It’s World Radio Day!
It’s never lost on me. That I get to go to work every day and play music that I love. On World Radio Day I’ll share a bit about how I got here with you. 
I grew up in Streetsville, Ontario. And as long as I can remember, there was always music in the house and we always listened to the radio. Back then it was CFTR. I remember being glued to the radio. Waiting to hear the newest music. I loved being surprised by the playlist. You never knew what you were going to hear next. Every New Year there would be a huge countdown and for some reason I would sit with a pen and paper and write down the list of the biggest songs.
There was something about the radio. The music. The voice through the speakers. The excitement of new music. It was different then. You had to wait for the new releases. It was a BIG DEAL!
I was also a super shy kid and always have been. I used to pass out in school giving speeches I would get so worked up. 
Never in a million years did I think life would lead me here. To working in radio. Over 30 years later – and here I am.
I’ve worked for every Blackburn station in Sarnia over the years and loved each one. Where I started though? Ha. I graduated from Lambton College in 1991 and a friend of a friend knew of a job opening at the Fox at the time. As the mascot. Yes, once upon a time we had a mascot. His name was Felix and he was a big red fox. For almost two years I wore that costume to all the big events locally. I did the parades, I went to hockey games, fairs and festivals. I remember one year they put me on a ride and my costume twisted and I couldn’t see ANYTHING around me. I’ll never forget that ride. (smile)
I moved my way up. I started pushing buttons behind the scenes and getting used to working the board in the studio. I moved my way to working overnights, then weekends and evenings and holidays.
My first shift of my own was on CKTY ( a country station then, and is now what you know as Cool 106.3). When CKTY became CHKS I worked there for a bit as well – until my oldest daughter was born. I came back a year later and spent a short period of time with George in the morning. Before Sarah Woodley came to town.
I moved to CHOK when it first turned country in 2007 after my youngest was born and eventually found my way back to the Fox afternoons where I have been to this day. 
I’m seriously shocked by my life. I’ve worked with and met some amazing people over those 30 years. I’ve had the chance to meet some incredible artists. Among my favourites – Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, even Brad Paisley’s DAD (yes, his dad at Bayfest).
We’ve also seen some really hard stuff. We’ve lost a few co-workers along the way. I remember when the mall roof collapsed at Lambton Mall and working the day, helping to understand the situation and relay the news to listeners.
And nobody will ever forget 9/11. That day will be in my head and my heart forever. That was a tough on air day.
We worked through a pandemic and for a while I actually had an on air studio in my home. That was crazy. We could never have done that in the early radio days.
Our technology has changed drastically. From our carts and cart decks that played music and commercials (think 8-track) and the CD’s that held thousands of songs. We would have to stack piles and piles to get ready for our “show” on air. We had paper logs that were printed out each day. So much change. Now everything is digital. We download songs and upload to our music computer. Everything is done by computer. It’s strange to think how there was no internet when I was first started. We had to learn how to use it when it was first introduced. Yep, I’m that old. (smile)
I’m thankful for what I do. I love every part of it. I love playing the music, adding new music, talking to the artists, doing the shows, meeting the people. Listeners make every day the best day. I want to thank you for always reaching out, by email or text, for stopping by our on location events, and I want to say thank you for listening every day because I can’t be here without you listening.
I love the power of radio. I love the music, the ability to connect, and share an experience each and every day.
Thank you for sharing the dream with me every afternoon and if you ever want to reach out – I’m always available by email – [email protected]
I can play you a favourite song if we’ve got it. (smile)
