-
10 Questions with ... Bob Fescoe
June 3, 2008
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Bob FescoeTITLE:Talk Show HostSTATION:KFNSMARKET:St. LouisCOMPANY:Big League BroadcastingBORN:New JerseyRAISED:New Jersey
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
First job out of college was KWED in Seguin, Texas. After a year and ten months I went to KMBZ in Kansas City and then moved to WHB to co-host morning drive. After two plus successful years doing mornings, I left for KFNS in St. Louis.
1. How did you get your start in radio? Why radio?
I started in radio because I am not sure what else I would be doing. As a kid I always thought it would be neat to be like John Madden and talk about the games, and since my athletic abilities do not allow me to play, the next best thing is talking about sports.
2. About what are you most passionate these days?
Doing great radio and giving the listeners a reason to come back, day in and day out.
3. You got a lot of notice in Kansas City for getting your credentials yanked by the Royals for asking tough questions. It seems like some teams and players have developed thinner skins about criticism lately -- do you think there's more sensitivity, or less of a desire to deal with critical talk, on the part of players and teams these days? How do you navigate covering a team in an era where some players and coaches don't want (or think they don't need) to talk to you and others are openly hostile?
I think that players and coaches at high levels have to realize that the media is part of the game. Guys make big salaries and part of that million plus dollar check is dealing with the media. That being said, there is more sensitivity these days because there is more coverage and more outlets covering games. The players, owners, coaches, etc also need to realize the media has a job to do too and if the media was not so prominent than these guys would not be paid as much. I think to cover a team where players don't want to talk, you have to have a few key "go to" guys that will be there day in and day out. That comes with forming relationships and being at games.
4. While we're on the subject of players, coaches, and teams, who have you found to be the best interview/easiest to deal with? How about the worst?
Isaac Bruce was the best to deal with. Isaac and I did a show once a week during football season and he just "got it." He knew part of his role as a player was dealing with the media and he knew it was important to be professional day in and day out with the media.
The worst has to be David Glass, the owner of the Royals. He banned me for asking tough questions! If that is not the worst, I am not sure what is!
5. Who are your inspirations, mentors, influences?
I have two major mentors and influences in this business. First is my college professor at the University of Kansas, Tom Hedrick. From the time I was a freshman until I graduated he got me ready for the broadcasting world and I still live by some of the things he told me today. The other is Soren Petro of WHB in Kansas City. Soren taught me the value of hard work and being a presence in locker rooms. He always told me its easy to rip guys but if you show up to games and practices they will respect you. I try to follow that everyday and get my face shown as much as I can around the teams I talk about every day.
6. Do people take sports too seriously? Or not seriously enough?
I think people take sports just right. I think sometimes we fail to realize that sports is a release for the majority of the population. While I have been fortunate to have a job in sports, most people use sports to get away from their everyday problems in life. Sports and sports talk gives people that oasis away from the real world.
7. Of what are you most proud?
My ability to not be seen as just a loud mouth talk show host but as a journalist as well. Breaking stories is something I love to do and it really put my career on the fast track in Kansas City. To me I am a journalist first, talk show host second. I think you can't be the second without the first.
8. If you hadn't gone into radio, what do you think you'd be doing right now?
I would probably be a coach at the high school level or working for a team in some capacity.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
...text messaging.
10. What's the best advice you ever got? The worst?
Best advice comes from my college professor Tom Hedrick. There are only two things you can trust: The guy looking back at you in the mirror and a written document signed by both parties.
The worst: taking any advice from someone who does not fully understand what they are giving advice about!
-
-