by Chad Scott
Brandon Adams left his mid-day talk show at Sports Radio 790 the Zone for a career out of radio almost a year ago to the day. Adams has been heard back on the sports talk airwaves in Atlanta this week filing in for a vacationing Matt Chernoff on 680 the Fan's "Chuck and Chernoff" show. Having had the opportunity to know and work with Adams for several years, I happily proclaim myself a founding member of his fan club.
Adams' passionate delivery and his passion for the craft of sports radio always impressed me. When he was on the air daily, I felt he did a better job than anyone else in Atlanta forcing himself to dig below the surface level with topics, challenging listeners with unorthodox and compelling discussions daily. He also had a better feel for the Georgia Bulldogs (a strong attribute in this city) than anyone else on radio and the charming personality quirks that attract a listener to a host. I recently caught up with Adams to find out how he's been in his year away from radio.
What have you been doing since leaving 790 the Zone?
Brandon Adams: It's been a busy year for me. Most importantly, my wife and I have decided to have a baby. We're expecting our first child in December, and we are both really excited. As for my work, I've filled in a few times as a guest host on the "Chuck and Chernoff" show on 680 The Fan. That's been a really great experience. The people at The Fan have been very welcoming to me. I also had a great time doing play by play for the high school football broadcasts on CSS. In addition to that, I've enjoyed some opportunities to pursue some of my passions away from the media industry this year as well. A good friend of mine is a high school basketball coach and he invited me to join his staff. And to be honest, that's one of the most fun things I've ever done.
What do you miss most about being on air?
Adams: Hosting a radio show is an opportunity to be creative. It's no different than writing a book, acting in a play, or painting a picture. Some people just want to express themselves. I guess I am one of those people.
What insights have you gained about sports radio, hosting a talk show, the industry since you left it?
Adams: I definitely think the radio industry is trying to figure out exactly what it is right now. It feels like an old medium, but that doesn't mean it has to be obsolete. Terrestrial radio can beat back the new media offerings like podcasts and internet radio by providing a product that is superior to them. The most important thing to remember is that potenital listeners may be trapped in their cars, but that doesn't make them a captive audience. They have places they can go besides radio for information and entertainment. However, they will still choose local radio first, as long as it's the best offering.
When you listen to sports talk radio in Atlanta, what do you hear?
Adams: First of all, I think there are a lot of really talented people doing sports radio in Atlanta. I am a listener and I still tune in often. I usually enjoy what I hear. To me, the best listening experience always occurs when the host is prepared. I'm not just talking about knowledge (facts, figures, etc). I'm talking about hosts who have clear plans about where they want the show to go. A good story has a beginning, middle, and end. I think a good radio topic should unfold the same way.
To what degree are you attempting to get back into the media?
Adams: Being a sports radio host is the best job in the world, but I am not sure that I ever want to do it on a full-time basis again. I'm really grateful that I still get to host from time to time, but I'm also thankul that I have the freedom to pursue other things.
What's next for you that your fans from the radio can follow?
Adams: I am not an expert when it comes to technology, but I am trying to get there. I've started a twitter account @brandon___adams (that's with three underscores) and I'm experimenting with a blog site called localsportsatlanta.com
Chadd Scott is a blogger for Radio Ink from Atlanta. Follow him on Twitter @ChaddScott
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