WHITLOCK - Jerry Green will be missed

Hammock Parties · 08-16-2007, 12:44 AM

Cool little story about KC's sportsradio beginnings by Jason. I really enjoyed it. I had no idea everything started out so quaint.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/233781.html

COMMENTARY
Jerry Green will be missed
By JASON WHITLOCK

Wednesday afternoon, I called my old radio partner Chad Boeger. I wanted to reminisce for a moment about Jerry Green, the man who made sports-talk radio important in this town.

Jerry, 77, died Wednesday morning. He’d been in poor health for more than a year. He’d suffered a couple of strokes, and a life spent as a fun-loving free spirit had finally called him home.

Jerry’s passing didn’t really make me all that sad. It made me jealous; envious of the life he lived, covetous of his legacy.

Jerry Green used the millions of dollars he earned as a businessman to help and empower a lot of people, including little people like me, Boeger, Kevin Kietzman and Todd Leabo.

Years ago we all — but especially Boeger — had an interest in changing local sports-talk radio. The medium here was stale, lazy and neglected. There was basically one show, and it was hosted by a man with virtually no insight into the local teams or national sports scene.

We thought Kansas City could do better; we thought Kansas City should be riding the sports-talk wave like a major city. Boeger convinced Green to join him in his dream of purchasing a tiny daytime signal (1510 AM) and launching a legitimate all-sports station.

Green, having been spurned in his attempt to buy the Kansas City Royals, enthusiastically embraced the idea, and gave Boeger the necessary financial backing to lure Kietzman and Leabo away from television and to eventually get me to join Boeger on a 1510 morning show.

Man, it was a great ride in those early years. A millionaire told a bunch of hungry young people to go chase their dreams without fear of failure. We broadcasted from a shack in Independence, and no one cared. In less than a year, we’d embarrassed Entercom’s version of sports-talk radio, forced Don Fortune to bring in sports-savvy co-hosts and slapped silly a rival all-sports station that Entercom launched.

“Jerry gave a lot of people an opportunity,” said Boeger, the president of Union Broadcasting. “Obviously without Jerry, we couldn’t have accomplished any of this.”

Nope. Jerry let us bicker and fight and do dumb stuff. He loved the chaos and drama and energy. He was old, and his life was interesting. He’d had a lot of money for a long time, but he’d never been the center of attention.

Everybody gossiped and talked about Jerry Green and the frat house radio station he was financing. People thought he was crazy for spending $8 million on WHB in 1999 so a bunch of immature boys could be heard talking sports and cracking sophomoric jokes 24 hours a day.

The critics were wrong. WHB was a ratings success and a cash cow. Oh, it was dysfunctional, too. There were too many strong personalities, too much ego, and too much pettiness. At times, it was completely unprofessional.

But it was real. And people were drawn to it. Listeners and callers wanted to be a part of it.

We staged a fan walkout at Kauffman Stadium to protest baseball’s economic inequities, and the event drew national attention.

“I’ll never forget Jerry getting on stage at the walkout and people chanting, ‘Jerry, Jerry,’ ” Boeger said. “The look on Jerry’s face. He always told me that of all his business deals, getting involved in radio was the best thing he’d ever done.”

We had so many good times. Jerry absolutely loved a good party. Our charity football game, The Turkey Bowl, turned into an awesome food and toy drive during the Thanksgiving-Christmas holiday season. The postgame party was one of the best events of the year.

Sports-talk radio here has gone through some dramatic changes since the early days of 1510 and WHB. It has lost a little of Jerry’s realness, spunk and irreverence. But that’s OK. Jerry taught us a lesson about believing in young people, empowering change and taking risks. He helped us reach our goals, and that’s something I know we will never forget and always cherish.

patteeu · 08-16-2007, 01:00 AM

Way back before he got together with Jerry Green and Keitzman, I'm pretty sure that Chad Boeger did a show with a couple of other guys in the mornings on a tiny station (probably 1510). I swear their main activity was reading articles out of the KC Star sports section over the air. Nonetheless, it was better than anything Don Fortune was doing.

huskerdooz · 08-16-2007, 02:07 AM

It was Chad and Pete Enich on 1510. But it was after he hooked up with Jerry.

**dirk digler** · 08-16-2007, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

Way back before he got together with Jerry Green and Keitzman, I'm pretty sure that Chad Boeger did a show with a couple of other guys in the mornings on a tiny station (probably 1510). I swear their main activity was reading articles out of the KC Star sports section over the air. Nonetheless, it was better than anything Don Fortune was doing.

Petro and Enich on 1510.

patteeu · 08-16-2007, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huskerdooz

It was Chad and Pete Enich on 1510. But it was after he hooked up with Jerry.

It may have been after he hooked up with Green, but it was before Petro and Enich did their afternoon show in 1510. The show I'm talking about was in the morning and it was called something like "The Sunrise Sports Show."

Chief Henry · 08-16-2007, 07:09 AM

I remember a guy called Ed Beeler, super fan.
If I recall he inserted his foot into his mouth a few times. If my memory serves me correct he was
hoping Mr. Hunt would hire Carl Peterson. For some reason it seems like Ed Beeler was Carl Petersons' biggest fan before Carl got here.
Do any of you remember that scenerio ?

Chief Henry · 08-16-2007, 07:11 AM

Ed Beeler use to sign off his shows by saying
"In the department store of life, sports is just the toy department".

This Jerry Green fellow must have had a lot of fun
watching his investement and on air personalites
grow and mature.

tomahawk kid · 08-16-2007, 07:30 AM

Sounds like Whitlock wants another stint at 810 to me.

Micjones · 08-16-2007, 07:41 AM

Very sad.

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

vckcchiefs04 · 08-16-2007, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomahawk kid

Sounds like Whitlock wants another stint at 810 to me.

He has tried to go back once, and Boeger said no.

tomahawk kid · 08-16-2007, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vckcchiefs04

He has tried to go back once, and Boeger said no.

Interesting.

Apparently he and Candyass Keitzman can't get along, so I'm not totally surprised.

**dirk digler** · 08-16-2007, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomahawk kid

Sounds like Whitlock wants another stint at 810 to me.

That is what I was thinking as well but Whitlock and KK hate each other.

Also I find this article funny because Whitlock thinks he had a hand in the success of 810 which could not be farther from the truth. He had nothing to do with Kauffman Stadium walkout that was KK's baby.

Mr. Laz · 08-16-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

That is what I was thinking as well but Whitlock and KK hate each other.

Also I find this article funny because Whitlock thinks he had a hand in the success of 810 which could not be farther from the truth. He had nothing to do with Kauffman Stadium walkout that was KK's baby.

iirc whitlock was even making fun of the walkout at some point.

good article ...... but whitlock's memory is playing tricks on him.

08-16-2007, 12:44 AM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4740478	WHITLOCK - Jerry Green will be missed Cool little story about KC's sportsradio beginnings by Jason. I really enjoyed it. I had no idea everything started out so quaint. http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/233781.html COMMENTARY Jerry Green will be missed By JASON WHITLOCK Wednesday afternoon, I called my old radio partner Chad Boeger. I wanted to reminisce for a moment about Jerry Green, the man who made sports-talk radio important in this town. Jerry, 77, died Wednesday morning. He’d been in poor health for more than a year. He’d suffered a couple of strokes, and a life spent as a fun-loving free spirit had finally called him home. Jerry’s passing didn’t really make me all that sad. It made me jealous; envious of the life he lived, covetous of his legacy. Jerry Green used the millions of dollars he earned as a businessman to help and empower a lot of people, including little people like me, Boeger, Kevin Kietzman and Todd Leabo. Years ago we all — but especially Boeger — had an interest in changing local sports-talk radio. The medium here was stale, lazy and neglected. There was basically one show, and it was hosted by a man with virtually no insight into the local teams or national sports scene. We thought Kansas City could do better; we thought Kansas City should be riding the sports-talk wave like a major city. Boeger convinced Green to join him in his dream of purchasing a tiny daytime signal (1510 AM) and launching a legitimate all-sports station. Green, having been spurned in his attempt to buy the Kansas City Royals, enthusiastically embraced the idea, and gave Boeger the necessary financial backing to lure Kietzman and Leabo away from television and to eventually get me to join Boeger on a 1510 morning show. Man, it was a great ride in those early years. A millionaire told a bunch of hungry young people to go chase their dreams without fear of failure. We broadcasted from a shack in Independence, and no one cared. In less than a year, we’d embarrassed Entercom’s version of sports-talk radio, forced Don Fortune to bring in sports-savvy co-hosts and slapped silly a rival all-sports station that Entercom launched. “Jerry gave a lot of people an opportunity,” said Boeger, the president of Union Broadcasting. “Obviously without Jerry, we couldn’t have accomplished any of this.” Nope. Jerry let us bicker and fight and do dumb stuff. He loved the chaos and drama and energy. He was old, and his life was interesting. He’d had a lot of money for a long time, but he’d never been the center of attention. Everybody gossiped and talked about Jerry Green and the frat house radio station he was financing. People thought he was crazy for spending $8 million on WHB in 1999 so a bunch of immature boys could be heard talking sports and cracking sophomoric jokes 24 hours a day. The critics were wrong. WHB was a ratings success and a cash cow. Oh, it was dysfunctional, too. There were too many strong personalities, too much ego, and too much pettiness. At times, it was completely unprofessional. But it was real. And people were drawn to it. Listeners and callers wanted to be a part of it. We staged a fan walkout at Kauffman Stadium to protest baseball’s economic inequities, and the event drew national attention. “I’ll never forget Jerry getting on stage at the walkout and people chanting, ‘Jerry, Jerry,’ ” Boeger said. “The look on Jerry’s face. He always told me that of all his business deals, getting involved in radio was the best thing he’d ever done.” We had so many good times. Jerry absolutely loved a good party. Our charity football game, The Turkey Bowl, turned into an awesome food and toy drive during the Thanksgiving-Christmas holiday season. The postgame party was one of the best events of the year. Sports-talk radio here has gone through some dramatic changes since the early days of 1510 and WHB. It has lost a little of Jerry’s realness, spunk and irreverence. But that’s OK. Jerry taught us a lesson about believing in young people, empowering change and taking risks. He helped us reach our goals, and that’s something I know we will never forget and always cherish.
Posts: 277,684

08-16-2007, 01:00 AM	#2
patteeu The 23rd Pillar Join Date: Sep 2002 Casino cash: $10019237	Way back before he got together with Jerry Green and Keitzman, I'm pretty sure that Chad Boeger did a show with a couple of other guys in the mornings on a tiny station (probably 1510). I swear their main activity was reading articles out of the KC Star sports section over the air. Nonetheless, it was better than anything Don Fortune was doing. __________________ “Boy, you all want power. God, I hope you never get it.” - Lindsay Graham
Posts: 110,871

08-16-2007, 02:07 AM	#3
huskerdooz Starter Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Can't get there from here Casino cash: $9939885	It was Chad and Pete Enich on 1510. But it was after he hooked up with Jerry.
Posts: 636

08-16-2007, 07:09 AM	#6
Chief Henry MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: IOWA Casino cash: $10005088	I remember a guy called Ed Beeler, super fan. If I recall he inserted his foot into his mouth a few times. If my memory serves me correct he was hoping Mr. Hunt would hire Carl Peterson. For some reason it seems like Ed Beeler was Carl Petersons' biggest fan before Carl got here. Do any of you remember that scenerio ? __________________ Patrick Mahomes...The only QB to ever play in the NFL with at least 5,000 passing yards in a single season and 5,000 passing yards in a single college season.
Posts: 8,361

08-16-2007, 07:11 AM	#7
Chief Henry MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: IOWA Casino cash: $10005088	Ed Beeler use to sign off his shows by saying "In the department store of life, sports is just the toy department". This Jerry Green fellow must have had a lot of fun watching his investement and on air personalites grow and mature. __________________ Patrick Mahomes...The only QB to ever play in the NFL with at least 5,000 passing yards in a single season and 5,000 passing yards in a single college season.
Posts: 8,361

08-16-2007, 07:30 AM	#8
tomahawk kid Drunk in the Neighborhood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Beating the War Drums Casino cash: $10001837	Sounds like Whitlock wants another stint at 810 to me.
Posts: 5,974

08-16-2007, 07:41 AM	#9
Micjones Whose house? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $10005180	Very sad. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Posts: 15,344