The medical specialist I’ve known for more than two decades, who performed three surgeries on me over the years, is under review by the College of Physicians and Surgeons. His right to practise is at stake. A journalist friend who has worked for some of the biggest publications in the country is routinely forced to defend his judgment in front of a review panel. What do they have in common? They both teach at universities.  …
I’ve never been a big sports nut. I’ll jump on a bandwagon or absorb the important aspects of a sport my spouse is into but given my druthers, I’d watch a movie instead. …
Throwback Thursday Read More »
It turns out that one of my fortes in voice-work is e-learning. Virtually every day for the past six weeks or so, I’ve been working on online or video-learning projects for a few different clients. My voice is teaching everything from how not to sexually harass your colleagues, to how to navigate a complicated sales system for an international automotive company, to tips and tricks for conducting searches in the Internet. …
When you run your own small business, you’re sometimes asked to work for free. Musicians say it happens to them all the time. I’m not sure if it’s as much of a problem if you’re in the trades. I don’t see how someone can possibly think you’ll replace a toilet or wiring or put up drywall for free. But maybe they try. …
The Value of Work Read More »
It’s a buzz-phrase in broadcasting. “Listener engagement” is where it’s at! Everyone wants listeners to respond and become involved in what’s going on, on air and in the community. Well, in news/talk radio we have it like crazy. They call, text, tweet and email. And it’s not always sweetness and light! But I think it’s hilarious. Â …
Listener Engagement Read More »
The radio station I work for, News/Talk 1290 CJBK, is breaking with tradition tonight. Instead of presenting wall-to-wall election coverage, like we’re expected to do, we’re going to air the Blue Jays/Royals game. …
Jose Bautista for Prime Minister Read More »
In my formative years, Styx was huge. So were Aerosmith, Boston, Supertramp and all of those bands that now form the backbone of the classic rock music genre. …
Throwback Thursday – Tommy Read More »
No matter how many years removed I am from paying my dues, and working every stat holiday, I’ll never stop being grateful that someone else has to do that now. …
Happy Thanksgiving! Read More »
When I worked at MIX 999 it wasn’t unusual to run into a celebrity you didn’t even know was in the building. Movie-star magnet Brian Linehan was working at CFRB down the hall so you might bump into Lauren Bacall in the coffee room or pass Michael J. Fox on his way to the men’s room. Loads of rock stars came in for interviews with those of us at the MIX, mainly Maureen Holloway, who hosted an evening interview show. …
Throwback Thursday – I Guess I Met Joan Jett Read More »
Stephen King’s On Writing is one of the best how-to books I’ve ever read. It came out 15 years ago but I still haul it out every few years and give it another skim. Like his work or not, he’s one of the most successful people who ever put fingertips to keyboard. It’s worth knowing what he has to say about the craft. …
Contradicting the King Read More »
Some superstars are divas. They carry themselves in a way that says, I’m better than you. Some are down-to-earth, humble and warm. That’s how I’d describe Michael Burgess. …
Throwback Thursday – Michael Burgess Read More »
A few years ago, Rogers lost my email. It was infuriating. It simply didn’t exist for more than two weeks and no one seemed upset about it except me. I even contacted my former (distant) Rogers colleague, now Mayor of Toronto John Tory, and begged him to get in touch with a higher-up at Rogers which he did. And that’s how I found out why no one cared too much. Â …
I’ll never tell you who I vote for and I’ll never ask you that question. But this excruciatingly long federal election campaign will come to an end before we know it and it will be time to make a choice. …
So, How Will You Vote? Read More »
When I was a kid, it was the height of cool to drop by a record store and pick up the CKOC street sheet to see that week’s top 40 songs. CKOC was Hamilton’s all-hit radio. If you were in Toronto, it was CFTR. Any top 40 radio station worth its 45s was putting out a little top 40 chart every week.
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Throwback Thursday – All Hit Music Me Read More »
I didn’t love hockey when I was a kid so much as I loved Bobby Orr. …
Throwback Thursday – Skating with #4 Read More »
Where were you 14 years ago tomorrow? I was on the air. …
Throwback Thursday – 9/11 Read More »
The question of right and wrong has come up in so many different issues in the past couple of weeks. Â I don’t even understand the question. The answer, to me, is crystal clear. We need to decide on morals as a society. Not based on any religious-based book or perspective of some small group on the fringe, but as human beings who know, in their hearts, the differences between right and wrong. Â …
A Bit of a Rant – Window to Anarchy Read More »
With any luck, extra sleep will come today. Mama loves her long weekends! …
Lack-of-Labour Day Read More »