Wow, I really blew it with keeping my blog updated throughout the summer. It was a very busy one, I'll just say that, and that I plan to blogg about it in the next week, but something happened very recently that will take a precedence to that.
22 years ago, my family moved to Lamont, just outside of Edmonton. I loved listening to 1220 CJOC in Lethbridge, and was hoping to find a great radio station in Edmonton. After a few months, I found CISN 103.9 FM. What originally drew me to this radio station was the morning program, featuring Bruce Bowie as the main DJ. Over the next 21 years, I tried to listen to Bruce every morning. Obviously there were periods of time that I couldn't listen (my mission, for example), but I took every opportunity to tune in online, via satellite, etc. It was more than just being a listener; he also accepted random phone calls on just about anything.
When I first listened to Bruce, I found his show very funny and enjoyable without being too over the top nor the least bit offensive. I was a very shy teenager at the time, but I got up the nerve to phone up and give him a joke or make a comment every now and then. To my surprise, Bruce played them on the air. Over time, he came to recognize my voice, and a cool friendship was formed. through these phone calls, I gained confidence in myself and came out of my shell a bit more each time. Bruce made me feel important and welcomed my contributions, and I cannot fully give my appreciation for that.
Over the years, Bruce had many people on the show that came to mean a lot to me as well. Some of the listeners like me who may or may not have had a great social life were also regular callers, like Ramblin Rick, Earth Daddy, and the Trivia Man (who suspiciously bore a verbal resemblance to Edgar) also became welcome favourites. CISN employees included Warren Henderson, Don Daniels, Tracy Gray, Jimmy Carter (not the US president), Jennifer Martin, and this guy named Jimmy the Intern were all great parts of this program. Bruce had two special co-hosts that also became like friends to me: the lovely and feisty Cheryl Brooks and for the last 8 years the wacky and lovable Sean Burke. Both of these individuals were amazing personalities that added so much to the show, yet throughout the whole time, there was Bruce. One thing I admired about Bruce is that with working with all of these individuals he played to all of their strengths, and seemed to genuinely appreciate all that they contributed. Bruce is a humble man who does not hog the spotlight and glory for himself. He share willingly and graciously.
Another impressive feature of Bruce is that he was very funny without being offensive. Often his jokes were silly and absurd, but they got me cracking up. I never heard him go somewhere that one shouldn't. In the world of radio I hear a lot of stories that try to push the envelope just to get noticed. Bruce never went there, and I could feel safe listening to him with anyone else in the room (Sean is another story, but I still love the guy). Bruce also loved to laugh and it seemed like he was one of the lucky few who seemed to truly love his job.
Now, I know that it seems like that Bruce has retired or expired with this, but he has not (thankfully). He is, however, leaving CISN Country to take over the morning show at 630 CHED, a talk show format. I am looking forward to this, although I feel like the child whose parents have split up, as I will be listening to CHED one morning and CISN the next, but I cannot wait to hear what Bruce does in this new challenge. Still, I could not let his leaving CISN go without comment, because for 21 years of my life, Bruce in the morning on CISN has been a constant in my life.
Yesterday I phoned Bruce at CISN for the last time to express my appreciation for what he has come to mean to me. Among my feelings of being special, I also must thank him for being there for me during the best and worst times of my life. I loved to share great news with him, but most importantly he was there for me on the darkest parts of my life. When my mother passed away, Bruce spoke some very kind words about her on the air on the day of her funeral. He paid her a wonderful tribute. That helped me with so much healing. When Jen left me, Bruce sent me a very encouraging email that helped me get up off my feet and keep going with a smile. When my brother TJ passed away last year, I phoned him and Sean up the following morning. While Bruce was not supposed to play any requests, he played "I Believe" by Diamond Rio for me. It was a small thing, but it brought so much healing to me that morning.
So Bruce, if you happen to read this, please know that your work as an ambassador for Edmonton, morning funny guy, and overall great person has touched so many lives in so many ways. I am only one out of many that will miss you on CISN, but you won't get rid of me just yet.
My Top 10 Bruce Moments
10. Allowing me to cook pancakes for him and Sean during the Fringe Festival the last three years
9. Phoning him from the Salt Lake City airport on my way to France at the start of my mission
8. Delivering homemade truffles at Christmas with my mother
7. Talking to him at concerts, radio picnics, etc.
6. The Crazy phone where Bruce and Sean convinced some poor guy that they had canned the swordfish that he had caught and was hoping to get mounted
5. My phoning in as "Preston" and wanting to "R-E-F-O-R-M!" things in this country, and Bruce playing along with it
4. Having him get me in on the last two April Fool's jokes that he and Sean played on CISN listeners
3. TJ and I spending a morning with him at the station as part of TJ's job shadowing
2. His letter he wrote me when Jen left, his tribute to my mother, adn his playign my request when TJ passed away
1. 21 years of making my mornings that much better.
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