July 2020

Not Goodbye… Just See Ya Later

Whether its the Nearly Impossible Totally Subjective Question, the Broadway Bumpers (on a country, or talk station), or just the totally positive attitude, there has never been and will never be another “Janet in the Morning”.

From”Steve and Janet” to “Janet and Friends” 26 years of starting the day off for people in the Ozarks have passed. As I type this different people are reminiscing of great times, whether it was visiting the studio, on location, or just listening on the radio. Today an era will come to an end. When Janet Ellis, signs off today, she will retire.

We have talked about it on air, a few times. Janet and I go back to our time at TV-5 together. I was on her morning show “Rise and Shine” and we worked together on a weekly sports magazine show, “Sports Scene” Since that time she has been a big supporter and voice of encouragement during my career. She will never understand just how appreciative of that I am.

She is a huge Sooner fan, and actually used to work with the program. God brought her to Branson and thousands of us are better because He did.

Her time at TV-5 came to an abrupt and unexpected end, but as promised “God opened up a window”. Safe to say Janet dove right through it. She was hired at Hometown Radio, paired with Steve, and the rest is History.

I have been asked if what we hear from Janet is the real Janet? My answer, for the most part yes. That loving, caring, concerned, upbeat Christian voice you hear… THAT IS WHO JANET IS.

Now, Janet and I may not agree on a lot of things in the political world. But guess what, that does not effect us at all. Its about respect and love… Hey Nation, maybe you should pay attention.

Because of Janet Ellis countless kids across the Ozarks got a little media attention and a moment in the spotlight. My son Derek was one of those kids. Janet and I still laugh at how he gave his whole name to her when she asked him, and his response to her question about being ready for the program. “You Bet I am”

Janet’s desire to honor our teachers led to so many in that profession getting recognition with the Teacher of the Month program that she championed.

Many area athletes don’t know just how big of a fan and supporter Janet has been and remains. On Friday Nights, if she isn’t at a game, she would spend plenty of time of the radio, flipping back and forth between games.

As I closed with during my visit with her, on air, earlier this week. Branson is a better place, in part Branson is what it is, because of Janet Ellis.

Happy Retirement, Janet. And, once again. THANK YOU.

Love You

Will We Play?

No matter who I run into these days, no matter where it is, the question, or questions are pretty much the same: What is school going to look like? and Are we going to have Fall Sports.

Well, the entry plans for schools are starting to come out, the Reeds Spring Plan will be released to the public today. I will concentrate on the later question, here.

The short answer is: I hope so.

We have to plan like it will go on as usual. I have been working, as if Week 1 of the Football Season will go on August 28th. I am also planning for softball, volleyball, and soccer Broadcasts. And, looking forward to another Cross Country Season.

In reality, the answer is: I don’t know. NOBODY DOES. We truly live in a world that is day by day.

There is no doubt, what I want. I want all seasons to happen. But, more than that, I want to keep our kids safe.

If we could only get what we want. I want a cure for Covid-19. I want it put behind us. I want all of us to get along. I want to return to a time where we could disagree but remain the best of friends. (I could go on, but you get the idea)

I want to applaud the Missouri Football Coaches. They took steps, themselves, to shutdown interactions between teams. Thus, preventing any chance of spreading from one team to another and thus giving us the best shot possible to make it to the start of the Season.

I have been watching what other starts are doing. Arkansas is taking a watch and see mode, similar to ours. Oklahoma is doing likewise, Now, Texas is doing something interesting with football. They are starting their smaller schools as usual but pushing back the start of the season for bigger schools a few weeks. California will not play football until December or possibly January.

Colleges are taking different approaches, as well. The Big Ten and Pac 12 have announced they will go to a conference only schedule this year. JUCO schools are going to play, but not until Spring.

If we do play, it is bound to be a little different. Could we play with limited to no fans? Its a possibility. Could media be limited? Certainly. What if someone tests positive? Again, dont know.

It is still fresh in our minds, the way we felt for all those student athletes that missed their Spring Sports Seasons. None of us want a repeat of that. But, unfortunately, none of us has the answers.

So, teams will prepare. Lets just hope they will get to play.

WILL THEY GET TO PLAY? I sure hope so, but I DON’T KNOW

Favorite Places I’ve Called From…

There is a lot that goes into a broadcast. Somethings help with the experience and others provide challenges. Either way, adaptation is part of the game. I decided to look back at some of the best places from which I have called games. This is totally different from what I consider my best broadcasts or favorite games… I will most likely write about them another time.

When I look at some of my favorite places, I probably should admit that I have a soft spot for older unique places. I am a total history dude. And I am not going to go with any of the places I currently call HOME.. Safe to say that there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME so that is a given.

I will start with SENECA FOOTBALL. Talk about atmosphere. I hope that the good folks of that program realize what they have. The old field has been taken care of and there is no need to look at doing anything to it. While they have put in new bleachers they have been able to keep the old feel. They are a great example of what small town football can be and what you want it to be. When they fill up the stands and line up three, four, and five people deep all the way around….. WOW… goosebumps… I am telling you…

Willow Springs Football. Another place that I love because its old and kind of unique. The old, the concrete, the bricks…. the way folks can park on one side of the field… They may not have a ton of success but they can hold their own and the people…. some really good people. (could have pick a few different spots in the SCA but you get the idea)

Branson Football -There was nothing like John Earl Chase when Steve Hancock and Ron Martin had the Branson Pirates rolling. It was loud, could be intimidating and the playing surface was the best grass field in the state.

Bolivar Football – Yes its newer and nicer playing at SBU… but the old Bolivar Stadium is a place I will always remember. Yes there were some problems but I still liked it.

And there are others, newer or upgraded football facilities, like: Mt Vernon, Monett, Cassville, etc.

Buffalo Basketball… Love, Love, Love this gym. Hated the drive up there but the History there.. the old style you dont see anymore when so many places want the new and shiny.

Central Basketball….. Okay this is tough place to broadcast from. There simply is NO ROOM. But how can anyone not LOVE, the PIT?

Walnut Grove Basketball… Signal can be a little tricky here… but once you are locked in, you are good. This place is a great example of Old and New. Its small but big enough.

There are a whole lot more places I really enjoy, or enjoyed. Many of them were originally in this story, but I had to cut about half of what I had originally written here. I didn’t even get to baseball, softball or any of the other sports. Although, Mang Field is a place that is gone. Branson folks loved it and it was legendary. I have not had the honor of doing a baseball game IN Carthage yet. I have had THREE scheduled but rain got two of them and another scheduling conflict killed the other. I also cut out the college facilities due to length.

Lot of good places on the horizon. I am scheduled to do my first football game from Lamar this season.