My broadcasting career spanned more than six decades involving radio and television. It all began in 1961 when I became a rookie playing the hits on the legendary AM 1230 WIRO known as THE BIG I – all 250 watts of her.
The avenues of broadcasting adventure from the mid-20th century to 2022 are so many to count. Along the way I met so many great celebrities of country music, baseball, basketball and Hall of Famers.
It’s a good bet there are thousands out there that have had a dream or still do of becoming a radio personality. However, the landscape is much different from when a young “MIKE TODD” was talking to the people. I enjoyed delivering my personality to my radio audience amid playing those fantastic discs we called ‘45’s.
There are many ways to get into broadcasting, the real challenge is – how do you stay?
It’s more than that when you consider the incredible change from those glory years to the powerful tools of our profession here in the 21st century. From streaming to standard broadcasting, it’s a different world and in some cases, that’s good.
Radio is not unlike any other profession. There are mountains to climb, obstacles to conquer, people to overcome – all this while having the patience of a saint. There is a magnet that urges you to dive in with a challenge you can’t refuse. I was there and without any doubt, broadcasting completely changed my life.
Throughout my career, I encountered moments of laughter, frustration, anger, anxiety, and even humility. I must include cruelty and insensitivity; a truth that is manifested vividly in the radio industry today.
1967 brought about a new and exciting challenge with my appointment to Program Director at WTCR. My “Mike in the Morning Show” caught on very quickly as reflected by the ratings charts and local popularity. For the next 3 years, I was in Camelot building great numbers and demographics with listeners that loved what we were doing on the air. However, this success didn’t go unnoticed by other rival stations.
Early in 1970, a career challenge occurred when I was offered the position of Program Director at WCAW in Charleston, West Virginia. The impact of the opportunity was punctuated with a significant raise in income and even a 5-day work week. After much thought, it was a solid offer I could not pass up.
When giving my two weeks’ notice to WTCR the station Manager countered the offer with half of the raise now, and the other half in 60 days. After considering the fact that I was not single and was supporting a family of my wife and two children, the offer created ramifications that would be very difficult to deal with given there was no contract etc. So, I accepted the counteroffer and agreed to remain at WTCR.
However, those 60 days quickly passed, and I subsequently inquired as to the status of the rest of my agreed upon salary which was not on my paycheck. After a heated argument, I was ordered by the manager to work 12 hours a day to compensate for my raise in income. This included working on Saturdays as well for a total of 60 hours weekly.
I was at a crossroads in my career. Do I add 12 hours to my workweek or do I resign?
Keep in mind, there were no contracts given back then, it was all about negotiations. Arguments and tempers flared, and I eventually resigned with the lingering thought in mind, other stations may well hire me. Wrong.
This situation confirms the second thought of the title to this column – “Tougher to Stay.”
We all have heard the adage – “IF ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER OPENS UP!”
Sometime later in September of 1970, I applied to become a Police Officer with the Ashland, Kentucky Police Department. I took the test and was interviewed and hired a few days later.
Two doors essentially opened. One with the beginning of a new career, salary and great benefits, the other – I could now continue my broadcasting career on a parttime basis which would supplement my income even more. Throughout the next 20 years, you would find me at APD finishing up a very proud career.
A few years later after retirement, I eventually returned to my law enforcement career with the Northern Kentucky University Police for six years retiring as Assistant Chief of Police.
In essence, I was managing – DUAL CAREERS.
Many of my broadcasting colleagues will agree there are highs and lows within the profession and if you love it, and you will, – you cherish it all. Every time you turn on the mic and begin spreading your magic to those who love listening to you, you got the feel good feeling.
For me, through the years as mentioned, I added another dimension to my repertoire and that was calling the play by play of football, baseball, and basketball.
Certainly, this extension of my skills and talents added to my value with the station or network.
In fact, in 2016 I joined the faculty of the Ohio Media School in Cincinnati teaching “The Fundamentals and Execution of play by play of basketball, football and baseball.”
The sports microphone opened a ton of possibilities that furthered my career from playing hits, to calling the games.
November 22, 2022, the curtain came down on my broadcasting career ending with my calling NCAA basketball play by play on ESPN+.
However, those WTCR “Mike in the Morning Shows” along with those early years of being “The Sandman” on WIRO in 1961, certainly made for two great bookends.
For the record, I like to think that noted physician and philosopher Albert Schweitzer nailed it when he stated, “Success is not the key to happiness; happiness is the key to success.”
Remember, “BROADCASTING IS TOUGH TO GET THERE, BUT TOUGHER TO STAY.”
You just never know. Many have found the road to success and others were not as fortunate. Wherever you are, show some true grit, you’ll be happy you did.
Mike Tussey has “retired” from a 60-plus-year career as a legendary play-by-play announcer for over 2000 football, baseball, and basketball games, including most recently for ESPN+. His career also includes a stint in law enforcement, teaching and coaching, and writing books, including the “Touchdown Saints.” He grew up in Eastern Kentucky and now lives in Florence with his wife, Jo. He has opened another “Door of Opportunity” and is now a regular columnist for the NKyTribune.