Lauren Estes

Hartselle Enquirer

Although twenty years ago Hartselle native J.D. Byars knew with a relentless work ethic he could hold a radio gig, he never imagined he’d be travelling 21 weeks a year hosting a successful sports show with thousands of listeners.

The Hartselle High graduate and University of North Alabama football player said he had followed Sports Broadcasting since before his teenage years and always had a passion for it.

“I recall really being enthused by sports broadcasts when I was about 12 years old, both television and radio,” Byars said. “I just found it really interesting and loved the personalities behind the microphones. I’d tune-in to every radio and TV broadcast I could and just hang on every word, daydreaming how awesome it would be to make a career out of broadcasting something that everyone was dying to buy a ticket to anyway.”

Byars said his early influencers both indirectly helped mold who he has become as an enthusiastic broadcaster.

“My earliest heroes were Joe Dean Senior and Bob Neal, two southern guys who didn’t actually work on the same crew, but really made the broadcasts exciting and descriptive,” Byars said. “Coach Dean’s catch phrase of “string music” and the way he’d refer to playing at Kentucky as broadcasting ‘from the foothills of Lexington K-Y inside Rupp Arena’ brought that someone extra to the show. He’d get excited and you could tell he loved the action, the sport itself and the student-athletes on the floor.”

Byars started working News Channel 48 out of Huntsville in 1996 as reporter and his memories of news stories and sports packages since are second to none.

“Eleven years covering news and sports in North Alabama are almost a blur,” Byars said. “Every day was different. I grew to understand that I could never consistently anticipate what was next. I may start the day flying over a disaster scene with the Governor and end the day at midnight covering a standoff hostage situation. I recall the Olympic bombings in Atlanta and 9-11, but the stories that stick with me even today are the crimes involving children. It made the job very tough and often emotional. I tried to always re-center myself and tell myself ‘someone has to do this job.’ I might as well tackle it, face it and deliver the story the best way possible and honor these victims while following the story till the end when justice is served. Many of those cases/stories went on for months and years. Those are the ones I will likely never forget.”

When asked how Byars family plays a role in his career, he suggested, ‘how do they not play a role,’ they’re his support system.

The husband to accountant Beverly Byars, father to Jake, 15 and Stella-Beth, 8, are the pom-pom holders for J.D. and his career of the Voice of the South Alabama Jaguars. Byars is not only recognizable, but his voice holds true to being southern football, basketball, and baseball play-calling’s finest.

“Speaking of traveling, it’s a double-edged sword; while I get to see the country for free and broadcast from the best stadiums, arenas and ballparks, it also means tons of time missed at home,” Byars said. “I am essentially on-tour for more than nine straight months per year with football, basketball and baseball plus appearances at our league’s media days in New Orleans. It gets tough but I can honestly say I have a strong family unit that understands and adapts. Beverly and the kids (Jake and Stella Beth) know this is what I do make a life for us and they endure it like true champs. Being away from them hurts especially when I miss a holiday or event, but Bev always seems to find a silver lining. She often reminds me that I could be punching a time clock somewhere on an assembly line (which I did for two summers). Jets, buses and SUV’s are just part of it and we make the most of every weekend, summer and night that we have together and make memories where and when we can.”

Byars and his family do share common interests, specifically running and working out. Even while he is on the road, Byars keeps a healthy lifestyle a priority, and family time, the priority when he is off the road.

“Exercise is still a big part of our entire family’s life,” Byars said. “We try to live a healthy lifestyle and eat right. Beverly and I enjoy running. I still lift weights 4-5 times every week. It is a great stress reliever even when I’m on the road. Our youngest, Stella Beth is a great little gymnast and training under former Russian Olympic Gold Medalist, Vladamir Novakov. Jake is a tremendous musician. He plays drums and guitar and has weekly lessons. I try my best to be a great partner at home to my great wife Beverly. When I’m home I love to cook as many nights as possible and take as many chores as I can. The yard, laundry and the vacuum are my thing. I ditched the dishes chore on Jake. I try to stay on top of it and just help keep this family thing going.“

Working in broadcasting for the time J.D. has, it’s hard to nail down one specific game or event that beats and can be named the most memorable experience, so he recalled a few to share. 

”It’s definitely hard to pick a single sports broadcast that stands-out,” Byars said. “Chris Stewart (Alabama broadcaster) and I were discussing this idea just the other day. While we’ve both broadcast in SEC stadiums and places like AT&T stadium in Dallas, the best games are the ones with thrilling endings regardless of the size of facility or the name on the jersey. I will say though, the most recent one that stands out: last fall’s football opener saw South Alabama stun Mississippi State in Starkville. The Jags were a 30-point underdog and pulled the 1 point upset. For more than an hour, Jags Football was trending #1 on Twitter and my radio-call was the ESPN radio-call of the day. I got texts and emails from across the country, from folks I hadn’t heard from in years…folks who heard the radio call across the numerous radio networks, shows and TV.”

Although many people support and pour into you throughout your life, everyone has a role-model that they cling to be like in their field.

“Keith Jackson is still the gold standard,” Byars said. “The old days when he would team-up with Arkansas native Frank Broyles were the best. The blend of their two southern accents just charmed the country. Those were the days when only two or three total college games made it to the TV audience over a fall weekend. My wife has only seen me emotional to the point of tears maybe three times and one occurred when Keith Jackson decided to retire. Nowadays, I really admire Brad Nessler. I respect the way he says so much with so few words and stays out of the way in favor of his color analyst partner. So many play-by-play guys try to be the star of the show but I’ve always felt like we should just try to navigate the broadcast and let the expert (color analyst) drive with their keen knowledge. When I called game for North Alabama, I had the privilege of working with one of my own former coaches. Ikey Fowler had the genuine southern draw and great colloquialisms. His knowledge and understanding of schemes and fomations made the show what it was. I really miss working with him and the awesome memories we made driving and flying all over the country.”

During his time of growing up in Hartselle, now living in Mobile, and attending the University of North Alabama, he recalled several moments that would make him a better broadcaster, employee and father.

“At Hartselle, we had some great teams and won a lot of games. My senior year, I hit a 44 yard field goal versus Brewer and was named All-Area, All-Region and All-State but what I cherish the most was the booster club and community support,” Byars said. “It wasn’t until I left for college that I truly understood how fortunate we were as Hartselle student-athletes. From facilities, to uniforms, coaches and travel, we had the best. Our booster club and donors invested so much in us and for that, I am very thankful. Because of the Tiger tradition, a lot was expected of every program and sport. Going into my senior year, we had lost 32 seniors and I believe 12 of those signed college scholarships. The 1989 season was expected to be one of the worst in decades. Our small senior class rose to the challenge and won (I think) nine games and made it to the second round of the play-offs. We were definitely over-achievers. I think I was the only one from that group to go on and play in football in college, but I am convinced we had at least four or five who had the heart and intangibles to succeed at the next level had they been given a chance. At North Alabama, (UNA) I got to play as a true freshman. I recall hitting the field and not even really understanding yet who are big rivals were. Versus Troy (State, then) I had a 32 yard field and a pair of extra points in the win. I didn’t even know we were an underdog. A not-so-flattering memory, my sophomore year, were playing in front of a sell-out crowd at Jacksonville State. We marched straight down the field and scored to go up 6-0. I trotted out for the point after. The ball was snapped. I recall my foot hitting the ball and then climbing back to my feet on about the 15 yard line. Someone missed a block but to my credit, Eric Davis played several seasons in the NFL after cleaning my plow that day.

There’s still a lot of life to live for the fitness enthusiast and broadcaster, and his goals are to continue to grow in his element and spend more time with his family.

“It may sound odd that I don’t really have some lofty broadcasting goals greater than where I am right now,” Byars said. “I actually work for the university here which means a lot. They pay me better than I deserve. I have super benefits and participate in the teachers retirement system. I guess I am mature enough to understand the real value in all of that. If there is one thing I could change and improve, I’d like to be home more. Folks ask me all the time when I’ll make the move to ESPN, the NFL or the NBA. Those might be great options, but I am not convinced just yet. The grass is pretty green right where I am, and Oh, more importantly, the sand is just down the street. Beverly and I love the beach and actually plan to retire there one day.”