Alabama Radio announcers --years

[kfo9494]

We got into a discussion at the bar last night concerning the Alabama Radio Announcers. They said that this would be Eli Gold's 21 years. AS we went back since the 70's
We of course had John Forney-Paul Kennedy-Eli Gold
The argument (discussion) -which I was the one that got it started ,was that after Kennedy didn't John Forney come back for one year as the radio announcer before Eli took the job?
And was the last regular season game that Kennedy called was the Bama-Auburn game where tiffin kicked the Field Goal to win the game(1985)? Or are we off base on the dates?
>
Some said that Forney never came back for another year. But I seem to remember that he called a season and just could not keep up with the action.
>
Also why did Paul Kennedy leave? For drunks at the bar no one even had an opinion.
Need some help!

 

[derek4tide]

We got into a discussion at the bar last night concerning the Alabama Radio Announcers. They said that this would be Eli Gold's 21 years. AS we went back since the 70's
We of course had John Forney-Paul Kennedy-Eli Gold
The argument (discussion) -which I was the one that got it started ,was that after Kennedy didn't John Forney come back for one year as the radio announcer before Eli took the job?
And was the last regular season game that Kennedy called was the Bama-Auburn game where tiffin kicked the Field Goal to win the game(1985)? Or are we off base on the dates?
>
Some said that Forney never came back for another year. But I seem to remember that he called a season and just could not keep up with the action.
>
Also why did Paul Kennedy leave? For drunks at the bar no one even had an opinion.
Need some help!

Eli started in 1988. Kennedy was there from 1983 to 1988. He is now the voice of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

1985 broadcast team

Prior to joining Sun Sports, Kennedy was the “Voice of the Crimson Tide” for five years at tradition-rich Alabama. He holds degrees in Political Science and English Literature from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He resides in Orlando.

I have no idea why Paul left in 1988. Maybe somone on here has the scoop.

 

[FitToBeTide]

Of all the regular voices of the Tide, Doug Layton was my favorite. Really miss his insight during the game. Many was the time that Doug helped John Forney get it right when John would get excited during a game and miscall a play.

 

[quince]

John Forney did return as play-by-play announcer in 1988. The first game was Temple and John's comments as he was introduced was something like "....before I was so rudely interrupted....". Paul Kennedy left to go to a television network in Florida......SunSports. As I recall Eli took over in 1989.

 

[WRhodesTider]

John Forney did return as play-by-play announcer in 1988. The first game was Temple and John's comments as he was introduced was something like "....before I was so rudely interrupted....". Paul Kennedy left to go to a television network in Florida......SunSports. As I recall Eli took over in 1989.

You're correct in that Forney was the announcer in '88. I don't think that Kennedy left on his own. I believe that Steve Sloan forced him out.

 

[kfo9494]

John Forney did return as play-by-play announcer in 1988. The first game was Temple and John's comments as he was introduced was something like "....before I was so rudely interrupted....". Paul Kennedy left to go to a television network in Florida......SunSports. As I recall Eli took over in 1989.

I feel better . I was the one that was saying that Forney had returned for one year but most felt that he never returned. I can remember listening to him and thinking that he should have never came back. I love John Forney but the stroke and the years off just made him confused and slow.
I remember listening to one game (don't remember the game or why I was listening because I went to most games) and Forney was calling the game and the opponents were going in for a score. As Forney was calling the play a loud roar was heard over the radio but John just kept calling some action when Layton interrupted him and said something like 'John, I think they fumbled and we got the ball'. And with no other comments Forney said something like yes we did we have the ball at the forty yard line.
That means that they fumbled and we recovered and ran nearly 40 yards and no one knew anything till we say the replay on the coaches show.
I remember thinking how sad.
>
But better thoughts---
I will always remembering John Forney- when he had to take a commercial break would always give you the score and time remaining and then say
"This is the Alabama Football Network".

 

[bamabryan]

I thought Paul Kennedy did a really good job as our announcer. As WRhodes Tider pointed out already I was thinking he was forced out, but never knew the reason why. Anyone know the details?

Also, I think Snake does a great job now. Like it or not he tells it like it is and gives good insight. I really enjoy listening to him.

 

[TiderinMiss]

Forney did come back for one season. I think it was the '88 season.

 

[TiderinMiss]

Eli started in 1988. Kennedy was there from 1983 to 1988. He is now the voice of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

1985 broadcast team


I have no idea why Paul left in 1988. Maybe somone on here has the scoop.

Man! Tom Roberts and those sunglasses! Boogie Fever!

 

[derek4tide]

You're correct in that Forney was the announcer in '88. I don't think that Kennedy left on his own. I believe that Steve Sloan forced him out.

That's what I recall as well, but wasn't 100% on it. I remember the word at the time was Sloan wanted someone else. Then, Paul got the job with Sunshine (now Sun Sports) a few months later.

 

[GrayTide]

Of all the regular voices of the Tide, Doug Layton was my favorite. Really miss his insight during the game. Many was the time that Doug helped John Forney get it right when John would get excited during a game and miscall a play.

I'll second that. I loved John Forney as a play by play guy and his voice will always remind me of many warm, sunny Autumn afternoons listening to the Tide, but he wasn't that great of an announcer. I can still remember things such as " Musso takes the pitch, gets a block on the corner and heads up field for a 1 yard gain." I could never really tell how good or bad a play turned out but I still like he and Doug. Great memories.

 

[Tide&True]

I'll second that. I loved John Forney as a play by play guy and his voice will always remind me of many warm, sunny Autumn afternoons listening to the Tide, but he wasn't that great of an announcer. I can still remember things such as " Musso takes the pitch, gets a block on the corner and heads up field for a 1 yard gain." I could never really tell how good or bad a play turned out but I still like he and Doug. Great memories.

Ditto

 

[AdamMc2003]

I was born in '85 so all I know is Eli Gold... In fact, I can't imagine a radio broadcast without him, I don't even want to think about that day... He is one of those people that IMO just can't be replaced, most of you remember announcers before him, so its not the same for you... But in my generation Eli Gold and Kenny Stabler are Alabama football on the radiowaves... there are no replacements

 

[derek4tide]

I was born in '85 so all I know is Eli Gold... In fact, I can't imagine a radio broadcast without him, I don't even want to think about that day... He is one of those people that IMO just can't be replaced, most of you remember announcers before him, so its not the same for you... But in my generation Eli Gold and Kenny Stabler are Alabama football on the radiowaves... there are no replacements

I'm sorry.:wink:

 

[pvilleguru]

I was born in '85 so all I know is Eli Gold... In fact, I can't imagine a radio broadcast without him, I don't even want to think about that day... He is one of those people that IMO just can't be replaced, most of you remember announcers before him, so its not the same for you... But in my generation Eli Gold and Kenny Stabler are Alabama football on the radiowaves... there are no replacements

i was born in '87, so all i know is Eli as well, but i would love to hear chris stewart doing the football games as well as the basketball.

 

[TiderinMiss]

Born in '85? Born in '87?

Some of you guys are making me feel really old.

 

[chris]

mr forney.......simply the best! i purchased his book,above the noise of the crowd,in the '80's. it has accompanying cassette tapes of some of his calls dating back to namath.

 

[JDCrimson]

We wont know what we have been missing until Chris Stewart gets a hold of the mike for football.

 

[bamaga]

I remember growing up in the '60s and '70s as a great time for John forney, guess I am in the minority. I loved to listen to Forney, great pipes and great description of the action, maybe sometimes a little overdramatic, but it was almost only radio back then so we knew little difference from TV. Doug Layton ,to me, got off topic at times, and i dislike Eli. I always liked the Doug Layton pre- pregame show on 'erc in the '70s.

 

[CapstoneTider]

I kind of liked Dougie Doo Layton. His baritone voice seemed to work well with Eli's I think. I have some of his work forever imprinted in my brain from the 92 season. "The Alabama defender ran right through em ma."