Stepping down

Last Thursday (Oct 4th) was my last one behind the mic for the Ottawa Senators. It wasn’t an easy decision to come to – but it’s one that’s best for me and my family. Like a lot of Canadian kids growing up in Montreal, one of my dreams was to play in the NHL. If you’ve seen me play hockey, you know that’s impossible so I had pursue my dream another way.

Fast forward to the summer of 2006 when I became the PA announcer (hired by Glen Gower) for the Ottawa Senators. It was the closest thing I’d ever have to being a player on the ice and I never took the job for granted every single time I walked into that arena.

It was a dream come true.

Calling players names at the start of each game was such a rush – I was nervous and excited every single time I opened the mic. And those players were always so welcoming, they always made me feel like a part of the team… like one of the guys.

When I was diagnosed with Leukemia the outpouring of support from Sens fans, the players, the wives and the organization – from security staff, suite hosts, right up to the front office was incredible. To this day there are not enough words of gratitude and thanks – that feeling of support and love I will take with me forever. But truth is the effects of all that treatment (chemo, radiation) and the medication (that I’m still taking) has finally caught up with me.

I don’t announce calls like I use to, and the act of burning the candle on both ends isn’t something I can do anymore. I would often joke, the Sens gig pays the groceries, the job on the radio at MAJIC 100 FM pays the mortgage.

The role of PA announcer for the Ottawa Senators afforded me so many incredible opportunities – from calling games at 2 Olympics, NHL All Star game, NHL draft, announcer for the NHL awards, NHL outdoor game to name a few.

More importantly, it also allowed me to meet thousands of Sens fans over the years, you’re a passionate fan base. Don’t ever lose that and don’t ever take for granted how lucky we are as a city to have an NHL team in our backyard.

I’ll continue to work with the Ottawa Senators doing some events throughout the year with the Senators foundation and alumni. Until then I look forward to going to games with my kids, it’ll be a new experience that I look forward to, because ultimately family is the most important thing.

To the game night crew, please continue playing Cotton Eyed Joe, and doing what you do best. I’m truly going to miss working with you.

And lastly to the Sens fans, I hope I did you proud each and every game night, it was an honour and a privilege to be your PA announcer over the last 12 years.

Thank you, Un gros merci, GO SENS GO!

(Thanks for the jersey Emily Knight)

Express yourself for Madonna

Here's the challenge:



Michelle's entry:



James:



Jeffrey:



Greg:



Kim:



April:



Joel:



Rosanne:



Ariessa and Natalya:



Spencer:



Laura:



Pierre:



UPDATE:

NoMoreBullies

Back in September after seeing too many stories about bullying, the Majic 100 Morning show with Stu, Angie and Trish wanted to do something. I was bullied in in high school and tweeted one day that "If I had to visit every school in Ottawa to speak out against bullying I would". The #NoMoreBullies hashtag was created and the idea was born. If you would like the Majic Morning show to come to your school with our anti-bullying presentation, contact Mornings@Majic100.fm - Together, we ARE going to make a difference. 


Here's one of the videos that we're showing in the presentation that every kid needs to see:





And this video will answer some questions you may have about the campaign:

New from Apple: The iPumpkin

Not the latest iPhone, but the Majic 100 creation for the annual "Children at Risk" celebrity pumpkin carving competition. This weekend you can see ours along with many others at various malls in Ottawa. If you want the iPumpkin, go to Merivale Mall before this Sunday and place your bid. All money raised supports Children at Risk which helps local kids with Autism.

Buy it, because there won't be an iPumpkin2!

You rock Grandma!

Lip dub = is a lip-sync of well known song shot in one take. Check out the latest one making the rounds.



Here's one of the stars of the video talking to the Majic 100 morning show

5 minute Royal Ottawa recap: Will and Kate

Prior to the Royals arriving in Ottawa for Canada Day, we tried a few things on Majic 100. First was to book a hotel room 24 hours before the big day. The city was booked solid, as we found out when we called the Lord Elgin. This staffer deserves employee of the month after this call:

Then we gave you a head's up on what to expect from out 5 year old Royal Watcher, who attempts to pick up the Duchess of Cambridge:

Now, you know those fools who climb up a street lamp to get a better view? Well, in anticipation of the Royals going by Major's Hill Park on Canada Day I figured why not. After 30 minutes, the Police asked that I get down. "No prob, I said"...all I had to do was figure out how to get down!

When I did eventually get down, I did what many of you did and tried to hold the camera still enough to get this video. Watch closely, I believe the Governor General of Canada David Johnston gives me a wave..(I'm sure Majic 100 is on at Rideau Hall)

Some favorite shots of the weekend, this one by: Sean Kilpatrick of the Canadian Press:

And this one by my former co-host Sandy Sharkey from 93.9 BOB-fm

Drive-thru fun

You've heard of "planking" but have you heard of "Cone-ing"? It's the latest fad and fun to do. Here's how:

Water ban is over!

To celebrate the end of the South Ottawa water ban, many of my co-workers (and my wife) decided to welcome me into work at 5am with a surprise.

What's that saying, "Payback's a..."

Bus running late? No worries..

The city of Ottawa along with OC Transpo have started a pilot project in Barrhaven. The Majic 100 morning show has contacted Mayor Jim Watson for more details. Stay tuned..

Shake it....

Here we have Trisha on the left, Angie on the right and yours truly in the middle. If you're invited to a wedding this summer, go with these moves.

Egg on your face...

Angie didn't read the rules on how to play the game..

Time to clear the air...

Several weeks ago I was approached by management at Bell Media (BOB, Majic, The Team, CFRA, A Channel, CTV Ottawa) to see if I was interested in moving over to Majic 100fm. Many have asked why the change, so here goes...

I've had 15 amazing years on Ottawa radio. My first 10 were spent at the Bear where I learned how to become a broadcaster and thanks to my boss Gord Taylor, was allowed to make many, many mistakes along the way. As most of you know, sometimes you reach a point where you want to try something new and in the summer of 2006 I moved to sports radio at the Team 1200. Always a fan of the station, I tried my best to make it work. Talk radio is one of the hardest things I've ever done. Many people can blog about the Senators and their favorite sports teams but it takes a true broadcast professional to make it work for 3 hours everyday. I don't regret the decision but am glad that I gave it a shot. You learn from your mistakes and move on. Fast forward to the summer of 2009 and my same bosses approached me with the chance to move from the Team to BOB. They would take JR off the morning show on BOB, reunite him with Steve and Jim on The Team and put me with Sandy. I knew Sandy for many years and for the last year and a half we had laughs every morning on BOB.

The reason for the short history lesson is because I heard this week that some people were spreading rumors that I'd been fired from my previous jobs. That couldn't be further from the truth. Many people in radio and TV work in different markets. I've been lucky enough to do it all here. I've read negative criticism before and it's never bothered me, but that one did.

Majic 100 dominated Ottawa radio for almost 20 years. Kevin and Bill were in the drivers seat and led the station, but some things eventually change. Kevin's health has prevented him from being on the radio and I respect his privacy. Bill, retired from Majic two weeks ago and the new morning show with me, Angie Poirier and Trisha Owens started last Monday. For the longtime Majic fans, I realize change is never easy and I hope you'll give the new show a chance. For those of you that aren't as familiar with the station, please add 100.3 FM to your presets and give it a listen. There's many options for you every morning and I'm aware of all of them. All I'm asking for our show is a chance to win you over.

Thanks
Stu

Stayin Alive...

If you woke up Monday morning and turned on Majic 100, you heard some new voices. Majic Mornings is: Stuntman Stu, Angie Poirier and Trisha Owens handles news.

When you're singing along to one of your favorite songs on the radio, we're doing the same in studio.

Don't drop the Blackberry!

Teaming up with our friends from A Morning, CTV, Majic 100 and Max....