I know that saying 'time flies" is trite, but in the last few years, it has taken on a new meaning for me.
Makes me realize how LUCKY and BLESSED I was, and I am VERY GRATEFUL.
I realized that my buds and I started rocking 4 decades plus ago - but it seems impossible.
On this very day in 1972, I was walking to CKVN, (soon to become CFUN again), on a night, just like this evening, and hardly a car was on Broadway. From every open window came the voice of Foster Hewitt. Team Canada was about to makes Sports History. I can still recall it like it was last month. Yet, I can't remember what happened last week.
The first night on the CKVN board, and getting shown how to really do it, by J. Lee Smith, is still crystal clear and that happened over 40 years ago.
CFTR was all work and it was 36 years ago - yet I can still see my ops smiling and laughing.
I could spend weeks talking about CFUN and 97KISS-FM.
Thank GOD, I had some time with Nikki Ozinski (my brilliant op), on "The CKNW Weekend Morning News".
I miss it all. It went so fast. The reason I note this: I hope this warning to younger media types, helps them to savour every shift. The people is what you will feel the most. I worked with some of the finest people in the world. I could spend a month telling you how much I came to depend on and like my Traffic partners, Joanne Sutton, Katie Rebak and so many others.
The jocks? Incredibly talented. I worked with NICE people, too. Yes, it was competitive - but it was a team and we had each others back.
My wish is that it Radio stays like that. To hell with accountants. Give me real people, who give a damn about getting great radio done.
Thanks for the memories - like I quoted Paul Simon before - and it still sticks - "Preserve your memories, that's all that's left you". ("Old Friends"). I mean, how can you describe the kindness and kinship of a guy like my pal Jack Casey? We still talk.
Sadly - most of my buddies live across the world. I know there are many I will never see again. I am OK with that, because they know how much I care about them and how grateful I was for their comradeship, and helping our efforts pay off.
The best to you all. It was great.