People to Blame

So we're well underway into the school year, and I must say, having to come back was definitely the best thing for me.

As we talk about subjects that we did last year, I find things making more sense to me, don't know why but who cares, as long as it does.

I feel confident and I am ready to take on the world.


In December we have a two week internship for the first two weeks. I have completed mine last year at Big Dog 100.9, which I must say was absolutely incredible.
This year I may try and get out to New Glasgow at CKEC. It'd be great cause the smaller stations are the places to go if you want to do more, and I'd get to see my old classmate James Lawrence, who is now doing production there, and I believe that that is just the start of things to come Mr. Lawrences' way, helluva producer, helluva guy.

Being in radio was always what I wanted to do, kind of.
As a kid I used to set up my old tape player and would record myself talking, whether it was commentating on baseball, or favorite shows, there was always something I wanted to talk about. However, I never really thought about what I was doing and why I was doing it, since as most kids don't, I never analyzed much, and just did it for the fun of it.
If only I had those tapes now, I would imagine there's a much better product on those tapes than the tapes of my radio shows from my first year at NSCC ;)

With whatever it is we want to do, we usually do have influences and I am no exception to that rule and these are a few of my Radio influences :

Dr. Johnny Fever

My sister got me into WKRP In Cincinatti, and this guy was really the first guy ever I think I looked at as "Cool" and how could you not? Youtube an episode or something, you'll know where I'm coming from.



Bill and Marty from KBBL

If you've never watched an episode of The Simpsons, you're probably living a very sheltered life, and hey I can respect that, but then that means you've never heard of the stereotypical radio stylings of Bill and Marty. These guys know what making radio fun is all about, although cartoon characters they are, anyone in radio can learn from these two.



Kevin and Bean KROQ in LA

This is what you call a RADIO SHOW! I believe its a show that has the music as secondary and everything that they do is primary. The ensemble of people is grand and all hilarious, with celebrity impressionists, amazing guests and of course awesome music, this is my all time favorite morning show, even though I have to stream it in the afternoon, that doesn't take away from enjoying the Kevin and Bean Show on KROQ.




Fearless Fred on 102.1 The Edge in Toronto

Since first year in the RTA program I have heard a lot about this fellow RTA Alumni. Fred Kennedy is a prime example of busting your ass off if you want something bad enough. This guy has worked in some of the smallest markets, dealt with a lot of things he hasn't been thrilled with and is now workign the Drive slot on Canada's biggest Rock Station, The Edge. I listen to him whenever I get the chance and have had a chance to talk with him a couple of times and he is so down to earth and hilarious, maybe one day I'll be working with him...hah here's hoping.



Dave Bannerman, Radio Broadcasting God

This guy has been a main influence on many people in the Radio Industry for the main reason, he was their instructor, and is currently mine. This guy has done and seen it all in the Radio Industry and I swear with each passing year his love for it only grows. Just one conversation with the man and you can tell this is his true passion in life, and he is more than glad to help out anyone who needs it (believe me, I know)
When I'm owning the airwaves and manipulating the minds of listeners everywhere, this is the man to blame, Thank you DB



Those are some of my main Radio Influences, some reasons why when I step into that Studio at School I want to have a show that's gonna blow all previous ones out of the water.

Hell's Kitchen is on.....damn that show makes me hungry, I think I'm gonna make a Pecan Crusted Salmon, with a Mushroom Rizotto....ah hell, I'm going with a PB and J.

Until next time, keep it rockin ;)

Diversity

Life has been getting pretty hectic again for me, and I don't even go full time to school, but I'm keeping on top like a champ and enjoying every minute of it.

We've been talking about diversity in our Communications class, and we were asked to watch a News Cast and take note of all the diverse people throughout it.

Unfortunately I was only able to catch, a repeat of the CBC News at 6 due to scheduling conflicts, okay it was work, but saying scheduling conflicts kind of makes me sound like a celebrity, doesn't it?

But as I'm watching its not until 9 minutes into the broadcast that I see the first non-white person, and that person is CBC Reporter Darrel Kyte.
Now I can't say that they didn't have much diversity in first when they could have, except maybe the first story about over crowding at the hospital, but the shots they had for that was a room of white doctors and nurses, and interviewed a white Doctor.

In a story about a new Turbine, they have a shot of NS Power workers, and in the back there is a black male...hardly a stand out though.

All in all it was not a very diverse broadcast, and it's a little disappointing, just because to me, I feel that being in Canada, diversity was something we really took pride in. I know one News Cast isn't saying that we're not a diverse society north of the border, but hopefully a news cast like this won't be the trend.

On a side note, I'm still getting used to the new CBC News without Jim Nunn.

Tom Murphy is a hell of a journalist and I respect the hell out of him. He just needs to get a little more, how you say, loosey goosey ;) (hmmm, reminds me of someone else I know...wait a minute, that's me)

Final Thoughts - Good News Cast, Needs to be more diverse though.

One, Two, Three, GO!

So the world of blogging and myself have finally crossed paths.
Although I have read many blogs, dealing with many topics, over the years, I had never envisioned myself having enough to say to write one.

However, the way the world just keeps on going, it's almost hard not to find yourself riding the wave of the future.

I've read a few different blogs from Perez Hilton to WWE Commentator Jim Ross' at Jrsbarbq.com and definitely enjoy all the ones I have come across. For a person to be able to express their thoughts and views, while being public for anyone to read is a very interesting thing...to a certain extent of course ;)

Going back to the mentioning of blogs I've read, and more specifically Perez Hilton. I do enjoy his stories and writing, but the person himself does kind of drive me nuts. I don't get how someone became so famous and buddy-buddy with celebrities from drawing obscene images on pictures of celebrities. I do get a laugh every now and then, but there just seems to be something about Hilton that just bugs me. As long as the writing doesn't change though I shall return every now and then for the latest celebrity breaking news.

Another one that I have read a few times before, dealing with the Pop Culture also, is Pop Candy on the USA Today website. Hers is more thorough though and very broad, advertising movies, tv shows, musicals, as well as sharing things such as celebrity birthdays, and a lot of positive stuff
which can sometimes be the polar opposite of Hilton's. She's always up on the latest news and puts her on spin and view on it..in my eyes queen of the pop culture blogs.

I mentioned WWE Commentator and BBQ enthusiast Jim Ross at the beginning of my writing, and if you are a fan of professional wrestling and/or football this is a blog you'd want to read (www.jrsbarbq.com) He gives insight to behind the scenes stuff involved in the wrestling world, stuff that was not written by Hollywood writers to air on Television, making you see that although everyone knows how scripted the fights are, that there is real drama behind the scenes.

We had a guest come speak to our class last year by the name of Jeff Woods, and I was immediately hooked when he would tell us his stories of all the Classic Rock Legends he has hung out with, and his vast knowledge for the genre was insane. Soon after he spoke with us I just had to check out his show which is just another outlet for his fountain of Rock knowledge, and as well he has a blog, talking about musicians with such interesting stories you never would have guessed existed. Jeff also digs up old videos from the artists such as interviews and rare live performances which have got to be seen. http://www.exploremusic.com/legends-of-classic-rock/ I recommend it to any rock and roll fan out there, you'll get hooked like a fish.

There's millions more out there and I hope you recommend a few, and possibly check out those I have talked about.

Those are a few thoughts that came to mind, next time I'll talk about on-air personalities who have influenced what I want to do with my life, and how they did that.

Rock It!