The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RCN or any other agency, organization, employer or company.
Ask people around the Lehigh Valley who Kevin Schutts is and they probably will give you a blank stare. Ask almost anyone in the Valley if they know “Bearman” and, first, they will smile and then they will tell you about the Bearman and Keith. Kevin and Bearman are one in the same.
You probably know by now that Bearman passed away this weekend. It was sudden and unexpected. The Valley woke up Monday morning in shock. I turned on WZZO-95.1 this morning and there was only music. I am sure Keith, much like Bearman’s family and the listening audience, was devastated.
Years ago (I am not good at dates), the RCN marketing department asked me if I would be willing to go on the radio once a week and be part of the Bearman and Keith show. I hesitated, but it was obvious the RCN wanted the exposure and they were going to be a major sponsor. I accepted and my life changed dramatically.
There was bad news. Every Monday morning, I had to get up at 5:30 AM in order to be at the ZZO studio by 8:00 AM. It also meant sleepless Sunday nights as I wracked my brain thinking of what I would say that anyone would find interesting. And, to add to my discomfort, Bearman and Keith were crazy. I had no idea what would come out of their mouths and, early on, I had no idea what they wanted me to talk about. Sometimes they would lead me down a path that I knew RCN would not be comfortable with me traveling. They always kept me on my toes.
My anxiety was relieved immediately. They were two of the nicest people I had worked with. They wanted me to talk sports, but in some humorous fashion. That was easy because they always looked at life in a very quirky way. And their audience was vast and loyal. If I was their friend, then the audience became my friend.
I am not sure when, but early on Bearman started introducing me as “Gar-eeee Lauuu-bach!” Boy, did that catch on. I could not go anywhere without someone shouting it out when they saw me. Their influence in the Valley was unbelievable. For example, one summer, my wife and I were on a cruise in the middle of the Caribbean waiting to get on an elevator on the ship. The doors opened, a woman stepped out, gave me a look and screamed, “Gar-eeee Lauuu-bach!” To say the least, my wife was flabbergasted. I was just in awe of the power of those two guys. It still follows me to this day. Some people still ask me if I am on. I have not been on for years.
After doing the show for awhile, the boys asked me to come on Friday mornings to make NFL picks for the Steelers, Giants, Jets, and Eagles. I could phone it in at 8:00 am. Raymond the Amish comic was in the studio most Fridays and all we did was laugh. I could plug our weekend football games and start my morning with a big smile on my face. And I know the audience loved it. They would say so.
It’s been described that the show was “two goofy guys doing goofy things”. That pretty much sums it up. And it was unique, sometimes off the wall, and always entertaining. And a final word about Keith. Over the years, I have lost two of my long-time sidekicks – Bob Gehris and Dick Tracy. When they passed, our on-air time had already ended. Their decline was gradual and their passing not unexpected. It was still devastating. It is hard for me to imagine the pain Keith must be feeling. You cannot mention one’s name without the other. They were joined together, not at the hip, but at the lip! I wish him the very best emotionally and vocationally.
I know the Valley and I will smile a little less each morning now as we drive to work.
May Kevin “Bearman” Schutts rest in peace.
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSING)
- It appears that we will know about Bryce Harper this week, perhaps, as early as Tuesday. The Nationals offered him a 10-year, $300 million contract which he turned down. It appears the Phillies have the best chance of getting him to sign. Worth it? He would be a Phillie until he was 36 years old. After signing Andrew McCutchen and J. T. Realmuto, the excitement and the pressure could be dramatic and overwhelming.
- Is this the year the Golden State Warriors do NOT win the NBA title? The Milwaukee Bucks have won nine of the last 10. The Warriors are banged up and losing, but don’t count them out. When they are healthy, they are the best.
- Portland was in town to play the Sixers on Saturday night. This allowed Portland’s and Lehigh’s C J McCollum to attend the ceremony to retire his number at Stabler Arena on Sunday afternoon. He is having a great pro career and certainly will be remembered as one of the best to ever put on a Patriot League uniform.
- I watched the Flyers play the Penguins outdoors at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday night. 70,000 fans were there. It was raining the entire game, so I hope the fans stayed until the end. The Flyers were down 3-1 before they made their comeback, tying the game with 19.7 seconds on the clock. It took just one minute and 59 seconds to score the game winner in overtime. It may not be good enough to get the Flyers into the playoffs, but it kept them alive.
- District basketball championships will be decided this week on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Seeds #11, #7, #5, and #1 are still alive in the 6A boys’ bracket. Crazy year.
