Freddie P's Blog

September 3, 2008 @ 09:31

Anyone I've worked with over the years will tell you, I've always had the fantasy of working in Peterborough.

Through the 90's I told many a CFNY colleague that once the big bad city was done with me, I'd look for a job in Peterborough

It's a part of the province that's always been near and dear to my heart. It's the Kawartha's, it's where the tin palace is, it's where the Tiki Bar is.

To be honest, my personal schedule called for at least one more five year contract in Toronto, and then I'd look north, but as my sweet wife Delyse always says to me, life doesn't always turn out the way you intend it to.

But in this case, the curve that life through at me couldn't have worked out better.

A couple of months ago I got wind of a job opportunity at the Corus radio stations in Peterborough. 101.5 The Wolf, and 980 Kruz. They were looking for a program director and the prospect made my heart flutter.

Not only was it an opportunity in my favourite patch of the world, but it was a new and exciting challenge - management.

I've always had it in the back of my mind that I'd like to take a crack at "the other side" and this situation was perfect. It was the right time, in the right place, working for a company that was extremely hard to leave five years ago, so I took a shot.

And today I'm happy to report I'm the guy, I'm the program director of two radio stations. Peterborough's Best Rock, 101.5 the Wolf, and Home Town Oldies 980 Kruz that will move to 100.5 FM sometime in the fall.

I'm a lucky man. I still can't believe how things have unfolded for me. A memorable 28 year career in the big smoke, then a paid three year break in mid-life, and now this - a new challenge that I can't wait to begin.

I'm going to throw myself at this job and make these two stations the absolute best they can be. Radio should be fun, exciting and creative and that's what I hope to bring to The Wolf and Kruz.

I fully intend to keep FreddieP.ca and CanadianThinker.com alive, so I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, now that I'm back in the workforce, I have to do this, I have to thank my rock, my darlin', my wife.

Delyse had to live with the ups and downs that a life altering incident brings. Despite my mood swings and frustration with being separated from the business I love, she was nothing but positive, supportive and optimistic.

She's unbelievable.

And now, together, we're going to watch the sun set in Peterborough - or - in some cool place by a lake in the direct vicinity.

Loving you.

Category: Radio

September 3, 2008 @ 09:30

I'm not going to pretend that what I've been through deserves any sympathy because it doesn't, but when you love doing something and you can't do it, regardless of the safety net, it can be stressful and trying.

And that's why I'd like to give a shout out to these people for their support over the past three years.

To my best buddy Darren Wasylyk and his wonderful wife Lori Love who kept telling me it would all fall into place.

To my good friend Dan Duran who insisted that I start a website. I should have taken his advice about six months earlier than I did.

To Peter Cugno aka Scary Bald Headed Pete who was quick to call me immediately after my firing with an offer to help him with a couple of projects that took my mind off my situation.

To Jamie Watson, who was the first guy to call me after my firing and say "let's go out for a beer."

To Erin Davis, who showed a lot of class by quickly offering support after my firing. She had just been through it and she knew how I felt.

To Jeff Marek who made room for me on Leafs Lunch, just to keep my name out there.

To Mark Hebscher, Donna Skelly and Lawrence Diskin, who put me on TV.

To Danny Kingsbury, who helped me keep perspective on a few things.

To Q-107 Program Director Blair Bartrem who has this unique quality in a person now-a-days. He always returns phone calls. I swear, as a Program Director, I will return every phone call I receive. During my "sabbatical" it was probably the most disappointing and disturbing aspect, but Blair always picked up the phone.

To John Derringer who offered encouragement and support through my website, and then offered to have me on his show which absolutely cranked my traffic through the roof.

To Mike Stafford who mentioned my name and website on his show countless times. Just to help out.

To Jeff McArthur, Craig Venn, Neil Morrison, Bruce Barker and Curtis Bray, who've made me part of their radio shows.

To Jason Barr, Bob Willette, Jeff Domet, Sandra Plugakis, Maie Pauts, Dean Blundell, Gene Valaitis and Kevin O'Leary, who kept in touch.

To Hal Blackadar and Chris Pandoff for their assistance and to John Cassaday for the hand written letter he sent, welcoming me back into the company.

To Humble Howard for some great memories.

And to my friends and family who were proud that I was "Fred" from the radio, and anticipated from day one that the phone would ring off the hook with job offers. It was touching.

Thanks, ya buggers.

Category: Radio

September 3, 2008 @ 09:29

Chicago/Toronto and the election..

Category: Radio

September 3, 2008 @ 09:28

Curtis Bray is a fine young fella who went to radio college in Toronto and then became an intern on the Humble and Fred Show during our time at the MIX.

Curtis wanted to be an on-air guy, and now he wants to be a major market morning man. For the time being, he's morning man at a station called Wayne-FM in Wainwright, Alberta.

Curtis is a good boy, so when he asked if I'd come on his radio show I didn't hesitate.

Today we talked about the election and schools.

Category: Radio

September 2, 2008 @ 11:01

What a fantastic weekend. The weather was perfect, and the tin palace was full of my favourite people.

It's not too often I can get both my kids in the same place at the same time these days, but it all came together this weekend as Delyse and I enjoyed having Melanie and Danny and their mates for a great weekend.

Melanie and her boyfriend Josh arrived on Saturday morning, while Danny and his girlfriend Shawna arrived Saturday night.

It was Shawna's first visit to paradise and she left with the same mind-set that everyone else does. She wants to come back. Good food, good times and good people, it works every time - especially when the weather is near perfect.

On Sunday afternoon we organized the biggest and best raft party of all time.

My buddy Brian Collins has a raft that measures maybe ten by ten, but after you hook up three pontoon boats to the son of a bitch, all of a sudden you have a enough room for about thirty people.

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture to show you, because I was out of the raft and didn't have my camera in my bathing suit, and yesterday I forget to download some pictures from other people. Maybe I'll post some later in the week.

Put it this way. It was good. Very good.

We also enjoyed a new family member. Melanie and Josh got a new dog a couple of months ago, and he's a beauty.

"Bones" got his name because when he arrived at a shelter near Guelph back in the spring, he was nothing but skin and "bones." Melanie saw him on one of those "petfinder" websites and fell in love.

We're not completely sure how old he is, but he's a wonderful little guy. He's docile, obedient for the most part and extremely affectionate.

We're convinced that during his "Littlest Hobo" time he experienced some that things that have made him a little skittish, but everyday he's just gets better and better.

This weekend he was pleasure to have at the trailer, and we can't wait till he comes back.

The little guy has stolen all our hearts.

Category: The Trailer