Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ninety six point nine, the cat Paushad and Sarah Lee.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Is it seven? It's almost We're a few seconds away.
And I don't want to.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
I don't want to spoil things by going early seven
forty five this morning.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
We promised this big announcement. So let's let's do this.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
We've been giving these little like musical clues, these little
easter Easter eggs you call them.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Do we have one more we can do? We do?
Do one more? Here? You got it? Or no? You go?
Was that was that Old Flame? Yes? Thank you buddy.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Uh, this wouldn't be the same unless you just did
that right, perfect, So if you do that again, you're
getting fired. Yes, but there'll be some good news. Okay,
I'm going to rehire you, but it will be a
less money. We still have benefits though, benefits, all right.
So all those little clips we did, we did Old Flame,
we did a little clip Elvira by the Oaks. Who
(01:03):
else did we do? We did Eddie Rabbit, Eddie Rabbit, Love.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Of Rainy Night.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
And the thing that all those songs have in common
is that they were hits in nineteen eighty one, which
also is the year I started Wow.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Nineteen eighty one.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
That's tried a long time ago.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
And what this announcements about the last time we had
a major announcement here, big announcement, we promoted like this,
I was telling you all about cancer.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
M that was a really hard time.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
This time.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
But that was happy news.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
That was because I got cancer.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
No, no, but you were in remission. Well we talked
about it, so.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
That was good this time. And I don't know how
I've contracted scurvy. That is not even I should ate
more oranges. Somebody should have told me. All right, So
I'm going to get right to it. I'm retiring.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
That is never easy to hear you say.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
And I actually heard it from your mouth first, and
that breaks my heart because you've been a part of
my life well before, long before I worked with you.
You were a part of my life as so many listeners.
So Paul, what does that look like? And why are you.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Leaving because of what you said the other day?
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Oh my god, do not blame me.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
No, And I'm I'm more emotional than I thought I was. Long.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Yeah, this is uh, this is a tough thing. But
first off, some good news. Going to be staying on
for another say four or five months till probably mid
or the end of February, because in my contract I
had to give like a four month notice, which is
(03:00):
kind of cool, right, Yeah, that they love you so
much they want to heads us, and it's probably gonna
take way longer than that to find the replacement, don't you.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
You're not replaceable, Paul Shadd. But but I'm really this
is so weird.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
Because we do good news all the time, and there
have been so many times that we have celebrated other
people retiring, and I'm like, yes, you get to go fishing,
you get to spend quality time with your family, and
it's such a joy filled moment. And then Paul Shadd
looks you in the face and he says he's leaving.
And I know I should be extremely happy for you,
(03:36):
and I'm so selfish because I love you so much
and I can't imagine waking up and looking at anybody
else's face but yours.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
So I cry.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
I know both of you start crying. Come on, I
promise I wouldn't but into a Saint Dude radio time.
You know I've had a wonderful, wonderful career. I agree,
we all agree on that.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Well, you actually are the longest radio host in Charlotte,
and that's impossibly, that's not even heard of, Like nobody stays.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
And I've been so so lucky, and and you know what,
I still love what I do and I think I'm
still okay at it.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
But it's just you.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
But you know, you just you don't know what's around
the corner, right I could. I could leave here today,
be walking across the street and and see producer Jeff
get hit by a bus. And that's the last thing
I want.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
And you don't want that, So neither one of us want.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
So how hard, Like how long did you think about
it before you made the decision?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Like was this an overnight thing?
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Like no, no, no, no, no, this was realistically probably
two years. I mean it's and even now, even now,
I don't I don't feel one hundred percent like it's
it's the best deal. But I certainly don't want to
work until I'm dead, you know, And you never know.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
You've got a lot of life left in you, A
lot of life left in you.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
I hope.
Speaker 6 (05:12):
So.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
And you're closer to God I think than I am.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
So direct phone call, he said, Paul's get a long
life at him?
Speaker 3 (05:20):
So so what's the retirement look like.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
I guess really the big thing is something that you
know you can't buy, and that's more time. And that's
more time to do stuff that I want to go
out and do. More time with my my wife, my
best friend.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
I'm your best friend too, time to look at TikTok.
I just want to say thank you because.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
I'm really trying in honor.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
I thank God.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
God is blessed me.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
You are anything I deserve and in hands down say,
with all the people that I've worked with in all
the markets, like people in radio, they dream to do
New York City morning shows and stuff, the best experience
I've ever had is working with you.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
And I've learned is I've learned every day from you.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
We just celebrated our anniversary, Paulshad this week had the anniversary.
But I love you and I am so excited for you,
and I'm still gonna call you every morning and harass
you and I may just handcuff you because you're You're
here in till February, so you.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
May not actually get yeah too bad. You know, every
key is universe, so I got to change that.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
I've got some time was just a fuzzy cut. We'll
tell you what let's we will compose ourselves and then
uh and then come back in a second. But I
thought I was on the drive in because I thought,
am I going to be emotional? And I thought, no,
I feel I feel, you know, okay with everything. Last
day I thought that'll be the bad day.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
I couldn't even sleep last night.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
And if you want to call in, because I tried
to explain to Paul how much he means to everybody,
like I don't think he understands the impact that he
has had on so many lives. And you're just the
peace in the middle of a storm when life is crazy.
You've been that for me unknowingly, and I know you've
been that for so many people. And if you want
(07:27):
to call one eight hundred and five seven zero ninety
six ninety, that is the number. But Paul, I love
you and I'm so thankful for you, and I will
be excited, you know later on. I know it's happy
and this is the American dream.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Well, I've come visit you in King's Mountain, but we
still have like four months to go to have fun.
And it'll be interesting to see who the replacement is right.
I mean that that'll be a fun thing.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
I would hate to have to fill your shoes, is
all I have to say.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Man, I mean, I don't think they make sizes that big.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
That's nice, all right, Play a song, We'll come back.
Ninety six point nine. Here's Kenny ninety six point nine,
The Cat, Paul Shad, Sarah Lee Young. Everybody wants to
be older when they're young. When they get older, they
want to be young. I'm pretty happy where I'm at.
You happy where you're at.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
I am a wonderful life.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
So just moments ago broke the news that I'm going
to retire in February. I'm excited. Don't cry this time,
and maybe I won't.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Know about that.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
I promise you before I will cry, and I know it.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Drug me into your fin house. I'm looking forward to
the lad. You know it's going to be fine, and
there's plenty of time. I'm glad. It's just not like
one show right now, where you have to start thinking
of all the people you want to thank. I've got
four months to thank people and highlight different parts of
an incredibly lucky career, of all the cool things I've
(08:54):
gotten to do, and all the nice people I've gotten
to meet, and all the people that you know become
part of your family. You know, there's so many great
stories and we'll be sharing them. But right now, I
want to turn the microphone over to my uh, my
good friend, my executive producer for almost thirty years, insane,
(09:15):
my buddy that came to Cat Country with me, producer
Jeff would like to make an announcement.
Speaker 5 (09:23):
I would You're right, this is kind of hard to do.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
Right, isn't it? Some water?
Speaker 1 (09:28):
It didn't didn't help me much, but it did replenish
my my tear tear.
Speaker 5 (09:33):
Juice well as as much of a privilege and a
pleasure it has been to be by your side for.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
You know, twenty seven years. I'm I'm I'm done too.
I'm gonna I'm gonna retire the same time that you are.
I can't imagine a better way to go out. Jeff
has agreed to be my butler.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
He's gonna live at the house, a kind of a foreman,
like my go to guy.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
And I just want to say thank you for agreeing that.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
Well, the hours, the hours can't be worse a kid,
but you nobody I couldn't have asked for a better
pal and a better coworker and a better producer than you,
and uh, I think it's kind of neat that we're
both you know, going at the same time. And I
think it's justice. Oh you're still here?
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Yow? Should we play a song and named Sarah Lee?
Has it enough?
Speaker 4 (10:25):
I just want to say, Jeff, you are one of
the absolute, hands down best producers I've ever worked with.
And I've worked with a whole lot of them, and
there has not been one day.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
First of all, neither one of you ever take a
day off.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
I think Paul came in here with one of you
came in here with stitches on your head. You your
heart stopped and like, didn't you producer, Jeff, like I
have to be revived, like seriously during a show, and
he stayed on the show.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
You got to get Medican one time. We we just
we're old school when it comes to work. We don't
miss a day. Yeah, you talk about the We were
in a head on car crash on Alvamarle Road. They
took me and Emily on a board out to a
hospital and I had to get a whole bunch of
staples in my head. I had the glass broke in
(11:11):
front of me. So my whole face was all cut
up with glass, and I probably regret it now, but
I was at work. This was like at six o'clock
at nine, and I was back here at five the
next morning.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
You were still like shaking your hair.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Yes, let me tell you, and you probably know this,
if you've ever been in an accident with glass, you
will be picking glass at I picked.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
And this is not a lie. I picked.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Shards of glass would come out of my face probably
three or four years later. Wow, all of a sudden
a piece would come out. I remember being on a
plane with Kathy and I was like, is this a
piece of glass? And it was that last forever. But
we share the same work ethic, and I think that's
part of success. I mean, I think if you really
want to be successful, and I think the people that
(11:54):
find that little hidden key to life early are generally
more sol scussful, then not.
Speaker 5 (12:01):
Yeah, I agree with that absolutely. But it's been a
great ride. Yeah, he really has. I I've enjoyed you
don' won't say every moment of it because it still worked,
but yeah, for the most part, I mean it's it's
We've had a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Yeah, we had a million laughs. I mean, what what
kind of this isn't a job?
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Yeah, the only bad part about the whole deal is
getting up at an ungodly hour.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
The rest of it. Some of the jokes, well, yeah,
well deserved say something. I've actually I've actually laid you,
laid off on you over the last few years.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
I appreciate that. Yeah, Jeff used to be the end
of a lot of jokes. But yeah, there were a
lot of a lot of funny But Jeff, we got together.
How you were like in your twenties. I was right,
And uh so, Jeff was so naive to so many
like little practical joke gags. Yep, like there's a million.
We'll have to we'll have to tell him, like like
(12:48):
the station would like the station used to give us
like a twenty five dollars gift card at Christmas or
Thanksgiving with for a turkey or something.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Right, the will gift card in an envelope.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
And I would always get my envelope ahead of time,
and I would put like like three or four hundred
dollars in it, and then I would open it up
in front of Jeff and go, geez, look at this
and then and then he would open up his and
it'd be a gift card, and then he would like
all right, and then there's a million stories like that.
When that we'll be talking about. But buddy, thank you
(13:22):
for all the good years. Love you like a brother,
love you.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Like a sister, Love you both so much.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
And we've got four more months.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
This seems so gloomy, right, So I want you to
know I'm so happy for you both, and you both
are so unique and you're not replaceable. There there are
no other Paushads or producer Jeffs. And Jeff is always smiling.
I just want to say that, like when you get
up in those hours, like he's never mean, he has
always calm, Like there have been some very stressful situations
(13:53):
like down to the millisecond, and producer Jeff is acting
like everything is calm. I don't know how you do it, Jeff,
but I think I'm so thankful for being able to
work with you and learn from you, and thank you
for being so kind and so helpful.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Yeah, guy, thank you.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
Guys welcome to me and like family from day one.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
I'm just hoping I can get into heaven by hitching
myself to.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
Both of you guys, the good, nicest guy in the world.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Get a lot of congratulation. Choices my buddy Pat Up
in New York, our big boss, Dave Jesse, Duke Powerman.
The list goes on and thank you. Everybody is so
kind and so nice.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
They really really are, all right.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
So that's the news.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
Paul shadd is retiring after this January will be forty
four years.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
That's crazy. That is that's crazy.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
And your producer Jeff have been together like a married
longer than most marriages, twenty seven years.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Sarah Lee, I was thinking this yesterday.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
We announced it to the staff and tell you, I
believe I'm correct when I started on the radio and Charlotte,
you were not born.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
I grew up listening to you though, And is this
a real thing?
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Like and it's such an honor.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
To well in just a couple of minutes.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Something else that's surreal about about this announcement is when
you retire from some place, generally there's not a news
crew that is filming you. Yea, and our buddy Larry
Sprinkle and uh, what is your Pierre? Pierre? And Pierre
with a camera. He looks French. He's got the little
(15:22):
Chateau Hey French Try was the awful tower. But we're
gonna talk to Larry here in just a second and
come on back. Paul Shadd, Sara Lee, producer Jeff Larry
Sprinkle in studio ninety six point nine, ninety six point
nine The Cat Paul Shadd and Sarah Lee producer Jeff
Larry Sprinkle. Look at you, Look at your voicege.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Right, I'm going through the uh. I think it's menopause.
So what brings you into our studio, Larry Sprinkle?
Speaker 6 (15:52):
We got this kind of tease announcement that there's gonna
be a major announcement right on ninety at this morning.
Bring the camera, bring a microphone, bring yourself right. And
I just assumed that you know that you were, you know,
going to announce it another major country award all your
concert right, something like that. And we come in and
(16:15):
you retire, I mean like that in a heartbeat.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
And I had to I couldn't even be in here.
I had to stand outside. You had to stand outside.
But that's fine. It was emotional, It was very much right.
Speaker 6 (16:25):
And you and I mean and in reality, the fact
that we've known each other so many years with great friends.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
My great grandfather used to take me to see Larry.
Do you remember that. I remember I was I think
the first time. I was four years old. Larry was
probably at less than that I was three. Larry was
in his mid fifties. Yeah, sure, and he was sitting
on a little bed.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
I'm now one hundred and twelve. That's exactly right. And
how old are you?
Speaker 1 (16:51):
Ninety six, ninety six point nine, that's exactly right now, Larry,
You've been a good friend over the years, long time,
and to be to really be the only TV media
or thank you for letting us be here for part
of this, I mean, and it was a very emotional moment.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
I'm probably glad I wasn't in here for that part
of it.
Speaker 6 (17:09):
But what you've done for this community, what you've done
for the station, and everybody who listens to you and
to this show becomes a friend. And that's what you've done.
You touched the hearts of people in this community. And
that's a tough thing. You can't reallyssarily say you can't
replace that. That's irreplaceable. A person can come in and
(17:30):
do a great job. There's only one Paul Shad Thank
the Lord for that. But you have meant so much
in this community. I didn't realize. So you're challenging me
for the longest and on the air forty four years.
You got a few to go, right, you got. But
my deal is mostly radio radio and TV radio TV.
(17:50):
But there was a time when we're both on radio
and competing stations together, back back in the eighties that
you were on some like carry your current station, ten
watch station.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Yeah, on the top of a mountain.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
No.
Speaker 6 (18:04):
I actually your first time on air was on w
f AE doing a jazz show.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Is our memory?
Speaker 6 (18:10):
Yeah, after college radio, after college radio and studying law enforcement.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
That's exactly right. What is this?
Speaker 6 (18:20):
No, I know, Paul Shat, I know I know a
lot about you, so I want to even repeat.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
I'd have been a fun police officer, right, but officership.
Speaker 6 (18:30):
So that's what you're gonna do first, love law enforcement
police officers.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
I actually used to think that when I retired, because
I was thinking I would retire sooner. But it was
very extremely hard to give this job up. I would
run for sheriff of a county. I thought that would
have been fun, but I'm too.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Old for that. Now you're not.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
Wow, you talk about a time consuming job. I want
more time, not less time. I mean, take the crew
with you that you guys could be deputies.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
We'll talk about it comes for days.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Yes, the words, the handcuff neacessarily his mouth. So you
the two of you.
Speaker 6 (19:03):
And by the way, as far as pretty, I mean,
like you say, never ever a guy without a day
without a smile, uh, and one of the hardest working
people in the business. I mean, this show would not
be the show it is without Yeah, I.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Want to say more awards.
Speaker 6 (19:23):
No, I mean there's there's no better team than this, right,
So you're left here by yourself.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
Yes, there abandoning.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
You think they think, but I'm just gonna hold him
by the legs.
Speaker 6 (19:36):
And I just think they take monetize this. Think of
the money those two salaries of your throwing.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
She's not starting to see us leave now, but I'm
going to see you guys later today at eleven o'clock
on Charlotte.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
Are you going to make the announcement on television at
that time? Attends?
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Are you guys going to run this in the more
when he'll be honest on primetime? We'll put that on
prime time. You can do it again. Well, thank you
for coming by my friend.
Speaker 6 (20:06):
Congratulations to you, Paul, and uh, thanks for what you
once again for what you've done for the community. Uh,
you've been the heart and soul of broadcasting here. And
you know you one of these guys you can't help with.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Love you well, love you, my friend, and uh and
the nice words coming from you. Who really is with
between you and Sarahly And she is the female counter
of what you do for the community. And I've never
met anyone besides Sarahly that goes out and gives more
of themselves to people and you know, platforms and charities.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Than you do.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
So thank you, my friend, you I appreciate it. It
is Paul Shad, Sarahly and the Gang ninety six point
nine
Ninety six point nine, the cat Paushad and Sarah Lee.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Is it seven? It's almost We're a few seconds away.
And I don't want to.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
I don't want to spoil things by going early seven
forty five this morning.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
We promised this big announcement. So let's let's do this.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
We've been giving these little like musical clues, these little
easter Easter eggs you call them.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Do we have one more we can do? We do?
Do one more? Here? You got it? Or no? You go?
Was that was that Old Flame? Yes? Thank you buddy.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Uh, this wouldn't be the same unless you just did
that right, perfect, So if you do that again, you're
getting fired. Yes, but there'll be some good news. Okay,
I'm going to rehire you, but it will be a
less money. We still have benefits though, benefits, all right.
So all those little clips we did, we did Old Flame,
we did a little clip Elvira by the Oaks. Who
(01:03):
else did we do? We did Eddie Rabbit, Eddie Rabbit, Love.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Of Rainy Night.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
And the thing that all those songs have in common
is that they were hits in nineteen eighty one, which
also is the year I started Wow.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Nineteen eighty one.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
That's tried a long time ago.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
And what this announcements about the last time we had
a major announcement here, big announcement, we promoted like this,
I was telling you all about cancer.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
M that was a really hard time.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
This time.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
But that was happy news.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
That was because I got cancer.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
No, no, but you were in remission. Well we talked
about it, so.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
That was good this time. And I don't know how
I've contracted scurvy. That is not even I should ate
more oranges. Somebody should have told me. All right, So
I'm going to get right to it. I'm retiring.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
That is never easy to hear you say.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
And I actually heard it from your mouth first, and
that breaks my heart because you've been a part of
my life well before, long before I worked with you.
You were a part of my life as so many listeners.
So Paul, what does that look like? And why are you.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Leaving because of what you said the other day?
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Oh my god, do not blame me.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
No, And I'm I'm more emotional than I thought I was. Long.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Yeah, this is uh, this is a tough thing. But
first off, some good news. Going to be staying on
for another say four or five months till probably mid
or the end of February, because in my contract I
had to give like a four month notice, which is
(03:00):
kind of cool, right, Yeah, that they love you so
much they want to heads us, and it's probably gonna
take way longer than that to find the replacement, don't you.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
You're not replaceable, Paul Shadd. But but I'm really this
is so weird.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
Because we do good news all the time, and there
have been so many times that we have celebrated other
people retiring, and I'm like, yes, you get to go fishing,
you get to spend quality time with your family, and
it's such a joy filled moment. And then Paul Shadd
looks you in the face and he says he's leaving.
And I know I should be extremely happy for you,
(03:36):
and I'm so selfish because I love you so much
and I can't imagine waking up and looking at anybody
else's face but yours.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
So I cry.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
I know both of you start crying. Come on, I
promise I wouldn't but into a Saint Dude radio time.
You know I've had a wonderful, wonderful career. I agree,
we all agree on that.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Well, you actually are the longest radio host in Charlotte,
and that's impossibly, that's not even heard of, Like nobody stays.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
And I've been so so lucky, and and you know what,
I still love what I do and I think I'm
still okay at it.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
But it's just you.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
But you know, you just you don't know what's around
the corner, right I could. I could leave here today,
be walking across the street and and see producer Jeff
get hit by a bus. And that's the last thing
I want.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
And you don't want that, So neither one of us want.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
So how hard, Like how long did you think about
it before you made the decision?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Like was this an overnight thing?
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Like no, no, no, no, no, this was realistically probably
two years. I mean it's and even now, even now,
I don't I don't feel one hundred percent like it's
it's the best deal. But I certainly don't want to
work until I'm dead, you know, And you never know.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
You've got a lot of life left in you, A
lot of life left in you.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
I hope.
Speaker 6 (05:12):
So.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
And you're closer to God I think than I am.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
So direct phone call, he said, Paul's get a long
life at him?
Speaker 3 (05:20):
So so what's the retirement look like.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
I guess really the big thing is something that you
know you can't buy, and that's more time. And that's
more time to do stuff that I want to go
out and do. More time with my my wife, my
best friend.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
I'm your best friend too, time to look at TikTok.
I just want to say thank you because.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
I'm really trying in honor.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
I thank God.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
God is blessed me.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
You are anything I deserve and in hands down say,
with all the people that I've worked with in all
the markets, like people in radio, they dream to do
New York City morning shows and stuff, the best experience
I've ever had is working with you.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
And I've learned is I've learned every day from you.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
We just celebrated our anniversary, Paulshad this week had the anniversary.
But I love you and I am so excited for you,
and I'm still gonna call you every morning and harass
you and I may just handcuff you because you're You're
here in till February, so you.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
May not actually get yeah too bad. You know, every
key is universe, so I got to change that.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
I've got some time was just a fuzzy cut. We'll
tell you what let's we will compose ourselves and then
uh and then come back in a second. But I
thought I was on the drive in because I thought,
am I going to be emotional? And I thought, no,
I feel I feel, you know, okay with everything. Last
day I thought that'll be the bad day.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
I couldn't even sleep last night.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
And if you want to call in, because I tried
to explain to Paul how much he means to everybody,
like I don't think he understands the impact that he
has had on so many lives. And you're just the
peace in the middle of a storm when life is crazy.
You've been that for me unknowingly, and I know you've
been that for so many people. And if you want
(07:27):
to call one eight hundred and five seven zero ninety
six ninety, that is the number. But Paul, I love
you and I'm so thankful for you, and I will
be excited, you know later on. I know it's happy
and this is the American dream.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Well, I've come visit you in King's Mountain, but we
still have like four months to go to have fun.
And it'll be interesting to see who the replacement is right.
I mean that that'll be a fun thing.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
I would hate to have to fill your shoes, is
all I have to say.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Man, I mean, I don't think they make sizes that big.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
That's nice, all right, Play a song, We'll come back.
Ninety six point nine. Here's Kenny ninety six point nine,
The Cat, Paul Shad, Sarah Lee Young. Everybody wants to
be older when they're young. When they get older, they
want to be young. I'm pretty happy where I'm at.
You happy where you're at.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
I am a wonderful life.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
So just moments ago broke the news that I'm going
to retire in February. I'm excited. Don't cry this time,
and maybe I won't.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Know about that.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
I promise you before I will cry, and I know it.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Drug me into your fin house. I'm looking forward to
the lad. You know it's going to be fine, and
there's plenty of time. I'm glad. It's just not like
one show right now, where you have to start thinking
of all the people you want to thank. I've got
four months to thank people and highlight different parts of
an incredibly lucky career, of all the cool things I've
(08:54):
gotten to do, and all the nice people I've gotten
to meet, and all the people that you know become
part of your family. You know, there's so many great
stories and we'll be sharing them. But right now, I
want to turn the microphone over to my uh, my
good friend, my executive producer for almost thirty years, insane,
(09:15):
my buddy that came to Cat Country with me, producer
Jeff would like to make an announcement.
Speaker 5 (09:23):
I would You're right, this is kind of hard to do.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
Right, isn't it? Some water?
Speaker 1 (09:28):
It didn't didn't help me much, but it did replenish
my my tear tear.
Speaker 5 (09:33):
Juice well as as much of a privilege and a
pleasure it has been to be by your side for.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
You know, twenty seven years. I'm I'm I'm done too.
I'm gonna I'm gonna retire the same time that you are.
I can't imagine a better way to go out. Jeff
has agreed to be my butler.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
He's gonna live at the house, a kind of a foreman,
like my go to guy.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
And I just want to say thank you for agreeing that.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
Well, the hours, the hours can't be worse a kid,
but you nobody I couldn't have asked for a better
pal and a better coworker and a better producer than you,
and uh, I think it's kind of neat that we're
both you know, going at the same time. And I
think it's justice. Oh you're still here?
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Yow? Should we play a song and named Sarah Lee?
Has it enough?
Speaker 4 (10:25):
I just want to say, Jeff, you are one of
the absolute, hands down best producers I've ever worked with.
And I've worked with a whole lot of them, and
there has not been one day.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
First of all, neither one of you ever take a
day off.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
I think Paul came in here with one of you
came in here with stitches on your head. You your
heart stopped and like, didn't you producer, Jeff, like I
have to be revived, like seriously during a show, and
he stayed on the show.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
You got to get Medican one time. We we just
we're old school when it comes to work. We don't
miss a day. Yeah, you talk about the We were
in a head on car crash on Alvamarle Road. They
took me and Emily on a board out to a
hospital and I had to get a whole bunch of
staples in my head. I had the glass broke in
(11:11):
front of me. So my whole face was all cut
up with glass, and I probably regret it now, but
I was at work. This was like at six o'clock
at nine, and I was back here at five the
next morning.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
You were still like shaking your hair.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Yes, let me tell you, and you probably know this,
if you've ever been in an accident with glass, you
will be picking glass at I picked.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
And this is not a lie. I picked.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Shards of glass would come out of my face probably
three or four years later. Wow, all of a sudden
a piece would come out. I remember being on a
plane with Kathy and I was like, is this a
piece of glass? And it was that last forever. But
we share the same work ethic, and I think that's
part of success. I mean, I think if you really
want to be successful, and I think the people that
(11:54):
find that little hidden key to life early are generally
more sol scussful, then not.
Speaker 5 (12:01):
Yeah, I agree with that absolutely. But it's been a
great ride. Yeah, he really has. I I've enjoyed you
don' won't say every moment of it because it still worked,
but yeah, for the most part, I mean it's it's
We've had a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Yeah, we had a million laughs. I mean, what what
kind of this isn't a job?
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Yeah, the only bad part about the whole deal is
getting up at an ungodly hour.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
The rest of it. Some of the jokes, well, yeah,
well deserved say something. I've actually I've actually laid you,
laid off on you over the last few years.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
I appreciate that. Yeah, Jeff used to be the end
of a lot of jokes. But yeah, there were a
lot of a lot of funny But Jeff, we got together.
How you were like in your twenties. I was right,
And uh so, Jeff was so naive to so many
like little practical joke gags. Yep, like there's a million.
We'll have to we'll have to tell him, like like
(12:48):
the station would like the station used to give us
like a twenty five dollars gift card at Christmas or
Thanksgiving with for a turkey or something.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Right, the will gift card in an envelope.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
And I would always get my envelope ahead of time,
and I would put like like three or four hundred
dollars in it, and then I would open it up
in front of Jeff and go, geez, look at this
and then and then he would open up his and
it'd be a gift card, and then he would like
all right, and then there's a million stories like that.
When that we'll be talking about. But buddy, thank you
(13:22):
for all the good years. Love you like a brother,
love you.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Like a sister, Love you both so much.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
And we've got four more months.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
This seems so gloomy, right, So I want you to
know I'm so happy for you both, and you both
are so unique and you're not replaceable. There there are
no other Paushads or producer Jeffs. And Jeff is always smiling.
I just want to say that, like when you get
up in those hours, like he's never mean, he has
always calm, Like there have been some very stressful situations
(13:53):
like down to the millisecond, and producer Jeff is acting
like everything is calm. I don't know how you do it, Jeff,
but I think I'm so thankful for being able to
work with you and learn from you, and thank you
for being so kind and so helpful.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Yeah, guy, thank you.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
Guys welcome to me and like family from day one.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
I'm just hoping I can get into heaven by hitching
myself to.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
Both of you guys, the good, nicest guy in the world.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Get a lot of congratulation. Choices my buddy Pat Up
in New York, our big boss, Dave Jesse, Duke Powerman.
The list goes on and thank you. Everybody is so
kind and so nice.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
They really really are, all right.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
So that's the news.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
Paul shadd is retiring after this January will be forty
four years.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
That's crazy. That is that's crazy.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
And your producer Jeff have been together like a married
longer than most marriages, twenty seven years.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Sarah Lee, I was thinking this yesterday.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
We announced it to the staff and tell you, I
believe I'm correct when I started on the radio and Charlotte,
you were not born.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
I grew up listening to you though, And is this
a real thing?
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Like and it's such an honor.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
To well in just a couple of minutes.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Something else that's surreal about about this announcement is when
you retire from some place, generally there's not a news
crew that is filming you. Yea, and our buddy Larry
Sprinkle and uh, what is your Pierre? Pierre? And Pierre
with a camera. He looks French. He's got the little
(15:22):
Chateau Hey French Try was the awful tower. But we're
gonna talk to Larry here in just a second and
come on back. Paul Shadd, Sara Lee, producer Jeff Larry
Sprinkle in studio ninety six point nine, ninety six point
nine The Cat Paul Shadd and Sarah Lee producer Jeff
Larry Sprinkle. Look at you, Look at your voicege.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Right, I'm going through the uh. I think it's menopause.
So what brings you into our studio, Larry Sprinkle?
Speaker 6 (15:52):
We got this kind of tease announcement that there's gonna
be a major announcement right on ninety at this morning.
Bring the camera, bring a microphone, bring yourself right. And
I just assumed that you know that you were, you know,
going to announce it another major country award all your
concert right, something like that. And we come in and
(16:15):
you retire, I mean like that in a heartbeat.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
And I had to I couldn't even be in here.
I had to stand outside. You had to stand outside.
But that's fine. It was emotional, It was very much right.
Speaker 6 (16:25):
And you and I mean and in reality, the fact
that we've known each other so many years with great friends.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
My great grandfather used to take me to see Larry.
Do you remember that. I remember I was I think
the first time. I was four years old. Larry was
probably at less than that I was three. Larry was
in his mid fifties. Yeah, sure, and he was sitting
on a little bed.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
I'm now one hundred and twelve. That's exactly right. And
how old are you?
Speaker 1 (16:51):
Ninety six, ninety six point nine, that's exactly right now, Larry,
You've been a good friend over the years, long time,
and to be to really be the only TV media
or thank you for letting us be here for part
of this, I mean, and it was a very emotional moment.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
I'm probably glad I wasn't in here for that part
of it.
Speaker 6 (17:09):
But what you've done for this community, what you've done
for the station, and everybody who listens to you and
to this show becomes a friend. And that's what you've done.
You touched the hearts of people in this community. And
that's a tough thing. You can't reallyssarily say you can't
replace that. That's irreplaceable. A person can come in and
(17:30):
do a great job. There's only one Paul Shad Thank
the Lord for that. But you have meant so much
in this community. I didn't realize. So you're challenging me
for the longest and on the air forty four years.
You got a few to go, right, you got. But
my deal is mostly radio radio and TV radio TV.
(17:50):
But there was a time when we're both on radio
and competing stations together, back back in the eighties that
you were on some like carry your current station, ten
watch station.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Yeah, on the top of a mountain.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
No.
Speaker 6 (18:04):
I actually your first time on air was on w
f AE doing a jazz show.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Is our memory?
Speaker 6 (18:10):
Yeah, after college radio, after college radio and studying law enforcement.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
That's exactly right. What is this?
Speaker 6 (18:20):
No, I know, Paul Shat, I know I know a
lot about you, so I want to even repeat.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
I'd have been a fun police officer, right, but officership.
Speaker 6 (18:30):
So that's what you're gonna do first, love law enforcement
police officers.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
I actually used to think that when I retired, because
I was thinking I would retire sooner. But it was
very extremely hard to give this job up. I would
run for sheriff of a county. I thought that would
have been fun, but I'm too.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Old for that. Now you're not.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
Wow, you talk about a time consuming job. I want
more time, not less time. I mean, take the crew
with you that you guys could be deputies.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
We'll talk about it comes for days.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Yes, the words, the handcuff neacessarily his mouth. So you
the two of you.
Speaker 6 (19:03):
And by the way, as far as pretty, I mean,
like you say, never ever a guy without a day
without a smile, uh, and one of the hardest working
people in the business. I mean, this show would not
be the show it is without Yeah, I.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Want to say more awards.
Speaker 6 (19:23):
No, I mean there's there's no better team than this, right,
So you're left here by yourself.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
Yes, there abandoning.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
You think they think, but I'm just gonna hold him
by the legs.
Speaker 6 (19:36):
And I just think they take monetize this. Think of
the money those two salaries of your throwing.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
She's not starting to see us leave now, but I'm
going to see you guys later today at eleven o'clock
on Charlotte.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
Are you going to make the announcement on television at
that time? Attends?
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Are you guys going to run this in the more
when he'll be honest on primetime? We'll put that on
prime time. You can do it again. Well, thank you
for coming by my friend.
Speaker 6 (20:06):
Congratulations to you, Paul, and uh, thanks for what you
once again for what you've done for the community. Uh,
you've been the heart and soul of broadcasting here. And
you know you one of these guys you can't help with.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Love you well, love you, my friend, and uh and
the nice words coming from you. Who really is with
between you and Sarahly And she is the female counter
of what you do for the community. And I've never
met anyone besides Sarahly that goes out and gives more
of themselves to people and you know, platforms and charities.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Than you do.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
So thank you, my friend, you I appreciate it. It
is Paul Shad, Sarahly and the Gang ninety six point
nine
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