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New Virgin Radio morning show co-host Freeway Frank's first interview

The Freeway is about to run down Forte Street in downtown Montreal. On Monday morning, the new Freeway and Lisa in The Morning Show debuts on Virgin Radio. Freeway Frank Depalo, born and raised in Montreal North and Rosemount, was repatriated by station brand/program director Mark  Bergman quite soon after Cat Spencer’s surprise announcement that he was leaving to take over mornings on The Q 92.5 FM. Cat will succeed Aaron Rand, whom we are told will do his final show towards the end of April. But here is the rub: Cat’s contract with Astral Radio does not conclude until August 31 and from everything we have heard  there is no desire to spring him loose from that agreement prematurely so he can chalk up strong ratings for the competition. It is smart strategy. Put him on the sidelines and move the new guy in as soon as possible in order for him to develop a following.

I have a feeling that Freeway will become an instant favorite here. He has a vast amount of radio experience  and 18 years after leaving his native land to pursue a career in radio elsewhere he is back home. “I always told my late father that my dream one day was to come back to Montreal as either a program director or morning show host,” Freeway told me in an interview at the station. “Well Mark is doing a great job as program director and I certainly did not expect Cat to leave. So, when I got the call and the offer I was pleasantly surprised. My mom is so excited she wants to invite Cat for dinner. I think that will happen. I will reach out. We have never met in person, but I think that will happen. He may now be my competitor, but I consider it a friendly competition.”

Freeway was working at Energy 101.5 FM in Calgary when he got the call from Bergman. He and his girlfriend owned a home there and the basement walls had Montreal Canadiens logos painted on it. “I was lucky to rent the house to some friends and they got rid of the Habs stuff,” he laughed. “I have always remained a huge Habs fan. It is so exciting to be back and able to follow them every day and even talk about them on air.”

When I reached Player (at the left with Freeway), who has been a morning show staple here for seven years, she was busy walking her dog Roo. She was excited about beginning this new partnership and is confident it will work. “I felt good about Frank the first time we met,” she said. “We will just build from there. This is just like a new couple getting together and you know sparks will fly.”

Frank is eager to introduce his seven month old dog Enzo to Roo, who is 11 and a half.  Let’s watch if this bit makes it on air.

Frank took English Literature and History at Concordia University while serving as program director f or campus station  CIRL. Upon graduation he got work at the old 990 HITS, a previous incarnation of CKGM. He was known then as Frank Kelly. He spent three years there and moved on to Vancouver (Z 95.3 and LG 73), Toronto (Mix 99.9) and of course Calgary. For four years he also hosted the Canadian Top 20 Countdown, which is carried on Virgin Radio on Sundays.

Oh yes, and how did he get the nickname “Freeway?” While working in Vancouver in 1995, the motion picture Free Willy came out. “The station wanted me to go by the name “Free Willy” Frank,” he explains. “I opted  for Freeway.”

I asked Bergman, who grew up in Côte Saint-Luc, how he snagged a star like Frank so quickly. “We have a big network of hosts that we have on our wait list,” he said. “Frank was number one on that list.”

Also joining Virgin to take over from Heather B in the early afternoon is spunky Nikki Balch  from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Bergman feels she will bring new energy and flare to Virgin, noting that she possesses an incredible love of hit music, pop-culture, and social media.  Nikki comes from out East, where for the last five years, she was the morning co-host at Z103.5. In 2008, she was the recipient of the Coast Award for “Best Radio Personality.”

Nat Lauzon remains on air from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cousin Vinny and The Rush are on from 4  p.m. to 7 p.m. and then Tony Stark takes over.

Log on  here for more information.

 

 

 

Exclusive: Co-anchor Jennifer Hall to depart CBC TV News

 CBC Montreal’s Television News will be losing one of its co-anchors exclusive news  I sadly must report that the truly wonderful Jennifer Hall (below right) has given her notice and will leave in June. News Director Mary Jo Barr confirmed to me that she is already keeping her eyes open for another female to team up with the young and talented Andrew Chang.  The pair have made an extraordinary team since CBC introduced a 90 minute 5 p,m. newscast on September 8, 2009.
 
“It is definitely with mixed emotions that I leave this fabulous team at CBC Montreal,” Jennifer shared with me. “For reasons that have everything to do with family, we have decided we need to move back to Southwestern Ontario. As a family, we have embraced all the wonderful experiences the West Island has to offer and we've truly enjoyed our time here.  It's so easy to fall in love with Montreal.  I've also felt privileged to work as a journalist with the best newscast in town. I will miss my CBC family terribly but will never be too far out of touch.”
 
Barr sounded understandably sad.  “We will miss her dearly,” she commented. “ She is a strong journalist and a warm and engaging anchor.  She has been a ray of sunshine in our newsroom.  She is witty and gracious to everyone. I know this was a difficult decision for her to make.”

Hall joined the team at CBC Montreal from Parliament Hill, where she was national affairs reporter for CTVglobemedia's 'A' network. Prior to that, she was both host and producer of the provincial current affairs program Inquiry with Jennifer Hall. Her move to the anchor desk was familiar territory, as she held the role for many of the previous 20 years.

Does she have a job lined up in the London, Ontario area?  “Since this truly was a decision about family, I decided to plan my next move later,” she confides. “ I do have some exciting ideas I will  pursue in the months ahead.”

I got to know Hall since she arrived in my role as the head of communications and marketing for the English Montreal School Board. She is a very involved anchor, actively pursuing stories and feature ideas of her own. When I asked her to come speak at a high school Career Day she did not hesitate to agree and the kids really liked what she had to say.

Thank goodness CBC resigned weather forecaster Frank Cavallaro, who brought aboard a nice following of his own.

So who will replace her? Here are some of my suggested candidates: Kristy Snell and Nancy Wood (below left) from the radio side, Kristin Falcao from TV  or from CTV Tara Schwartz, Lori Graham or Aphrodite Salas.

Mike Cohen on Global TV- No Snow Day at the EMSB

 

Freeway Frank to replace Cat Spencer on Virgin Radio

Well, Cote Saint-Luc raised Mark Bergman has not wasted any time in finding a successor to Cat Spencer.

The Cat is moving to The Q 92.5 FM to replace Aaron Rand at a date to be determined. Just last week it looked as if he would be required to complete his contract co-hosting the Virgin Radio morning show with Lisa Player, making him unavailable to his new employers until September 1.  Rand is expected to depart at the end of April.

Freeway Frank (below right), no stranger to local listeners as the host of the nationally syndicated Canadian Top 4o Countdown,  will debut on the newly dubbed "Mornings With Freeway & Lisa" on Monday, March 21 at 5:30 a.m.

“It’s been my dream to host a morning show in my hometown of Montreal since I was a kid.” Said Freeway Frank. “My heart’s never left this city, and I can’t imagine a better place to be, than the top rated radio station in Montreal! My late father would be proud.” Lisa Player has co-hosted Virgin Radio’s #1 rated Breakfast Show for the last 7 years, where her unique personality and quick wit has made her a staple on the Montreal radio scene. “Change is inevitable; it's what makes life interesting” said Lisa Player. “From my interaction with Frank so far, I know it's going to be more than just a little interesting. Looking forward to having some good times in the morning! Welcome back to Montreal Freeway!” Mornings with Freeway & Lisa, will debut on Monday March 21^st 2011, at 5:30am.

Freeway Frank (Frank Depalo) was born and raised in Montreal, and went on to become a popular Canadian radio personality over the last 20 years.  His return here will mark the first time that Frank will be playing in the city where he was born and raised. “Montreal has just found its next attraction," says Bergman, the station's Brand Director. "I’ve never met a guy with more passion for being on-air, online, and onsite! Freeway Frank will soon be to ‘Montreal’ as smoked meat, bagels, and The Habs! Cat Spencer had a great run at Virgin Radio; we will miss his contagious smile and professionalism. We wish him well.” 

As for Freeway Frank, he notes  "“It’s been my dream to host a morning show in my hometown of Montreal since I was a kid. My heart’s never left this city, and I can’t imagine a better place to be, than the top rated radio station in Montreal! My late father would be proud.”

Player, who  has co-hosted Virgin Radio’s #1 rated Breakfast Show for the last seven years, sounds excited to work with her new partner. “Change is inevitable; it's what makes life interesting,”  she said .“From my interaction with Frank so far, I know it's going to be more than just a little interesting."

Lots of changes on Montreal radio scene

There has been a lot of movement in recent days on Montreal radio.

First and foremost, Aaron Rand (below right) announced that he will be leaving his job as  morning show host on the Q 92.5 FM at the end of April. After 26 years with the station, this move caught a lot of people by surprise. A year and a half ago his friends and co-hosts Paul "Tasso" Zakaib and Suzanne Desautels were fired and Rand was told his show needed less talk and more music. He adhered to the edict set forth by program director Brian DePoe and even attended a station boot camp.  The Q introduced a new, hip morning crew. Aaron changed his style and the ratings blossomed. I do not think we have seen the last of him. Aaron is made for television. Years ago he and Tasso taped a demo late night talkshow for CFCF TV. It never reached the small screen. Perhaps Global TV Montreal would consider him for the new morning show they intend to launch in 2012.

DePoe, by the way,  quietly left the Q in December for an opportunity with CHUM Radio in Ottawa. He has been replaced by Leo D'Estrella, a former Rand producer. Rand is under contract to the Q until August 31.

No sooner had Aaron made his announcement, Astral Radio confirmed that Cat Spencer would be leaving Virgin Radio as their morning show host to join the Q - but not for several months. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. Will Cat bring Lisa Player (left) with him? Will Murray Sherriffs stick around now that his sidekick Aaron is leaving? Will Aaron switch places with Cat?  Program and Brand Director Mark Bergman has his work cut out for him. He is already in the midst of seeking a replacement for Heather B, the afternoom show host who left a few weeks ago for a gig in Cleveland. I know that CBC weather guy Frank Cavallaro would probably love a chance to get back into radio. Cousin Vinny Barrucco is doing a great job on the drive home. Is he ready for a premature promotion? My personal favorite is Patrick Charles, who was part of the Cat and Lisa team initially, but is now more of a background contributor. Cat's contract also goes until August 31. Will Virgin really want a lameduck host sticking around the airwaves.  Radio insiders suggest that they will find a replacment sooner than later and have Cat sit home until he can legally join the Q on September 1.

Over at CBC Radio One, talented female sportscaster Sonali Karnick (below right) is leaving Daybreak. She got offered a chance to work at CBC in Toronto. In probably one of the sharpest moves CBC has made in recent years, Karnick's replacement is Andie Bennett. Andie (below left) has impressed everyone who has followed her career these last six years on THE TEAM 990 and the Melnick in the Afternoon Show. Her bubbly personality is infectious and has a real strong knowledge of sports, especially hockey.  Andie also happens to be a very attractive young lady, so look for her to get some face time on the CBC TV News. I see a TV network career opportunity for her one day.

 

 

 

Gazette's Mike Boone Column on Rapper Annakin Slayd

 

Last summer, after watching rapper Annakin Slayd's amazing Expos tribute video, I contacted him and asked whether he would consider doing something similar for the public school system. Read Mike Boone's column, see the Global TV interview and the actual  video below:

Lending some street cred to stay-in-school message
 
 
BY MIKE BOONE, MONTREAL GAZETTE FEBRUARY 15, 2011 9:01 PM
 
 
Annakin Slayd, reluctant messenger, is bringing the message to LaurenHill Academy's junior campus tomorrow.

The hip-hop artist (among other things) - whose medicare card lists his name as Andrew Farrar and his age as 32 - is still trying to get his head around this spokesman thing. He and CJAD newsman Andrew Peplowski will be visiting the high school to promote the public education system, but salesmanship runs counter to hip-hop's street ethos.

"It was a really tricky thing," Farrar says of Go Publique, the video he recorded for the English Montreal School Board. "It could have come off as really hokey - me trying too hard to attach myself to a product. I asked them to assure me it wouldn't be some sort of pamphlet."

It isn't. Go Publique is a bilingual, colourful and very personal endorsement of the role education played in making Farrar who he is. And it's winning a new audience for Annakin Slayd.

"After the school board song," Farrar says. "I'm everybody's mom's favourite rapper."

He is a favourite of Mike Cohen, who handles communications for the EMSB. Like most sports fans, Cohen loved Farrar's hip-hop tributes to the Canadiens (Feels Like '93) and Expos (Remember), and he approached Farrar to do Go Publique.

Farrar was born in St. Léonard, but his family moved to Chomedey when he was 4. Farrar graduated from Dawson College's theatre program and went to New York to pursue an acting career.

As a 21-year-old rookie in the big leagues, he spent two years doing what young actors do: performing in off-Broadway productions, scrambling to pay the rent and hoping no one would notice his lack of a green card.

"Auditions were sparse and I wasn't making any money," he recalls.

"Then I saw a call for hip-hop auditions."

Farrar had grown up with that style of spoken-word music.

"I had friends in Montreal who were into funk," he says. "I'd get on the mike and drop a 16-beat verse, just for fun.

"I figured I was in New York, nobody knew me, I had nothing to lose, so why not take a shot at it?"

Farrar ended up cutting three tracks for "a label that wasn't really a label."

Then he ran out of money, returned to Montreal and began to record some hip-hop sides.

His stage name was inspired by the Wu-Tang Clan, members of which meshed comic book and film character names to create their aliases.

Farrar took his handle from Annakin Skywalker, a character in the Star Wars movies, and Slayd, from "a really obscure comic-book."

"I could have used nicknames like 'MC White-boy' but decided not to," Farrar says.

"I wanted something personal because the sides were reflecting my beliefs."

Eminem has established street cred for white rappers. They still can't pull off the gangsta thing without risking ridicule, but someone like Farrar has something to say. And hip-hop recording and performance (including a recent tour of Europe) are only two components of his multi-disciplinary career.

"My job is the arts," he says. Farrar has many creative irons in the fire, including TV and film writing, theatre and voice work on an animated TV series.

"This is one of the first years when I've made equal money being a writer, an actor and a hip-hop artist," Farrar says. He is quick to credit his girlfriend of seven years for making enough money, as a high-end hair stylist, to keep the household afloat through his lean periods.

The upside to being an Annakin of all trades is mastery of many forms.

"It's easier than it's ever been to dabble in things," Farrar said. "I just shot a movie using an iPhone. It's HD, so the footage is going to look as good as Spielberg's."

Schindler's Contact List? Farrar credits Jean-Michel Simard for shooting and editing the slick Annakin Slayd videos that you can watch on YouTube.

Farrar will tell LaurenHill students about his career and the potential of the online world.

"You can upload videos of things that are more interesting than your cat or your friend falling on the ice," he says. "Everyone can be a star, and we have the technology to further that dream."

mboone@montrealgazette.com

ALSO, please see this interview with Annakin Slayd on Global TV

 

    

 

Bestselling NY Times Author Has Kind Words For Yours Truly

NY Times bestselling author/filmmaker Ian Halperin specializes in undercover investigations. He is the author of seven bestselling books and has directed three films, including the highly acclaimed documentary The Cobain Case. Halperin has appeared on hundreds of TV/radio shows including Dateline, Anderson Cooper, Howard Stern, Geraldo Rivera and The CBS Early Morning Show. He is a native of St. Laurent and attended Dawson College and Concordia with me.

I read his very popular blog on a regular basis and I would like to thank him for the kind words he gave to me which you can read here.

Thoughts on CTV Montreal's (CFCF) 50th Anniversary

I had the pleasure of being interviewed on CTV Montreal January 16 about the station’s 50th anniversary.

 

In its day, CFCF TV was known for much more than its newscasts. A lot of original programming came out of its Park Extension headquarters at 405 Ogilvy Avenue: Mr. Chips, The Tapp Room, Flashback, Kin to Win, McGowan’s Montreal, Travel Travel, Fighting Back, Sportsnight, The Habs This Week, Grand Prix Wrestling, Magic Tom, As It Is and much more. There was even an attempt to have The Q 92.5 FM morning man Aaron Rand to his then side kick Tasso Patsikakis (Paul Zakaib) host their own late night comedy show a la Letterman and Leno.

Today,  known as CTV Montreal,  the station’s programming is limited to an outstanding newscast which airs three times weekly and twice on weekends.
This week longtime co-anchor Bill Haugland is being reunited with sportscaster Dick Irvin and weather forecaster and program host Don McGowan. At www.ctvmontreal.ca there is a wealth of nostalgia to view.

These days the  CTV Montreal newscast is overseen by news and public affairs director Jed Kahane and executive producer Barry Wilson. They work with a large crew of researcher, producers, camera operators and many others.

Mutsumi Takahashi has been the co-anchor for 24 years now. She is joined  by the smooth Todd van der hayden while  Debra Arbec handles late night and  Tarah Schwartz and Paul Karwatsky do weekends.  Lori Graham delivers the weather, with Lise McAuley covering weekends,   and Brian Wilde, Randy Tieman, André Corbeil and occasionally Paul Graif handle sports.  The reporting team includes Annie DeMelt, Stéphane Giroux, Maya Johnson, Tania Krywiak, Christine Long and Mose Persico (entertainment), Kai Nagata (Quebec City), Aphrodite Salas, Cindy Sherwin, Anne Lewis and Caroline Vlan Vlaardingen. Behind the scenes there are people like assignment editor Amy Fernandez and researchers  Peter Schiavi and Holly Haimerl. 

And whom can we remember from newscasts past? There are Herb Luft, Brian Britt, Robert Vairo, Lynn Desjardins, Joe Singerman, Andrew Marquis, Mike Donegan, Mike Piperni, Liz Travers, Sandy Krawchenko, Bob Benedetti, Ron Francis, Brian MacGorman, John Grant, Ralph Noseworthy, Frank  Cavallaro, Brian Nelson, Leslie Roberts, Brian MacFarland,  Ken Ernhoffer, Howard Schwartz, Rob Faulds, Jack Curran, Suzanne Desautels, Jeannie Lee, Tom Velk, Ron Reusch Dr. Mitch Shulman, Del Archer  and many more. Whom have I missed? Let me know by email at info@mikecohen.ca

I have received a lot of amazing feedback to this posting.

Here is what Del Archer had to share:

"I arrived in Montreal from Vancouver on the weekend Pierre LaPorte's body was found in the trunk of his car. I had listened to the coverage while driving across Canada, spent that night in a motel on the Ontario side of the border and saw the military roadblocks set up on the westbound (Quebec) side as I was driving east. I had no idea what I'd gotten myself into but it was an amazing time to be in the province.
 
 I met with Bert Cannings and Mike Donegan on the Monday and was on air the same day.  I stayed with 'CF for seven years, moving over to the television side in about 1973 as a reporter and later became a fill-in anchor for Andrew Marquis.  The night of the Parti Quebecois election, I was offered the opportunity to join CTV network News and I remained there for the next 23 and a half years. Montreal in the 70's was an exciting, LIVING, storybook with a new chapter virtually every day and I loved every minute of it. Thanks for  giving me the chance to add my name to your list."
 
 See my story on page 40   in this January 19 edition of The Suburban Newspaper.   
 

Digital signage arrives in Côte Saint-Luc

I am very excited with the arrival of the first digital sign in the history of Côte Saint-Luc.

Digital signage has arrived in the city of Côte Saint-Luc. An attractive four by seven full colour and weatherproof LED display was installed last week at the corner of Cavendish  Boulevard and Kildare Road.

This is an initiative of Kazoo Digital, which already provides digital signage Solutions for retailers, medical and dental clinics, and corporate offices with the use of in house digital display systems. Company president Howard Szalavetz notes that this agreement reached with Côte Saint-Luc marks the first outdoor sign.

Messages appearing on the sign represent a combination of city announcements and advisories and paid advertisements. Szalavetz states that a number of inquiries from community organizations and businesses have already been received. “We chose Cavendish as the first location for many reasons,” says Szalavetz. “First and foremost, it is the gateway to Côte Saint-Luc.  The screen is also placed in such a manner that the messages are able to be read quite clearly while vehicles are stopped at the traffic lights.”

Szalavetz notes that plans call for at least two more digital signs to be installed in Côte Saint-Luc. As part of its agreement with the city, Côte Saint-Luc has the right to veto any advertiser they do not feel would be appropriate.  Messages will run on a continuous two minute and eight second loop – 16 ads per loop.
 
“Advertisements on digital signs are proven to have a higher consumer recall than those of static mediums such as billboards and bus shelters” says Szalavetz. “They help increase sales and customer satisfaction. Our advertisers find that a few strategically placed advertisements on digital signage displays pay for themselves in just a few months.”

For more information log on to www.kazoodigital.com, email info@kazoodigital.com or call 514-529-6655.

 

Is 940 AM about to be ressurrected? Tietolman and Tétreault bid for Corus

For more than four decades my father, Lawrence Frederick Cohen (a.k.a. Larry Fredericks), worked for radio stations CKVL AM and CKOI FM (originally CKVL FM). He began his career as a radio announcer and eventually found himself in the accounting department when CKVL went from an English to a French station. For most of this time CKVL was owned by the Tietolman family. They sold the AM and FM stations to the two Pierres – Arcand and Beland – who eventually purchased a number of other outlets and sold out  to media entertainment giant Corus Entertainment.

Jack Tietolman was the patriarch of the family. Two of his sons, Maurice and Paul, were also involved with the operation. I have seen Paul often over the last few years.  His beautiful daughter married one of my neighbours and she is now a constituent of mine in my city council life.

Whenever we meet, even as he danced at his daughter’s wedding, Paul told that the day would come for him to return to the local radio scene.  On the evening of June 7 I received a telephone call. “Mike, this is Paul Tietolman,” he began. “I told you I would contact you when I had news. Well I have news. Be at the law firm of Fasken Martineau Walker at 10:30 tomorrow morning. I am holding a press conference.”
“Are you going to bring the 940 AM dial back to life?” I asked.

“See you tomorrow Mike,” Paul said softly.

Well Paul did indeed have a blockbuster announcement. Not only has he established Tietolman Tétrault Media with noted entrepreneur and former Montreal city councillor Nicolas Tétrault (above left), but the duo have put together an  offer of $81 million to purchase the 11 Quebec radio stations owned by Corus. These include Q 92.5 FM, CKOI. CHMP 98.5 FM and  CKAC 730 AM in Montreal; CFOM FM  and CFEL FM in Quebec City; CHLN FM in Trois-Rivieres; CIME FM in St. Jérome; CJRC in Gatineau; and CHLT and CKOY FM in Sherbrooke. For an additional sum of money, they have also offered to purchase the Saguenay station (CKRS FM) currently owned by Corus, along with the equipment and facilities that were used for the activities of AM 690 and 940 AM stations before they were shut down in March.
 

Cogeco Media  recently signed   an agreement with   Corus. to acquire its Quebec radio stations for $80 million in cash, subject to customary closing adjustments and conditions, including approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Tietolman said he and Tétrault have been working on their proposal for a year and a half, including  obtaining the necessary financial backing and partners.  He believes the CRTC has to view his proposal as a superior one to that of Cogeco.

“It preserves the jobs associated with 11 radio stations contemplated by the offer,” Tietolman said. “It ensures the continued operations of the Saguenay station and it will re-launch the activities of AM 690 and 940 AM.”

For me, that was the most significant announcement of the press conference. Even if the CRTC chooses Cogeco over Tietolman Tétrault, it appears almost definite that we will get another English language radio station back on the air. Let’s remember that 940 was originally at the AM 600 dial and know as CFCF Radio as in Canada’s First, Canada’s Finest. Corus let it die a slow death by changing its news and talk f format to oldies.

Tietolman would not confirm what formats he has in mind to revive 940 and 690. “When you hear the concept you will be floored,” he said. “Nobody in the country is doing this and once we get started, you will see it replicated in the top 50 markets in the USA. Right now 940 and 690 look like the weakest chain in the link of stations we intend to own. They will end up being the strongest. Just watch!”
I asked Tietolman if there is hope for us to see the radio voices we so much miss, folks like Peter Anthony Holder, Kevin Holden, Kathy Coulombe, Suzanne Desautels and even Paul “Tasso Patsikakis” Zakabe.  Yes, he said, the format would be amenable to some of these personalities getting back on radio.
But in a statement Tuesday, Corus said the stations are no longer up for grabs: “Corus has entered into a binding agreement with Cogeco which is subject only to the usual regulatory approvals. Therefore we are not in a position to consider any other offers at this time.”
Well let us hope the CRTC says otherwise.

Bravo to Tietolman and Tétrault. Let’s hope they succeed.