Randy Merkin has written his second book for Eckhartz Press. This one is called Beyond the Glass: More Stories from a Sports Radio Producer. We recently sat down with Randy and talked to him about his new book, which is available now!
EP: This book and your previous book both began as a video project. Just you sitting in a chair in your living room telling stories about your days as a sports radio producer. What inspired you to begin that process?
Randy: The inspiration behind the books is an interesting tale. When I was producing Waddle and Silvy, they always told me my guest booking stories would make a great podcast. When Mike Thomas started as Market Manager at ESPN 1000 in January of 2020, he told me I need to become more active on social media. I thought the guest booking stories would be a perfect way to get more involved in social media. The biggest challenge was keeping all the stories under 2:20. Then you, Rick, reached out and said these stories would make a great book. I am forever grateful that you did!
EP: While there are obvious similarities between your two books, this book is also different. How is it different and why did you choose to do that?
Randy: I felt like the first book, Behind The Glass, was an introduction about who I am and included guest-booking stories and behind-the-scenes of what it takes to be a successful producer. Beyond the Glass is more about me and what shaped me, not only as a sports radio producer, but also as a person. I share some stories about people who have been influential in my life.
EP: Let’s go to the elevator-pitch portion of the program. You are stuck in an elevator and have only a few seconds to tell someone why they should buy this book. Pick your four or five favorite stories from this book, and give them to us in abbreviated form.
Randy: It’s tough to pick just 4 or 5 stories. It’s like picking your favorite child! But, here you go…-Frank Dipino-I was on a high from the Cubs winning the division and finding Frank and waking him in Pittsburgh was fantastic.-Kevin McHale. No story defines me and what it takes to get the guest no matter how tough it is than the Kevin McHale story.-Randy Moss-I loved doing the research to find a hook to book Randy Moss. It warmed my heart to learn what a great person he was.-James Caan- This is a top 5 guest booking story ever, even though the actual interview was bad.-Dennis Rodman-It was actually a great Lunch with a Legend. However, many never heard it because of all the swearing.
EP: Your wife Beth is a big part of this whole process. I know you’d like to give her a shout out for all she has done on these two projects.
Randy: Everyone should be so lucky to have someone as amazing as Beth in their lives. I could write a whole book on how great she is. Neither book would have ever been written without her help! I probably don’t get dressed each day without her help! She is the best.
EP: This is your second book now, and you’ve told something like 200 stories about booking famous athletes/celebrities. Is this it? Do you still have some more?
Randy: To quote Clubber Lang in Rocky III, “I got a lot a more!”
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