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97.3 The Game Puts Listeners Behind The Mic

“Listeners signed up online, explaining in a note why they should get the opportunity to host their own show for an hour on The Game.”

Brandon Contes

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On Thursday, 97.3 The Game in Jacksonville ditched their regular lineup for one day, instead giving listeners the chance to host from 6am – 6pm. 

In a contest called “Dream Day,” the iHeart owned radio station had a new listener behind the mic for each hour of the day, 12 new hosts in 12 hours.  Listeners signed up online, explaining in a note why they should get the opportunity to host their own show for an hour on The Game.  “The more creative the better,” station Program Director and afternoon drive host, Seth Harp said regarding the listener entries.

According to Harp, the process of choosing the 12 hosts involved more than just selecting the best entry.  Each potential host received a phone call and the 12 finalists joined The Game for a station visit, getting the chance to watch a broadcast and meet the producers. 

“We had a teacher, an attorney, public relations professionals, a DJ, a recent college grad, but no ‘Radio’ professionals.  I wanted it to be fans getting their shot to host,” Harp said about the contest.

Of the dozen new radio hosts, two of them decided to go solo, the other 10 chose a co-host for the hour.  When asked if he was surprised by their performances, Harp said, “Each host was different, unique, and passionate about their topics.  I was impressed.”  

But could The Game’s Program Director see any of the Dream Day dozen with a chance to get their own show someday?  “Boy it’s a different beast for 5 days a week at 3 hours a day,” the PD said.  “Could some of them do it?  Yeah, given the opportunity and some quality coaching you bet they could.”

It’s common for sports radio listeners and callers to think they could get behind the microphone.  Giving them the opportunity to do so is a fun way to create excitement and sometimes it can lead to the station uncovering new talent.

WFAN in New York gave two of its prominent hosts their start after winning a listener contest, Joe Benigno and John Jastremski.  Last year, Denver’s 104.3 The Fan ran a Dream Job promotion to find new talent and 95.7 The Game in San Francisco’s current midday co-host, Daryle “The Guru” Johnson got his start after winning an American Idol like radio contest.  Take note of the names below to see if any of Jacksonville’s dozen continue to follow the dream.

Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.

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Charley Steiner Injured; Tim Neverett to Handle Dodgers Radio Play-by-Play

“This will be the first Opening Day that I will have missed since 1976, when I wore a younger man’s clothes.”

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photo of Charley Steiner
Courtesy: Los Angeles Dodgers

As the Los Angeles Dodgers get set to take on the St. Louis Cardinals in their first home game on Thursday, team play-by-play voice Charley Steiner has revealed he will not be doing games at the beginning of the season due to a severe back injury.

Through the Dodgers, Steiner posted a statement which said, “Over the winter, I landed on the Injured List with three compound fractures in my back. (I don’t recommend it.) With the start of the baseball season upon us, the Dodgers are ready to go – but I’m not. This will be the first Opening Day that I will have missed since 1976, when I wore a younger man’s clothes. I look forward to returning to the mic later this season. In the meantime, go Dodgers!”

TrueBlueLA.com reports Tim Neverett will handle play-by-play duties while Steiner recovers. Neverett called the first two regular season games with Rick Monday as the Dodgers started the season in South Korea. Neverett and Monday did not travel with the team, however, they called those games in a studio back home.

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Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi Put a Bow on The Ronnie & TKras Show After Nearly 10 Years

“Finally, Tampa Bay can sleep easy knowing this hideous show is finally over.”

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Photo of Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi
Courtesy: iHeartMedia

After nearly 10 years, The Ronnie & TKras Show with Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi came to an end today as the duo broadcast their final show on remote with many listeners, friends and co-workers on hand. Earlier this month, WDAE announced changes to its programming lineup which will take place starting tomorrow. Ronnie Lane will take on a new role as host of the Tampa Bay Rays pre-game show The Inside Pitch. Tom Krasniqi will continue on in afternoon drive with producer Chris Mathis for The Drive.

Their final show kicked off with station voice Jim Cutler saying, “…Finally, Tampa Bay can sleep easy knowing this hideous show is finally over.”

And with that went three very fast hours of looking back on a nearly decade-long run for Lane and Krasniqi. “It seems kind of surreal, doesn’t it?” said Lane.

Mathis had several special guests lined up for the final show and many others left voice messages which were played coming out of breaks. Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht and Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford took part in the final show. Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks also called in and, at first, identified himself as “Pete from St. Louis” before asking what the hosts thought of the Rays bullpen.

“I’m telling you man, when I hear all of these tributes it really brings a tear to my eye, Ronnie,” said Krasniqi. “It’s a surreal moment…It makes me feel so fortunate and blessed to be in this position sitting next to you all these years. This is one of those moments where I am almost speechless and just so incredibly overwhelmed by the support and the love that everyone has shown here today.”

Lane responded, “…Our time together is really coming to an end. I might get a little emotional before this show is over, but we have had a great time and been through many ups and downs…This business is crazy and for us to be able to do what we are doing and doing it on our terms…And for a company that believes in both of us to give us this opportunity to go in different directions with the same company is truly amazing…It doesn’t happen like this always in this business, usually it’s an ugly goodbye.”

As the show came to an end, Lane reminded everyone, “It has been a blast, but we’re not freakin’ leaving!”

“We’re not leaving folks,” ‘TKras’ said. “Thanks very much for being a part of our lives and thanks for having us as part of yours. Onward and upward. You are dismissed.”

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Tyler Murray Added to WEEI Red Sox Radio Bench

“Coming up on 13 seasons in [minor league baseball], it’s not lost on me how fortunate I am to have this opportunity.”

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Photo of Tyler Murray and logos for WEEI and the Boston Red Sox
Photo Credit: Ashley Green

The voice of the Worcester Red Sox, Tyler Murray, has been added to the Red Sox Radio play-by-play bench. WEEI made the announcement on their X account, saying, “On the heels of calling the Hockey East Tourney this weekend [and] adding to his excellent work [with the Worcester Red Sox], happy to announce that Tyler Murray will be helping to build our [Red Sox Network] bench this year! Tyler’s 1st series in the big leagues will be April 5-7 [with Will Flemming].

Murray, who has also called college hockey games on NESN plus college football and basketball games, said on X, “Coming up on 13 seasons in [minor league baseball], it’s not lost on me how fortunate I am to have this opportunity. Thank you to [WEEI brand manager Ken Laird] and [Audacy Boston Senior Vice President/Market Manager Mike Thomas], and to everyone who has reached out. Your support has honestly been overwhelming, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Murray’s first series will be the Red Sox taking on the Los Angeles Angels on the road, April 5-7.

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