My Take on Tiger

Tiger Woods was born a little more than 1 year before I was. After my first year of playing golf at 12 years of age, I still remember reading about him in Golf Digest. The name was funny-sounding but the story was raving about the next big thing in golf that was about to explode on to the game.

And boy has he ever.

Today though, we are talking about Tiger Woods in a much different context. The most popular athlete on the planet has been forced into the uncomfortable position of having to admit that he cheated on his wife, Elin, this morning via a statement on his website. He was forced into the mea culpa because of US Weekly’s interview with an alleged mistress that had proof of the affair. A 24 year old cocktail waitress from Las Vegas has positioned herself to bring down one of the biggest brands in sport.

Now everyone is asking: Is this any our business?

It doesn’t matter because the media in this country has everything in this story that makes for a huge scandal. Rich, powerful, popular man crashes his car at 2:30 A.M outside his house and is unconscious for some reason after a 30 mph collision with a tree (drugs? and a car crash). 911 is called and the police show up to investigate (record of the call made public). Rumors of a sexual affair with a beauty (sex, beautiful people and lying) that became tabloid news a few days before seems to be the trigger for a fight between the powerful man and his wife and the man has cuts on his face when cops arrive (domestic violence?). The police want to talk to the powerful man and his wife but he refuses and instead lawyers up (hiding something). Then a different sexy female comes forward with sexts and voicemails (evidence and proof) claiming to be from the powerful man. Man is caught red handed and vaguely admits that he did cheat on his wife via a message on his website (vague admission).

To the rich and powerful man, he thinks that means the story is over.

WRONG.

In fact, the story has now just begun.

Tiger Woods has done everything right in the public eye since becoming the golf phenom picked to pass Jack Nicklaus as the greatest golfer in history. His father Earl, who passed away a few years back, once said that “Tiger will do more than any other man in history to change the course of humanity”. That’s the divinity that the Woods family expected from their son. He was the chosen one.

The money, the endorsements, the winning, the gushing of affection from the general public, all of it has fed an alter-ego that was carefully hidden away until a golf shot went astray. Then the language would come out. The angry glares towards fans would come out. The nasty, human-side of Tiger would be released and people would be shocked to see the calm, cool customer they loved, all of a sudden becoming a fire-breathing dragon of sorts. We all knew there was a different person inside of that winning smile but we just didn’t know what kind of person.

We know now: A human being.

That is why Tiger Woods has made such a major mistake this morning with the admission of his “transgressions” via a vague, contrived admission on his website. When Mark Mcgwire refused to talk about the past in front of Congress, everyone knew he was done as a public figure. Nobody could defend him from his accusers any longer but people still wanted to know about his past. What did he take? When did he start taking steroids etc? The media slowly began ripping him down. Politicians wanted his name off of highways in St. Louis and the voters won’t elect him into the Hall of Fame. More damage was done over time instead of just admitting it and watching the story die.

While Tiger didn’t do anything against the rules of golf, his public image awaits the same fate as Mcgwire’s because for some reason, Woods thinks he can control this story. He can’t. Woods is not operating from a position of power. The media doesn’t need him to sell this story.

At 32, I could have gotten married a few different times in my life. However, I knew I wasn’t ready for the commitment because my career was more important than starting a family. We now know that Tiger wasn’t ready for the commitment either but his statement about his “principles” made me choke when I read it. Tiger is now claiming that his “principles” of privacy are more important that his marriage vows and he is asking everyone to leave him alone because he is Tiger.

That takes some big balls to try to pull off and a really stupid PR firm for allowing him to put that out there.

You can’t call upon your principles when you are sleeping with another woman for over two years behind the back of your wife. You can’t claim to have principles when you admit to doing “something” but not admit to what you did. I’m not a saint and would never admit to being the greatest person in the world to be involved with romantically but in my years of dating, I have never cheated on anyone. I’m not saying I’m better than anyone who has cheated but it angers me to read about someone’s selective use of morals.

A “transgression” to me is a one-night stand. So far, it’s a two and half year relationship with one woman. How many others are out there? I’ve never been married but Tiger shouldn’t be married either.

Tiger can’t control or spin this. All he can do is tell the truth to throw water on the fire and for some stupid reason, he won’t.

This is the same situation that A-Rod put himself in by doing that stupid fluff interview with Peter Gammons on ESPN a few years ago. He lied about what he did and then had to come clean at a full blown press conference after the media kept digging around the story. When you leave out details, the media will fill them in.

I know I’ve used two baseball steroid stories while talking about a golf sex scandal but this is what it means to be a million dollar athlete these days. What you do off the field is as much news as on the field. I know Tiger never used performance-enhancing drugs but A-Rod’s sex life as been as much tabloid fodder as was the “Boli” story. It’s the life of the athlete that people want to know about. It’s the reason behind why Tiger crashed his car is what everyone is after.

If Woods admits to exactly what he did, then it all goes away. Go on Oprah if you have to but make it disappear on your own terms. Control the story with the truth: see David Letterman!

Cheating in this country is not that big of a deal unfortunately and we are a forgiving nation once we have all the information that’s out there. Then it’s not juicy anymore. Right now, there is a race to find out how many women and how many times Tiger cheated and the line is getting longer by the hour.

If nothing less, he should do it for his family so they aren’t being hounded at the grocery story by TMZ and the National Enquirer. Those are the principles I want to see out of Tiger now. Protect the people you have hurt already from the paparazzi that will continue to hound you until the story is dead.

Tiger cheated on his wife. This is not the story. Tiger’s image is. Sponsors are staying put now but will they after Us Weekly, People, Star, SportsbyBrooks, and others run a laundry list of his sexual exploits over the years with quotes, stories, pictures, voicemails and text messages from him?

We know now that Tiger is human but I want to know: does he have courage? Can he stand up and face the music or is he much more like every other husband who has cheated?

Lie until you are caught and then, lie some more.

Be a real man Tiger. Stand up, admit what you did completely, and then let’s all move on. Save the image that I and others have of you as a strong willed, determined, imperfect human but a principled man who knows when he is wrong and will do the hard thing – the correct thing when the time comes.

Until you do that - get the door, TMZ is knocking.

Live In-Game chat for Michigan!!

No. 15 Michigan vs. Creighton live chat starts at 10:45 am!! All are welcome!

Live Chat with Matt at Noon

Matt's Monday Thoughts for Oct. 12th

The Red Sox are the team that my emotions are tied to the most.

One spring morning back in 2003 while living in Alabama, I was driving to work thinking about what it would be like to see a Red Sox championship. My eyes welled up thinking about the parades, the celebrations, and the different world it would be to see my favorite team win it all.

To be a fan of a great team, that’s all most Red Sox fans wanted and if we became hated like Yankees – so what? We would have had our moment in the sun.

A few years later, after the first title for Boston in 86 years, I flew home at the last moment to watch the 5th game of a 5 game series of the Yankees vs. Red Sox. I was in a long distance relationship at the time with someone from Boston and she flew in to meet me at Fenway. It was expensive mini-vacation but we were offered awesome seats cheap so we had to go.

The Red Sox had dropped the first 4 games to New York and were looking at an epic 5 game sweep at home to our hated rivals.

We had 1 championship in our lifetime so both my girlfriend at the time and I could die in peace (or so we told ourselves) but we wanted our team to stop the slide and avoid a historical first to NY. A 5 game sweep in baseball is nearly unheard of. A 5 game sweep at FENWAY to the Yankees was completely unacceptable.

The Red Sox lost that afternoon. I would later look back on that day realize that Yankee Cory Lidle pitched that afternoon for the last time at Fenway. He would die in a plane crash in Manhattan a few months later but after the game I was just pissed off.

I walked out of Fenway and could not believe my team had managed to break my heart again. Even after the championship of 2004 – they could still sting my heart.

On Saturday morning, I jumped a double flight from Des Moines to Boston in order to watch the Red Sox battle the Angels in Game 3 of the American League Series the next day. I had never been to the playoff game at Fenway in my life, only Game 4 of the World Series in Denver in 2007, so my track record was pretty good. Again, I was offered good seats cheap and had to go.

The Red Sox had never lost to the Angels in a playoff series. Dating back to 1986, where the Sox came back to beat the then California franchise on a huge homerun by Dave Henderson in Game 7 of the series, we owned the Angels.

After the 5th inning, Boston was up 5-1 and people were making plans for Game 4 in their heads. I know I was and even though deep down, I knew better.

Welcome to Black Sunday.

On this day in Boston, I got the chance to watch the Red Sox choke away a 4 run lead in person and then watch the Patriots blow a 10 point lead on the road at Denver. More on Pats in a second….

Jonathan Papelbon had not given up a single earned run in his playoff career before Game 3. Over 20 innings of work and nobody had crossed home plate against him.

On Sunday, he allowed a hit that scored 2 runners in the 8th and then gave up 3 runs in the 9th to allow the Angels to beat Boston 7-6 in Game 3. Unreal. Pap walked Tori Hunter to load the bases in order to pitch to Vlad Guerrero…..their clean up hitter who had done nothing in the series but a veteran who took a first pitch, meatball, fast ball and put it in center field. Game over.

My heart stung again.

The Red Sox have been a unique story that went from tragedy to triumph thanks to finally winning but after the past 2 years you have to ask is it over?

1918 to 2004, 86 years between titles and everyone said Boston would never be the same. Those people were right cause Sox fans walking out of Fenway were shaking their heads, not headed for ledges like they would have been in the past.

I couldn’t believe how easy people took the loss. I was pissed off but my family just said “Oh well, they weren’t that good this year”. And they were right to say that cause L.A. was a better team but still…..we lost! Where is the anger?

Sure, I picked them to win in 4 over a Boston team that could not score enough runs in the regular season to catch the Yankees vaunted line up. We all knew the Red Sox weren’t the best team in the American League and I think they would have struggled against at least 2 of the National League playoff teams. Yet I had hope….a hope that was dashed like in the playoffs of 2008 and 2003 and 1999 and 1995 and on through out the history of my baseball team.

Suddenly, 2007 seems like a long time ago for me. But my family’s reaction of “Oh well” made me realize that Boston really won’t ever be the same town that I grew in. 2 Championships in 5 years has created a different type of fan. One that believes that in the future, there are good times ahead even if things suck right now.

Now, all I can only do is hope once again.

*Is it time to say that Tom Brady without Josh McDaniels is a problem? Tom Brady had a record setting performance in 2007 under McDaniels leadership. Then Matt Cassel became a quarterback and became multi-million dollar athlete with McDaniels as his tutor. Now, Kyle Orton has the Denver Broncos undefeated and McDaniels is the hottest name in the NFL for what his doing with him.

Brady and the Pats got shutout in the second half in Denver and New England gave up 13 unanswered points including the game winning field goal in Overtime. The Patriots’ offense looked slow and out of synch again as Brady continues to struggle with his timing.

New England is 4-2 on the year and still looks like the best team in their division but in both losses this year – at New York and Denver, the Pats offense has been held in check by dominate defenses.

In the post season, Brady has to be better if the Pats want any chance of winning a 4th ring. He has to get back on the same page as Randy Moss and has to be more accurate with his throws.

Bottom line – Tom Brady needs to play more like Tom Brady is supposed to.

*No show reviews this week as I just got back to Des Moines this afternoon. However, I’ll try to do a mid-week blog post on them. Thanks for reading.

Bluejaycafe.com Live Chat Noon Friday

Matt's Monday Thoughts for Oct. 5th

I experienced something this weekend for the first time in my 10 years as a radio professional.

I went back to a town that I had previously worked in to stay overnight.

Since 1999, I’ve lived in Charlottesville, VA., Huntsville, AL, and Omaha, Nebraska. All great towns but it wasn't until Saturday night that I actually woke up in my old place of living the next morning. It was kind of weird to be honest, especially waking up in a hotel room after living in the city for 4 years.

Being gone only 5 months after my move to Des Moines made it a lot easier to pick up where I left off but it was still an interesting experience to see so many faces that I knew. Yet, there were some changes that surprised me like construction and new bars that had opened up.

I was back in town for a bunch of client meetings for my Creighton website and then I went to the Tucker Max movie and party event. While seeing “I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell” was a cool experience, the party…..well – I only have 1 word and it’s not good for those of you who know of Tucker and would expect a great story:

LAME.

It was at a bar in West Omaha that tries very hard to make you think you are not in Nebraska. The lighting, the drink prices, the music….all trying very hard to convince you that you are aren’t in a city of less than 1 million people and state with less than 2.

A for effort though but the douche bag dudes out numbered the attractive girls 10 to 1 and the vibe of the place was that of a bad frat party.

Not my scene.

I actually was staying at the same hotel as Tucker Max and met him in the lobby as I was checking in. 5’6, probably 160 lb…nothing special to look at but a nice guy and somebody you can tell is still getting used to the spotlight. He’s jumpy at first when you alert him that you know who he is but calms down quickly.

At the overpriced, wanna-be city bar, I talked with Tucker for a minute or two amid guy after guy trying to shake his hand or talk to him or get an autograph. It’s kind of weird to think about his celebrity. All he really did was tell stories about his life.

As I told him – he could be 1 of 100 guys in the country but the difference is that he’s an outstanding story teller. He disagreed with me saying that it was him just being honest. Maybe – but honesty with a talent for putting words together has made him a lot of money.

A lot more than if he would have tried to be an actor. His 1 scene in the movie flopped.

Thank god for the Rose and Crown….my bar in Omaha. That made the night fun and drunk after I left the Tucker worship party.

*Entourage. Season finales are always sad. I hate them to be honest. All endings have been met with a nasty response by me. Even back when my mom used to pick me up from sleep away camp…I hated the final day. No more fun and games.

Well, the ending to this season was awesome. E proposing to Sloan was a gift to me because I was pissed that Jamie Singler was off the show after breaking up with Turtle. You have to give us one of the two and Sloan marrying E keeps her around for good.

As a 32 year old, a lot of my friends are getting married soon or have been married for a while. It was nice to see the real life side of the show poke through.

Next season could be the last. Donna and David’s marriage ended 90210. Maybe E and Sloan’s will end Entourage. They can’t keep going forever.

*Bored to Death. This show is going to be fun. I really like it and the comedy is perfectly matched to me. HBO has a big hit on their hands again.

Now, where is Big Love?

*Boy I feel for Iowa St. Another really tough loss at Arrowhead after the previous one to Florida St. and a game they would have won if they had A-Rob. 3-2 is still not horrible. But where are the 3 W's coming from now for a bowl game?

*Iowa's Ricky Stanzi was having a killer game...until he became Ricky Stanzi again and threw a pick 6 vs. Arkansas St. He's still the 1 guy who might keep them from a Big 10 title.

For more to date posts...

Be sure to check out my work blog:

http://www.kxno.com/pages/mattandmiller.html

I will post on here more than I have been but I get paid to post on the link above :)

To Remember September 2001

Every September, we remember 9-11.  I remember the fact that there were over 100 people from Mass. that died that day on the planes.  In fact, some from my hometown of Andover.  I heard the poem - Self Evident - today by Ani Difranco and thought I'd share it.  Love it.  

For her voice - mp3 is available here 

Self Evident by Ani Difranco 

yes, 
us people are just poems 
we're 90% metaphor 
with a leanness of meaning 
approaching hyper-distillation 
and once upon a time 
we were moonshine 
rushing down the throat of a giraffe 
yes, rushing down the long hallway 
despite what the p.a. announcement says 
yes, rushing down the long stairs 
with the whiskey of eternity 
fermented and distilled 
to eighteen minutes 
burning down our throats 
down the hall 
down the stairs 
in a building so tall 
that it will always be there 
yes, it's part of a pair 
there on the bow of noah's ark 
the most prestigious couple 
just kickin back parked 
against a perfectly blue sky 
on a morning beatific 
in its indian summer breeze 
on the day that america 
fell to its knees 
after strutting around for a century 
without saying thank you 
or please

and the shock was subsonic 
and the smoke was deafening 
between the setup and the punch line 
cuz we were all on time for work that day 
we all boarded that plane for to fly 
and then while the fires were raging 
we all climbed up on the windowsill 
and then we all held hands 
and jumped into the sky

and every borough looked up when it heard the first blast 
and then every dumb action movie was summarily surpassed 
and the exodus uptown by foot and motorcar 
looked more like war than anything i've seen so far 
so far 
so far 
so fierce and ingenious 
a poetic specter so far gone 
that every jackass newscaster was struck dumb and stumbling 
over 'oh my god' and 'this is unbelievable' and on and on 
and i'll tell you what, while we're at it 
you can keep the pentagon 
keep the propaganda 
keep each and every tv 
that's been trying to convince me 
to participate 
in some prep school punk's plan to perpetuate retribution 
perpetuate retribution 
even as the blue toxic smoke of our lesson in retribution 
is still hanging in the air 
and there's ash on our shoes 
and there's ash in our hair 
and there's a fine silt on every mantle 
from hell's kitchen to brooklyn 
and the streets are full of stories 
sudden twists and near misses 
and soon every open bar is crammed to the rafters 
with tales of narrowly averted disasters 
and the whiskey is flowin 
like never before 
as all over the country 
folks just shake their heads
and pour

so here's a toast to all the folks who live in palestine 
afghanistan 
iraq

el salvador

here's a toast to the folks living on the pine ridge reservation 
under the stone cold gaze of mt. rushmore

here's a toast to all those nurses and doctors 
who daily provide women with a choice 
who stand down a threat the size of oklahoma city 
just to listen to a young woman's voice

here's a toast to all the folks on death row right now 
awaiting the executioner's guillotine 
who are shackled there with dread and can only escape into their heads 
to find peace in the form of a dream

cuz take away our playstations 
and we are a third world nation 
under the thumb of some blue blood royal son 
who stole the oval office and that phony election 
i mean 
it don't take a weatherman 
to look around and see the weather 
jeb said he'd deliver florida, folks 
and boy did he ever

and we hold these truths to be self evident: 
#1 george w. bush is not president 
#2 america is not a true democracy 
#3 the media is not fooling me 
cuz i am a poem heeding hyper-distillation 
i've got no room for a lie so verbose 
i'm looking out over my whole human family 
and i'm raising my glass in a toast

here's to our last drink of fossil fuels 
let us vow to get off of this sauce 
shoo away the swarms of commuter planes 
and find that train ticket we lost 
cuz once upon a time the line followed the river 
and peeked into all the backyards 
and the laundry was waving 
the graffiti was teasing us 
from brick walls and bridges 
we were rolling over ridges 
through valleys 
under stars 
i dream of touring like duke ellington 
in my own railroad car 
i dream of waiting on the tall blonde wooden benches 
in a grand station aglow with grace 
and then standing out on the platform
and feeling the air on my face

give back the night its distant whistle 
give the darkness back its soul 
give the big oil companies the finger finally 
and relearn how to rock-n-roll 
yes, the lessons are all around us and a change is waiting there 
so it's time to pick through the rubble, clean the streets 
and clear the air 
get our government to pull its big dick out of the sand 
of someone else's desert 
put it back in its pants 
and quit the hypocritical chants of 
freedom forever

cuz when one lone phone rang 
in two thousand and one 
at ten after nine 
on nine one one 
which is the number we all called 
when that lone phone rang right off the wall 
right off our desk and down the long hall 
down the long stairs 
in a building so tall 
that the whole world turned 
just to watch it fall 

and while we're at it 
remember the first time around? 
the bomb? 
the ryder truck? 
the parking garage? 
the princess that didn't even feel the pea? 
remember joking around in our apartment on avenue D?

can you imagine how many paper coffee cups would have to change their design 
following a fantastical reversal of the new york skyline?!

it was a joke, of course 
it was a joke 
at the time 
and that was just a few years ago 
so let the record show 
that the FBI was all over that case 
that the plot was obvious and in everybody's face 
and scoping that scene 
religiously 
the CIA 
or is it KGB? 
committing countless crimes against humanity 
with this kind of eventuality 
as its excuse 
for abuse after expensive abuse 
and it didn't have a clue 
look, another window to see through 
way up here 
on the 104th floor 
look 
another key 
another door 
10% literal 
90% metaphor 
3000 some poems disguised as people
on an almost too perfect day 
should be more than pawns 
in some asshole's passion play 
so now it's your job 
and it's my job 
to make it that way 
to make sure they didn't die in vain 
sshhhhhh.... 
baby listen 
hear the train?

Neat Story

At 32, I know I don't have the life that everyone would want.  I've lived all over the country, striving for something that I don't know I'll ever achieve, hundreds of miles from my family.  

It's really hard to follow your heart and chase your dreams.  So when I hear of someone else who is doing that....well, I'm really proud to know that I'm not alone in my pursuit of something that isn't easy.  

Meet Adam Dawson.  I wanted post his email that he sent to me cause I think it's awesome what he has done.....

Hey Matt

My name is Adam Dawson, I'm from Omaha and listened to you the entire time you were in town.  I've emailed a couple times in the past, pretty much just as you were leaving town to wish you luck.  Seems like things are going well at KXNO, hope you're happy with where you're at.  I listen to your new podcasts as much as possible, I'll miss all the Creighton talk once the season starts up!

I'm bothering you today because I landed my dream job this week, I'm now fully involved in the world of professional sports.  About a month ago I decided I was going to follow through with my dream of being a tour caddie.  I've played golf for 15 years and love the game more than most I know, I named my kids after DLIII and Kaari Webb for example.  I hated the job I've been doing for the past four years and needed to make a change, now seemed like as good a time as any.  The fact that the Nationwide Tour was coming to Omaha and after Columbus the following week it's in Wichita, Springfield and Overland Park gave me a good chance at trying it out for a month.  Tournament week for the COX Classic came and I went to the volunteer caddie meeting up at the course.  I was first to arrive but last to pick a number, that valuable #1 position was waiting for me in the end.  My player showed up at 11:30 on Monday morning after five hours of waiting, his name is Steve LeBrun, a guy with lots of potential who has been struggling hard this year coming off of a shoulder surgery, I know of someone else who had something similar ;) .  Steve and I hit it off almost immediately, he liked my ambitious attitude and the fact that I had plans to be out on tour for a while.  By the end of Tuesday's practice round I had the job through the Overland Park tournament and at the end of round two I was offered the full-time gig!  Things like this just don't happen to people, I'm not religious but something is happening this week with all the breaks I've been getting.  The World Herald is running a front page story this weekend on caddies at the tournament and I was one that was picked for that, should have my picture on the front page which is cool.  

I'll wrap this up, I tend to go on forever about this.  I have a blog that I'll use to keep people posted as to what's going on with me and Steve in the weeks to come.  I figured you might think this is kind of a cool story and like to take a look at it.  I'm at http://caddieadamdawson.blogspot.com, my twitter updates are linked up to that too.  

Thanks for what you did while you were in town Matt, we miss you!

Adam Dawson

Omaha    

Vegas

I will post a full - unedited story of the Vegas trip later when I get home late next week...until then - here is the professional version:

http://www.kxno.com/pages/mattandmiller.html

Busy week....

Ok - for my Bluejaycafe.com subscribers - get ready for a full week beginning on Thursday morning. I suggest you follow me via Twitter - for the latest info on Creighton basketball recruiting while I'm in Vegas. 

Flight to Vegas is on Wednesday.  Adidas Super 64 starts on Thursday and goes to Sunday.

For you KXNO people in Des Moines - we are live in Vegas on Thursday and Friday for "Matt and Miller"....same link via Twitter is good for you for up to the second info from the Big 12 Media Days in Dallas as we will go there right after Vegas.  We land on Monday morning and do our show from the hotel hosting the event.

Iowa St goes Monday!!   

Included in Dallas trip will be a tour of the new Cowboys - $1 Billion - Stadium...lots of pics to be taken and posted.  8 days, 5 shows, 2 cities, and lots of fun!  (Happy early Bday to AC who will be having his party on Saturday in Vegas!  Can't wait for that)    

We are back in studio next Thursday the 31st after the trips!

My dream girl....

I've been obsessed with Emmauelle Chriqui for the last few years....Simply the most beautiful girl I've ever seen....

NSFW!! Hide the kids...

But this is damn funny.....poor TO :)

The New Bluejaycafe.com

Check it out - i've teamed up with Fred from the BJC to relaunch the site for Jays' fans now with Rivals networking...

www.thebluejaycafe.com  

Should be really cool!

Maggie and Matt Movie Review

Check out what my 9 year old sis and I did together - our first movie review

Ani's Work...

I've been a huge Ani Difranco fan for YEARS. I was so happy to read that she has now become incredibly active in a very poor part of the world.

Read more about here!

http://www.righteousbabe.com/ani/burma/gallery/SA32.asp

Keeping Her Crown But....

These pictures are out now of Carrie Prejean...she says it was "windy"...yup, ok. :)

http://photos.tmz.com/galleries/carrie_prejean_2#41796

but they are fine...I disagree with her mind - the rest of her is all she will be remembered for anyways so let's stop caring what a beauty queen thinks.

Moving to Des Moines

Here is a vidcast that I did for my move to Des Moines for KXNO.com 

American Idol Is Officially Girly

American Idol is stupid.  I will admit that off the top.  However, I'm a huge music fan and since Idol has produced a few acts that have become good - see Underwood, or successful - see Hudson:  I watch from time to time.  

Now, my biggest problem with Idol is the fact that these kids are considered "artists" or at least Kara - the hot but strangely deranged judge - told them to they had to be to win.  Wrong.  All they have to be is male.  No guy in the there right F'ing mind will pick up the phone and vote for another guy who sings.  That would be ridiculous.  If another guy can sing - you just acknowledge and move on.  You don't take action.  Now, if a hot girl can sing - that's another story but even then - if she isn't answering the number you are calling, why the heck would you waste your time?  You know who votes on Idol now - my 9 year old sister Maggie and her friends.  Thus, you get 2 dudes at the end of Idol and the one girl who will actually have a career - Alison goes home (pic left).  In the beginning, lots of people were watching Idol.  Thus you had a lot girls winning cause they were the best and the teeny boppers couldn't vote for their 9 grade crushes.  Now, that's all that's left.  Girls voting for the cute guy or in this cause - the gay cute one.  

Ok, I know I just wrote a blog piece on American freaking Idol, but I had to get that out.  That Adam dude is a freak and can't sing anything except a Broadway play.  The fact that he is going to win has guaranteed another Ruben Studdard.  Enjoy those sales Simon.

FaceBook Fun

So Face Book is an interesting place where people can follow the lives of others that you casually know. This picture comes from the facebook page of former Husker volleyball player Dani Mancuso. Are you serious! :)

I don't mean to make fun of whatever religious place she is about to go into - but come on,....that's funny 

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

4-20 Giggle

Love KG!! :)

Sorry I've Been Away

So I apologize for the lack of content on this blog of late.  I haven't been able to write because I have been in the middle of closing a deal for a new job and then I went to LA for the weekend (check out the sunset last night in Laguna!).  I still can't talk about the new opportunity but I'm really excited about it.  I also am working on some new things that will interest Bluejay basketball fans.  

Quickly, great day today for me.  1st - It's Patriots Day.  Awesome holiday to celebrate the amazing acts of our forefathers.  I'm reading "Burr" by Gore Vidal right now. Great book!  2nd. It's 420 :).  Always a fun day for us liberals.  3rd.  Red Sox beat the O's for a sweep.  Celtics have a huge playoff game vs. Chicago, and the Bruins go for a 3-0 lead on hated Montreal.  4th - The Boston Marathon was today!  Record finish for the women.  

I'm sitting in Orange County where it's 92 degrees waiting on my flight back to Omaha....can't beat this day eventhough I won't get to see much of the fun.  Happy Patriots/420 day! 

Good Day Today

There will be news coming out about me this week.  I can't talk about it until I'm given the OK which I have not yet.  Stay tuned and I'll write more about the new situation when I can.  

So Long Harry and Predictions

Sports lost a truly amazing voice today when Harry Kalas - voice of the Phillies and NFL films died at the age of 73.   There are few voices who leave a mark on the entire sports world but Harry certainly did.  So long Harry - we will miss you.  

Gotta get to the predictions for the MLB post season 

AL- Division

Boston vs. Cleveland

Tampa vs. Angels 

NL - Division

New York vs. LA

Philly vs. Chicago 

ALCS

Boston vs. Tampa 

NLCS 

Chicago vs. New York 

World Series

Tampa Bay vs. Chicago 

WS Champ - Tampa Bay  - I know, crazy right?  but Harry's son Todd is the voice of the Rays.  Only fitting after the Phillies title last year

New Golf Fans Need To Act Like Golf Fans

A fan screamed "It's in the hole!" 

The line was heard after Tiger Woods struck his tee shot at the par 3, 16th hole at Augusta National yesterday during the 1st round of The Masters.

"Oh, not at Augusta!" immediately followed from CBS/ESPN broadcaster Peter Oosterhuis.

I thought the exact same thing.

Golf is not baseball.  Golf is not football.  Golf is not basketball.  Golf is a game where men and women wear a uniform of slacks and collard shirts.  Golf is a game where dress shoes are spiked and the person with the greatest power to penalize your performance is yourself.  

Clean is the word I like to use when I talk about Golf.  It is the one game that I have always known that I would play for my entire life and The Masters is the most amazing event I've ever been to.  From Hogan's Bridge to Founders Circle to Amen Corner - the course is near heaven on earth.  

People often have asked me why do I get upset when Tiger Woods wins.  He's the best player in my lifetime.  Tiger has grown the game in a way that nobody thought an African American could worldwide.  There are more millionaires on tour now than ever before because of Tiger.   All this is true but it's the growth of the game that has concerned me.  Who is now coming to golf because of Tiger?  

The reason is why I get annoyed when Tiger wins is because it brings out THAT GUY - the one who yelled "It's in the hole" yesterday.  He's the guy who loves Tiger - not golf.  He thinks he is cheering at a sporting event.  No big deal right?  Well, it is.  Walking Augusta National last year was one of the greatest sports experiences of my life.  The beauty of the course and the elevation changes aren't done justice on TV.  You have to see it to believe it.  Every angle, every green, every fairway - just so clean.  Golf is different and those who don't get it either need to learn that's it's different or get out.  

The Masters is something special and it's sad that 1 fan can cause such a disappointing moment but I really hope that the new fans learn to love the game - not the player.  If you don't understand the etiquette - educate yourself.  If you don't know all the players - read about them.  Tiger Woods is 7 strokes back going into the weekend of the 2009 Masters.  His largest come-from-behind win of at the Masters was in 2005 where he came back from 6 strokes after 36 holes.  He is basically dead in the water but the tournament is setting up to be AWESOME.  Real golf fans will be watching every stroke.  

One final note - if you need someone to cheer for....how about Anthony Kim.  11!! birdies today and 3 bogies.  He shot a 65 after a 75 yesterday.  10 strokes better!  The 11 birdies is the most EVER in a single round at The Masters.  If he just par'd those 3 holes he bogied - he would have shot a 62!  Course record.  

Sick Shot

This made me smile:

Read Of The Day

From Today's New York Times - something that Omaha people should remember - and Iowa people need to keep in mind.  Great read

For Brian the Producer

So Brian loves to say that he has never seen a single minute of Star Wars.  We would fight about this on the air because I just don't get how you wouldn't watch one of the greatest movies of our time...Star Wars is a right of passage for teenage males.  You have to see it....it's too good not too.

But I wonder if the movie was like this video - would he watch?  :)

New Video For Em

This is damn funny.  I've always been a big Em fan....he goes after everyone including Tony Romo and Sarah Palin is this video and song:

Bitch Slapped in Lincoln

15-0.  15 to NOTHING!  ON THE ROAD!  Against Nebraska. My goodness....that is amazing for Ed's Bluejay boys considering where they were a few weeks ago.  

I saw Coach at the airport before I flew to St. Louis for Arch Madness as the baseball team was getting ready to fly out to South Carolina for the Coastal Carolina Tournament.  Coach was down...really down.  The team was 1-8 at the time and coach said "Matt, We just aren't playing our brand of ball.  I don't know what's up but we are just plugging along.  Hopefully we'll get it together".  Well, the team wouldn't turn the corner for a few more games but they for sure have now -  winning 7 of their last 8 and are now playing Jays' baseball.  Tonight, it was very sweet for Jays' fans considering that the Huskers did something similar last year to the Jays at Rosenblatt.

Tonight, Creighton gave Nebraska their worst beating in the rivalry since 1993 - and it was at Haymarket.  That was a 19-1 killing but tonight felt worse.  It's the first shut of Nebraska since 1977...that's 32 years ago!  They scored 8 runs in the 8th inning and 10 straight batters reached base at one point.

One has to ask - how much longer does Mike Anderson have in Lincoln?  Congrats to the Jays.     

Omaha Needs To See This Movie

My friend Sean (him on the right) is in a new independent movie that was shot in Omaha called "April Showers" that is about to hit theatres.  The movie is about the affects that a school shooting - yes Columbine - can have on a community.  The video below talks about how special Omaha really is and the overall experience of shooting the film in a place like Omaha....and I couldn't agree more with what they say.  This community is one of the most amazing places in the country.  You all should be very proud and go see this movie - looks really good.

Why Are People So Stupid?

So I was reading on line today and somebody wrote about making someone shut up by making them eat a teaspoon of cinnamon.  I have never heard this line before so I googled it....and WOW - there are a lot stupid people in the world willing to cause themselves some serious pain by eating the teaspoon of cinnamon.  I had no idea that it was that dangerous but check out the hot blonde nearly choke herself out:


By the way - the dude taping and laughing....class act.

Champion Crowned Tonight

I won't write a lot on here because I think tonight is pretty simple.  UNC is more talented. Period.  Michigan State will play an amazing game tonight but in the end - UNC wins by 10.  85-75 UNC 2nd title in 5 years and Tyler Hansborough has his "Tim Tebow" movement. 

Prediction Time

PLAY BALL!!  Best saying in all of spring.  I did not do well last year but I love to look back in October and see how things went. 

NL East - New York Mets

NL Central - Chicago Cubs

NL West - LA Dodgers

NL Wild Card - Philadelphia Phillies

Team to watch - St. Louis Cardinals 

AL East - Boston Red Sox

AL Central - Cleveland Indians

AL West - LA Angels 

AL Wildcard - Tampa Bay Rays

Team to watch - Kansas City Royals 

Next Sunday I will predict the playoffs and Champion

Reality Setting In

Tomorrow will be tough for because last week so crazy.  The news came out that I was done officially at Big Sports 590 and I was overwhelmed with emails, texts, and phone calls from friends, family, listeners, and people in the biz.  It was really amazing. 

However, the reality of the show being over has begun to set in and now I have to figure out what comes next.  I've got a lot of work to do in the coming weeks to find my next opportunity and I will be updating the blog in the meantime.  This space gives me the opportunity to talk to you guys and voice my thoughts.

Inside of one of the many emails that I received from a listener was a song.  It took me a back that someone would take the time to write something like this and I asked him I could share it.  He asked me to withhold his name but I thought since this was a first - I would let you read the lyrics.   It was written after I put out the quote "Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened:

Sometimes you may feel like a stranger, others I think you're a friend
    This forced separation surprised me, I bet it did you as well
    Should we be sad now that its over or smile that it happened
     It depends on you, your mood, or just how much this meant to you

    Im not good at goodbyes 
    I wish this didn't have to end
    We feel a litttle helpless now
    Maybe well meet again

    Theres times you will always remember, meaningful or just the fun
    The special connection to this place, 

 the emotions now start to come 
    Should we be sad now that its over or smile that it happened
     It depends on you, your mood, or just how much this meant to you

    Im not good at goodbyes 
    I wish this didn't have to end
    We feel a litttle helpless now
    Maybe well meet again

    Im not good at goodbyes
    How did it end up this way
    Its worse we have no control
    and theres so many things to say

    you tried to resist, and fight the change
    but the time has come to remember better days 

When Are You Old Enough?

I sit here 1 hour away from my 32nd birthday.  I remember back in my angry teen years when I used to think that I would never see 25 because that seemed ridiculous - 25, how do I ever get to THAT age?  I was your typical pissed off teenager who wanted to rule the world.  Well, I blew past that number and now, I'm wondering when do I consider myself a grown up?  I sure as hell don't live like it now.  Tomorrow night I will drink my weight in alcohol and can't wait to do it with some of the best people around.  I can because I have no responsibility to anyone but myself.  But I look around and realize....most 32 year olds don't do that.  And I'm 32 now. Some wish that they could....but most are content with a slower pace to life.  A domestic life. Hell, my brother is 29 and he is married with a kid and lives on a farm.  WAAAY more responsible than me....and I'm his big brother.  

You see, 32 is an age that people start to wonder about you.  Why aren't you married?  You don't have kids?  Don't you want kids?  Don't you want to be married?  Well, yeah I want all those things but I want them later....but is now later?  Can I keep putting them off? I used to think that I would wake up one day and realize that I was ready for those BIG life things and it would just be there for the taking.  If age has taught me anything, it's that timing is the most important thing in life.  It just hasn't been the right time for me to do those things that's all.  

Yet, I'm beginning to feel like Bill Maher.  Married friends don't really know how to deal with me....I'm SINGLE.  I don't have a girlfriend....and go out and party and sometimes hook up with girls that I'm not in a relationship with (although this has REALLY slowed down of late.  I think this is one area where age does come into play.  Not too many mid-20's girls want to hook up with the 30+ year old who is semi-good looking and quasi famous in Omaha.  I mean, I have no game - zero.  But I often just stumbled into a girl who for some reason liked me).  That is the stuff that USED to happen to them back in "their single days".  They look at you and smile and laugh with an uncomfortable giggle.  You are like some crazy cousin that they only can take at Christmas. It's weird but I look at them and think - god, you mean you can't go out and do whatever you want?  You mean you have go to her parents house for WHAT tomorrow?  I couldn't do it - at least not yet. 

Imagine this conversation:  Girl:  Honey we have to go to my mother's tomorrow.  Me: Why? Girl: Because she hasn't seen me in 3 days and she wants to show me pictures of my sister's new house.  Me: I can't.  Girl: Why not?  Me: Cause I have to watch the Final Four games and then I have to read about the Red Sox opening day roster.  Girl:  Can't you just DVR it?  Me: No cause I told Ross I would go to the bar and have a drink with him during the 2nd game.  Girl: No, you can't do that.  Me:  RIIIIGHHHT.  I have to work - read during the 1st game and then with Ross for the 2nd.  Sorry honey, tell your mom hi but I've got work to do and then I'm meeting Ross.  Girl:  Tomorrow is Saturday! You don't have the show ME:  Your point?

See why I can't be married?  My work is my life and my work is what guys do to get away from their wives and lives.  For me, I have to work when they play.  I have the PERFECT excuse every time - "it's my job honey".  Sports and sports radio is what I do.  Now, throw in the fact that I move every 4 years and show me a girl who is down with that lifestyle.  See why I'm single?  Even the girls that I meet that might be cool with the moving - aren't cool with the sports thing.  It's too much.    

But when do you officially become an adult?  What age are you really old enough to be considered mature?  I don't feel like I'm mature and being around married people REALLY makes me feel lacking in that department.  I feel the same as I did when I was 26 or 28.  I think the same way, do the same things....all with a bit less hair on my head but I'm still as active.  If I were turning 28 tomorrow would people question my behavior?  Sure, I might recover a little slower from an all night drunkfest the next morning but not much.  Is it true that you are only as old as you feel?  I think so because if you didn't tell me that I was 32....I wouldn't think that I was that old.  But is 32 old?  Isn't 32 the age where TV talking heads on ESPN start to question  your longevity and your production?  Isn't 32 when they start to wonder "how many good years" you have left?  Isn't 32 the age when they start looking around for the "younger" option?

My whole life is a victim of circumstance however.  My mother had me at 18.  By the time she was 32 she had a 14 year old and a 12 year old running around. ARE YOU F'ing KIDDING ME!  I can barely take care of my cat let alone a teenager.  She had 2!  Plus, I was a pissed off kid because my parents knew each other for grand total of 6 weeks before they got pregnant with me and without my existence there is no way in hell they would have known each other for longer than 6 months.  I think that's why I am the way that I am.  I'm lucky to be here so I better enjoy the hell out of it.  I am also living out the life that my mother never did.  My mom never lived outside of Massachusetts.  She never traveled.  The dreams she chased were so she could provide for her 2 children.  I chase a dream that is entirely self-absorbed because she could never do that and you know what - she wants me to.  She lives through me in a way...although she very much wants me back in Boston.

32 isn't old, I know, but it does get you to thinking about the purpose of life.  I was always taught that family is the most important thing to value.  Blood - that's what matters.  I haven't lived around my family for 10 years.  Virginia, Alabama and Nebraska and now, maybe a new state if I find a job in the coming weeks.  It's been a crazy ride for the past decade but I wouldn't change it for the world.  Yet, I'm trying to figure out what comes next.  Unemployment will do that to you...make you think about the next step in your process.  While I'm scared about what might happen to me, a big part of me is excited about the future.  This is why being unattached is better for me - I don't have to worry about someone else's happiness right now...only mine own.  And that is how I like it at the moment.  

In the great words of the band Cracker "Ha-ppy.  Ha-ppy Birthday to me.  Happy Birthday to me and to you."  I'm 32....and you know what....that's old enough for now.

My Old Company Continues To Circle The Drain....

The economy is killing a lot of companies and Journal Broadcast Group is in real trouble.  I really feel for the many friends I have at the company and the many managers who do a wonderful job for the company.  2009 is a tough year for many....me included

Iowa, Iowa St, Drake, and now CREIGHTON?

The DI basketball scene in the immediate area has been rocked with transfers and departures recently.  Iowa has lost 4 players including Jake Kelly who is going to Indiana St.  Iowa St. lost local product Wes Eikmeier among others and Drake lost Josh Parker as well.  For the most part - Creighton and Northern Iowa have been unaffected.  Until now.....Creighton may been next to go through some roster turmoil. 

Word is out that both Sr. Point Guard Cavel Witter and and Jr. Forward Kenton Walker are seeking their release from Creighton.  Let's take them one at a time.....and these are rumors.  I'm not a media member at the moment....I'm a just someone with access to information. 

1.  Cavel Witter - this should not shock people at all.  Cavel Witter has seen his time cut as he was forced to switch positions and it did not go well.  He was sloppy all year when he had the ball in his hands and looked lost at times inside the offense.  Witter was expected to switch full time to the 2 guard spot as Antonie Young will fill Josh Dotzler's starting spot at Point Guard and incoming Andrew Bock will be expected to back him up.  The rumor has Cavel asking to be moved back to Point Guard and be named the starter since he would be the oldest of the 3 options.  The rumor has the coaching staff saying no to the request and thus Witter wants out.

2.  Kenton Walker - this is SHOCKING if true.  And the reason is the treatment of P'Allen Stinnet.  P has always been a lightning rod for attention but there were huge rumors all year that P had received special treatment by the coaches for a variety of off the court issues.  This has angered Kenton to the point where he doesn't want to play with P anymore.  Take it for what it's worth but this was confirmed by 2 people close to the program tonight but not from someone directly associated with the team.  

If this turns out to be true - Creighton has 2 scholarships open and with Coach Brian Fish up for the North Florida job - all of a sudden there is reason to be concerned for next year if you are a Jays fan.  The lack of post depth could prove to be a huge problem if CU does lose Walker and can't replace him.  

Message Boards....

"Instead of chasing that paper. 
Just live your life (Oh!), 
Ay ay ay. 
You got no time for no haters. 
Just live your life (Oh!), 
Ay ay ay. 
No telling 
Where it'll take you. 
Just live your life (Oh!), "  TI featuring Rihanna 

A part of being a sports talk show host that I never got fully accustomed to is the message board faction.  A message board is a really cool thing when people use it right….but it’s like the line “Every tool is a weapon – if you hold it right”.   Being on the radio means you are in the public eye.  Someone who runs a radio station believes that you have the ability to argue and discuss topics in an intelligent and entertaining manner and thus, your voice becomes larger than the average sports fans.  There is a lot of animosity that comes from being on that stage.  Enter the message board.

The two main message boards for sports here in Nebraska, Huskersillustrated.com and Thebluejaycafe.com, are both extremely good sources of information about the teams that they cover.  Breaking news, articles about the team, speculation on stories, and predictions from the media all get linked to threads on the boards.  However, when Rick Pitino called sports talk radio listeners “The Fellowship of the Miserable” while he was here in Omaha – I think message board fanatics fit the bill better. 

People often ask me why do I write on message boards – why bother to lower yourself to their level and give the rogue idiots the satisfaction that they got to you?  I never felt like I was making a mistake by answering people who write about me on message boards until recently.  I have always seen myself as the same as any sports fan with the love of competition, the love of my team, the love of what is going on inside the sports community – the hot topic of the day if you will.  But the experience of being let go from Big Sports 590 has changed me. Maybe I need to keep anyway from them the next job I go to.  Sad though - I love the interaction with diehard fans...but it seems like it was more trouble than it was worth.

I have read things over the past few days that have really saddened me.  The one insult that will always get to me is to call me a liar.  If you remember “Back to the Future”, Michael J. Fox’s character Marty couldn’t stand to be called “Chicken”.  He freaked out when you did, melt down and bow up….well, that’s what happens to me when you call me a liar.   I try very hard to be an honest person in life – both public and private.  Your character is what you have when nobody is watching.  So when people write that I’m lying about what happened to me – well, it hurts.  The hateful words directed at me are sad too but I grew a thick skin about personal comments about me a while ago.  If someone wants to hate me for my mind or for what I say on the air, that’s the job I choice.  Unfortunately, when someone is vulnerable, that’s when the vultures come out of their hiding. 

I will always say this – if you ever have a question…just ask.  Direct questions get direct answers from me.  Always

The Morning After....

Hi Guys,

I want to thank you for the experience yesterday because it was truly something I will never forget.  I've never left a job like that before.  Normally, I'm moving on to another job, bigger market, another opportunity and I can't stop thinking about what will come next.  This time, I can't stop thinking about what was and how much fun I had here.  

I am going to write a lot more on here tonight but I just wanted to put something up to say thank you.  I answered 350 emails last night.  If you wrote and I didn't write back - resend it because I either skipped  over it by mistake or it never got to me.  

Talk soon,

Yours,

mp

An Explanation - Best I Can Do

As many of you know, tomorrow will be our last edition of the "Big Show with Matt Perrault" on Big Sports 590.  I can't believe it either but I've been living by a saying over the last few days that I think is appropriate: "Don't cry because it's over.  Smile because it happened".  Its little girly I know but - that's me :).  

Our first show was on April 25th, 2005.  I was 27 when I came to Omaha from WUMP in Huntsville and was in a relationship with a girl that was back in Alabama that caused me a lot of issues - most of which never made the air.  1 episode - unfortunately - did on Todd and Tyler one morning.  That was the low point of my time here in Omaha and forced me to move mentally to Omaha.  Once that happened, a lot good things fell into place.  Omaha became home and quickly became the best place I've ever worked. 

Some of you of have known about this news for a few weeks and I really appreciate all the love you have shown to me.  There was a internet report that came out that detailed some ratings numbers that made it sound like the show wasn't doing well and maybe that was why the show is over.  I just want everyone to know that this show was doing very well in all areas.  Sales were up.  Ratings were good. And the show was more popular than ever.  Sure, we did our best during Creighton basketball season but that is why the station was put on the air.  We "hung our hat" on Creighton basketball as my old boss would say during our first years.  But in life, nothing stays the same - that goes 2 fold for radio.  

I found out on December 30th that I was being let go at the end of March.  I can not tell you exactly why Journal decided to not renew my contract.  It was a process that I wasn't a part of - only affected by.   What I can tell you and what I do want you to know is that I fought for 4 months to stay and keep the show going.  I went as far as to offer to reduce my salary by 2/3 which was ultimately rejected.  We made the company money but radio is sick right now.  Our other properties are really suffering - thus cuts had to be made.  Downsizing is never fun but local radio is a labor of love.  You have to want to make it succeed and do the little things to be successful.  That's not the nature of my industry at the moment.  

I am leaving Omaha with my head held very high.  We did everything we were suppose to do but sometimes, when you work for someone else, you end up on the cutting room floor.  Creighton basketball will always be special to me as will the fans of the Jays.  I felt like the show was a place for them to hear about their program and hear players, coaches, and media members talk about the Jays.  I wanted the Jays' fans to feel on the same level as Nebraska for once because I saw them that way.  It made my job a ton of fun.

As for my next step, I don't think I will be out of work for too long.  It's funny, in January I was a finalist for a Top 20 market job on the West Coast and truly thought I was leaving Omaha.  I was sad then to leave and I'm just as sad now to leave without a new job.  Yet, a lot has changed for me professionally over the past 2 years in Omaha and I am truly excited about what is in front of me.  I'm ready for something new.  

I want to say thank you to everyone who has ever read this blog, emailed me, or listened to the show over the years.  I know we haven't always agreed on issues but that's part of being a talk show host.  Omaha is filled with some of the nicest people I've ever met.  To those of you outside of Omaha that I never got a chance to meet, thank you as well for listening every afternoon.  

There is someone who doesn't get talked about enough that I want to thank.  Brian Delehant, the producer of the Big Show, is responsible for the show working here in Omaha.   I want to thank him so much for his hard work and putting up with my moody ass.  Seriously, the kid has been my shrink with my relationships with girls, has been my priest when I was mad at myself for being stupid, and my friend to go drink a pint with after work.  I'll miss working with him and wish him nothing but the best.  He's the best producer a talk show host could ask for.  He just gets it.

In closing, I'm so proud of what we did in just 4 years.  From starting the first ever call-in show for the Jays post game, to raising $25,000 for the victims of the Westroads shootings, to bringing an injured Nebraska service man back from North Carolina to see the Huskers play USC for not a penny out of his pocket, to helping the downtown stadium project become a reality - The Big Show left its mark.  

As a talk show host, that's all you try to do.  I will miss you all and as always - thanks for listening. 

Yours,

mp 

  

PS:  Here are my top 5 sports moments over the past 4 years - feel free to share your at Matt@bigsports590.com

5. Jays play Kentucky in the NIT 

4. Nebraska vs. USC in LA (Live from Jim Rome's Studios)

3. Steve Pederson gets fired 

2. Tom Osborne comes back as AD

1. Dana Altman comes back 

Honorable mention : Jays beat URI in the NIT on Witter's shot, Jays beat SIU in Overtime with crazy finish, Nebraska hires Bo Pelini, Huskers nearly beat Top 5 Texas Tech on the road, Ripping on Doc Sadler :), Jays kill Nebraska at the Qwest Center - more I'm forgetting I'm sure....

Music. My first love....why aren't you watching Palladia?

As a 31 year old, about to be 32 year old male who grew up in Boston in the 90's, art, specifically music, had tremendous influence on my life. I still remember my first album that I bought when I was just 9 years old. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi was my first experience to my life long love. I will never forget holding the tape cover and trying to figure what the hell the title meant. I knew (I was 9 remember) that I had seen a sign on the bridge over the train tracks by my house but I knew there was something else to it because of the look my mother made when she saw it. The tape was white and I would buy a hundred more like it, often times wearing the tape out I'd play it so much.

By the time I was 13, I would have 3 shoe boxes full of tapes. I would spend any extra money that I would get on music. I was immediately drawn to the Sony Walkman and bought several during those years. It was my personal escape from the world. It was not a coincidence that the discovery of music coincided with my mother and father getting divorced and then my mother getting remarried. Music is what helped me get through it all. The lyrics, the sharing of pain, the anger, the passion and the energy from sound all helped me cope. Then came the explosion of grunge music which would change my life.

At 15, I was working odd jobs to just buy music and was dedicated to finding new bands before anyone else. I bought a CD by a band named Cracker after hearing their first single on the radio - "Teen Angst" (no surprise there). I had become obsessed with a radio station named WFNX in Boston and had heard that song and immediately got my mother to drive to Salem, New Hampshire so I could buy it at Newbury Comics. (I would later intern at WFNX for Laurie Gail who was then their Music Director during the summer between my Freshmen and Sophomore years at UMass and personally contribute thousands to building the Newbury Comics empire in New England). WFNX said that Cracker was playing an all ages show at a local club called Avalon which is located directly behind Fenway Park. This would be the first team that sports and music became neighbors in my life. I bought a ticket the next day....1 ticket.

You have to realize that at this time in my life, I was really a loner. My father was a alcoholic who verbally and physically abused my mother, brother and myself. I was completely ashamed of my life. We lived in a upper middle class town that had lots of "traditional" families. I was the child of a 18 year old mom and 20 year old dad. My mother was remarried to a guy who was many years her younger. Today, this isn't that crazy but in Andover in 1990 - it was unique. I had a hard time making friends and trusting anyone. So when it came time for me to go to my first rock concert - I didn't have anyone to go with me.....so - I went by myself. Later on I would find a group of friends that loved music as much as me but that would be after I stopped walking around school with my headphones on and my hat pulled down over the my eyes.

Looking back on it now, it's crazy that my mother allowed me at 15 to get on the train and then on the Green line to go to an all ages show in Boston by myself. Yet, I would do it numerous times in high school and it allowed the freedom to discover the power of live music and the power of the microphone and stage. It had a huge affect on me as I would see concerts alone by bands like Helmet, Bush, Oasis, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, and Mighty Mighty Bosstones before anyone really had heard of them. I was the first one in my high school rocking their CD on my Diskman. It was my "thing" and I realized that I could do things by myself and gain confidence from the experiences. No one else from my town that was my age was going into Boston to clubs like Axis, Avalon or Paradise for concerts. (I didn't realize it but it was the precursor to my career of moving around the country alone for radio). The strength that my mother let me find I'm sure was difficult for her but as a mother of 2, working 2 jobs and going to school to become a nurse - I'm sure she was just happy that I found a way to spend my time that wasn't involving the drugs or alcohol that my father exposed me to early in life.

The reason I bring all this up is because there is a channel that is out there that people aren't watching enough. That channel is called Palladia. If you haven't watched it before - you really need to start because it is so unique and amazing (Channel 840 in Omaha on Cox). I've been to over 300 concerts in my life and this channel is full of incredible live musical performances from the past 15 years. I get fired up every time I turn the channel on to see what is on and what will be coming up. It's my favorite channel on TV right now. VH1 Storytellers is seen daily with acts like Pearl Jam, Snoop Dog, Kayne West, and REM. Interviews with key artists and rocking concerts from all over the world - ALL IN HD! It's heaven for me.

I can see amazing concerts from acts that I've seen numerous times and it allows me to go back to when I was that kid jumping on trains to go see shows by myself. I had a obsession with Oasis in High School - seeing them 10 times but Palladia has a concert from last year that is crazy good. I'm a huge fan of British music and the concerts from across the pond are great on Palladia. Amy Winehouse, Kate Nash, Lily Allen, and others can be seen every week. From concerts to festivals to special music programming - there is nothing like it on TV. Remember when everyone bitched about MTV not being about music? Well, Palladia is all about the music.

As someone who buys 2 albums a week on Itunes and goes to around a concert a month - I'm really nervous that Palladia won't make it like other great HD channels. 3 Sheets was an amazing TV show that people didn't get exposed to enough and it got cancelled. I don't want to see Palladia suffer the same fate.....so WATCH! I've had passionate relationships with bands like Pearl Jam, U2, REM, Ani Difranco, and Oasis and Palladia is allowing me to keep those going.

Let me continue to be moved by the amazing music that is out there every night by watching Palladia!

BTW - Can't wait for Death Cab for Cutie in 2 weeks at the Holland!