The Hard Lie

It is here...it is really here Reagan

What a great article Whitt! It's good to see both sides of the story.

Should turn this into a movie!

Long live the hammer!

Great job, Richie. Wonderful article.

The most glaring item missing from the article is WHY Rhyner, Davidson, and Bailess are unforgiving. Williams threatened their own livlihoods. I'm still not sure they are safe from being replaced.

Good stuff Richie. Glad someone took the time and had the access to write it.

What a great article. I've been dying to know the truth about Greggo for months. A compelling read for any P-1 and a great chance of pace from the usual crappy Observer cover story. IMHO, the most interesting piece of information in the entire article is the fact that Greggo was making half a mil per year. So much for common man status. I can only conclude that Jub Jub, Miller-man and Gordo must be in the same pay range. Yet they're always trying to claim poverty and talking like they make next to nothing. I think it's time for some full disclosure across the board.

Great article Richie. I've been looking forward to it ever since you started teasing it. I'm a P1 for a few years now and, while I'm sure we're still not hearing the whole story, In my opinion it's a shame and maybe a little embarrassing for them how they have treated their former co-worker and friend.

At that pay rate I ask; What the (F) was Greggo Thinking. Although in my estimation he lost something in his broadcasting aura long before last september, I am glad the hammer seems to be doing better. I do enjoy what the ticket is doing as much as ever now and I hope those "on the fence P1's" don't turn away due the Corby hasn't called Greg part of the article. In all honesty we all have worked with someone who has screwed themselves, and all you can do is shake your head and keep right on working. None of The Ticket Crew Is At Fault For This. Greg did it to himself!
Thanks Ritchie for a great read.
Stay Hard C FLOYD

Greg didn't take care of his business, and he got canned for it.

The short version of this story: Do not shit where you eat. Especially when you're eating to the tune of $500K a year.

Nicely done, Richie. Damn fine writing.

OPUD no more my friend. UPOD would definitely fit now, Under Promiser/Over Deliverer. After reading this thinking back on what my drive home used to be like several emotions reading this expose'...
Dumbfounded, saddened, pissed, forgiven, hopeful for a sad case to get his life back and keep it on track...
Gay or not gay after reading this I had to sit there for a minute and just absorb what I had read.

That was award winning UPOD! The last thing I will say is you have nads of steel to be able to sit on this since Memorial Day. WOW!

Sincerely,

Call me "Impressed"

Awesome story. My dislike and disgust for Corby is greater than ever. What a piece od $hit. He really has earned his nickname "SNAKE"

Great Job Richie , a really fascinating read. I feel sorry for all parties involoved , i was a fan of the ticket then and will always be a fan , and i will listen to greggo at espn. There is some definate sorriness from the ticket guys , i can understand parting ways buisness wise but u never turn ur back on a friend.

An absolutely great article. I was only going to read the first couple of paragraphs and come back to it later in the evening. But I read the whole thing. You had me at "hello" or "half cocked" or something like that.

Best of luck Greggo. And eff Corby -- he acted just like we expected he would.

Great work Whitt.

To me, this is the money quote:

"It's not like I was some strung-out junkie screwing everybody over," Williams says. "The person I was hurting was myself."

It's hard to imagine after all this time he still does not realize the adverse effect this had on those around him. I'm rooting as hard as anyone for Greggo's full recovery, but a quote like that seems to indicate it's going to be quite some time yet. He was always really great to me, and I will always be appreciative for all his support back during the hardliners.com days.

I'll never forget the Friday he called me up out of the blue, about two hours before the show, and asked me to head out to The Colonial to fill in as yuck monkey on the day Gordo was off getting married. I had never done anything similar before that, aside from faxes and the occasional call, so it was equal parts exhilarating and terrifying.

I didn't see much of Greggo over the past few years, other than at the occasional remote. I remember being completely shocked when I was at The Mothership for "Big Dick's P-1 Wild-Ass Circus" and got my first look at how thin he had gotten. But I assumed it was hum focusing his well-documented OCD on some sort of radically effective diet.

I completely empathize with Rhynes, and don't blame him for feeling the way he does, but I hope one day the feelings of anger and betrayal on all sides will subside. I'll continue to enjoy and support The HardLine, but will forever miss THE HardLine.Sideshow Bob
http://sideshowblog.wordpress.com

The Ticket can still be great and still is with a few minor changes.

Musers - Generic junior high philosophy Gordo who no longer tries to be funny needs to go. He is a massive thrashing to listen to. He just wants to sip coffee and beat us down with the "irrational human" talk. He used to be one of my favorites. Its a shame because Craig and Jub Jub are top notch at what they do. There is nobody better and Gordo's half ass soap box rants brings the show down. I am not sure what happened but somewhere along the line he got a massive chip on his shoulder and that's too bad. Its like he took one thing that happened with a few listeners ruin it for everyone else. He used to make me laugh and now I just roll my eyes and check out SIRIUS during his segments although I give him a another chance at least once a week. I don't think new listeners realize how funny he used to be. Brilliant comedy..now its junior high philosophy with the occasional comedy segment.

Norm - is great when he doesn't beat a topic to death and smack his gums.

BaD Radio is awesome. Just wish they didn't step over themselves so much.

HL -No more old school Greggo (can't blame anyone for getting rid of him) but they have done well without the coke head who screwed up his own life. I wish they would bring in K-Scott. He kicks ass.

Stick with them listeners. They will never be back on the same track since its obvious money has changed them a lot but they still have awesome talent. If they just cut a little bit of the fat they could create die hard P-1's like they used to. I think they still create P-2's but I doubt they create new hard core p-1's like they used to.

banter

What the hell was everyone supposed to do whith someone who lied his ass off to his supposed best friends FOR YEARS?!

even i am speechless. how could he not call the man who is solely responsible for his current gig? shameful. it just goes to show that money changes people...often for the worse. i guarantee you if the hosts were making middle class money as opposed to 6 digit salaries (and yes, its all of them on ktck) none of this would have happened. the lil ticket exists no longer as it is so heavily corporate sponsored that it makes minor league baseball fields and hockey arenas look miniscule.
*
2 quotes sum their split up:
"the love of money is the root of all evil" - Bible
&
"all good things must come to an end" - english proverb

Sports Cliche #92: Addition by substraction.

how about danny becoming the #2 and corby producing? sturm wouldn't last with rhyner due to his 5 minute questions & show numbering angering the wolf. rhadigan would be cool. snake needs to return to the 3rd voice, its very evident.

Reading that Norm, Dan, Gordo and Craig made some (albeit just the once) semblance of contact with Greggo demonstrates a kindheartedness and sincerity that is compatible to their on-air persona. A decade's worth of deceit begets indifference, therefore, I not only understand, but, sympathize with Rhynes.

Only consistent behavior undoes pain and begins healing. The memories are too ripe for anyone involved to see the forest despite the trees.

Excellent expose. This only hardens my position that a congruency exists between on-air persona and off-air behavior. Norm is fatherly, Rhyne's is surly yet caring and Jub's encouraging and Corby's a snake.

Stay hard.

"the program's unique candor seems forever tainted."

At some point, the station would have changed like this natually, anyway. Someone moves on, dies, has a long-term emergency, etc. In some ways, it's good that fans have experienced this now rather than later, so they can adapt -- which they appear to do, from the sound of ratings.

Due to his rampant drug use, seemingly endless lies and deceit, the Hammer could have brought the Hardline down completely and even the lil' Ticket. How do you expect Mike, Corby, and Danny to react (and the others)? He was F'in with their livelihood. -- Always a P1.

Okay, I knew Greggo during the ain killer phase and knew a lot of what was printed here. And even though we lost contact after 04, I knew things drastically changed when he moved to the condo in Dallas. Seems his newly found "friends" and body mixed with money and local celebrity went to his head and he fell back into his old bartender days. Kind of like a mid-life crises. This kind of thing is not uncommon in life, it's not that he's any different than anyone else - he fell down and when an OCD/addictive personality falls down - it's painful for everyone and usually takes a toll on your career. The difference here is he did it over a period of time, and in two parts (pain killers, coke) and it was over the air for the metro-mess to see. He lied, and co-workers and others have every right to be angry - I'm not saying they aren't entitled to whatever they feel.

What I am say is; his honesty in this article - and knowing him and some of his background, I feel like he's been more honest here than ever - shows he is trying as well as he knows how to heal himself. He is admitting a problem and doing the opposite of what the Greggo I knew would do. He has OCD - no doubt. He has depression and an addiction. He is also a loving, kind friend when he's sober - and I'm really glad Jennifer was there to make him see that about himself. I'm glad he's got real friends around him too, that will support him just as much when he's down as they will when he's sober. He's a work in progress...and aren't we all.

Good for you, Greg. I'm glad you're finding happiness in the little things, and finding out what the BIG things in life are really are made of...honesty, trust and kindness.
Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family, as well.

Great writing, Richie. Simply terrific. I have to think that by laying it all out - from both sides - you may have done more to speed the healing, recovery, and reconcilliation of all parties concerned. It can happen. The Ticket has been and remains a one-of-a kind, roaring success - and nothing would be better than to see all the parties who built it able one day to celebrate together the remarkable thing they've accomplished.

Fantastic job Richie!Just wow!! Only thing i could think to expand upon is this mysterious son of Greggo's.

As for the details of how the crew has reached out (or not) to Greg after he admitted his mistake(s) -- it just paints Corby as even more of an opportunistic asshole whose only loyalties lie with himself and OU football.

In a perfect world, back-stabbing douchenozzles like that would be schleping fries or mopping up in the viewing rooms @ Lido -- not be given an open forum in the #4 radio market.

Hey Greggo where's Clyde?

I'm glad Greggo's doing better. I hope that things work out for him the way he wants them to.

As for the other guys: I was heartened to read about Norm, Junior, Gordo, Dan and, to an extent, George. I'm VERY disappointed in Danny. Is it that difficult to send an email? Return one phone call? Really? I genuinely think more highly of him than that.

I'm actually not surprised about Corby, only because my expectations for him were already so low. This would, after all, require a slight amount of emotional maturity.

Great article.

Sure Hammer. Like every still-suffering addict, to quote you, "It's not like I was some strung-out junkie screwing everybody over. The person I was hurting was myself."

I think perhaps you're not as far along in in your growing up as you think... co-workers not knowing if you'd show up to be part of the team. Sounds a lot like Q-Car.

Do you like salad?

Reading these comments proves my theory... people are idiots. Yes, I mean you people, posting comments.

Forgiveness doesn't mean that the offender doesn't have consequences. When screwed over by a co-worker over and over, I don't think Rhyner or Cooby has any moral obligation to continue that relationship. The Hammer's consequences include the loss of friendships.

Hey Dude Singing Like a Rolling Stone. OPUD doesn't mean anything to anyone other than you, peckerhead.

Excellent article, Mr. Whitt-- an informative read for curious P's, whatever their numerical stripe. And while I (begrudgingly) admit to enjoying The Hardline in its new, streamlined format, the sorriness of the Snake has never been more galling or more sickeningly apparent. Unabashed pride like his certainly presages a very nasty fall, and, when the Cobra's fifteen-minute bit is ultimately up, let the wild revelry (or "grave dancing", as you put it) ensue.

Don't expect Greggo to partake in the festivities, though. Sounds like he's too good of a guy.

Triple Fake - "Reading these comments proves my theory... people are idiots. Yes, I mean you people, posting comments. Forgiveness doesn't mean that the offender doesn't have consequences. When screwed over by a co-worker over and over, I don't think Rhyner or Cooby has any moral obligation to continue that relationship. The Hammer's consequences include the loss of friendships."

Amen, dude. Richie Witt is kinda sorry for taking shots, even indirectly, at Rhynes, Corby, and the Ticket Management. They didn't ask for this. Greg made his own bed, burned his own bridges... And this crap about only hurting himself is a selfish delusion. Dude needs to STFU and quit this pity party he's throwing himself.

Wow, Richie..EXCELLENT story...just so much to be absorbed into this story. It is sad, frustrating, maddening, relief, etc....all describe the situation. I dont blame the Ticket crew for being upset...Greggo, did do this to himself. It is heartening to hear about the 4 that have made an effort to get in touch with Greggo. This could happen to ANYONE....I was wowed by the fact of the salaries...GOOD LORD....that is unreal. Corby is a punk, period...can he not get through a segment without cussing? He can't...there is no way....he is a loser...period....I wish the best for Greggo AND the Ticket crew....I still listen and will keep on listening....but Greggo, please stay on your program. You are TOO good to blow it again my man.....

Scattershooting...While Wondering If You Could Just Substitute The Name "Greg Williams" with "Russ Martin"...

What a bunch of narcissists, and sadly they have all reproduced.

Think Greggo's girlfriend ever read "Codependent No More"?

Real nice of his "friends" drinking around him all of the time - help the guy out a bit and don't reinforce the idea that you have to drink to have a good time. It's really not that much of a sacrifice.

One of the tenets of recovery is you do not start romantic relationships in the first year.

Corby - just more proof of his lack of character. Once a jack-off frat boy always one.

Rhyner - still a pompous, bitter and petty (not Tom)little man who hasn't changed since the days at the Zoo.

Greggo - a ticking time bomb unless he gets with the program pronto.

Very nice article Richie

Wow the ultimate in Hypocricy (Sp?). Drug addict and "fun babies"? Like all the coke memorabillia, highly ironic, a cokehead that loves coke!

More and more continued proof of just how much of a real fucktard and hack that the "Cobra" is. It's funny how an alcoholic in denial will turn his back on another addict.

Here's to you, Cobra . . . sucking the hammer's lap-banded cock!

An excellent written story. However, I never liked his show, or the people in it. If Greg Williams comes to ESPN, he'll be fully embraced. I hope he takes his former friends to the woodshed. Those no good piece of $hits don't deserve to be alive, muchless on a radio show. ESPN is REAL sports, while the Ticket is a freaking joke. The only good thing that station has is Hitzghes, and I hope he comes over to ESPN. BTW, will someone tell RHYNER to get off of CORBY now. This isn't jailhouse rock. :)

WOW! Can you win a Pulitzer prize with an Observer article? An Emmy then??

I felt like this was an extremely fair and honest article on the subject where it seemed Richie was friends with all parties, yet reported the good, bad and ugly. I predict Rhynes/Gregg will be friends again one day and this article may have helped, although its probably painful for all involved now.

Well written article! Thanks for writing this piece and enlightening us listeners to what was going on behind the scenes of the little ticket. I feel for Greggo - we all have our own demons to fight and I wish him all the best in his journey. I can see both sides to this situation. I hope that someday healing can conquer lingering feelings of animosity.

oh... and F Corby!!!

Spin it anyway you want Rhynes, you turned your back on a friend who would do anything for you. I'm really disappointed in Corby and Danny, neither of you douche bags could make a phone call??? With friends like you two, who needs enemies?

Corby, that guys such an F'tard. Everything is the biggest, greatest, richest ever. Until, the following day and the new story, then that's the biggest, greatest, richest ever. Eff Corky!! So annoying! Instead of motorcycle Greggo, can someone do a Lapband Greggo skit?
"Don't tel Rhynes I have a tire around my cow stomach!" "Get off the sick Cat"

Great article.
One thing that wasn’t mentioned in the article, and I’m not saying it should’ve been, was Mike and Gregg’s first interfacing with Pete Stein.It was Rangers Opening Day and both Mike and Gregg really treated him badly. It was when Mike counted down from five to one and told Stein that he was ‘done’.
I not only found that interfacing uncomfortable, I found it infuriating. And like many P1’s, I emailed both Mike and Greg.
Believe it or not, Mike replied to me and said that he realized that they were mean to Stein and that he would make it up to him next time he saw him.
Greg also replied. The so called everyman who sounded more like a friend than a broadcaster defended his actions keeping up with the whole “well who is he?.....We’re the Hardline” bs.
Well now Pete Stein is still employed at the Ticket and Greg is about to start at that pathetic excuse for a sports stations known as 103.3 ESPN.
What goes around indeed does come around, doesn’t it?
I honestly hope that Gregg does get well and that he’s able to enjoy his life. But all things considered, I can really see Mike’s side to this.

So, am I supposed to feel sorry for a guy that made $500,000 a year and threw everything away? Clearly what I learned from this piece is that Greggo has been a liar for quite some time, drug use notwithstanding. Boo hoo.

FINALLY!....we have a story...Thank you Richie..Thank you Greg

I could go on about my opinion of this situation...but, I won't...

I just want to wish Greggo a great comeback and a humbling recovery!

Now, hurry and get back on the air!..You are missed.

you people have no clue what you speak of. i worked up there for 5 years and greggo is the biggest piece of shit liar in the world. he treated the "minions" like they were stepchildren and never even knew my name for 5 years. corby is truly a stand up guy who treated everyone equally. from what we were hearing greg lied and lied and lied and lied about everything. this went on for years. the guys on the show were protective of him, but the cocaine thing combined with all the lies and disappearances were too much. they had to let go. as for corby turning his back, please. he gave greg a million chances. greg shit on him over and over. this i know for a fact. he needed to be let go to get his life back together.

Snorting coke on a toilet seat? I lol'd. The hypocrisy of it all and from all. Everybody involved needs a good kick in the nuts, starting with Corby. Perhaps Greggo can bury the hatchet someday soon...right in the Snake's back.

Great article.

Great job Richie. The article was well worth the wait. Absolutley heartbreaking to see the damage caused by Hammer's addiction & lies.

I hope Greggo gets his life cleaned up. I look forward to hearing him on ESPN now that i've made the switch from the Ticket. The Ticket has Norm, Sturm and Georgio, and that's it for credibility. The rest of the hosts suck!

I hope Greggo gets his life cleaned up. I look forward to hearing him on ESPN now that i've made the switch from the Ticket. The Ticket has Norm, Sturm and Georgio, and that's it for credibility. The rest of the hosts suck!

whats up with gf? what happened to "don't want you, you're fat."

Miss Ya Greggo.

So I am supposed to believe everything that Greggo has said for this article? A recovering addict who throws parties at his house with a fully-stocked bar?

So I am supposed to believe everything that Greggo has said for this article? A recovering addict who throws parties at his house with a fully-stocked bar? Someone who is negotiating his next job IN THE DALLAS OBSERVER by disclosing status, salary, etc?

Richie... Damn good read and well worth the wait. Its a shame what happened to Greggo, but he brought it on himself. It does suck that it seems most of the Ticket family has turned their back on him, but at the end of the day it's business. Just because they seem close and an open book on air, obviously things can be and are totally different off air.

Stay Hard,
Josh

My land is bare of chattering folk;
the clouds are low along the ridges,
and sweet's the air with curly smoke
from all my burning bridges.

Dorothy Parker, SANCTUARY

Why are all the comments about how terrible Corby is? Did we read the same article?

Wow, can't imagine Corby being so arrogant! Come on, I went to Jr. High, High School and College with this twit. He has ALWAYS thought himself above the rest. So he lack of compassion doesn't suprise me.

Get over yourself and try calling Greggo back.

Only Glenda would cite Dorothy Parker. That is a fitting coda.

you people are ripping corby? for what? are you people that stupid? i swear you all must be the dumbest bunch of rednecks in the world to defend greggo in this situation. seriously? am i reading some of these quotes correctly from you peope? greg is an out of control liar, hands down. if you pity him you are feeding his pln, and ego.

Reviewing some of the comments, I am a bit surprised by the number of greggo lemmings out there. The guy has very serious problems and was given many, many second chances before it came to this. I think he is still using. Heck he still thinks he only hurt himself. Isnt that one of the steps of recovery for an addict, admitting you hurt other people? Don't you think that Rhyner and Cobra have good reason why they are not speaking with him? IMO it is even uglier than this article indicates and Cobra and Rhyner can't, or won't (possibly for Greg's sake), go into detail.

It boils down to who you put more faith in:

1) 2 guys not working while they are high (as far as I know); or,
2) 1 guy who was (high at work)

I'm giving Corby and Michael the benefit of the doubt (over Greggo and frickin T-Bar) and can't believe that so many others are falling so hard for this pity card. Makes one a bit embarrassed to be a fellow P1.

Sure, we will all miss Greggo making an ass of himself on the air (and boy was he terrible when by himself...but it would usually turn into a very funny bit (a kunkle-ism)...kinda sad really), BUT is more danny balis and corby such a bad thing? Apparently, according to some dumb ass so called P1's, it is. I say the hardline will survive and continue to prosper.

Stayed tuned, I suspect there will be more Chapters to this saga and I don't predict a good ending (for the Hambonita)

Great article Richie!

anyone ripping corby on this thread should go to hell. you idiots are beyond stupid. he did nothing wrong. greg is a cokehead lying sack of shit. end of story. the show is 500 times better without him. go corby go danny go mike. keep on rockin.

Kristidanser -- the bad comments about Corby are mainly due to the fact that it appears Greggo helped him get to where he is today when Rhyner didn't want him. Then when the snake saw his opportunity to take Greggo's job he jumped in... and the fact that he hasn't tried to contact Greggo since all this went down (if we are to believe what's written here).

judging by the majority of these comments, it appears as though the snake may want to not go on remotes...

I have known and worked for the same company that all of the people mentioned in this article have worked for. I think the Hardline now is better than GAC but lean's a little too Rock music and pop culture. I love e-news but several segments and a daily community quick hits? The great thing about listening to the Hardline in the Summmertime was hearing Grego and Rhyn's go head to head about the great game. I think the Hardline needs another Sports guy like Mark or Rad's. A little more sports and a little less Yuk Monkey talk. Especially after 3 hours of Dan whipping our asses. I am still a P-1 but miss some great sports talk to go along with all the yuk's! Great article Richie.

Have any of the shows addressed this article on the air yet??? I'd be interested to hear their reactions...especially Corby's

Thanks for finally telling the story, Richie.

I wish Greggo the best... and you are right, this city does forgive... and in due time, most of his friends will, too.

As a huge P1 and a long time listener of the Hardline, well done Ritchie! An amazing piece of reporting. I have been wondering for months how exactly things went down. It was evident Greggo had drug problems from seeing his appearance and demeanor on the late night sports show he sat in on last year as well as having gone to a remote and a friend witnessing his drug use in a bathroom stall first hand. I wish Greggo nothing but success in both his personal and professional life. Having said that, it was past the point of reconciliation and the end of what we knew as "The Hardline" was just a matter of time. Too many bridges burnt. I share the sentiments of other comments above that this piece hopefully will help all parties reconcile on some level whether that means a simple phone call, email, or face to face. I think Greggo would be able to move forward as well as those who felt slighted. Reading this article made me miss Greggo's plain tell-it-like-it-is way of broadcasting. The drops are a thing of legend around these parts, but the little ticket will remain a local mainstay for years to come.

It'll be very interesting to see the reaction the Hardline gets at Girl Night Out in Bedford, tonight, now that this article has come out. Good write, Whitt.

Excellent article Richie. Long time listener, first time writer. Greggo brought all this on himself. How many times would you back up a co-worker that lied to you? Would you just keep covering for him, over and over, lie after lie after lie? Doubt it really. Someone said how could the rest of the crew do this to someone that would do anything for them....well, look what he did. He almost screwed up the best radio show in the Metroplex and lied to them and kept doing the drugs, lying to them, and you think they should all just let bygones be bygones and embrace the guy, after what he did?
Greggo is NOT the sweet, sensitive country bumpkin you think he is....he is a habitual liar, regardless of the instance. The crew had to protect themselves, and you would have done the same thing.
Oh, and JT, your comment made me spurt tea out of my nose...that was funny, cruel, but very funny. See comment 50
Good work Richie, a very good read. Thanks

Great piece of Greg Williams. Being a person who once let drugs get the best of me, I can understand his plight. But my understanding ends with the drugs. I know that a sports talk host is supposed to have an edge, to let anything fly out of their mouths & spit out factless & sometimes idiotic opinions, but this guy was ridiculous. First of all, he didn't represent the everyday guy. How many black guys do you know who act like that? Hispanic guys? Not many I know. He was an arrogant, pompous, hypocritical jackass, just like a lot of the local sports talk show hosts in this market. They sit on their self-appointed perch & look down their noses at these athletes, jealous because they wished they had a milligram of the talent & a fraction of the money of the athletes they butcher. When he ripped Rashard Lewis in the 1999 NBA Draft because he slid to the 2nd round after being projected as a top 10 pick, I was through. Criticizing a kid who did nothing wrong simply because he skipped college & went pro, the same thing he would've done if he had the chance, & saying how glad he was when he saw that kid almost crying in that green room was absolute sorryness. Then came all of his mess on Michael Irvin. Believe me, I wouldn't wish drug addiction on my worst enemy, but to see him fall in the same snare that he pummeled Irvin about, saying he didn't understand how Irvin could throw all that away & he did the exact same thing, let's me know that God's Word is true.
This should be a warning to all of the sports talk jocks who sit behind those mics & throw stone after stone at these athletes & coaches/managers. Our society always paints athletes as the most arrogant people in our society but I know one group that's worse, the sports media. I think sports talk radio is the gutter of sports journalism. It requires no qualifications, it has no morals. They sit around & wait for something bad to happen to an athlete & pounce on them but when something happens to them or one of their own, they hide & don't say anything, the very thing that they rip athletes for doing. How can he possibly get back on the radio & do what he used to do given what he did at The Ticket? He'd be the biggest fraud in radio. 103.3 would be crazy to hire the biggest hypocrite in sports talk radio. It's one thing to make mistakes in life, we all do. But it's something else to be a hypocrite.

It is Ticket "Schtick" to make fun of celebrities and athletes about their problems, but to kick a friend when he's so down is ridiculous. Especially someone who has been a "friend" for 20 years. I quit listening years ago, when I got tired of thier ruthless bs. It is funny for a short period of time, but gets old quick. Rhyner and Corby should be really proud to be such great friends. No wonder the thoughts of suicide.

As someone who went to high school with Greg (my brother graduated one year before Williams), I knew him then as just another shitkicker looking to get laid in a tiny, country town. Honestly, I found him, even at his best, a bore. I hate how common man is somehow associated with stupid. Not the brightest person at the ticket by a long shot, The Hammer has only himself to blame. Hell, his drops are actually better than Williams in person. I think Corby certainly isn't front line hosting material, but his songs are funny and his interviews can be sensational. Obnoxiously prone to hyperbole, Davidson is a nice younger voice to box it out with Rhyner. If Williams does get the job at 103.3, he will be just add to that station's snooze fest. Good place for his "talent."

I didn't know Greggo is into plumpers

Poor Greggo. It's very evident that he's serious about recovery. Hosting a boozefest at his house while he's trying to stay clean is most definitely a step in the right direction. I know if my husband was in recovery, I wouldn't concern myself with the fact that he's surrounded by temptation. It'd be cutting up limes for Corona.
What's with all the Corby bashing? Greggo's the one that screwed up. Not Corby.

Did no one notice that his "predicted" air-time over at ESPN is up against only The Ticket Top 10? It's not like he is competing against any real substance... I'll give a spin, but chances are I'll still end up with the Top 10 or Leykis at 105.3

Loved the article. I had heard bits and pieces about what happened, but this clearly takes us all right down the path.I have been a faithful listener to the Ticket since just about day 1. Yes, I miss Greggo. But, the things he did and was doing could have potentially ruined the whole thing. I understand how he feels his friends bailed on him, but, he was really putting their livelihoods at stake. I am glad to know what happened, and yes it makes me a little sad. Thanks
you know, you know

Wow, this is big blow the lid off. I really feel bad for Greggo, he was always really good to me at remotes and when I did stuff in studio occassionally. I'll never forget all the good times we had at diamond talk at Hooters in Arlington. I'm sure the rest of the old sub-culture and first generation P-1's are rooting for him.

Yes, we read the same article. Corby is a self-centered, back stabbing, narcisstic ass. Maybe it's just too complicated for you to understand.

Thanks for the article..I appreciate hearing the "other side." I'm listening to the Ticket now, waiting for the Hardline to talk about it. But I don't feel that Rhyner, Corby and the rest should be criticized for not continuing their friendships with Greggo. Obviously this had been going on for years, and I imagine they had had enough. Sometimes you just need to cut people loose. I always enjoyed Greggo, and I am glad he is doing better, but he brought this on himself.

To be clean less than a year and yet surrounding yourself with booze and partying you would have to be dumber than, well, a hammer. I hope that you can do as good a job on part 2 of this story when it surely comes. I just hope for Greggo's sake that it isn't an obituary.

Sounds like Greg is still trying to cast blame. Claiming that Mike tried to phase him out by steering the conversations to Corby is utterly ridiculous! They had to carry the show because he was hopped up on whatever chemical of the day he chose, and when they would try and re-engage them into the show, she mutter some point that they discussed two minutes prior. And please, don't ever forget the greatest radio gold ever, that being his Chief Kunkle interview. Who knows what he had taken to try and calm his nerves.

Prediction, Greg will be back in rehab as he is still surrounded by enablers.

Greggo has blamed no one but himself. I thought Greggo was bad, but his Ticket "friends" are about the sorriest lot I've ever heard of, especially Davidson who, of course, wanted Greggo out, that way he could take his spot. Now, we are all stuck with his cocky, self-important, BS. It's not surprising to me that his salary was $500,000, The Ticket has more sponsors than a NASCAR driver. Thanks for writing this story.

If Corby is such a backstabber, why didn't Corby bring Greggo down when he found him snorting the toilet seat? Read between the lines. Corby (like everyone else up there) was trying to pull Greggo through this crap. Just because he refused to be interviewed doesn't mean he stabbed Greggo in the back.

If Corby is such a backstabber, why didn't Corby bring Greggo down when he found him snorting the toilet seat? Read between the lines. Corby (like everyone else up there) was trying to pull Greggo through this crap. Just because he refused to be interviewed doesn't mean he stabbed Greggo in the back.

I have been and will be a loyal P1 for years now, and it is really sad to read all of this, but it is also really great to finally get the entire story from the source. It does suck that he is no longer on the Ticket, and part of me wishes they would not refer to the show as the Hardline anymore, but whatever. If he gets on the air on ESPN from 7 - 10pm...I am listening! Good luck Hammer...we miss you!
P1 forever

God the Tardline sucks now. Corby is awful, just awful. Sweet Greggo was worth every penny of that bloated salary. Geez ticket, do something about that terrible afternoon show, I rarely listen anymore.

This is an outstanding article. One of the best I have read in a long time. Williams at one time might have been the most popular guy on Dallas radio. What has happened is tragic and sad.

Corby has too many friends and has shown too much kindness over the years, whether to kids, dogs, or buddies, for me to believe that he is the bad guy here.

Completely delusional. I myself have OCD and some addiction issues, but I take responsibility for myself and my actions.
Greggo still hasn't done that. Corby and Rhyner and the others owe him NOTHING!

Great article--wish the same thing could be said for Mike Rhyner's absolutely gutless performance on the air today. Keep throwing Greg under the bus, Mike...but don't look in the mirror.

Rhyner is either too old or too insulated not to get it, and the sidekicks are just an amen chorus. Don't blame Greggo for Cumulus' mismanagement of the show over those years and the stagnation of what has now become the Corby Show.

I don't care if racist greggo ever gets back on the air. Personally I hope he doesn't but the rest of the hardline needs to know that they also have swelled heads and think they are super stars and I hope they also come crashing down and realize they really aren't as special as they think.

I'm glad this article gave P1's some insight on the situation. People keep knocking Corby and Rhyner but these guys have been hurt numerous times and it takes time to heal from lies and deception from a close friend. The show has soldiered on in Greggos abscence and what P1s should do is pray that Greggo is as OCD about being sober as he was about covering up his addiction. Peace....

Initially I was pissed at the ticket regulars for not accepting greggo back to the fold. However, how many times do you give someone to right themselves before drawing the line? Like has been said .... he was potentially killing their own jobs & success with his lies and unreliability. I think I would have cut ties with him too.

Greggo was dead weight as a radio host for at least 3 years before he left. Seems like people wish it was 1998 again. I like Corby, met him a few times and he was very nice and approachable. I wonder how many Greggo backers have ever been screwed over by a "friend" co-worker who was threatening their livelihood while living the "high" life. This could happen to anyone? This didn't happen, Greggo made choices.

"Why are all the comments about how terrible Corby is? Did we read the same article?"
I wonder the same thing, too. Did Corby put a gun to Greg's
head and shove blow up his nose?
What a bunch of friggin idiots you Snake-haters are.

Great Article.....I read it before Mike, Corby, & Danny discussed it on the air on Thursday afternoon. Both sides of the story have good & bad points. Greggo blew it, & knows it.....Now its time for Greggo to stop the pity party & move on with his life.....He is the one who as he said "Screwed the Pooch", & cost his friendship with the guys at the Ticket. He needs to realize that, sure he screwed himself, but he also was jepordizing his coworkers careers by what he was doing. He should expect that they are acting the way they are.

Thank you Ritchie for the good job

From previous comments i see that others feel the same way i do...there is clearly much healing that must occur for all parties involved. greggo, bless his heart, may not realize for a long time how much he hurt others, not just himself. we all know, when you screw up big you would do anything to make it all right immediately. nobody wants to go through the long process of healing and forgiveness. i hope that everyone can eventually forgive one another, more for each his own good than anything, and not because any of us deserve forgiveness, but because that's one of the responsibilities of being a human.
i really believe that the people most pissed at him now are the people who were hurt by him the most, and for good reason.
it's pretty obvious that the article overall lacks a true objective quality, but despite that, i understand where greggo's coming from.
as another P1-human-being i truly hope that everyone will be healed of all this. thoughts and prayers...

Wow, I never knew the depth of the behind the scenes story, and no idea how long The Ticket and the guys at The Ticket had put up with it. Great Story. I feel Greg needs alot more help or he's going to find himself in big trouble. Greg, think of your MOM and your SON the next time you pick up a GUN. How sad it would be to those 2 people, one who raised you, and the other you SHOULD HAVE HELPED raise. Give them a call, hug them, and keep them close.

i never liked greggo, but damn, rhyner, danny and corby sure our on their high horse. It is an addiction. Have they never been around anyone with an addiction? Jezz, it was the addiction that did all that to you poor mistreated radio dudes. What a bunch of whinning babies.

jezz

I became a "real" P1 in 2002, listening purposely on the web because when other radio listeners were hearing ads they played drops (I wish they still did). They were funny because of anything Greggo be it fake or not. He was a cog in a much bigger machine, his departure does not make it better or worse, just different. I know what he's going through and i hope he keeps his head up.

what Queerby is doing to the show is worse that anything the hammer could have done. THe guy didnt earn the position he is in and doesnt deserve it. It will take a few rating cycles for this to hit home. Now that this is out I will not longer listen.
Queerby sucks as a host

I've listened to the Ticket religiously for 15 years. Management should be ashamed of the way this fiasco was handled. The only input that should have been important was Mike's. He'd had enough...that much is clear. Still, they should have taken a little more time to take care of Greg. The was obviously having some problems. Corby said he asked him numerous times about his problem, only to be denied. Would you open up the the guy you thought was trying to take your job? He was an original Ticket guy for Pete's sake. Hardline totally sucks now. It is an un fortunate fact that The Colban and Mike Show ain't cuttin' the mustard. The Hammer will rise again. Be smart and bring him back before it's too late! More Norm and less Hardline...PLEASE! Go Cowboys!

For someone who's admittedly OCD, Hammer doesn't seem very compulsive about sobriety. He needs 6 months of in-patient treatment before he can start to think about rebuilding his live, let alone his career. Quit lying to yourself, Chief.

How many times were the Harldine boys supposed to turn a blind eye to the guy ruining his only life and endangering their livelihoods. Good grief, get off Corby, like he said today on the show, if he/Ryner/Danny wanted to bury Greggo they could have added a heckofalot more to this story. Very sad that he can;t see this.

Also, it seems obvious these guys put up with it as long as they possibly could and just finally got tired of it. I feel sad for Greggo that he can't see that.

Stay Hard Snake!

How many times were the Harldine boys supposed to turn a blind eye to the guy ruining his only life and endangering their livelihoods. Good grief, get off Corby, like he said today on the show, if he/Ryner/Danny wanted to bury Greggo they could have added a heckofalot more to this story. Very sad that he can;t see this.

Also, it seems obvious these guys put up with it as long as they possibly could and just finally got tired of it. I feel sad for Greggo that he can't see that.

Stay Hard Snake!

How can anyone rip the Hardline? So called "friends" don't put friends through that. No one knows what they went through day in and day out, yet they still performed and entertained. I hate Greggo is gone and I wish they would give one more chance, but that doesn't look like it will happen. I feel sorry for everyone involved. Very sad story.

Fantastic article Ritche, stunning! I hope you are a "plus one" again.

I wish Greggo all the luck in the world. I hope he beats his addictions. I hope he gets his ESPN job and has no more hiccups and retires when HE is ready. That being said, I enjoy "The Hardline" now more than ever. I have a music background so it may be that I enjoy more Danny, Corby, and Mike talk rather than "Hammer" talk. So anyway no offense to Greggo, I enjoy the new hardline more, but I hope Greggo lands on his feet and I hope he and Mike patch it up.

Godspeed Greg and
STAY HARD

Greggo I know what your going through, hang in there, because it will get easier.

remember when the hardline was good? back when we used to send faxes to them for "Fax fodder". back when gordo used to appear on the hardline. back when "danny from lake highlands" would contribute. back before money got to all their heads. i think ALL the original p-1's DO wish it was '98 again. whoever it was who said the lil ticket is no longer is dead on. its CHARTER BUSINESS KTCK. in the words of the one and ONLY original thor, "its over & i'm out".

Most shocking to me is how much money they make. I would have guessed, at most, $150,000 for a top local radio personality. It's sickening to think how much Corby is making. Gordo is probably clearing $1 million combined with the TV gig.

Why should the HL crew contact Williams when he refuses to admit his behavior was effecting the show and his relationship with the HL crew? For months he sat there like a bump on a log, disinterested and/or distracted during the show. Time after time when they would try to get some kind of indication that he was alive, he would make some point already made, ask what they were talking about or issue forth some "Do you like this gig?" gem. And he expects everyone to just accept his repeated lies. The fact is that Williams messed up the show, messed with his friends, and messed up himself. The only one of the 3 he seems to take responsibility for is messing up himself. He would do himself a big favore to complete a 12 step program.

Thanks for the update. I am however amazed at the people who are bashing his co-workers for not backing him and standing by his side. The guy is a full grown man and made by his own admission some really poor choices. I loved the Hardline and miss him being on there, however it is his own fault he is not on there. We need to start holding people accountable for their own actions and stop blaming everyone else for their mistakes. I'm glad he realizes his mistakes and hopefully moves on and is happy. I will continue to listen to the ticket as I have since it started.

I was a "P1 from day one" for the longest time and can remember their starting line-up the day they went on the air in January of 1994. After Greggo left it, it just wasn't the same station to me. I think Jeff Catlin has done a tremendous job of keeping things intact and the stalwarts like D and M, Norm, Bob and Dan continue to do great radio. The Hardline doesn't have much now. Corby was "ok" in short doses but a steady diet of Corby is waaaay too much for me. I have GAC on 103.3 for when it becomes too cumbersome to listen so I guess I am a P2? I have always suspected that Rhyner the whiner had a lot of sorriness to him and it seems that my suspicions were confirmed. Rhyner wouldn't have been near the success he has been without Greggo even with the chaos Greg's addictions caused. Seems that now that he has closure, he could find it within himself to look at the big picture. I wish Greg all the best and I will be tuning into his show, you can bet on that one.

I agree with the people who feel Greggo effed up and is now suffering the consequences - including losing some longtime friendships.

I had something similar happen at my job and I feel no obligation whatsoever to stay in contact with my "friend" who lied and lied, destroyed any trust anyone had in him and, eventually, was fired.

Come on, people! We're all adults. You sometimes have to shed yourself of energy-draining people who do nothing but disappoint and anger you.

Today's show retort was repetitive, but illuminating. Did Richie's failure to get a place on the show influence the tone of the article? As for Greggo, we all enjoyed his role as part of the "Radio Animal House" that the Ticket and especially the Hardline provides. Rhyner (not dead) seemed correct in one respect---that Greggo is a pathological liar and/or "fibber." Both the article and the show comments today showed that this problem got progressively worse, and was amplified by the drug abuse. However, it also seems that Greggo's claims about Rhyner's "shut-out" may have had some merit. You could almost hear Rhyner admitting as much to himself on the air. Mike's claim that "if a shutout occurred sometype of organized agreement must have been in effect" is not true. It is obvious that whatever Rhyner wants, he gets, and he seemed to have soured on Greggo before the "shutout." But the "shutout" did not justify Greggo's drug addiction or many of his other behaviors, as he seems to imply in the article. As for his future gig, good luck with all that. Greggo was never capable of carrying a show on his own, and his role as country bumpkin is already spoken for by Grandpa Urine. I always wondered if Greggo was angered when he was the butt of so many jokes and drops, as
I sometime wonder about Norm. For a half a million a year, I think most of us could find a way to take it.

I pray that Hammer will keep clean. I look forward to hearing him on the radio soon!

Great Article..I still listen to The HL, but it is sooo vanilla now. God I hate Corby...His role feels so forced. I can't understand what a friend, coworker or not, can do to make you abandon them when they need you the MOST.Don't give me this crap about "He threatened their livelihood".Ticket management wouldn't threaten their jobs because their coworker has a drug problem...George, Craig, Gordo, Norm--Plz keep in touch with Greggo..It can only help him. BTW, after seeing that Greggo is dating a woman of size, whatever happened to "You're fat, don't wantcha..."?

bottom line, greggo is an addict. addicts tell lies and do all sort of seedy things that affects them and the people around them. family, money, freindship, love, a great job, or the lose of said items can not keep an alcoholic or addict from doing the things we do. greggo HAS to accept those facts. his former co-workers have every right to be upset and disappointed. most people should get a second chance, that second chance is usually at another location or city. sounds like greggo had many second chances at the ticket. i hope he can move on and recover from his addiction. the recovered alcoholic/addict is a true miracle and will be a useful, helpful considerate and loving, person. i wish greggo the best

Great article!! Unbelievable story. Everyone needs to get
off Corby. Nobody stabbed Greggo in the back, he took himseld down while everyone around was trying to help. Now
that its too late he wants his friends support after he put them through hell. He heeds to put on the big boy pants and accept some responsibility. Seems like the Uptown "Cocaine and Boobjob Crowd" are the ones the Hammer chose to be his friends after 14 years at the Ticket. So who turned their back on who. I think the whole Ticket team has done a great job of working around and getting through this. Hang in there Corby, you have know the truth.

this has been going on a long time, and i'm sure Rhyner, Corby,Danny and the rest of the ticket guys were tired of watching him destroy himself and possibly them along with him. it's not like this was a one time issue it has been going on for years and friends can only take so much, with all the lying and drug use. the ticket is still great and I listen everyday. good luck greggo, you will need it.

i listened to the ticket from day one. i was a teenager when it started. i am 29 now and for all this to come about because of someones in ability to stay out of their own way is a shame. best wishes to greggo but i will listen to the hardline till the day the ticket dies.

I have been a P1 for years uncounted, AND I have been in the old Gray wolfs, Corby's, and Danny's position. My brother is a recovering cocaine addict. I went through with him all the stuff that these men went through with the Hammer. I can say what my brother did to my family, still hurts to this day. He can never be trusted or believed again. This is what the Hammer has done. NO ONE else is to blame here. What the Ticket and its personalities did is called tough love.

Greggo, I do miss you and I wish you well going forward.

My heart belongs to the ticket, especially the Hardline. To all you Corby bashers I say this: Lay off, he did nothing wrong. As the Hammer himself admits, it was his fault. God bless you all and stay HARD!

P.S. This was a good article, but I do not see how it was fair and balanced.

This story is obviously slanted against The Ticket/Hardline. Though I did enjoy the story, it is, as Ryhner said, nine months late. I wonder why that is? Could it be that the story really came together after it became apparent to Ritchie that he was not getting Grego's seat? Ritchie, I enjoy your work and love your blogging, but this is a bit one-sided. That being said, the most telling quote in the whole story comes from Mike regarding his plan to resign if Grego remained. This is the guy who brought this whole thing together saying he is done if his supposed friend stays. All you Corby and Mike bashers need to think about that. Grego had shit on them so many times that Mike was willing to walk away from what was essentially his child. I applaud them for sticking with him as long as they did.

Don't call a "meeting" to bash the guy and give him a false sense that he is keeping his job. If you are going to let someone go, fire them. Don't call what he thinks is an "intervention" along with offering him a one-more-chance contract with paycut, then get the gears in motion for his ouster. Who's idea was it to call the all-host meeting anyway? I don't blame him for getting lawyered up. The Ticket should've handled this better. Greg should've handled this better. There are no innocent parties here.

Interesting stuff. To me, the Hardline is not the same without Greggo, and never will be. Regardless of the details of the break-up, it saddens me to know I will never have the old show back. Cheering for you Hammer...

I worked at The Ticket for a short time and am a huge Gordo fan, so when I was asked to go marshal The Musers onto stage for an event...I got hero-worship stammer really bad and tried to force humorous comments. Made a putz of myself.

When Gordo was leaving, he made a point to tell me goodbye and even remembered my name. Say what you what you want about Gordo, he really is a genuine, intelligent, and thoughtful person, but with the soul of a clown.

Norm also gave me a "It's great...it's great!" when I was handing him an expense check.

The Hardline guys (sans Greggo) gave me uncomfortable and disapproving stares...

Stay Hard, P1's!

Having been a P1 since 6:00 a.m. January 24, 1994, I have listened to the ticket. Every January 27, I would call the Hardline, just so I could wish us both Happy Birthday. It's really easy to bash Mike and Corby, but we don't know all the facts. Before I came to Dallas, I had a best friend in Illinois that I denied having a serious alcohol problem. It didn't even phase me that he would have a 12 pack of Miller lite, for his drive from the western suburbs of Chicago to South Bend to see his sick Mother every weekend. He had numerous dui's, and had lost many jobs. Well I lost contact with him when I moved down here. A few years after I moved down here, another friend contacted me and told me he was arrested for mudering his mother-in-law. He's serving 45 years in a max facility outside of Pekin, IL. My point is that I don't think Greg will ever be off the stuff. I also think this ESPN gig is wishful thinking on his part.

I've always been a silent P1 (Don't wanna beat anybody down) since I was turned on to the ticket by a friend back somewhere around summer 1998. While coming back from the lake one friday evening I listened to this "The Hammer" guy drill these girls about their Boob size and also talked about the Cowboys and Rangers... I was hooked. After listening to all of the shows on the Ticket, I became engrossed to the point of wanting to find these guys and maybe gaze upon them from a far. I knew they'd probably be freaked out if I touched them but if I could just be near them, maybe that could appease my urges. I'll always be a Ticket Addict and does anyone know if the Hammer might let me touch him now? Since he's in a fragile state?
-Billy

500K? No wonder they come across that way. I think I will listen to another radio station. That whole common man schtick by all those guys really seems hollow now.

After first reading this article, I thought that it was an eye opener..However after listening to the Hardline's rebuttal this afternoon, there are still two very different sides of the story.

Unfortunately, Greggo admits that he is a liar and the Hardline pretty much confirmed that line of thinking.

I wish Greggo a healthy recovery, but I also think that he is delusional if he thinks that ESPN would come within 100 feet of him -- especially after this article..Anyone who is still throwing parties at their home with liquor being served is a walking time bomb. (Am I the only one who thinks that the has been a very long negotiation process when Witt first wrote about ESPN Negotiations several months back???

As for the Hardline, still listen, but not with the same enthusiasm..The show should be renamed "The Hardline featuring Corby the snake Davidson". I am sure that Corby is probably a great guy, but he tends to dominate the segments - at least IMO. What do I know though, the Show's ratings are through the roof.

Greggo vandalized a sanctuary and they tried to rebuild it with damaged parts. The only chemistry left is the 'poo' stories of mini-snake and Danny trying to chime in with an HSO from someone who plays occasionally in a garage band. Sports radio? Ummmm, not anymore. Done with both sides, moving on to talk radio.

There is something very odd about all this. In almost all cases in which there is a negotiated separation agreement following a dispute between the employer and the departing employee, the agreement contains what is called a “mutual nondisparagement provision.” The employee and the employer (which is usually defined to include all of the other employees of the employer) agree not to say unkind things about one another. This forbids not only false statements – it also prohibits anything that is materially critical or unflattering. Since both HeHoo and the Ticket are in the business of saying things in public, it is hard to believe that HeHoo’s separation agreement did not contain a clause to this effect.

HeHoo does say some uncomplimentary things about his former colleagues in the article, but what’s really startling are the statements made by the Hardline gents, especially on today’s presentation. To put the matter gently, they are disparaging HeHoo. Either (1) there was no nondisparagement provision in the settlement, which seems unlikely and, in which case, there was no reason not to discuss this on the air long before now; (2) the nondisparagement provision had a time limit, also unlikely; (3) the Hardline guys are absolutely unafraid of HeHoo coming after them for breach of the nondisparagement provision because of what additional information would come out; or (4) the Hardline guys are absolutely unafraid of Cumulus’s human resources and legal people who told them to dummy up about HeHoo.

I’m with the Hardline on this dustup – but the Ticket may soon be hearing from HeHoo’s esteemed counselors.

This is fantastic article by RW. First of all, its premature to call Corby and Mike Rhyner assholes for not helping their friend in a time of need when we do not really know what took place behind the scenes. If I had a radio dynasty in place and a long time friend is fucking it up by blowing coke in the bathroom during a break, I'd be a pissed off mfer too. Or maybe they are absolute dicks, who knows? Davidson and Rhyner get to use the radioshow as a sounding board without much of a rebutal from Greggo. He's left to having his words written by a guy who WAS TRYING TO FUCKING REPLACE HIM!!! Anywho, from a town who has Josh Hamilton, Milton Bradley, Josh Howard, (now) Gerald Green, Pacman Jones, Tank Johnson and Terrell Owens one must remember that its not what one has done, its what one has done for me lately. Good luck Greggo, stay hard you dumb fuck.

Three things...
First of all...I do thank Mr Whitt for this article. For those of us listeners who were there from the beginning, and who dreaded the thought of missing the Hardline back in the day...it gives great insight and dare I say, closure, to one of the darkest episodes in Ticket history.
Secondly...no matter how Mr Whitt portrays him, or how Greg Williams himself thinks...he is NOT a victim. I find it ironic that for a time Mike Rhyner was given the nickname "Hollywood", when all along it was Greggo who wanted to be Hollywood. Then again, who was one of Greggo's best friends among local atheletes? Raphael Palmiero. Hmmm...go figure. Birds of a feather, eh? I don't feel sorry for Greg Williams, not in the least. Until he realizes that he deserves the reaction he ultimately got from the friends he screwed...he'll never be recovered from his true problem.
Third...I hope Greg Williams does recover. But I think getting the job at the local ESPN affiliate would be prohibitive of that. He's still in denial if he thinks he coan ever be anything in this town again. He would be better served by leaving this area and starting new somewhere else. Just like Revo said to Raffy once..."don't go away angry, just go away"

Seriously?? You guys think a guy who repeatedly showed up high for work is the victim of Corby and Danny? You know what would happen if you did that at your job. I too wish the best for Greggo in his mission for sobriety. But an addict frequently looks to blame someone..anyone else. This is what Greggo does in his statements to Richie. Corby and Danny and Rhines' livelihood was at stake and they had taken years of bad behavior we don't even know about. To villify them for not calling Greggo is ridiculous. They tried to be friends when it counted. Everything else Greggo did to himself. Lay off Corby and Danny!

How can anyone rip the Hardline? The attacks on Corby and the crew are from uneducated morons. A so-called "friend" doesn't put his friends/coworkers through that even with drug and mental problems. No one knows exactly what they went through day in and day out, yet they still performed and entertained. I hate Greggo is gone and would love to see a reunion. I feel sorry for everyone involved. And for those idiots who feel like attacking Corby's nuts why don't you suck'em instead!!!!!

Nice article. I really didn't know the whole story (and still don't I'm sure) until today. Mike and Corby did 3 segments today. I get both sides. Miss Greggo though. Too bad! Hardline will never be as good as it once was. Mike is getting tired. I can tell this whole thing has really hurt him. I still listen to the Hardline but, it's just out of habit and Corby's bits. Mike needs someone who loves baseball and is closer to his age maybe. Still a P1 but, it's getting to be average drive-time radio. Might punch out and check other options if things stay as they are now. Hope Greggo gets a new radio job because he's a good co-host. I'll check him out if so.

I still blame Greggo for EVERYTHING. I now understand Corby's refusal to call Greggo, but he should have at least explained to Richie why instead of blowing him off. Corby is NOT co-host material! Give Rhyner a knowledgible sports guy as a co-host instead of an immature snot. I still listen because nothing else is on when I drive home and I still THINK better things are coming. Wake up Cat!!!

The truth is all anyone asks for..noone in this story should feel like the handled anything wrong..addiction is a personal and interpersonal issue. I support all those who told their side of the truth and others who didn't feel right commenting. Richie job well done.

Excellent article. I didn't hear the Hardline show today. Bring Greggo into studio or have him call in, if it's not against any "settlement" issues. Then we'll see who can man up, who has owned up and who's not much of a man. I know the current "Hardline" says they don't owe the P1 anything, but I sure would like to hear a so called one on one, without the snide remarks and Greggo not being able to respond. If Corby's a man, man up!

It sounds like Greggo's cohosts have been covering him for years. There is only so much a person can take but I hope these guys can be friends again someday. Corby is doing good stuff and put his time in to earn a spot. There is nothing bad to say about "the snake" except that he looks like the guy everyone used to beat up in middle school. Good article and stay hard!

I have been a P1 for as long as I can remember. I can't stand hearing Corby and Danny talk about their friends in the music biz and their opinions regarding music and such.
Neither guy brings anything to the table but over inflated egos.
Danny, Your band sucks...Neil Young did that shit 30 years ago.
And BTW Robert Wilonsky brings nothing when he is on either
I don't really give a shit about anything those three have to talk about...Sorry Robert but the only reason you stay busy is because Bobby Wygant can't drive anymore...Please give us all a break

Richie
resist the temptation. Everything that could be said has been said. Everyone wants more dirt to support their personal beliefs.
Time to move on.

This has been quite a difficult situation for all parties involved in this, including listeners, myself as well. I, like so many, am really pulling for Greggo to get well. I really miss hearing him and Rhyner's great chemistry. I have tried to hang in there with the new bastardized format of the Hardline but after the disgustingly unprofessional, immature, backstabbing low blows I've heard in the recent past, and most of all, today, I AM FINISHED WITH THEM. I don't care about details! Drug problems and the toll they take are a normal part of life these days. I loved them all, but was not ready to hear the cannibalism that I heard today. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. The Scarredline could have taken the high road on this, but didn't. I am sickened by the unneccesary shit they said. I heard the last of those asses today... Greggo,cheer up, look up, and get up, love you bro.

Go Greggoo. I played ball against you / J'boro - - Do what you need to do. I am with you. Thanks for your years.
Russell

Well, I lived with a coke-head for a few years and how many times did I hear the "I didn't hurt anybody but myself" and my favorite "I'm in control" bullshit. Sorry dude, you made your bed and everybody in your "old life" got sick of it. Cut out the middle-man and use the bullet before you start hurting your new friends. I have absolutely no forgiveness for people like you.

This article, coupled with the Hardline's comments on the show earlier today(check the Ticket Top 10 Podcast if you did not hear them), really delves into the coke-fueled world Greg was in. No doubt he was FUBAR'd, however the fact that he was a pathological liar and made false accusations that Mike and Corby tried to keep him out of the show just further illustrate some demons The Hammer still has to deal with. However, those are for another day. Richie, you did a great job writing this article. Kudos and much love goes out to you for giving the P1s a peek into the mystery world that was the Hammer Debacle.

Hey Richie,
How about getting your nose out of Greggo's jock? The dude is playin everyone to drum up interest in his new radio show. He is a high maintenance pain the ass to work with, that is obvious. And anyone that would piss away 500k for doing nothing more than farting around on sports radio is a true idiot. I have no sympathy for him. I have a teenage son that has been in and out of rehab for heroin. He was in residential rehab for 45 days. Greggo's 4 day stay for coke was nothing more than window dressing. And the line that he had to pay 32 grand for medical costs just breaks my f'in heart. I had to cash out my 401k to pay for my son's rehab. Drink it up saps. I loved Greggo when he was at his best. But he did this to himself. Corby, Danny, Mike, are not to blame. Greg Williams is to blame. Let's be accountable for our own actions, we are all grown ups here.

Excellent article. What a tough situation for everyone. As an addict, Greggo caused a lot of grief for those close to him. Addicts can be so destructive. For his co workers, expecially those on the Hardline, their careers were somewhat tied to his. It appears they tried repeatedly to get him to admit he had a problem and he repeatedly lied to them. All the while causing the show to suffer (i thought it was suffering). I think their anger is justified. His lifestyle and deception could have jeopardized their ability to make a living and support their families.
I hope Greggo is contrite and sincere in his recovery, and can at least make amends personally with those guys at "The Ticket". Everyone deserves a second chance, especially after they lay their guts out on the table own up to their lies and say, "I'm sorry". I hope to hear The Hammer somewhere on the radio dial soon.

As a wise man once said, "If you sh#t on people enough, expect to get some splatter." That is what happen. If you lie and deceive long enough, you will find yourself alone. I hope Greggo makes it, but my real sympathies lie with the remaining Hardline crew. There lives were upended and their success threatened by Greggo. They wanted to help him, but he would never admit the problem. What else can anyone do to help a grown man. Sooner or later, you have to let go or you will fall along with them. Keep up the good work Hardliners. I'm with you!

What a great article. It really helps explain a lot. I thought Greggo was partially retarded, given the off-the-wall comments he'd make that made it sound like he wasn't even listening to his own show. And I was getting so tired of Mike's on-air apathy. It really turned me off to the point where I'd turn off the show. But now I know what Mike was going through and I understand.

Where does Greggo get off saying that the rest of the guys were talking about him on the air? I didn't know ANY of this until GREGGO contributed to the writing of this article. It will be interesting to get the Musers' take when they return.

Though Rhyner predictably disparaged it Thursday afternoon, Richie did a great job with this story. It might have sounded a lot more even-handed, Rhynes, if your boys Corby and Danny had contributed to the piece. Corby said that he wanted to "protect the guy" and had nothing to contribute further to the article, but how does he know? He didn't know what Richie wanted to ask him. To decline comment was cowardly, and he deserves all the criticism he's getting.
Have these guys ever had someone in their immediate family who was suffering from addiction? You can't judge an addict by normal standards. Lying is a highly common symptom of an addict. And most of all, an addict lies about his own addiction.
Corby seems to base his rejection of Greggo on the four times that he tried to get Greggo to admit his cocaine use. But addicts often deny that they're addicted to anything, and especially to a co-worker (who may tell the entire office) and *very* especially to a co-worker that you privately fear is trying to take over your job.
It was sad to hear Rhyner, et al, Thursday acting like THEY were the victims. It's classic behavior that family members frequently turn to when having to confront their addicted loved one. That doesn't make it excusable, either.
I sympathize with their concerns about how Greggo was hurting their show. But they handled it as improperly as Greggo did. Someone should have demanded that Greggo be admitted into a hospital. An ambush by any name (or email) is still an ambush, and the famous roundtable confrontation (un-moderated) is exactly what responsible friends shouldn't do.
As for the Corby Conundrum, I never gave it much credence -- until I heard Rhyner, Corby and Danny so vehemently deny it Thursday afternoon. Talk about covering your asses.
Rhyer couldn't see it, because he was so glad to be rid of Greggo and he had to keep telling Cat that everything, sans Greggo, was going to be fine.
Corby won't admit it, because his ego doesn't allow him to see that steamrolling (or belittling) everything around him is engrained in his personality.
The same thing happened with Chris Arnold's show. Corby's voice in the show grew and grew until it overpowered Chris'. Listeners just stopped listening, and the show was canceled.
Now, I fear, the same thing is happening with the Hardline. Rhyner won't admit it because Rhyner won't admit he's wrong -- certainly not on this one. But anyone who listens can see that Corby has taken over the show. And he ain't that good.
The show may have done OK on the most recent ratings period, but that's because old habits die hard. I used to listen every day, even for the first months after Greggo was gone. Now, I have found that I can very much do without the show. I simply don't care to hear what Corby has to say. You guys screwed up big-time.
Blame Greggo, if you must. He certainly deserves it. But I haven't heard any of you blame yourselves for not handling this properly, like the addiction case that it was.
The ultimate casualty in all this, I'm afraid, is eventually going to be the radio show.

Well, I wish Greggo much luck and success in recusitating his career. Lying is part of addiction, but that is not an excuse. I understand why Corby "turned his back" on Greggo, especially after hearing Corby's explanation on The Hardline yesterday. You get to a point where enough is enough. With Greggo stoned more often than not, wouldn't it be natural that conversations on the air would have veered off without his input?? I think one day Rhyner, Corby, etc. will be able to forgive what happened and I think that would be a good thing. I personally love The Hardliners, couldn't imagine how things would be without The Hammer, but must say I am even more a fan now. The chemistry between Rhyner, Corby & Danny is fantastic and I can tell that Rhyns feels a weight lifted after Greggo's "leaving". Richie, am disappointed in your obvious disdain for Corby, etc. still at The Ticket. Kudos for Greggo for finally getting his life back on track, but totally wrong for blaming others for their own disappointment in him. I love the new Hardline and wish them continued success. This is one P1 that hasn't missed Greggo as much as I thought, but will probably listen to his new show. Good luck Greggo!

It all comes down to this, Greggo has to pay the piper. The Ticket was justified in everything they did. Hopefully all souls combined will reunite one day (reference Jerry, Jimmy, Barry, Larry) and realize the good times outweighed the bad.

Stay Hard Greggo.

Great article. It shows both sides of the story, but Greggo still sounds like a pathetic drug addict that is FULL of pity stories and excuses. Wah...I want to be a loser and snort coke off of a fithly shit stained toilet seat and drag down everyone that I work with because they don't want to cater to my insecurities.

it is good to get this story out and hear some of both sides
i am sure there is a lot still the listeners don't know.
so for all you redneck corby haters f-you the guy has done a remarkable job stepping in . and if you did not hear corby say he would rather be the third guy he has no problem in that position, and i belive him.hammer was very limited as far as range of sports,corby can hang with most!
while hammer was here i could not stand the rhyner,now i can handle him, and i think danny is a great addition.
so stay hard,keep jammin we'll see ya!

I don't understand all the hate being thrown at the rest of Hardline (Wolf, Corby, Danny). ALL of us have had friendships that last years, theirs with Greggo was what, 14 years? How long do ANY of you think you could have lasted in a toxic friendship like this (lying, drug use, work incompetence). All of this endangered what the rest of the Hardline have tried to build over the years. After enduring this type of behaviour for years, and all the help they tried to provide being dismissed, what else would you expect? They don't need another voice on the show, those 3 do it justice. Besides, BAD radio is the king :)

Screw Corby! Greggo messed up, but the Snake is a big time backstabber. All of that BS yesterday "I have so many friends that i care about" ..... Please spare us Snake, and the sooner you are off the air the better the little Ticket will be.

Where do I send my resume? In the immortal words of George Costanza.....I'm back baby!

This whole thing is Days of our Lifes with different actors. Is Corby sleeping with Danny? Will Groove's long lost daughter be his new wife? Does Mike's twin sister need his brain matter for a sex change? Greggo's dead...or is he? Blah blah blah. Get a new co-host and move on.