Mourning MOJO

April 25, 2008 @ 09:26

It was a week for reminiscing.

Yesterday I spent the lunch hour with Humble Howard at the Real Jerk on Queen Street.

Howard slipped away from Acme Pictures where he’s currently working on a government video. We had about an hour and a half to shoot the shit and talk about what was, what will and what could have been.

It’s amazing how time flies.

We sat there and talked about things that have happened over the past 19 years, yet it seems like only yesterday that I flew to Montreal to meet Howard before the Humble and Fred Show was created. It was quite the ride.

By the way, Humble had the jerk pork yesterday, while I had the boneless chicken roti.

This was actually a significant week in the history of Humble and Fred. This week marked the seventh anniversary of the launch of MOJO Radio, and I was reminded of such by both Mike Stafford and Phil Evans who sent me notes.

Stafford started out as the afternoon drive guy on MOJO while Captain Phil was the promotions co-coordinator for the Edge, but he was a big fan of the MOJO concept.

It was bitter sweet for me. I hated to leave the Edge after 22 years, but at the MOJO project seemed like so much fun and just the right thing at the right time, we wanted to give it a shot.

Unfortunately, the original five year MOJO project quickly became a two year project and one thing led to another and the next thing you know, Humble and Fred are at the MIX.

And it’s too bad because seven years out, if the original MOJO game plan been followed, I’m sure the radio station would be firmly entrenched in the market right now.

It was different and served a niche that was growing, slowly but surely. They were on to something good with the MOJO concept and with a few minor tweaks I’m sure it would have been a notable player in the 25-49 male demographic and a solid money maker.

But such is radio.

I remember getting into a few heated battles with people back when MOJO was launched, especially those who never bothered to give it a chance.

There was many a “dweeb” who thought the format was misogynist and dumb, but nothing could have been farther from the truth.

All you had to do was look at the MOJO lineup. It included Ripken, John Derringer and Mike Stafford, three of the most intelligent broadcasters in the country.

As for the misogynistic tag, that was hilarious. I was always impressed with our women listeners because they "got it". They understood what we were doing and without fail they were smart.

Often we'd say that on the air. "MOJO Radio, talk radio for guys.... and cool chicks."

It was a good bloody radio station, and again, with some tweaking it could have served a lucrative audience in Toronto. It was more than all sports and it was more than talk radio for geezers.

It was a short time, but looking back, it might have been my two most enjoyable years in radio and ironically they came on the heels of definately my two worst years in radio.

But everything happens for a reason.... apparently.

Category: Radio

51 Responses to "Mourning MOJO"

Ian
April 25, 2008 / 11:15

Fred
I listened to Mojo from day 1. It started out great and with the constant changes just fizziled out all together. At times it was great radio and other times just silly radio, but always entertaining. When you and Humble left, everthing went down hill from there. I miss it.

James
April 25, 2008 / 11:50

I remember listing and Spider Jones was still on 640 and he was having trouble adjusting to the whole Mojo concept. The first topic he had was "Do you remember your first boner?"

ohhhh good times.

Bruce Barker
April 25, 2008 / 12:01

And I sure had fun doing news & sports with you 2 at m MOJO as well as the Toronto Phantoms arena football games with Jim Lang

( oh yes the good times )

and let's not forget the Wexford restaurant back bacon sandwiches Freddie !!!!

Humble
April 25, 2008 / 12:14

FP
Great seeing ya yesterday. MoJo could have been amazing but I think we knew things were going down-hill when we weren't allowed to hang the Mojo Models calender in the offices of the Radio station because some female staff might be offended.
Strange times indeed.
(Although I do remember when you and I did the photo shoot with the Models...Juice-factor-high!)

Jason from Sudbury
April 25, 2008 / 13:14

I was living in Barrie when Mojo first started, I always enjoyed listenning, it was great radio, even when I moved back to Sudbury I listened online.
They had a good thing going with Mojo, it was awsome, they should've never dropped it.

Paul
April 25, 2008 / 13:38

Mojo Radio was the best, it was on my radio non-stop... always always entertaining.

I used to drive a jeep, and I was sitting at the lights one sunny afternoon with the top off and mojo on... middle aged lady next to me leaned out her window and asked me "Hey you listeing to Mojo too too? Isn't it the best station?!"

Not sure which women were the ones that had a problem with the programming, but I wish a nasty yeast infection upon them.

the great pretender
April 25, 2008 / 14:07

Bruce Barker : was Mojo as much fun as hosting Labatt's swing-for-a million contest at the Skydome while you were at the MIX ?

Contestants had one swing to hit a target 300 feet dead centre field with Lloyd Moseby pitching to win a million smackers...and I came up just 301' short. Or as Jerry Haworth would say "thwiiing-and-a-mith !"

But then again Vince Carter as part of the promotion took his hack with the same result.

But the night was a blast with free booze and food, and especially great meeting you and the MIX/Labatt's gang.

Cheers and all the best in Alberta

Ryan
April 25, 2008 / 14:43

My first exposure to cfny was when Pete n Geets were the morning guys and Fred you were the sports guy.

so in my mind, that was the best morning show team. Wasn't a major fan of HH for some reason..maybe cuz the "dark days" of cfny playing Madonna and Michael Jackson was around the start of HH's era? Or was that Steve Anthony...Anthony is a guy i never liked at all though. Probably cuz i remember him as an annoying vj on Much.

As for today's morning show on the edge....don't like it. Maybe i'm getting old, but i tuned in quickly this morning and they went on and on about some caller who basically shat in his boss's windshield washer container so that when he turned them on to wash his windows ...well..it was a visual i didn't need at 8 in the morning.

And don't even get me started about the music..

Ball
April 25, 2008 / 15:22

Hey Freddie, I still have the tool box that they gave out at the launch party. I remember sitting with your parents while the line up was introduced... I remember the Corus guy saying that he was happy that free lunch and free beer could still draw a crowd.

The tool box was full of Mojo goodies, I still use the flexible beer cooler everytime I am on the golf course. (It fits in the cup holder with a can of beer) I have the Mojo hockey puck, a couple of Humble & Fred postcards.

It was a great line up and those were good days.

Trish
April 25, 2008 / 16:06

Mojo WAS mysogynistic and dumb.

The point is it had every right to be that way. If I were on the "Go-Girl" radio show, I'd want to be able to talk about stupid men who have NEVER taken the TTC in their entire lives. The ones who abandon their cars in a snowstorm, flag down a streetcar and wave a twenty dollar bill in the driver's face. "What do you mean I need correct change?!"

Yes, I would want to be able to call them arrogant himbos. I'm right, and it's my right to say so.

PartyPooper
April 25, 2008 / 16:29

I've said a few times on your blog Freddie, I had the HONOR of being Ripkin's last intern, Goulash, and even met you a few times and can truly say you are a guy's guy. And I listened to MOJO from day one and knew that this "idea" of talk radio for guys was so fresh, original and unique, that it was going to be big.
I was a delivery driver before I interned at MOJO and can tell you first hand that most if not all the drivers had their radio's tuned to MOJO all day. It really was sad when MOJO had it's funny bone removed and became like all the rest of the boring AM radio stations with Stafford being the only exception.
I actually got canned from my paying job while interning for Ripkin and had more fun working at MOJO for free! To say it was fun is an huge understatement, it was like working at a real-life WKRP! Eye-opening, educational, and an experience I will NEVER forget.
I still want to try to get into radio broadcasting even if it is a tough nut to crack, the three months I worked there was such a natural high, it's next to impossible to match.
And yes I still have my MOJO calender in the original wrapping, it's a collectors item now.

Agie
April 25, 2008 / 16:44

I remember a segment Stafford did one afternoon at Mojo. It was awesome. The subject was “Under no circumstances should a guy be caught doing……” Yes the station was misogynist, homophobic, and politically incorrect but that’s what made it great. The guy that did the station promos and PSAs was funny too.

That station converted me from listening to FM to AM.

Julie
April 25, 2008 / 17:02

I LOVED MOJO. I actually had a huge crush on Ripkin and
went the the Hardrock to watch a hockey game so I could meet him. At the time
I was working as a P.I. and spent most of my time in my car. I even grew to love Johnny B and of course have
been a huge fan of yours and Stafford's since CFNY days.

mike (Buffalo Boy)
April 25, 2008 / 18:01

I still have the stock certificate, I was number 140 and I have it hanging proudly in my office...I dont think it will ever come down.

J9
April 25, 2008 / 20:01

MOJO and my son were born within a week of each other and I enjoyed listening to Humble & Fred on MOJO - it was a continuation of the great segments that you two did on the edge, in between music. Laughed until I cried sometimes - good job! (While I agree with Ryan that the current edge morning show is poor, I still love the music!) Miss you guys - thanks for the blogging.

Kelly Doan
April 25, 2008 / 20:05

You and Humble had some of your best morning show banter EVER on Mojo.....The talk radio format was perfect for you guys, I can still remember laughing during my commute on sooooo many mornings....sadly that hasn't happened in a very long time.....you guys are still missed.

Robbie J
April 25, 2008 / 22:43

I don't know if I ever had as much for producing promo's as we did for MOJO. They are still incredible to listen to and people still talk about them which is somewhat odd to me. Gary and John did some awesome stuff with Jamie especially the "Funeral" one where the guy trys to pick up at a "viewing". How incredible a time it was but it was great while it lasted.
"I'm a man, yes I am". Maybe I should dig some up for you.

Rob

Joe Guarrasi
April 26, 2008 / 13:36

Freddie I just miss you on the radio because it was your PASSION. I truly hope you find your way back to doing what you truly loved and enjoyed doing.I can feel your passion and desire as you describe your efforts to be back on the air. If anyone deserves to be on the air, its you my friend..Best of luck buddy.

PartyPooper
April 28, 2008 / 00:48

Hey Robbie J,
hands down, some of the funniest radio station promos I've ever heard was Jamie's work at MOJO. He once did an impersonation of Ripkin that had me in tears.
Again, really sad when MOJO lost it's...mojo.

bingobob
April 29, 2008 / 15:14

Wow...7 years ago.
That is insane.
I was on the board when we first signed on...and it was awesome.
Some great times there.
I think in retrospect, (and I don't think I am the first person to say this) instead of trying to be the "Maxim Magazine" of radio...we should have tried to be the "Esquire Magazine" of radio.

All of that aside, I was one lucky kid to have Humble and Fred ask me to work with them. First it was me begging them for a position @ what was Edge102, then they asked me to come to Mojo and then The Mix.

wow.

BTW - I introduced Humble to the Jerk Pork @ The Real Jerk...he had was stuck on the chicken before that.

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