Going back into Canadian music history has me learning things…for example I had no idea about the highly political artists living in downtown Toronto…how they were experimenting (musically) with artists who immigrated from all over the world.
That tiny fact made it in to this feature I wrote, voiced and produced here - remember the song Rise Up???
I mentioned before I was getting some writing help at CBC Radio. It’s from a man named John Parikhal. He’s a media strategist with over 30 years experience in communications within media and has written books on how radio works.
At Radio 2 I share the task of writing a feature with Mark Wigmore called O Canada. The feature gives listeners some history and insight on top-selling and game-changing songs and bands in Canada.
I voice them all but I’ll be posting the ones I’ve written.
Let me tell you - I find the process of writing these very difficult. I have to think and think about what the real story or the real point of the feature is with each song or artist. And it’s funny, just when I think I ‘get’ what I’m supposed to be doing, John cracks that whip and refocuses me. Plus, I get plenty of encouragement from a woman named Ann MacKeigan - my supervisor and not unlike an aunt who only wants the best for you. I’m grateful to them both.
This one is about an Archie’s song. Can you guess which one?
I know - where’ve I been? Well I’ll tell you.
For six months I was filling in at Radio 2 producing and directing Molly Johnson for the weekend morning show. Now I’ve moved on. I am currently writing features for Radio 2. It’s something that is now getting much more attention in the vetting stage so there is lots of thinking before writing and thinking about writing. Drains my brain and makes me nervous but the process is great and I know I’ll come out the other side with better skills. It actually occurs to me that I used to want more “school/learning” in my life. Well, this is it.
I also now produce with Garvia Bailey, host and senior producer of Big City Small World. And this week, while she was busy working on the CBC Hip Hop Summit, I’m filled in as host and producer.
I know - crazytown. But I did it, with lots of help and looking like a lost bunny. I think it sounds all right, but I’ve got much to learn in the way of interviewing and achieving a more natural sound.
Either way, it was good times and I’m doing it again this week!
