As most of you know, Belinda, Cristina and I lost our colleague Royal Marshall in January, 2011. It was a heart attack ... on a Friday night. He was 43 years old and is survived by his wife, Annette, and his two precious daughters Amira, 4, and Ava, 2.

Belinda, Cristina and I gathered with some family and friends at Belinda's house for what turned into several hours of laughing, conversing and crying as we discussed our experiences with Royal. Ours is not a radio crew, it's a family ... and Royal was the glue that held us together. We will now be struggling to try to figure out just what our lives - on air and off - without Royal will hold for us.

Royal and Belinda were hired on the very same day at our mothership, WSB Radio in Atlanta, in 1992. I was signed to do a talk show at about the same time. Royal was assigned to be my engineer and board operator while I was sitting out my six-month non-compete period. During that period there was no shortage of people in Atlanta who were anxious to warn Royal of the terrible nature of the jerk he would soon be working with. When I finally entered the studio in March of 1993 to do my first show for WSB Royal and I eyed each other like two dogs who had invaded the other's turf.

I can't say how long it took Royal to figure out that I wasn't the green-eyed monster people had been warning him about. I can tell you, however, about how long it took me to know that I was going to enjoy working with him: It was that first time I heard him laugh. Anybody with a smile that broad and a laugh that infectious just had to be an incredible person --- and so it was.

I really can't say how long it was after I began doing the show - weeks, perhaps; certainly no more than a few months - before I realized how engaging Royal could be on the air. To his surprise - not to mention mine - I just told him one day that whenever he had anything to add to the show he should just turn on his microphone and jump in; and that included any time I said something that he disagreed with or that he thought was at variance with truth. Let me tell you, Royal never held back. Long-time listeners will remember times when we were laughing uncontrollably with each other, and times when we were at each other's throats. That's how it is with brothers - and Royal Marshall was my brother.

I know of no other radio talk show --- perhaps only Imus --- where the people behind the scenes played such a strong on-air role. Belinda, Royal and I were truly a radio show ensemble ... and the addition a few years ago of Cristina (who Royal called "shorty") made us stronger. Now we've lost one of our wheels --- and we're going to have to learn how to be a tricycle. Then again --- we have you, our listeners and callers.

OK ... look. I'm starting to drip on the keyboard here. It's still too soon. So just tune in today and try to have some fun remembering with us. As the weeks and months pass we will become perhaps a little bolder in deciding what part of our story with Royal we think we can actually share with our listeners. So many things will remain, as they should, completely private.

About Royal's two little girls, Amira and Ava. We are determined to make sure that they are never forgotten. As we go on the air today we are also busy at Wells Fargo Bank establishing a trust fund for the education of these two precious little girls. We think the name will be The Royal Marshall Memorial Education Trust Fund. We'll have to check on the acceptability of that name and let you know hopefully before the end of the show today. Already we're getting hundreds of people asking us how they can contribute. Please - hold that thought until we have everything nailed down legally --- then open your hearts to these two little girls who will now have to grow up without their daddy. I should tell you that I've been talking to Sean Hannity over the weekend .. (as a matter of fact, he just called a minute ago to check on us) .. and he is eager to help insure the future of these girls with us. Hannity has a bigger heart than many of you might expect ... even if it was Royal who gave him the "Baby Jesus" nickname. Those two had an enormous amount of respect for each other ... and I suspect Sean of trying to hire Royal away from me on a few occasions. (Just kidding Sean!)

Also ... the list of people who are offering their help is astounding. Cox Enterprises and Cox Media Group are front and center offering any assistance we might need. Tad Hutcheson of AirTran Airwayshas been a true gift. I hope their deal with Southwest falls through. AirTran is too good an airline to go away. Legacy Limousine in Atlanta has been schlepping the Boortz crew around for years ... and they've certainly stepped up this week with transportation arrangements. The Atlanta Braves have already stepped forward to offer some amazing assistance in fundraising for the girl's education trust fund.

We've received literally thousands of emails since the news this weekend. I've spent time reading as many of them as I can ... and all are being saved to be bound into a book for Royal's family. This is one email that I found particularly interesting:

Click on the link. You'll find it interesting.

So ... stick with us folks. We have a grieving and an adjusting process to go through. Frankly, Royal was such an important part of the show I'm not sure how we're going to be able to stay on top without him. I promise you that we'll be true to Royal's loyalty and friendship by giving it everything we have. I might be a little mushy and all sensitive and stuff for a few days here ... but I'll get back to being that void surrounded by a sphincter muscle that you've come to love and appreciate in no time. Royal would expect no less and I'm damned sure not going to disappoint him ... 'cause I know he's listening.

I can hear that laugh.