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Matt McClearin has been at The Ticket in Dallas for more than a year since returning to the station. And he believes there’s a key aspect that helped him assimilate into the fabric of the brand.
Matt McClearin joined the Cumulus Dallas sports talk station at a somewhat tumultuous time for the brand. It was going through the retirement of Norm Hitzges, while simultaneously navigating the high-profile exits of Dan McDowell and Jake Kemp.
In a profile with The Dallas Morning News, McClearin was asked about whether or not there was any difficulty in building chemistry with his new co-host, Donovan Lewis, when he stepped into the role.
“No, not really. That was something that Donnie and I actually had commented on probably the first week or so, just how natural it was, right off the bat. We really like each other,” said McClearin. “We like being around each other and we do things outside the show. He’s somebody that, over the last year or so, I think, has grown into becoming one of my best friends. We have great conversations, of course on the air during the course of the show, but just great conversations as friends off-air.
“It’s just a real natural fit. And part of that’s a testament to him. I think both of us are just easy people to work with that just want to put together a good product,” he continued.
“That’s another thing that really jumps out. A lot of the guys at The Ticket could have monster egos, and nobody does. They just want to put the best product forward, and are willing to do whatever it takes to do that. So I think there’s a lot of mutual respect for people that show up and are ready to go to work, but the natural chemistry part, and part of that goes to Jeff Catlin, his ability to put people together and understand what fits, it’s a testament to his leadership to be able to pair people like Donnie and I together.
“But I just think, honestly, from the first show, it grows over time. But man, it’s been a blast. I love showing up to work every day with them.”
Matt McClearnin added that he’s had shows in the past that were good, and shows that were fun, but working with Lewis has been the perfect combination of fun and good radio.
“I just think what he and I are doing together is the best stuff that I’ve ever done, which I love,” The Ticket host concluded.
