I’ve been lucky to be able to work with Steve Hammerstone and Tawny Skypunch for a couple years now. They first came to my attention when CBC radio brought them in to do Not So Olympic Moments live from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. They’re Koboconk’s number one morning show, and have been for the last ten years. I worked with them again for 50 episodes of The Know-It-Alls. Now, I’m working with them on a brand new project. This time around they’re just doing their regular morning show in Koboconk, and I’m editing interview segments they send in, which we then air on CBC Radio on Sirius Satellite 157. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing them interview everyone from health experts, to authors, to dating gurus – even a man who says he had sex with a ghost. I know they’re working on a website, and they’ve recently joined Twitter @SteveandTawny.

Here’s a clip of an interview they did with an expert on Resumes for Children:

In this one, they talk to a expert on funerals and death:

When it comes to comedy, this is about as base or natural as you can get, and it makes me laugh every time I watch it.

Took this in-line at Pearson International airport, with my cell-phone, but just the camera. I guess those signs with symbols are a little tough to decode:

It’s Valentine’s Day, so I thought I’d share this dating story from back in June of last year. I was on Plenty of Fish (a dating website) and started chatting with a girl living in Burlington. She was a tall thin redhead working as a retail manager at a clothing store. We decided to meet in Port Credit, a nice little part of Mississauga right by the lake. It was about the midway point between Burlington and Toronto. We had drinks and a bite to eat at The Brogue Inn – “The Spirit of Ireland…in the heart of port Credit.” When the bill came she was silent. I prefer at least a feigned effort at wanting to help out, an opportunity to say “don’t worry about it”, but nothing. I paid the bill and we headed out. We took a long walk along the pier, then in a park by the lake, and eventually sat down by the lake on these large flat rocks. There was more chatting, then some make-out.  We walked around some more. Had another pretty passionate make-out in the look-out of a nautical-themed children’s playground. (No, there were no kids around because it was late at night. So it’s only slightly weird.) And then we went our separate ways.

About 2 days later…

When I say “adjusting to having much less free time” I had just gone back to a full-time gig that kept me super busy, plus the audition grind. In any case, I figure that she wants to get together again sooner, rather than later so try and make some hasty plans.

There was some telephone chat, basically minutiae around the whens and wheres of the date and it was done. It was on pretty short notice, midweek, so I just figured we’d wing it in my neighborhood, Little Italy. We walked along College Street, and ended up at a crepe place, where we had sweet crepes, some wine, and chatted on the patio. When the bill came, this time she offered to help out, and I said we’ll just split it. There seemed to be some surprise on her part. We took a long walk around Little Italy, sat down on a bench for awhile, a little kissing. I walked her to her car, which was parked on my street. Went for the hug and kiss, and some jagoff out smoking on the upstairs balcony of a 3-story apartment building yells something stupid along the lines of “Go fer it buddy!”  Even before the friendly encouragement, there seemed to be some romantic frost in the air. The next day, sensing something was off at the end of the date, I send a text…

…and that’s the last we spoke. Happy Valentine’s Day! (and belated Canada Day)

Andrea Cupelli has been gardening quite a bit lately, but the weeds keep coming back again and again. How can she get rid of these weeds? Steve and Tawny know!

Podcast: Download

Louise Dempster of Hartwell, Georgia was on a beach vacation recently. She wonders why there is low and high tide. As always The Know-It-Alls, Steve Hammerstone and Tawny Skypunch have all the answers.

Podcast: Download

Jessica in Orange County, California writes in about driving. In England they drive on the other side of the road than in North America – which is better? Steve and Tawny have the answers.

Podcast: Download

I found an old link for this bit I did with All Access, a big radio industry website. They have a weekly feature called On The Beach (an old radio term for being between gigs – guess it’s better than Wallowing in Self Pity, Thinking I’ll Never Work Again.) It was April 2006, after 102.1 the Edge, and before X92.9.

Please begin by giving us a brief career history …

For the last 13 years I’ve been both in front of and behind the mic. Started out doing creative for CFNY. Went on to do on-air entertainment reporting, including hundreds of interviews with local and international notables. Wrote all the imaging and on-air promos for Classic Rock Q107 for about 2 years, but had a jones to get back in front of the mic. Hosted a regular (and quite popular) daily show on 102.1 The Edge.

1 What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?

The first rule of fight club: never talk about fight club.

2 How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

I’ve never limited myself to a single medium. I act for television, film and some stage stuff, do voiceovers, some animation, perform stand-up and improv, and sometimes hold doors open for strangers.

3 Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

I’ve kind of been exploring all sorts of radio alternatives for my listening: including a fully-loaded iPod (music and podcasts,) public radio, college radio and most recently got satellite. I’m intrigued by the emergence of the new tech and programming, and how terrestrial radio is reacting (or in some cases not reacting) to it.

4 Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?

I have a genuine passion for the radio medium, and all of its possibilities. There aren’t many places in the media anymore for a host with opinions and personality. I really enjoyed pushing the creative limits of radio, trying new and different things.

5 What’s the longest stretch you’ve had on the beach?

This is it. Helped out with a morning show here in the city, but been a little stretch since I was hosting solo.

6 What is your best way to get your foot in the door?

Depends on your career situation. If you’re a grad just starting out – volunteer or intern. There’s no better way to get in the building.

7 What is the next job you’d like to obtain?

I’d like to host a show on a rock station (Modern, Classic, Active, Triple-A) where I have some leverage to do innovative radio, and build a loyal listener base. I’ve also done some talk, and it’s an area that I really love and would like to get back in to. Talk radio Sabo-style.

8 How are you finding the “courtesy level” at places you’ve applied? (Callbacks, emails, rejection letters, etc.)

Generally the level of response has been pretty poor, but not unexpected. The one experience that stands out in my mind happened after applying to K-Rock (RIP) in New York. PD Steve Kingston sent back a personal note and a K-Rock T-shirt. That’s class.

9 What’s the most unbelievable question you’ve ever been asked in an interview?

“Will you make sweet love to me on top of my mahogany desk?” Actually, nobody ever asked this, but if they did, it would be the most unbelievable.

10 With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs, how do you separate yourself from the pack?

For a long time I’ve thought that having a genuine talent as a radio performer was enough, but I’m starting to question that theory. I still think the important thing is to be heard, and sooner or later there will be a program director who is tired of the same ol’ same ol’ and is willing to take a flyer on something unique, with a potentially huge payoff.

Bonus Questions

Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?

I spent a long time not listening to any radio, save for podcasts on my iPod. Now I’m checking out some of the satellite programming.

In your opinion, what has been your biggest career accomplishment in the industry?

As an on-air performer (at the Edge) I think it was developing a very loyal and dedicated listening audience that tuned in not just for the music, but to interact with me. I am also proud of some of the stuff I was testing out, including some hoaxes and a hybrid of talk radio and music, putting the callers between the songs, and mixing them seamlessly. Kept people tuned longer. On the far side of the mic, I’m really proud of the award-winning imaging and promos I wrote for Classic Rock Q107.

What do you miss most about music/radio?

Interacting with listeners and having an open mic for a few hours a day. I think it’s in my blood. I just really enjoy talking to people, voicing my opinion, hearing theirs and making people laugh.

You can find the article here.

I love this show. Kenny Powers is one of the greatest characters on television.

I made this during the summer, and it generally runs during sports shows and Leaf games in Ontario. I call this character “Lazy, pessimistic construction worker.”