A Series Of Fortunate Events

I have a few years yet, but recently, I thought it would be a good idea to pay a visit to my finacial advisor to talk about ‘retirement’. It caught me off guard when I choked up a little on the word … “retirement”. How is that even possible?

According to the diploma, I graduated from Radio Broadcasting at Fanshawe College in April of 1980. I worked an all night show in Hamilton for a few months before coming home to Huron County and a job as a ‘swing’ announcer with CKNX.

After a couple of years of bouncing between shifts on AM920 and FM102, I decided to leave radio to work in my family’s hardware store. As a much younger man, I had decided that money was more important than passion and calling. I was wrong, and a few years later, returned to Fanshawe College to study the Music Industry. I graduated in 1988 and for a brief time flirted with taking my shot in the music business but there was rent to pay and in February 1990, I made one of the most important phone calls of my life.

That call was to John Chippa, my old friend from the early 80’s who was still gainfully employed in the news department at CKNX. He agreed to open a production studio so I could make a demo tape and maybe return to radio in some capacity. He also thought it might be a good idea for me to leave a copy with him to give to Lisa Brandt, the program director of FM102. Ya never know right?

Back in the day, without computers and automation, it was necessary to hire a part timer to fill in so other announcers could take summer holidays. Lisa called a few days later, offered me a 4 month gig and scheduled me to start in early May.

Just a few days later, she called again, this time wondering if I could fill in for a few days doing some evening shifts … starting immediately. Their afternoon guy had broken a leg skiing. Of course I was nervous but happy to do it and on March 7th 1990, I was hired for a temporary position with FM 102.

A couple of evenings later, she popped her head into the studio to say hi and she casually mentioned that it had been quite a week. Turns out, the morning guy had given his notice and left her with the challenge of finding a new host for that show. I’m not sure what kind of brazen self confidence overcame me but I asked if me applying for that show was a crazy idea considering my limited experience. I’ll never forget the sweet words that followed, “I’ll tell you what” she said, “why not?. We have to do the process of interviews, but let’s put you on mornings for a couple of weeks while we do that … consider it your audition.”

Two weeks later, Lisa and Jack Gillespie (The GM) called me into Jack’s office and offered me the morning show on the condition that I stay at least two years. I had previously decided that I would stay in Wingham for a maximum of three years so two was an easy promise to make. I did my first morning show on FM102 on April 2nd, 1990.

That was 31 years ago.

My time here at 215 Carling Terrace has included fifteen years of mornings on FM102 … Nine years on AM920 and the last seven on Classic Rock/Cool-FM.

31 wonderful years of: 4:am alarms, somewhere close to 7,000 shows, hundreds of remotes and appearances, Radio-thons, Hospital Galas, music festivals and concerts, interviews with some big and not so big stars, a fund raising run or two … and working with some genuinely wonderful and talented people.

The bank tells me I should work another 3-5 years. With that in mind, I’m loving what I do at whole new levels these days. Trying to soak it all in and be ever mindful of how blessed I’ve been to have been given the opportunity to do something I love so much for a living.

Here’s to finishing well.
*FYI The cover shot for this blog is the first board I ever worked on here in the old AM920 studios … The last pic is the board I work now … a few things have changed 😉

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