I don’t know exactly how long I’ve been a regular guest on Bill Vickery’s Sunday morning radio show.
It has been a long time.
I know it has been more than 13 years. In my copy of “The Historical Report of the Arkansas Secretary of State,” I found a list of the 20 biggest Arkansas political events of the 20th century that I had prepared for Bill’s final show of 1999 when it was on KARN-AM, 920.
Bill later moved the three-hour Sunday morning program to KABZ-FM, 103.7, and continued to have me as a regular guest. Through the years, things just evolved. I would show up for the final hour, and the two of us would talk sports.
I was always gratified (and a little amazed) with how many people all over the state would tell me they listened to and enjoyed that hour.
Thank you.
Prior to this Sunday’s show, I want to let you know that I will no longer be heard on the Buzz on Sunday mornings.
This was not my choice.
And I want to make it clear that it was not Bill’s choice. Apparently, station management is now dictating who Bill can and cannot have as guests, and I’ve been banned from the Buzz.
They couldn’t fire me, you see, because they never paid me for my hour with Bill.
I know what you’re asking: Why devote an hour every Sunday to something for which you weren’t paid?
There were two reasons: Bill is my friend, and it was fun.
It was as simple as that.
When I agreed to help out another friend, Blake Eddins, with a new Monday night show on Fresh Talk 93.3, I never dreamed it would create a problem for Bill. You see, I’ve done commentary and hosted shows on numerous Little Rock radio and television stations for more than two decades and it has never been a problem before.
On Tuesday night, for instance, I did election night commentary on both KTHV-TV, Channel 11, and KUAR-FM, 89.1. For years, I’ve helped host a Friday night high school scoreboard show that’s distributed statewide from the KARN studios.
Now, however, the decision apparently has been made that anyone who appears regularly on 93.3 can’t appear on the Buzz.
I’m reminded of what was said at the recent 50th anniversary party for KAAY-AM that I attended and wrote about on this blog: Radio is just not as fun as it used to be.
I still have a lot of friends who work at 103.7. That won’t change. It’s just that you won’t be hearing me anymore. I felt I owed you an explanation prior to Sunday.
Thanks for listening, and thanks for your positive comments through the years.
Like I said, it was great fun.
You and I have been on different sides of the isle with politics for ever. However, when it comes to sports of food you and I totally agree. I am sorry that the Buzz is dropping, but I love the folks at 93.3 and I am sure you will find a great home there. They are doing all the right things to become the # 1 station in Arkansas and if you have a chance to be a part of that then good for you!
Rex you were the only reason that I ever listened to the show. Love your comments and wisdom that you gave. You are always fair with your comments and this is coming from an Henderson State Grad. Don’t think I have ever agreed with Vickery and will not listen if you are not on the show. His ratings can’t be good.
Rex,
I have caught your last hour on Bill’s show from time to time including last week. I will miss your insight and commentary on my drive home from church. I guess before long people that call both radio stations will be banned from calling on The Buzz…….
Rex, they have diminished their content by slamming the door in your face. The loss is theirs, not yours.
Rex, great news about the new show on 93.3. Sorry for Bill that you will no longer be able to join him on Sundays. You two are both good friends and I’ll miss hearing you both together. Too bad for The Buzz.
Rex, you enhance the whole state with your informative recitations. Any station, every station, is enhanced exponentially by your presence. I try to catch you when I can. I’ll not miss you on Sunday mornings because I’ll cease to listen. But I am glad that I can still glean from your vast knowledge on “Southern Fried”. Thank You for writing. Very Sincerely, Kent Berry
Well Justin Acri is probably happy for doing this. He is a smug large neck. I enjoyed Rex’s commentary and insight. First Roger Scott leaving and now this. Not good for the buzz. When Tommy Smith is done, and it will not be that long trust me, Justin Acri will have run all the good talent off. Sad.
Forget the “Great Coaching Search,” the more pressing question is who will replace you on Sunday mornings? My leading candidate is Perkins Perkins. The Ole Miss season is just about over so his weekends will be free (like a true SEC school, basketball in Oxford is just an activity to fill the void before spring football.) Furthermore, I am confident that he and Bill are more than “socially compatible.” Wait, what about “he who shall remain nameless?” He needs a job!
In all fairness Rex, you will be missed. The late Sunday morning drive home from St. James Methodist wont be quite the same. I can’t wait for Monday nights!
It’s surprising they did that over your show on 93.3 and not the high school scoreboard show. Grant Merrill started cleaning Rainwater’s clock the night he took the airwaves, but it went to a whole new level when you joined him. And their people will even admit that in my world of media buying. Obviously Acri doesn’t understand the loyalty listeners feel to their Arkansas treasures. Here’s to you, Blake, Grant, Bo, and our other local celebrities bringing that station down a notch or two.
WOW the BUZZ has always had an ego about them…I will listen for you on 93.3 Monday Nights…i can hardly wait!
Very disheartening, Rex. I really enjoy that part of my week, training for the marathon and listening to you guys on my long Sunday mornings through downtown LR.
I’ll start to listen to 93 and will continue to read your Southern Fried.
Sad to see the Buzz do this.
Rex,
Due to advances in technology, I enjoyed listening to you from Oklahoma City on Sundays. Best show the buzz had.
Hopefully can tune in to the new gig.
As for the buzz, to borrow and old southern expression, they are going down like a turd in a churn.
Some people just can’t get out of their own way. The eleven o’clock hour of the Sunday Buzz was the best hour of radio all week and will be missed! Justin’s show is a waste of airspace and his ego will bring him down. Thanks for time you GAVE us!!! Jeb Compton Coy, AR (previous home of the poor boy supper)
Jeb, you need to revive the Poor Boy Supper. We don’t have Chicken Jeans around to do the barbecued bologna anymore. But if you guys bring it back, I’ll promote the heck out of it — Rex.
This is a terrible loss of great radio. I hope the reason Bill skipped his show last Sunday was to protest this action. I’ll miss listening to your wit and wisdom on Sunday mornings.
Missed you today, Rex. I had no idea. I’m not even a huge sports fan but I always listened because you made it fun. Thank you!
What a loss! Funniest hour of radio! Guess I will just have to listen to the 93.3 show now.
Shame on the buzz for making this move!
Rex, it took me awhile to get used to listening, but when I finally didi I really enjoyed everything you and Bill discussed on the BUZZ. I will miss you. Hey, maybe you can get Neal to sign Bill up on Sunday morning on 93.3.
Acri is cutting off his nose to spite his face. Dismissing an entertainer he never had to pay for. What an arrogant jerk, acting just like a child.
I always looked forward to The Sunday Buzz with Bill Vickery and Rex Nelson. They were so much fun to listen to, both so witty. Not so much anymore.
Isn’t Acri from the North?
It’s a conspiracy I say.
/Sarc off
It was great while it lasted!