This is something that dawned on me. on the ride into the office today. When this show started In the July month of 2018. The Carolina Panthers were coming off a playoff appearance. David Tepper had literally just bought the team.
a couple months before our first show went on the air on WSJS. Since then The Panthers have endured. Seven consecutive losing seasons, several coaching changes. Many quarterback swaps and It's all led to this year. And as the Panthers get set.
For a late December clash for first place in the NFC South Sunday, and perhaps their first playoff appearance being on deck since 2017. It's ironic. That now is when we're announcing the drive with Josh Graham will be coming to an end. And the next week. after seven and a half years.
Let's start with some important details. This was my decision. WSJS. has been Overwhelmingly. Supportive.
Specifically, the folks at Truth, which purchased. WSJS during the duration of our show from Curtis Media. It's always a little bit uneasy. When there's an ownership change in this business. Not in this case whatsoever.
There have been some changes to the station. Over the years Our show has been a constant. But any time we've asked for anything. They've taken care of us. Hey, we need a hotel.
Caddy Corner from the White House. One more At the ACC tournament. And DC. You got it. Watching NC State cut down nets.
for the first time since. 1987, winning an ACC title. We were there for it. All the time equipment. We need this camera.
We need these microphones. We need whatever. You got it. You got it. You got it.
Taking care of us left and right. It's not something we take for granted.
So, to Tom Hamilton, to DJ Turner, to Mike Carbone, to Stu Epperson.
So, so greatly appreciative for the ways that they've taken care of me. To past general managers, Al Bunch and Jenny Causey, appreciate the. their support as well. If not for them, this show doesn't last nearly as long as it does. But no, it was not their decision, it was my decision.
Our final show, another detail, will be Monday, December 22nd, next week.
Next Monday will be the last edition of The Drive with Josh Graham on WSJS. We understand what the natural question is. What's next? There's going to be a time for that, and that headline will drop sometime soon. You'll find out what's next.
Before No time, but. That would be taking away from what the news should be today. What the topic, what we should be talking about. Today. what this run has represented.
There will be a time for what's ahead. Let's talk about what has happened let's be present because all together We made triad history. And we feel that way sincerely. It's not.
Well, Josh Graham and Will Dalton did this thing. Josh Graham and the other producers and the other guests, they did this thing. No. Everybody's had a collective effort if it wasn't for... you supporting it.
You watching, you clicking, you subscribing, you doing. That stuff stands out. It's obvious. that community's been built here.
So many tremendous relationships. With listeners, with guests. with coaches, with players. With administrators, with sports information, all of them have played a role. In this show.
being what it is. After each season ends, I have a habit. I'm a handwritten note guy. Writing notes. Sending them out, letting people know.
How appreciative you are. And I write the notes, not just to the coaches, but I write them to the the sports information staff. And what I always say is thank you. for allowing access to us to elevate Our coverage and allow This product, this kind of product to exist for triad sports fans. For sports fans in the triad, because when we're granted access, the triad's granted access.
And then that's good for the triad sports fan. And that's a win for so many. We made history prior to our arrival. This is true. No daily sports talk show.
had ever lasted more than two years. More than two years. I remember when I was interviewing for this job. David Glenn told me. Be careful.
It's the Bermuda Triangle of Sports Talk Radio. No one's lasted more than two years. And that was intimidating when I got here. But that's why the first six months, every weekend, I was at sports bars when I wasn't at games. Every week, just keep it just trying to learn.
What you guys cared about. What you guys care about. And we made it seven and a half years. I Would outside of the triad try to expand the reach. We'd go to Panthers, we'd go to Duke, we'd go to Carolina.
And full disclosure, nobody knew about our brand outside of the triad at all. These teams that. Try it, sports fans care about the way. What's this outlet? And I had to fight these battles.
Getting credentialed with the Carolina Panthers. Being at Carolina, being at all these things, like they don't just let anybody into these things.
Now WSJS's name recognition to the point where, if we want multiple seats and things, you got it. And we have it at, say, the Carolina Panthers, for example. And these are things that we're proud of. Seven and a half years. We've made it.
This four? And Now is the time. for it to come to an end.
So many personal milestones. have happened? Over the last seven and a half years. Um But more than that, if we're going to keep it with the on-air product, And what's And what we've done. I personally I've got to experience.
Childhood dreams. Because of WSJS. Growing up, watching Duke Carolina, thinking, man, it'd be so good if I get to go there one day. And my first one was the Zion Shu game. And I've been to pretty much every Duke Carolina game since then.
It's been a dream, including that Final Four in 2022. Hard to imagine being anything cooler than that. Um Covering the Carolina Panthers. Um The proudest I've been of My work professionally. Ha was during COVID, when there weren't any live sports.
The product that we created the product that we churned out. I'm proud of it all, but that's what stands out the most. I'm proud to work with a guy like Will Dalton. Proud to work with the other great producers that we've had over the years as well. But just wanted to pass along that news.
The drive with Josh Graham. Coming to an end, the final show being next Monday, December. The 22nd.
