The best-kept secret in broadcasting was finally revealed, and sent a shock through the broadcasting world yesterday. After nearly three decades on CHFI mornings, Erin Davis announced her retirement.
Erin and her wonderful husband Rob want a fresh start. Their almost-perfect lives were upended 18 months ago when their terrific daughter Lauren, a new Mom and a rising star in Ottawa radio, died suddenly in her sleep. Cause: inconclusive. It’s been difficult to make sense of it and I’m not sure that anyone can. Rob and Erin have been showered with tsunamis of support, broken up by the occasional stranger who has behaved horribly. Their experience reminds me why being famous isn’t necessarily as great as everyone thinks. Erin has handled it all with grace and class, but it’s been difficult, as you can imagine.
However, none of this is an attempt to speak for her or explain why she’s hanging up her earbuds next month, at least as far as the daily grind goes. She clarifies it beautifully in her journal, as she did on the air on Wednesday. She seemed surprised to be trending on Twitter. In fact, she’s the opposite of a diva – so much so that I sometimes have to remind her that, “You’re Erin f***ing Davis!”
You can read or listen to her journal entry HERE. You can wish her well on Twitter @erindavis or even leave a voice message for her at 416-413-4111. To her radio fans who are disappointed that she won’t be part of their mornings anymore, be happy for her that she’s worked her way to the very top of her field and is calling her own shots on how she wants her future to look. She deserves this. She earned it. The hard way.
I won’t say I’m a fan of Erin’s because I don’t like the word but I really like her. She has taken anyone that reads her journal with her on the rollercoaster ride that is her life and done so with great eloquence and grace. She is funny, witty and smart. She is kind and caring. I wish her and her husband the very best in their future and hope their new life brings them a measure of peace and comfort after the tragic death of their beloved Lauren.
I adore Erin Davis and will miss her terribly when I am not waking up to her every weekday morning as I have for more than 25 years. But I wish Erin & Rob the very best as they begin this new chapter in their lives. They deserve every happiness. I know you will miss her when she leaves Ontario Lisa, but your friendship will carry on no matter where life takes either of you.
No wonder Lauren loved you so much. And we do, too – always. Thank you for being my soul sister (younger by a whole two weeks) – and my friend forever. Distance can’t separate two hearts that beat in the same crazy rhythm. Love you, Lisa. E.