WATE reporting TSR to shut down

#126
#126
Noooo! This is what I listen to in Atlanta when I'm on the road. Can't stand The Sports Animal because it's more commercials than the show itself. Will miss the show, the interviews with players, and having former players giving insider perspective on the program a lot.
 
#127
#127
It's true...I just found TSRs equipment for sale on craigslist.

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#129
#129
Basilio's comments on the demise of TSR

Been roughly one year since I relaunched my show after 9 quick years at 1180 am here in Knoxville. When I first went there, not a lot was going on though some there were trying. Doug Mathews was kind enough to give me the opportunity to go into business for myself and purchase air time from him. This arrangement was life changing for me in many ways! Thank you Doug for the opportunity. Along the way at 1180 I had a chance to work around some real characters and it was mostly great fun. Radio has always been fun and addictive. That's the thing that's kept me going in the crazy game for over 20 years.


In recent weeks, news began to trickle out regarding the untimely demise of Tennessee Sports Radio. I'd be rich if I had a 10 spot for every well-meaning person in our community that gleefully checked in with the 'great news'. Only, folks don't really understand me. I play a son of a ***** on the radio at times but I'm really not one in real life. And radio stations going under means that people with families and bills to pay are losing jobs. This is never fun. I've been on all sides of this radio deal. I've been shockingly fired (at Horne Radio) and had the rug pulled out from me by a lying little twit called Taylor. He was a Doogie Howser looking GM that assured to me my job was safe and to go home and 'have a Merry Christmas' before popping me the first work day back after the new year. I had two children at home at the time (1 and 1/2 year old) at the time. Unfortunately, radio is a snake pit full of people like Taylor. I NEVER believed a word that guy said.


Jason Bailey (who runs TSR) was always above board with me in the way he dealt with my situation. Like Doug Mathews I'm indebted to Jason for giving me the opportunity to remain at 1180 in my pay as you play arrangement even after he took over the station. This is extremely rare in markets the size of Knoxville.


Those that pay attention to such trivial matters will notice that I purposefully stayed off twitter last night. I literally take no glee in TSR going away. It could happen to anyone at any time, present company included.


I tip my cap to those guys or anyone in our business not affiliated with a major company that gets up and endeavors to compete and persevere. I appreciate the great ride those guys gave it. A tough business doesn't begin to describe the state of things.


To Erik Ainge, Dave Hooker, Jayson Swain and Jason Bailey I say the best of luck. I hope all of you will land on your feet. This business really is blessing. It's maddening at times but it’s a blessing nonetheless. So, with that in mind, be blessed fellas at TSR.
 
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#130
#130
No conspiracy theories. TSR is over. However, The Swain Event will not miss a beat .....the app is on it's way :)
 
#132
#132
There's gotta be something else. They can't leave me hanging like this. Living in Alabama, TSR was my main portal for UT news.

Where are the practice reports gonna come from now? And it's very strange with Ainge releasing info about his new Sunday show a few weeks ago. If this was in the works for months, why would they promote a new show?
 
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#133
#133
Seems odd to me that they would shutdown 2 days before kickoff after being on all summer. I would think the advertising $ would be best during the season.
 
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#134
#134
I'm still wondering why a market as small as Knoxville even has ONE all sports station...how many ways can you ask: "hey Jimmy, who do you think is gonna win this week...and why?"
 
#137
#137
oz615 said:
Or worse,Doc Jeff and Heather in the AM
Click to expand...

I'd rather watch grass grow than listen to those three, especially the heather chick. Her voice reminds me of fingers scratching a chalk board, only much worse. I do like dear stone though because he does a great job as the lady vol announcer
 
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#138
#138
VOLinNC said:
Seems odd to me that they would shutdown 2 days before kickoff after being on all summer. I would think the advertising $ would be best during the season.
Click to expand...

They can't start the season without finishing it and Jason wants to move to Cookeville very soon. That's the reason for the timing.
 
#139
#139
boxerpupsrcool said:
I'd rather watch grass grow than listen to those three, especially the heather chick. Her voice reminds me of fingers scratching a chalk board, only much worse. I do like dear stone though because he does a great job as the lady vol announcer
Click to expand...

Listening to Doc, Jeff, and Heather is like watching puppies die. Brutal.
 
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#140
#140
JamesBenUT said:
Basilio's comments on the demise of TSR

Been roughly one year since I relaunched my show after 9 quick years at 1180 am here in Knoxville. When I first went there, not a lot was going on though some there were trying. Doug Mathews was kind enough to give me the opportunity to go into business for myself and purchase air time from him. This arrangement was life changing for me in many ways! Thank you Doug for the opportunity. Along the way at 1180 I had a chance to work around some real characters and it was mostly great fun. Radio has always been fun and addictive. That's the thing that's kept me going in the crazy game for over 20 years.


In recent weeks, news began to trickle out regarding the untimely demise of Tennessee Sports Radio. I'd be rich if I had a 10 spot for every well-meaning person in our community that gleefully checked in with the 'great news'. Only, folks don't really understand me. I play a son of a ***** on the radio at times but I'm really not one in real life. And radio stations going under means that people with families and bills to pay are losing jobs. This is never fun. I've been on all sides of this radio deal. I've been shockingly fired (at Horne Radio) and had the rug pulled out from me by a lying little twit called Taylor. He was a Doogie Howser looking GM that assured to me my job was safe and to go home and 'have a Merry Christmas' before popping me the first work day back after the new year. I had two children at home at the time (1 and 1/2 year old) at the time. Unfortunately, radio is a snake pit full of people like Taylor. I NEVER believed a word that guy said.


Jason Bailey (who runs TSR) was always above board with me in the way he dealt with my situation. Like Doug Mathews I'm indebted to Jason for giving me the opportunity to remain at 1180 in my pay as you play arrangement even after he took over the station. This is extremely rare in markets the size of Knoxville.


Those that pay attention to such trivial matters will notice that I purposefully stayed off twitter last night. I literally take no glee in TSR going away. It could happen to anyone at any time, present company included.


I tip my cap to those guys or anyone in our business not affiliated with a major company that gets up and endeavors to compete and persevere. I appreciate the great ride those guys gave it. A tough business doesn't begin to describe the state of things.


To Erik Ainge, Dave Hooker, Jayson Swain and Jason Bailey I say the best of luck. I hope all of you will land on your feet. This business really is blessing. It's maddening at times but it’s a blessing nonetheless. So, with that in mind, be blessed fellas at TSR.
Click to expand...

I never cared for Basillo and generally turned it off when he came on. I was happy when his spot got pulled (not that hooked is much better)

That said, that is one classy comment.
 
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#141
#141
This might be good for Ainge. He's got the talent to be a good radio personality with the right guidance. Maybe he lands on a new station with someone that can mentor him.
 
#143
#143
burntorangeVOLffle said:
I never cared for Basillo and generally turned it off when he came on. I was happy when his spot got pulled (not that hooked is much better)

That said, that is one classy comment.
Click to expand...

I listened to Pandora or something else when the Basillo show came on. It didn't upset me when his show got pulled only to be replaced by another host that I don't really care to much for. With that said, I still don't like anyone losing their jobs though.

I am glad that Basillo stayed classy with his comments and that's the way people should handle it. Hat's off to Tony. I hope everyone land on their feet some where. I will miss EA's and Swain's shows the most.
 
#144
#144
Always enjoyed listening to TSR. Yah, I know it was juvenile and repetitive sometime, but the hosts were VFLs. Swain and Ainge had access to the team like no other journalist can get. Being former players is huge in regard to access since Butch took over. Hope we can listen to at least Swain somewhere.
 
#145
#145
Pappy said:
I'm still wondering why a market as small as Knoxville even has ONE all sports station...how many ways can you ask: "hey Jimmy, who do you think is gonna win this week...and why?"
Click to expand...

No kidding, I switch between the local Tampa show and the Sports Animal in the afternoons and the callers with their long intros kill me.

Note to Sports Animal callers, EVERY single one of you don't have to ask how the hosts are doing. Their lives didn't change since the last caller.

The Dan LeBatard show will cut you off if you say "How are you." I know ET people are super nice, but it kills time.
 
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#146
#146
davethevol said:
This might be good for Ainge. He's got the talent to be a good radio personality with the right guidance. Maybe he lands on a new station with someone that can mentor him.
Click to expand...

I agree. He's got some good football insight. He just needs an experienced radio pro to drive the show and keep things on course.
 
#147
#147
I'm out of options for sports talk in the morning now. Got sick of doc Jeff & Heather. (Sick of doc & Heather) & I won't listen to Sirius sports anymore since they called all UT fans racists because we wanted Counzo gone...guess I'll listen to old country & oldies
 
#148
#148
Just heard about this. Sad to hear it. Knoxville has, by far, the worst sports radio of any comparably sized market, and it just got even worse. TSR was cheap and most of it wasn't very good, but it was still light years beyond the Sports Animal.

Is there any other SEC college town where the local sports radio is almost completely run by fans of other schools? I've never seen anything like it. And now, it's going to be even worse.
 
#149
#149
Pappy said:
I'm still wondering why a market as small as Knoxville even has ONE all sports station...how many ways can you ask: "hey Jimmy, who do you think is gonna win this week...and why?"
Click to expand...

Pretty much every market the size of Knoxville has at least one all sports station. Can you name a similarly sized market that doesn't? I can't think of one.

The problem is, the folks on the Sports Animal just blather on about the same things over and over again and, since they absolutely refuse to criticize the coaches or the administration in any way, they really have nothing to say. So, they attract callers who really have nothing to say either. Whenever they do get a caller who actually has anything critical to say, they just dismiss them with the same hackneyed excuses or the usual sophistry, so there's no reason for them to ever call back.

"Got to give them 3 years before we can make any evaluations." Seriously? Then why are you on the radio? You're a sports radio talk show host. Evaluating coaches and ADs is part of your job. No other market would let you get by without ever having an opinion that matters. But here, it's business as usual.
 
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#150
#150
Support Basillio. Tune in.

I'm telling you folks, you can't imagine how bad sports radio will be if there is no alternative.

We've seen them come and go, yet Basillio has weathered the storm time and time again where most would've tucked tail and run. Some of y'all need to stop taking sports radio so serious and learn to enjoy the entertainment aspect.
I've been critical of the guy in the past but he's hung in there.
 
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