Let’s face it – every day we are routinely bombarded with questions. When you’re an emerging media company in Nashville, people just want to know what your opinions are on everything. It’s only natural. And, since our duty is to serve the people, well, we have no choice but to be present. That’s the SoBro Way. Also, aren’t mailbags just a barrel of laughs anyway? Welcome to the newest weekly recurring feature up in this bitch: The SoBros Mailbag. As always, use #SoBrosMailbag to hit us up on Twitter.
Question:
It’s holiday shopping season. What are some Bros pet peeves during the season? People who spend an hour scoping out a close parking spot at the mall are about as bad as people who back in to parking spots.
— Steven McCash (@MC_Cash75) November 20, 2018
Answer:
The parking lots, Steven. I am so with you on this one. And, just to expand upon that, the overall nastiness you can encounter while Christmas shopping. It’s kind of ridiculous and hypocritical. Isn’t this the time of year you should be forgiving, generous, and considerate? Like, what happened to the real “Christmas spirit?” You certainly won’t see it in the shopping malls this season.
That’s part of what bugs me about what scams like Black Friday have turned Christmas into….for some, it seems like this time of the year is about stuff. Nah, it’s about reflecting on the year you had and taking time to enjoy the company of those you love. It’s about helping others. It’s about a whole host of things that are NOT material items. At least that’s what it is in my book, but that’s an entirely different can of worms.
My main point being that people just don’t seem to care about genuinely helping each other anymore. Nothing makes my blood boil like someone being an asshole in a store or parking lot at this time of the year.
Question:
Which current Titan player(s) would you want to see pursue pro wrestling after their football career ends?
— Brent Powelson (@BrentPowelson) November 20, 2018
Answer:
I love this question, Brent. Titans and wrestling – it’s like two of my major worlds colliding. I think the natural answer here would be Taylor Lewan. He’s big and powerful, but he also has the charisma to cut one hell of a promo. Plus, the tattoos and all – dude just has the look and personality for it.
But, there are a couple of answers beyond the obvious that I’d entertain – I think Adoree Jackson could be the best athlete on the roster, and is low-key electric. Dude could be the next Kurt Angle, Matt Riddle type – just a natural athlete who takes to wrestling and becomes amazing at it. Finally, shout out to our guy Dennis Kelly. Like Lewan, he’s big and powerful, but Touchdown Dennis Kelly is underrated as an overall athlete – plus, the dude’s a big wrestling fan so he’d already “get it.” Seems like he’d be a natural at it.
Question:
Ooh ooh ooh, i have a question! What are the last 5 books you’ve read? And who are some of your journalism/author/writing influences?
— Armondo Moralez (@ArmondoWKRN) November 20, 2018
Answer:
I live for this shit, Armondo. I’m a big TED Talk guy – I love learning about creativity, about finding your way as a creator, and I love reading about what inspires some of our country’s greatest creators. That’s a long winded way of saying, “if you get me started on this topic, I will literally talk until I’m blue in the face about it.”
For me, this conversation always begins with Clay Travis for a couple of reasons. First, he was the first sports talk guy that I could recall hearing who just went after shit. Like, he was unabashedly himself, for better or for worse, and was as entertaining as he was informative. Second, I discovered his work at a time when I had no fucking clue what to do with my life, and reading his story helped give me the kick I needed to start down the path that ultimately led to SoBros Network. Also, Stoney Keeley fun fact: he was the first dude to pay me to write something. I made it to Outkick twice (here and here).
I have to mention Barstool Sports here as well – I can’t even tell you how many people have come up to me, talked to me about SoBros Network, and said, “you guys are like Barstool Nashville!” Yes, I’m happy that people have something they can immediately attach our brand to – it helps them compartmentalize what we are and so they remember us better. Simple branding. I’m also flattered that people genuinely believe we can take off the way Barstool did. Hell yeah, I’ve worked fuckin’ hard for the last five years – I would love nothing more than for millions of dollars to start pouring into the SoBros Network the way it did for Barstool after all of their blood, sweat, and tears days.
But, by the same token, I think there are a lot of things that distinguish us from Barstool. That said, they were the first site I read that taught me the most important lesson I may have ever learned in writing: it’s okay to open it up, be yourself, and just let it rip. No limits.
I happen to think Will Ferrell and Danny McBride are the two funniest human beings on the planet. I’ve been inspired by nearly everything they’ve ever made. I also have a really absurd sense of humor – it’s hard to translate into written content, but you might see some hints of that in my YouTube work. I attribute a lot of that to my undying love for Mitch Hedberg. The comedy stuff is what I enjoy the most, and that definitely comes from a sense of appreciation for the works of these men.
I could probably list a dozen more for various subtle reasons, but for the sake of brevity, those are the big influences for me.
As for the last five books I’ve read, oh boy – I feel like this is going to be an unflattering glimpse into my mind…
- Quitter by Jon Acuff
- Hellboy: Odd Jobs by Mike Mignola
- The Last American Vampire by Seth Grahame-Smith
- Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates by Brian Kilmeade
- The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
Question:
Best leftover Thanksgiving food mashup?
— Woody (@woodfinx) November 20, 2018
Answer:
Dude….Woody….Black Friday, I’m going to get a pack of King’s Hawaiian rolls (regular rolls will suffice if you have leftovers). Fuckin’ turkey/ham and cranberry sauce sandwiches ALL WEEKEND.
Keep the questions coming using #SoBrosMailbag – catch y’all next week!
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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