It's Matt and Miller on KXNO Des Moines

After 3 weeks of rumors and questions, today Ken Miller and I made it official.  We have teamed up to form the "Matt and Miller Show" every weekday afternoon from 4 to 7 pm  on KXNO in Des Moines.  Some quick things:   

1.  Yes, I'm very excited about the new opportunity and it should be really interesting to get to know Ken along the way.  Ken is very knowledgeable and I think we play off each other well.  We don't know each other well so it's going to be fun to start fresh. 

2.  Everything happens for a reason and stepping into a show that had a talented previous co-host will be challenging but I'm my own man.  I'm not concerned about being type-casted.   I think people will learn quickly that I have my own thoughts.

3.  Brian, The Producer of the Big Show, did not come with me from Omaha.  There wasn't a spot for him on the new show.  While i hope to work with Brian again someday, the timing was right for that to happen. 

4.  I can't wait to get back on the air.  It's been 30 days since my last show...I'll be rusty but I'm ready to go.  

I know some of you have been pre-judging me and saying I'm going to be like this or like that.  I'm gonna ask that you give the show a chance before you make up your mind.  If after a couple of weeks, you don't like the show - change the station and go somewhere else for your sports information.  However, please have an open mind tomorrow when the show gets off the ground.  It's going to be a little shaky at first because you have 2 guys who don't know each other very well.  It will be an adjustment for everyone.  We will be much better in 1 month from now than tomorrow. 

Quickly, I just want to say something about how I ended up here in Des Moines.  I did not want to leave Omaha but I feel very blessed to get a job in the PM drive slot so fast after my time in Omaha ended.  However, for those of you who think my show on Big Sports 590 failed in Omaha to draw an audience - the latest ratings book came out and The Big Show was 3rd in our key demo (which is Men 25-54).  Now, Z-92 was 1 and 1620 was No. 2 but having a Top 3 show in your core demo does not get you fired in radio.  The decision to end the show had nothing to do with the success of the show or about my abilities....but rather Journal's desire to stop paying me.  I can only control what comes out of the speakers and the product- not the sales on the station.  Journal Broadcast Group in Omaha is in real trouble money-wise because they can not sell their product any longer.  

So, with that, I hope you will tune on 1460 Am in Des Moines or KXNO.com tomorrow at 4 pm as my 4th job in radio starts anew.  "The Matt and Miller Show" will debut and I hope you can be around in a few years to say "I remember their first show".  

Lastly, Bluejay fans - I've entered into serious talks to take a certain Jays website to the next level with information, interviews, post game reaction podcasts, and premium message boards.  It's about time the Jays got a website that serves their needs completely with consistent information.  Let's be honest - the Omaha World Herald doesn't do enough.  Big Sports 590 is going to pathetically try and serve Jays' fans but will fail with the pre/post games shows next year without an afternoon show.  This website should be launching in the next month so be on the look out - I think you will really like it.    

At Long Last

In terms of secrets....this might be one of the worst kept ones ever....where is Matt going next?  Tomorrow - at long last - I can finally talk about it publicly.  I will write a lot more on here tomorrow and eventually - this blog will morph with my new job's website.  

Thanks for all the emails and questions...it's been hard to keep my mouth shut for as long as I had but I'm really excited about the new opportunity and I think you will too once you hear about it. 

Stay tuned for just 24 more hours...and then I can talk.  Also, I might have some fun news out of Omaha about my old show to share as well so check back tomorrow around 4.  

Love Bill...but TEMPLE! Killin' me...

Bill went to UMass too...we play football Bill too!

Uh Oh. I Hope This Isn't The Norm

So whenever I move to a new place, I'm always concerned about the politics of the city. I'm not a radical or anything but my views on life are reflective of a lot people my age. We try to accept everyone and don't get caught up in the hate speech of the baby boomers.

In Iowa, this gay marriage issue is causing people to lose their minds. It's like they are being forced into a world that they can't exist. I am proud of Iowa and proud that the state was at the forefront of the gay marriage issue. My home state of Massachusetts is also involved with this debate.

Here is an article that I came across today that really freaked me out. Why it was printed in the Des Moines Register is beyond me but this is hate speech. The word "recruited" especially scares me. I just wish people who actually are religious would actually follow what their religion teaches....I'm not religious but I often feel more Christian than the most devout. Here's a great clip and while I'm sorry that this family lost their son...being gay doesn't destroy society.

"For those still uncertain about homosexual "marriage," please understand that the more accepting we are of homosexuality as a society, the more likely it is that your family, and society in general, will suffer the pain that ultimately results. Homosexuality took the life of our son."

EDIT - This is great!

Well, Don't Lean Over Then!

This is really funny.  You can tell that Lindsay Soto of Versus was told to "COVER UP!" during this interview in her ear....pretty funny actually.  I feel bad for women cause guys never have to deal with this type of thing.....but funny none the least