Sunlight in the foothills, a rare record on the desk, and a voice that still echoes through our studio—this one brings together sport, memory, and music in a way that feels both tender and alive. I’m off the air until January 5, but the stories didn’t take a vacation, and neither did the community that keeps this show beating.

We start with the shockwaves rolling through the NFC West: the Rams slipping from top-seed contention, the 49ers lighting up the scoreboard despite turnovers, and Bears fans daring to feel proud again. Football is more than standings; it’s a mirror for resilience, timing, and how quickly fortunes can turn. From there, we lean into something more personal—the life and legacy of Mark “The Voice Guy,” a friend who turned our commercial breaks into moments listeners waited for. His liners were quick, clever, and oddly comforting: a tiny lift after a long day. When cancer closed in, the studio became his escape. I drove him in, dropped the Mustang top, and we cranked music because joy is a medicine you take with both hands.

Community came through at American River Flooring, where we rallied for Mark and for Kendall, our longtime technical producer who faced leukemia and fought her way back. The fundraiser was messy, loud, and beautiful—exactly how real help looks. Mark turned even the hiccups into jokes, the way radio pros do, and reminded us that humor and heart can share the same mic. To honor that spirit, I dug into my rare 45s and landed on the Isley Brothers’ Spill the Wine, a cover that proves a great song can be reborn without losing its soul. The Isleys’ run of fearless covers—Ohio, Fire and Rain, Lay Lady Lay, Love the One You’re With—felt like the perfect soundtrack for memory and momentum.

If you’ve ever needed a voice to get you through a tough night or a song to make the room feel warmer, you’ll feel right at home here. Join me for football sparks, a friend remembered, and a groove that still turns the page. If you enjoyed this, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review—then tell me your favorite cover song and why it still moves you.