You may know Joe Gumm as one of the fast-talking, energetic anchors for Fox Sports Southwest, or perhaps you remember his cameo on the Wingstop commercial with Troy Aikman. And between anchoring, hosting a family travel show (Traveling with the Tribe) and raising four girls (Evangela, 1; Melana, 3; Lilia, 7; Alora, 10) with his wife Alexa, Gumm has even managed to author three books. His latest tome, 150 Secrets to a Happy Wife, culls his hard-researched tips and tricks for “surviving” a house full of women. The Arlington resident was happy to give FortWorthChild a little peek into the Gumm household.
What’s it like being in a house full of girls?
It’s fun, intense and very dramatic. It’s actually six girls [not five]. We have a male dog named Grady, but … he loves hanging out with the girls—they put little pink bows on his head and he just takes it.
You’ve had some pretty glam gigs. How did you get started?
I’ve been fortunate in that I didn’t have to leave for a small town and work my way up—DFW is a top TV and radio market. I worked at ESPN Radio for eight years as an anchor/reporter. Then last fall Fox Sports Southwest brought me on as a freelance anchor, covering the Rangers, the Mavericks and the Stars. And I still do radio—I work for WBAP on the weekends. I love this career. It’s been a blessing.
What’s an important lesson you’ve learned on the job?
If I get nervous, it’s a fun, anxious nervous. My wife tells me three things: Slow down, don’t talk so loud and smile. Someone once said, “Why does this Joe Gumm guy look so angry? Doesn’t he know we just won?” I don’t think I look mad, I’m just serious. [I also recall] when I worked for ESPN Radio, we had a promotion to give away Dallas Cowboys tickets—you know people love that as much as they love their beer in Texas. Well I said it was sponsored by Bud Light, but it was sponsored by Miller Light; when you say that to 300,000 people, you’re going to get calls! I almost got fired. But sometimes you make mistakes and you just have to recover and roll past them.
Who’s your dream interview(s)?
Olympic broadcaster Bob Costas, or Tony Romo after a few years of marriage
Do you kids watch/listen to your show?
Sometimes they’ll see me on TV if my wife’s watching. But really they just wanna be kids and play.
So how long have you been married? How did you and your wife meet?
We’ve been married 14 years. We were both working at a college ministry called Hell House. It’s like an alternative Halloween where you pass through seven different scenes (suicide, gang violence, school shooting), and at the end you make a choice between Heaven or Hell.
What might people find you doing on a Friday night?
I tell people I’m hanging out with five females and they laugh. But [in reality, it means] we’re gonna watch a Barbie movie and have popcorn and hot chocolate.
Any particular Fort Worth food haunts?
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
You’ve penned several books. How did you get into writing?
Six years ago, my wife wanted to have a natural childbirth. She started talking about doulas and midwives; I thought “Super! But I have no idea what you just said.” [I couldn’t find any] books out there about this, so I thought, I’m gonna write one. I sent out 100 proposals. People wrote me back saying, “This is horrible. You should never write again. You will not benefit the literary world.” But I kept pressing on. Finally I heard from one publisher in Chicago, and that’s how we got From Humor to Hormones.
What was the inspiration for your new book?
There was so much I didn’t know when I got married. I didn’t know my wife wanted me to help put 17 throw pillows on the bed. And when she was pregnant, I told her “This pregnancy is not all about you!” She was sobbing. It seems like common sense, but a lot of men don’t know this stuff.
Read any good books lately?
Copy This! Lessons from a Hyperactive Dyslexic who Turned a Bright Idea Into One of America’s Best Companies by Paul Orfalea and Ann Marsh.
How about TV? What’s one show you won’t miss?
ESPN’s SportsCenter
Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
I have a tattoo on my right ankle. It’s my wife’s name with a heart and a cross.
