Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1

Date: January 26, 2026
Host: Matt Jones
Co-Hosts: Ryan Hall, Shannon
Key Theme: Snowstorm aftermath, Meteorologist Madness contest results, and Kentucky basketball discussions

Episode Overview

This episode opens with the KSR crew snowed in across Kentucky following a major winter storm. Matt Jones, Ryan Hall, and Shannon broadcast remotely, sharing their experiences of being stuck at home. The major focus is the fallout of the snowstorm, the accuracy (or lack thereof) of local meteorologist predictions via the "Meteorologist Madness" charity contest, and reactions to Kentucky's recent basketball win against Ole Miss, including the fan booing of former Kentucky high school star Travis Perry. The episode features a lively interview with “Meteorologist Madness” winner TG Shuck and lighthearted debates about shoveling sidewalks and responsibility during severe winter weather.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Snowstorm Hits Kentucky: Experiences and Fallout

• Widespread shut down: Kentucky, especially Louisville and Lexington, are largely snowed in. Although snow totals didn't reach the original forecasts (>10 inches), significant accumulation (around 6" in Louisville, 4" in Lexington) closed businesses and schools.
• Personal effects:
  • Ryan Hall laments isolation:

    "I've not had face to face communication with anybody in like, now almost 24 hours. ... I'm going crazy." (04:08)

  • Matt and Shannon enjoy peaceful, snow-blanketed city walks on empty streets.

    "I actually find it oddly beautiful to be somewhere that's normally a lot of people and it's completely empty and silent, Shannon. It's one of my favorite things to do." (11:01)

• Weather impact dialogue:
  • Cities aren't fully operational yet due to lingering ice, and some neighborhoods and schools remain closed.

2. Meteorologist Madness: Charity Storm Prediction Contest

• Premise: Local meteorologists, plus a few national figures, submit their snow predictions for Louisville and Lexington, with charity money going to the closest.
• Results:
  • None of the meteorologists were close:

    "Every single person except Jim Cantore and Ryan Hall, y' all had at least 10 inches in both cities. So clearly they all thought that. And it ends up not happening." (06:32)

  • TG Shuck (WTVQ) wins, donating $10,000 to the Lexington Humane Society; Ryan Hall, y’all (YouTuber) places second, donating $5,000 to Rubicon USA (veterans’ org).

    "TG Shuck comes within 0.1 point. He beats Ryan Hall, y', all, by 0.1 point, saving the local meteorologist. Otherwise it would have been the two national guys." (06:47)

• Met Contest Analysis:
  • There's a running joke about meteorologists always forecasting ‘high’ to be cautious.
  • Ryan Hall:

    "You just can't predict Mother Nature. ... They can't tell you what it's going to do this time tomorrow. They just, you just can't." (08:34)

  • Debate on whether meteorology has gotten more accurate or not, with hosts suggesting little progress.

3. Interview: TG Shuck, “Meteorologist Madness” Winner (44:24–50:48)

• Shuck explains why all predictions were off:
  • The storm's “warm nose”—unexpected warm air—shifted snowfall north at the last minute, completely changing expected totals after predictions were locked.
  • Emphasizes how meteorological models are “guidance, not gospel.”

    "Some of them were still kicking out 14, 15, 16 inches of snow even as late as Friday afternoon and Friday evening." (46:39)

• On winning and charity:
  • Shuck expresses pride that his victory benefits an organization close to his heart—the Lexington Humane Society, which he previously served as a board member.

    "I've always had a soft spot for animals and have animals myself, of course. And being a part of that was really something special." (49:14)

• Outlook:
  • Warns of an extended cold snap, wind chills “possibly 20 below.”

    "Wind chills. Tomorrow morning, 10, 15, possibly 20 below. We'll below zero tonight and we're going to be around zero for the morning low because of this ice and snow pack every morning all the way into the weekend." (50:23)

4. Community Resilience & Humor: Sidewalk-Shoveling Debate

• City ordinance: Lexington now requires homeowners to shovel sidewalks after 4 inches of snow, or risk fines.
  • Ryan Hall refuses:

    "They can kiss my butt. I'm not getting out there and doing it. I am not doing it." (35:10)

  • Matt notes this is now law; a debate follows between hosts and listeners about responsibility, enforcement, and whether it's safer not to shovel.
• Listener call-in (Jonathan):
  • Argues it's safer to walk on snow than on slick, shoveled sidewalks.

    "You've got actually more of a chance of slipping and busting your ear in on that thing you do just walking on packed in snow." (36:44)

• First responder writes in:
  • Cautions Hall that failing to clear sidewalks could complicate emergency responses. Hall remains unrepentant.

    "Wear your snow boots. Be careful when you're walking up my ice covered driveway." (40:16)

5. Kentucky Basketball vs. Ole Miss: Ugly Win and Travis Perry Booing

• In-game analysis:
  • Both hosts and listeners agree the win was “ugly,” but necessary given upcoming schedules.

    "As bad a basketball game as I've ever seen. Kentucky and Ole Miss." (24:02)

  • Standout: Away scores 23 in the second half.
• Controversial booing:
  • Debate over UK fans booing Travis Perry, Kentucky’s all-time high school scorer now playing for Ole Miss.
  • Ryan Hall (against):

    "I, I'm kind of ashamed and embarrassed of our fan base a little bit. ... Every time he touched it during the game, that kind of made my stomach turn a little bit, to be honest." (26:10)

  • Shannon (for):

    "Look, he chose to leave. He wanted to go to Ole Miss. And when he comes back, he should expect to get booed." (26:45)

  • Matt muses booing may have affected Perry's play (scoreless, airballed opening shot).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the futility of weather prediction:

“You just can't predict Mother Nature. ... It's a ridiculous notion. They can tell you what you're doing right now. They can't tell you what it's going to do this time tomorrow.”
— Ryan Hall (08:34)

On personal reactions to snowed-in days:

“I've not had face to face communication with anybody in like, now almost 24 hours. ... I'm going crazy.”
— Ryan Hall (04:08)

Critique of ‘tougher times’ nostalgia:

“I hate when people say things like that. Shit, 40 years ago ... the streets would have been worse. There was less four wheel drive cars. Are you kidding me?”
— Matt Jones (21:09)

On sidewalk-shoveling enforcement:

“They can kiss my butt. I'm not getting out there and doing it. I am not doing it.”
— Ryan Hall (35:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:55] Snowstorm update, hosts' experiences, city shut down
• [06:32] Meteorologist Madness—prediction results and analysis
• [11:01] Matt's appreciation for snow-quieted city streets
• [24:02] Kentucky vs. Ole Miss, ugly win recap
• [26:10] Debate about booing Travis Perry
• [33:27] Lexington sidewalk-shoveling ordinance discussion
• [44:24–50:48] Interview with contest winner TG Shuck
• [50:23] Shuck's arctic forecast for the week

Tone & Style

The episode is highly conversational, humorous, and rooted in the quirks of Kentucky culture. Matt Jones leads with curiosity and gentle sarcasm, while Ryan Hall and Shannon alternate between playful bickering and mock-seriousness. Interaction with listeners (calls, texts) is lively and integral to the show’s dynamic.

Conclusion

This hour of "Kentucky Sports Radio" blends Kentucky winter weather woes, charity competition, basketball, and classic local debates about civic duty into an engaging ride for the snowbound Commonwealth. The show is both a snapshot of the state’s communal mood under winter’s siege and a celebration of the camaraderie, banter, and good-humored stubbornness that define KSR’s on-air family.