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Weber Excited For Predators Radio Return

Jason Barrett

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The backstories of sports broadcasters often begin with a particular anecdote. They recall sneaking transistor radios underneath their pillows with their parents none the wiser, listening to the muffled sounds of their favorite teams as they fell asleep.

Pete Weber’s fondness for radio, originating from a Zenith tabletop unit in his bedroom, was less subtle.

“I didn’t have to sneak it because my parents knew and they abided by it,” he said.

From his hometown of Galesburg, Ill., located roughly halfway between Chicago and St. Louis, Weber had a wide range of frequencies to choose from. He was drawn to legendary announcers Harry Caray and Jack Buck calling St. Louis Cardinals games on KMOX. He’d constantly channel-surf, switching to WCFL in Chicago to listen to the White Sox and then WGN to listen to the Cubs.

There were Twin games on WCCO in Minnesota, Tigers games on WJR in Detroit and even Triple-A baseball games on WBAP in Dallas. And that was just during the summer.

“I could tell that yes, they were there every day like a job,” Weber said of Caray and Buck, “but it didn’t seem like a job because it was clear to me that they were enjoying themselves, for the most part.”

This season, Weber, affectionately known as the “Voice of the Predators” will return to his broadcasting roots, leaving the television booth to join the Predators radio team with former Predators coach Brent Peterson and former goaltender Chris Mason, who will split commentating duties.

Willy Daunic, formerly the radio play-by-play analyst, will transition to television alongside color analyst and former player Stu Grimson.

“I think that every play-by-play guy probably enjoys radio far more than TV,” Weber said. “As (iconic Los Angeles Dodgers announcer) Vin (Scully) would say, ‘You have the palette, you have all the colors, you can paint the picture just the way you see it,’ rather than being captive or prisoner of what the director (and) producer decide to put up on the screen and you become a caption artist rather than someone who describes what’s going on.”

Weber’s reassignment, announced by the team in July, was met with relative dismay from the fanbase, much of which had been introduced to hockey by him. There are, however, new advantages available to Weber in his new role. For example, local television coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs ends after the first round, so if the Predators were to advance past that point, Weber’s coverage in his former role would be effectively over. That is no longer a concern.

He also recognizes the romance in reuniting with his first love.

“I think it’s more gratifying for the announcer, I really do,” he said. “Radio’s what comes naturally to me.”

To read the rest of the article visit The Tennessean where this article was originally published

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Compass Media Networks Promotes Three Members to Oversee Play-by-Play Sports Platform

“It is our pleasure to give these three talented executives their day in the sun, knowing that they will continue to work incredibly hard to carry on this tradition of excellence.”

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Logo for Compass Media Networks

Compass Media Networks has announced the promotions of three long-standing executives, Robert Blum, Tyler Brewer, and Chris Kleiber, who will collectively oversee the content creation, production, and distribution of the company’s play-by-play sports platform.

“For over 16 years, Compass Media Networks has set a standard of excellence for national play-by-play sports with Chris, Rob, and Tyler playing a vital part in our success,” said Peter Kosann, CEO/Founder of Compass Media Networks. “It is our pleasure to give these three talented executives their day in the sun, knowing that they will continue to work incredibly hard to carry on this tradition of excellence.”

Robet Blum has been appointed Vice President & General Manager of Sports and will also continue to serve as Vice President of Affiliate Sales for News-Talk and Sports. Tyler Brewer has been appointed Executive Producer – Sports Programming. And Chris Kleiber has been appointed Senior Producer – Sports Programming.

Compass Media Networks broadcasts annually over 100 play-by-play sporting events involving college men’s basketball and football (including the Big Ten Tournament and the Big Ten Championship Game), NFL 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday Doubleheaders, and complete coverage of the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders. The broadcasts are distributed across hundreds of terrestrial sports, news-talk and music stations as well as digital distribution platforms such as SiriusXM, Verizon Mobile, and the Varsity App.

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Charley Steiner Injured; Tim Neverett to Handle Dodgers Radio Play-by-Play

“This will be the first Opening Day that I will have missed since 1976, when I wore a younger man’s clothes.”

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photo of Charley Steiner
Courtesy: Los Angeles Dodgers

As the Los Angeles Dodgers get set to take on the St. Louis Cardinals in their first home game on Thursday, team play-by-play voice Charley Steiner has revealed he will not be doing games at the beginning of the season due to a severe back injury.

Through the Dodgers, Steiner posted a statement which said, “Over the winter, I landed on the Injured List with three compound fractures in my back. (I don’t recommend it.) With the start of the baseball season upon us, the Dodgers are ready to go – but I’m not. This will be the first Opening Day that I will have missed since 1976, when I wore a younger man’s clothes. I look forward to returning to the mic later this season. In the meantime, go Dodgers!”

TrueBlueLA.com reports Tim Neverett will handle play-by-play duties while Steiner recovers. Neverett called the first two regular season games with Rick Monday as the Dodgers started the season in South Korea. Neverett and Monday did not travel with the team, however, they called those games in a studio back home.

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Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi Put a Bow on The Ronnie & TKras Show After Nearly 10 Years

“Finally, Tampa Bay can sleep easy knowing this hideous show is finally over.”

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Photo of Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi
Courtesy: iHeartMedia

After nearly 10 years, The Ronnie & TKras Show with Ronnie Lane and Tom Krasniqi came to an end today as the duo broadcast their final show on remote with many listeners, friends and co-workers on hand. Earlier this month, WDAE announced changes to its programming lineup which will take place starting tomorrow. Ronnie Lane will take on a new role as host of the Tampa Bay Rays pre-game show The Inside Pitch. Tom Krasniqi will continue on in afternoon drive with producer Chris Mathis for The Drive.

Their final show kicked off with station voice Jim Cutler saying, “…Finally, Tampa Bay can sleep easy knowing this hideous show is finally over.”

And with that went three very fast hours of looking back on a nearly decade-long run for Lane and Krasniqi. “It seems kind of surreal, doesn’t it?” said Lane.

Mathis had several special guests lined up for the final show and many others left voice messages which were played coming out of breaks. Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht and Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford took part in the final show. Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks also called in and, at first, identified himself as “Pete from St. Louis” before asking what the hosts thought of the Rays bullpen.

“I’m telling you man, when I hear all of these tributes it really brings a tear to my eye, Ronnie,” said Krasniqi. “It’s a surreal moment…It makes me feel so fortunate and blessed to be in this position sitting next to you all these years. This is one of those moments where I am almost speechless and just so incredibly overwhelmed by the support and the love that everyone has shown here today.”

Lane responded, “…Our time together is really coming to an end. I might get a little emotional before this show is over, but we have had a great time and been through many ups and downs…This business is crazy and for us to be able to do what we are doing and doing it on our terms…And for a company that believes in both of us to give us this opportunity to go in different directions with the same company is truly amazing…It doesn’t happen like this always in this business, usually it’s an ugly goodbye.”

As the show came to an end, Lane reminded everyone, “It has been a blast, but we’re not freakin’ leaving!”

“We’re not leaving folks,” ‘TKras’ said. “Thanks very much for being a part of our lives and thanks for having us as part of yours. Onward and upward. You are dismissed.”

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