Media

2023 INDUCTEE -
BC SPORTS
HALL of FAME

(Oct.25.2022) 

“Dan Russell talk of the block as new class of inductees named

Longtime, pioneering sports radio show host to join hall with the others including Vancouver Canadians owners Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney, ex-Canucks defenceman Dennis Kearns, former NFL punter Mitch Berger”

INDIE READER APPROVED

“Full of anecdotes and presented in a conversational style, sports broadcaster Dan Russell writes with great charm in PLEASANT GOOD EVENING, his witty and insightful memoir of thirty years behind the mic.  A must read for Canadian sports fans.”

Pleasant Good Evening-A Memoir-My 30 Wild and Turbulent Years of Sportstalk Radio by Dan Russell

NEWSPAPER EXCERPTS

The Province and the Vancouver Sun featured five excerpts a few days after Pleasant Good Evening was published.

Click the headlines below to read all features. Please note that they have a paywall.

Pleasant Good Evening-A Memoir-My 30 Wild and Turbulent Years of Sportstalk Radio by Dan Russell_mockup 9

2022 REVIEWS

Here’s a sampling of what people are saying about the book

Long time listener, first time reader….

Long time listener, first time reader….pretty well sums up on how I couldn’t put the book down, and I haven’t finished a book in years ( decades ) I was a listener from day one and continued on the journey for 30 years. This book brought back all the memories of Sportstalk, ( less the sleep, as Dan had a way of putting me to sleep each night) all the inside stories I never knew. I can honestly say I never listened to another Sports talk program after Dan exited the airwaves. Either there is a sequel or 2 more years of on air talk. Great read Dan, very proud of you.
MM

5-star Amazon Review

Insightful and interesting!

If you grew up in Vancouver in the 80s/90s and followed sports, you were a fan of Dan Russell. This is a must read for sports geeks and people who want a peek behind the the curtain of pre social media sports coverage. Have a pleasant t good evening!

5-star Amazon Review

A must read for any listener of Dan’s show

Loved this book! As a regular listener, almost from the beginning, I was blown away by the “ behind the scenes “ stories in this book. Old rumours finally addressed, inside stories re his contract talks and of course the wonderful side notes re his guests..most great ,some not so much. Finally …reading about the worst two weeks of his life brought me to tears.
I laughed , I cried ….it became part of me!

5-star Amazon Review

A funny and interesting glimpse into the life of a successful broadcaster

“I couldn’t put this book down, I read it in two days. Dan has a way with words that had me smiling as I read much of this memoir. It felt like Dan was reading it to me as his editorial writing style reflects his three decades of experience talking to us on the radio. This book is full of colorful characters and fills a lot of blanks for fans of his show that wondered how Dan’s career highs and lows unfolded. I have a deeper respect for the craft of broadcasting and thoroughly enjoyed reading about the final decades of radio’s golden age! Congratulations Dan.
First time reader, long time listener, Scott Halmos”

5-star Amazon Review

A must for any Vancouver sports fan…

“Grew up listening to Dan’s show and this book rekindles memories of that bygone era. It was different back then… 24/7 sports talk radio didn’t exist and thoughts/reactions weren’t at your beck and call at just the swipe of your finger. There were just a few voices in Vancouver sports media and the ones that mattered spoke their mind without fear of getting on the wrong side of the local team’s brass. They were pros… they earned their dues… they were different than what we have now.

Here’s to Dan, Donnie, Tony G., and, of course, Jim Robson and Tom Larcheid… Now get off my lawn and get this book!”

5-star Amazon Review

Great behind the scenes look at a great show and broadcaster.

Just finished Dan’s “first” book and what a great read. Brought back lots of memories Excellent recollection of the early days and all the personalities involved on air and off air. Great job Dan! A pleasant good evening to you.

5-star Amazon Review

BC Sports Fans – Awesome Book – Pleasant Good Evening – Dan Russell

If you are a fan of the BC Sports scene, new or old, you will be really happy with this memoir, from the original pioneer of SportsTalk Radio, Dan Russell. I had no idea of the behind the scenes work for thirty years that went to bringing avid sport fans a voice in British Columbia. I learned more about so many sports celebrities – which today’s hosts could only dream of having on the air. I was amazed at how respected Dan was within the sports community and as well how many plastic people he had to deal with over the years. This man did more for growing and modernizing sport in BC, and educating and promoting with passion the WHL. Still the very best “Sports Talk Show host ever” in BC and too bad he is not on the air anymore. Can’t miss read in my opinion.
 

Exceptional and Extremely Well Written

“While listening to your favourite SportsTalk host on Radio do you ever wonder what really occurs behind the microphone? Vancouver’s King of SportsTalk Radio Dan Russell takes you there without skipping a beat.

All 328 pages of this book contain gold and nuggets that will keep you reading chapter after chapter without putting it down. That was my experience.
There’s also a wonderful collection of black & white images that support the experience of hosting a SportsTalk Radio show.

I found the section on how political Station management is when trying to control every aspect of the show rewarding. Good thing Dan managed to stay in n control. The suits think they’ve got all the answers. Sometimes they don’t and make devastating mistakes with the loss of audiences and market share.

There’s a lot events happening behind the scenes that listeners just get to hear about. Now you can read all about it and I suggest you buy this book and add it to your personal library for future reference.

Know a sports junkie? Give this book as a gift. They’ll love you for it.
Regards, RC”

5-star Amazon Review

ARCHIVED ARTICLES

An Interview with Dan Russell on Bobby Orr

This month marks 50 years from when Bobby Orr and the “Big Bad” Boston Bruins faced the Vancouver Canucks at the Pacific Coliseum. The date was February 16, 1971, W.A.C. Bennett was the Premier of BC, and Tom Campbell was the Mayor of Vancouver.
Read more

My top-five Sportstalk moments - Dan Russel

On with the show - veteran sports broadcaster Dan Russell’s biggest moments in the Vancouver sports market, in his own words.
Read more

Q&A: Talking baseball with Dan Russell, ahead of Sportstalk host being honoured by Canadians

Dan Russell’s affinity for hockey is well-documented. Vancouver Canucks discussion was front and centre during much of Russell’s 30-year run hosting Sportstalk on the radio.
Read more

BC Radio History - Dan Russell

BCIT Broadcast Program graduate; hockey play-by-play community TV 1976-80; all-night host CISL Richmond 1980; CJOR Vancouver 1982 Sports Talk debut Oct. 15, 1984; CKWX Vancouver 1988; CFMI-FM Vancouver 1989-97...
Read more

Sportstalk’s Dan Russell to sign off after 30-year run

Dan Russell calls it a hiatus, not a retirement, but after nearly 30 years he is ending his nightly Sportstalk radio show.
Read more

theBreaker.news Podcast: Catching up with Sports Talk’s Dan Russell

For 30 years, Dan Russell informed and entertained British Columbia sports fans on his nightly Sports Talk radio show. The longest-running show of its type on Canadian radio began in October 1984 on CJOR
Read more