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Those that influence
Andre Maissoneuve, Afternoon Host,
Mix 96, Montreal, P.Q.
My biggest inspiration for getting behind a microphone and wanting to remain a part of it. An incredibly
talented personality in it's purest form. He does not need produced bits, radio rhetoric, contesting, abrasiveness, or tired
cliche ridden approaches to win an audience. Andre has been my favorite Canadian radio Personality for the past 18 years.
Bill Hart and me first met him at the Halifax Metro Centre when we embarassed him by paying homage to the master when we were
aspiring radio announcers. Get the visual?..."we are not worthy!!!"
Dave Maunder, former radio host, St.
John's, NL
Though I didn't live in Newfoundland at the time of his reign on air, I did get to listen to his commercial
spot reading. I swear, if he told me to go out and buy a years supply of Tetley Tea, I'd do it...that's what a spot is supposed
to do. So many commercials, PSA's, Promos, special features, etc are faceless until Maunder does the delivery...then it means
something. Y'know, maybe there's some truth in the belief that the smaller markets simply don't have the talent range as larger
markets, after all, where would you end up if your talent that was that profound? But, Maunder is an exception and like his
predecessor, the legendary Don Jamieson, Maunder could have played New York City for his entire career starting from his 20s,
but he chose his home in Newfoundland. This is what radio announcers miss so very much..delivery. Back in broadcasting school,
the instructors would say things like, "Don't pull your voice", "be conversational", "learn to relax and pretend you're talking
to your buddy", "keep it simple", "watch for listener fatigue"...INSTEAD they should have said something like "D'ya ever hear
o' Dave Maunder...well do that"! Every local announcer should spend a week with him for schooling, I guarantee we'd hear a
different, more polished sound.
Terry Evans, K-Rock mornings, Edmonton, AB
Superb comedic timing, I have listened
long before he was morning show host. This is an example of a guy that makes you forget that the format makes me more tired
than when I actually went to bed, personality, depth and range.
John Gormley, CJME "John Gormley live" host, Regina,
SK
An educated, savy moderator who sets the standard for talk radio. I used to find it a necessary part of my morning
at the wheel to listen to Gormley "adjust my attitude". I've listened to talk radio in other markets and other shows within
the Regina market, but I feel compelled to skip all those and my CDs littered with 80s songs that only I would like, in favour
of Gormley's banter and wit. A former politician and labour lawyer, Gormley's smart enough, above all, to know that we all
have opinions...some are just wrong. LOL
Steve Murphy, ATV News anchor, Halifax, N.S.
Steve Murphy is living
proof that you are literally born with it. Like Dave Maunder in St. John's, Murphy has been elevated to the status of icon
in the broadcast community of Halifax, and with good reason. He was hosting open line on radio at an early age and now can
be counted on to sit in for Lloyd when he's not at the desk. I know what your PD will tell you , "practice makes perfect"...well,
this guy just shattered that theory to bits, because he had it from the beginning. Steve knows of my high regard of his abilities
but is humble to the point of fault stating that he developed his ability over time but beg to differ...it's a god given gift.
Doug Reynolds, 920 CJCH, Halifax, Nova Scotia
I started to listen to Doug when 920 was part of "The Team"
sports network. There are those that fall into different categories when it comes to their news delivery on air. Some are
relegated to the news "reader" or "announcer" status, but Reynolds is different. Doug Reynolds and his first person presentation
is the new breed of "news personality" personified and one of the few breaths of fresh air I see in Halifax radio today.
Brian
Phillips, 920 CJCH, Halifax, N.S.
Ah...memories of riding the school bus to Graham Creighton Junior High from Humber Park,
Phillips in the morning RULING radio...it's almost as if HE was responsible for every bit of music we liked. Damn, he was
good. The only time I ever came face to face with this guy was when I accidently barged right in front of him as he was taping
a television commercial for a prominant automobile dealership in Halifax. He wasn't pleased and since I was a snot nosed kid,
I probably didn't care much either. This may not sit well with many of my younger generation but to this day, there still
isn't anyone in Halifax that can shine this guys shoes. There's not an announcer for miles that combines his pipes with pure
unrehearsed ability. At broadcast school, they constantly drummed that "these days, it's not the pipes that matter, it's your
approach and personality" That may be true, but Phillips is like the guilty pleasure, personality and an awesome voice. I
don't care what anyone says, you still should have essential God given pipes. Phillips does. Give this guy the worst format
and hardest to reach demo and he'll deliver, part of the landscape in Halifax.
Peter Mansbridge, CBC News, Toronto,
Ont.
If you just sit back at the end of the day and watch this guy perform, announce, enhance, ad-lib, accentuate, promote,
discuss, and make you feel an integral part of the National News. Maybe because I was raised on CBC News, I am almost brainwashed
into believing that the news takes on extra credibility when the CBC does it...I don't know. When Knowlton Nash gave up the
chair to Mansbridge, any of us "marks", knew that Peter was a shoo-in because if he didn't get the promotion, he could have
become "americanized". I swear to the Lord above, if the scripts were lost and the teleprompter died and it was 10 seconds
to air, Mansbridge...with his knowledge and his comfort level could guide me through the news without missing a beat. This
guy's incredible!
Bill Hart, FX101.9, Halifax, Nova Scotia
How should I start this...I know of no one else
in my exposure to radio throughout the past umpteen years that remotely comes close his passion. After all, that's STILL what
it's all about...isn't it?!? He still talks radio like his life depends on it, wants to enrich it, wants to be better at it
and like me, respects those that are creative. I think I've just eliminated about 70% of those that work in the industry.
Bill combines an eager willingness to learn, entertain, respect the "brotherhood" and a humble approach in his climb to Number
1...and it's coming, I've always believed in him. We've been close friends for the past 18 years and I value his opinion,
more importantly, he has an open ear, no matter what crap that blurts from my mouth. Thank you Bill for your understanding.
Through his influence, I still hunger for the business. So many people in this industry are "assimilated into the borg" and
sooner or later through politics and the buddy system peak far too early in their career and can't catch up to their
ego...that ain't the case with The Hitman.
The Greaseman
No one touches him for parodies both in song and produced
bits. On top of this, after years of comedy and acute timing, he has never let me down (except maybe for the model airplane
incident in Florida, LOL). His bits are legendary and if you ever get the opportunity to hear some, you'll agree...no one
has this guys ability to foray into the mind numbing world of the sublime and ridiculous.
Don Imus
I listened
to Imus spin his yarns and opinions on WFAN as picking up the signal, especially on a frosty Winter morning in Nova Scotia
was possible with my super enhanced, technologically ahead of it's time, flux capacitor implanted, all encompassing AM radio.
(er...I got nothing) He is a member of the National Radio Hall of Fame and I'm quite sure he doesn't give a rats ass about
that accolade either.
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