- Vince Fahey

KM: Because you've worked in so many territories, you've worked with many announcers, from Gordon Solie in Georgia and Continental, Lance Russell in Memphis, and Charlie Platt in Continental... who made the all-around best announcer?

TP: Gordon Solie.  Gordon was perceived as credible.  Perception is reality.  I always liked Gordon and felt he was the best.

KM: As a follow-up, Gordon Solie has become one of the few announcers to reach a legendary status. With so much great work, he is widely regarded by fans as one of, if not THE, best announcer to call a wrestling match. What are your memories of the late Gordon Solie?

TP: Gordon was one of the boys.  He coached me on what I should and shouldn't say in the early days in Georgia as well as Alabama.  He liked to tell stories and enjoyed his work.  I think the people could feel that when Gordon did an interview or was calling a match.

KM:  Any unique Gordon Solie stories?

TP: No real unique stories of Gordon.  He was always cool and one of the boys.  I did piss him off when he was hosting the "Shake, Rattle and Roll" concert in Birmingham.  I'd had a few too many and Gordon was attempting to tell a funny story on stage in-between acts and I started harassing him.  He didn't realize it was me until finally he looked up and started giving me hell back.  He was cool about it later. Other than that he was one of us.

KM: You've worked so many different territories.... If you had to pick one, which would be your favorite?  

TP: I had a great time in every territory I worked.  But if I had to pick favorites I'd go with:

1.    Continental
2.    Smoky Mountain
3.    Portland   
4.    My last Memphis run 
5 .   Georgia

KM: You began doing TV commentary along with Gordon Solie for Georgia Championship Wrestling. How did this come about?  

TP:   I'm not really sure.  Ole told me Barnett wanted me to do some commentary and that was it.  I was writing some publicity for the Northern tours at that time as well. It was a good time on the road with the boys but I was married to a real witch back then and had a lot of personal stuff going on.  I was glad to be on every week with Gordon though. 

KM:  Did you ever consider just working as a commentator as opposed to being a wrestler?

TP:  Not really.  I liked having the opportunity to do both.

KM: Your interview style is sometimes compared to Roddy Piper, how big an influence was Roddy on your early career and how did you come to know Roddy. 

TP: I watched Roddy growing up in Texas.  I was in the Fonde Recreation Center the night he played the National Anthem on bagpipes.  I then met him for the first time ever in Fresno California.  I met up with him again in Georgia and he along with Tommy Rich were like "big brothers".  Roddy was always cool to be around.  I thought about his interview style and the kind of guy he was outside the ring and that's how I wanted to be.  He's still such a nice, reserved guy outside the ring and turns the volume up when he is performing. 

KM:  Who were some of the guys you worked with and against in the 1980s who never made it to the bigger stage of the WWF or Crockett who should have been a star? 

TP:  Brad Armstrong.  He had all the tools and was a great influence in the dressing room.  One of those guys you loved having around because he always made it enjoyable, wherever we were.  

KM: What was it like to be around Buzz Sawyer?