I have never posted a message on a chat site; however, I wanted to post on here to thank everyone who supported us at The Team. Also, I wanted to send my thanks out to Tony for taking a fresh young college student and helping him realize his dreams. I have wanted to work in radio since I was a kid, and Tony made that dream a reality. Basilio taught me things that I could not learn in 10 more jobs. He took a chance on letting me develop, and I will always be thankful. For all of you listeners, you got to see only one side of Tony, for us, we got to see Tony at his best and sometimes worst daily. I will never forget the long afternoons while we prepared for the show, or even the long lunches on Broadway. I will never forget getting ripped by Chris Fowler in front of coach Fulmer and Bob Kesling for trying to get an interview with him for Basilio (and that was in week one, what a start). I even got quoted in USA Today. Being around Tony for the past 2 and a half years has been a great experience. Going from the elation we all felt on Aug. 28, 2000 when The Team was formed to yesterday when we found out about being taken off of the air. I will never forget the experiences I shared with the other Team members, and hopefully I will be lucky enough to work with Tony and crew again one day.

I also want to thank Mashburn for everything that he helped me with along the way. Mash did great things for The Team, and in my opinion he made us sound like the best station in Knoxvile. Also, Deck Hardee, the man behind the glass. I watched Deck from the beginning unitl now. He has become a great producer with a good future. He has also become one of my closest friends and that I will always have.

Everyone watch out for Dave Nathan. I know we have not heard the last of his Big Orange Reports. Nathan also provided one of the most colorful moments on the Team when he tried to interview the Head Ball Coach himself about Jason Respert. Geoff Brock was a great addition to The Team. It was also a great thrill to get to be a part of this year's Florida win on the air during the fifth quarter with Brock, Tony, and Deck.

It was a pleasure working alongside Doc Rudder, the most colorful guy on the radio. It was great geting to know childhood heros in the memebers of the letterman's club. And I can't leave out Bob Fisher, Mark Derrick, and Melissa McCray, all three of you are outstanding people and it was a pleasure working with each of you.

Finally, I can not go without thanking all of the listeners. Everything we did was for you guys. You made everything we did possible. Some of you, I have met personally, many I have not. But I wanted to thank each of you for giving me a reason to come to work each day. The Team was such a big part of my life for 2 and a half years. Yesterday I lost more than a job, and I feel as though there is a void in my life, but I am confident that The Team will be back on day, although it probably will not be called the Team, but I have faith you have not heard the last from Basilio and crew.

Once again, thank you Tony for helping me grow into the man I am today. I will always be in your debt for everything you have given to me.


Thanks for all of the memories!!!
Robert Gass

You guys were next level, that can`t be replaced. I never called the show, but was a loyal listener and fan of the program. Best of luck to you and the whole gang there. I will be listening for the return of the Next Level crew!

Gassaholic,

Best of luck to you in all you do and thanks for your hard work and courtesy. I expect to hear you on the air in the future. Remeber don't give up our dream.. We could still land that big Petros sponsorship and launch the long awaited Gas and Beano Show.

For whatever reason, I had not seen ya around for awhile but your take on TB was....next level.

When I have been to the station I could see Patrick scurring around but I never realized his impact on the show. Thanks for bringing us up to speed on "Sour Mash".

It was just luck I guess that I went down to pick up my tickets I won for the Ole Miss game last Friday @ 2:30, got to talk to most of yas down there, and then sit in with TB in 3 to 4 o'clock hour.

Little did I know that the "End of the World As We Know It" song by REM that I suggested for the Fl fans as Spurrier bugged out, was going to be also be relevant to East Tennessee Sports Talk Radio.

Something else will start clicking soon, and am looking forward to seeing the Team players back in action again.
TBA

I enjoyed you and the team. Be sure and keep The Sports Parlor updated about where all of you land. I am going to give you a "feel good". Last night we had a SPS get together at the TN vs FL game. TBA in his own special style was promoting and talking up the Sports Parlor on the bus ride over to the game from the Ag campus. The Team was mentioned and Tony B. The bus came alive with people asking what happened to the Team and Tony. The comments were all positive. The big question none of us could answer was "When will Tony and the crew be back" A couple of the Lady Vol BB team in attendance asked me the same question with similar comments. At half time I was asked this same question with glowing stories and memories of the TEAM from folks in the smoking pit area. Once folks heard that I was involved in the Sports Parlor and called Tony occasionally I was surrounded by folks I did not know asking when will Tony and crew return. Bottom line the TEAM had an impact on the everyday fan and was appreciated.

Gas you were a part of that and you should be very proud. I always enjoyed your on air. Doc Rudder was outstanding with his passion. Could you iimagine a talk radio show hosted by the two legends Swamp and Rudder? I know Tony will land on his feet, hope you also get another crack at what you do. Also was glad to hear that Shawn is still employed, he is a good kid.

I enjoyed getting to know you and I always appreciated your help.

Always impressed with how you did the "scoreboard on the fly" as if you'd been preparing for 15-20 minutes!

Hope things are still going well with your new job, ect.

I would just like to repeat the same thing that Gass just said but that would take a lot of typing but I do feel the same as he does. I want to thank all of the listeners and to thank Basilio and Gass for letting a guy realize his dreams of being in radio. Many of you don't know me but I was the one that answered the phones, cut some of you off and ran the show. Brock it was nice to have the chance to work with you and to get to know you. Mash, Tony, and Gass... Thanks for taking a chance on me, I greatly appreciate it.

It was great to get to know all of those associated with the TEAM and have made at least one friend that will remain a lifelong friend.

Thanks to all for being a part of the TEAM and I hope the we will hear Basilio again sometime soon.

Deck Hardee

and I enjoyed hanging out with you guys up on the hill.

All those guys that ran the board did a good job but I always felt like you had things under complete control. I hope you get to stay in radio if that is your goal.

Do you know how I can get in contact with Russell to thank him? I've got Nathan's number and I'll give him a call.

Once again Deck, thanks for the help and hard work you put in for us to have a decent show.

back up to the station and get that NEXT LEVEL calender of Anna Kournakova! NO WAY do we leave that for folks playing nothing but pu**y music!

......I add my thanks to the whole "group", enjoy your short vacation, looking forward to your return.

Tony and Team thanks for the great run!!!! I hope yall come back reloaded and ready to KATN. Hopefully everyone can hold on till yall get back on, the SNOOZE is unbearable, its like wiping your ass with sandpaper..

Hey Brock i'm workin on getting your number so i'll be in touch soon... Also I've got the Anna calendar under control. The new edition is truly Next Level.

Good to read ya!! Don't be a stranger to the Parlor.
Talked to Gas tonight and Shawn this afternoon. Along with BT and many many Parlor Gents.
As TP would say...
"AND THE FUTURE WAS WIIIIDDDEEEE OPEN!!!"

Thanks Brock. I apporeciate the complement and I do hope to stay in radio as soon as I find a new job. It was fun this afternoon, hope to attend many more and to be back on with TB sometime soon if we can!

I would like to thank every body at the team i couldnt wait untill 3 for the team to come on the air I am lost without it i never called in tried to a couple of times but couldnt get through but i always listened start to finish the saturday morning show was great to we need ALL of you back.
THANKS FOR ALL THE LAUGHS