Rick Watson’s familiar voice will be back on the air Monday with his Big Dawg Sports Talk show.
By Marty Gordon
Rick Watson’s Big Dawg Sports Talk will return to the air Monday after a long absence.
The show will air in morning drive weekdays from 6-9 a.m. on WRAD 101.7 FM; 103.5 FM; 1460 AM; 710 AM; on tuneinradio; via podcast; and at wradradio.com.
Watson turned off the microphone 10 years ago when he left the same stations for a job at Radford University where he serves as the voice of the Highlanders basketball broadcasts.
“The time frame just fit with it being now in morning drive 6-9 a.m., and I really like the new ownership group, Monticello Media,” Watson said. “They have local and community as their model, and that is vital for radio. The NRV has, like everywhere else, been isolated, frustrated and in quarantine, and they deserve an outlet to be heard and yell if needed during this unprecedented time. Big Dawg is that outlet.”
Watson has more than 30 years in radio and will continue in his role as Director of Broadcasting at Radford University.
“My athletic director, Robert Lineburg, understands the opportunities it creates to allow Radford athletics some exposure that it wouldn’t automatically receive from other media outlets,” Watson said. “President Hemphill has also been supportive. RU is a great place. It’s my alma mater and part of who I am.”
Watson wants the Big Dawg re-birth to be a source for peeps to find that daily outlet however they need and to be entertained.
“I hope it can once again be a place where for three hours every weekday, people can feel involved, informed and part of the daily conversation and the guest interviews,” Watson said.
“‘m not there to be the center of the show. I’m there to invite everyone to have a voice while not trying to convince everyone to agree with my takes. I will always try to be honest and have news supported by facts, which sadly seems to be a forgotten practice in many media outlets today.“
Again, BDST version 2.0 will be back on the radio on Aug. 3.
