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By SHARON GINN
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 10, 2001
His is a career that has taken some unexpected turns, including eight years playing and programming country music. But it seems Ronnie Lane -- you may remember him as the Night Train -- has found his final calling.
Lane has spent the summer settling in as Scot Brantley's on-air partner on WQYK-AM 1010. Monday, he'll mark his return to Bucs broadcasts as sideline reporter for the Buccaneer Radio Network.
Lane worked Bucs games from 1986 to 1989 but in the 1990s focused on his work at WRBQ-FM 104.7 as a DJ and later program director. In May he became Brantley's partner and WQYK's assistant program director after Tom Korun was fired from the station.
Obviously, much has changed since Lane's last regular stint with the Bucs -- the Leeman Bennett/Ray Perkins years. "The Bucs are a classy organization now," he said. "It's just like night and day. I've been enjoying getting to know (director of communications) Reggie Roberts and his staff, and learning the Buccaneers all over again."
Lane also has been relearning his segment of the business. Though he's been a familiar voice in Tampa Bay since 1985, he could always hide behind the music. Hosting a sports talk show almost makes him feel "naked," he said.
"I don't have music to rely on," he said. "I am the record.
"I don't look at my job as a star person with Scot, I look at my job as to bring the best out of Scot. (With Korun) I never felt that Scot was being Scot sometimes. I just felt like he was going through the motions."
Lane acknowledges the partnership needs some work. But the show has improved, and the chemistry between them should evolve now that there's more to talk about.
Even during the slow summer months, Lane said he didn't seriously consider going back.
"Sports is it for me," he said. "You can do sports when you're fat and old and ugly."
NO MORE ESPN: The Bucs' appearance on ESPN on Monday night will be the only one of the season, thanks to NFL scheduling decisions that left Chris Berman and the rest of his network buddies puzzled. What's more, Tampa Bay may not even get a fully prepared (or at least rested) crew -- announcer Mike Patrick and company will have only two days to recover after working a Saturday night game. At least the Bucs will get a full pregame show. Coverage begins at 7 p.m.
FINE TUNING: Kudos to WDAE-AM 620 afternoon host Steve Duemig, who has generated interesting discussion this week about heatstroke awareness and the need for high schools to have certified athletic trainers on staff. It's been rabble-rousing for a cause, with Duemig rounding up informative guests and letting callers with backgrounds in health and nutrition say their piece. ... ESPN gets most things right, but still hasn't figured out the Little League region finals are played in Gulfport, not St. Petersburg. ESPN2 will air live the Southeast (6 p.m. Saturday) and Mid-South (8 p.m. Sunday) region finals.