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Working The Broadcast For The PA Derby 2023 at Parx Casino

Author Matty Cord and Steve Vassalotti

Usually, you guys know me as the radio guy for my gig here as the new morning show DJ at WMGK after many years as the midday DJ, but over the weekend, I got to do something a little bit different over at Parx Casino.

I got to be a part of the NBC Sports Philly broadcast on Saturday for the PA Derby taking place on the horse racing tracks over at Parx, and it was a blast!

As much as she tried with the overwhelming amount of rain, Mother Nature could not damper anyone’s spirit!

 

I was actually assigned to interview people who were participating in all the fun activities that were taking place inside the grandstand. Needless to say, it was an action-packed day.

Not to mention, maybe the coolest part of the day, I got to hang out with the new president of the Philadelphia Flyers, Keith Jones, and many others like Kane Kalas, and Dani Gibson. Talk about a fun group of people taking in the races over at Parx!

 

Plus, Jessica Paquette became the first ever woman to announce a G1 race at the PA Derby, which is the highest designation in horse racing for all those unaware, as the official caller. So not only was it a fun day, but it was also quite the historic day in Bensalem that I am glad to have been in attendance for on Saturday!

Also, I can’t forget to send a big thank you to Bruce Casella for producing the broadcast and making me look good!

 

If you have never checked out a horse race over at Parx Casino in Bensalem, I highly recommend you do it in the near future, or if you want to swing by the PA Derby next year, maybe I will see you there!

As for this year’s PA Derby, it couldn’t have gone better! Thanks to all who made it happen!

More from Matt Cord…

The Top 19 Moments of MGK Big Gig 2023

There are just four days left in the summer — at least officially according to the calendar that says the last day of the season is September 23rd. For some people, summer unofficially ends after Labor Day Weekend, but for me, my summer unofficially ended with a bang over the weekend at MGK Big Gig 2023!

On Sunday, we had yet another successful MGK Big Gig, and it might have been the best one yet! From the live broadcasts to hanging with fans, to the performances by the legendary musical guests, it was definitely a day to remember!

The live performances included Uncle Kracker, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and ZZ-Top, and they were the perfect acts to have taken the stage on a Sunday in the late summer.

Tony Harris, Andre Gardner, and then Steve Vassalotti and I all broadcasted live throughout the day. Of course, I have to send a huge shout-out to all of you who stopped by our broadcast booth on the Walt Whitman side of the Freedom Mortgage Pavillion!

Then, Steve and I were lucky enough to get to go on stage in between Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ-Top, and it was a thrill to look out into the crowd and see so many loyal WMGK listeners in attendance! We even got to get on the microphone and say hello to the MGK Big Gig crowd!

Below I will share some of my favorite moments I captured throughout the day and post some pictures and videos for you all to relive the day if you were there, or see it from my perspective if you were unable to make it this year!

Somehow, each year the MGK Big Gig continues to get better and better, and I can’t wait to see what is in store for next year’s show. I know it will be amazing!

  • The Matt Cord Show With Steve Vassalotti Live Broadcast

    Matt Cord Show

    The Matt Cord Show With Steve Vassalotti broadcasting live at MGK Big Gig 2023. The show had a blast broadcasting in front of tons of MGK fans!

  • Matt Cord and Steve Vassalotti On Stage

    Matt Cord show

    Matt Cord and Steve Vassalotti saying hi to to crowd at MGK Big Gig. So many loyal WMGK listeners were in attendance this year.

  • Matt Cord and Steve Vassalotti In Front of The Crowd

    Matt Cord show

    Matt Cord and Steve Vassalotti posing for a picture on stage at MGK Big Gig. Look at all the people having a great time in the background in the crowd!

  • Happy Retirement!

    bill Weston

    Our friends over at Live Nation added a nice touch to this year’s MGK Big Gig. They wish Bill Weston a happy retirement at his last Big Gig.

  • The Crowd Having Fun

    Big Gig crowd

    Some amazing faces in the crowd at MGK Big Gig that look like they are having a ton of fun! Do you see yourself?

  • Put Your Hands Up

    big gig crowd

    Look at all those hands in the air at MGK Big Gig. I wonder what song was playing?

  • Tonight's Show

    big gig

    The sign outside of Freedom Mortgage Pavillon in Camden advertising MGK Big Gig 2023. The performances by the legendary bands were worth the wait!

  • Lynyrd Skynyrd Traveling Gear

    Lynyrd Skynyrd

    While backstage, I had the chance to see some of the traveling gear for Lynyrd Skynyrd on tour. Look how big this case is for the left bass drum alone.

  • Lynyrd Skynyrd

    Lynyrd Skynyrd

    Lynyrd Skynyrd’s instruments all packed in their traveling gear. Look at that cool logo surrounding it all.

  • The Sound Board

    sound engineer

    The sound board on stage at MGK Big Gig 2023. The sound engineer did a great job all day making sure all the bands sounded great. Plus, all the WMGK talent like Steve and I.

  • Merch Stand at MGK Big Gig

    big gig merch

    The merch stand was plentiful at MGK Big Gig 2023. There was merch for Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ-Top, and Uncle Kracker!

  • Shriners Children's Raffle

    Shriners Children's

    Shriner’s Children had a raffle at MGK Big Gig 2023. The winner received a sign guitar, that looks absolutely beautiful.

  • The 76ers Practice Facility

    The 76ers Practice Facility

    While at MGK Big Gig 2023, I saw my other employer’s logo popping out like the Batman sign shining during a dangerous night in Gotham. The 76ers practice facility is literally right next door to the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion.

  • BIG GIG on the Big Screen

    BIG GIG on Screen

    The Big Gig logo shining bright on the big screen at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. Just in case anyone forgot who put that amazing day together!

  • Barb's Harley Davidson

    Barb's Harley Davidson

    Barb’s Harley Davidson getting some screen time at MGK Big Gig 2023. Always good to see our advertiser friends getting some screen time!

  • Meineke Car Care

    Meineke Car Care

    Hey, look there! Another one of our advertiser friends getting some screen time. Meineke Car Care is the place to be for any care issue.

  • Hutchinson

    Hutchinson

    The trifecta of our advertiser friends making it onto the big screen. A huge thanks to the people at Hutchinson.

  • One of The Performances

  • The Matt Cord Show With Steve Vassalotti's Intro At Big Gig

Matt Cord is the host of the Matt Cord Show. He is a lover of all Philly Sports and has been the voice of the Sixers for 27 years and NBA2K for the past 4 years. As a cyclist enthusiast, Matt writes about his adventures all throughout the city.

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Author Matty Cord and Steve Vassalotti
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