WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:03.131 (female announcer) This is a production of WKNO-Memphis. 00:03.131 --> 00:06.464 Production funding for "Sports Files" is made possible in part 00:06.464 --> 00:12.464 by.. 00:14.798 --> 00:17.531 My guest today on "Sports Files" is world renowned angler, 00:17.531 --> 00:20.731 outdoorsman and Television host Bill Dance. 00:20.731 --> 00:37.864 ♪♪♪ 00:37.864 --> 00:41.098 We often toss around the term "legend" as if it's commonplace. 00:41.098 --> 00:42.798 But in reality, legendary status, 00:42.798 --> 00:45.731 in any walk of life, is not easily attainable. 00:45.731 --> 00:48.564 Earlier this summer on "Sports Files" I was joined by a true 00:48.564 --> 00:50.798 coaching legend in Gene Stallings. 00:50.798 --> 00:52.931 And you won't get much of an argument from anyone. 00:52.931 --> 00:55.131 Today I'm joined by a true legend of the outdoors, 00:55.131 --> 00:56.131 Bill Dance. 00:56.131 --> 00:59.231 In fact, Dance is perhaps the most recognizable name and face 00:59.231 --> 01:00.731 in the industry. 01:00.731 --> 01:03.464 Time to stroll down memory lane and reel in the big one with the 01:03.464 --> 01:06.531 man who made the U-T baseball cap fashionable, 01:06.531 --> 01:09.264 Bill Dance, next on "Sports Files". 01:09.264 --> 01:17.331 ♪♪♪ 01:17.331 --> 01:17.731 Well Bill, thank you so much for joining us. 01:17.731 --> 01:19.398 Good to be here. 01:19.398 --> 01:20.398 We appreciate ya. 01:20.398 --> 01:22.931 When you were a youngster and you're starting to fish and 01:22.931 --> 01:25.231 you're going the opposite way of your father, 01:25.231 --> 01:27.464 grandfather and great-grandfather who were all 01:27.464 --> 01:31.531 doctors, did you ever think you'd make a career out of it? 01:31.531 --> 01:36.598 You know I always dreamed of wanting to make a career in 01:36.598 --> 01:39.231 fishing because I loved the sport so much. 01:39.231 --> 01:42.864 But I never dreamed it would become a reality. 01:42.864 --> 01:44.164 I never did. 01:44.164 --> 01:46.764 But you know my wife always told me, 01:46.764 --> 01:49.798 if you set your mind to something and set goals and work 01:49.798 --> 01:52.464 toward those goals, it's amazing what you can accomplish. 01:52.464 --> 01:54.098 You know I had.. 01:54.098 --> 01:59.164 I had all intentions in the world to become a doctor 01:59.164 --> 02:02.098 because, you know, my father was a doctor. 02:02.098 --> 02:03.498 My granddaddy, my great-granddaddy, 02:03.498 --> 02:04.531 for five generations. 02:04.531 --> 02:05.964 Right down the line. 02:05.964 --> 02:06.998 Yeah, they were. 02:06.998 --> 02:09.998 But I came along and I changed diretions. 02:09.998 --> 02:14.531 And I saw a real bad wreck in a motorcycle wreck. 02:14.531 --> 02:15.831 Just about in that curve of life. 02:15.831 --> 02:22.098 And I looked at it and I said, "I can not do this." 02:22.098 --> 02:26.564 And my parents didn't persuade me either way. 02:26.564 --> 02:31.364 And I'm kind of glad that I went the direction I did. 02:31.364 --> 02:34.531 So you start fishing and you start competing in things. 02:34.531 --> 02:38.698 You eventually get your first show in the late '60s here in 02:38.698 --> 02:39.698 Memphis. 02:39.698 --> 02:44.298 What was that moment that you realized you've gone from just a 02:44.298 --> 02:48.731 competitive angler to now almost an icon? 02:48.731 --> 02:51.098 And of course you are but when was that moment when you knew 02:51.098 --> 02:52.698 that, "People are watching me. 02:52.698 --> 02:54.664 "They care what I'm doing." 02:54.664 --> 02:57.331 Well you know every year, you know, 02:57.331 --> 02:59.164 it just seemed to get bigger and bigger. 02:59.164 --> 03:01.364 When one door closed, another one would open. 03:01.364 --> 03:05.764 I never dreamed that it would get as big as it's actually 03:05.764 --> 03:06.764 gotten. 03:06.764 --> 03:07.764 It's.. 03:07.764 --> 03:12.198 You know you're only as good as the people you work with. 03:12.198 --> 03:15.364 And I've been very, very blessed over the years. 03:15.364 --> 03:17.031 We've been doing this 46 years. 03:17.031 --> 03:21.198 And it's just grown and grown and grown, 03:21.198 --> 03:22.198 literally. 03:22.198 --> 03:23.198 I mean it really has. 03:23.198 --> 03:25.631 Besides all the people that help you out behing the scenes and 03:25.631 --> 03:26.631 you're right. 03:26.631 --> 03:29.364 It takes a lot of people to put on these shows. 03:29.364 --> 03:32.131 But what would you say individually your key to success 03:32.131 --> 03:34.398 was as an angler, as a fisherman. 03:34.398 --> 03:35.398 Just being a very good.. 03:35.398 --> 03:37.464 And then also as a businessman. 03:37.464 --> 03:41.098 Well you know the fishing tournaments that came along back 03:41.098 --> 03:42.098 in the late '60s. 03:42.098 --> 03:46.098 And that's what really kickstarted Bill Dance's career. 03:46.098 --> 03:51.531 I was extremely lucky back in those days. 03:51.531 --> 03:54.531 I did extremely well in those tournaments in the early days. 03:54.531 --> 03:57.531 And I always dreamed of going to work for a national lure 03:57.531 --> 03:58.731 manufacturer. 03:58.731 --> 04:04.631 And I had, in the late '60s, I competed in a few of national 04:04.631 --> 04:05.631 bass tournaments. 04:05.631 --> 04:12.398 And as luck would have it, the first three I competed in, 04:12.398 --> 04:15.098 I finished second in the first three. 04:15.098 --> 04:19.131 And then I went on the following year. 04:19.131 --> 04:23.464 I went ot Smith Lake in Alabama and I won it. 04:23.464 --> 04:26.231 Then I went to Ross-Barnett down in Jackson, 04:26.231 --> 04:27.598 Mississippi and I won it. 04:27.598 --> 04:30.564 And then I went to Rayburn, Texas and I won it. 04:30.564 --> 04:31.564 So I won. 04:31.564 --> 04:34.264 I had three seconds and then in came in boom-boom-boom with 04:34.264 --> 04:35.664 three firsts. 04:35.664 --> 04:39.131 And I had a tremendous amount of support. 04:39.131 --> 04:42.498 And I had three phone calls with them in the next two weeks from 04:42.498 --> 04:45.031 three national lure manufactureres -- One in 04:45.031 --> 04:49.331 Florida, one in Texas and one of the oldest lure manufacturers 04:49.331 --> 04:53.598 called Head and Tackle Company, the company that made a lot of 04:53.598 --> 04:56.431 the old standard baits, the lucky 13. 04:56.431 --> 04:59.164 Just old-timey baits. 04:59.164 --> 05:02.698 And one of the companies in Texas, 05:02.698 --> 05:06.131 the originator of the plastic worm company that a lot of 05:06.131 --> 05:07.831 people probably don't remember. 05:07.831 --> 05:09.098 A lot of the old timers remember. 05:09.098 --> 05:10.398 But plastic. 05:10.398 --> 05:12.531 A company called Creme Lure Comapany. 05:12.531 --> 05:14.898 Nick Creme was the originator of the plastic worm. 05:14.898 --> 05:18.264 And 50% of the fish I was watching back in those days was 05:18.264 --> 05:20.331 probably on the plastic worm. 05:20.331 --> 05:23.598 And Nick and Cosma Creme invited Diane and I to come to Tyler, 05:23.598 --> 05:26.831 Texas. 05:26.831 --> 05:28.064 And we went down and spent the weekend with them. 05:28.064 --> 05:30.431 And I accepted a job to go to work. 05:30.431 --> 05:35.498 He offered me a company vehicle, double my salary. 05:35.498 --> 05:38.931 And oh, it was just a dream come true. 05:38.931 --> 05:41.731 Yeah, you've already accomplished your dream there. 05:41.731 --> 05:44.531 That was just the start of it. 05:44.531 --> 05:47.031 Yeah, it was just absolutely unbelievable. 05:47.031 --> 05:53.564 So and he wanted me to fish and take key buyers out and show 05:53.564 --> 05:56.764 them how to use his products. 05:56.764 --> 06:00.298 And to come to Rayburn, Dakota to lead a bin, 06:00.298 --> 06:05.164 stay down there a week at a time and show his buyers how to rig 06:05.164 --> 06:06.164 worms. 06:06.164 --> 06:09.731 And they came out with these worm kits and Texas rig kits and 06:09.731 --> 06:12.964 packages and fish with sports writers then to continue fishing 06:12.964 --> 06:13.964 in tournaments. 06:13.964 --> 06:15.898 You got the best of both worlds. 06:15.898 --> 06:16.898 Absolutely. 06:16.898 --> 06:18.498 And then the sport started to explode. 06:18.498 --> 06:19.498 Right. 06:19.498 --> 06:21.098 And then I was fishing, you know. 06:21.098 --> 06:23.998 And then he was putting his products in stores. 06:23.998 --> 06:27.564 I was doing store promotions and seminars and teaching people how 06:27.564 --> 06:28.864 to use their products. 06:28.864 --> 06:30.164 I got to thinking. 06:30.164 --> 06:33.764 I said, "You know if I can do this for him, 06:33.764 --> 06:35.698 I can do it for myself." 06:35.698 --> 06:36.998 And then we, uh.. 06:36.998 --> 06:40.331 Is that when the idea came for the show? 06:40.331 --> 06:42.664 Well it was a little bit before then. 06:42.664 --> 06:49.064 And then my buddy and I started a company called Striking Lure 06:49.064 --> 06:50.064 Company. 06:50.064 --> 06:54.431 And this was back in the late '60s. 06:54.431 --> 06:56.898 And tried that for a short period of time and it just 06:56.898 --> 06:59.531 didn't really pan out with.. 06:59.531 --> 07:03.098 I was fishing tournaments and wasn't really devoting the time 07:03.098 --> 07:05.831 to it as much as I could have. 07:05.831 --> 07:08.198 And finally fishing with the writers, 07:08.198 --> 07:10.464 fishing with the buyers, fishing tournaments, 07:10.464 --> 07:13.831 getting a lot of publicity and everything, 07:13.831 --> 07:16.331 And he was trying to run the business and it was kind of 07:16.331 --> 07:17.298 lop-sided. 07:17.298 --> 07:24.731 And finally I just said, "Look, we tried it for a year or so." 07:24.731 --> 07:27.398 And just like I said, it didn't pan out too good. 07:27.398 --> 07:30.564 So anyway I had a call from another major lure company. 07:30.564 --> 07:33.898 And he said, "Look, we want you to come to work for us." 07:33.898 --> 07:37.231 And I told my buddy with the lure company with Striking.. 07:37.231 --> 07:40.731 I said, "Look, you just take it and go with it." 07:40.731 --> 07:41.731 You're moving on. 07:41.731 --> 07:43.198 I'm moving on. 07:43.198 --> 07:45.364 And he did extrmely well with it. 07:45.364 --> 07:46.364 Oh, good. 07:46.364 --> 07:47.564 And I moved on. 07:47.564 --> 07:50.331 We started a local TV show right after that. 07:50.331 --> 07:53.298 Well let's jump ahead because there's so much to get in to. 07:53.298 --> 07:59.131 Foir those people who know Bill Dance Outdoors but maybe don't 07:59.131 --> 08:00.331 know about a new show. 08:00.331 --> 08:03.098 You're involved in a number of shows and a new one coming on 08:03.098 --> 08:04.098 Discovery. 08:04.098 --> 08:06.064 Tell everybody where they can find you in the shows that you 08:06.064 --> 08:07.298 do in a year. 08:07.298 --> 08:09.031 Well we run year-round. 08:09.031 --> 08:13.198 We do our freshwater series on N-B-C Sports, 08:13.198 --> 08:15.798 You can find us weekdays. 08:15.798 --> 08:20.964 You can find us on the weekend on N-B-C Sports. 08:20.964 --> 08:24.764 And our saltwater series, we're on through the week and we're on 08:24.764 --> 08:26.964 the weekend on the Outdoor Channel. 08:26.964 --> 08:31.464 And starting late December in the first of the year, 08:31.464 --> 08:34.731 we'll be on Destination America which is one of Discovery 08:34.731 --> 08:35.731 Channels. 08:35.731 --> 08:39.298 And so we'll be running I don't know how many times. 08:39.298 --> 08:44.698 We run on that network about three times a week and then four 08:44.698 --> 08:49.298 or five times a week on N-B-C Sports and three times a week on 08:49.298 --> 08:50.298 the Outdoor Channel. 08:50.298 --> 08:51.598 So it keeps us.. 08:51.598 --> 08:53.231 It keeps ya really busy! 08:53.231 --> 08:54.864 More opportunties to see it. 08:54.864 --> 08:56.498 Does it ever get old? 08:56.498 --> 08:57.498 No, it doesn't. 08:57.498 --> 09:00.464 The have-to situations sometimes get old when you're bent, 09:00.464 --> 09:04.398 when you're pressured that you have to get this done and you're 09:04.398 --> 09:05.698 trying to meet deadlines. 09:05.698 --> 09:06.698 Time restraints, right? 09:06.698 --> 09:07.698 But we've got.. 09:07.698 --> 09:10.998 Like I say, we've got great editors. 09:10.998 --> 09:13.231 We've got a lot of talented people that work real, 09:13.231 --> 09:14.231 real hard. 09:14.231 --> 09:15.231 You can tell. 09:15.231 --> 09:16.231 You can tell by the finished product. 09:16.231 --> 09:19.031 Alright, let's do some rapid fire. 09:19.031 --> 09:20.898 Quick answers to these questions. 09:20.898 --> 09:25.564 Your favorite salt water fishing hole or place to do salt water 09:25.564 --> 09:28.664 and then your favorite freshwater place to fish. 09:28.664 --> 09:30.764 Well you know I've got a lot of them. 09:30.764 --> 09:32.731 People say, "Where's your favorite?" 09:32.731 --> 09:34.264 Well it's where ever I can catch fish. 09:34.264 --> 09:37.098 But I love the Florida Keys. 09:37.098 --> 09:38.098 Absolutely. 09:38.098 --> 09:40.898 I just got back from the Keys. 09:40.898 --> 09:44.698 I love the area from down toward Marathon. 09:44.698 --> 09:49.598 It depends on the particular specie that I'm fishing for. 09:49.598 --> 09:55.564 I love that area through there from Marathon down through 09:55.564 --> 10:02.731 Grassy Keys on down toward Key West. 10:02.731 --> 10:04.798 That area, I love for saltwater. 10:04.798 --> 10:06.598 I love the Destin area. 10:06.598 --> 10:09.764 I'm crazy about the Destin area. 10:09.764 --> 10:10.764 Freshwater? 10:10.764 --> 10:11.964 No, for saltwater? 10:11.964 --> 10:13.631 No, no, no. 10:13.631 --> 10:14.731 For freshwater? 10:14.731 --> 10:15.731 Ah! 10:15.731 --> 10:18.864 I grew up fishing moving water and I love moving water. 10:18.864 --> 10:20.264 I love the Tennessee River. 10:20.264 --> 10:23.064 I love Pickwick Lake. 10:23.064 --> 10:26.564 Pickwick lake is just close to us right here. 10:26.564 --> 10:28.798 It's an hour and 45 minutes. 10:28.798 --> 10:30.331 Easy to get to. 10:30.331 --> 10:35.231 Pickwick is a type of lake that offers 12 months a year fishing. 10:35.231 --> 10:38.764 It's got all three species of Bass -- the large mouth, 10:38.764 --> 10:41.831 the small mouth, the Kentucky or Spotted bass. 10:41.831 --> 10:43.364 It's got great catfish. 10:43.364 --> 10:46.064 It's got good crappie fishing. 10:46.064 --> 10:47.064 It's got good. 10:47.064 --> 10:48.598 Like I say, you can fish summer, fall, 10:48.598 --> 10:49.598 winter or spring. 10:49.598 --> 10:50.598 Cold water, hot water, muddy water, 10:50.598 --> 10:51.598 clear water. 10:51.598 --> 10:52.598 It's just a great fishery. 10:52.598 --> 10:56.398 Is there a place in all the years you've fished that you 10:56.398 --> 10:59.064 have not gone to that you would love to? 10:59.064 --> 11:01.598 Still in your agenda to go to. 11:01.598 --> 11:02.931 Uh, yeah. 11:02.931 --> 11:05.598 There's one place I really want to go to and try that I've 11:05.598 --> 11:06.598 never. 11:06.598 --> 11:07.598 Snake river. 11:07.598 --> 11:12.098 It's where Evil Knievel jumped the Snake river. 11:12.098 --> 11:14.264 I'd like to go up there and fish. 11:14.264 --> 11:15.264 Everybody wants to know. 11:15.264 --> 11:16.564 And of course you're from Tennessee. 11:16.564 --> 11:17.864 It's obvious. 11:17.864 --> 11:20.364 But the origins of the U-T cap. 11:20.364 --> 11:21.831 Your trademark. 11:21.831 --> 11:25.531 I got the first U-T caps I ever got, 11:25.531 --> 11:27.998 I got from Doach Dickey, Doug Dickey. 11:27.998 --> 11:31.498 He sent me two of them. 11:31.498 --> 11:35.364 And I wore that cap. 11:35.364 --> 11:38.031 And the first time I wore it, I won a tournament. 11:38.031 --> 11:41.731 And then I wore it again, I won that second tournament. 11:41.731 --> 11:44.764 And the third one, I won the third tournament. 11:44.764 --> 11:48.464 And then they became just a trademark and I've worn them 11:48.464 --> 11:49.464 ever since. 11:49.464 --> 11:52.831 You are involved with Bass Pro because it's one of your 11:52.831 --> 11:53.831 sponsors. 11:53.831 --> 11:56.531 And we saw you at the groundbreaking of what's going 11:56.531 --> 11:59.131 to be the mega store where the Pyramid is. 11:59.131 --> 12:00.564 What is the latest with that, Bill? 12:00.564 --> 12:02.831 And how involved will you be? 12:02.831 --> 12:05.098 Well Johnny and I have been close friends. 12:05.098 --> 12:10.098 Johnny Marsh is the founder of Bass Pro Shop. 12:10.098 --> 12:14.131 And I remember when johnny used to dream and talk about opening 12:16.564 --> 12:17.864 these type stores. 12:17.864 --> 12:19.398 They're on a much smaller scale. 12:19.398 --> 12:20.964 And that dream became a reality. 12:20.964 --> 12:23.698 And now they've just exploded. 12:23.698 --> 12:27.264 And he's got close to 60 of them nation wide now. 12:27.264 --> 12:31.231 But I remember about seven years ago I met him at Olive Branch. 12:31.231 --> 12:32.731 We got on an airplane. 12:32.731 --> 12:36.498 And we were flying to Sevierville for a store opening. 12:36.498 --> 12:40.331 And he said, "I got a big surprise for you." 12:40.331 --> 12:42.431 And I said, "What's that?' And he said, 12:42.431 --> 12:44.864 "I want you to make a decision for me." 12:44.864 --> 12:46.831 And I said, "What kind of decision?" 12:46.831 --> 12:49.364 And Jim Hagle, the president, they were both sitting across 12:49.364 --> 12:52.264 from me on Johnny's corporate plane. 12:52.264 --> 12:55.598 He siad, "You need to make a decision for us before we get 12:55.598 --> 12:56.598 back. 12:56.598 --> 12:57.898 "We're going to leave Sevierville. 12:57.898 --> 13:00.964 "We're going down to Leads, Alabama for a ground-breaking. 13:00.964 --> 13:02.964 "Then we're going over to Pearl, Mississippi for a 13:02.964 --> 13:05.598 ground-breaking before we get back to Memphis. 13:05.598 --> 13:07.831 "And then you and I are going to fish the Mississippi for two 13:07.831 --> 13:09.398 days for catfish as you well know." 13:09.398 --> 13:10.831 And I said, "Yeah, I know that." 13:10.831 --> 13:12.631 He said, "But you need to make a decision." 13:12.631 --> 13:15.564 And I said, "What's the decision?" 13:15.564 --> 13:19.731 "Should we take over the Pyramid and put a Bass Pro Shop?" 13:19.731 --> 13:21.231 Seven years ago, he asked you this? 13:21.231 --> 13:22.231 Yeah, yeah. 13:22.231 --> 13:23.498 And I said.. 13:23.498 --> 13:24.498 I looked at him. 13:24.498 --> 13:26.698 I said, "You're crazy as a box of rocks." 13:26.698 --> 13:29.564 I said, "I'm not going to make that decision." 13:29.564 --> 13:31.631 And he siad, "Well yeah, you are." 13:31.631 --> 13:33.831 And I said, "Oh, I can't make the decision. 13:33.831 --> 13:34.864 "That's too big of a decision." 13:34.864 --> 13:35.931 He said, "Well think about it." 13:35.931 --> 13:37.498 I thought he was kidding. 13:37.498 --> 13:39.331 And we got there. 13:39.331 --> 13:43.198 And later that night after we did the opening in Sevierville, 13:43.198 --> 13:44.831 he said, "Have you made that decision?" 13:44.831 --> 13:47.131 I said, "No, I hadn't made it. 13:47.131 --> 13:48.131 "I'm not going to." 13:48.131 --> 13:49.298 He says, "Yeah, you are." 13:49.298 --> 13:52.564 And the next day he said, "We need a decision." 13:52.564 --> 13:54.664 And he kept kidding about it. 13:54.664 --> 13:58.031 And finally Hagle, I mean looks at me and said, 13:58.031 --> 13:59.398 "Bill, I need a decision. 13:59.398 --> 14:00.898 "I'm serious." 14:00.898 --> 14:02.931 And I said, "You are serious, aren't you?" 14:02.931 --> 14:04.964 He said, "I am very serious." 14:04.964 --> 14:05.964 And I looked. 14:05.964 --> 14:06.964 And I thought. 14:06.964 --> 14:10.231 And then Johnny, he said, "Look, I'll make it easy on you. 14:10.231 --> 14:12.864 "We're gonna fish the Mississippi river. 14:12.864 --> 14:15.731 "If we catch a catfish over 30 pounds, 14:15.731 --> 14:18.131 we're coming to Memphis and we're going to put a Pyramid in. 14:18.131 --> 14:21.631 "We're gonna put a Bass Pro at the Pyrmid." 14:21.631 --> 14:26.631 So I said, "A catfish is going to decide." 14:26.631 --> 14:27.664 That's what he said. 14:27.664 --> 14:29.898 Has anybody ever heard this story? 14:29.898 --> 14:32.264 Oh, yeah. 14:32.264 --> 14:33.264 So long story, short -- what happened? 14:33.264 --> 14:34.264 The mayor knows about it. 14:34.264 --> 14:35.264 We brought this up. 14:35.264 --> 14:36.264 It was a big thing. 14:36.264 --> 14:37.264 And so we fished. 14:37.264 --> 14:39.064 And his good friend and my good friend Jack Emmitt went with us. 14:39.064 --> 14:41.798 And Jack has been with Johnny forever. 14:41.798 --> 14:43.764 And we went up the river. 14:43.764 --> 14:47.064 We took old James 'Big Cat' Patterson with us. 14:47.064 --> 14:49.798 And of course James took us up the river. 14:49.798 --> 14:52.231 You know James knows the river like an otter knows water. 14:52.231 --> 14:53.231 Right. 14:53.231 --> 14:54.231 And it was a cold day. 14:54.231 --> 14:55.231 It was like 30 degrees. 14:55.231 --> 14:56.698 We anchored the boat. 14:56.698 --> 14:58.598 We got two bites. 14:58.598 --> 15:01.431 And Jack caught one over 30 pounds. 15:01.431 --> 15:02.831 And Johnny said, "That does it. 15:02.831 --> 15:04.598 "We're coming to Memphis." 15:04.598 --> 15:06.398 And the catfish decided it. 15:06.398 --> 15:08.064 And we've laughed about that for a long, 15:08.064 --> 15:09.064 long time. 15:09.064 --> 15:14.064 But we unveiled a big picture at the ground-breaking and unvelied 15:14.064 --> 15:18.398 it with Jack holding this big 30 pound catfish. 15:18.398 --> 15:22.264 And we told that story at the ground-breaking. 15:22.264 --> 15:23.264 That's unbelievable. 15:23.264 --> 15:26.131 But the schedule, fall of 2014. 15:26.131 --> 15:29.498 We don't have a lot of time. 15:29.498 --> 15:34.331 You've had a chance to fish with celebrities galore from 15:34.331 --> 15:38.331 politicians to singers to actors to sportsmen, 15:38.331 --> 15:40.498 obviously athletes. 15:40.498 --> 15:44.998 What is the one that stands out of all the celebrities you've 15:44.998 --> 15:48.231 taken out to fish and the one that you weren't able to do? 15:50.464 --> 15:56.031 The one that he wanted to do it and I wanted to do it. 15:56.031 --> 15:58.798 And we both tried so hard. 15:58.798 --> 16:01.598 When he could do it, I couldn't do it. 16:01.598 --> 16:03.431 And was.. 16:03.431 --> 16:05.731 Norman Schwarzkopf. 16:05.731 --> 16:08.064 General Schwarzkopf. 16:08.064 --> 16:12.531 He sent me a letter the day Desert Storm started. 16:12.531 --> 16:14.231 And I've got it. 16:14.231 --> 16:15.231 You saw it on my wall. 16:15.231 --> 16:16.231 Exactly. 16:16.231 --> 16:17.231 And we'll show everybody that. 16:17.231 --> 16:20.131 He wanted to fish with you and Desert Storm breaks out. 16:20.131 --> 16:21.131 Yeah. 16:21.131 --> 16:25.598 And after that, our schedules never could get together. 16:25.598 --> 16:28.631 And America lost a wonderful, wonderful person. 16:28.631 --> 16:29.898 They certainly did. 16:29.898 --> 16:33.698 The one that stands out of itnerviews or the fishing that 16:33.698 --> 16:34.698 you've done? 16:34.698 --> 16:35.698 It doesn't even have to be a show. 16:35.698 --> 16:38.131 The one athlete, the one personality. 16:38.131 --> 16:41.831 Who would it be out of all the hundreds that you've done. 16:41.831 --> 16:42.831 Oh, there's been.. 16:42.831 --> 16:45.931 I had another one set to do with Billy Graham. 16:45.931 --> 16:46.931 Oh really? 16:46.931 --> 16:48.298 Yeah, Reverend Bill Graham. 16:48.298 --> 16:53.831 And that was another figure that I really wanted so bad to do a 16:53.831 --> 16:54.831 show with. 16:54.831 --> 16:56.198 And it came close. 16:56.198 --> 16:59.298 Right, but you didn't get that one done. 16:59.298 --> 17:01.498 The scheduling the Tennessee River, 17:01.498 --> 17:03.131 Mother Nature messed us up on that. 17:03.131 --> 17:07.231 But on the ones you've done, which is the one you remember 17:07.231 --> 17:08.231 the most? 17:08.231 --> 17:10.464 Give me the one interview. 17:10.464 --> 17:12.631 What would it be that you've done? 17:12.631 --> 17:17.931 I can tell you the ones that stand out was with each one of 17:17.931 --> 17:21.398 my four children there when they caught their very first fish. 17:21.398 --> 17:27.998 And then three of my grandchildren there when they 17:27.998 --> 17:29.331 caught their very first fish. 17:29.331 --> 17:30.331 How many grandchldren you have? 17:30.331 --> 17:31.331 I've got seven. 17:31.331 --> 17:32.331 Fantastic. 17:32.331 --> 17:33.331 But how about a celebrity? 17:33.331 --> 17:34.331 Give me one. 17:34.331 --> 17:35.331 Everybody's waiting with dated breath here. 17:35.331 --> 17:36.398 Well the one. 17:36.398 --> 17:39.431 The funniest ones were like with Terry Bradshaw. 17:39.431 --> 17:41.364 You were his best man in his wedding. 17:41.364 --> 17:42.364 Yeah. 17:42.364 --> 17:43.364 He's been married a few times though, 17:43.364 --> 17:44.364 right. 17:44.364 --> 17:45.364 Yeah, his second wedding. 17:45.364 --> 17:46.331 [laughter] 17:46.331 --> 17:46.964 Yeah, his second wedding. 17:46.964 --> 17:47.964 It is unbelievable. 17:47.964 --> 17:49.864 Bill, are you gonna do this for another 40 years? 17:49.864 --> 17:51.931 Hope to do it forever and then a little bit more. 17:51.931 --> 17:53.364 Thank you so much. 17:53.364 --> 17:54.364 Always good to be with you. 17:54.364 --> 17:55.364 Same here. 17:55.364 --> 17:56.364 We'll take a break. 17:56.364 --> 17:59.231 We'll come back with Overtime right after this. 17:59.231 --> 18:08.898 ♪♪♪ 18:08.898 --> 18:09.464 (male announcer) Three.. 18:09.464 --> 18:10.064 Two.. 18:10.064 --> 18:10.931 One.. 18:10.931 --> 18:14.331 [buzzer sounds] 18:14.331 --> 18:16.031 The Memphis area has had its share of success 18:16.031 --> 18:18.798 stories in Professional golf from Middlecoff to Roberts to 18:18.798 --> 18:19.798 Micheel. 18:19.798 --> 18:21.731 In addition, the area has produced some of the best 18:21.731 --> 18:25.031 amateur golfers anywhere, including David Gossett and Tim 18:25.031 --> 18:26.164 Jackson. 18:26.164 --> 18:28.798 One of the top players the last few years has been University of 18:28.798 --> 18:31.664 Memphis product Matt Cooper, who earlier this summer, 18:31.664 --> 18:34.431 captured his second straight Publinks championship. 18:34.431 --> 18:36.131 Recently, I spent some time with Matt, 18:36.131 --> 18:40.364 to find out more about his game and his future. 18:40.364 --> 18:41.364 Coop, it's great to see you again! 18:41.364 --> 18:42.364 Good to see you again! 18:42.364 --> 18:44.898 Definitely in your wheel house here at Tunica National. 18:44.898 --> 18:47.564 Beautiful golf course that you work for. 18:47.564 --> 18:49.698 And we'll talk about that a little bit later on. 18:49.698 --> 18:50.698 But congratulations. 18:50.698 --> 18:52.998 Two straight years winning the Publinks. 18:52.998 --> 18:53.998 Way to go! 18:53.998 --> 18:54.998 Thank you very much. 18:54.998 --> 18:55.998 It was a lot of fun. 18:55.998 --> 18:56.998 It was a little different though this year. 18:56.998 --> 18:57.998 Normally it's three rounds. 18:57.998 --> 18:59.831 This one ended up being 36 holes. 18:59.831 --> 19:02.931 But you ended up getting in that first round before the rain 19:02.931 --> 19:04.398 stopped play. 19:04.398 --> 19:07.064 Funny story because you had a great score and then things 19:07.064 --> 19:08.064 changed. 19:08.064 --> 19:09.098 Yeah, the first round was at Auduban. 19:09.098 --> 19:12.298 And I was like the second group off that morning. 19:12.298 --> 19:14.431 I played my round no problem in perfect weather. 19:14.431 --> 19:17.531 Shot 68, two under. 19:17.531 --> 19:21.231 And went out to my parents house in Germantown and kind of hung 19:21.231 --> 19:23.231 out that day in perfect weather. 19:23.231 --> 19:26.298 I was stopping by Auduban on the way back home to see how Eli and 19:26.298 --> 19:29.531 some of the guys are doing and it was pouring down rain. 19:29.531 --> 19:31.598 They were all under the hut in a delay. 19:31.598 --> 19:35.764 So they kind of waited out the delay as long as they could. 19:35.764 --> 19:38.431 They ultimately had to make the decision to wash the first round 19:38.431 --> 19:39.398 out. 19:39.398 --> 19:40.698 They weren't going to be able to get everybody back out on the 19:40.698 --> 19:42.998 course the next morning, still go play the second round at 19:42.998 --> 19:46.664 Galloway. 19:46.664 --> 19:47.664 So everybody started clean 36 holes on that Saturday. 19:47.664 --> 19:51.298 That must be tough on the psyche to try to get yourself ready to 19:51.298 --> 19:53.431 go for 36 after you just posted a good score. 19:53.431 --> 19:54.431 Yeah, it was. 19:54.431 --> 19:57.631 It was kind of a frustrating decision because I thought 19:57.631 --> 19:59.664 Auduban was probably the hardest of the three courses. 19:59.664 --> 20:04.231 And a good round there can kind of seperate me from the field a 20:04.231 --> 20:06.931 little bit. 20:06.931 --> 20:08.031 But once they made the decision, I gave Micheal, 20:08.031 --> 20:10.398 who was a part of the decision, a hard time. 20:10.398 --> 20:15.298 But once that was made, I just kind of tried to put that out of 20:15.298 --> 20:18.898 my head and just play a start over on Saturday and play a 36 20:18.898 --> 20:19.898 hole event. 20:19.898 --> 20:21.964 Now obviously it worked as you win your second streak Publinks. 20:21.964 --> 20:24.898 What does it mean to you win those titles, 20:24.898 --> 20:28.498 to also fare so well in many of the state tournaments that take 20:28.498 --> 20:29.831 place as you try to become.. 20:29.831 --> 20:32.664 And you already are but maybe the best following in the 20:32.664 --> 20:34.764 footsteps of the great Tim Jackson, 20:34.764 --> 20:36.431 the best amateur in the area? 20:36.431 --> 20:38.098 Well it's been cool because, like I said, 20:38.098 --> 20:42.964 I took a few years off from competitive golf. 20:42.964 --> 20:44.264 About the last two or three years, 20:44.264 --> 20:45.831 I've kind of picked it back up. 20:45.831 --> 20:49.864 And the first year or so, the first two years in the Publinks 20:49.864 --> 20:52.731 in particular, were kind of tough ways to lose and lost 20:52.731 --> 20:53.331 them. 20:53.331 --> 20:57.964 But to finally come through last year and close the deal and get 20:57.964 --> 21:00.131 a win and then to back it up again this year, 21:00.131 --> 21:04.498 it's definitely kind of, it kind of good to kind of confirms the 21:04.498 --> 21:06.398 hard work I've been putting in. 21:06.398 --> 21:07.798 And to close the deal was very cool. 21:07.798 --> 21:10.298 As many know, you played at the University of Memphis, 21:10.298 --> 21:12.064 Germantown High School. 21:12.064 --> 21:18.598 Why do you think you're playing your best golf right now? 21:18.598 --> 21:19.998 You just turned 34 years of age. 21:19.998 --> 21:21.231 Why is it all coming together? 21:21.231 --> 21:22.231 Yeah, that's a good question. 21:22.231 --> 21:24.464 I get asked that all the time because I'm definitely playing 21:24.464 --> 21:26.698 the best right now that I have in my whole life. 21:26.698 --> 21:29.531 I think it's just kind of a just maturing a little bit on the 21:29.531 --> 21:31.564 golf course, kind of been working down here at Tunica 21:31.564 --> 21:34.864 National and having a guy to kind of bounce some ideas off 21:34.864 --> 21:35.864 of. 21:35.864 --> 21:36.864 Former touring pro. 21:36.864 --> 21:37.864 He's a great teacher. 21:37.864 --> 21:40.164 And it's helped me a lot with my game. 21:40.164 --> 21:43.098 But just kind of mature on the golf course, 21:43.098 --> 21:46.198 learning to kind of not take everything so serious and so 21:46.198 --> 21:47.198 hard. 21:47.198 --> 21:49.531 Kind of just my attitudes gotten a lot better. 21:49.531 --> 21:53.198 And then quite honestly my short game over the past two or three 21:53.198 --> 21:55.698 years, being down here and having this practice facility 21:55.698 --> 21:58.664 and maybe senaking off 30 minutes here and there around 21:58.664 --> 22:00.898 lunch or whatever and just chippin' and puttin'. 22:00.898 --> 22:03.031 That's probably been the number one reason why I've been playing 22:03.031 --> 22:03.964 so much better. 22:03.964 --> 22:07.164 After you graduated college, you would normally think anybody who 22:07.164 --> 22:09.431 played collegiate golf at that level, 22:09.431 --> 22:12.164 Division I level, would be thinking to turn professional. 22:12.164 --> 22:13.864 That's not the route you decided to go. 22:13.864 --> 22:16.498 Well it was always in the back of my mind. 22:16.498 --> 22:18.964 As a kid growing up that's obviously what any competitive 22:18.964 --> 22:21.031 golfer wants to do. 22:21.031 --> 22:26.464 But you know I played four years at Memphis and never really had 22:26.464 --> 22:28.298 good enough results to warrant, you know, 22:28.298 --> 22:29.564 turning pro right out of college. 22:29.564 --> 22:31.998 I did take about a year and a half or two years right after 22:31.998 --> 22:34.131 school and tried to travel. 22:34.131 --> 22:36.898 And I played in some big amateur tournaments and was fortunate 22:36.898 --> 22:39.298 enough to not have to go to work right away. 22:39.298 --> 22:42.398 But I never got the results and never really, 22:42.398 --> 22:47.831 you know, convinced myself that it was worth going turning pro 22:47.831 --> 22:49.531 and going to school or anything like that. 22:49.531 --> 22:51.464 So I became a working man. 22:51.464 --> 22:52.831 You've had a terrific summer. 22:52.831 --> 22:55.398 First alternate for the U-S Amatuer. 22:55.398 --> 22:58.964 What are the goals now for you in your amateur career? 22:58.964 --> 23:02.398 Uh, well definitely to play in as many U-S-G-A events as 23:02.398 --> 23:03.398 possible. 23:03.398 --> 23:04.898 I was lucky enough to play in the U-A Amateur last year. 23:04.898 --> 23:05.898 What was that experience like? 23:05.898 --> 23:06.898 It was awesome. 23:06.898 --> 23:10.598 Cherry Hills Country Club out in Denver with a lot of history. 23:10.598 --> 23:13.898 That was my first U-S-G-A event ever and really the biggest 23:13.898 --> 23:15.398 tournament I ever played in. 23:15.398 --> 23:17.131 So there were some nerves involved. 23:17.131 --> 23:20.031 I didn't play a great round the first day, 23:20.031 --> 23:23.364 played okay the second round of stroke play and missed making 23:23.364 --> 23:25.331 match play by five or six shots. 23:25.331 --> 23:28.431 But it was a great experience and kind of to get a taste of 23:28.431 --> 23:30.498 amateur golf at the highest level. 23:30.498 --> 23:32.164 It was pretty cool. 23:32.164 --> 23:36.031 But the goals there and to compete in state level events 23:36.031 --> 23:37.364 and state opens and state amateurs. 23:37.364 --> 23:41.031 Hopefully getting contention and win some of those and maybe try 23:41.031 --> 23:43.164 to be the Tennessee Player of the Year and Amateur Player of 23:43.164 --> 23:44.164 the Year. 23:44.164 --> 23:47.164 And keep making the amateur cup teams at the end of the summer. 23:47.164 --> 23:48.764 All those are good goals of mine. 23:48.764 --> 23:51.698 As I mentioned, Tim Jackson, a guy you emulate. 23:51.698 --> 23:56.131 So many terrific amateur golfers in the area. 23:56.131 --> 23:58.964 Would you be satisfied for your golf career if I said, 23:58.964 --> 24:01.231 "Listen, you're going to be the best amateur for a period of 24:01.231 --> 24:02.231 time. 24:02.231 --> 24:03.831 "But you're never going to get a chance to play professionally." 24:03.831 --> 24:05.464 Are you satisfied with that? 24:05.464 --> 24:06.464 Oh, absolutely. 24:06.464 --> 24:07.664 At this point in my life, for sure. 24:07.664 --> 24:09.698 Yeah, the pro.. 24:09.698 --> 24:13.098 Well you know, you never know what happens when you turn 50. 24:13.098 --> 24:16.198 You stay in good health and your game stays sharp, 24:16.198 --> 24:17.864 that's always a possibility. 24:17.864 --> 24:21.798 But no, definitely my goals these days are all within the 24:21.798 --> 24:22.798 amateur range. 24:22.798 --> 24:24.764 Did you always know that somewhere, 24:24.764 --> 24:26.931 somehow you were going to be involved in golf for a 24:26.931 --> 24:27.931 profession? 24:27.931 --> 24:30.698 And tell us a little bit about your profession at Tunica 24:30.698 --> 24:31.698 National. 24:31.698 --> 24:32.698 Yeah, definitely was something. 24:32.698 --> 24:35.998 I obviosuly got in to at a fairly early age thought my 24:35.998 --> 24:38.498 grandfather and my dad and my uncle Jimmy, 24:38.498 --> 24:39.498 big gold family. 24:39.498 --> 24:43.164 So I mean it was always something that I loved and was 24:43.164 --> 24:44.164 passionate about. 24:44.164 --> 24:45.998 And then yeah, once I started working, 24:45.998 --> 24:49.731 I got this opporunity to come down here at Tunica National and 24:49.731 --> 24:51.598 get involved in the golf business. 24:51.598 --> 24:52.864 And it's been fantastic. 24:52.864 --> 24:53.864 It's been wonderful. 24:53.864 --> 24:56.298 Great for my game and just great for, 24:56.298 --> 24:58.798 you know, overall just satisfaction and doing something 24:58.798 --> 25:00.364 you love to do everyday. 25:00.364 --> 25:03.798 Well it's an absolute pleasure keeping up with what you've been 25:03.798 --> 25:04.798 doing, Matt. 25:04.798 --> 25:08.198 Make sure you continue to let us know and we'll keep everybody up 25:08.198 --> 25:11.364 to date with what you're doing in your tournaments, 25:11.364 --> 25:12.998 amateur tournaments, state tournaments. 25:12.998 --> 25:15.298 And who know what will happen for the future? 25:15.298 --> 25:16.731 But always great to see that. 25:16.731 --> 25:17.831 Thanks a lot. 25:17.831 --> 25:18.831 I will. 25:18.831 --> 25:20.164 Thanks, Greg. 25:20.164 --> 25:21.564 And that will do it for this week's show. 25:21.564 --> 25:24.431 Next week it's our S-E-C Football preview show. 25:24.431 --> 25:27.064 And as we say goodnight, check out some of the world famous 25:27.064 --> 25:28.298 Bill Dance Bloopers. 25:28.298 --> 25:30.531 Have a great week and we'll see you next time. 25:51.164 --> 25:53.364 ♪♪♪ 25:53.364 --> 25:57.364 CLOSED CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY WKNO - MEMPHIS.