It’s a big week at Barrett Sports Media with rankings for top sports radio stations and shows, but I didn’t want the week to go by without shining a light on some top sports radio producers who really make their shows and stations sound great. Here’s a look at eight sports radio producers making an impact for their shows and their radio stations. (They are presented in alphabetical order by last name –Sorry Danny Zederman!)
Cody Elias, 95.7 The Game/San Francisco
Show: Joe, Lo, and Dibs 6-10am
Twitter: @Cody_Elias
Cody has helped to elevate Joe, Lo, and Dibs to the top sports morning show in the Bay Area. Develop strong content and compelling angles focusing on Bay Area sports. He excels at on-site broadcast including the Golden State Warriors Championship Parade, San Francisco Giants World Series Post Game Shows and Raiders Training Camp from Napa.
“Cody is doing a great job. It’s interesting, he is just really good at topics, booking guests and knowing how to deal with each of his hosts who are so different.” – Matt Nahigian, Program Director, 95.7 The Game
Travis “T-Bone” Hancock, WFNZ/Charlotte
Show(s): The Mac Attack with Chris McClain and T-Bone 6-10 am
Twitter: @TBoneWFNZ
Travis has been at WFNZ for 13 years and is currently the producer and co-host of The Mac Attack with Chris McClain and T-Bone.
“For 13 years, Travis’ uncanny knack to maneuver the show on a fly, while keeping our ‘human alarm clock’ Chris McClain in control on the air is second to none. You’d never know by listening to the show through the speakers if T-Bone is putting out a fire or running the show as smooth as ice. He books big name guests on a daily basis, while his creativity with on-air bits, vocal impersonations and humor is as good as any executive producer in the country.” –WFNZ PD Tony DiGiacomo
Tyrone Johnson, 97.5 The Fanatic/Philadelphia
Show: Mike Missanelli Show, 2-6pm
Twitter: @tyjohnsonnews
Despite being a self-proclaimed “boring pescatarian”, Tyrone has brought his great personality and unique story angles to The Mike Missanelli Show. Since joining the show a year ago, the show has grown by almost two points with Men 25-54.
“Tyrone’s greatest contribution is chiming in on the air with a relatable quick wit spiked by smart dry humor. Tyrone brings a GenX view, while Natalie, (anchor Natalie Egenolf) brings the hip millennial city wise angle. They both have brought out the best in Mike-since joining the show a year ago!” –Eric Johnson, Program Director, 97.5 The Fanatic
David Reed, 104.5 The Zone/Nashville
Show: Midday180, 10am-2pm
Twitter: @DavidReedRADIO
David produces The Midday180 in addition to serving as Satellite Uplink Producer for the Titans Radio Network on game days. David’s a pro’s pro. He’s upbeat, focused, and creative, making The Midday180 a show that I would put up against any in the country.
“When a Zone listener tunes in for The Midday180 our hope is they hear original content not heard anywhere else in Nashville. We accomplish that because of our ‘Chairman of the Board’. From audio clips to highlight packages, from special segment intros to a sound bite at just the right time, from timing up a perfect guest or (more importantly) not allowing every caller through just to fill time, the man who ties our show together is David Reed. His wife recently battled breast cancer and David was right by her side. But that challenging time didn’t hinder his quality work, which is amazing. He’s a pro, and he’s a friend. We’re not a show of three hosts. It’s all four of us. His addition to the show a few years ago allowed us to reach another level in our daily product.” – Jonathan Hutton, Co-host The Midday180, 104.5 The Zone
Dustin Rhoades, 670 The Score/Chicago
Show: Mully and Haugh, 5-9am
This choice was the most difficult as I worked nine years at The Score (1994-2003) and hired a number of the current producers. Dustin wins it by a nose due to the challenging time-slot and his handling of the recent talent change with David Haugh replacing 26 year Score veteran Brian Hanley. In the most recent fall book Mully and Haugh finished first with an impressive 8.5.
“With the hours of a morning show an EP like Dustin has to be able to adjust to sports news at all hours of the day and help hosts react appropriately. At the same time he needs to book guests that could add and advance a topic or story–who are available during those early hours. Dustin has that ability.” –Mitch Rosen, Operations Manager, 670 The Score
James Stewart, 98.5 The Sports Hub/Boston
Show:Felger and Massarotti, 2-6pm
Twitter: @IamJamesStewart
James Stewart is the Executive Producer of Felger & Massarotti. Felger and Mazz has been #1 in afternoon drive in Boston with Men 25-54 since 2013. Oh and he’s a huge pro wrestling nut with a terrific podcast for wrestling fans called “Inside the Ropes.”
“James works with two very successful air talents and helps keep the communication flowing before, during and after the show. He’s great at getting all the audio and coming up with angles for the topics of the day. Plus, he keeps the show executing the PPM basics.” –Mike Thomas, Brand Manager, 98.5 The Sports Hub
Jeffrey Wright, 92.9 ESPN/Memphis
Show(s): Geoff Calkins Show 9-11am (also fills in on Eric Hasseltine Show)
Twitter: @jwright929espn
In just 2 years he managed to help move Geoff Calkins Show to a Top 1-2 show every month with 10 shares. Jeffrey often is producing AND hosting shows because his host, Geoff Calkins, is on the road as the lead columnist for The Daily Memphian.
“It’s impressive considering Jeffrey was coming from the Oxford Exxon Podcast Show at Ole Miss directly to the radio station two years ago. He adapted, added producer and hosting roles, and is a tireless worker with a “can do” attitude for our staff as Exec Producer.” –Brad Carson, Director of Branding/Sports Programming Entercom-Memphis
Danny Zederman, ESPN 1000/Chicago
Shows: Kap & Company 9a-Noon CT and Carmen & Jurko Noon-2pm CT
Twitter: @DZederman
In mid February, Danny will have been at ESPN 1000 in Chicago for 13 years. That’s five hours, two shows and three different hosts on a daily basis.
“Sometimes things get heated in show meetings, or commercial breaks or even on air – but Danny’’s extremely passionate about what he does and it comes across in his producing. Danny is also a producer, real old school, doesn’t want what more than 75% of producers want – on air!” –ESPN 1000 PD Adam Delevitt
As you can see from this terrific group, there are so many different ways for a strong producer to contribute. Some are great on-air, some strong guest-bookers, some are geniuses with audio. The one thing that I can say about the eight producers on this list is that each and every one of them is great at working with talent. You don’t produce shows with these ratings without having a great understanding of dealing with talent. Congrats!
Matt Fishman is a former columnist for BSM. The current PD of ESPN Cleveland has a lengthy resume in sports radio programming. His career stops include SiriusXM, 670 The Score in Chicago, and 610 Sports in Kansas City. You can follow him on Twitter @FatMishman20 or you can email him at FishmanSolutions@gmail.com.
