Ryan (CRASH) Barton

For the record: crashfromtheradio.bsky.social

The Raccoons is one of the most beloved shows in Canadian history. From the specials that aired in the early-1980s, to the show that ran from 1985 to 1992, to the theme song itself, it is a shot of nostalgia for Canadians. This is the story of that show. 🧵 1/14

The trade is one for none. Which is to say I’m exchanging my semi-retired TSN life of the last five years — doing the World Junior Championships, NHL Draft Rankings, a handful of Toronto Maple Leaf broadcasts, TradeCentre and Free Agent Frenzy — for a fully-retired life of doing absolutely nothing. Well, nothing work related anyway. Today’s Free Agent Frenzy is the last working day in a 48-year professional career that included stops at The Sault Star, The Globe and Mail, The Hockey News (twice), The Toronto Star, TSN, ESPN and NBC, amongst others. It’s been quite a ride. I’ll be 69 years old in August. I decided a few months ago it’s as nice a time as any to call it a career with the expiry of my current contract. If I had been so inclined to continue doing the World Juniors and draft rankings etc. at TSN, the opportunity was certainly there for me to do so. And I’m so grateful to TSN for that. Honestly, though, I am looking forward to waking up on Christmas morning this year and NOT flying to Minneapolis-St. Paul for the World Juniors. I’m also looking forward to doing more travelling with my wife Cindy; having more time to give my sons Mike and Shawn unwanted (and unneeded) advice; playing even more golf than I am now; and having my two wonderful grandchildren Blake and Gunnar running my show on a full-time basis. After almost 50 years in the business, there are far too many people to thank individually, so I won’t even try to name any lest I leave some out. Just know that I’ve been blessed to work for, work with and work against so many great people who gave me boundless opportunity, incredible support and intense motivation. The nearly five decades have gone by in the blink of an eye. I certainly never set out to be the TSN Hockey Insider. It never occurred to me that I would work in television. All I wanted to be when I grew up was a hockey writer, to have a “job” to watch, write and talk about the game. You know, tell a few stories and try to capture the spirit of the thing. Mission accomplished, I guess. I couldn’t say goodbye now without a special thanks to everyone at TSN, past and present. I first started showing up on the network in or around 1986-87. In the 1990s, I was working full-time hours at TSN but still had a full time newspaper job, too. Since 2000, 25 years ago, TSN has been my primary professional home. It’s been a very special place on so many levels. The best part of TSN has always been the people. The best people doing the best work. What an honour to be one small part of the unsurpassed excellence that is TSN. Every time I’ve walked out of Studio Six at the end of Free Agent Frenzy on July 1, I’ve said to myself: “It doesn’t get any better than that.” And it doesn’t. That’s especially true on this Canada Day because I’m so very proud to be a Canadian. 🇨🇦 I’m a very lucky guy. I owe the game of hockey, and all the people within it — the players, coaches, managers, executives, scouts, agents et al — so much; I owe my family and friends even more.  Finally, thank you to anyone who has ever read, watched or listened to any of my work in any form at any outlet over the last 48 years. It’s been a privilege to share some information with you all, and try to have a few laughs along the way on social media or whatever they’re calling it these days. I’ve cherished it all. Fully Completely. ✌️and 💕  -30-

Yesterday marked 20 years in radio for me (all of it in Fredericton!) Got a little sentimental about it this morning - if you have a couple mins to listen, below. Thanks! @Move1069 #MOVEMornings iheart.com/podcast/269-mo…

We had a blast hosting the FYRA Awards Banquet on Saturday night. Though, @Crashola gave a kid a bloody nose. 😬 Listen to his apology here: iheart.com/podcast/269-mo… #MOVEMornings

ASD-W Schools in zones 2-9 are closed today due to road and weather conditions.

Busy day tomorrow at AUC‼️ The 🐐 returns‼️ Teddy bear toss 🎄🎅🏻🧸‼️

Just in time for the holidays ‼️ Get your retro Red Devils hoodie this Friday at elementary school night‼️

The Onion has acquired Infowars in a bankruptcy auction. They plan to debut a new Infowars in January that will serve as parody, mocking weird Internet personalities like Alex Jones. The Onion CEO says they acquired it because “this is the funniest thing that has ever happened”

Conan O’Brien is officially your 97th Oscars host! Tune into the biggest night in Hollywood on Sunday, March 2nd at 7e/4p, LIVE on @ABCNetwork! #Oscars @TeamCoco @ConanOBrien

@Taggart7 Bluesky is like what Twitter used to be!

Huge total raised at the Ferguson Foundation’s Food & Wine Adventure Gala Friday night! Had a blast hosting the evening at the Delta. All supporting their efforts to prevent/end family violence & support survivors!

Me: I need to scale back my social media use, put my phone down, and live in the moment more. *creates BlueSky account*

Fredericton’s Strike Pictures had a full house at Tilley Hall for their feature film screening tonight during @silverwavefilm. Do I Know You From Somewhere Where was/is awesome! So happy for these folks! They’re all fantastic!

Had a blast as MC for the Food & Wine Adventure at the Delta for the Fergusson Foundation! A fun (and delicious!) night with friends for a fantastic cause! They helped raise over $108,000 to help prevent/end family violence. Final totals will be released early next week.

Let’s be the tide, not the dam.

When you’re a Dad and you get a minivan to test drive for the week…(thanks to #MOVEMornings sponsor Fairview Chrysler)👇 @Move1069 facebook.com/share/v/DmcV4t…

Jon Stewart on election night: "We're all going to have to wake up tomorrow morning and work like hell to move the world to the place that we prefer it to be." #DailyShow

Gonna watch the Leafs/Bruins because it is somehow less emotionally taxing than the US Election results.

CANADA WATCHING US NEWS