This Saturday We Celebrate 25 Years Of The Car Pro Show!

This Saturday marks a milestone I am extremely proud of: The Car Pro Show has officially been on the air for 25 years. To be clear, this is not the 25th anniversary of the show on WBAP. It is the 25th anniversary of the show itself—the day this adventure began with a microphone, a telephone and the belief that car buyers deserved straight talk and honest answers.

When we started, I could never have imagined what the show would become. There was no grand plan for national syndication on 181 radio stations, a large dealer network, podcasts or a weekly newsletter reaching readers across the country. The goal was much simpler: Help people make good decisions about buying, selling, financing, leasing and maintaining their vehicles. Tell callers the truth, even when it was not necessarily what they wanted to hear, and never allow an advertiser to influence the advice they received.

That basic promise has never changed.

It would be impossible to talk about the first 23 years of the show without talking about Kevin McCarthy. Kevin was beside me from the beginning and was far more than simply a co-host. He is my friend, my sounding board and an essential part of the personality and success of The Car Pro Show. We shared thousands of hours behind microphones, took countless calls and somehow managed to survive more technical problems, strange questions and unexpected moments than either of us could possibly remember.

Kevin brought his own knowledge, humor and perspective to the program. He also had the rare ability to know exactly when to jump into a conversation—and, occasionally, when to let me keep talking until I had driven myself directly into a ditch. You cannot erase 23 years of chemistry, memories and friendship, and I will always be grateful for everything Kevin contributed to this show and to my life.

This Saturday also marks the second anniversary of Todd Chambless joining me as co-host. Todd stepped into a role that could not have been easy, but he never tried to imitate anyone or turn himself into something he was not. He brought his own voice, considerable broadcasting experience, quick wit and genuine love of cars to the program.

Over the past two years, Todd and I have developed our own rhythm, and I could not ask for a better partner behind the microphone. More importantly, he is also a good friend. Todd understands what this show has always been about: serving the listeners, giving honest advice and having some fun along the way. If we can save somebody from buying the wrong car, help a listener solve a problem and get a few laughs before the commercial break, that is a pretty good hour of radio.

Along the way, I’ve had the support of my wife Kelly. The hours are long, the emails never stop. I’ve had help growing the show from Tom Haynes and the crew at Acuity Marketing. Amy Plemons is our Executive Producer & car reviewer, and she puts the newsletter together every week. Our producers, Duane Sedge and Lee Riza are invaluable, and our caller screeners play a vital role in the final product you hear. It seems seamless on the air to most, but the preparation that goes into the show goes on way before the on-air lights hit the mics. I have to thank our station affiliates for believing and supporting.

We will celebrate Saturday by broadcasting remotely from the Sam Pack Auto Group Museum in Farmers Branch, surrounded by one of the most remarkable private automobile collections you will ever see. I cannot imagine a more fitting place to mark 25 years of talking about cars. There will be beautiful classics, loyal listeners, old friends and plenty of memories. Knowing us, there may also be a few stories that improve slightly with age.

Most of all, this anniversary belongs to you. You called the show, trusted our advice, visited our dealers, read the newsletter, listened to the podcasts and told your friends about us. Some listeners have been with us from the earliest days. Others discovered the show only recently. Every one of you has played a part in keeping us on the air for a quarter of a century.

Twenty-five years is a long time in radio—or in anything else, for that matter. The automobile business has changed dramatically, but people still want someone who will answer their questions honestly and help them avoid expensive mistakes. As long as you keep listening and calling, Todd and I will keep showing up.

Thank you for an unforgettable first 25 years. The odometer is still turning, the tank is full, and I am not ready to pull over yet. I have more thoughts on this milestone in my closing message "25 Years Behind the Mic" in this week's edition of the Car Pro Show newsletter.  You can also read it here.