Alabama Radio announcers --years

[JTBAMA1]

I remember Maury Ferrell(sp) before John Forney, who was the color analyst then. Say what you want about Forney, but he was all Alabama. I had teh radio on while at a ball game. A commercial break lasted longer than expected and Bama scored on a long run by Steadman Shealy or Don Jacobs. When the commercial was over and the extra point team was leaving the sideline to kick the point, John re-enacted the call as if he were watching it live. Believe you me, he was as much Bama as Simpson Pepper on the P.A.

 

[JTBAMA1]

There once was an exhibit at the Bryant Museum that had alot of the announcers and some of their calls. Mel Allen, Forney, Ferrell, and Gabby Bell, to name a few, are in the exhibit.

 

[rollntider]

I was born in 72, unlike some folks here, i think Eli does a great job and he is the voice of Alabama. I dont understand why so many folks want someone else. The man is a Tide man. I just wished our fans supported him.

The biggest complaint i hear out of folks is that he doesnt give either the score enough, down and distance etc...

But I always feel informed and he gives that info in a very timely matter (in my opinion) It reminds me of the old saying someone said "That place is so crowded no one goes there anymore"

I am for supporting Eli, he is the voice of the Tide, and does a great job.

 

[bamaga]

Jeez, UAH, how did this happen? We need an explanation for this Zombie thread

 

[dathbama]

Jeez, UAH, how did this happen? We need an explanation for this Zombie thread

This was my fault, I had no idea that liking a post would bump the thread!

 

[Tenntiderman]

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".

We sure had the best of things then too didn't we? I loved listening to games with Layton doing color. Also Jerry down on sidelines.

 

[bamaga]

We sure had the best of things then too didn't we? I loved listening to games with Layton doing color. Also Jerry down on sidelines.

.Smokey just came out of the tunnel, and he's about 100 yards away from me now, and if I had my deer rifle I believe I could drop him.

- Jerry Duncan

 

[Tenntiderman]

- Jerry Duncan

Ha!! I remember that. I missed hearing it for some reason..but the guys in the office heard it. I thought it was a scream Many times though...when the crowd noise increased around the booth..John Forney's voice was difficult for me to discern as to what he was saying. Doug's voice was what I could hear better. Bit John Forney was a Bama man for sure. Miss those guys. Great to see Eli up and around. The sound of Bama football now.

 

[TDBama78]

We sure had the best of things then too didn't we? I loved listening to games with Layton doing color. Also Jerry down on sidelines.

I grew up listening to John forney and the crew , nobody has ever done it better ,before or since.

 

[CB4]

- Jerry Duncan

Remember this exchange between Jerry and Doug Layton prior to the start of a game with Tennessee?

Jerry Duncan - "Doug, down on the other end of the field I see Ol' Smokey coming out."

Doug Layton - "Yeah, if I had my 30-aught-6 I could drop him from here."

 

[Ledsteplin]

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

When John Forney left the show, I thought the same thing. Then Eli came in, and all was well. Chris Stewart has done a great job. But it doesn’t seem the same without Eli.

 

[westide]

John Forney had that distinctive voice. Him and Doug Layton worked well with each other. Forney could leave you hanging sometimes...."He is streaking down the sidelines...A long, long pass and it is".......... a long gap and you are wondering what happened.

 

[22Musso22]

I grew up with Forney and Layton. The GOAT's!

 

[Tidelines]

I remember hearing Jerry ask a ref in pre game warm ups how much it would cost to get a good game called that day. Jerry knew the ref well and was just joking. That was Jerry though. It was actually on the radio. Seems it was against UG or Ga Tech.