Over my years at Trent Radio, I have had the privilege of bringing friends and family in to experience the shenanigans there with me—school friends, friends from home, my sisters and so many more.
It helps to keep things exciting on my show and it means I can keep my sanity for a bit longer (speaking to yourself in a booth for an hour makes even the sanest of us quirk an eyebrow).
However, this past Reading Break, I maintained my need to present a live show to my listeners.
In snowy, gross, slushy conditions, I drove up from Whitby on Tuesday afternoon with none other than my father.
Originally, the intent was that he was going to be my accomplice for the journey to Peterborough, but remembering that my father is a jack of all trades and used to deejay before I was born made me feel as though this would be up his alley. And so, my dad, Bruce, joined me on the air for my show.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you think that your parents will ignore chances to take a shot at you on the air, you are wrong. Hilarity (or what I think my father and I think is hilarity) ensued as I forced my dear ol’ dad to sit through an hour of European rock and metal.
Quite different from his own preferred genre, it was nice to have him there in the studio with me, knowing that he and my mother have spent the last three years listening to my broadcasting endeavours from all over.
My experience with having my dad in the booth with me was incredible because even though he has heard me broadcast so many times (and was even a loyal listener when I broadcasted overseas), he has never been in the studio to actually see it all happen.
Especially with my career at Trent Radio coming to a close this year, it meant a lot to me for my dad to take part in something that has so greatly impacted my time here at Trent.
With this in consideraton as well, it was a great reminder of how your co-hosts can change a show so much!
Four years of a solo show has made me a bit of a stickler regarding certain things. I like being able to play what I want, talk when I want and know that when I write out my plan, I don’t have to change it because I’m the one who has to follow it.
That being said, I am always thrilled to have people in the booth with me. It changes the dynamic of the show and adds another jolt of personality to it.
Granted, my choices for co-hosts have not necessarily all been a good jolt, but still. Different all the same!
So much of your work in radio depends on you—on your voice, your pace, personality. But sometimes it is just so great to sit back a bit and know that someone has your back in the studio.
Plus, it can be a great opportunity for friends to get together and have a good time.
Incorporating people into my show isn’t always easy because unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of friends who listen to European metal.
However, this is even better for me as I am forced to break out of my habits and reformat to make the show a more comfortable and interactive experience for them and my listeners.
If you’re thinking of getting involved with Trent Radio, I say do it. Certainly you can do it on your own but if you’re a little hesitant, why not get some friends on-board?
The Trent Radio community is so welcoming even outside the studio, so just imagine the sense of warmth and friendship inside the booth!
Also, speaking from experience, if you can get a friend or your dad into the studio, it is bound to be a brilliant broadcast full of laughs and jokes made at your expense.