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Corm & the Coach -- and the Fox?
Yesterday I awoke extra early, around 5:30, just so my voice would be ready and in tune for my debut with Corm and the Coach. Do you know Corm and the Coach? Corm is Steve Cormier and Coach is Tom Brennan, former mens' basketball coach at the University of Vermont. For years they have teamed up for their morning radio talk show on Champ 101.3, originating in Burlington.
From 5am till 9am, they banter about everything under the sun, and their humorous frank comments have sent many a laughing driver skidding off Route 89 or Route 87. I first heard about the show from Mark Donnelly, athletic trainer at Plattsburgh High School. Years ago he said, "Foxy, you've gotta listen to these guys!" I did and I was hooked.
When I first got hooked on Corm and the Coach they would have a weekly talk with Plattsburgh Mayor Clyde Rabideau. Mayor Clyde would go through his "geezum crows" and talk about what was happening in the North Country. Then when Mayor Dan Stewart took over City Hall, he continued the tradition. Mayor Dan always had plenty to talk about with Corm and the Coach, who weren't beyond poking friendly jabs at the mayor, his city and his lifestyle.
So, last month when, out of the blue, I received a phone call from the show's producer, "The Deuce," I already knew well what the Corm and the Coach Plattsburgh segment was about. But I was stunned when "The Deuce" offered me an opportunity to replace Mayor Dan as the "Plattsburgh connection." He explained it would be sort of a trial run to see if it works.
Now I can tell you right away I am nowhere near as funny as Corm, nowhere near as tall and funny as the Coach, and following in the footsteps of Mayor Clyde and Mayor Dan is no small feat. But, hey, at my age, what do I have to lose? If I make a fool of myself, I probably won't be around long enough to be bothered by it.
So, yesterday, not knowing what to expect, I went on the air at 7:20am with Corm and the Coach. They were gentle with me as I made my debut. I'm not sure how long we talked. Was it ten minutes? Corm had read my recent "On the Sly" blogs, so we talked about catherizations and political signs and my son Erik. Somehow we got a few chuckles out of it as well.
I received an e-mail from Mike Mannix noting he had enjoyed listening. And, later in the day, "The Deuce" left me voice mail that things had gone well, and they would like to have a "Plattsburgh connection" every other Tuesday around 7:20am.
Me with Corm and the Coach? I'm going to have to get a bigger baseball cap. What other opportunities are going to come my retirement way? A duet with Mariah Carey or, better yet, Shakira, Shakira? A tell-all book offer from Random House? Heck, I was even listed on the www.champrocks.com website for Corm and the Coach's agenda: "Press Republican Blogger Foxy Gagnon checks in from Plattsburgh." I even got top billing over NASCAR's Kevin LePage, who was also on the show that day.
It's only been ten minutes but Corm and the Coach feel like longtime buddies. I can picture us tipping a few at the Naked Turtle in a few weeks, surrounded by all those newly-arrived college girls. I can picture me throwing out the first ball at the Corm and the Coach Golf Tournament next summer. It's no wonder why I can't wait to wake up each morning!
Comments
Corm, Coach and FOXY!!!!
What a communication.
I wonder what that will be like? If you ever listen to Champ in the morning you never know what you'll hear. With the three of them, it sure will be interesting. Enjoy your retirement, FOXY!!!
Posted by: beth coolidge | September 13, 2006 8:48 AM
Congratulations u made it into triple A or X whatever. U may be the next Dizzy Dean, Howard Stern or Cossell or perhaps Johnny Thunder can be resurrected and entertain the many people from the North Country
(Foxy's note: Skip, thanks for the congrats ... as for Johnny Thunder, he was killed in a plane crash several years back on his way home to Nashville from Stafford Middle School. He was replaced by Rick Lightning -- you will have to ask Rick Durham about him!)
Posted by: skip zatonski | September 3, 2006 7:47 AM
Foxy, your retirement is making you a huge celebrity. Corm and the Coach is a great show. I also like to listen to Charlie and Ernie on another VT radio show. Who knows maybe WIRY will want to do a radio version of "Fox on the Run."
Posted by: Chris Heckard | August 31, 2006 10:31 PM