On the weekend of the April 27th, 2019, the Metroplex, and for that matter, the world lost an iconic voice, and a sound that will never be replaced.
Not so much that the sound can’t be replace, but the body of that voice, the personality of that voice, will never be matched by anyone!
On Saturday evening the 27th of April, Roger Emrich, the rich stoic, tone, that has graced the airwaves of Dallas/ Ft Worth since 1989, and specifically since 1993 for KRLD 1080AM and the Texas State Network in one capacity or another. Be it, covering the state capitol or sports, with the Friday Night Scoreboard, or even play by play of High School sports- Roger Emrich has been a part of the landscape all of this time.
In 2011, he became the Public Address Announcer for the Dallas Cowboys inside their new home AT&T Stadium.
That BOOMING Voice, bouncing off the rafters in the stadium, got your attention.
Truly a great choice by the brain trust of the Cowboys for choosing Roger for their “PA VOICE”.
But when you strip all of that away, and you take the time to have gotten to know Roger, you would have found out, that the “Bigger Than Life” persona, that came with his voice, was truly the package in what you got.
He shook your hand, looked you right in the eye, and called you “Pardna!” as if you had been friends for a million years, and yet you just sat down with him five minutes ago!
Yes that is exactly how he made, you feel, like a part of the family! Be it his radio family, or his extended family, Roger made you feel that comfortable and that warm.
He was a show stopper, he would enter a room, and immediately we all knew who was in the house. RAJ-MAHAL was here!
He was a "YO ROGER RAPS" by doing satire RAP music for the sports station in Dallas/Ft. Worth 1053 the FAN, and it was a treat to see who they would get to do a duet with him! And most times it was hillarious!
I have tried to write a eulogy to my friend, but to be honest with you, I can’t write a mournful word about him, I can and will continue to Celebrate Roger, and the life that he shared with those of us that had the opportunity to be a part of.
Knowing Roger for the 30 years that I have been in this field, I was treated to some of the best stories, the best food ideas, restaurants, and advise about how to better my craft! All because HE wanted to, I have done my very best to pay it forward because of his ability to share. I try to continue to do that.
Roger and his wife ( Cris, who preceded him in death) absorbed you into their lives, and were always genuine when they asked how you were doing, not something in passing, but truly cared. When their son was born, and Roger would let him tag along to games, and be a part of his broadcasting crew, it was only natural that “Little Teddy” would grow up being in this industry and surpassing Pops!
He’s no longer Little Teddy! Now he is TED EMRICH! And over the years, he has done well, ESPN Television, the Olympics, The Masters, and other sporting events for Westwood One Radio and For Television on ESPN U and other outlets.
Roger was very proud of his son’s accomplishments, and extremely proud the day that Ted met his future bride Kate, and they were married, and shortly thereafter, made The RAJ-MAHAL and GRANDPA ROG!
The little girl that has Grandpa wrapped around her little finger and knows it too!
Ted and Kate, it is times, like this one, that your faith and family along with the many friends of not just those of yours, but those that your father and mother have, that will surround you with the love and the protection that you will need!
Everyone will ask you, if there is anything that they can do for you, and never hesitate to ask for that help when you need it most!
No one is an Island, and no one should go through this challenge in life alone! It is, just that a challenge, and we all grow a little bit from it!
Roger instilled in you Ted, everything you have become, and those of us who have known you for the majority of your life, are just as proud of you as if we were related to you!
We will miss your father, we will miss our friend, and we will miss the laughter and the stories, as well as the suggestions for restaurants.
Once Roger found out that I was once married to a woman from New Iberia, LA, you could have sworn I was an Honorary Cajun, by his standards!
From his meager beginnings, to his joining the Air Force, to writing for the News Papers, to making it to Radio and continue his journey from Louisiana to Texas! Roger Emrich will be forever forged into our memories, and into our hearts!
WE will miss you my friend! WE WILL REMEMBER YOU ALWAYS!
Just a thought
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