I spent most of last weekend at Fanshawe College taking in a series of seminars and presentations designed to teach me how to teach.  There were a few dozen of us, some with teaching experience and some without, and it really astonished me in hindsight that a couple of other colleges unleashed me, and many others, on unsuspecting students with no training whatsoever! …
I’ve been surrounded by students lately! It’s intern-mania in London radio newsrooms right now. I’m impressed by the calibre of talent coming out of Fanshawe College. And now I’ve been offered the chance to help it grow. …
Next week is Bullying Awareness Week and to prepare, all of the radio morning shows in the city took the Pledge Against Bullying a couple of weeks ago.  The promos are now running on CTV here. …
The Pledge to End Bullying Read More »
Deep, passionate and fascinating discussions took place this week on social media and in real life about spoiler alerts.  Although we’ve discussed it before, and I’ve jokingly taken to Twitter to warn against anyone spoiling things for me, it has really stepped up in light of the Breaking Bad finale. …
Spoiler Alert! On Spoiler Alerts (Includes a Breaking Bad Spoiler)Read More »
Spoiler Alert! On Spoiler Alerts (Includes a Breaking Bad Spoiler) Read More »
So much talk about retirement lately. I just read a terrific book titled Neurotic Money by Joe Ornato. He was one of my table-mates at the book signing at Chapters on the weekend. Smart guy, totally debt-free and living on a hobby farm with his family after abandoning his six-figure job in the financial industry. Â …
Brandt’s Randt – Freedom 85! Read More »
It happened again last week. All through my career I’ve been approached by people who have lost a loved one and they’re upset because the radio station I work for won’t play the tribute song recorded by their cousin/friend/uncle/random stranger. …
All Music is not Equal Read More »
A hundred years ago when I started in radio and snagged my first full-time job in Red Deer, Alberta, a wonderful, quirky, hilarious newscaster took me in as her roommate.  This weekend that woman and I are finishing up her visit from Winnipeg and I’m grateful that she’s still in my life and as hilarious as ever. …
Thelma and Louise or Lorna and Shirley Read More »
The only daughter of our very dear friends got married on the weekend. This event has been long in the planning and heavy in anticipation. And it was a very special, wonderful day. Â Â …
The Wedding of The Year! Read More »
I don’t know how many other people caught this yesterday but it jumped out at me from the computer screen. Â The London couple that won $17-million in Saturday’s Lotto 6/49 came forward. Â He is 73 and she is 60 and CTV, the Free Press and others called them “elderly.” …
Too Young to be This Old Read More »
I often write about errors in news writing and believe me, I could post a new story about them every day but I try to pace myself. …
Spotting Mistakes Read More »
It’s been several years now since I started writing a monthly column for Myaircheck.com. Â …
My Pals at My Aircheck Read More »
On Friday The Big Show was invited to speak to a group of radio and broadcast journalism students at Fanshawe College.  Derek “Rock” Botten, Blair and I offered our takes on the business of broadcasting and hoped to impart a bit of our best advice  to them. …
This happens far too often.  Journalists make assumptions and they ought not do it. …
Getting Ahead of the News Read More »
A Comox, BC rock-radio host was fired last week in what appears to me to be a complete over-reaction to something he did on the air. Â …
Rocking the Airwaves Read More »
To say I was gobsmacked by a proposal from City of London staff would be an understatement. …
Thanks for Nothing, London Read More »
A little while ago I posted a plea for radio stories and I got some very good ones! I’m starting to work on an ebook collection of my own experiences in this wacky world of broadcasting and including some of those I’ve been sent.  They range from in-studio shenanigans to off-air tomfoolery to the ever-popular dealings with over-bearing or delusional listeners. I’ll share one of the rarer ones with you today, written and experienced by Mr. Derek Botten. …
Radio Tales Under Assembly Read More »
Join me if you will as we listen to this week’s Brandt’s Randt from 98.1 Free FM. Â …
My Latest Randt – Christmas Music! Read More »
Hundreds of broadcasters have said they’ll write books about behind-the-scenes of radio. Very few have followed through.  I think it’s time. …
Tales Out of School Read More »