November 8, 2024 • 10 mins
Former KJR voice and Blazers play-by-play man Brian Wheeler has passed away. The Groz, Dave Grosby, and Ian Furness, join Softy and Dick Fain to remember “Wheels”.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now back to the Washington State Beat Commissions Football Friday
with Safti and on your home for the NFL Sports
Radio ninety three point three kjr FL.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
All right, boys and girls, we're back here on a
Friday night, right here on ninety three to three KJRFM.
And just we're gonna divert for a little bit from
the UW Penn State chatter where we're out here obviously
in University Park Champs Sports Bar, Dick and Jackson back
in the studio. We got our pregame show from Beaver
Stadium tomorrow at one o'clock. But we'll divert, guys from
all that for a little bit because we just got
(00:32):
some terrible news.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
About forty five minutes ago.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
I first saw this on John Canzano's Twitter feed that
long time KJR talk show host, former voice of the
Blazers Sacramento Kings, spent some time in Chicago working there.
Absolutely loved basketball, I can tell you that big time.
It was a phenomenal play by play man and an
even better person. Brian Wheeler passed away this morning after
(00:54):
a long battle. He was in his fifties, had been
struggling with wait for a long time. And illness, all
kinds of issues getting his life back together, and just
stunning news for all of us here at kJ I R.
And a guy that knew him as well when he
was here with us, Our old friend Dave Drosby is
on the horn Dick for a couple of minutes to
talk about some really really unfortunate news. Droz uh your thoughts,
(01:17):
my friend when he heard the news that Brian Wheeler
had passed away this morning, yep.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
Is no more.
Speaker 5 (01:26):
I mean I thought about his phrase. I thought about
what an interesting guy he was when you guys let
me know about a little while ago.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
I mean he was.
Speaker 5 (01:32):
He was a great guy to have in the mix
at kJ ARE. He added a unique elements to everything
that went on there. He was he was not really
in his comfort zone. I don't think that much, especially
in the morning show, but I mean he was always
tremendous at it.
Speaker 6 (01:46):
I mean they had great chemistry there. He was really
a pro, you know.
Speaker 5 (01:49):
So I think was really a pro and I think
did a fantastic job in Portland. I lived in Sacramento
you know for a while too, and he wasn't there
that long, but he made an impact there as well.
So yeah, really really sad news. And you know, we
all know he'd been struggling the past couple of years
and and everyone was rooting for him, and he all
lot as long as he could.
Speaker 6 (02:08):
Girls.
Speaker 7 (02:08):
I thought his humility was always something that jumped out
of me. I mean, here I was, I was like
a twenty year old intern, you know, and you know
he treated you like he knew you for for fifteen years.
And uh, I just thought that really jumped out of me.
Speaker 5 (02:23):
Yeah, I mean he was a class act. It's funny.
I all remember the times he sat around there and
Mitch when he was doing the morning show and Mitch
had come up with some idea for him, and he'd
be little Stuckle and say, well, I'm not going there,
I'm not doing that. And you know, he was such
a good, good contrast to Mitch. You know, it was
just it just made it work. And it just worked
when those guys were together. And you know, we all
(02:45):
knew he wanted to do He wanted to be play
by playing me. That was what he really set out
to do. And I know he loved doing it down
there in Portland for the years he had down there,
and you know, he was with Kevin Collabora for the
past couple until he was he was out there a
couple of years back. But you know, he was really
liked guy, really a loved guy, and like I said,
a real unique personality. Was perfect in the mixed over
(03:05):
there KJR.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
No no doubt and Gras is with us. Dave Grosby
Brian Wheeler passed away this morning. Obviously all of us
are just crushed by this news. And you know I
told Dick on the air when the news came down,
Dave that he was the first face I saw when
I walked into the sportspit back in nineteen ninety four,
thirty years ago. And I remember I was living at
home and I was waiting tables at Red Robin and Bellevue,
struggling financially, and Wheels would give me.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Money to help you pay my bills.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
And in this business, and you guys know this as
well as me, you come across people that show you
how to treat others. You were one of those guys,
gros Brian Wheeler was also one.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Of those guys. Mike Gastonou was one of those guys.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
And I don't know if i'd be here where I
am today without guys like Brian Wheeler and just the
way he treated people. I told Dick I went down
and stayed with him when he got the Sacramento job,
and he loved that King's job so much. Wanted the
Sonic job badly, but it never turned out for him.
Obviously up here had a lot of issues, a lot
of demons. He was fighting off his uh, you know,
professional time as well. I just talked to him six
(04:06):
months ago. He wasn't doing very well whatsoever. Was not
in a great spot. But he is absolutely one of
those guys that showed me Dave how to treat people.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
Yeah, it's a great way of putting a David. I
mean he really he really did was you know, repeat
what I've said a couple of times. It was just
really a class act. And and it's it's important that
those guys are out there and there and everyone hasn't
been ever profession you know, guys who who show you
exactly what you said, you know, how to how to
act towards people, how to be you know, when you're
when you're at the top of you're up high in
you know, in the in the hierarchy, you know how
(04:36):
to how to treat people, you know, the same way
on the way up, you can treat him on the
way down. I mean, it's just a it's just a
good way to be. And he had a great sense
of humor too. I mean it was just it's just
terrible news. It's just terrible news. He wass it'll be.
It's a big impact in Sacramento too. I mean, I
think he made an impact everywhere he went.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
No question, Dave, listen to make good stuff. Hope you're well.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Look forward to the next edition of Grass and Gas
on social media. Yeah, and I know we'll all say
a prayer for Wheels tonight, my friends. All right, Man
Dave Grasby with us Ian Furness is also standing by Dick.
I wanted to make sure we got to him before
the segment ended. He and you heard what Groz said
there you work with Wheels for a while, I believe
as well.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
In Portland, Uh, you know how important he was.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
I I don't know if there was a guy Ian
who made a bigger mark in Portland and Seattle than
Brian Wheeler, did. I mean, he was just I five
corridor Pacific Northwest. But Ian shares some thoughts if you
can on the U when you found out the news
about Brian Wheeler passing away.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Well, there wasn't to answer your question, that made a
bigger impact on the two markets.
Speaker 6 (05:37):
Maybe Casey did you know later on?
Speaker 4 (05:39):
Yeah, it has but but but Wheels was beloved and uh,
you know my first of all, just listen to Graz
and and actually what you just said, you know about
a guy that took care of the people that were
working for him.
Speaker 6 (05:50):
And I think that's a legacy that you know.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Wheels and Graz and Gas Frankly, you Dave all have
kind of instilled. You know, KJR has been a legacy
station in this country, and there's certain pillars to it.
Speaker 6 (06:02):
Wheels was one of those. And but then he made
his mark in Portland. And I'll tell you this.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
When I got to Portland, I came there from Salt
Lake and I was just crawling my way back to
trying to get home to Seattle. But one of the
first people I used to cover every Blazer game was
there every night. Wheels befriended me right away because they
knew my connections of Seattle and with guys like Locke
and and you know, doing the shows with Gas and
you and others, and we hit it off, became pretty
good friends. We got we went to a lot of
wrestling matches together. He was a huge wrestling fan, huge,
(06:31):
huge pro wrestling fan. Anytime they came to town, it
was Wheels, me and my old co host Mark Amazon
me going back. We were there that night when they
traded Rashid Wallace and the Blazer. We got the Blazer
tickets and Rashid and Bonsi and the rest of the
knuckleheads were sitting in front of us. The Wheels tapsle
he goes, hey, they just made a trade, Like what yeah,
and they like they came in and got those guys
(06:51):
and they walked ab out of the arena in the
middle of a WW money night.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Rob.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
But I will say this, like you guys remember him
as a talk show host and the guy up in Seattle.
I always think of him because I did Blazer pre
and postgame on TV later on, and so I was
there a lot for my money and Dick, I think
you'd agree. Brian Wheeler called a basketball game on the
radio as well, if not better than anybody he was.
He had a gift. It's an art to do that. Fans,
(07:19):
You're great at it two and I hope you get
the job here when it comes back, Dick, because that's
a hard sport to call on the radio.
Speaker 6 (07:25):
Wheels was great.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
The boom chuck a lucka, It's a great day to
be a Blazer. Right corner three, boom chuck a lucker.
I could just hear it in my mind right now.
I'm going to miss the guy. But he left the
hell of the legacy and he was so so good
at what he did.
Speaker 6 (07:41):
Well.
Speaker 7 (07:41):
I think you're exactly right about man. I think he
called it the way a fan would be watching the
game and wanting it called. And I think and that
was that's more. I think that's more normal in home
NBA calls now than it was fifteen twenty years ago.
He was a little bit of a pioneer. And then
he was like, you know, I'm not gonna be a
(08:03):
cookie cutter play by play guy and just call the game.
I'm gonna be a Blazer fan and let everybody know
I'm a Blazer fan.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Yeah, it's his line at the end when they want
it's a great day to be a Blazer. Yeah, I
just I loved it. But yeah, he'd call out the
officials by name.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
You know, he's looking at something else.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
I mean, but I loved his calls, but I liked
the guy even better. And you know, I could just
tell listen to Gras And like I said, there's if
you're in this business and you don't leave behind a legacy,
then you haven't done the right thing.
Speaker 6 (08:36):
You haven't done it the right way.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (08:39):
And and like I said, I think there's guys that do.
I'm talking to you guys that do.
Speaker 5 (08:43):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (08:43):
I'm I just heard from a guy that did.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
You know, there's certain people I've always looked up to
Grass one of those wheels. It's one of those because
of the play by play. But yeah, I just I'll
just remember going and talking. God, we would talk, right,
we'd have him on the show. We talk wrestling, you know,
what do you think about the rock?
Speaker 6 (08:58):
You know? And he'd be travel across and go watch that.
I mean, he was.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
He was a treat in that regard. But I know
he'd been struggling. There were a lot of demons in
his world. Unfortunately. I wish I could say I was
surprised when I heard the news. I probably wasn't, to
be honest with you and h And that's that in
its own sense, because it's a waste because the guy
should still be calling NBA games right.
Speaker 6 (09:20):
Now, no doubt.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Hey, how about one more time for our pow Brian Wheeler.
It's a great day to be a blazer Ian, great
stuff man. Enjoy the game tonight, thought he We'll.
Speaker 6 (09:30):
Talk soon, Thanks guys.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
All right, Ian forness.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Dave Grosby with a few thoughts on on Brian Wheeler's
passing again. If you haven't heard, uh, you know again,
you got to kind of be a long time kjur listener,
Blazer fan. I think a lot of people, though, understand
who this guy was and what he meant to a
lot of people. Brian Wheeler passed away this morning after
a long, long illness, and we will miss him tremendously.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
All Right, we're gonna break.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
We're gonna give away some Seahawks tickets for the Arizona game.
We're gonna ask Anthony bay Rudy, the venue King, for
his prediction for tomorrow Husky game. Were you going to
text in your first and last name, the words venue
Kings and the combined score of Anthony's prediction for tomorrow's
UW Penn State game. Closest to the Pinn's gonna win
some tickets for the Seahawk game against Arizona. And by
(10:14):
the way, there's been a lot of questions Dick about
how all these opposing fans are getting tickets. Anthony bay
Rudy can chime in on that as well, next on
ninety three three KJRFM
Now back to the Washington State Beat Commissions Football Friday
with Safti and on your home for the NFL Sports
Radio ninety three point three kjr FL.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
All right, boys and girls, we're back here on a
Friday night, right here on ninety three to three KJRFM.
And just we're gonna divert for a little bit from
the UW Penn State chatter where we're out here obviously
in University Park Champs Sports Bar, Dick and Jackson back
in the studio. We got our pregame show from Beaver
Stadium tomorrow at one o'clock. But we'll divert, guys from
all that for a little bit because we just got
(00:32):
some terrible news.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
About forty five minutes ago.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
I first saw this on John Canzano's Twitter feed that
long time KJR talk show host, former voice of the
Blazers Sacramento Kings, spent some time in Chicago working there.
Absolutely loved basketball, I can tell you that big time.
It was a phenomenal play by play man and an
even better person. Brian Wheeler passed away this morning after
(00:54):
a long battle. He was in his fifties, had been
struggling with wait for a long time. And illness, all
kinds of issues getting his life back together, and just
stunning news for all of us here at kJ I R.
And a guy that knew him as well when he
was here with us, Our old friend Dave Drosby is
on the horn Dick for a couple of minutes to
talk about some really really unfortunate news. Droz uh your thoughts,
(01:17):
my friend when he heard the news that Brian Wheeler
had passed away this morning, yep.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
Is no more.
Speaker 5 (01:26):
I mean I thought about his phrase. I thought about
what an interesting guy he was when you guys let
me know about a little while ago.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
I mean he was.
Speaker 5 (01:32):
He was a great guy to have in the mix
at kJ ARE. He added a unique elements to everything
that went on there. He was he was not really
in his comfort zone. I don't think that much, especially
in the morning show, but I mean he was always
tremendous at it.
Speaker 6 (01:46):
I mean they had great chemistry there. He was really
a pro, you know.
Speaker 5 (01:49):
So I think was really a pro and I think
did a fantastic job in Portland. I lived in Sacramento
you know for a while too, and he wasn't there
that long, but he made an impact there as well.
So yeah, really really sad news. And you know, we
all know he'd been struggling the past couple of years
and and everyone was rooting for him, and he all
lot as long as he could.
Speaker 6 (02:08):
Girls.
Speaker 7 (02:08):
I thought his humility was always something that jumped out
of me. I mean, here I was, I was like
a twenty year old intern, you know, and you know
he treated you like he knew you for for fifteen years.
And uh, I just thought that really jumped out of me.
Speaker 5 (02:23):
Yeah, I mean he was a class act. It's funny.
I all remember the times he sat around there and
Mitch when he was doing the morning show and Mitch
had come up with some idea for him, and he'd
be little Stuckle and say, well, I'm not going there,
I'm not doing that. And you know, he was such
a good, good contrast to Mitch. You know, it was
just it just made it work. And it just worked
when those guys were together. And you know, we all
(02:45):
knew he wanted to do He wanted to be play
by playing me. That was what he really set out
to do. And I know he loved doing it down
there in Portland for the years he had down there,
and you know, he was with Kevin Collabora for the
past couple until he was he was out there a
couple of years back. But you know, he was really
liked guy, really a loved guy, and like I said,
a real unique personality. Was perfect in the mixed over
(03:05):
there KJR.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
No no doubt and Gras is with us. Dave Grosby
Brian Wheeler passed away this morning. Obviously all of us
are just crushed by this news. And you know I
told Dick on the air when the news came down,
Dave that he was the first face I saw when
I walked into the sportspit back in nineteen ninety four,
thirty years ago. And I remember I was living at
home and I was waiting tables at Red Robin and Bellevue,
struggling financially, and Wheels would give me.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Money to help you pay my bills.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
And in this business, and you guys know this as
well as me, you come across people that show you
how to treat others. You were one of those guys,
gros Brian Wheeler was also one.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Of those guys. Mike Gastonou was one of those guys.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
And I don't know if i'd be here where I
am today without guys like Brian Wheeler and just the
way he treated people. I told Dick I went down
and stayed with him when he got the Sacramento job,
and he loved that King's job so much. Wanted the
Sonic job badly, but it never turned out for him.
Obviously up here had a lot of issues, a lot
of demons. He was fighting off his uh, you know,
professional time as well. I just talked to him six
(04:06):
months ago. He wasn't doing very well whatsoever. Was not
in a great spot. But he is absolutely one of
those guys that showed me Dave how to treat people.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
Yeah, it's a great way of putting a David. I
mean he really he really did was you know, repeat
what I've said a couple of times. It was just
really a class act. And and it's it's important that
those guys are out there and there and everyone hasn't
been ever profession you know, guys who who show you
exactly what you said, you know, how to how to
act towards people, how to be you know, when you're
when you're at the top of you're up high in
you know, in the in the hierarchy, you know how
(04:36):
to how to treat people, you know, the same way
on the way up, you can treat him on the
way down. I mean, it's just a it's just a
good way to be. And he had a great sense
of humor too. I mean it was just it's just
terrible news. It's just terrible news. He wass it'll be.
It's a big impact in Sacramento too. I mean, I
think he made an impact everywhere he went.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
No question, Dave, listen to make good stuff. Hope you're well.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Look forward to the next edition of Grass and Gas
on social media. Yeah, and I know we'll all say
a prayer for Wheels tonight, my friends. All right, Man
Dave Grasby with us Ian Furness is also standing by Dick.
I wanted to make sure we got to him before
the segment ended. He and you heard what Groz said
there you work with Wheels for a while, I believe
as well.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
In Portland, Uh, you know how important he was.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
I I don't know if there was a guy Ian
who made a bigger mark in Portland and Seattle than
Brian Wheeler, did. I mean, he was just I five
corridor Pacific Northwest. But Ian shares some thoughts if you
can on the U when you found out the news
about Brian Wheeler passing away.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Well, there wasn't to answer your question, that made a
bigger impact on the two markets.
Speaker 6 (05:37):
Maybe Casey did you know later on?
Speaker 4 (05:39):
Yeah, it has but but but Wheels was beloved and uh,
you know my first of all, just listen to Graz
and and actually what you just said, you know about
a guy that took care of the people that were
working for him.
Speaker 6 (05:50):
And I think that's a legacy that you know.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Wheels and Graz and Gas Frankly, you Dave all have
kind of instilled. You know, KJR has been a legacy
station in this country, and there's certain pillars to it.
Speaker 6 (06:02):
Wheels was one of those. And but then he made
his mark in Portland. And I'll tell you this.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
When I got to Portland, I came there from Salt
Lake and I was just crawling my way back to
trying to get home to Seattle. But one of the
first people I used to cover every Blazer game was
there every night. Wheels befriended me right away because they
knew my connections of Seattle and with guys like Locke
and and you know, doing the shows with Gas and
you and others, and we hit it off, became pretty
good friends. We got we went to a lot of
wrestling matches together. He was a huge wrestling fan, huge,
(06:31):
huge pro wrestling fan. Anytime they came to town, it
was Wheels, me and my old co host Mark Amazon
me going back. We were there that night when they
traded Rashid Wallace and the Blazer. We got the Blazer
tickets and Rashid and Bonsi and the rest of the
knuckleheads were sitting in front of us. The Wheels tapsle
he goes, hey, they just made a trade, Like what yeah,
and they like they came in and got those guys
(06:51):
and they walked ab out of the arena in the
middle of a WW money night.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Rob.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
But I will say this, like you guys remember him
as a talk show host and the guy up in Seattle.
I always think of him because I did Blazer pre
and postgame on TV later on, and so I was
there a lot for my money and Dick, I think
you'd agree. Brian Wheeler called a basketball game on the
radio as well, if not better than anybody he was.
He had a gift. It's an art to do that. Fans,
(07:19):
You're great at it two and I hope you get
the job here when it comes back, Dick, because that's
a hard sport to call on the radio.
Speaker 6 (07:25):
Wheels was great.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
The boom chuck a lucka, It's a great day to
be a Blazer. Right corner three, boom chuck a lucker.
I could just hear it in my mind right now.
I'm going to miss the guy. But he left the
hell of the legacy and he was so so good
at what he did.
Speaker 6 (07:41):
Well.
Speaker 7 (07:41):
I think you're exactly right about man. I think he
called it the way a fan would be watching the
game and wanting it called. And I think and that
was that's more. I think that's more normal in home
NBA calls now than it was fifteen twenty years ago.
He was a little bit of a pioneer. And then
he was like, you know, I'm not gonna be a
(08:03):
cookie cutter play by play guy and just call the game.
I'm gonna be a Blazer fan and let everybody know
I'm a Blazer fan.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Yeah, it's his line at the end when they want
it's a great day to be a Blazer. Yeah, I
just I loved it. But yeah, he'd call out the
officials by name.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
You know, he's looking at something else.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
I mean, but I loved his calls, but I liked
the guy even better. And you know, I could just
tell listen to Gras And like I said, there's if
you're in this business and you don't leave behind a legacy,
then you haven't done the right thing.
Speaker 6 (08:36):
You haven't done it the right way.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (08:39):
And and like I said, I think there's guys that do.
I'm talking to you guys that do.
Speaker 5 (08:43):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (08:43):
I'm I just heard from a guy that did.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
You know, there's certain people I've always looked up to
Grass one of those wheels. It's one of those because
of the play by play. But yeah, I just I'll
just remember going and talking. God, we would talk, right,
we'd have him on the show. We talk wrestling, you know,
what do you think about the rock?
Speaker 6 (08:58):
You know? And he'd be travel across and go watch that.
I mean, he was.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
He was a treat in that regard. But I know
he'd been struggling. There were a lot of demons in
his world. Unfortunately. I wish I could say I was
surprised when I heard the news. I probably wasn't, to
be honest with you and h And that's that in
its own sense, because it's a waste because the guy
should still be calling NBA games right.
Speaker 6 (09:20):
Now, no doubt.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Hey, how about one more time for our pow Brian Wheeler.
It's a great day to be a blazer Ian, great
stuff man. Enjoy the game tonight, thought he We'll.
Speaker 6 (09:30):
Talk soon, Thanks guys.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
All right, Ian forness.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Dave Grosby with a few thoughts on on Brian Wheeler's
passing again. If you haven't heard, uh, you know again,
you got to kind of be a long time kjur listener,
Blazer fan. I think a lot of people, though, understand
who this guy was and what he meant to a
lot of people. Brian Wheeler passed away this morning after
a long, long illness, and we will miss him tremendously.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
All Right, we're gonna break.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
We're gonna give away some Seahawks tickets for the Arizona game.
We're gonna ask Anthony bay Rudy, the venue King, for
his prediction for tomorrow Husky game. Were you going to
text in your first and last name, the words venue
Kings and the combined score of Anthony's prediction for tomorrow's
UW Penn State game. Closest to the Pinn's gonna win
some tickets for the Seahawk game against Arizona. And by
(10:14):
the way, there's been a lot of questions Dick about
how all these opposing fans are getting tickets. Anthony bay
Rudy can chime in on that as well, next on
ninety three three KJRFM
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