OCEAN CITY – With football season entering its second week, officials with the locally produced Ravens Rap television and radio show are ready for their 18th season.
Recorded each Wednesday evening at the Original Greene Turtle in Ocean City, the Ravens Rap television and radio show features in-depth coverage of the Baltimore Ravens and knowledgeable guests.
Each week, host Mike Bradley is joined by local sports authorities, including Tony Lombardi from the Russell Street Report and Ravens 24/7, former Baltimore Colts player Bruce Laird and special guests, such as sports enthusiast and Councilman John Gehrig, Bobby Vermillion from Resort Video Guide and Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, to name a few.
“It’s a close-knit atmosphere,” Bradley said, “but it’s also pretty lively.”
Ravens Rap is recorded in front of a live audience each Wednesday throughout the season and airs each Sunday at noon on WGMD 92.7 FM and on WMDT.
And unlike national shows that begin football coverage weeks ahead of the season, Bradley said Ravens Rap hits the ground running in week one.
“We don’t get to practice the show before week one, and some years we are getting the rust off,” he said. “But I thought the first week we were in mid-season form. I was really happy.”
Bradley said the show is divided into four, 12-minute segments and features discussions on prior games, player injuries, upcoming opponents and other news.
“For me, I like being able to analyze the game and pick out things from the game that maybe some people missed,” he said. “I try to pick things out that might not be obvious to the casual fan.”
In addition to its special guests, the show also features a steady crowd of Ravens fans, including members of Ravens Roost 44, who come to watch the recordings.
“Crowds can be as low as 40 people or can balloon to 200, especially when Steve Bisciotti visits,” said Steve Pappas, owner of the Original Greene Turtle. “Then there are at least 20 people who haven’t missed a show in 10 years. They come in every Wednesday to watch.”
Pappas said Ravens Rap started as a live radio show in 2001, and featured hosts Laird and former Baltimore Colts player Tom Matte.
“It’s was something we could do in the off-season and people would get a chance to talk about football,” he said.
In 2008, Pappas said Bradley joined the program as a host and Ravens Rap began pre-recording shows for both radio and television.
“The show is a success because of Mike Bradley,” he said. “He does his homework, he is a true professional and he never misses a beat.”
While the show has evolved over the years, Marketing and Office Manager Dawn Hodge said the show’s atmosphere remains energetic.
“The show definitely feeds off the energy of the crowd,” she said.
This season, the Original Greene Turtle will be giving away tickets to four Ravens games – Sept. 23 vs. Denver, Oct. 21 vs. New Orleans, Nov. 18 vs. Cincinnati and Dec. 30 vs. Cleveland – and those who attend the show’s recording can enter their name into the drawings.
“The more times you come, the more your name goes into the bucket,” she said, “but you have to be present to win.”
The next show will be recorded on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. Shows are open to the public.
“We encourage the public to come out,” Bradley said. “It’s a good time.”
This year’s sponsors include Toyota, GEICO, Miller Light, Ocean City Golf Club, ExploreOC, Resort Video Guide, Russell Street Report, JC Tickets, Ocean City Golf Getaway, Comfort Inn and Holiday Inn. Drink specials during the show include Miller Lite bottles for $3 and Miller Lite drafts for $2.50.