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<\/p>\nIt’s never lost on me.\u00a0 That I get to go to work every day and play music that I love.\u00a0 On World Radio Day I’ll share a bit about how I got here with you.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
I grew up in Streetsville, Ontario.\u00a0 \u00a0And as long as I can remember, there was always music in the house and we always listened to the radio.\u00a0 Back then it was CFTR.\u00a0 I remember being glued to the radio.\u00a0 Waiting to hear the newest music.\u00a0 I loved being surprised by the playlist.\u00a0 You never knew what you were going to hear next.\u00a0 Every New Year there would be a huge countdown and for some reason I would sit with a pen and paper and write down the list of the biggest songs.<\/p>\n
There was something about the radio.\u00a0 \u00a0The music.\u00a0 The voice through the speakers.\u00a0 The excitement of new music.\u00a0 \u00a0It was different then.\u00a0 You had to wait for the new releases.\u00a0 It was a BIG DEAL!<\/p>\n
I was also a super shy kid and always have been.\u00a0 I used to pass out in school giving speeches I would get so worked up.\u00a0\u00a0![\"\"](\"https:\/\/storage.briwebapp.net\/2024\/02\/944270a8-babd-150x150.jpg\")
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Never in a million years did I think life would lead me here.\u00a0 To working in radio.\u00a0 Over 30 years later – and here I am.<\/p>\n
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I’ve worked for every Blackburn station in Sarnia over the years and loved each one.\u00a0 Where I started though?\u00a0 Ha.\u00a0 I graduated from Lambton College in 1991 and a friend of a friend knew of a job opening at the Fox at the time.\u00a0 As the mascot.\u00a0 Yes, once upon a time we had a mascot.\u00a0 His name was Felix and he was a big red fox.\u00a0 For almost two years I wore that costume to all the big events locally.\u00a0 I did the parades, I went to hockey games, fairs and festivals.\u00a0 I remember one year they put me on a ride and my costume twisted and I couldn’t see ANYTHING around me.\u00a0 I’ll never forget that ride.\u00a0 (smile)<\/p>\n
I moved my way up.\u00a0 I started pushing buttons behind the scenes and getting used to working the board in the studio.\u00a0 I moved my way to working overnights, then weekends and evenings and holidays.<\/p>\n
My first shift of my own was on CKTY ( a country station then, and is now what you know as Cool 106.3).\u00a0 When CKTY became CHKS I worked there for a bit as well – until my oldest daughter was born.\u00a0 I came back a year later and spent a short period of time with George in the morning.\u00a0 Before Sarah Woodley came to town.<\/p>\n
I moved to CHOK when it first turned country in 2007 after my youngest was born and eventually found my way back to the Fox afternoons where I have been to this day.\u00a0\u00a0![\"\"](\"https:\/\/storage.briwebapp.net\/2024\/02\/60075931-garth-695x695.jpg\")
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I’m seriously shocked by my life.\u00a0 I’ve worked with and met some amazing people over those 30 years.\u00a0 I’ve had the chance to meet some incredible artists. Among my favourites – Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, even Brad Paisley’s DAD (yes, his dad at Bayfest).<\/p>\n
We’ve also seen some really hard stuff.\u00a0 We’ve lost a few co-workers along the way.\u00a0 \u00a0I remember when the mall roof collapsed at Lambton Mall and working the day, helping to understand the situation and relay the news to listeners.<\/p>\n
And nobody will ever forget 9\/11.\u00a0 That day will be in my head and my heart forever.\u00a0 That was a tough on air day.<\/p>\n
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We worked through a pandemic and for a while I actually had an on air studio in my home.\u00a0 That was crazy.\u00a0 We could never have done that in the early radio days.<\/p>\n
Our technology has changed drastically.\u00a0 From our carts and cart decks that played music and commercials (think 8-track) and the CD’s that held thousands of songs.\u00a0 We would have to stack piles and piles to get ready for our “show” on air.\u00a0 We had paper logs that were printed out each day.\u00a0 \u00a0So much change.\u00a0 Now everything is digital.\u00a0 We download songs and upload to our music computer.\u00a0 Everything is done by computer.\u00a0 \u00a0It’s strange to think how there was no internet when I was first started.\u00a0 \u00a0We had to learn how to use it when it was first introduced. Yep, I’m that old.\u00a0 (smile)<\/p>\n
I’m thankful for what I do.\u00a0 I love every part of it.\u00a0 I love playing the music, adding new music, talking to the artists, doing the shows, meeting the people.\u00a0 Listeners make every day the best day.\u00a0 I want to thank you for always reaching out, by email or text, for stopping by our on location events, and I want to say thank you for listening every day because I can’t be here without you listening.<\/p>\n
I love the power of radio.\u00a0 I love the music, the ability to connect, and share an experience each and every day.<\/p>\n