Why did a popular veteran radio talk show host lose his job after planning a show about the rodeo?

Lee Adams is a popular veteran radio talk show host based in Reno, Nevada with over 28 years on the air. In an era of raunchy, obnoxious and obscene radio talk shows, Lee developed and maintains a reputation of integrity and class both on the air and off. Lee's focus is to create shows that both informed and entertained, and he does it with fairness and balance. But fairness and balance are not part of the Rodeo Mafia's bible, so when Lee planned a show about rodeos, he became a target of the Rodeo Mafia. This is a story of the Rodeo Mafia's fear of the truth, contempt for journalistic integrity and hatred of the 1st Amendment – the American right of Free Speech.

The following is a Statement from Lee Adams:

On Friday, June 25, 2004, I set about to put together a radio show that I have done live at the Reno Hilton for the past 11 months on KPTT 630 Radio, a local ESPN affiliate. The Reno Rodeo was to have its next-to-the-last performance in town on this date to record crowds. Thinking that the subject was very topical and thought-provoking, I did some research about how animals are treated in rodeos across the country. I stumbled across a website at http://www.sharkonline.org/. I learned of documented abuse and mistreatment of animals in rodeos and wanted to find out more, as well as hear from both sides. I telephoned the owner of the website, Steve Hindi and invited him on the show. I then learned that the animal welfare coordinator for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Cindy Schonholtz, happened to be in town, and I was able to track her down and invite her onto the show. She immediately agreed to appear in person on the show and got directions on how to get there. I then informed her that I would also have Steve Hindi from SHARK (SHowing Animals Respect & Kindness) on the show with her. At this point she started backpedaling and told me that she would have to clear it with her superiors at the PRCA. Within an hour, she called back and canceled her appearance. I then got a call from my boss, General Manager Dane Wilt of Lotus Radio in Reno, who was very upset. He demanded to know whose idea it was to put an animal rights activist on the air. I should point out here that Lotus Radio has 5 radio stations in Reno, including 94.5 The Mountain, a country FM station, which turns out to be the official radio station of the Reno Rodeo for the past 4 years running. Since Miss Schonholtz had just canceled and I wanted to have both sides on the air, coupled with the fact that Dane was very upset, I told him that I wouldn't put Mr. Hindi on the air, and he hung up. First thing Monday morning, Dane called me into his office. He also requested the presence of office manager Tammy Jo Baxter, as he often does when very serious conversations are about to take place. He started out this way "Lee, there is absolutely no possible way that you can justify what you did on Friday. The rodeo is our partner. You have shown no regard for our relationship with them, etc, etc. You will never be on the air on KPTT again. Ever." I then tried to explain my reasons for doing the show to no avail. I even apologized, saying I used poor judgment by not consulting with him first. He was determined to remove me from the air, saying that my apology was worthless, because it didn't come fast enough. He went on to say that he couldn't trust me to be on the air ever again. I told him then that if he really didn't trust me, I didn't need to be there, and so I resigned. I reminded him that all of this fuss was over a show that NEVER EVEN AIRED. It didn't matter. He wasn't changing his mind, so I assured him that I was serious about resigning.

After being fired as a talk show host, Lee resigned his secondary position as sales manager of the station. SHARK supporters asked KPTT General Manager Dane Wilt to explain his behavior, but like a true Rodeo Mafia minion, Mr. Wilt did not respond. Neither did anyone else at KPTT or ESPN, and especially not anyone from the PRCA.

It's not surprising that the PRCA refused to debate SHARK. Just last year, two horses were seriously injured at the Reno Rodeo. One horse, used in a bareback riding event, suffered a serious head injury after slamming into the arena gate. Another horse, used in a bucking event, unexpectedly dropped to the ground. Afterwards, a veterinarian reported that the horse had a serious spinal injury. Like so many other injuries to rodeo victims, the final disposition of these animals is unknown, meaning they likely died.

Please register a complaint to KPTT General Manager Dane Wilt at Dane@kozzradio.com or at his office phone number, 775-329-9261. Mr. Wilt's immediate supervisor is Tony Bonnici in Las Vegas. His phone number is 702-876-1460, and his email is tonyb@lvradio.com. You may also send your support to Lee Adams at LAdams5009@aol.com.

So why is the Rodeo Mafia and its servants so afraid of SHARK or anyone else telling the truth about rodeos? The truth is simple. Rodeos abuse, injure and kill many animals, and everyone in the Rodeo Mafia knows it. Rodeo "humane rules" exist only to make the public believe a lie. The more the issue is discussed, the more the cruelty is exposed. Rodeo people aren't brave Americans – they are animal abusers. Since animal abusers are cowards by nature, don't expect to see the Rodeo Mafia face up to the truth – or to SHARK.

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