Podcast Summary: KSR - Hour 1 (April 11, 2025)

Podcast Information:

• Title: KSR
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)
• Description: Matt Jones and the KSR crew bring you the latest in UK news and views Mon.-Fri. from 10 to noon.
• Episode: 2025-04-11- KSR - Hour 1
• Release Date: April 11, 2025

1. Introduction and Show Overview

[00:00] Drew Franklin: The show kicks off with Drew Franklin introducing himself as filling in for Matt Jones and other crew members who are on vacation. Drew sets an upbeat tone, mentioning upcoming events at Comedy Up Broadway in Lexington and highlighting notable comedians performing later in the month.

2. Major News: Kaden Lewis Decommits from Kentucky Basketball

[03:00] Drew Franklin:

• Announcement: Kaden Lewis, a highly touted four-star point guard committed to Kentucky since November, has decommitted from the Wildcats.
• Quote: "He and Jasper Johnson Pope spoke highly of them as a future backcourt. But last night he stepped away and reopened his recruitment. He will not be a Wildcat." ([03:00])

[04:13] Billy Rutledge:

• Reaction: Expresses disappointment but confidence in Coach Mark Pope's ability to find a replacement.
• Quote: "It's disappointing that he wasn't willing to compete, but I have confidence that Pope will be able to reload and find another person in the transfer portal." ([04:13])

[04:55] Drew Franklin:

• Analysis: Suggests that Kaden Lewis was likely preparing to be the starting point guard in his sophomore year and that with his departure, Kentucky may look to the transfer portal to fill the void.
• Quote: "It doesn't have a huge impact on next season. They'll find someone in the portal that's excited to come play." ([04:55])

3. Lexington's 250th Birthday Celebrations

[07:20] Drew Franklin:

• Announcement: Plans for celebrating Lexington's 250th birthday year-round, including inviting Mayor Linda Gordon to discuss favorite Lexington spots and events.
• Quote: "Lexington turns 250 this year, and we've got events all month, next month, all summer." ([07:20])

4. Interactive Listener Game: Buzzword Challenge

[02:02] Drew Franklin:

• Game Introduction: Drew introduces a buzzword game where listeners must remember four buzzwords dropped during each segment to participate in a call-in contest during the second hour.
• Rules: "You have to know all four buzzwords, one for each segment. The second hour we'll take calls and you cannot participate unless you know all four of the buzzwords." ([02:02])

[08:09] Drew Franklin:

• First Buzzword: Reveals the first buzzword as "Lady."
• Quote: "The buzzword is Lady." ([08:09])

[26:38] Drew Franklin:

• Second Buzzword: Announces the second buzzword as "White House."
• Quote: "This one is two words. White House." ([26:38])

[41:35] Drew Franklin:

• Final Buzzword: Drops the fourth buzzword "universal."
• Quote: "The fourth buzzword is universal." ([41:35])

5. Guest Segment: Interview with Lexington Mayor Linda Gordon

[11:34] Drew Franklin:

• Introduction: Welcomes Mayor Linda Gordon to discuss Lexington's vibrant community and upcoming celebrations.
• Quote: "Linda, it's good to have you in here. Thanks for making the trip up to the iHeart Studios to celebrate Lexington with us." ([11:34])

[12:08] Linda Gordon:

• Engagement with UK Basketball: Shares her enthusiasm for the UK basketball program and praises Coach Mark Pope.
• Quote: "Mark Pope is a phenomenal coach and a man of very high character." ([12:08])

[13:23] Drew Franklin:

• Describing Lexington: Asks Mayor Gordon to describe Lexington to newcomers.
• Quote: "How would you describe Lexington to young Billy here?" ([13:23])

[13:23] Linda Gordon:

• Description of Lexington: Highlights Lexington's food scene, vibrant downtown, bike-friendly facilities, and strong community spirit.
• Quote: "We are a great city with lots of food, restaurants, and a vibrant downtown. If you like sports, this is the place to be." ([13:23])

[14:21] Linda Gordon:

• Favorite Restaurants: Mentions beloved local spots like Goodfellas and Doodles Pizza, reminiscing about favorite dining experiences from her student days.
• Quote: "Goodfellas is an iconic restaurant here. We loved Doodles Pizza back in the day." ([14:21])

[16:42] Linda Gordon:

• Ideal Day in Lexington: Describes a perfect day without obligations, enjoying coffee, puzzles, brunch with friends, walking in the arboretum, watching movies, and dining out.
• Quote: "I'd have a leisurely morning with coffee, brunch with friends, a walk in the arboretum, and dinner out with my husband." ([16:42])

[17:35] Linda Gordon:

• Keeneland Enthusiasm: Talks about her love for Keeneland, the horse racing track, and its contributions to the community.
• Quote: "Keeneland is very special. They give back a ton to our community and the racing is just beautiful." ([17:35])

[19:18] Linda Gordon:

• Acting Experiences: Shares her past involvement with Lexington Children's Theater, including performances in "The Little Mermaid" and "Alice in Wonderland."
• Quote: "I was in 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Alice in Wonderland' with the Lexington Children's Theater. It was a lot of fun." ([19:18])

[21:07] Linda Gordon:

• Memorable Moments: Recalls memorable events like posing with wrestler Kane, winning bets, and her brown belt in karate and taekwondo.
• Quote: "I have a brown belt in karate and taekwondo, so I could still do my roundhouse kick." ([21:07])

[22:53] Drew Franklin:

• Concluding the Interview: Thanks Mayor Gordon for her time and contributions to the show.
• Quote: "Thank you for coming in today. It was great having you on." ([22:53])

6. Lexington Dining and Nightlife Recommendations

[09:06] Billy Rutledge:

• Restaurant Favorites: Recommends popular Lexington dining spots like Italics, Jeff Ruby's, Tony's, Carson's, Ramsey's, and recently opened establishments like Buddha Lounge and 310 Bow Buns.
• Quote: "You should go to Italics and poppies and all the great places." ([09:06])

[25:08] Billy Rutledge:

• Additional Recommendations: Suggests Proud Mary Barbecue and shares a personal anecdote about accidentally walking out on a tab at Proud Mary.
• Quote: "I walked out on a tab there last fall, but I made sure to pay it later." ([25:08])

[30:19] Drew Franklin:

• Bar Scene Insights: Discusses Lexington's bar scene, mentioning Mirror Twin, Country Boy Tap Room's expansion, and Chevy Chase's historic bar.
• Quote: "Mirror Twin is a great spot near my house, and Chevy Chase has some legendary stories." ([30:19])

[32:41] Drew Franklin:

• Local Legends: Shares a story about Charlie Chalkeye Cornett, a Lexington legend, and his humorous encounter with Bob Knight.
• Quote: "The next day, Kentucky won 59-54. Bob Knight and the Cats ripped to Chalk." ([32:43])

7. Celebrating Notable Lexington Athletes

[37:18] Drew Franklin:

• Recognizing Athletes: Introduces a segment based on Ryan Lemon’s list of top Lexington athletes, highlighting individuals like Jack Givens, Brian Station, Tyson Gay, John T. Bone Shelby, and Frank Minnafield.
• Quote: "Jack Givens, Brian Station, Tyson Gay, John T. Bone Shelby, and Frank Minnafield are our top Lexington athletes." ([37:18])

[38:21] Billy Rutledge:

• Acknowledgment: Agrees with the selections and praises their professional achievements.
• Quote: "That's quite an impressive list." ([38:21])

8. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Content

[30:14] Drew Franklin:

• Upcoming Events: Mentions the upcoming Masters and how the show will continue to cover Lexington’s celebrations, UK basketball news, and more.
• Quote: "We'll have more on the Masters, Kaden Lewis, news around BBN as we enjoy the last day of Drew Palooza." ([30:14])

[39:32] Drew Franklin:

• Fun Anecdotes: Continues sharing humorous stories, including interactions with fellow show members and personal experiences.
• Quote: "We have two Backstreet Boys from Lexington and Chris Kale from Five Finger Death Punch." ([39:32])

Key Takeaways:

• Kaden Lewis Decommitment: Significant blow to Kentucky basketball, with uncertainty how it will affect the team's future.

• Lexington’s 250th Birthday: Extensive celebrations planned with various events throughout the year, showcasing the city's vibrant culture.

• Mayor Linda Gordon’s Insights: Provides an insider’s view of Lexington’s community, favorite spots, and personal anecdotes, enhancing the show’s connection to local listeners.

• Interactive Engagement: The buzzword game encourages active listener participation, fostering a more engaging audience experience.

• Local Highlights: Extensive discussion on Lexington’s dining, nightlife, and notable athletes underscores the city’s rich culture and community pride.

This episode of KSR blends sports news with local culture, community engagement, and entertaining storytelling, providing a comprehensive overview of Lexington's current events and cherished traditions.