Celebrating 30 Years

I had matured by the time I was five or so. I recall eating breakfast, while Mom listened to her favourite radio station. I so loved the chatter and camaraderie I heard - as well as my mom’s frequent chuckle or comment - that I soon announced that being on the radio was what I wanted to do. It came as quite a surprise to my family, since I barely said a word back then. But I was listening, and I could tell it had to be one of the coolest jobs in the world.

Flash forward to the late 80’s. The police had surrounded the radio station and hundreds of calls had come in to 911 to alert the authorities that Tom and Larry had been taken hostage in their studio. The fake cops I’d hired had just entered the control room to take out Buck Manson, the hostage-taker, as we continued to take calls live on the air for a feature called the “morning prize question.” It was exhilarating, riveting and spellbinding “theatre of the mind” radio. It was wild. I loved it.

The incident also led to a two-week suspension and public mischief charges.

Oh yeah, and I almost killed Larry with a heart attack. Thankfully our friendship recovered. There was no other radio story people have asked me about more, until recently.

When Joe and I started a petition last winter to get a February holiday we were reminded once again of the power of radio to galvanize people and get them emotionally involved in what we say and do. It is very humbling, and incredibly exciting at the same time. As you know, 30,000 people signed on in one week, and we’ve just finished enjoying the first statutory winter holiday in Manitoba’s history.

There are so many fantastic stories and experiences. Just recently, we spoke with a young lady whose family had lost everything in a fire. She and her five siblings needed warm clothes, and within moments our listeners showed up with more than they could ever use.

We are often asked, who was the most exciting person we have met. The answer is not any celebrity or star, it’s the people who listen to us, bring us into their lives every morning, tell us their stories and allow us to share ours with them. It’s the people we meet who stop us and say how much they enjoyed or laughed at something they heard on our show in the morning. There’s no better feeling than that.

Actually there would be one. Knowing that some little kid is looking behind the stereo right now, trying to see ME. Now that would be cool.

Joe says...

I was 12 when 92 CITI FM hit the airwaves for the first time on April 1, 1978. Before that historic day, it was all about Top 40 AM radio and then it happened...BAM! It was the start of the rock revolution in Winnipeg, and my friends and I were big fans! A radio station that not only played the best rock songs on the planet from all the big name acts, but also the music of local heroes like Tom Cochrane and Red Rider, Kenny Shields and Streetheart, and George Belanger and Harlequin. I can envision my K-Tel record stacker flipping through all the album covers right now!

For me, though, the station made an even greater impression. We all loved listening to the tunes, but I was obsessed with what the announcers had to say. The characters on the radio all had their own identities, from Brother Jake to “The Rock ’n’ Roll Doctor” Andy Frost (who I thought was the coolest DJ ever). And seriously, how could you not learn from Manitoba’s musicologist, Howard Mandshein. I used to try and mimic them all.

Not only did I want to be on the radio, I wanted to be on my favourite station. I guess my goal was no different than that of any young boy who laced up a pair of skates and had dreams of playing for their favourite big league team, or any kid who picked up a guitar and saw themselves someday playing on stage with their favourite band.

Well, eight years later my radio dream became a reality. I ended up with a part-time job at 92 CITI FM and its sister station KY58, doing a lot of different jobs behind the scenes. It was a great way to learn about all the facets of the business. Today, on the morning show, I’m still overwhelmed that I am able to keep my dream alive. I couldn’t have done it without the help of a lot of people, including...

Wayne Yaskiw - the first announcer to ever let me sit in on his show when I was a teenager.

Ron Able - who taught me what being a pro is all about.

Ford Gardner - the boss who brought me back to 92 CITI FM 14 years ago to do the morning show. 

Tom McGouran - thanks for making room for me in the sandbox. It’s been a lot of fun.

And thanks to all of YOU for all the great memories. It’s your anniversary, too. Without you tuning in, there would be no “home of rock and roll.” Here’s to 30 years (insert favourite beverage here).