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How Curtis Sliwa Scratches the Radio Itch During Campaign for NYC Mayor

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Earlier this year, 77 WABC host Curtis Sliwa was one of three hosts on the New York news/talk station forced to step away due to their political aspirations, due to Fair Time regulations.

Sliwa is running for mayor of New York City and secured the Republican nomination late last month. It marks the second time that he’s seeking the office, which means he knew launching the campaign would mean he’d have to step away from his talk radio show.

And despite knowing that stepping away from the show was a requirement as he sought the top job in New York, he said it didn’t make him question whether he should run as the Republican candidate for the office.

“I’ve been doing talk radio for 35 years, mostly at WABC,” he shared. “At times, the acronym has stood for ‘Always Broadcasting Curtis,'” he said with a laugh, noting that he’s hosted mornings, middays, and at nights on the legendary New York station.

In spite of the campaign, Curtis Sliwa has still found a way to scratch the proverbial itch that exists in his radio blood. He has guest hosted some shows for WABC, while also giving credit to his longtime friend and morning show host Sid Rosenberg for allowing him to make appearances on the program.

“(Sid) has really given me the opportunity to respond to a lot of my critics,” Sliwa noted. “So when you consider that all of my critics are telling me I should resign or not run, it’s Sid who has used his enormous bully pulpit, and not only given me tactical air support, but shoot down all the critics with facts. Because he’s been out there in the streets and subways.”

Interestingly, Curtis Sliwa did not have the backing from 77 WABC’s billionaire owner, John Catsimatidis, as he seeks the position of mayor.

When asked how he felt about not receiving the endorsement and support of the owner of his radio station, Sliwa had a logical response,

“He’s a businessman,” Sliwa said of Catsimatidis. “Like Trump said when he first ran for office, ‘I supported everybody — Democrats and Republicans — and who I thought would be best for my business.’ That is what businessmen do. I am not the choice of the billionaires … I’m the blue collar candidate. I think people have known me for 46 years. You can’t rent me. You can’t lease me. I’m not for sale, and I’m not gonna allow City Hall to be for sale to billionaires or anyone else. And they know that.”

And while he says he’s not the candidate for billionaires, he said he’s welcoming the chance to speak with other New Yorkers and not just talk radio listeners.

“I love the fact that I am not just talking to people over the radio because (my show) was caller-driven,” he said. “I didn’t have guests. I’ve never had guests. Everything was me and the callers, and obviously entertaining them and not just beating them over the head from a bully pulpit on the most powerful AM station in the nation. and that your role as you talk to your host is to entertain and engage.”

Sliwa added that campaigning does mimic talk radio in some aspects.

“When I’m in the subways — and I’m the only candidate who actually is in the subways every day, they’re never in the subway — it’s the perfect focus group. It’s like having talk radio callers,” Sliwa said. “You drill down on it, and there’s no escape when the door is closed. There are a lot of people, so you’re on the spot in front of an audience.

“So even though it’s not an audience of hundreds of thousands listening, you’re in a contained atmosphere. You can’t escape,” he noted. “Now they’re asking you tough questions and they expect answers because one person chimes in, another person doesn’t like the answer, and now you’re being double-teamed, which I love. I love retail politics. I love being out there and engaging with people.”

Sliwa shared his belief that he’s “synonymous with radio” in the Big Apple, noting that he has an audience that’s also on the younger side due to their parents listening to him while they were growing up.

“A lot of them, they would say, ‘Curtis, I listened to you while I was growing up.’ And I said ‘I know you didn’t do it by choice. You did it because you were a prisoner in the backseat of the car. Your mother and father were driving while listening to me and you were screaming for them to the station. And they said no.’ They laugh, because they know that was the case.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

20 Brands In 20 Days: Ashley Morrison, US 103.5 Tampa

Ashley Morrison is Director of Programming and Brand Strategy for Country US 103.5 in Tampa. The station brands itself as “Tampa Bay’s Number One For New Country.” The station blends today’s Country with nostalgic throwbacks and a commitment to being live and present for the Tampa Bay audience.

US 103.5 is today’s featured brand for Barrett Media’s 20 Brands In 20 Days series.

For Morrison, programming US 103.5 is a homecoming of sorts.

“We just celebrated 20 years at the station, which is funny because I grew up here in the Tampa Bay area and moved away for 17 years. Then I came back. I’m going on my third year with iHeart and WFUS. I remember when this station came on the air because I was in high school. So being a part of it still and being a part of the makeup, it’s pretty cool. It’s a full circle moment for me.”

“We focus on being a live and local radio station, connecting with our listeners. Our station ID is “Tampa Bay’s Number One For New Country.” We try to own those new artists. The new songs, while not forgetting about the songs we knew and still love.”

“Overall, you could describe it as just a very energetic, constant ball of fire. We’re always doing something because Tampa’s such a big, busy market.”

Morrison believes in making sure the spotlight shines brightly on the new music and artists.

“It’s always a constant reminder for everybody. All of us who work in radio. It’s got to be spotlighted. We hear music so far in advance. It’s a reminder not just for our on-air staff, even me, hey, this is still new to our listeners.”

Being local means something different in every market. What does it mean in Tampa?

“I came up in local radio. That’s always been part of my DNA in this industry. I’m constantly reminding my on-air talent that it’s our responsibility and reminding them of the platform they have and the responsibilities.”

“Not to forget that who they’re talking to could be their neighbors. They’re people who want to relate to us. They’re people who are affected by hurricanes. In the same way, we’re affected by hurricanes. Being out in the community is an absolute no-brainer. If we’re not, that is a fail to me. I’m failing my station; I’m failing my listeners.”

US 103.5 has “The Bobby Bones Show” in mornings. I asked Morrison how the station localizes the show.

“I remind my local team how lucky we are that every week he has a Country artist on his show. Whether there’s a buzz-worthy story or whether it’s a throwback Country artist. Or he’s bringing in a brand-new artist, he’s introducing.”

“And not only can we say it’s on the “Bobby Bones Show”, but it’s super important that sometimes we just say, hey, don’t miss Ella Langley’s interview on US 103.5 tomorrow morning.  It’s okay to acknowledge it’s just on the station and own it as a station. The station has that star, that new artist, or that throwback artist on for an interview. Or we’re world premiering this on US 103.5 this morning. Owning the locality of it instead of just saying Bobby Bones.”

iHeart has a strong nationwide promotion platform. How does that dovetail with local opportunities?

“We’re grateful for it because we’re able to hook listeners up with cash, which is incredibly wanted nowadays. I have to be strategic about what we’re going to do on air, what I’m going to say yes to. What I need to put online and what’s going to be an Instagram contest.”

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Tampa offers a wealth of promotional opportunities.

“You’ve got almost every major tour that comes through here in our market between Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, and the areas we cover. And all the venues we cover in this market. Then you’ve got the theme parks that we work directly with, including Disney, Universal, Tampa, and Busch Gardens, as well as Adventure Island.”

“Then you’ve got the Tampa Bay Rays, the Tampa Bay Bucks, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies. You’ve got all the professional sports teams. We’re in a market that is highly engaged, and most of those are our clients.”

“Being a part of so many different available options, you’ve got to be strategic. What’s going to be the biggest of the big? What’s not going to clog up and be confusing and be too much for the listener to digest.”

As far as AI, Morrison is engaged.

“I’m coming from a perspective of the big picture of the industry. I love being a part of bigger conversations. And being in the know of what’s coming next for the industry. I use AI right now more so just for idea-generating processes. I’m not taking anything word for word from it.”

And to wrap up?

“Here in the Tampa market, Tommy Chuck is our SVP, and he is the one who brought me on board here and gave me my shot. My first PG gig.  I’m coming on my third anniversary.

“Now that I’ve been in a leadership position for numerous years, it’s pouring back into your talent. Even though we don’t all have budgets, and we don’t even sometimes have that bench of anyone coming up. It’s getting creative. It’s finding ways to make brands that our audiences, listeners, and neighbors think of in their communities as their friend.”

“If we want to keep going and thrive, we’ve got to have that mindset. That mindset of mentorship. Digging into the people around you. You’ll have a much better experience if you’re trying to build and lead.”

Reach out to Ashley Morrison by email here.   

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

How Local Knowledge Separates Great Radio Talent from Out-of-Mark Hosts

There’s always an adjustment period when you get plunged into a new situation. That goes for work in radio, relationships, or life in general.

“Hit the ground running” is a nice idea, but life has a way of obstructing that. Overnight sensations put in a lot of time and effort before that “overnight”; there’s practice and research and talent recruitment and just learning the market. The latter is key to understanding where you’re going and what will work.

You don’t show up for a radio job (yes, they still have some of those) in a market for the first time and instantly become a local, and real locals often consider newcomers interlopers and carpetbaggers who can’t possibly know all the ins and outs of the local scene. If you’re a newcomer, your opinion may sound like someone without knowledge of the true story reacting to a news item. Why should they listen to you?

You have to put some time into learning about your market, whether you’re a talk show host or just voice tracking from someplace else. It’s not just knowing the power brokers in town, it’s knowing what used to be where, who the local celebrities are (hint: TV anchors), what the traffic patterns are, what the neighborhoods are like, where the good and bad schools are… in other words, the stuff you’d know if you grew up in the area. While the internet helps with that research, you really have to go out and experience regular daily life for a while to get enough local knowledge to sound like a local.

The other day, that thought came to me while running errands. I spent a lot of time in South Florida before moving here a few years ago, my wife went to school here, my father lived here, and I could get around without a map. I didn’t, however, know nearly as much as I thought I did about the things natives know.

For example, the stereotype of the South Florida driver is that we’re all a) old and b) prone to driving 30 miles under the speed limit on highways. That’s wrong. Seniors here, as it turns out, are aggressive (and aggressively bad) drivers, speeding and tailgating and running red lights and willing to challenge you to a fight over a parking space at Publix. The real danger on the roads are young male drivers in their 20s and 30s driving over 100 mph in leased Lamborghinis (I swear, I’ve seen more Lambos and McLarens on the road here than at a race track) and weaving between lanes on I-95, so much so that I put a dashcam on my Volvo just in case.

What else didn’t I know? People here don’t love Publix, the grocery chain, the way it’s portrayed in the rest of the country; it’s perceived as expensive, owned by Trumpers, and so ubiquitous that there not only seems to be one on every corner, but there are some that are directly across the street from each other.

The Cuban refugee influence on the area is really concentrated in Miami-Dade County, making that area seem like a different world from Broward and Palm Beach counties, which are filled with former Dade residents, Haitian immigrants, and ex-New Yorkers complaining how there’s no good Chinese food, bagels, or pizza here. I-95 is hell, and the stretch of I-95 north of downtown Miami is the worst (and I’ve survived the Schuylkill Expressway, Belt Parkway, and the 405 at rush hour).

You need a car here, unless you’re going to Miami International Airport, in which case you can abandon all hope of getting there by any means. It will take you longer to get out of the parking garage at loanDepot Park than to watch a Marlins game, not that it’s likely that you’ll do that. Yes, there are a lot of Wawas here, along with the requisite CVS and Walgreens stores. Politics? As corrupt as it comes, especially in Miami, and you can go Google Joe Carollo for more about that.

We have a lot of bugs, but people don’t complain about them, they just call their exterminators when it gets out of control. The love bugs that used to swarm and take the paint off the front of your car seem to have disappeared.  We do have gators and crocs and sharks, but you might never see one. Iguanas, on the other hand…

See? This is what I mean when I say that you can’t fake local. You have to be there to experience what life is like for locals, so that you can speak to their concerns. You can’t know what those concerns are by just reading something online and learning how they pronounce things. Every market is like that.

If you’re moving to (or voice tracking) a new market, it’s going to be a while before you’re really “one of us.” Your new listeners can tell. They can always tell.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

The Watch: NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas

The times, as they say, they are a’changing. Gone is Lester Holt. In is NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas. And it’s a whole new era from Studio 1A at 30 Rock.

Lester Holt was the venerable anchor of the long-running news program, earning the moniker of “Most Trusted Man in News.”

He did so, in spite of the program continually finishing in second place– at times by a wide margin — to ABC World News Tonight with David Muir. So, it could almost be viewed as Wendy’s being rated as the tastiest fast food burger, even though McDonald’s mops the floor with its competitors.

But that speaks to the level of Holt. Not only in name recognition, but with credibility and authenticity. People knew Lester Holt. And trusted him.

So when a relative newcomer like Tom Llamas is named as the replacement for Holt, there’s undeniably going to be an adjustment period. And while the ratings slumped in his first week, Llamas has regained or even in some instances surpassed what had been established by Holt during his final weeks and months leading the nightly newscast.

I watched Friday’s newscast to get a feel for what a program led by Tom Llamas felt like, especially compared to what the program felt like when it was anchored by Holt.

Having covered CBS Evening News, ABC World News Tonight, and NBC Nightly News under Holt in this space, I have the same reaction to begin each episode: the two-minute “here’s what you’re about to see” montage — or at least, in NBC’s case, the 90-second version — has to go. Don’t tell me what I’m about to see. Show it to me. Now. As fast as you can. With as much information and detail available. And then hit me with the next story. People consume their news drastically differently than they did during the days of The Huntley-Brinkley Report. Let’s evolve, shall we?

The immediate reaction from the standup to being the show from Llamas is that he has a firm grasp of the cadence required of a nightly newscast anchor. Perhaps moving just slightly too quickly, Llamas exudes a palpable energy. It’s clear he’s passionate about his role. Immediately. It’s nice to see.

As the show continues, I can’t help but get the feeling that Llamas — despite his lack of widespread name recognition and familiarity — is incredibly polished. He plays the role of anchorman well. The manniersims. The understanding of the subject matter. Furthermore, the idea that the viewer doesn’t want their time wasted.

There isn’t a lot of superfluous movement during NBC Nightly News, which I liked during Holt’s tenure, too. It’s a much faster-paced rundown of the day’s news than its counterparts at ABC and CBS News. Efficiency is the name of the game, and Llamas has that down.

Perhaps the one big criticism I had with Llamas during the opening segment was when he asked questions of his correspondent colleagues, he didn’t put enough emphasis on the upward inflection at the end of a question as you might expect. Nitpicking, certainly, but he asked a question of Gabe Gutierrez at the White House about the potential resignation of Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, that didn’t exactly sound like he was asking a question. It was almost too news anchor-y, and not as conversational as one might like or expect.

But if that’s the biggest takeaway or criticism of Llamas, then I would say things are going quite well. I came away from the newscast feeling as if the new NBC Nightly News anchor was already — in spite of only being on the job as the top anchor for six weeks — smoothly operating the show. He comes across as completely polished.

If those at ABC News thought that with Lester Holt departing that NBC News would see a large drop-off, like CBS News did after the exit of Norah O’Donnell, I can’t help but think those hopes have already been dashed. NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas is absolutely a formidable opponent for the David Muir-led show at ABC News. It will be interesting to see how the ratings races between total viewers and the key Adults 25-54 demographic shake out as Llamas is the youngest of the network newscast anchor bunch.

That youthfulness, however, isn’t inexperience. At least, it doesn’t feel like inexperience. Tom Llamas doesn’t seem out of place behind the desk at NBC Nightly News. And that will, and likely already has, made a world of difference for the network.

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Meadowlark Media Adding Dave Dameshek for NFL Podcast

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Meadowlark Media is adding Dave Dameshek for an NFL show next month, the longtime television writer and podcaster revealed in a social media post.

In a post to X, Dameshek shared that he was launching a new program on the Dan Le Batard-founded network.

“I’m plum over the pigskin-shaped moon to let you know I’ll be doing an NFL show on the (Dan Le Batard Show) network starting in August,” Dameshek said.

He added that he would release “more details in the coming days.”

Dameshek is no stranger to the podcast space. He previously worked on The Adam Carolla Show, before launching a program for NFL.com called the Dave Dameshek Football Program. He’s also hosted programs for ESPN and Omaha Productions, among others.

In the past, Dave Dameshek has worked as a comedy writer for shows like Sports Geniuses and BattleBots, as well as Crank Yankers and Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

The addition of Dameshek’s show comes at a time of change at Meadowlark Media. Previous shows affiliated with the network — including God Bless Football, hosted by Jon “Stugotz” Weiner — have struck out on their own.

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Woodward Sports Network Adding New Show with Braylon Edwards and Matt Shepard

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Woodward Sports Network has announced the addition of The Braylon Edwards Show, with Matt Shepard joining him in afternoons.

The Detroit all-digital sports network is launching the show on Monday, July 14th. It will be heard and seen from 2-4 PM. The show replaces the previous program hosted by Ryan Ermanni, who recently announced he was taking over afternoons at WJR 760, the Cumulus Media news/talk station in the city.

Edwards is a former NFL star, spending time with the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks during his career after being the 3rd overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. He won the Biletnikoff Award in 2004 during his time at the University of Michigan. Braylon Edwards is also a Detroit native.

Shepard is a four-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Michigan Sportscaster of the Year. He previously called games for the Detroit Tigers, and has also served as a play-by-play announcer for the Big Ten Network and held fill-in roles with the Red Wings, Lions, and Pistons in the city.

Woodward Sports Network says it has high hopes for the new pairing.

“This dynamic duo is more than just a sports show – it’s a destination for fans and partners,” the outlet said. “Whether you’re a die-hard or a casual, a sponsor or supporter, The Braylon Edwards Show with Shep promises deeper insights, stronger chemistry, and smarter conversation.”

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Kashon Powell Joins iHeartMedia Chicago as VP of Programming

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Kashon Powell has been appointed Vice President of Programming for Adult R&B V103 WVAZ, Hip Hop 107.5 WGCI, News BIN 640 and Gospel Inspiration 1390 in Chicago.

Powell said of the appointment, “I am excited to return to iHeartMedia to lead these legendary brands and contribute to the legacy of such an iconic radio station. A huge thank you to James Howard, Thea Mitchem, Brad Hardin, and Doc Wynter for this incredible opportunity.”

In her new role, she will report to Senior Vice President Programming James Howard, who said, “Kashon has an exceptional track record of success, consistently driving results and inspiring teams. We are thrilled to welcome her to our Chicago team, where her expertise will help strengthen the connection with our listeners.”

Powell takes over for Derrick Brown. She arrives from Urban One, where she was VP/Programming for the group’s Washington and Baltimore stations. She also served as Executive Producer for “Urban One Honors.”

Congratulate her here.

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Brett Andrews Takes On New Roles at Audacy Wisconsin

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Audacy Wisconsin has named Milwaukee market veteran Brett Andrews Brand Manager for Hot AC Mix 105.1, Madison and Assistant Brand Manager for Hot AC 99.1 The Mix and Top 40 103.7 KISS-FM Milwaukee.

Additionally, Andrews will host afternoons from 2 to 7 on 99.1 The Mix.

“Brett’s deep connection to these stations and proven talent in the industry make him an incredible asset as we continue to strive to build lasting relationships with our listeners and partners,” said Jason Bjorson, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Wisconsin. “We’re so excited to have Brett’s passion for radio and knowledge of the Milwaukee and Madison markets back on our team and have him lead three of our local favorites.”

“There’s something special about these stations that keeps pulling me back. I walked into this building over 25 years ago to start my career. And it’s an honor to return and help carry on their incredible legacy,” said Andrews. “Huge thanks to Jason Bjorson and Molly Cruz for believing in me. It feels so good to be home again!”

Most recently, Andrews was with iHeartMedia, where he was Senior Vice President of Programming in Milwaukee and Madison.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Fox Nation Presents Documentary Series On Assassination Attempt of Donald Trump

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FOX Nation will release part two of its exclusive documentary Butler Under Fire: The Search for Justice on Thursday, July 10th. The documentary focuses on the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump one year ago in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The new episode features never-before-seen footage recorded by Corey Comperatore — the man killed by the shooter attempting to take the life of Trump — just moments before the tragic shooting. Comperatore was seated in the section behind Donald Trump and was the only fatality in the shooting.

FOX Nation’s investigative special uncovers what it calls critical security failures from that fateful day. The program includes exclusive interviews with Comperatore’s family, who are still seeking answers and justice.

The documentary also offers an in-depth look at the background of the shooter, Thomas Crooks.

FOX Nation unveiling the second part of the documentary series comes on the heels of this week’s disciplinary action against six agents is the first tangible fallout from those findings. In the months since the attack, a bipartisan Congressional Task Force and Department of Homeland Security review have pointed to a breakdown in communication, poor command structure, and missed red flags that could have prevented the shooting.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

St. Louis Blues Announce New Simulcast Broadcast with FanDuel Sports Network and 101 ESPN

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The St. Louis Blues, in partnership with FanDuel Sports Network and 101 ESPN, have announced a major shift in their broadcast lineup for the 2025-2026 season. Longtime radio play-by-play voice Chris Kerber and analyst Joey Vitale are moving to the television booth. Veteran TV play-by-play announcer John Kelly exits as the franchise elected not to renew his contract. It brings Kelly’s run with the Blues to a close after twenty years.

Starting this season, the Blues will feature a new simulcast model. Kerber and Vitale will continue being heard on 101 ESPN while also calling games on television.

“Chris Kerber arrived 25 years ago and quickly became one of the most vibrant voices in the NHL,” said Blues President of Business Operations Chris Zimmerman. “His chemistry with Joey Vitale has resonated with fans, and we’re confident this new model will deliver an enhanced experience across TV, streaming, and radio.”

FanDuel Sports Network President of Production and Programming Norby Williamson echoed the sentiment, calling the move “a perfect fit” to unify the Blues’ coverage and better connect with fans. “Their knowledge and energy will elevate the entire production,” he added.

John Kijowski, President of Hubbard Radio St. Louis, praised Kerber and Vitale’s ability to engage listeners. “They bring unmatched insight and passion to every game. Now, even more fans will benefit from that connection.”

In addition, Blues studio coverage on FanDuel Sports Network is also undergoing a few changes. Jamie Rivers returns as a Blues LIVE analyst, joined by Hockey Hall of Famers Bernie Federko and Chris Pronger. Andy Strickland will report rinkside for home and away games and host Blues LIVE on the road. Scott Warmann continues as host for home games. Alexa Datt’s tenure with Blues LIVE has concluded.

The team also revealed that the Blues LIVE set will move to a more fan-accessible location inside Enterprise Center to improve interaction and engagement. Additional details will be shared closer to the start of the season.

The Blues and FanDuel Sports Network are entering the second year of a multi-year partnership. 101 ESPN has been the Blues flagship radio partner since the 2019-2020 NHL season. Both Kerber and Vitale are St. Louis natives, and have worked together since 2018-19—the season the Blues captured their first Stanley Cup. Chris Kerber has been calling St. Louis Blues hockey games for 25 years.