Mike dowling biography wcvb

Some TV sports reporters barely last long enough in Boston for viewers to get to know them.

Then there is Mike Dowling. He’s been around forever — or at least close to it. Dowling has reported on sports for WCVB-Channel 5 since December 1985 — before Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo and Bruins center Phil Kessel were born. When Dowling joined WCVB-TV, Jim Rice, Larry Bird, Steve Grogan and Ray Bourque were the Boston stars, not David Ortiz, Kevin Garnett, Tom Brady and Zdeno Chara. When Dowling joined WCVB-TV, Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge still played for the Green, and Bruins vice president Cam Neely didn’t start skating for the Bruins until the following season. Gillette Stadium, the TD Banknorth Garden and Monster seats didn’t exist.

Back in 1985, there was limited Internet access, and ESPN and NESN were in their early years so Boston TV stations devoted 6-9 minutes each newscast to sports. After Bird retired in 1992, Dowling filed a 4-minute report from the Celtic star’s home in French Lick, Ind. Nowadays with so many other places to get sports news, it’s rare when a Boston TV affiliate broadcasts more than three minutes of sports.

Yeah, Dowling has been around for a while — longer than the three sports anchors and reporters at WHDH TV-7 combined by nearly a decade.

Following the ouster of Bob Lobel at WBZ-TV in April, only one other current TV sports reporter or anchor has worked full time in Boston longer than Dowling — Mike Lynch, WCVB’s lead sports anchor. Lynch joined WCVB full time in April 1983 and replaced Lee Webb as lead sports anchor in September 1985.

“I’m lucky to be working with him,” Dowling said. “He’s got one of the smallest egos, if not the smallest, in the entire market. That’s very refreshing. He’s very down to earth. He is off the air what he is on the air — natural, the guy next door. He’s a guy who you can trust.”

With Lynch around, Dowling knows

WCVB-TV Channel 5 President and General Manager Bill Fine announced today that veteran sports reporter Mike Dowling will be stepping down after over 28 years as an integral part of NewsCenter 5’s sports team.

"Mike is a sports reporting legend in the city. We always felt like we were there – with him – for all the action during the biggest victories of our lifetimes," said Andrew Vrees, WCVB News director. "The players changed over Mike’s time at SportsCenter 5. What didn’t change was Mike’s knowledge of the teams and his unique ability to get the players to trust and open up to him. That’s a true skill," continued Vrees.

Since joining SportsCenter 5 in 1985, Dowling has provided extensive, award winning coverage of all Boston’s major sports teams, as well as local colleges and high schools. Throughout his career, he has covered over 20 Championship games or series — including 10 Championships on the winning side and ensuing parades.

"I’ve been living the dream," said Dowling. "Working for the best television station in Boston and in the best sports town in the country – you can’t beat that. I feel like I’ve seen and covered it all, and have enjoyed every minute of it. But after over 33 years in the business, I want to spend more time with my family, to which I’m looking forward while pursuing some interests that I’ve been thinking about for a while."

"From covering seven Patriot’s Super Bowls to the Red Sox run to three World Series Championships, and everything in between, Mike has been a key member of SportsCenter 5 for almost three decades," said Fine. "Mike has witnessed many key moments in Boston’s sports history and very ably chronicled the ride for our viewers. We admire and support Mike in his decision to take some time for himself and his family and wish him nothing but the best."

Throughout Dowling’s storied career, he has received several Associated Press awards for "Best Sports Featur

American songwriter

Mike Dowling is an American roots music guitarist and songwriter who is best known for his solo arrangements on the Grammy Award-winning composition CD Henry Mancini: Pink Guitar. In 2005, Dowling was ranked as one of the twelve best fingerstyle guitarists in the United States.

Early life

Dowling was raised in Wisconsin before moving to Nashville. He learned about song structures while taking piano lessons when he was ten years old. Dowling got his first guitar when he was twelve years old.

Career

After dropping out of college, Dowling was hired by fiddler Vassar Clements to play in his touring band, and his playing can be heard on Clement's Grammy-nominated Nashville Jam album. He performed and recorded with jazz violin pioneer Joe Venuti and mandolinist Jethro Burns. In 1991, Dowling released his first solo album, Beats Workin' , featuring Clements. Dowling won a Grammy Award for his solo work on Henry Mancini: Pink Guitar. He designed the El Trovador guitar for National Reso-Phonic Guitars. Dowling was a guest on A Prairie Home Companion.

Songwriting

While in Nashville, Dowling has written songs that were recorded by artists such as Emmylou Harris, Kathy Mattea, Claire Lynch, Del McCoury and George Fox. A recording of his song Backtrackin' by The Nashville Bluegrass Band was nominated Bluegrass Song of the Year in 1994 by the International Bluegrass Music Association.

Personal life

Dowling lives in Wyoming with his wife Jan. Dowling spends some of his free time as a guitar instructor where he also releases material on Homespun Tapes.

Discography

• Swamp Dog Blues (Strictly Country, 1995)
• Beats Workin' (Strictly Country, 1996)
• Live at the Cafe Carpe with