Beyond the mic: Winters on Beckett

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich (WOOD) - - "Over the 15 and a half years, it became more of a brother-type relationship than a working relationship."

That family-feeling extending to their listeners.

Whether you listened to the "Rick and Scott Show" or Beckett in decades past, you know the he laid it all out there. Beckett's and Winters' lives an open book for their listeners, their friends.

"A lot of people felt like they knew us almost like a family member because they spent every day with us," said Winters.

Beckett was a West Michigan native. He graduated from Union High School where he got his start in radio. He spent the next four decades in that business. Among the stations WKLQ, WGRD and NewsRadio WOOD 1300.

"Rick was...Rick. He was one of those people that just opened his mouth and did whatever without really thinking about it."

That sometimes got him into trouble, but he also didn't hold back when it came to battling and defeating his demons. He was winning the battle that is never completely finished--alcoholism.

"Not only did he have a great sense of humor. He had a big heart he really did."

Beckett's listeners knew his heart. Winters says he's overwhelmed by the show of support he's received through the nearly 1,000 e-mails, comments on websites and on the Friends of Rick Beckett facebook page.

As he prepares for Monday's tribute show, he's recalling and cherishing more than 15 years with a man he considered not just a co-host but a friend and brother.

"It's tough..it's been a really tough weekend."