List of Nashville Sounds broadcasters

The Nashville Sounds Minor League Baseball team has played in Nashville, Tennessee, since its establishment in 1978. The team was created as an expansion team of the Double-A Southern League, but moved to the Triple-A American Association in 1985 and to the Triple-A Pacific Coast League (PCL) in 1998.[1] In the history of the franchise, the Sounds have employed seven play-by-play announcers to provide running commentary for their games' radio broadcasts on thirteen radio stations.

Bob Jamison, announcer from 1979 to 1990, won the Southern League Broadcaster of the Year Award in 1980 and 1982.
Monte Hale was the voice of the Sounds' inaugural 1978 season.

During the inaugural 1978 season, Sounds games were broadcast on WMTS by station owner Monte Hale, who also called football and basketball games for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.[2] WMTS, located some 30 miles (48 km) away in Murfreesboro, was selected because it was the only station to make a firm offer to purchase broadcasting rights.[3] The team and station received numerous complaints from listeners who were unable to pick up the signal in Nashville and surrounding communities.[3] In response, the team switched to WKDA, which had wider reception, in 1979.[4] This was the first of many such times the team would switch stations to either broaden the reach of their broadcasts or for business reasons.[5][6] Along with a new station for 1979, Bob Jamison of the International League's Richmond Braves was hired to announce games.[7] He was behind the microphone for Nashville's 1979 and 1982 Southern League championship seasons.[8] In 1980 and 1982, Jamison was recognized as the Southern League Broadcaster of the Year.[9][10] He was also chosen to represent the American Association on the 1990 Triple-A All-Star Game broadcast team.[11] Jamison served as the Sounds' play-by-play voice for 12 years until being hired to fill the same role with Major League Baseball's California Angels in 1991.[12]

The announcer's seat was then filled by Steve Carroll, who had spent the previous three seasons with the Southern League's Huntsville Stars.[13] He helped call the 1994 Triple-A All-Star Game, which was held at Nashville's Herschel Greer Stadium.[14] Carroll left to become the radio voice of the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers after the 1995 campaign.[15] Steve Selby, another former Huntsville announcer, moved up to Nashville in 1996.[16] Chuck Valenches, formerly an assistant broadcaster with Selby over the two previous seasons and of the Southern League's Jacksonville Suns for two years prior to that, was promoted to the lead role in 2000.[17] He was the PCL's representative on the 2001 Triple-A All-Star Game broadcast team.[18] Valenches called the Sounds' 2005 PCL championship season as well as two perfect games by Nashville pitchers: one by John Wasdin in 2003 and one by Manny Parra in 2007.[19][20] Stu Paul, who had been with the Texas League's San Antonio Missions for nine seasons, was hired to call games beginning in 2010.[21] Jeff Hem became the team's play-by-play announcer in 2012 after serving in the same capacity with the Midwest League's Kane County Cougars for seven seasons.[22] He was on the call for the Sounds' final season at Greer Stadium in 2014 and their first season at First Tennessee Park in 2015.[23]

From 1978 to 1999, games were sporadically televised in the Nashville market. The first game to be shown live from Greer was the September 1, 1978, inaugural season home finale on WDCN.[24] In 1979, five road games were scheduled for broadcast on WNGE.[25] From 1982 to 1992, games occasionally aired on WZTV,[26] including ten games in 1983 and 1984,[27][28] eight games in 1987,[29] and four games in 1988.[30] WNPX broadcast five games in 1999.[31] Excluding the 1979 season, when play-by-play commentary was handled by Dick Palmer, the Sounds' radio announcers also provided television commentary.[32]

As of 2019, all Sounds home and road games are broadcast on WNRQ-HD2 97.5 FM.[33] Live audio broadcasts are also available online through the team's website and the MiLB First Pitch, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn apps.[33] Games can be viewed through the MiLB.TV subscription feature of the official website of Minor League Baseball, with audio provided by a radio simulcast.[34]

Announcers and stations
Season Play-by-play announcer Radio station Television station Ref(s).
1978 Monte Hale WMTS WDCN [24][35]
1979 Bob Jamison WKDA WNGE[n 1] [25][36]
1980 — [37]
1981 [38]
1982 [39]
1983 WLAC WZTV [27][40]
1984 WSIX [28][40]
1985 [41][42]
1986 [43][44]
1987 [29][42]
1988 WKDA [30][45]
1989 WRLT — [46]
1990 WSIX [47]
1991 Steve Carroll WWTN [48]
1992 [49]
1993 [14]
1994 [14]
1995 WAMB [50]
1996 Steve Selby [16][51]
1997 [52]
1998 WYOR [53]
1999 WNSR WNPX [31][54]
2000 Chuck Valenches — [55]
2001 [54][56]
2002 WANT [57]
2003 [57][58]
2004 [57][59]
2005 WAMB [59]
2006 WNSR [60]
2007 [61]
2008 [60][62]
2009 [62]
2010 Stu Paul WGFX [63]
2011 [64]
2012 Jeff Hem WPRT [65]
2013 [66]
2014 [67]
2015 [68]
2016 [69]
2017 WNRQ-HD2 [70]
2018 [71]
2019 [33]
2020 —[n 2] [73]

Notes
  1. Dick Palmer provided play-by-play for 1979 telecasts.[32]
  2. The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[72] No announcement had been made regarding the season's radio station.

References
  1. Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "Top 100 Teams". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 13, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  2. "Monte Hale Chosen Sounds' Broadcaster". The Tennessean. Nashville. February 1, 1978. p. 27. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Bibb, John (April 21, 1978). "Ninety-Six Point Three..." The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 35 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Sounds' Games Set for WA Radio". The Tennessean. Nashville. November 15, 1978. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Morrow, Mike (October 27, 1982). "Sounds Turn the Dial, Sign Deal with WLAC". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Sounds Broadcasts on WSIX; Jamison Set for 6th Season". The Tennessean. Nashville. February 2, 1984. p. 14-F – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Sounds Name Jamison New Radio Broadcaster". The Tennessean. Nashville. December 22, 1978. p. 27. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Southern League Past Champions". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  9. "Sounds in Running for MacPhail Trophy". The Tennessean. Nashville. October 30, 1980. p. 23. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "SL Approves '83 Schedule". The Tennessean. Nashville. October 2, 1982. p. 15. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Taft, Larry (July 8, 1990). "Sounds Update". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 3-C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. Taft, Larry (February 20, 1991). "Jamison Voice of Angels". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 1-C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Carroll Set to Take over Sounds' Play-By-Play Job". The Tennessean. Nashville. February 22, 1991. p. 2-C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. Patton, Maurice (June 22, 1994). "Sounds Drill Cubs". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 5C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Coleman, Anthony (September 12, 1995). "Voice of Sounds Flies to Philly". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 2C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. Sullivan, Nick (October 4, 1995). "Sounds Name Radio Voice". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 2C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
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  18. Patton, Maurice (June 20, 2001). "Pitchers Shuffled to Develop". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 2C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "Pacific Coast League Champions". Pacific Coast League. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  20. "Pacific Coast League No-Hit Games". Pacific Coast League. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
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  22. "Sounds Name Jeff Hem as New Play-By-Play Broadcaster". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. December 30, 2011. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  23. Joey, Garrison (April 18, 2015). "Like Old Times at New Park". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 1A. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
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  25. "WNGE Plans Telecast of Sounds' Opener". The Tennessean. Nashville. March 9, 1979. p. 26. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
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  27. "Channel 17 Plans to Televise 10 Sounds Games This Season". The Tennessean. Nashville. April 14, 1983. p. 5-E. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. Squires, Tom (March 27, 1984). "Sky Boxes Going Up at Greer". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 5-C. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. "8 Sounds TV Games; New Paring for Radio". The Tennessean. Nashville. April 8, 1987. p. 11. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. "Sounds Facts". The Tennessean. Nashville. April 4, 1988. p. 11. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. "WNPX to Broadcast Six Sounds Games". The Tennessean. Nashville. March 23, 1999. p. 2C. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. "Boys Title Game Will Be on T.V." The Daily News-Journal. Murfreesboro, Tennessee. March 11, 1979. p. 3B – via Newspapers.com.
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  34. "MiLB.tv". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  35. "Monte Hale Named Voice of Sounds". The Daily News-Journal. Murfreesboro, Tennessee. January 31, 1978. p. 7. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. Squires, Tom (April 29, 1979). "Sohns Making Impression". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 2-C. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. Squires, Tom (April 11, 1980). "Eight Station Network for Sounds Season". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 27. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. Squires, Tom (April 8, 1981). "Wilborn, McGee Stick Together". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 24. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. Squires, Tom (April 7, 1982). "Sounds' First Foe Eyes Improvement". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 26. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. "Sounds Broadcasts on WSIX; Jamison Set for 6th Season". The Tennessean. Nashville. February 2, 1984. p. 14-F. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. Davy, Jimmy (July 21, 1985). "WZTV Picking up Vandy TV Package". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 7-B. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. "Sounds Seek Broader Radio Range". The Tennessean. Nashville. December 30, 1987. p. 5-C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. Davy, Jimmy (February 23, 1987). "Back in the Swing". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 4-C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. Burns, Bud (July 19, 1986). "Nashville's Sounds Face Louisville's Sluggers". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 3-C. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. "Sounds Specials". The Tennessean. Nashville. April 4, 1988. p. 9. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. "Jamison Returns". The Tennessean. Nashville. April 11, 1989. p. 4. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. Burns, Bud (October 26, 1989). "Sounds Link up with WSIX-AM for '90 Season". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 3-D. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. Taft, Larry (April 10, 1991). "Broadcasting Man". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 2-C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
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  50. Taft, Larry (March 1, 1995). "Radio Broadcasts Moved to WAMB". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 8C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
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  53. "Sounds on 560-AM". The Tennessean. Nashville. March 17, 1998. p. 1C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. "Sounds Sign Three-Year Deal with WNSR-560". The Daily News-Journal. Murfreesboro, Tennessee. March 4, 1999. p. 2C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. "Valenches Selected Sounds Announcer". The Tennessean. Nashville. April 30, 2000. p. 2C. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. "Arroyo Braids His Locks as Latest 'Do for Sounds". The Tennessean. Nashville. August 8, 2001. p. 2C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. Patton, Maurice (March 13, 2002). "Lebanon Station Will Carry Sounds Games". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 2C. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  58. Kuharsky, Paul (August 17, 2003). "Lonely Talk Radio". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 5C. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
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  65. "Sounds Announce New Flagship Station". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. February 15, 2012. Archived from the original on March 5, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  66. "Sounds on the Air" (PDF). Nashville Sounds 2013 Media Guide. Nashville Sounds. 2013. p. 202. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 15, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  67. "Sounds Extend Partnership with 'The Game'". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. February 8, 2014. Archived from the original on March 5, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  68. "Sounds Extend Partnership with 'The Game'". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. February 25, 2015. Archived from the original on March 5, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  69. "Sounds Extend Partnership with 'The Game'". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. March 4, 2016. Archived from the original on March 5, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  70. "Sounds and iHeartMedia Announce ALT 97.5 FM as New Flagship Station". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. March 31, 2017. Archived from the original on July 5, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  71. "Sounds and iHeartRadio Extend ALT 97.5 FM as Team's Flagship Station". Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. March 27, 2018. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  72. "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
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