 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:55.960 started and got the opportunity to make this what I 216 00:10:56.080 --> 00:10:59.000 do for a living, you know, it was a big part. 217 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:00.039 It was a big time in my life. 218 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:00.279 Life. 219 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:02.559 I've told the story before when I got offered a 220 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:05.360 contract to come and work for iHeartMedia as a full 221 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:08.399 time host on seven ninety. That offer came as we 222 00:11:08.399 --> 00:11:11.759 were leaving the hospital with my daughter, and you know, 223 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:15.519 imagine the emotions that comes with that. And then I'm thinking, like, 224 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:16.960 you know, it'd be real selfish of me to take 225 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:18.799 a big risk when I was already pretty comfortable in 226 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:21.960 a different career to you know, go be selfish and 227 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:23.799 see if I can chase my dream. And that's kind 228 00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:25.440 of the way I viewed it. But the support of 229 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:28.080 my wife, who has been nothing but great to me 230 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:32.559 and advocates for me, and she's you know, super supportive 231 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:34.440 in every way. But you know, it wasn't. I was 232 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:37.080 assuming we'd have some kind of discussion about let's see 233 00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:39.600 what makes the most sense, what should we do? Should 234 00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:42.080 you know, should I play it safe and say no, 235 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:44.679 just because you know, we now got to take care 236 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:46.960 of a human being, we became parents for the first time, 237 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:49.559 we're still relatively young, all that. But there was no 238 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:52.279 conversation because she just told me, you know, you're gonna 239 00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:54.000 do it, and it's gonna work, and she believed in 240 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:57.759 me and for that. I really appreciate it more than 241 00:11:57.759 --> 00:12:03.600 she'll ever know. I knew that would happen, so I'll 242 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:07.039 try to keep my composure. But again, thanks to everybody, 243 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:12.639 everybody who's reached out to congratulate me after the news 244 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:16.000 came out this morning. So anyways, back to where I 245 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:20.240 was going with that story. You know, I never knew 246 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:23.480 if if this would ever be something I could I 247 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:25.720 could do, And you know, you never know when it's 248 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:27.799 gonna be your last show, believe it or not. Tony 249 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:29.600 Vinetti has given me some good advice over the years 250 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:31.519 when it comes to just like, you know what this is. 251 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:34.480 He's a lifer, he's been super successful, he's been grateful 252 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:36.519 or he's been great to me, and I'm grateful for him, 253 00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:39.639 along with many others that have been, you know, kind 254 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:42.759 of a part of my journey here. And you know, 255 00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:44.279 you never know what it's gonna be your last show. 256 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:46.600 There are people who don't get the opportunity to do 257 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:48.799 this out of nowhere. And it's not based off performance, 258 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:51.200 it's not based off of I mean, sometimes it can be, 259 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:53.559 but a lot of times it's not, so you know, 260 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:56.480 to just kind of I think that's what's helped me 261 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:58.960 just live in the moment and always enjoy this because 262 00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:00.759 I know it could be gone at any moment. So 263 00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:02.679 I've kind of just been in that mindset for so long, 264 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:04.879 hoping that I can keep this going until one day, 265 00:13:04.919 --> 00:13:08.440 you know, my time comes so to be. You know, 266 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:11.799 roughly ten years in at a station that again I 267 00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:15.720 got the bug for what sports radio is the platform. 268 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:19.360 I mean listening to joe By and Denny, listening to 269 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:23.519 the afternon underdogs, but Tony Venetti and Adam Neft and 270 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:27.919 then you know, he's no longer on the FSR network, 271 00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:30.039 but like Jim Rome, like that was an element of 272 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:33.759 sports radio with entertainment that I wasn't exposed to, and man, 273 00:13:33.799 --> 00:13:37.200 I loved it. So you know, it's crazy that I've 274 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:39.519 been able to want at least have the time I've 275 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:42.240 had here at seven ninety. But now I've got an 276 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:46.559 opportunity that you know, many more talented than me, many 277 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:51.639 more polished and successful than I am, you know, would 278 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:53.919 love the opportunity, and I have it. So I'm grateful 279 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:55.799 for it, and I'm going to do my best not 280 00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:59.159 to take advantage, you know, to take it for granted. 281 00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:02.720 So as far as what happens after this, I don't 282 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:04.919 really know, and I don't Again, I'm gonna try not 283 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:06.399 to talk out of turn, because last thing I want 284 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.960 to do is say something I shouldn't say, and maybe 285 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:10.240 they're like, yeah, you idiot, you got to yap in 286 00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:13.159 your mouth, you got you got emotional, and we're no 287 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:15.240 longer we're no longer interested in you. I hope that 288 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:17.159 doesn't happen. So again, I have no clue what they're 289 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:19.720 gonna do, and whatever they choose to do, I do 290 00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:23.120 understand that there will be there'll be reasons behind it, 291 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:24.200 and I'll support it. 292 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:27.080 But I have developed a. 293 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:31.240 Like I'm protective of what this is, right, and I 294 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:33.360 know many people have been on the station long before 295 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:36.080 me and have helped make it the brand that it 296 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:38.240 is to where it's a sports station that's been around 297 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:40.080 for a long time with a lot of successful shows 298 00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:41.840 over the years. So trust me, it's not like I 299 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:44.240 feel like I've got a right to, you know, to 300 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:47.080 the station that others don't, but like, I'm protective of it, right. 301 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:49.759 I've been here for long enough to where I deeply 302 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:50.519 care about it. 303 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:54.159 So you know, I'm gonna throw some suggestions out to 304 00:14:54.200 --> 00:14:56.720 them as far as what I what I think they 305 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:58.799 could do that would be doable, But again I have 306 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:01.200 no say so, and they could tell me, okay, thanks 307 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:03.279 for your advice, Nick kick Rocks, and look, they'd be 308 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:05.720 justified in doing that because it's not my decision. I 309 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:08.360 have no say so or influence. But you know, we'll 310 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:10.840 see how things shake out. I'm gonna be in this 311 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:14.879 spot at least from now until uh two weeks from now, 312 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:17.399 So the thirtieth of May, I suppose will be the 313 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:20.519 last time you you know, you hear me in this capacity. 314 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:24.720 But you know, you never know what's gonna you know, 315 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:26.480 what's gonna change as far as what they do decide 316 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:28.519 to do here, and you know, maybe you'll maybe you'll 317 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:30.919 you know, hear me in doses if they decide to actually, 318 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:33.519 you know, if they decide to make, you know, an 319 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:37.559 additional programming decision. So anyways, as far as what HA 320 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:39.399 is is in the mornings, if I'm sure a lot 321 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:41.720 of you listening are at least a well aware of 322 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:44.279 what Kentucky and This Morning News is and has been 323 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:47.080 for such a long time. And yeah, it'll be different. 324 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:48.879 I mean, it's a different it's really a different job. 325 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:52.399 Than what I've what I've always done. But that's that's 326 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:56.240 that's challenging, that's that's you know, that's that's what makes 327 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:58.639 it exciting for me. But also like, I'm still gonna 328 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:00.600 be able to talk sports. It's gonna be a sports show, 329 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:05.120 but sports very much a part of the news talk format, 330 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:08.399 and you know, you'll still get me. But you know, 331 00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:12.639 if you for some reason they're like, yeah, if he's 332 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:15.600 not talking about U of L or you know, UK 333 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.480 or whatever it may be, or just being you know, 334 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:20.279 a knucklehead like we can be at times on here, 335 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:22.399 then you know I would hate to hear that, but 336 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:24.480 you know it'll be different. It will be different, but again, 337 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:28.320 there's no scenario where I'm not at least talking sports 338 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:30.120 to some extent. But also there'll be things that come 339 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:33.759 up that you know, you don't typically hear on this show. However, 340 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:36.440 I think over the years, I've become more comfortable and 341 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:40.480 felt better about not always just being nothing but sports 342 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:43.840 for three straight hours, because you know, technically the format 343 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:45.759 here is sports talking. I know there are some people 344 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:48.399 out there that just if you for a second veer 345 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:52.440 off into something that's not super sports related, they'll let 346 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:54.360 you know, thought this was a sports show. So like, 347 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:56.320 I know, there's some that really only want to hear that, 348 00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:59.559 But like I've enjoyed. What I've learned about myself in 349 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:01.440 this is that like I do, in fact enjoy talking 350 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:04.759 about things that are more relatable that maybe aren't sports 351 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:07.279 related at all, or you know, things that are big 352 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:09.920 stories that I have thoughts on that really have nothing 353 00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:12.759 to do with sports. So, you know, going back to 354 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:14.480 where I got choked up and thought I was going 355 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:16.400 to have to take an early break because I you know, 356 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:17.720 I knew that was going to come at some point, 357 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:19.799 but I was talking about I kind of grew up here, 358 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:25.319 meaning like I mean, I was a lot younger ten 359 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:28.240 years ago, and all I ever wanted to do was 360 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:30.440 talk sports. And as I get older, you know, I 361 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:33.599 find myself more interested in things and keeping up with things, 362 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:35.519 you know, because as mention I grew up, I grew up. 363 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:38.279 I've I mean, I'm there's a big difference in being 364 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:42.240 thirty seven and twenty six, and you know, I'm I'm 365 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:45.160 a father, I have two children, I raised my family 366 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:48.279 here in the in the Louisville area, and I now 367 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:50.480 pay attention to things other than sports, because you know 368 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:53.160 what it impacts me. It has, it has you know, 369 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:57.559 it affects me because you know, I'm I'm a grown 370 00:17:57.640 --> 00:18:00.240 up now kind of I make the joke about you know, 371 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:02.039 I'm kind of a grown up. I am technically, but 372 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:03.960 you know, sometimes I can get lost within this show 373 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:05.480 and what this is, and it's nice to, you know, 374 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:08.680 not feel quite like a grown up with such responsibility. 375 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:11.279 Clearly, it's going to be different over there, because it is. 376 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:12.799 You know, I got to be a little more professional, 377 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:15.400 a little more polished, and I'll certainly do my very 378 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:18.680 best at that. But I'll go back to and trust me, 379 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:21.000 we'll take a time outage to second and we'll get 380 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:22.559 into what we typically do here. But I want to 381 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:26.480 at least address this just because you know, I didn't 382 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:28.119 want you guys to find out any other way, which 383 00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:30.200 I'm sure some of you already knew anyway. But nonetheless, 384 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:34.400 whenever this got thrown my way, it's been well over 385 00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:38.400 a year, not that the opportunity was there to accept, 386 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:43.000 but it was presented to me by one of our 387 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:46.240 former program directors who just you know, say, hey, when 388 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:48.759 Tony Kruz does decide to retire, would what would you 389 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:51.799 ever think about maybe making a move and being a 390 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:55.559 part of HAS at some point? And I was legitimately 391 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:59.119 surprised for a lot of reasons, but one I was like, 392 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:04.000 you know what, what about me would make you think that, 393 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:05.839 like I would be a good fit. 394 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:06.480 I'm honored. 395 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:09.640 That's a big deal. It's I mean, it's HAS. Let's 396 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:11.559 be honest, like that's crazy, but you know what would 397 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:15.279 that look like with me? And this really is something 398 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:17.880 that always stuck with me because the conversation, you know, 399 00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:19.799 it just shifted to where, you know, they realized that 400 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:21.920 I can, I can do this and not just talk 401 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:25.440