Sean Hannity, The Queen and I shut down the bar at the St. Regis hotel in Atlanta Saturday night after the Happy Ending (See next item).  We were talking about the radio business, the competitive and cooperative history between Sean and myself, and the private moments we have shared as friends over the years.  At least two times over the past few years Sean talked me out of retiring.  I’ve been ready to hit the road since George W. Bush was reelected for his second term.  When John McCain ran against The Jerk Sean and I both saw the potential for disaster … and he helped talk me into hanging on for another few years.  Now … no more.  Dear Ruler’s reelection sealed the deal.  Although I had announced my retirement last June, the voters of this country putting that dangerous man back into power for four more years, and the tax increases I knew would follow, sealed the deal.  After the election Sean called me and said “You’re really finished, aren’t you?”  “Yes, Sean, I really am.”

Now later this week I’m going to have much more to say here on Nealz Nuze and on the air about the retirement decision --- how I just could not stomach talking about The Jerk for four more years --- and the state of this nation (as if my opinion was worth more than anyone else’s) …

But here … now … with five shows left … let me say this.  It is extremely rare in the radio business that a disk jockey or radio host gets to leave on their own terms.  It’s even more rare that they’re honored with an event like the one we had this weekend at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.

Usually a radio personality simply disappears from the airwaves.  The ratings start to slide, and one Friday afternoon, after his or her show, the boss let’s them know that they won’t be back on the air the following Monday.  A quick announcement is released to the media, and that’s pretty much that. 

I have really been blessed here .. not only have I enjoyed a fun and fulfilling 42-year career in talk radio, but I’m leaving on my terms … saying goodbye to my listeners and telling them how much I appreciate them making me a part of their radio listening over the decades. 

I’ll thank you many times as this final week passes … so we’ll just start here.  Thank you.  Thank you for listening, thank you for doing business with our sponsors.  And thajk you for being there to celebrate this final week with me.  You – all of you – are loved.

By the way … and I’m going to say this for the record here … Sean Hannity is one of the finest gentlemen you will ever meet and one of the greatest friends a person could have.  My life is blessed for knowing this guy.  Y’all already know that about Foxworthy – but I just wanted you to know that about Cutie Pie.  And the people at WSB I’ve been working with for all these years … more on them later in the week.