Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1
December 31, 2025
Hosts: Drew Franklin (filling in for Matt Jones), Ryan Lemond
Location: KS Bar & Grill, Lexington, KY
Episode Overview
On the last show of 2025, Drew Franklin takes the hosting reins from Matt Jones (on vacation), joined by co-host Ryan Lemond. With the rest of the KSR crew off, they celebrate New Year's Eve live from KS Bar, reflect on the highs and lows of 2025 in Kentucky sports and the KSR family, reminisce about memorable parties of years past, take live calls, and preview the start of 2026 with a dose of trademark KSR humor and heartfelt listener shoutouts.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Farewell to 2025: Reflections and Resolutions (03:20–05:10)
- Hosts’ Sentiments: Both Drew and Ryan are eager to close the chapter on 2025, describing it as a year with "more downs than ups" but moments worth celebrating (04:24).
- Quote [Ryan, 04:10]: “Going to recap it a bit, with some favorite moments and just close the door on that year and look forward to 2026.”
- Listener Participation: Drew encourages listeners to call in with their favorite moments from 2025, resolutions, and plans for the New Year via the Clark’s Pump and Shop phone line (04:24).
2. Setting the Table: Audience & Guests (05:04–08:14)
- Shoutout to Audience: A strong holiday crowd at KS Bar, notably with two full tables from Marion County and several locals (06:43–07:15).
- Quote [Ryan, 06:55]: “I am the hog calling champion of Ham Days right now. I have the trophy to prove it.”
- Upcoming Guest Teaser: Ryan reports that former Kentucky basketball player J.P. Blevins is confirmed as a guest for hour two (08:08–08:14).
3. Classic KSR Banter: Freebies and Kentucky Player Love (06:18–06:43)
- KSR Swag Parade: Ryan sports a hat from Willie Cauley-Stein, a Manny T-shirt from Drew, and a pullover from Dane Key, joking about all his gifts.
- Cat Names: Fans have named their pets after beloved basketball players: “Some people said after the show, I named my cat Willie. I named my cat Collie because of Willie Cauley-Stein.” (06:01)
4. The New Normal in UK Sports: NIL & Coaching Changes (07:15–07:42)
- Looking Ahead: Discussion of how 2026 brings new frontiers for Kentucky sports with NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) changes, a new football coach, and potential for big change.
- Homework Assignment: Drew tasks Ryan with ranking his top 5 UK football, basketball, and KSR moments of 2025, to be discussed throughout the show.
5. Wild New Year's Eve Stories: House Parties, Chaos & Nostalgia (09:12–16:09)
Ryan Lemond’s Legendary NYE Parties:
- Hosted rowdy parties for ten straight years, now retired from hosting due to past “chaos.”
- Quote [Ryan, 11:12]: “The red Alabama Slammer stained one of my carpets upstairs where people threw up… It was bad. I can see why you canceled these.”
- Reveals his current, tamer plans – dinner at Rodney’s, games, karaoke, a “New Year’s kiss, then bed" (09:35–09:51).
- Millennium Story [13:01–13:49]: Pulled over doing 120 mph on New Circle Road (Lexington), police let him off so he'd make it to the 1999-2000 NYE party.
- Quote [Ryan, 13:20]: “He said, ‘What are you doing?’ … ‘I’m trying to get to my house for the millennium to celebrate New Year’s with my family…’ He actually let me go.”
Other Legendary Moments:
- “Protect-the-Innocent” stories: co-workers, test tube Alabama Slammer shots, vomiting, outdoor karaoke in boxer shorts at 4°F (15:32–16:00).
- No food at these parties, just alcohol and chaos: “I think it’s just a lot of alcohol. No food whatsoever.” (11:44)
6. Behind-the-Scenes at KSR: Where’s the Crew? (18:48–20:59)
- Matt Jones: On vacation, phoning into ESPN Radio from a mystery location.
- Shannon: Panama City.
- Morrow: Still local, spotted taking KS Bar food photos for social media.
- Billy: Family time in Oldham County, earlier heard on a rerun of the first-ever KSR Pre-show.
Note: Drew pokes fun at how “Best Of” tapes often age poorly with old takes and predictions, like dismissing the Lynn Bowden QB experiment (21:12–22:45).
7. Listener Calls & Community: (22:46–26:22)
- Mike: Celebrates Rich Brooks/Mark Stoops turnover in UK Football (23:02).
- Bob in Jamestown: Wishes all a happy new year; says "every day's a gift" at 71 – no resolutions needed (25:13–25:49).
- Quote [Bob, 25:37]: “We just like to have a big time. And I can tell you every day’s a gift at my point.”
- John: NIL and portal question about Cam Coleman (26:22–26:45) leads to practical NIL donating discussion.
8. The New York Ball Drop(s) Twist: “Double Ball Drop” for 250th Birthday (28:34–30:43)
- Drew’s NYE Trivia: Reveals Times Square will drop the iconic ball twice—once at midnight with a new Waterford crystal ball, then again at 12:04am, dropping it a second time to mark America’s 250th birthday with red, white, and blue confetti.
- Quote [Drew, 29:53]: “We do the traditional ball drop… but at 12:04 it goes back up and we do it all over again for America.”
- Ryan, Confused (and Entertained): “You have to pace yourself now. You have four extra minutes of vomiting in the bushes to celebrate America at 12:04.” (30:43)
9. National NYE TV Guide: What to Watch? (32:58–37:04)
- Ball Drop Options: Drew and Ryan debate their NYE viewing priorities:
- ABC: Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest (Chance the Rapper, Mariah Carey, Goo Goo Dolls, etc.)
- CBS: Nashville’s Big Bash (mainly country acts, Bert Kreischer and Hardy host)
- CNN: Andy Cohen & Anderson Cooper (noted for on-air drinking, unfiltered comments)
- NBC: Hoda and Jenna with Snoop Dogg, Keith Morrison & Josh Mankiewicz of Dateline
- Drew [37:30]: “I am not shy about my love for Dateline... But they are part of the NBC broadcast tonight.”
10. More Listener Calls: Gratitude and UK Basketball Talk (43:42–48:54)
- Gary in Orlando: Thanks KSR for helping listeners through rough times; plans to join Sarasota UK watch party (43:42–44:58).
- Quote [Gary, 44:49]: “When people are sick… you listen to KSR. Then if you fall asleep, you listen to it again late that night… KSR gets us through a lot.”
- Drew notes his mother just got discharged from the hospital at year’s end.
- Reed: Young caller asks about defending Alabama’s All-American guard Phylon; Ryan predicts Travis Aberdeen and Otega will guard him, referencing Alabama’s strong scoring (46:06–47:50).
- UK Basketball Lineup Notes: Mark Pope’s pre-Alabama comments about practicing with two bigs, JQ playing the 4, and prepping for SEC play.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Ryan, on party responsibility (10:12): “Not too old to go out and party. I just don’t want to host it. Don’t want people staying at my house till 3 or 4.”
- On the “Millennium” ticket (13:20): “I know it was 120 [mph] because the police officer told me.”
- Drew, on the show’s value: “We work on holidays… It’s just very humbling when people talk about, man, help me get through a rough time.” (45:18)
- On New York NYE logistics (31:06): “There are already people out there… staying all day… adult diapers so they can’t lose their spot.”
- Drew, on ball drops (29:53): “We do the traditional ball drop… but at 12:04, it goes back up and we do it all over again for America.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 03:20 – Drew introduces celebrating & reflecting on 2025
- 05:10 – Audience shoutouts; Marion County crowd
- 08:08 – JP Blevins confirmed as guest, hour two preview
- 09:12–16:09 – Ryan’s wildest New Year’s Eve party stories
- 18:48 – Crew whereabouts & best-of show moments
- 22:46–26:22 – Listener call-in segment: resolutions, Stoops, Bob in Jamestown
- 28:34–30:43 – New York’s “double ball drop” for America’s 250th
- 32:58–37:04 – New Year’s Eve TV rundown
- 43:42–48:54 – Listener calls: gratitude, Alabama basketball preview, Pope’s lineup tweaks
Tone & Style
- Fast-paced, conversational, and deeply Kentucky-centric
- Banter with self-deprecating humor (especially about aging party styles)
- Genuine warmth and appreciation for fans/community
- Nostalgic but forward-looking; hopeful for 2026
Summary for Non-Listeners
This festive and nostalgic KSR episode balances laughter and storytelling with community participation, honoring the long and often chaotic tradition of Kentucky sports fandom and New Year’s revelry. If you like your sports talk seasoned with bourbon, wild party memories, and calls from unique characters like "Bob in Jamestown," this show captures the spirit of “Big Blue Nation” and the close bonds it creates – both on and off the air.