Randy Smith
Using the term "gig" to mention your latest job is a term I've never used before. Since I am coming out of retirement and going back to work soon, I entitled today's column "My New Gig," because I can't think of anything better to call it. I officially retired on June first of 2015, and regretted the decision almost immediately. I became bored and sitting in my house all day with no one else but my two dogs to keep me company got really old, really fast. Our swimming pool kept me at least a little bit busy through the summer months but when we closed the pool I had even less to do.
I mentioned to some of my friends that unless I found some other things to do, I was afraid I would get sick and die.
I continued to write and also became more active in the local TSSAA umpires association but was still not active enough. And sure enough, about the time I decided to go back to work, I discovered that I needed open heart surgery. In other words I was right; I could have died during my two-year retirement.
So, now that I have had my surgery, four bypasses worth, I am planning to return to the work force. On Monday, September 18, I will host a two-hour sports talk show on the rebuilt and rejuvenated WFLI. The station you grew up with is now all news and talk and I am very happy to be a part of their new format. It's my first appearance on the radio since 2009 and my new show will be interview intensive, yet callers will be welcome.
I've been asked by more than just a few people why? Why are you getting back in this rat race after nearly fifty years as a broadcast journalist? I'm doing it because I want to. I'm doing it because there is no pressure on me both professionally and economically. I still think I have some tread left on my tires. I have an opportunity to inform people once again about issues in the sports world and bring in interesting guests to discuss these issues with me. I have made some really good friends down through the years and you can expect to hear from them on my show.
So, there you have it. A newly rebuilt and rejuvenated broadcaster, beginning a show on a rebuilt and rejuvenated radio station. I'm not sure how long it will last, but if it makes it ten years or ten weeks I'll be happy. I hope you will listen and I hope you will call in. I will continue to write for Chattanoogan.com and will also continue to promote my book, Seasons of Change. I also have plans to write another book in the next two years. There seems to be evidence that I will now be plenty busy and I can't wait until my new "gig" begins.
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Randy Smith has been covering sports on radio, television and print for the past 45 years. After leaving WRCB-TV in 2009, he has written two books, and has continued to free-lance as a play-by-play announcer. His career has included a 17-year stretch as host of the Kickoff Call In Show on the University of Tennessee’s prestigious Vol Network. He has been a member of the Vol Network staff for 30 years. He has done play-by-play on ESPN, ESPN II, CSS, and Fox SportSouth, totaling more than 500 games, and served as a well-known sports anchor on Chattanooga television for more than a quarter-century. In 2003, he became the first television broadcaster to be inducted into the Greater Chattanooga Area Sports Hall of Fame. Randy and his wife Shelia reside in Hixson. They have two married children, Christi and Chris Perry; Davey and Alison Smith. They have five grandchildren, Coleman, Boone, Mattingly, DellaMae, and CoraLee.
He can be reached at rsmithsports@epbfi.com