lloyd johnson is still the best

[bass park]

another stellar performance at the fairs this year by track announcer lloyd johnson -- especially at farmington where he wouldnt allow the dweeb bill ellis to effect his performance. lloyd was in hand and in command all summer.

[meanmachine10]

I agree I like Lloyd wasn't a fan but he has grown on me and have gotten to know him a lot over the years.
I am saddened that he doesn't announce the races at Windsor, Union, and Cumberland after losing the position to Bill considering Lloyd's great relationship he has with those fairs over the years especially with Windsor and Cumberland. Lloyd really got a Raw Deal his style is far superior to Bill's style (like Bill good guy).
But Bill's behavior during the Ted Wing Ceremonies and during the interview segments that air on WSKW radio to Lloyd , Drivers, Fans etc.  also  to  Ted Wing himself on Saturday was awful very arrogant, rude, condescending embarrassing at times.  Bill made it about him good portion of the time his conduct wasn't professional and if it wasn't for Lloyd rescue things and getting it back on track by moving it along and cutting Bill off and then him saying some things back at Bill .
 Bill would have kept on talking about things that was about him even mentioning Cumberland Fair and him being the one who announces the races there and wanting fans to hear him on WSKW 1160  radio and online and that fair instead.
 But Lloyd took him down getting things going again Bill said something condescending back to Lloyd for getting races going when the time was nearly off the board delaying the post parade etc. nearly delaying the rest of the card.
Glad Lloyd didn't let Bill's behavior impact him and he took the high road and handled it very well Lloyd was 1st class and really stood up for himself because of Bill , and after those at other fairs making the wrong decision kudos to him.
Bill at times also got a few boos from those in the grandstand near where The Cushing/Smith families were sitting and some people standing near me at the fence yelling Shut up Bill you really suck  the fans knew Bill was not being the stand up guy that day and nearly ruining a good ending to that Fair.

[cornishcommish]

Like you I am not a big fan of Johnson...………….like Ellis he too often thinks he IS the show.
He likes to stay in the booth..and is not big on trackside interviews or race calling.

I was there at Cumberland on Don Richards day...Ellis tried to steal the show doing all the races from trackside......an d putting himself in the middle of all discussions.

I seem to recall that Bill Odonnell was there...….and Ellis nailed Bill with some bad memories with his stupid questions.


And a nice letter from Jason Bartlett...to Don..who had helped raise Jason when he was in school.

Ellis ruined it by interjecting into the letter..some of his humor.  My cousin was trackside and was going to strangle Ellis after he finished reading the nice letter...….but friends held him back


Timmons, who runs the Cumberland Fair..loves Ellis and thinks he is a great guy.    Both are classless


When you see Ellis...ask him why his career at Foxboro as announcer..ended so quickly


Ellis...Johnson.. Sweeney...they all take a back seat to Mike Cushing

[whiptherabbit]

Bill was always good for the parimutuel handle at Bangor when he announced there regularly. He'd be calling downstairs before every race getting his tickets in 

[cornishcommish]

Did he ALWAYS cover his bets at the end of the night


Was he giving out selections in those days  ??

Was that what he was betting ??

[chief yogi]

Lloyd has a great voice, might even get the right horse from time to time. still better than the rest. bill is ok. mike c is a roger huston type loud mouth. Lloyd also has seen it all. would have loved it if swamp man came back at Farmington.

[cornishcommish]

WHO is the voice you call "swamp man"

They only let Mike C  announce 1 week a year...…….he has so much energy to release
He always calls the right horse.....and he knows lots of info of the owners who come into the winners circle for the photo...………………..people love that.

Ellis and Lloyd...despite years of announcing Maine Racing don't and can't do that

People love to hear their names...…………………….they buy the videos

Listen to Lloyd or Ellis for a  week...……………..you will see what I mean...………………………….

[bass park]

timmons must read plop or maybe he is hearing from others how bad ellis is. today he took the microphone to tell everyone how great ellis is but no one was buying it. ellis is like fingernails on a blackboard.

[chief yogi]

ellis is getting more like Lloyd, rambling on. at least Lloyd you get his inside jokes about the harness racing in maine. Lloyd would have been all over switzer jr had he come back at Farmington. it would been a call including the swamp man. Lloyd is a good guy if you get his scarcasim.

[lukee]

I always loved Lloyds calls hes very knowledgeable-and hes a very decent guy too-----