I've made one major move in my life. I've lived in different places around the South, sure. But there's been exactly one time where I've uprooted my entire life, everything I owned, and moved it far enough away enough from everyone and everywhere I've ever known that a weekend drive to reconnect just wasn't an option.
And, a year after that move, I can officially say: totally worth it.
In January of 2020, I was unemployed - the job I had moved to Jacksonville for fell out from under me unexpectedly.
In January of 2020, I was on my own - the relationship I thought was "the one" fell apart in a whirlwind of lies and omissions.
In January of 2020, while I contemplated whether or not it was time to not-so-gracefully bow out of entertainment and go back to whatever other opportunity I could restart my well past its prime career in, I got a phone call. The folks at ESPN Upstate wanted to know if I could travel to, for the very first time, the Upstate of South Carolina, and audition to become the midday host on the station.
Considering the only gigs I had at that time were the occasional band show in a dive bar and teaching kids guitar for a few bucks here and there, it was a no-brainer. Three days later, I was on an airplane on the way to GSP. Two days after that, I was sitting in front of a microphone, recognizing this might be my last shot, and preparing to give all I had in a last ditch effort to save the career I had put over thirteen years into building.
"What's up, Upstate South Carolina? Welcome to the Rob Brown Show!"
The ESPN Upstate Studios are where I work. The Upstate is where I live.Rob Brown - RB3 Photography
But, I was wrong. I wasn't welcoming GSP to my show.
You - well, most of you - were welcoming me. And you - well, most of you - have continued to do so, for the last twelve months.
Calling a new place "home" is an intimidating bridge to be crossed, for someone who's never had to cross it before. To spend your first night in a city, who's roads aren't memorized and who's people are new and who's culture is different than anything you've ever known before is a challenging task, to be certain.
A year later, that bridge has been crossed. The Palmetto logo is on the back of my Jeep. The design for my "while I breathe, I hope" tattoo is drawn up.
"Where are you from, Rob?"
Greenville, South Carolina.
And what isn't there to love about this place? I could go on and on about the food, the music, the art, the culture.
But I want to focus on two aspects that have, to be slightly more than dramatic, saved my life.
First off, as a guy who makes his living in sports, we are exceptionally lucky. We live in a land teeming with top notch athletics, run by top notch people.
Within a week, I had been contacted by the folks over at the Greenville Triumph - that would be your reigning, defending, undisputed USL League One Champion Greenville Triumph. They welcomed me. They asked me what I needed to help continue to forge a relationship between their club and the community. And every request I've had has been met with an enthusiastic yes. The community that's built around that club has provided me with the beginnings of my new circle of friends in the area.
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits? Exactly the same. Every interview request. Every stat sheet. Every request for media passes. Want to chat with the head coach? Here's his number. Tour of the locker room and facilities? Meet us at 9:00.
Furman, Wofford, Clemson, South Carolina, the Drive, the Panthers - all exactly the same. I've worked in a lot of markets, and I can tell you that without question there has been no place more accommodating, no place that cares more about the connection between their sports and its fans, than the Upstate. At all. Anywhere. I am lucky to be here. You are lucky to be here. Trust me on that.
But, easily, my favorite part of this area has been the people. Not a question. I received texts during my audition from people I now consider friends. I received invitations to restaurants and bars that are now in my regular rotation of venues.
I've taken classes and advice from and had incredibly conversations with complete strangers, some who walked away to never be seen again and some who have become pals. I've had issues solved by people who gained nothing by helping me but felt compelled to do so because, frankly, that's just how the people around here are. And I will be grateful to them always.
The Upstate of South Carolina is special. Incredibly special. And as someone who's had the good fortune to see a big part of the world, and as someone who's an outsider still working on becoming a local, I can tell you - you are all very lucky to live here.
I damn sure know I am.
Thank you, Upstate.
This is my home.
Caesar's Head State ParkRob Brown - RB3 Photography
