Hammerin’ Hank: Dad’s Passing, NFL Takes & Radio Memories
Hammerin' Hank: Dad's Passing, NFL Takes & Radio Memories
In This Episode
Hammerin' Hank opens up about losing his father last week, and Ryan meets him with genuine compassion, sharing his own experience of losing his dad at 21. What emerges is a conversation about legacy, humility, and the kind of life worth living. Hank's father lived to 86, surrounded by family who loved him, and refused the spotlight even in death. That's the real measure.
From there, the show shifts into what it does best: raw, unfiltered radio energy. Hank's autism awareness PSA plays, a reminder of his father's role in bringing him to the station in Kansas to record those early messages. The energy builds with jokes, sports takes (the Seahawks crushing the Patriots in the Super Bowl), and a deep dive into a 1997 radio memory from the Fun House in San Jose. Hank shares his favorite moments with genuine warmth, then pivots to his upcoming National Anthem audition for the Stockton Ports and his work in radio class.
The episode hits its stride with Hank's joke block, his buddy of the week shout-out to C3 First Church in Casper for delivering Mexican food, and his weekly radio show plug on KCRH 89.9 FM Hayward. It's chaos, heart, and the kind of unscripted authenticity that made radio legendary.
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Full Transcript
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All right, let me press it. Right now. You're listening to the Hammerin' Hank Show with Henry Ochs and Ryan Hoppe. ["Hank Show Theme Song"] What's up, Hammerin' Hank? How are you?
How the heck are you, buddy? I'm doing pretty good despite the death of my father. Yeah, I'm doing okay too. But I could be better, but I'm fine. Let me see here.
So, I'm gonna go ahead and press the button. So, now your father passed away last week. I'm very sorry for that. I lost my dad when I was 21 years old. He was 50 years old.
Now your dad lived another 36 years longer than my dad, but I still can relate to you about the loss of a father. It's a very empty feeling. The person that pretty much helped create you, you're his seed. He's no longer here. Yeah.
He refused to see a doctor when he was sick. Hank, the thing though is, it's just that generation, man. Like, not saying it's good or bad, but in a way, he lived to 86, and in my opinion was around loved ones until the very last one, he was in a hospital. And I think if I could live to 86 years old and live with both of my kids that love me dearly, including a radio legend, I think that's a pretty good life, Hank. Now, did you guys cremate him?
He's going to be created, and my sister, Sylvette, she signed the death certificate. Now, have you guys had a memorial yet or a little funeral or something? He doesn't want one. He doesn't want one. That's a very humble man.
Why do you think your dad didn't want one? I don't know. Was your dad kind of a modest guy, like didn't want the attention? I didn't ask that. Growing up though, was he the type of guy that would provide for his family and just never needed like a thank you?
You know what I mean? I think that's it. Hammerin' Hank, over your life, so for me, some of my favorite memories of my dad is watching the NFL, going to movies in the early 2000s. What are some of your favorite memories of your father? My favorite memory of my dad is him bringing me to old school 1079 in Great Bend, Kansas to record my autism awareness PSAs.
And in honor of your dad doing that, we are going to play my favorite PSA, which goes with the new album artwork for you, which you made in class, what is it called? Shawn Mendes. So we're gonna play the commercial, the autism PSA that has nothing holding me back in the background right now. Hello again, it's your favorite San Francisco DJ, Hammerin' Hank. I may look normal, but the truth is, I have a condition known as autism.
That's right, it's a condition, not a disease. Fact is, autism can strike anyone, regardless of who they are. People with autism normally have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication skills, social interactions, and leisure activities. In a recent study, people with autism are less likely to have a job and more likely to become homeless. I beat the odds by having loving friends and family, having a college education.
I have even worked in the San Francisco Bay Area as an honorary personality for many years. Always remember that people with autism want the same things as you to be happy and successful. To find out more about autism, please contact your local mental health center or visit autismspeech.org. This is Hammerin' Hank, and I appreciate your kindness. You're listening to the Hammerin' Hank Show with Henry Ochs and Ryan Hoppe.
Oh, Hammerin' Hank, we are back from playing your PSA. Now- Thank you, buddy. You're welcome. How was your show today at KCRH? Pretty good.
I missed your shout out, man, I'm sorry. That's okay. What did you say? I promoted the podcast. I appreciate it.
I played a song called, I think it was Sports Car. Who's that by? Tay McCray. You should have played like Pretty Ricky or something. Now, Hammerin' Hank, whatever.
Hammerin' Hank, this past Sunday, the 2025-2026 NFL season, I came to an end. As the Seattle Seahawks crush the good old New England Patriots and Drake May- Cool! Drake May was as boring as mayonnaise. I have a lot of friends out in Seattle, so I'm very happy about it. Hammerin' Hank- I'm very happy too, buddy.
How did you feel about the Super Bowl? Very good. Why'd you feel very good? Because the Seahawks crushed the bratty New England Patriots. Why are they so bratty, Hank?
Because they win too many Super Bowls. And they don't have- Half time for another team to win. And they don't have Brady, so they're done. They're done. Yes, they're done, buddy.
What'd you think of the halftime show? I didn't watch it. Why didn't you watch it? I heard it sucked. Oh, geez.
Kind of. Why didn't you watch it? Because I was watching Dizzy's channel. So you watched the NFL, the first two quarters. Then you watched Disney Channel.
Then you watched the third and fourth quarter. I watched the fourth quarter. All right. Don't ever change, Hank. Hank, if you're the Patriots, what do they gotta do to not be so bratty?
They gotta start losing. Next year will be really interesting to see what happens. Now, Hank, if I hit the music, would you be ready for your jokes? You know, my favorite part of the Super Bowls is Charlie Puth's rendition of the National Anthem. Yeah, Charlie Puth, killing it out there.
On a scale of one to 10, what'd you think? An eight. Hank, if I hit the music, are you ready for your jokes? Yes, please. Right now, in the club.
Hank's joke hitting like a thumper from the trunk Punch lines cracking louder than a Gat no punk Ryan Hoppe ride shotgun with oak Dropping these last crew never going broke It's a hammer and hand show, keeping it raw Joke sharper than a blade, cutting through the saw Every segment fire, humor like a burn Tune in for the laughs, watch the tables turn All right, Hank, what do you got for your jokes? Comedy go from the top to the bottom I told my computer I needed a break. Now, it won't stop sending me vacation ads. I started reading a book about anti-gravity. I can't put it down.
Why don't the skeleton ever fight each other? Why? Because they don't have the guts. I tried to be normal once. It was the worst two minutes of my life.
Why did the scarecrow win an award? Why? Because he was outstanding in his field. I asked my dog what's two minus two? He said nothing.
I don't trust stairs. They're always up to something. My wall is like an onion. Opening it makes me cry. Why did the math book look so sad?
Because it has too many problems. I told my therapist I hear voices. She said, whoo, that's interesting, I don't see anyone. What do you do when you come on oxygen gas? Cigarette smoke and jokes.
Say the cigarette joke, I cut you off, my bad. What do you get when you come on oxygen gas? Yeah. Cigarette smoke. And that's it for the jokes for this week.
Good job, Hanky, you killed it like always. Thank you, buddy. Now, Hanky, it says here that you have another radio memory. What is your radio memory? When I enraptured a bunch of loving females that was back at the fun house in San Jose way back in 1997, I was hosting an event that day.
I was enraptured with the females. Hell yeah. How were the females? I danced with them. Were they Latina?
Yes. Were they shaking their ass? Yep. Remember the song, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake your booty, shake your booty. Oh yeah, Hanky.
What is your favorite part about Latina women? They're very, very, very, very pretty. What's so pretty about them? They're very attractive, buddy. But like is it their hair, their boobs?
Their hair, their face. What about their boobs? What about their boobs? And their boobs. You know what I love?
I love when you go to a nightclub and you see them waiting outside, getting into the club and they got those tight dresses on where their butts like a little bump. I love that. I love it too. But I don't go to nightclubs anymore because I'm too old. You're not too old?
Then you can go to the nightclub and light it up. You're hammering Hank. I know because I'm too old. No, dude, you're never too old. You can meet your Latina wife.
Mm-hmm. Okay, buddy. You don't believe in yourself. Go to the club. I can't because my sister's friend won't let me.
Sure that once you're around Latina women and shake their ass? Yes. That's a shame. You all, in our lifetime, we all should be around Latina women that shake their butt. Okay, buddy.
All right, this bit just died. Mm-hmm. Hammer it, Hank. It says that you want to do a national anthem at the Stockton ports. That's right.
I sent them an audition video yesterday. All my troubles sitting so far away. I just, where is the video? Is it anywhere online? It was the Modesto Nuts.
Oh, you sent them the Modesto Nuts video. Mm-hmm. Right? Yep. Now for people that maybe didn't hear about it, I'm gonna play your national anthem, Hanky, okay?
Okay, buddy. Right here. I'm Mark Hado. Of all the 94.9 and L.A. area, we have Aaron Haney.
Haney! Oh, who say can you see By the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed At the twilight's last gleaming Whose broad stripes and bright stars Through the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watched Were so gallantly streaming And the rocket's red glare The bombs bursting in air Gave proof through the night That our flag was still there Oh, say does that star-spangled Banner yet wave O'er the land of the free And the home of the brave Woo! Good job, Hammerin' Hank. Thank you, buddy. I knew you would say thank you, buddy, as you go to line.
Now, what class are you taking right now where you made this album that was a parody of Shawn Mendes? Well, my radio classes. How's it going? Pretty good. What's so good about it?
A lot of other women like Shawn Mendes. Oh, yeah. Females. That'll get you laid. Hammerin' Hank, what's your favorite Shawn Mendes song?
I think there's nothing holding me back. Me too. It's a banger in the club. Hammerin' Hank, tell me about your upcoming appearance on The Woody Show. Our appearance on The Woody Show tomorrow, which is Thursday.
We're doing another promotion called Woody Show Crossfire. Is that with a half baked? Yes. You and half baked getting along? Trying to get along.
Yeah, me and Mendes started the same way. Hammerin' Hank, did you have any pop culture trivia or not? Not this week. You got a prick of the week? Nope.
Buddy of the week, right? I have a buddy of the week. Here, let me hit the music right now. All right, Hank, who's your buddy of the week? Definitely all my buddies at the C3 First Church in Casperi, who's been delivering us food lately.
All right, so they've been giving you and Smurfette some food? Food, yep. What type of food? Mexican food. Oh, yeah, you like that Latina stuff.
What have they been giving you? Baritas, tacos, gas. What have they been giving you? Britos. And also nachos, whatever you like.
Man, I would have flown out for that, Hank. That sounds delicious. Now, was it homemade or from a place? It was from a Mexican restaurant, Casper Alley. That's awesome.
How was church on Sunday? Pretty good. We had a guest speaker, Ben Atkinson. How did you get to know him? How did that go?
Pretty good. What'd you guys talk about? I can't remember. Oh, geez, no worries. Ah, Hammerin' Hank!
Is there anything else on your mind? Be sure to check out my radio show, the Hammerin' Hank Radio Show, every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on KCRH 89.9 FM Hayward. Or you can listen live at kcrhradio.com. So you're on Wednesdays and Thursdays?
No, just Wednesdays. You said Thursday, I think, but it's Thursday. Say it again. You should check out my radio show called the Hammerin' Hank Show every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon on KCRH 89.9 FM Hayward.
Or you can listen live at live.kcrhradio.com. Dude, you're better than some of those DJs that I hardhires, man. If I'm a radio consultant or a program director or anybody with a heart, I'm hirin' Hammerin' Hank today. You're great. Thank you, buddy.
You're welcome. Anything else? I'd say what's up to all my buddies out there. I love you very, very much. And I'll talk to you real soon.
All right, let me get the sign off, Elyon. Wrong one, right here. Hammerin' Hank, I love you. You're like the brother I never had. And guess what?
Today's the midlife crisis day. Our show turned 40. That's what our 40th episode, Hank. Cool, buddy. I'll talk to you real soon.
Peace in your hood. Goodbye and search Happy Radio. WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL WIL like a chef with a bot. Farewell, Hammerin' Hank, gotta close up the show. Legend in the booth where the vibes used to flow.
Autism warrior always running the glow. But all good things gotta let the curtain go slow. All the dial, spitting truth with his unique grind. Thoughts intertwined like graffiti on the line. Ryan on the mic, Henry's rhythm divine.
They the blueprint, every beat they design. Static in the speakers where the laughter used to ride. Hank bled the show with that beautiful pride. Autism didn't stop him, not amplified. Hammerin' Hank forever immortalized.
Farewell, Hammerin' Hank, gotta close up the show. Legend in the booth where the vibes used to flow. Autism warrior always running the glow. But all good things gotta let the curtain go slow. Radio go, never ghost.
He a host with the sauce. Henry Ochs and Ryan Hart, platinum never lost. Puzzle piece crown, man this dude was the boss. City Mr. Voice, that's the ultimate cause.
Mm-hmm, yo, what up? I love you. ["I Love You"] Farewell, Hammerin' Hank, gotta close up the show. Legend in the booth where the vibes used to flow. Autism warrior always running the glow.
Autism warrior always running the glow. But all good things gotta let the curtain go slow. Radio gate, never ghost. He a host with the sauce. Henry Ochs and Ryan Hart, platinum never lost.
Puzzle piece crown, man this dude was the boss. City Mr. Voice, that's the ultimate cause. ["I Love You"] What's up, Ryan Hoppe here, and I wanna tell you about the Ride to Wave Media Podcast Network. They got such great shows as Practically Magic, Those Guys, Blane Thrilled, and even my show, Hoppe Hour with Ryan Hoppe, which can be heard by searching Hoppe Radio.
This podcast network is going to take over the world. It is everything that radio is missing. Now you're hearing my voice and you go, how can I find it? RideTheWave.media is the website name, and there has all the great podcasts. And once again, this is Ryan Hoppe from the Ride to Wave Media Podcast Network.
Hey, what's up, guys? It's Ryan Hoppe here. I host the award-winning and nationally syndicated Hoppe Hour Podcast, but I'm not bragging. It's a mix of a 2000s, 1990s morning show in a podcast format. You never know what I might talk about.
One minute I could be talking about the latest with the NFL side chicks, and the very next second, I could be playing an unknown song from the 2000s. My show is an in-studio circus for the age group of 18 to 34, even though we have 70-year-old zealous. For more info, if you want to be a sponsor, a friend, and no, not a drinking sponsor, a sponsor of the show of Hoppe Hour, go to RideTheWave.media is the website, and RyanHoppyRadio at gmail.com. Once again, this is Ryan Hoppe of the Hoppe Hour Podcast, and let's do some business. Life is hectic, but your check account doesn't have to be.
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