Josh Innes Hypothetically calls out Jayson Braddock

Written By: LM

After Jayson Braddock put Josh Innes on blast Thursday, Josh answered on Friday.  I am not sure if Josh has a "gag order" preventing him from saying Jayson's name or he does not want to say his name on air.

In the audio below, Josh  referred to the Super Bowl situation in "hypotheticals" clearly referring to Jayson.

Several times, Josh referenced Jayson threatening women.  Also, he referenced how it was all caught on tape.  I am more surprised in 2018, video of radio personalities about scrap is not public.

The funniest part about all of this, Josh talks all of this cash noise about people, but when someone charges him up, we get phrases like "he accosted me".

Below is the audio

Josh Innes Audio



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Josh Innes flames Sports Radio 610's Program Director

Written by:  Lamont

This morning, Josh Innes revealed a comment from Sports Radio 610's Program Director.  Apparently, Ryan McCredden replied to a listener who didn't like 610's new line up.

I agree with Josh's assessment of Ryan McCredden.

Below is the audio



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Josh Innes blast Ryan McCredden

What I found interesting about this segment, clearly 610 and 790 are acknowledging the ratings across the board is crap but ESPN 97.5 are dancing rainbows for winning.

In other words, if you are winning ratings in this market, are you even winning? Winning with 3s and 2s is like the corn kernel on the turd. 

The market is depressed and celebrating winning books in this town is laughable.

Josh Innes Claps Back at Adam Clanton - Radio Wars

Written By: Lamont

Radio Wars is a little misleading.  Normally when you see the word "War", you assume two people from different squads fighting each other.  That would be incorrect, Josh Innes and Adam Clanton are on the same team.

Wednesday, Jilly brought it to Josh's attention that Adam Clanton referenced Josh on the show.  It appears, the beef between Adam and Josh is not totally squashed at least from Adam's point of view.

When Josh caught wind to what was said. Josh begin reading Adam's old Rockets Tweets on air. Corrected Adam's use of analogy and refuted Adam's claim of not being able to say Josh's name legally.  Lastly, they poked fun at Adam's fake laugh.

Check this out on Chirbit 

Josh Innes Claps Back at Adam Clanton - Radio War Part 1

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Josh Innes Claps Back at Adam Clanton - Radio War II

Josh Innes Podcast removed by Sports Radio 610 Lawyers

Last week, Sports Radio 610’s Mad Radio (Seth Payne and Mike Meltser) made a big deal about taking 13 calls during a 4-hour show.  

Background:

Outside of Paul Gallant’s Night Show, 610 take few calls.  I have theories! 

• ·         They are Liberal in a Red Texas
• ·         They think Houston are a bunch of dumb hicks not worth talking too
• ·         Arrogant

Upon hearing Mad Radio’s excitement about their 13 calls, I tweeted Josh Innes and and Jim Mudd.

Josh decided to call Sports Radio 610.   Josh called Sports Radio 610 and introduced himself and they dumped him.

Days later, I learned, Sports Radio 610 got lawyers involved.   Sports Radio 610 had Josh and 790 to remove the podcast with the call

Josh fucking with 610 is petty but the shit is funny.  SR610 are acting like they are  Upper Manhattan snobs afraid to engage.   For what is worth, I listened to 610 off and on throughout the remainder of MAD Radio's show and I don't think they made it to 13 calls.

What would be cool is if Josh had a bunch of his fans to call 610 and just reference Josh Innes.

Below, I captured Josh calling 610 from 610’s feed

Sports Radio 610 Dumps Josh Innes

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David Barron calls Josh Innes to the Witness Stand!

Written by: Lamont

A week ago, the Houston Texans revoked Josh Innes and Jim Mudd's credentials.  Some suspect on Aug 22, Jim and Josh violated Texans media policies by airing Texans practice over Jim's cell phone.  Houston Chronicle's David Barron submitted five questions to Josh for a story.  Josh decided to answer David's questions on air.  Josh believes they are treating him like he was on the witness stand.  I can't front, the shit was funny as hell.

Josh believes David is clearly trying to write a hit piece on him. Josh also notated one question in particular leads him to believe Sports Radio 610 is involved.



Check this out on Chirbit

#CredentialGate 

Houston Texans revokes Josh Innes and Jim Mudd's Press credentials

Written by: Lamont

The Houston Texans stripped Josh Innes and Jim Mudd of their press credentials.  Josh can be critical of local teams but for the most part, he's seem relatively upbeat about the Houston Texans.

I hear him saying what everyone is saying, Texans will win 7-9 games.  He's given JJ Watt mad props for his charity work during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

If I had to guess, Sports Radio 610 has their hands all over this.  I remember when Josh returned to Houston, he had an interview sat up with a Texan player and 610 nixed.  A few weeks ago, Josh revealed he'd heard through the grapevine 610 had plans to counter his show.  

Check this out on Chirbit

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UPDATE:  Josh Innes and Jim Mudd's credentials may have been pulled because they infiltrated the Houston Texans practice.   August 22nd, Josh sent Jim Mudd to the Texans practice.  Jim was on the phone with the show while Josh had him to ask fans questions.  Jim got kicked out of a specific area and told he couldn't record.

Check this out on Chirbit

The only local team I could see revoking Josh's credentials would be the Houston Rockets.  The Rockets and Josh openly hates each other.   Josh's coworkers are on The Rockets side and telling on him.  That shit is epic funny.

I fully expect the rhetoric to get heated in the coming months.

Josh Innes fighting callers, crushing 610 and Alex Del Barrio

Written by: Lamont

A caller triggered Josh Innes and the rest is history.  Josh went at the caller, Sports Radio and Alex Del Barrio.

The most interesting thing of the audios, according to Jilly (Josh's Girlfriend) there are rumors that 610 is Making Moves because they are afraid of Josh.


Alex Del Barrio "Fat Pussy"



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Caller Threatens to Kick Josh's fat ass



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Josh smacking MAD Radio and Triple Threat



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610 Making moves because they are afraid of Josh Innes



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Josh Innes shtick is criticizing 610

Written by: Lamont

Shots Fired

Sunday afternoon, Sports Radio 610 host Alex Del Barrio lost his shit on air.  It was relatively cool show with a variety of topics.  The last topic he covered was the history of the National Anthem in sports.

Alex took a call that went long.  The topic or it's duration caused a texter to lash out at Alex with profanity.

It was at this point, Alex lost his shit.  He blasted the texter but what came next was odd AF.  He addressed Sports Talk 790's Josh Innes going at their station. He never calls Josh out by name but everyone knows Josh is the only in-air personality in Houston who calls Sports Radio 610 Lazy Radio.

Below is Alex's Rant



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Alex Rant

I wondered how long would 610 allow Josh to go unanswered.  Honestly, I was shocked it was Alex.  Alex is a little fiery and I've seen him mix it up with people on Twitter but didn't think he would address Josh.

Alex's overall point was, the public discourse in this country is bad.  He do not believe people have to be rude and use profanity towards each other and it sickens him.

It's interesting to point out, how would Alex hear Josh?  He listens to the show?  You can listen to his show but not say his name on air?  One of my biggest pet peeves is referencing another host from another station without saying their name.   I sound like a broken record but we are in 2017, everyone knows everyone exist, its archaic to still go nameless.

Josh Innes flamed 610, "That station needs to die"

Written by: Lamont

This is one of the weirdest segments I've ever heard.  Josh Innes was talking about the Texans and football and out of no where, 610 became a target.

He expressed something I've said for a while, the market is dead.  Some audio do not need an explanation because a lot of it was spot on.


Check this out on Chirbit


Josh Innes on 610

Josh Innes Morning Show Review

Josh Innes Show

Usually I wouldn’t write about a new show a week in but JoshInnes  is not a newbie to the market.  Josh returned to Houston in the Afternoon Drive Time slot and worked his way to Mornings.   Upon Lance Zierlein’s announcement to take a break from Morning Radio, Sports Talk 790 reorganized their lineup and Josh landed the Morning gig.

Josh Innes Show is going head to head against his former coworkers and friends Seth Payne and Mike Meltser.  If you know Josh and how he delivers his shows, you know you are going to receive

• Bombastic, wild
• Flame Throwing
• Against popular opinion
• Energy
• Competitive (he wants to crush you)
• Impromptu, improvising
• On air disagreements (callers, guests, sometimes cohosts)
• Real as far as he can get away with on air·         

However, I have seen growth and a change in his craft.  Josh is more political.  He is not pushing a specific party or ideology on his show but he freely speaks about social issues a lot more than he has in the past.  He is very quick to blast Social Media Justice Warriors and will tell them to get a life.  He tends to approach politics and social issues with a common sense point of view and not popular opinion.

Josh was never the personality to shy away from speaking about the competition by name.  In radio, most personalities avoid speaking about their competition by name because they have some dumb ass belief that if the audience hears about the competition, they will flip the dial.  It’s 2017 and everything and everybody are interconnected.  It’s foolish to believe your audience do not know your competition.  Back to Josh, in the past, Josh identified his competition in a negative manner usually via beef and he still will dig in a few asses.   I wondered how would he master this since he is cool with the competition.  Instead of being mean spirited towards Mike and Seth, Josh reference them in a joking matter.   Gay Meltser is a running joke on the show where a caller or callers frequently call to act like a gay Mike Meltser.  The shit is hilarious.  In addition to mentioning the competition’s name, he uses audio drops of them as well.  

A shocker for me is Josh’s baseball knowledge.  When Josh was here before, the Astros were terrible and there was no incentive to talk about Astros or baseball in Houston.  I was talking to Craig Shelton and he was telling me Josh has always liked baseball and you could tell from the way he talked about the league when he could.  Josh knows baseball and truthfully speaking, I thought he was riding the Astros train because Astros GM Jeff Luhnow came from the Cardinals (Josh’s team) organization.  I was wrong, I genuinely listen to hear his takes on the Astros and the interviews.  Anyone who knows me know I hate interviews but I have found myself satisfied with his Astro’s interviews.

The Josh Innes Show still incorporates callers in the mornings but it’s not as much as the afternoon show.  Silly as it may sound mentioning a Sports Talk Show taking phone calls, but if you were to look at his competition (MAD Radio) and a few more shows on Sports Radio 610, they much rather talk to themselves instead of fans.  Josh uses little to none of Twitter for his show.  He will not bring Twitter dialogue or questions to his show unless it’s a person tweeting negativity towards him or the show.  I hate that shit to be honest.

His zeal for wanting to be the best in the market has driven him to look for the next “big thing”.   You can see with the constant trying to think of a new bit or idea for the show.  He is constantly reaching out to the fans for ideas or trying new shit on air with the assistance of Jim Mudd and Jilly.

Earlier I said I liked his Astros Interviews but I think his show has too many interviews.  Outside of the Astros interviews, I change the dial when I hear he’s about to bring someone on.   As a solo host, I understand callers and guests pseudo serve as your cohost.

I like Jim Mudd but his laugh track shit can get annoying.   Everything Josh says do not require gut busting laughter.   At times, it feels like I’m watching an 80s sitcom.  Jilly is cool but since she’s not speaking on a regular basis, her entrance feels forced as if they are making space for her to talk.  I think if she spoke more, it wouldn’t feel out of place.

Personally, I think Josh’s show will thrive in this market considering what he’s up against market-wide.  The market is flat right now.  The only shows I am feeling are Josh Innes, John Granato/Raheel Ramzaneli/ Del and The Blitz.  Mostly everyone else is a boring routine crop desperately waiting on football to kickoff to drive interest.  There is only so many times I can listen to people who are not interested in the Astros give me questions like “how do you feel about the Astros” or delivering some obscure Astros stat.

Moving forward will be interesting to see how Josh holds up.   He is doing a show in Houston and New Orleans in addition to Podcast.  From what I have seen, the Podcast tends to bring in the Philadelphia crowd.  I have seen personalities manage a local and national show but I have never heard a personality manage three shows in different markets.  

SPORTS RADIO 610 TRY TO RECREATE JOSH INNES BY LM

PAUL GALLANT AND BRIEN STRAW

SPORTS RADIO 610 TRY TO RECREATE JOSH INNES

Written By: LM

7.19.2014

Sports Radio 610s Program Director Ryan McCreeden created a challenge amongst the shows.  For five consecutive days, each show had to compete in a challenge.  At the end of the week, which ever show won would be compensated with a day off.

Some of the challenges were typical College Frat Boy pranks but others were gay.

Wednesday, while the 610 Host challenge was in full swing, Brien Straw and Paul Gallant of the Night Show talked about two hosts from Boston that berated Erin Andrews.  In the audio below, you will hear Brien Straw say the Boston show is reaching and pulling stunts.

Check this out on Chirbit

Brien Straw Reaching

Brien was correct however I couldn't believe he said it in a week:

Sean Pendergast is getting his back waxed.  Nick Wright sucking Dorito Dust off of John Lopez's finger.  Ted Johnson and Sean Pendergast sharing a pretzel, mouth to mouth with practice wrapped around their face.  Paul Gallant and Brien Straw licking something off one or the other's neck.

None of the challenges actually appeared as disgusting as verbally described on the radio but they were going for "shock" value. 

What Program Director in a genre dominated by men, actually thinks this is a good idea, Ryan McCreeden, that's who.  Since McCreeden has been Program Director, some of the hosts have made jokes about him being gay or having a dark-side and even this week, some of the hosts were questioning his games.

Easy, is to say Sports Radio 610 is gay but it's much more.  They are mocking "gay" and will be the main ones that crush others who say one word.

It's clear that Sports Radio 610 is also trying to recreate the environment Josh Innes created at 610.  I thought I was the only one that noticed, but Mannifresh picked up on it as well as he mentioned it on his show.  The problem they are up against, Josh Innes was predictably unpredictable and all of these goof ball antics are not.

As far as the hosts, what can I say?  If your boss wants you to perform weirdo acts, its not like you can actually say ummm, NO I will not do that.  I'm curious, what if Ryan McCreeden asked the hosts to dress up as Black Face would they?  Of course they wouldn't because they know it's not cool but they have no problem at all joking about gay.

 I am glad no other stations in town are scraping the bottom of the barrel for show content. "It's a slow time in sports" is not an excuse.  Since Gavin Spittle's departure, Sports Radio 610 has dropped off big time in terms of entertainment.  Sports Radio really needs the Texans to return in a hurry or these Ryan McCreeden may just have them performing sex acts on air because Sports Radio is WILD AND WACKY.

Brien Straw, did Sports Radio 610 "reach" or "stunt" this week or is it routine workplace behavior?

 LM

IS NICK WRIGHT READY TO BE THE FACE OF THE FRANCHISE - LM

IS NICK WRIGHT READY TO BE THE FACE OF THE FRANCHISE

Written By: LM

1.19.2014

Over the last three years, Josh Innes has been the face of Sports Radio 610.   Like him or hate him, for the last few years, if you said Sports Radio 610, Josh Innes was the name likely to come from your mouth.  It's no different on other stations, when you think:

• Sports Talk 790, you think Lance Zierlein 
• 1560 The Game John Granato
•  97.5 ESPN Fred Faour/ AJ Hoffman

Once Nick Wright arrived in Houston, Sports Radio 610 encountered a situation.  Two young radio professionals from different backgrounds trying to establish their dominance.  Don't let the on-air friendships fool you, every personality wants to be THAT GUY.   That guy, the moment you say a station's name, they want to be recognized as the Alpha Dog.

Josh Innes is self taught while Nick Wright is Syracuse educated.

It's funny how things happen because I remember last year  HMW Founder Craig Shelton told Josh that he and Nick wouldn't be able to coexist at 610.   Audio is Below


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or Click Link
Craig talks to Josh Innes

Some may disagree and call Rich Lord the Face of 610 but this has nothing to do with tenure and longevity and every thing to do with association.

It appears, Nick Wright may have got what he wanted as being the top dog but is he ready?  Currently, Nick is one of the most identifiable names at Sports Radio 610 but it's a constellation prize.  Sports Radio 610 is no where near as hot as it was a couple of years ago.   Would you want to be the "hot guy" on a bland product or a "hot guy" on a gold mine?

Here is the deal, Josh Innes was part of the build of record ratings, Nick Wright was not. Not to mention we have seen the morning fall below 2.0 in ratings which is something we have not seen in a while at 610.   Both are polarizing  personalities but for me, Nick does not have that "I have to hear what he says next" pop.

Can Nick Wright push 610 higher?  Just some food for thought.   For what it's worth, I think Seth Payne is Sports Radio 610's best host but Nick Wright is clearly the face.

OUT

LM

CHANGES AT SPORTS RADIO 610, SEAN PENDERGAST - LM

CHANGES AT SPORTS RADIO 610, SEAN PENDERGAST

Written By: LM

12.20.2013

Unless you have been living under a rock, Sean Pendergast replaced Josh Innes at Sports Radio 610 in the Afternoons.

I've tried to get the vibe via social media about the change but I couldn't pin point the consensus.  However, I did gathered

• Fans are expressing congrats towards Sean Pendergast
• Split views towards Josh Innes leaving
• Weird tweets from 1560 Trailblazers (will be blogged)

Normally, I try not to write about a new show before I've had a chance to fully vet it, but this change was  huge and there are some dynamics at play.

• Gavin Spittle's first hire John Lopez, Ryan McCredden Sean Pendergast (Major Time Slots)
• Sports Radio 610 PD hired within the Houston Market talent pool
• 1560 Going at 610 in the past  (not sure if Sean participated)
• Sean Pendergast's rise in Houston
• John Granato's next partner (I'm looking at you Matt Jackson)
• Fans asking HMW "Who is Sean"
• Lamont do not know Sean's Pro Football team (Rich Lord is a Giants Fan)

For those who are asking about Sean, Sean's claim to fame came via 610 (CBS) Airwaves with his Jim Rome Smack Off Championships. Sean was a legendary caller who went on a run of Smack-Off Titles.  At the time Lance Zierlein and John Granato were Morning Host at Sports Radio 610.  John Granato left 610 to start a new radio station (1560), shortly, Lance went to 1560 as well.  I will not pretend to know the details in between but Sean ended up at 1560. 

At the time, I do remember still listening to Jim Rome from 11-2 CST and fans were asking about Sean "The Cablinasian" Pendergast.  Why is he not participating in Smacks Offs anymore? Jim tried to overlook it before he flat out explained, Sean was working for a CBS competitor and could no longer participate in Smack Offs.

I've been listening to Sean for a while and here are a few things about him

• He's Witty
• Notre Dame Alumni
• Very Intelligent
• Sports Junkie
• Soprano's Freak
• Wrestling Fanatic
• From Connecticut 
• Swell

I've listened to Sean for almost 4 years, he comes off as even keel.  It will be interesting with Rich Lord and by interesting, I mean boring to me.  After listening to three years of Josh and Rich, I do not see Sean providing that same energy fans were accustomed to with Josh.  I need energy and less Texans Friendly brown-nosing. 

Say what you will about Josh Innes, but he brought life back into Sports Radio 610 Drive Time after that miserable Robert Henslee and Rich Lord experiment.  That said, I am witnessing Sean Pendergast follow behind two  popular personalities:  Lance Zierlein (partnered with John Granato) and Josh Innes (partnered with Rich Lord).  Huge shoes to follow in terms of popularity.

When I take all of this in, it's looking like Fred Faour and AJ Hoffmann at 97.5 ESPN will be eating in the WINTER SEASON  #GOT

OUT

LM

HOUSTON ROCKETS GM DARYL MOREY VS 610s JOSH INNES

JOSH INNES VS HOUSTON ROCKETS GM DARYL MOREY


This interview got heated near the end.

JOSH INNES VS HOUSTON ROCKETS GM DARYL MOREY

This interview got heated near the end.



HOUSTON ROCKETS GM DARYL MOREY VS JOSH INNES AUDIO

CLICK PLAY TO LISTEN

***************************************************************************

WHAT'S UP WITH JOSH INNES? - LM

WHAT'S UP JOSH INNES!!! LM

Written By: LM

In late March, I was working on a concept comparing Sports Radio 610 historic ratings and the Houston Texans historic season.  This article was money because not only did they share histories but they also had somewhat of an exodus of talent.  Sports Radio 610 didn't suffer as many losses as the Texans in terms of raw personal however if you were to compare by percentages, then it's another story.  The idea was to showcase Josh Innes as Arian Foster being he's one of the premier retained talents by SR610 while other free agents (Greg and Kalu) test the market.

Thank goodness I didn't, if Arian Foster is about to become Josh Innes, then I'm nervous.  Over the last couple of weeks, Josh has become somewhat unstable or a better word to describe what I am hearing is angered.  Josh Innes is a competitor, he has made it clear, he wants to crush the competition.  Since Josh has been on the air, he always publicly bragged and boasted on air about their talent compared to other stations.  

The first blow came when the news of Marc Vandermeer's departure.  I really didn't see any outward signs of anger.  To be honest all I heard was Sports Radio 610 collectively trying to explain to fans Marc would still be on the station which I found very ODD.  We are not dumb, for Marc to broadcast with the Texans it would have to be on SR610 in addition.  I really wonder why everyone at 610 is going out of their way to let us know Marc will still be around but not be around, huh?

The second blow came by way of Greg Koch and N. D. Kalu's.  I can remember when the news first became public, I listened to J&R that evening and Josh made a reference to other stations poaching their talent.  From what I can recall he was not happy.

The third blow was probably the one in my opinion that probably got to him more than any.  Sports Radio 610 Producer Ben Nance resigned to go live in Chicago.  Josh openly expressed anger about the decision.

The fourth and fifth blows came by way of Frank Caliendo and Rich Lord's behavior with Frank after Josh left the interview.  

SO WHAT'S UP

All SR610 listeners were under the assumption, Josh, Greg and ND were tight.  I mean some of the most memorable shows came by way of Josh being paired with one or the other but you wouldn't know this if you've been reading Josh social media posts.  I admit, I have not seen Josh call Greg Koch out by name but if you can pick up on context clues, he is going all out of his way to make it known he and Kalu is cool in addition to Kalu being a guy that's going to bust his ass to learn.  It's one of those situations where I was waiting on Josh to say something about Koch but it never happened.   Evidently, I am not the only one who picked up on this because Greg Koch quickly replied to a Josh post pretty much putting him on blast telling Rich and Gavin to visit his message board to see how Josh really feels about them.

Speaking of Rich Lord, after Frank Caliendo's interview, Josh been on this tangent about no one having his back which was obviously aimed at Rich Lord.

On the "back" issue, all I can say is, I was raised that if one of my relatives were in a "one on one" fight, I would not jump in.  The rule also stated, if they were losing in that fair fight, break it up and let them catch their breath and go another round.  What would not happen win or lose is me dapping up the dude my family just fought with.  In other words, that fight was between Frank and Josh however once Frank become belligerent by default he now has invoked Rich because it's the J&R Show.  To add insult to injury, Rich didn't exactly stop Frank from going in on an absent Josh.  I never been a situation with a celebrity and cohost therefore I really don't know what Rich could have done to get out of the situation.  Hell, most will say, Josh shouldn't have got in the situation to begin with.

WRAP IT UP

I don't want to go conspiracy theorist but I have to.  With the recent antics of Josh, I have to wonder if Josh is at the end of his rope and trying to get out of Houston.  Although he still has friends at the station, three of them just blazed out.

I constantly see him refuting any notion that SR610 is dying and I'm like why are you doing this unless the shit bugs you?

All of this pissing a fit about people having your back is for the birds, it's a cold world.  If you ever find yourself in a position to depend on the backing of another man, you have already lost.  even if that is the case, you don't come out and whine about it.  Josh may have needed this weekend to collect himself because this was a bad week.

OUT

LM
hmw_yahoo.com

JOSH INNES TAKES ON BOB ALLEN & NUTTLESS RADIO CITY - LM

JOSH INNES VS BOB ALLEN & NUTTLESS RADIO CITY

Written By: LM

One of the best days in sports talk radio in a non football season capacity I can recall in a long time.  First there was me me getting extra pissed with Matt Jackson (790) saying "Vincent Jackson (Chargers) was a better than Andre Johnson.  Trust me a blog is coming, but then there was Bob Allen.

If you are in Houston living underneath a rock, Bob Allen (ABC 13 Sports Anchor) made a comment about someone he knows who know the Manning family saying "Peyton was interested in the Texans".  Let me begin by saying, Peyton is the "man" to garner that much attention on a comment I thought personally thought was a "non story".  Josh Innes (Sports Radio 610) sitting in the wings observing the reaction took a completely different approach to the Bob Allen story than most personalities approached it.  Completely disregard the intent of the message but lest focus on the message.  I have to be real, I appreciate the combative style of radio.

I grew up on Bob Allen, Dave Ward, Melanie Lawson the whole ABC 13 staff but if someone find a kink in their armor, it is what it is.  My approach to Bob Allen was that of it not being a story, but Josh Innes dissected Bob's actual take.  From Josh's point of view, Bob Allen's take cancelled it's self out.  Below is the exchange between Bob Allen, Josh Innes and Brien Straw.

Bob Allen vs Josh Innes  <<<<< Listen

WOW, Bob was pretty pissed off.  I have to say, you have to balls the size of the Astrodome to challenge Bob the Allen.  This once, I will neglect to have an opinion on the interview but the Bob Allen call-in was only the PG version on the scale of entertainment value.  I say PG in terms of people who were not able to listen live and listen to the podcast because things got pretty interesting after Bob Allen.

After Josh and Brien Straw got off the phone with Bob Allen, Josh went on a rant about the Houston Sports Market,  In one word, epic.  As I listened to this rant, I was like "how in the hell can a 610 personality make such comments".  Like it or not and I do not speak for every member of HMW but he said what most local media never want to be uttered.

Josh on Houston Media Market

Well it didn't stop at Bob Allen and Houston, Josh took a call from a caller Mouton.  Again, I have no opinion on the exchange but it was good radio.  Josh Innes blows up after Mouton drops a couple of expletives.

Josh vs Mouton

DAVID NUNO WANT SOME TOO "MORE BOB ALLEN"

Ok no matter how everyone try to act as if they don't listen to competitor's shows, everyone in Houston heard what transpired between Josh, Brien and Bob.  Well,  David Nuno brought Bob Allen to lay out his case.  From what I observed, Bob was still flustered about earlier events as he should.  Don't take my word, listen.

Bob Allen w/ David Nuno

WRAP IT UP

Information overload.  The events of yesterday is beyond blog comprehension.  I have a carpetbagger calling out a member of the "old guard".   LMAO, Bob Allen is harmless, in a weeks time he probably get about 15 to 20 minutes of air time on TV, yes I'm guessing.  As a member of HMW, I cannot go after the TV guys because they are not giving me continuous sports information.  TV personalities is like sexy sports, it's all clean.  I mean every now and then, they will have a story or local interview that will catch my attention.  When I think about TV sports personalities, it's similar to  Hip Hop with Kid N Play (happy rap) vs Geto Boys (thuggery).  Although, Kid N Play is happy and not telling the real story, they are visible with a happy appeal.  

I would be dishonest with myself if I were to blast Josh for what I have been bitching about for almost two years in print and countless years as a caller.  I think Josh went far and beyond his personality to show courtesy to Bob on the intro and exit of the J&R Show and I think he felt he had to show gratitude/homage to Bob for longevity.  

Sports Talk is entertainment, this is my avenue to get away from real life and have fun with sports I love.  I  want some real sports talk.  Outside of the 94/95 Rockets Organization (Champions) anything else as far as Houston is over exaggerated with platitudes.  We know Bum Phillips birthplace, we know John McClain has a cat and a wife, we know Kyle Lowry stats from tomorrow, we know Dan Pastornini had a lot of sex in the 70s, we know all of this damn great history in Houston with only 2 championships show for it.  I am not grinch but the "he's a swell guy" stuff with any and everybody in Houston not named Jerry Glanville is a bit much.  

I do not believe Bob Allen tried to pull a fast one but I can't get mad at Josh Innes for asking a question.  I learned one thing listening to Bob Allen on with David Nuno, journalist take there information pretty serious.  Bob pretty much begin the interview defending his story.  It was kind of sad because Bob is on his way out and no one wants to go out with a blemish on the tail end of a wonderful career.


In radio, I challenge the information of Barry Warner and John McClain, their longevity does not shelter them from questions I may have.  I feel the same apply to Josh and Bob Allen, however I think Josh may have took it to a level of making Bob look bad.  Josh's 2 O'clock hour on Bob was pretty brutal by Houston standards.  As far Bob, to call in a show and don't have the facts correct?  Bob called in and went at Brien and Josh for a comment a caller made that he thought the on air talent said.  The funniest thing about yesterday's events, if Rich Lord would have been in studio, Josh would have literally been thrown out of the window in 59 South traffic.  Rich don't condone media on media.


OUT

LM
hmw_lm@yahoo.com

"YOU FOUND IT!!!" FOR TWO MORE YEARS: JOSH INNES - LM

"YOU FOUND IT!!!" FOR TWO MORE YEARS: JOSH INNES
Written By: LM

Close to the end of last week, Josh Innes (SR610) announced Sports Radio 610 re-up his contract.  Yes kids, Josh Innes for an additional 2 years.  As I listened to Josh make the soft announcement, a couple of things came to mind.  For some reason I thought Josh had already been extended being that I met him his first week in Houston during the Texans vs Titans in November of 2009.  I figured once he got passed November, it was a done deal.  That's a slip on my part for not following up and inquiring about his contractual situation.

The other thing that came to mind, he made it through.  When I say "made it" I mean I have never seen a new personality take as much heat from callers, peers and in some cases coworkers than Josh.  When I am out and about and I bump into a fan of 610 and we begin talking, one of the first questions I am asked "so what you think about that Josh Innes".  They leave the question open, almost to feel me out and when I speak about his talent, I typically get a "Yea, but" and they light into him.

I am happy for Josh because he could have tucked tail and ran but he stuck it out.  I am sure seeing the numbers from a winning Houston Texans was an incentive.  I mean if I am Josh and I am looking at record numbers on my show with the assistance of the Texans rising and the the AFC South in shambles, I would factor that into my decision.  There is a common incomplete sentence we all make when talking about the Texans and Sports Radio 610 and I was just guilty of it; as quick as it was for me to say 610 benefited from the Texans winning, the truth of the matter is, all four stations benefit to a degree of a good Texans.  However, I do feel Sports Radio 610 may get the most bang for the buck because they are the Flagship station.

Upon learning about Josh's contract, I asked him a few questions.  Shot the questions to Josh and in his "open door" fashion, he promptly responded and asked if I had more questions.  Below are my questions to Josh Innes.

INTERVIEW

Wanted to touch basis with on your new two year contract and what it means for J&R Experience moving forward.  First off, congratulation on being the number one sports talk show in Houston as defined by the ratings.  I think the show is doing well, I do not agree with all topics and content on the show but I listen.  Over the last year, the phrase “real talk” has become somewhat of a catch phrase for the J&R Show and with that said, I wanted to ask you a few real questions.

1.In a strange way your contract situation is similar to Mario Williams.  Like Mario you are very polarizing,  I would say half like/dislike you.  With the constant negativity, how in the hell did you make the decision to stay in Houston. 

Answer: I like it here. I think it's a great place to live. The station wanted me here. I didn't see any other openings that were as good as this one. I also like working with my boss. We disagree on a lot of things but he's a good PD. 

2. I have listen to you grow from your first week in Houston with “squeal like a pig” to informative questions to big time guest and the ability to rock a five hour show.  At what point of your career in Houston, you felt you had to change some things?

Answer: I never felt like I had to change a lot. The things I do now are the things I've always done. In the past I was doing one hour. It's hard to develop any type of flow in a one hour show. I did know that going into the PM Drive slot I would have to change a little. Maybe be a little more mainstream with stuff I did. I didn't have guests on the one hour show b/c I didn't really have time. Hell, today I played Deliverance music. My squeal like a pig days are not a thing of the past. 

3. I have been listening to Drive Time Radio for a long time.  I have heard Rich Lord with a slew of hosts and frankly I am a bit surprised the success of J&R.  I thought Matt and Rich Drive Time Players was the optimal and couldn’t be top but I was wrong,.  Of course, Matt was following Marc Vandermeer and you followed Robert Henslee which put you in a whole in my opinion.  I say all of that to ask, with the ratings hovering around the 4-6 and most of your Pop and Hip Hop stations locally are flirting with 6-9, are your sites set on being the best in your genre or Houston radio period?

Answer: We want to have the best ratings in Houston. We know we will never pull giant ratings in the 12+ ratings demo. It's not going to happen. We do think we can become an elite player in Men 25-54 and we are doing that. Throughout football season we have been consistently pulling 5's and 6's. Those 5's and 6's have us ranked in the top 7 for the fall book. Thats solid. The morning show is doing the same thing. I want to have the top rated show in the city. I also understand that sports is a niche format and we are on the AM band. If this station were on FM I think would could be even more lethal. 

4. Any plans on increasing your sports knowledge?

Answer: You can always be more informed. I am not going to plead my case to you about my sports knowledge. I think you can listen and know that I know of which I speak. If I don't know something, I tell you. I am not a phony. What else would you like me to learn?

5. Recently, you mention you had an interest in Stand Up Comedy.  Have you conversed with John Wessling?  Any chance CBS could provide you a solo slot where you can do a “Stern” type of show?

Answer: I don't think John is funny so no. I don't know if we have any slots available to do a different type of show. I'd like to do it at some point but I'm not really focused on that right now. 

6. Do you regret anything said about Houston Sports?

Answer: No. 

7. What’s your highest and lowest point at SR 610?

Answer: I don't really focus on the highs. I'm a weird cat. I don't remember a lot of the good stuff I do. I'd say that getting to do national radio 8 times has been a high point. Getting promoted a year into my contract was a high. I had a bad stretch towards the end of 2011. I wasn't a good guy. I really battled with my PD. I could have gotten fired. I was told I was close to being canned. It wasn't a good time. 

8. Should Josh Innes fans expect changes in JR?  I am not talking radical  but do you have ideas you want to bring to the show? Is the 1980s Birthday segment hear to stay?

Answer: The show evolves everyday. I don't have grand plans for the show. The show just sort of happens. Many of the ideas for segments come up organically. I have no elaborate plans for the show. As long as the show is real and doesn't become an overly corporate, contrived  show then I'm happy. Birthdays is Rich's baby. It's not going anywhere. 

9. I am not a fan of playing the victim.  I truly despise the whole “everybody hates me”.  Do you feel that’s incorporated in your diversion of negativity?

Answer: Yes. I don't use that as much anymore. It used to be a regular part of the show. Now I take it in stride and laugh with it. It took me a while to learn how to not take the negativity so serious. If you listen to the show you see that we have fun with it now. 

10. Out of curiosity, J&R are seeing record numbers which means people like you and the show.  Various forms of communication is such a small portion of the population.  Why shrug your fans off with a “thanks” but devote a whole segment to those who say they hate you?  

Answer: I'll quote Barry Champlain in "Talk Radio"..."There is nothing more boring than people that love you". There is no conflict in compliments. There is no passion in compliments. Hatred produces passion and passion produces good radio. 

11. As stated earlier, we are keeping it real.  What are your plans on removing the “gay” adjective associated with your brand some like to use when attacking you?  Hell is it even an issue to you? 


Answer: I don't care. I find it funny that it makes so many people uncomfortable. Sometimes I exaggerate some of the things I say just to irk a small faction of the audience that thinks I'm gay. I like to make those people uncomfortable. I'm not going to change anything I do. I am who I am.


12. Have you learned anything from Rich Lord to help your career?

Answer. I'd say the people I've learned the most from in Houston are Vandermeer and Gavin.

WRAP IT UP

I like to thank Josh Innes for taking the time to answer a few questions.   Congratulations Josh on your contract and keep on doing what you do.

It's funny how I knock Sports Radio 610 for being one of the most closed societies, but pound for pound they have some of the most candid personalities:  Barry Warner, ND Kalu and Josh Innes.

OUT

LM
hmw_lm@yahoo.com