What do you think?
Rate this book
One Wild Ride: The Saga of the Dake and Bates Show
Walter “Dake” Dockery and Billy Bates sense a unique chemistry on the day they first meet in the lobby of Global Sports Network’s headquarters. Pivotal career crossroads bring them to GSN’s door, ready to challenge the likes of ESPN by unconventional means—creating a talk show playing directly to sports fans in the 55-and-older audience segment.
However, Barrett Simpson, the hotshot program manager assigned to oversee the fledgling Dake and Bates Show, finds little value in the neophyte co-hosts’ approach. Barrett firmly believes the only fans who matter are those who follow the latest trends and social media influencers. He throws blame directly on Dake and Billy when their initial shows go disastrously off the rails.
Back in the control booth, veteran technician Wes Johnson sees through the clutter. His hand-crafted audience-engagement app shows that Dake and Billy have indeed connected with their target demographic. Wes makes his case to GSN executive Davis Gladstone, who agrees to give the anchors control of their own content for a make-or-break series of broadcasts.
With key contributions from whip-smart Wendy Weir, Davis’s recently promoted assistant, and two gifted and dedicated young interns, the Dake and Bates team sets off in its own direction. Not long after, the show begins to build a buzz based on throwback connections and startling proficiency at sports wagering.
Dake and Billy can only shake their heads in amazement as they rub elbows with legendary sports heroes from yesteryear. Remote broadcasts at the NBA All-Star Game in Chicago and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas boost their credibility and bring all the action to a head.
However, Barrett Simpson, the hotshot program manager assigned to oversee the fledgling Dake and Bates Show, finds little value in the neophyte co-hosts’ approach. Barrett firmly believes the only fans who matter are those who follow the latest trends and social media influencers. He throws blame directly on Dake and Billy when their initial shows go disastrously off the rails.
Back in the control booth, veteran technician Wes Johnson sees through the clutter. His hand-crafted audience-engagement app shows that Dake and Billy have indeed connected with their target demographic. Wes makes his case to GSN executive Davis Gladstone, who agrees to give the anchors control of their own content for a make-or-break series of broadcasts.
With key contributions from whip-smart Wendy Weir, Davis’s recently promoted assistant, and two gifted and dedicated young interns, the Dake and Bates team sets off in its own direction. Not long after, the show begins to build a buzz based on throwback connections and startling proficiency at sports wagering.
Dake and Billy can only shake their heads in amazement as they rub elbows with legendary sports heroes from yesteryear. Remote broadcasts at the NBA All-Star Game in Chicago and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas boost their credibility and bring all the action to a head.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published January 29, 2021
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Bill Long
1 book1 followerBill Long is a 1978 graduate of Lehigh University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics. Following graduation, Bill went on to spend his entire career in book manufacturing with The Maple Press Company. He worked there for over 40 years prior to his retirement in May of 2019. The last 30 of those years were spent as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. His involvement in the book manufacturing industry gave the author an understanding of the many challenges associated the book publishing process.
Writing a book was an endeavor that Bill would never have pursued had his co-author not suggested the idea shortly after his retirement. While he had been noted for the quality of his writing throughout his professional career, Bill’s second career as an author came naturally and has turned out to be a labor of love. His initial venture as an author has allowed him to explore his lifetime passion for sports and traditional personal and family values.
Bill resides in York, PA with his wife Kathy. They enjoy spending time as much time as possible with the families of their three children which includes five grandchildren. He also keeps up his athletic career with frequent visits to racquet venues and hiking in spots throughout the world.
Writing a book was an endeavor that Bill would never have pursued had his co-author not suggested the idea shortly after his retirement. While he had been noted for the quality of his writing throughout his professional career, Bill’s second career as an author came naturally and has turned out to be a labor of love. His initial venture as an author has allowed him to explore his lifetime passion for sports and traditional personal and family values.
Bill resides in York, PA with his wife Kathy. They enjoy spending time as much time as possible with the families of their three children which includes five grandchildren. He also keeps up his athletic career with frequent visits to racquet venues and hiking in spots throughout the world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 23, 2021
Hopefully there will be a sequel.....it was great to relive some long forgotten sports stories from the past through the eyes of two novice sportscasters.
well written and well researched.....
well written and well researched.....
June 9, 2021
Unlike most of us who believe that late in our years the time has passed to pursue our dream job, Dake Dockery and Billy Bates unite to create a sports talk show and serve up a healthy dose of sports trivia, stirring up fond memories and chatter from their listeners. As they build an audience through their enthusiasm and wit, sports icons of all sorts join in. Dake and Billy remind us that loyalty, attitude and diligence, along with a large dose of fun, are the essential ingredients for success. You will love the banter!
May 18, 2021
I absolutely loved One Wild Ride: The Saga of the Dake and Bates Show!! I learned so many interesting facts about some of my favorite sports throughout the book, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It is very well written, extremely entertaining and the cast of characters at GSN felt like old friends by the end of the book! Five stars for sure!!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews