The mighty Munson: A singular voice that will resonate forever
Larry Munson: The man, the voice, the legend. (AJC file photo)
He wasn’t the classic radio voice. On purely technical terms, he wasn’t the paragon of play-by-play, either. But such was the power of the mighty Munson personality that none of that mattered. You didn’t care if his calls were vague or his growl sounded like a Waring blender being jammed down a garbage disposal. You cared only that the man behind the microphone agonized as much over this particular football game as you did.
This isn’t to suggest Larry Munson wasn’t a pro. He was. But he was the amateur’s pro. There was no distance in him. He’d beseech the Georgia defense to hunker down – “One … more … time” — and he’d fret that a perfectly winnable game was unwinnable simply because that’s way of all fretters, and when the unwinnable game somehow got won the growl would raise hosannas as sweet as any bit of church music.
The idea of radio play-to-play was, in those long-ago days before every game found some television outlet, to paint a picture and to tell a story. Munson painted like Van Gogh on a starry night and conjured up better stories than Jack London. When the Georgia Tech broadcaster Al Ciraldo died a few years ago, Munson lamented his passing by saying, “We’re the last of a breed.”
In Munson’s day, the radio man was the fans’ only constant conduit to a team. On any given autumn Saturday nowadays we can watch a dozen games, but we couldn’t back then. The Rex Robinson game in Lexington in 1978? Wasn’t on live TV. The Herschel debut in Knoxville two years later? Wasn’t on live TV. The sugar-falling-from-the-sky game in Auburn two years after that? Wasn’t on live TV.
Any broadcaster could give you the down and distance; only Munson could give you the agony and the ecstasy. From property being destroyed on St. Simons after Belue-to-Scott to the Volunteer noses broken by the hobnailed boot, the Munson sense of imagery was a gale force unto itself. Nobody else sounded like him. Nobody else would choose the words he chose. The first time I heard Munson doing a Georgia game, I thought I had, by a trick of the ionosphere, tuned into some ham radioman having a nervous breakdown. The more I listened to him, the more I realized my first impression wasn’t far wrong, and I mean that in the best possible way.
There were no mail-in Saturdays for Munson. Every week was another passion play. Didn’t matter if the Bulldogs were playing the worst team in creation — Munson would worry to the extent that his listeners started breaking out in flop sweat because, halfway through the first quarter, Podunk State was “acting as if she wants to score.”
True fact: Vince Dooley, himself a worrier of renown, would try to avoid Munson during the week because, Dooley said, “he makes me nervous.” When Dooley would go overboard extolling some overmatched opponent’s virtues, we’d all wink. When Munson started growling on (and on) about the speed of Podunk … well, the winking would cease and the nerve-jangling would commence. You’d suspend disbelief simply because of the force of one voice.
I’m proud to say I knew the man, and I must tell you this: There was no artifice in the Munson persona. What you heard on-air was the Larry Munson. I’ll never forget that cold day in Auburn back in 2002, when 10-1 Georgia, ranked No. 7 in the land, was trying to win the SEC East for the first time. Before kickoff, I asked Munson what he thought. He looked at me as if I was crazy for even asking. “We haven’t got a chance in hell,” he said.
History will record that Georgia won on the fourth-down pass — 70-X-Takeoff, the play was called — from David Greene to Michael Johnson, and again the Bulldogs had overridden the odds and the fates and the primordial Munson doubts to prevail. And that was why Munson held us in such thrall: Georgia wouldn’t win because it had twice the talent of its opponent but because good had, miracle of miracles, trumped evil.
To listen to Cawood Ledford, the greatest pure play-by-play man who ever lived, call a Kentucky basketball game was to hear talent and craftsmanship. To hear Munson at work was to be bombarded by the sheer depth of feeling for what he was witnessing. When the famous Memphis record man Sam Phillips first heard the blues singer Howlin’ Wolf on the radio, Phillips is said to have said: “This is where the soul of man never dies.”
To hear Larry Munson call Georgia football was to experience something similar. (And surely it was no coincidence that Munson was, in an earlier manifestation, a professional piano player. He had the ears to go with the voice.) The great man passed away Sunday night at age 89; the great growl will live forever.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
378 comments Add your comment
Alphare
November 21st, 2011
9:44 am
Since Mark mentioned Larry’s style, not a UGA fan, not to try to irk anyone in such a sad day, in my honest opinion, Larry is pretty much: “coolaid, coolaid, oh my God, coolaid!”
Larry, I am glad you had so many UGA fans. Rest in peace.
LESD
November 21st, 2011
9:45 am
“Any broadcaster could give you the down and distance; only Munson could give you the agony and the ecstasy.” And that’s the truth.
Alphare
November 21st, 2011
9:45 am
test
joe
November 21st, 2011
9:46 am
“Lorne, whatdayagot?” “Well, Larry, UGA III has shut it down today, just like our defense.” Classic.
Andy
November 21st, 2011
9:47 am
Nice job Mark. Munson was the ultimate “homer” and we loved him for it.
icedawg
November 21st, 2011
9:48 am
Amen and amen Brother.
Seattle Dawg
November 21st, 2011
9:49 am
May you rest in peace Larry. Great article Mark
Dr. Morpheus
November 21st, 2011
9:50 am
Blogging at it’s best- thanks to you Jackets and Gators who weighed in to share your affection and respect for the Voice of the Dawgs.
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
November 21st, 2011
9:51 am
We wonder why UGA never named the broadcast booth after Larry!
GA
November 21st, 2011
9:52 am
How we loved to listen to Larry on the radio and watch the TV at the same time. He touched the lives of many. May he forever enjoy GA football.
78dawg
November 21st, 2011
9:56 am
We love you Larry !!!
1eyedJack
November 21st, 2011
9:56 am
RIP and Godspeed Larry Munson. You are already missed.
1eyedJack
November 21st, 2011
9:56 am
We already miss you.
Dr.EB
November 21st, 2011
9:58 am
Mr. Munson, rest in peace.
Signed,
A Tech fan
Andi L
November 21st, 2011
9:59 am
Beautifully put Mark. You made Larry’s voice ring true in this article!
Consider this...
November 21st, 2011
9:59 am
Well written article Mark. Larry Munson truly is/was Georgia football to so many people over the years. I remember sitting in the living room with my Dad watching games and having the tv turned down and the radio blaring. He helped to shape a lot of great memories for a lot of folks and will truly be missed.
BillyRay
November 21st, 2011
9:59 am
For every legendary moment, Muson had 500 droll, terrible calls. Only a Georgia fan could love Munson’s typical description of a game: “We run it up the middle, and they stop us.” No mail-in Saturdays? He mailed it in every week.
vols deep
November 21st, 2011
9:59 am
As a Vol fan, I can remember coming back to visit my parents in ATlanta in colllege. We’d go out to dinner on a Saturday evening and listen to him on the radio. It was as if you’re buddy was realying the game to you over the phone…
“oh my Gawd, we just fumbled….”
WatchEmEveryNight_Fans
November 21st, 2011
10:00 am
Article written with true class, MB. Thank you for sharing with Bulldawg Nation. Larry Munson, R.I.P.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
November 21st, 2011
10:00 am
Larry Munson: The only person I liked with any affiliation to UGA besides the UGA sorority houses.
one of my favorites was
November 21st, 2011
10:01 am
… ” 3rd down and 100 miles to go “.
Snake Doc
November 21st, 2011
10:03 am
God Speed Larry!
Alabama Dog
November 21st, 2011
10:08 am
Without a doubt, one of THE most iconic figures in the Bulldog Nation, as well as the SEC. To those of us who grew up in the age when every single game was not broadcast (ABC had a game of the week), no internet, no smart phones, Sirrius/XM radio, etc, Larry Munson WAS Georgia football-PERIOD!!! His calls are legendary, whether a win, or a loss. Obviuosly, I live in the state of Alabama, and Bammers and Aubies were always envious of Georgia having the best announcer, and wish they had one just like him. However, there was and always will be only one Larry Munson. Larry made us all WANT to listen to Georgia games on the radio. In fact, many times, I was hoping Georgia would play night games, so I could pick up WSB at night, and turn the sound down on the TV and listen to Larry’s voice calling a game as no one has before, or since. He has been sorely missed since his retirement form behind the mike, but will NEVER be forgotten, by the Bulldog Nation, or our SEC rivals. Rest in peace Larry, and thank you for all the wonderful memories you have provided to us all.
Coondog
November 21st, 2011
10:08 am
Larry you are the best. RIP
murfdawg
November 21st, 2011
10:09 am
Mark,
I grew up listening to Caywood Ledford and loved the way he called games. He was like a great guard(or point guard now), always cool and under control and you knew his team would always win. and after the game you just enjoyed the win.
Munson on the other hand worked you into a lather(if you were a die hard Dawg) and you would live and die on every play. With Munson, you participated in the game and after the game you were exhausted. He put the “WE” in a victory. We hunkered down, we begged Lindsay to run and we wore hobnail boots. We loved Larry Munson!
murfdawg
November 21st, 2011
10:10 am
p.s. Larry say hello to Grizzard!
Alabama Dog
November 21st, 2011
10:13 am
Larry Munson was pehaps the most iconic figure in Bulldog history. The football field was his canvas, and his voice was the brush for painting unforgetable memories. for those of us who were not fortunate enough to have the internet, smart phones, or Sirrius/XM radio in our younger days, we eagerly looked forward to football Saturdays, just to hear Larry call a game as no one has before, or since. Rest in peace, Larry, and thank you for being such a big part of many of our lives.
USA Jacket
November 21st, 2011
10:14 am
You will be missed by this Jacket Larry. One of the best football voices there ever was.
steverino
November 21st, 2011
10:21 am
I would primarily tune in to Larry when UGA was on the verge of losing a big game, or moment away from going down in defeat to a lesser opponent. It would enhance my celebratory mood.
One of my favorite Munson moments was the ‘83 Sugar Bowl, when Larry described PSU’s O-line to the effect of “my God…Penn State has these big, THICK people up front”!
Jason
November 21st, 2011
10:22 am
This Die-Hard Yellow Jacket takes his hat off to Larry Munson, a damn good announcer. RIP.
red5.ws
November 21st, 2011
10:25 am
Nice article Mark. Larry truly painted a high definition picture long before HD TV’s and the internet were available.
Alabama Dog
November 21st, 2011
10:26 am
steverino: you are a disrepectful TROLL!!!!!
Wayne
November 21st, 2011
10:26 am
I was born, educated, and will die a Yellow Jacket, but when I heard the news this morning I felt as though I had been kicked in the stomach. Larry Munson was and is the best. He will be sorely missed.
DawgMom52
November 21st, 2011
10:29 am
My brother wrote me after we heard of Larry Munson’s passing, that it is so sad that so many will never know a Saturday of hanging on his every pessimistically hopeful word. Just not the same with anyone else.
Dawgs fans name their family dog Munson and every knows why without to ask. A living tribute to the man we loved to listen to. Larry is legend. He is Georgia football and we are all better fans for having grown up listening to him call the games. He will always be THE voice of Georgia football.
Thank you, Mark, for a great tribute piece I have already printed it and saved it for future resding.
Dawgsgone
November 21st, 2011
10:34 am
Really hard to believe that he’s gone. All the tributes from rival school supporters say it best: He was just the best, now and forever. “Get the picture now, beautiful day in Athens Ga., wind blowing through the fans on the bridge, Dawgs need to hunker down one more time. RIP Larry
Vince
November 21st, 2011
10:35 am
God Bless Larry Munson. He gave me many, many hours of great joy–something that is priceless.
The Grinch
November 21st, 2011
10:37 am
My parents and my siblings all worked hard to get us 4 kids through UGA. Obviously my parents became huge Bulldog fans while attending games during a 14-year period and my dad was one of those who listened to the radio broadcast while in the stadium on game day. My father passed away about 8 years ago and his funeral was on a Saturday afternoon. Other people were showing up and paying their respects to their loved ones during a beautiful fall afternoon. I couldn’t help but chuckle when someone pulled up to a nearby grave and as they exited their car we could hear Larry’s voice booming on the radio during a close Bulldog victory. I couldn’t think of a better sendoff for my father.
The Grinch
November 21st, 2011
10:38 am
steverino
November 21st, 2011
10:21 am
Refreshing to see that a man’s death has put you in such a festive, nostalgic mood.
duronimo
November 21st, 2011
10:39 am
UGA has been blessed with some great announcers. Munson had a distinctive style as did his predecessor Ed Thilenius who gave up the job after getting throat cancer. He used to set a game up by letting you know who was going from “right to left”.Another distinctive announcer in the area was Al Ciraldo of GT. His high pitched voice started every game with “toe meets leather”.
gtgoguy
November 21st, 2011
10:40 am
Tech grad here. I will miss him.
Top Recruit
November 21st, 2011
10:44 am
Mr. Bradley,
There are very few dry eyes in the Bulldawg Nation this mornings. For many of us alums Larry Munson personified UGA and the Dawgs. Your writings today of Larry is a great gift and a great honor to a man who will live forever in our lifes. Many of us were students when Larry became the Voice of the Dawgs. He will always be that voice. Thanks so much for your tribute to this wonderful man and beloved Dawg.
TN Jeff
November 21st, 2011
10:44 am
Nailed it MB – thanks
The Grinch
November 21st, 2011
10:45 am
duronimo
November 21st, 2011
10:39 am
Amen to that. The first time I listened to Ciraldo I wasn’t a big fan. I was used to Munson. But as the years went by I appreciated Ciraldo’s unique calls. I still preferred Munson, but Ciraldo was revered at Tech as much as Munson was at UGA.
Interesting trivia about Ciraldo – he was a Florida graduate….that’s right, a Gator.
John
November 21st, 2011
10:45 am
I will never forget the night Herschel Walker made his debut in the 1980 season opener against Tennessee. To hear Larry Munson descibe Herschel’s first touchdown–and this was back in the day when no team could be on television more than two or three times a year and the only way to keep up with game was on radio–was pure beauty. I am an Auburn graduate but I still loved to listen to Larry Munson call a game. Eli Gold at Alabama and Jim Hawthorne at LSU are the only two present day radio broadcasters who even approach Munson and the other great announcers of old.
CDawg42
November 21st, 2011
10:46 am
My hardcore Dawg fans, a moment of silence in tribute to Larry this Saturday vs. Tech; mute your TV volume from kickoff to the completion of the first play from scrimmage.
how2fish
November 21st, 2011
10:47 am
Can you just imagine if he was able to call the upcoming SEC championship this year….it would be so classic Munson “little Georgia vs the mighty fill in the blank”
steverino
November 21st, 2011
10:47 am
No disrespect iintended, Alabama Dog. I don’t see what you found disrespectful about my previous post. Larry was one of the all time greats…a legend. This is a sad day, indeed. He brought a lot of joy to a lot of people. To hear him agonize over the waning moments of a Bulldog loss brought joy to ME. Nothing against Mr.Munson.
A lessser broadcaster wouldn’t have been NEARLY as much fun to listen to in those situations. He will be greatly missed.
Heather
November 21st, 2011
10:48 am
Years ago at the GA/SC game, I was tossing the football outside our hotel with my husband when I heard that incredible voice. I thought someone had their radio on, but then from behind a bus came the face of that unmistakeable voice and you would have thought I saw a Hollywood movie star the way I just starred!!! No one will ever remotely compare to Larry. The Bulldawg nation has many broken hearts today.
Auburn Fan
November 21st, 2011
10:49 am
Wether you were a fan of UGA or not, you would always put the radio on WSB during UGA games to hear Munson. You never knew what he would say, what metaphor he would use to describe the action on the field, but you always enjoyed it. Many times he never had to tell you the outcome of a play the inflection in his voice would let you know. He truelly was a great one, a role model for anyone who inspires to be a broadcaster. He will be missed.
JBoltWV
November 21st, 2011
10:53 am
“Run, Lindsay!” was Classic Munson and said what every Georgie fan was thinking back in that long ago UGA-Florida game on the way to a national championship: http://youtu.be/OXQSAxLVMUM