Podcast Summary: KSR - Hour 1 | April 18, 2025
Show Overview
On April 18, 2025, Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR), hosted by Matt Jones alongside the KSR crew from iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM), delivered an engaging and informative hour packed with the latest UK news, sports insights, and lively discussions. Broadcasting live from KS Bar and Grill in Lexington, the episode captured the vibrant atmosphere of the venue and the enthusiasm of the listeners joining in for the weekday morning show.
Live Audience and Weekend Events
The show kicked off with Ryan Lemond greeting a diverse audience, including patrons gearing up for the upcoming weekend events. Hosts highlighted significant activities such as the Tyler Childers concert and Keeneland races, mentioning attendees like Gary Johnson and listeners from Taylor Mill and Cleveland who are excited for the festivities.
Ryan Lemond [02:19]: "Welcome to another wonderful edition of Kentucky Sports Radio. It is Friday, April 18. ... A big weekend in Lexington and we're happy you've joined us to be a part of it."
Gene Mitchell's Music Segment: A Missed Opportunity
A notable portion of the discussion centered around Gene Mitchell's musical performance, which unfortunately wasn't included in the podcast due to company restrictions. The hosts expressed their disappointment over the omission, emphasizing how much listeners enjoyed it during the live show.
Shannon The Dude [03:21]: "We need to apologize to podcast listeners... people didn't get to hear his music."
Matt Jones [03:38]: "I hate that... it was probably the best part of the show yesterday."
Tour of UK’s New Media Studios at Rupp Arena
Ryan shared his recent experience touring the newly renovated UK media studios located at Rupp Arena. He lauded the state-of-the-art facilities, noting that the updated studios surpass any local TV stations in terms of technology and production capabilities. The hosts discussed how these advancements would enhance the broadcasting of various UK sporting events, from basketball to baseball.
Ryan Lemond [07:43]: "He took Gary and me out for a tour. It is better than any TV station in this state... their facilities are amazing."
Shannon added her appreciation for the preservation of historical elements within Memorial Coliseum during the renovation.
Shannon The Dude [11:56]: "They preserved part of the old bleachers... it is incredible."
Listener Calls and Recruitment Discussions
A significant portion of the episode involved engaging listener calls, primarily focusing on UK basketball recruitment and hypothetical scenarios involving coaching strategies.
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Caller Nico's Question on Calipari’s Hypothetical Coaching:
Nico from North Carolina inquired whether Calipari could have managed UK’s recruits effectively.
Caller Nico [21:27]: "Do you think Cal could have done what he did this year with Kentucky's recruits that we had this year?"
The hosts deliberated on how Calipari’s coaching style might have influenced the team's dynamics, ultimately suggesting limited impact due to the different skill sets and team structures.
Shannon The Dude [22:25]: "Brandon Garrison would have played the four with Amari at the five... it would not have been a good group for Cal."
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Caller Kaden's Inquiry About Nate A Mint’s Commitment:
Kaden questioned the potential destination of Nate A Mint amidst a tumultuous recruitment period.
Caller Kaden [27:56]: "What do you guys think about him and where do you think he's gonna go?"
The hosts discussed Mint’s prospects, highlighting Tennessee as a frontrunner and expressing skepticism about his fit with traditional coaching systems like Rick Barnes’.
Ryan Lemond [28:21]: "What an interesting recruitment... play against these other schools trying, a lot of them... just going for who’s gonna pay the most."
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Caller Jimmy's Baseball Statistics Query:
Jimmy referenced a comparison between Tony Gwynn's remarkable batting consistency against legendary pitchers and current player Raphael Devers.
Caller Jimmy [39:01]: "Matt Smoltz, Maddox Glavin and Pedro Martinez face Tony Gwynn like 330 times and only struck him out three times."
The hosts marveled at the historical stats, drawing parallels to current players' performances.
Shannon The Dude [40:14]: "Struck him out almost 600 plate appearances and strikeout 15 times."
Anecdotes and Humor
Throughout the show, the hosts shared humorous personal stories, particularly highlighting Ryan’s experiences with vintage cars and unfortunate accidents involving luxury vehicles.
Ryan Lemond [36:21]: "I rear ended a Maserati on Leavestown Road... The bumper had replaced the bumper. My insurance agent was happy to tell me it was $30,000."
Shannon and Matt contributed light-hearted banter, creating a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere for listeners.
Alien Segment Preview
Towards the end of the first hour, the hosts teased an upcoming segment on aliens, inviting listeners to anticipate intriguing updates and discussions.
Ryan Lemond [16:34]: "There's aliens in the news. So, Drew, today's the day. We're doing your alien segment."
Conclusion and Upcoming Content
As the show progressed, the hosts continued to engage with listeners, offering recommendations for local eateries and discussing the vibrant Lexington concert scene. They emphasized the community aspect of KSR, encouraging listeners to join events at KS Bar and Grill and partake in the forthcoming Tyler Childers concert.
Ryan Lemond [43:07]: "We're having a Tyler Childers like pre-concert party here... You got to eat at one of our local establishments."
The episode concluded with ongoing humor, reflections on personal anecdotes, and anticipation for future segments, solidifying KSR’s reputation as the number one sports radio show in Kentucky.
Notable Quotes
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Shannon The Dude [03:32]: "Rules are rules."
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Ryan Lemond [04:24]: "Both Gene Mitchell's have got more publicity this week than ever before."
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Shannon The Dude [12:06]: "I'm glad he's in there working hard. I'm sure a lot of them have been in there recently."
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Ryan Lemond [26:37]: "Cal does the athlete and Pope’s more of... give me some shooters."
This episode of KSR effectively blended sports analysis, community engagement, and entertaining anecdotes, providing listeners with a comprehensive and enjoyable listening experience.