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Matt Jones knows where his bread is buttered, politics will have to wait

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Radio/TV personality Matt Jones popped by my studio today to discuss his decision to stay out of the 2020 senate race. We also talked about the invaluable commitments of family and colleagues in making professional decisions. Eventually we talked about UK’s topsy turvy football season and #1 Kentucky’s embarrassing loss to mid-major Evansville in Rupp Arena.

Everyone wins with the Matt Jones decision. There won’t be a brutal and embarrassing political campaign against Semate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s scorched earth re-election team. Kentucky Sports Radio continues at full strength, and Matt Jones is ready to sign a contract extension with iHeart Radio.

Gary Burbank added to the Kentucky Broadcasting Hall of Fame

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Terry Meiners and Gary Burbank, WHAS studios, October 15, 2009

WAKY promotional photo circa 1972

From the Facebook page of WAKY/WKLO audio curator John Quincy:

From Bob Moody: “Tonight at the Kentucky Broadcasters awards show. L-R: Bob Moody, Mike McVay, new Hall of Fame inductee Gary Burbank, fellow HOF member Coyote Calhoun, KBA exec Dale Thornhill. Hilarity ensued.”

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

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Attention, humans! We only have a few years left! Grownups have stolen Greta’s childhood! Hysteria! Outrage! Move to higher ground for the end!

Here’s one of the gentle messages from a Louisville student who ditched classes to participate in the #ClimateStrike on September 20, 2019.

Louisville Climate Strike student protester at Jefferson Square

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg sailed to New York to deliver harsh words to adults who’ve not heeded warnings about climate change. Greta fears that human life cannot be sustained on the earth beyond another decade.

The hysteria of each generation is over the top. Everyone thinks they’re the first youth movement that is WOKE to various problems. Throwing shade at previous generations goes with the territory.

But check the history books, WOKIE WOKES. You didn’t invent the wheel. You also didn’t buy the expensive mobile devices that you use to debase the people who sacrificed to buy them for you. Your parents have lived through countless generations of WOKE thought.

There is literally nothing new under the sun, just the way people react to changes.

New York Times reveals Kentucky Derby winner failed a drug test just prior to the Run for the Roses

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Justify wins 2018 Kentucky Derby, photo via New York Times sports

The New York Times racing writer Joe Drape shocked the horse racing universe with documentation proving that 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify failed a drug test after winning the Santa Anita Derby. That victory earned Justify enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

Justify went on to win the Kentucky Derby but the Times story illustrates how the horse should have been disqualified from claiming the Santa Anita victory, thus opening a Derby slot for someone else’s horse.

New York Times racing writer and bestselling author Joe Drape

Justify was found to have scopolamine in is system, a banned substance known to aid breathing and heart acceleration. Many in the California racing business are aware that scopolamine can get into hay through “environmental contamination.”

Trainer Bob Baffert was made aware of the test results four days before shipping his horse to Louisville for the Derby. Baffert quietly asked for a second test without any public statement. The confirmation of the original test results came a few days after Justify won the Kentucky Derby.

Baffert’s team dismissed it as a minuscule amount of scopolamine that was not intentionally given to the colt. Justify passed all drug tests following each of his victories in the Triple Crown races.

Jill and Bob Baffert, photo via Heavy.com

Drape’s story points out that several California Horse Racing Board members also use Bob Baffert as their horse trainer, a look that suggests conflicted interests.

Lawyers representing Baffert were quick to dismiss Drape’s story as sensationalism, adding that the content could be considered defamatory to the Hall of Fame trainer.

I asked Joe Drape to appear on WHAS radio and respond to Baffert and his lawyers.

Bob Baffert via New York Times sports

Here is Bob’s Baffert’s reply to the New York Times story.

The former head of the drug lab for the Kentucky Racing Commission begs to differ from Baffert and his legal team as to the dosage and intention surrounding the doping controversy.

What now? Could California’s lack of action by compromised administrators force other horse racing overseers to consider stripping Justify of his Derby victory? That would nullify the Triple Crown achievement, an unprecedented action in the sport’s history.

Don’t bet on it.

When I privately joked with Joe Drape that the horse racing business is chock full of scoundrels, he replied “That’s what keeps me in business.”

Louisville’s got that going for us, which is nice

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A flood of Bill Murray sightings popped onto social media this week. The actor known as being the most chill celebrity in the world spends time in Louisville with his son Luke, a top recruiter and assistant coach for University of Louisville men’s basketball.

Luke and his wife Kara are expecting their second child soon. Murray loves visiting his son’s family, even handing out Halloween candy at their home last October.

This week, Louisville’s head basketball coach Chris Mack hosted an old guy basketball camp complete with competition, film breakdown, celebrity guests like Bill Murray and Jay Bilas, and a championship game.

Nick Coffey, Terry Meiners, Will Clark (September 6, 2019)

Even though I wore a uniform, I played the role of general manager for some of my much younger colleagues like 790KRD morning host Nick Coffey and 840WHAS news anchor Will Clark.

Chris Mack, Terry Meiners, Jay Bilas, Will Clark, Nick Coffey (September 7, 2019)

The seminars were terrific. Game play was fun. The trainers got a workout helping the old guys deal with sore muscles.

All indications are that the days of a scandal weary UofL basketball program are finally fading away. Finally!

Chris Mack and Jay Bilas (September 7, 2019)

Having Jay Bilas visit the freshly joyous Louisville basketball program was terrific but it is Murray who turns heads wherever he goes.

Murray, 68, parties at a slightly slower pace than he did in the 80s, but he still turns up by surprise at wedding receptions, reunions, pubs, and the occasional party where he is actually expected.

Such was the case at Chris and wife Christie Mack’s Prospect area home this week. Coach Mack’s basketball camp brought Murray to both the gym and a casual dinner party.

Murray was incredibly kind to each fan who asked for a photo, including a woman who said “I hate to interrupt your dinner.”

Murray sprang from his seat and replied, “It’s OK, I’ve eaten before.”

She got the photo she wanted.

Murray was especially amused with my wife Mary, teasing her about settling for a guy like me. He slyly turned the conversation into the concept that Mary was so incredibly lucky to land a man of my superior intellect and rugged good looks.

He saw me, looked at Mary, looked back at me, then stared at Mary and said, “How did you land THIS guy?” as if he was looking at the world’s top male model.

Murray and I had already exchanged a few laughs earlier in the day so he knew that I am conditioned to taking a ribbing. He also enjoys the art of changing facial expressions between successive photos. Here are a few examples shot by an observer.

WDRB director of sales Rick Burrice was more than a bit surprised to find Murray hitting golf balls next to his sons on the Audubon Country Club driving range.

via Facebook

With over 40 years working in broadcasting, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet dozens of highly famous people. Most of them are accommodating and offer great show content, but very few seem to savor the company of everyday working people.

Bill Murray seems just as comfortable listening, not talking, but listening to people tell him about their lives. It was impressive to watch him interact with 30 or 40 people at Mack’s house and maybe a hundred others at the basketball gym.

What a chill dude. What a great gift for UofL basketball and the city of Louisville.

And yes, the Caddyshack star did hit the golf course to play 18 with Luke at Valhalla. Once again, Murray patiently posed for photos with golfers and Valhalla staff members.

Bill Murray and Valhalla teammate Charlie Logsdon (September 8, 2019)

As he walked into the clubhouse, I said I’d see him for trick-or-treating next month for Halloween. Murray shot back, “Wait til you see my costume.”

Welcome home, Bill.

Terry Meiners, Bill Murray, Jonathan Blue (September 6, 2019)

WKQQ gave me a shot. Luckily it wasn’t in the face.

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Terry Meiners, WKQQ studio (1977)

When I listen to my early air checks, I have no idea how I wound up making a living at radio/TV broadcasting for more than 40 years.

Here’s a sped up audio compilation from my first radio job in 1976. All I had to do was change tapes on an automated system. That was all well and good until they nudged me into doing a few station breaks.

The accelerated audio actually improves my boring on air repartee.

I would have flushed out of this business after the first year, but program director Dick Hungate saved my job into 1977 which gave me time to improve. Check the last paragraph of the memo posted below (with bad math, no less)!

It’s obvious that the WKQQ management kept me because I was such a sharp dresser.

Look out, Cardinals…here come them there Notre Dame Cathlick beak busters

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Joe B Hall and Terry Meiners, Rupp Arena, February 2017

THE BEASMAN football is back
I BET YOU’S JEALOUS OF COACH CAL PLAYIN GOLF WITH PRESSER-DENT BROCK PAJAMAS, AIN’T YOU, LARRY? COACH CAL HANGS OUT WITH ALL THE BIGTIME STARS LIKE BROCK PAJAMAS, LEE-BRON JAMES, JAY Z, THE DRAKE, AND THE OAK RIDGE BOYS. WHICH PRESIDENT DID YOU PLAY GOLF WITH, LARRY MINNER? THE PRESIDENT OF THE HAIR CLUB FOR MEN? (laffs)

John Calipari and Barack Obama, Farm Neck Golf Club, Martha’s Vineyard (August 2019)

IT’S TIME FOR FOOTBAW, CARDINAL SISSIES! SAY YOUR PRAYERS, YOU FILTHY U OF SMELLERS, CUZ Y’ALL BOUT TO DIE! (laffs) I LOVE IT! THE CARDINAL CRIMINALS GOT TO WAIT ALL WEEKEND FOR THEIR EXER-CUTION AT THE HANDS OF THEM DRUNK IRISH PEDDER-FILE, FAKE RELIGION CATHLICK SINNERS. (laffs) Y’ALL DEE-SERVE EACH OTHER, YOU STRIPPER POLE, GRAMMAW PROSTER-TUTE LOVIN LOSERVILLE CARDINAL THUGS.

YOU BUNCH OF NECK TATTOO, GUN ROBBERY, PAROLE VIOLATION, SAGGY PANTS, RAP MUSIC LOSERVILLE FELONS IS GONNA START OFF THE FOOTBAW SEASON WITH YOUR DREAMS CRUSHED. (laffs) YOUR NEW GOMER PYLE COACH DON’T KNOW NOTHIN. (laffs) SHAZAM, GOMER! (laffs) ALL US GOOD AND CLASSY WILDCAT FANS IS GIDDY LIKE SCHOOLGIRLS. (laffs)

WE’S IN THE S.E.C. JUST LIKE FLOR-I-DER AND L-S-WHO AND JARJUH. THEY IS OK BUT THEY AIN’T U-K! (laffs) SEE WHAT I DONE THERE? (laffs) STOOPS TROOPS GONNA STOMP LITTLE NOBODY TOLEDO AND THEN ALL THEM SO-CALLED “TOP 25” WILDCAT WANNABE TEAMS GONNA FIZZLE.

COACH STOOPS IS GLAD THE CATS AIN’T IN THE TOP 25. THAT’S MOTOR-VATION! Y’ALL KNOW U UH KAY IS BETTER THAN ALABAMMER AND CLEMSON AND ALL THEM OTHER FRAUDS. GO BIG BLUE! EVER-BODY KNOWS THE CATS IS #1 AND THEY’S JUST JEALOUS! JUST WAIT AND SEE WHAT WE DO TO BIG, BAD TOLEDO…THE BEST TEAM IN OHI-ER CUZ OHI-ER STATE SUCKS. (laffs) BUNCH OF BUCKEYE NANCY BOYS! (laffs) CATS! CATS! CATS! TERRY TOUCHDOWN GONNA WIN THE HEISHMAN, U UH KAY GONNA WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPERCHIPS, AND COACH CAL GONNA FINE-LEE WIN THE NC2A SO U UH KAY FANS CAN BE MORE OBNOXIOUS THAN EVER! (laffs) WHOOOO! GO BIG BLUE! GO CATS! AWWWWW C-A-T-S CATS! CATS! CATS! (laffs) BLUE GITS IN! RED GETS IN-CARCERATED! (laffs)

Larry Minner and JB Holmes at Valhalla, 2013

KENTUCKY COACHES PLAY GOLF WITH PRESIDENTS. U OF SMELL COACHES PLAY IN THE PRISON YARD. (laffs) HEY LARRY, I TODE YOU JUSTIN THOMAS WEREN’T GONNA WIN THE FEDDER CHEESE CUP CUZ HE’S A WEAK-MINDED U OF SMELL FAN. THEM FED-EX LIARS WAS AFRAID TO PUT J.B. HOLMES IN THERE CUZ THEY KNOWED HIS U UH KAY TALENT WOULD CRUSH ALL THEM OTHER CANDY APPLES. ME AND ALL MY WILDCAT BUDDIES WAS PULLIN FOR ANYBODY CEPT JUSTIN THOMAS TO WIN CUZ WE DON’T WANT LOSERVILLE TO HAVE NO GOOD NEWS NEVER. (laffs) GIT READY FOR THEM BEER BREATH, STATUE WORSHIPPIN CATHLICKS TO RIP OFF YOUR STUPID CARDINAL BEAKS AND BURN YOUR EYEBALLS WITH HOLY WATER!

BIG BLUE NATION LOVES NOTRE DAME ALL WEEK! THEY’LL STOMP YOU THUG CARDINALS AND COME NEXT WEEK U UH KAY FANS WILL GO BACK TO CALLIN’ NOTRE DAME UGLY, REDHAIRED, ALCOHOLIC, FISH BREATH, PEDDER-HILE PROTECTIN’ HERETIC, FAKE RELIGION DIRTBALLS. BUT FOR NOW, B.B.N. LOVVVVVEEEEESSSSS NOTRE DAME! (laffs) AWWWWW C-A-T-S CATS! CATS! CATS!

Indiana senator is more than the “I’M MIKE BRAUN” ad blurt

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Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) with Terry Meiners at 840WHAS studios, August 12, 2019

Many parodied the 2018 radio commercials advertising U.S. Senate candidate Mike Braun, who went on to win after shouting I’M MIKE BRAUN in every ad.

Today I had a wide-ranging conversation with Senator Mike Braun, elected last fall in Indiana over Democrat incumbent Joe Donnelly. The Jasper native walked me through his early struggles and eventual professional success selling truck parts like Chris Farley’s character in the film Tommy Boy.

Once we segued into political issues, Senator Braun was quite candid in our WHAS Radio interview. We talked about evolving attitudes in the usually untouchable area of gun rights. Braun is staunchly 2A but not blind to America’s demands for extended background checks and red flag laws.

Braun also claims that President Trump’s tariffs won’t sink Indiana farmers but concedes that they create short term struggles.

I asked about collegiality among Democrat and Republican senators in Washington, and Democrats’ hazy math in promising free-for-all programs like Medicare expansion and free college.

Mitch McConnell checks in from Twitter jail to talk guns and protesters

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave me an exclusive interview today that made news around the world. Senator McConnell finally addressed gun reform issues that have roiled America following last week’s dual mass shootings.

Mitch McConnell at home resting following a shoulder fracture (August 2019)

McConnell, homebound and healing from a fractured shoulder, also talked about protesters shouting threatening, profane chants at his home during late evening hours.

My phone started blowing up right away with links to The New York Times, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, ABC, and others who blasted out many of McConnell’s quotes about his call from President Trump that morning and how to slog forward to find bipartisan agreement on background checks, red flag laws, and more.

New York Times, August 8, 2019

According to McConnell, Trump is “anxious” to get some movement on gun legislation.

McConnell also gave his first comments on the profane protesters shouting for hours at night in front of his home. The organizer put it all on Facebook live but the McConnell “Team Mitch” twitter account was suspended with a directive to delete the protester video for its violent language and content.

The day after our radio interview, Twitter execs reopened the Team Mitch account. Multiple GOP groups threatened to pull advertising dollars for Republican candidates but Twitter claims they “reviewed this case more closely” and restored the account. Um…OK.

Team Mitch used a GIF of Mitch’s head on the body of “Shawshank Redemption” character Andy Dufresne just after he escapes the notorious prison.

McConnell told me he is not scared in his home and would “not be intimidated” by the swarm of haters outside. The senator claimed he doesn’t hear their chants while he watches baseball games.

The Courier Journal reports that state representative Attica Scott continues to suggest that protesters keep harassing McConnell at his home, where he eats, anyplace he goes.

screenshot: Fox News

Later, Kentucky Sports Radio’s Matt Jones came on the radio with me to discuss how his media career will continue during a (potential) senate run against McConnell. Jones and I dove into issues about guns, spirituality, raunchy protesters, and why he still chooses to receive a paper paycheck.

Protesters take gun law demands from McConnell’s lawn to his downtown office

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Rep. John Yarmuth jumped on the radio with me today to discuss last night’s tumultuous protest outside the home of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. We also talked about what to do with modified weapons that fire 100 rounds in a few seconds, the perils of doxxing, and the uproar over McConnell fanboys pawing all over a cardboard cutout of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Yarmuth said Republicans are fearful of acting on gun legislation because they would likely pick up primary opponents who would claim 2A purity.

Mitch McConnell at home resting following a shoulder fracture (August 2019)

Tonight, protesters are outside McConnell’s office in downtown Louisville to urge the senate to address weapons legislation already passed by the House of Representatives. Yarmuth is a spotlighted speaker at the downtown rally.

This is a much more reasonable public spectacle that could actually persuade people to change their opinion on various gun issues. Standing in front of a private home and disrupting neighborhood peace by screaming obscenities for 2+ hours is not likely to win over any fans.

protesters screaming obscenities outside the home of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell