The Off Mic Podcast

Drex and Dalby both launched new morning shows this week, so they sat down to catch up on the last 7 years, and talk about what's different in the industry these days, and how to deal with hate.

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Abbey White knew he wanted to be on the radio at a young age, and got his first gig before even going to radio school. Over the next 20 years, he would go on to be one of the top country programmers on the Prairies, but it wasn't always a smooth ride. 

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Radio is increasingly moving into the digital realm, and X92.9 in Calgary is leading the charge thanks to Andrew Berridge and his trusty camera. So how did getting demoted in Halifax help him develop the skills to make it happen?

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Howard's used to being the guy asking all the questions. One of Canada's most prolific interviewers talks about over 40 years in radio, and some of the names he's met along the way, with advice for anyone looking to have that kind of a run. 

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From singing along to the radio in a minivan in Toronto, to interviewing some of the biggest names in Pop music, Shannon Burns has had a hell of a ride. But how did a stop in rock radio on the prairies play into the mix? And how do you keep being creative when you live alone in a pandemic?

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There's nothing like working in radio, but it's not all rainbows and free Whopper combos. The job can be a grind, and for some people, that means walking away. Evan Baran of 104.9 The Wolf in Regina was one of those people, but how did radio drive him off? And how did it bring him back almost 7 years later?

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It's actually harder to find 6 people that don't like Poncho Parker, than it is to find the 6 winning numbers in the lottery. There's just something about him that makes you want to grab a beer with him. So, how did this former truck driver and banker become a morning staple? And why is he so attached to Medicine Hat? 

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Sports broadcasting is tough. A lot of people want to do it, but there's only so many jobs. So when a 15 year old decides he's going to be on SportsCenter by 25, it's a hell of a called shot. Derek Taylor, now the voice of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, tells of all the stops along the way to having a new gig put on hold by a global pandemic. 

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Last time we talked to Andrew Beckler he was at Virgin Edmonton doing drive. Today, we talk about fading passion for CHR, and finding new success with a partner at X92.9, as well as a look at some of the hurdles the radio industry is facing today. 

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Some people grow up wanting to be in radio, some people fall into it. For former Film school student Chris Kelly, he fell all the way to the top with Kiss 92.5, even if he did hit a branch or two along the way. 

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From spending $50 a month sending out demo CDs, to being the guy those demos are being sent to, Adam Thompson has made a name for himself in Canadian radio programming. But how did he get there? And how did he get his start in programming by quitting his job? 

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For four years, Sarah Nick made it her mission to ingrain herself into the community in Winnipeg. When she was let go from Energy 106 just over a week ago, the community returned the favor with an outpouring of support. Hear Sarah's story this week on The Off Mic Podcast, brought to you by Pippin Technical Service LTD.

Some people dream of being on the radio when they're little. Andrew Wilcox dreamt of owning the station. Instead, he's "settled" for running two stations in Northern Alberta, and doing his best to coach the next generation of talent. 

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COVID 19 has not been kind to our industry, and budget cuts have left some very talented broadcasters on the sidelines. One of those was a guest on this show 7 years ago, Graham Mosimann, formerly of X92.9. But, Graham's going to be OK, he promises. Hear why on this week's episode, brought to you by Pippin Technical Service Ltd.

From a small desk doing soap opera reports, to some of the biggest stations in the country, Shirley McQueen of CRUZ Edmonton has always had one thing. Guts. So how does a receptionist in Regina get to the mighty Q107 in Toronto in less than a year? Let her tell you, and listen!

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You can go your whole life knowing exactly what you want to do, but can you make that pivot when your dream changes? That's what long time sports fan Clayton Kroeker did when he realized just how fun every day radio can be at WABC. But it hasn't been all bat flips and maple dips. 

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If radio is just a neat thing to you, you might make it. If it's your passion? You'll do whatever it takes to make it. Even if that means moving from another country to go to a Canadian radio school, and bouncing from one end of the country to the other. Rob Grant did all that, and now he gets to enjoy the rewards on 101.5 Today Radio.

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When we first talked to TJ Connors, he was in Winnipeg, having replaced probably the biggest name in Morning Radio in the city. Now, 7 years later, he's back in Winnipeg, having replaced probably the biggest name in Morning Radio in the city. So how's it going this time around? And where all did he go in between? And who drinks Hey Y'All Iced Tea? 

We'll answer all that this week. 

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It's been 6 years since Matt Cundill was let go as the PD of Power 97 in Winnipeg, and about 5 years since he went all in on podcasting, proving that there really is broadcasting life after radio. But before all that, it helps he had a pretty legendary career along the way. From Matt Cundill, to Matt Mauler, to the Sound Off Podcast, it's all in this week's episode of Off Mic. 

From fist fights in Flin Flon, to flapping gums with country royalty, there's not much Colin Lovequist hasn't done in his 34 years in radio. But that's not to say he's slipping, settling, or seeking an exit. Hear why one of the biggest voices in Saskatchewan has no intention of walking away just yet, plus an insight on how to interview some of the biggest stars in the music industry, and the smallest. 

The Off Mic Podcast is sponsored by Pippin Techinical Service, We Build Broadcast. PippinTech.com

A lot can change in 7 years. That's how long it's been since Off Mic first started, so it's time to revisit some of the original guests that helped make the show what it is!

First up, the first guest on the show back in 2013, Danaye Maier of Virgin Radio Calgary. Danaye is one of the few original guests still at the same job at the same station, but that's not to say that life hasn't changed a lot. How does becoming a mom, and an Instagram sensation, have an impact on the job? Let's find out. 

Used to be, every station had their on air lineup, and they had their music director, someone to look out for the playlist, dedicated to crafting the perfect sound every day. Now, most jocks have slashes on their business cards. Mornings/Promo, Middays/Production, Drive/MD, it's rare to find someone who does just one job in this economy. 

That's what makes Matt Berry at X92.9 a unicorn. He has no slash, and that's part of why X is one of the top stations in the country. How did Matt come to be this mythical creature? Mix a drink, and have a listen. 

Some folks know they want to be behind a mic when they're kids. For some, it's not until they get a little older. Not many folks give up a successful career in finance to go to radio school though. For Dan Chen, of Q107 Toronto, it was a gut reaction, and it's taken him all across the country, studying from some of the biggest names in the game. 

The Off Mic Podcast is sponsored by Pippin Technical Service, We Build Broadcast. PippinTech.com

It's been 4 years since I recorded an episode of the Off Mic Podcast, so I had to find someone in radio that I knew could help this thing take off again. Enter Lauren Hunter, afternoons on Sonic 102.9 in Edmonton, Alberta. She's got a track record for viral content, and a willingness to help out for charity. Find out why it took a major market gig to finally feel free, the secret to going viral, and finding a family in your audience. 

The Off Mic Podcast is sponsored by Pippin Technical Service, We Build Broadcast. PippinTech.com

In radio, it's pretty much a rule. You're going to have to move around if you want to move up. That said, every rule has an exception. Hear how JD Anderson went from doing overnights for free, to running the whole building, to running the whole province.

From humble beginnings in The Pas, Manitoba, to a still talked about hit Morning show in Calgary, Alberta, to launching an underdog station that hit big in Toronto, Ontario, Candice Knihnitski has traveled this fine country for love and career. Grab a road map and come on tour with this week's episode of Off Mic!

This week we're talking to JD, 1 half of the CJAY 92 morning show, on blacking out during his first break, breaking mom's heart by leaving her favorite station, and getting to work along side a legend.

From farm life, to the oil patch, Jason Gregor always loved sports. So, one day after realizing that oil money wasn't making him happy, he made the jump to sports radio, and has been a rising star ever since. Hear what the moment was that convinced him to change careers, and his takes on things like the sanctity of the locker room, on Off Mic!

This week, we go across the desk at the private studios of the Humble & Fred show to get the story from the "sidekick" on the show, if you can call it that anymore. How did a young sports broadcaster become part of the biggest show in Toronto? And why we still need so much music? All of this from Fred Patterson this week on Off Mic!

When you have a run in the industry like Humble Howard, you end up with a lot of stories to tell, even if you don't think they're all that interesting. Turns out, they are interesting, as are Howard's thoughts on what Canadian radio needs to do to evolve to the next level, and the differences between terrestrial and satellite radio. Meet the man who swore in front of Anne Murray, this week on Off Mic!

Another story of the weird ways people get in to radio. Imagine sitting at a desk answering phones, and being discovered by a morning show. Now imagine taking that opportunity, and running with it all the way to a major Drive show in Toronto. For Blake, it wasn't always easy, but it was almost always fun. Except for the Santa suit...

A seemingly innocuous gift at an early age would end up shaping the career of one of the biggest names in Canadian radio. From being teased as a music nerd, to being celebrated for one, one of Canada's great story tellers tells his own story.

Everyone who has worked in radio for a decent period of time has likely had the chance to talk to folks just getting in to the business. For Lamya Asiff, she does it for a living. Lamya teaches news at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in the Radio & Television program, trying to share her passion for journalism with the next batch of fresh faces coming through. So what's it like balancing shaping the future of the industry with a home life, and being part of a major market morning show? Lamya shares that this week on Off Mic.

The old saying goes, "You haven't been in radio until you've been fired." That said, no one is actively going around looking to get canned just for the street cred. And when you do get let go, there's not guarantee you'll be back. When Todd Hancock got let go after a lengthy stay at CFOX in Vancouver, he didn't panic, he found a way to do what he loved, on his own terms.

Among radio folks, he's one of the most well known names in the country, and one of the most creative when it comes to finding ways to get people talking. Ryder joins Off Mic to talk about some of his infamous stunts, his interesting Vancouver experience, and how important it is to actually know your audience.

It took exactly one conversation with a PD for Seanna Jefferson to get her first on air gig. I mean, sure, she had to bust her ass for a while before that conversation, but when the time came, even she was surprised and how quickly she got mic time. Since then, it's been a lot more ass busting across the country, including 3 major markets, and a macaroni truck.

On the final episode of Season 3, I got to sit down with a guy who's used to being the one asking questions. Arguably one of the biggest names in Canadian Radio, Jeff Woods has talked to some of the biggest rock stars on the planet, and produces one of the biggest syndicated shows in the country. We talk about his journey to the top, with stops all across the country along the way.

Never in the short history of this show has so much changed between the recording and release of an episode. But when Jason Manning and I sat down earlier this week, he was the PD of Fresh FM, and Power 97. Now, Power is gone, and 97.5 Big FM is here. Listen to Jason's thoughts on Power, the staff, and his entire career, this week on Off Mic!

After watching her dad work in the industry while she was growing up, it wasn't until it was time to think about what comes after high school that Kelsey Lehman thought she might want to give it a go herself. After pestering him for his blessing, Kelsey stormed her way into a major market job in a remarkably short period of time. We talk about her rare on air audition, and programming music for Top 40, plus the idea of an all female morning show, this week on Off Mic.

When you can say that you got to co-host an hour with a guy like Chris Cornell, your resume is pretty solid. Not to mention being part of a successful legacy morning show. It hasn't all been sunshine for Chad McDonald though, a guy who originally wasn't even interested in radio. From the halls of WABC, to the Queen City, with an odd number of stops in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Chad talks candidly about his career, and the industry, this week on Off Mic.

To say Greg Beharrell has an eccentric style of broadcasting may be accurate, but it doesn't give proper credit to the mad genius he is. And now, on a tour of duty that includes no less than 3 legendary radio stations, Greg talks about what goes in to making his particular brand of funny, how he deals with hate, and what it's like making the move from Canada to the US.

Ladies, the lesson of today's episode is to not get too attached to X92.9's Tyler Middleton, because he's not going to be around long. It's not that he's some sort of drifter or vagabond, he's just talented enough to keep getting poached by bigger markets and bigger gigs before he sticks around too long. Now doing Mornings with Lynch in Calgary, we talk about the whirlwind ride the last couple years have been.

Usually the host of The Off Mic Podcast, this time the shoe is on the other foot for Drew Dalby. Season 1 guest Drex, now at CKNW, guest hosts to ask about starting out in community radio in the NWT, not originally planning to be on air, and walking away from the business to work in a video store.

He claims that he's not a talented guy, which is hard to believe considering the amount of success he's had across Canada. Now in the Center of the Universe, Adam Wylde talks about how he got home, and what it's like to do a show that airs on different sides of the country!

#Season3IsReal! After taking off 8 months to have a baby and start a new gig, and after 8 months of your angry tweets and emails, Off Mic is back! And back with a bang, as Season 3 might be the biggest one yet. We kick it off with a must hear episode for anyone just starting out in the industry, with a part of one of the biggest families in radio. We'll look back on an over 40 year career, and talk about the future of the business with Marty Forbes.

Season 2 of The Off Mic Podcast comes to an end with our biggest guest to date. When you're going hunting for a broadcaster who has a story to tell, it's difficult to ignore someone with 35 years of experience to draw on, with 28 of those years coming on the national, and sometimes international stage. In his final year as the host of CBC's Hockey Night In Canada, Ron MacLean talks about how he got to the spotlight, and what's next for his career.

Not to get too feminist-y for you, but women in radio do face certain challenges that we fellas don't have to worry about. For example, starting a family can pose a problem for a female jock, because it means at some point, she'll have to take time off for the baby. For CITI FM's Nesta Matthews, that's a bummer, but it wasn't going to stop her from having a young one of her own.

It's yet another guest with a degree in something that's not broadcasting, who made it big in broadcasting. This week, from alphabetizing carts at a community station, the reinventing the way people get their weather on television, Arda Ocal has specialized in one thing above all else. Finding new ways to make himself valuable. Not that it was always easy.

There's no rule in radio that says you have to work for a certain number of years before you can make it to the top. This week's guest just busted his ass, and before the age of 30, he was the PD of Power 97 in Winnipeg. Since then, he's had a chance to manage some of the country's best talent, and launch a pair of powerhouse stations in the Calgary area. Not bad, I guess.