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<\/p>\nWant to hear a story about the early days of radio?<\/p>\n
Well, I can’t go too far back.\u00a0 My kids might think I’m old, but I wasn’t here when it was invented or anything.\u00a0 (smile).\u00a0 But I discovered that today is World College Radio Day.\u00a0 The training ground for all us radio disc jockeys was likely a college radio station somewhere.\u00a0 Where we made mistakes.\u00a0 Learned the trade.\u00a0 The do’s and don’ts.\u00a0 And quickly discovered whether we had what it takes to actually get a job in the real world.<\/p>\n
I am a graduate of the Radio, Television and Journalism program (RTJ) from Lambton College.\u00a0 Go Lions.\u00a0 \u00a0A program that was phased out many years ago unfortunately.<\/p>\n
Radio has changed a LOT since those early days for me.\u00a0 We don’t need to mention dates because with my birthday next week I’m already feeling all my years. (smile)<\/p>\n
I grew up with a love of music.\u00a0 The radio was always on in our house and in the car.\u00a0 As kids we were given stern instructions to never EVER touch the radio dial in the car.\u00a0 Especially with my mom.\u00a0 She had her station and we didn’t even think of changing it.\u00a0 Funny enough, one of the stations she loved to listen to after we moved to Thedford – was the very station I got my first full time job at.\u00a0 That’s weird, right?<\/p>\n
I have no idea how I got here.\u00a0 After high school, when you’re given the daunting task of trying to figure out the rest of your life and what you want to be when you grow up (smile) I picked three different courses.\u00a0 Each very different.\u00a0 But the RTJ program was the one I was drawn to.\u00a0 Despite being the shyest kid on the planet at the time.\u00a0 I think it was the music that drew me in.<\/p>\n
Music is so powerful.\u00a0 It can leave such an impact on your life.\u00a0 And depending on your age and your mood – it changes.<\/p>\n
CJLC.\u00a0 That was the call letters of the college radio station at Lambton.\u00a0 It was a small booth in the basement of Lambton College.\u00a0 With a microphone, a small board, a few turntables for the records we got to play, and a rack of what looked like 8-track tapes.\u00a0 I remember a whole learning section on how to cue a record.\u00a0 A little back and forth with the record.\u00a0 It was an art in itself.\u00a0 You didn’t want the song to start in silence and you sure didn’t want to start halfway through one of the lyrics.\u00a0 Those carts had to be cued in time for the next one to play.\u00a0 It was NERVE WRACKING for sure.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Radio was only a part of the course, but it was my favourite part.\u00a0 John Murray was the teacher and he taught us so well.\u00a0 He led with enthusiasm, passion and he put his heart and soul into everything he taught and everyone of his students.\u00a0 His teaching has made a lasting impact.<\/p>\n
We learned the history of radio and we learned the basics of operating a radio station.\u00a0 Creating an original playlist, picking your favourite songs and writing a “prep sheet” of what you would talk about.\u00a0 Oh my goodness it was so terrifying those first few broadcasts.\u00a0 Even if the speakers only made it as far as the cafeteria.\u00a0 (ha ha ha).<\/p>\n
I loved it and I developed a love for the music even more and the artists behind it.\u00a0 I still love that part of my job.\u00a0 30 plus years later.<\/p>\n
So thankful for those early days that taught me what radio was all about.\u00a0 For the people in my class and especially for my teachers that gave me the motivation and encouragement to keep going in a career I never ever imagined I would be in.\u00a0 Especially 30 years later.<\/p>\n
It’s certainly changed a lot.\u00a0 Everything is digital now.\u00a0 No more carts or record players in the studio.\u00a0 We don’t even have paper logs like we used to.<\/p>\n
But no matter how much things change, I will always remember those first days of college radio.\u00a0 Pushing through fears and doubts.\u00a0 Never realizing or believing I would still be here 30 years later.<\/p>\n
To all my fellow college radio grads – congratulations.\u00a0 Today we celebrate the years gone by, the things we learned, the people, the teachers and we remember it all.<\/p>\n
And for all of us who love radio – it probably started in a classroom somewhere or a college station.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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