For 20 years, the Charlotte Hornets may have been known as a mediocre NBA franchise, but their public address announcer was ELITE. “Big Pat” Doughty was not only a legend, but the most enthusiastic and optimistic ambassador the team could have wished for. Big Pat passed away after a long battle with illness earlier this summer
The team now has the unenviable, but necessary, task of replacing the irreplaceable. Someone must try to take Big Pat’s place.
Hornets Statement on Big Pat Doughty Replacement
On Big Pat’s replacement, Hornets president of business operations Shelly Cayette-Weston is quoted by WSOC-TV, “While we continue to mourn the loss of our beloved Pat Doughty, we are looking for someone who will continue his legacy – with the same passion and energy he brought to the arena each night. Big Pat will always be a part of the Charlotte Hornets organization, and we look forward to honoring his dynamic spirit in whoever we choose as our public address announcer to carry the torch.”
What will it take to replace Big Pat Doughty?
The old adage is, “You don’t want to replace the legend. You want to be the one who replaces the one who replaced the legend.” Take someone who tried radio a long time ago, it’s tough. That said, someone has to do it. My advice would be, and this is tricky (having done sound work myself), to always pay homage to the spirit of Big Pat, but don’t try to emulate Big Pat. He was one of the only ones. Your job is to be who you are. Also know that for at least the first year, you will be constantly compared and no one will like you. But eventually, you will settle in and make the job your own (if you’re lucky). Officially, the Hornets Website contains the following information. All interested candidates should apply via the form below, which includes submitting a professional public address resume, professional website or reel (no social media accounts or pages), and a personal recording of readings provided.
Charlie Nance is the co-host (with his wife) of “The Charlie and Debbie Show” on Afternoon Drive at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple has been with the radio station since 2006. Charlie has won the prestigious CMA (Country Music Association) Award for Radio Personality of the Year and has been a finalist for the Country Radio Hall of Fame four times. Prior to his time in Charlotte, Charlie (along with Debbie) spent over a decade hosting successful morning radio shows in Greenville, South Carolina, Augusta, Georgia, and Birmingham, Alabama. As a content creator for Country 1037, Charlie writes about dream lottery wins, sports, restaurants and bars, and travel experiences in North and South Carolina.
