We’ve Been Waking Up Together Now for 10 Years! And It’s You I Want To Thank for Everything!

Let's jump back 10 plus years to April 12th 2003. That's the original date of my hire at Q-106.5. I was in Bangor as the on-premise sales rep for Maine Distributors, your local Budweiser distributor, when I received a message from Paul Dupuis, one of the original Breakfast Flakes, asking if I had any interest in an on-air shift on Saturday mornings.

Then, it all began.

I began doing Saturday mornings for Q-106.5 the very same weekend I lost my grandmother, one of the two most important women in my life, as she and my mother raised me to who I am today. It wasn't the easiest of weekends to begin what would soon become my new start in radio, but I knew deep in my heart, it's exactly what my grandmother would have wanted me to do...so that's when it all began.

After a few months of doing Saturday mornings, I wanted to get more involved in the air-staff, and attended the "Diamonds at the Diamond" event at UMaine with the Bangor Lumberjacks baseball team, and the entire Q-106.5 air staff.

Bob Duchesne and Paul were there, as was Cindy Campbell, who was my boss. During the game a member of the promotions team came up, handed me the mic and told me to say something to get this contest going. That's when Bob took notice and asked Cindy "Who is this guy?" Now before I go any further, I need to tell you one thing about me, I hate when someone calls, and leaves me a message saying "Can you call me back, we need to talk about something" so later that week, I received two messages from Cindy...the first saying just that, and the second one, just a few seconds later saying "Oh, I know you hate messages like that...but this one is all good, so call me back."

I called, was told that Bob had submitted his resignation, and I was the person pegged to take over his position on the Q-106.5 Morning Show!!

Now, it's October of 2003, and preparing to team up with Paul where he and Bob had been such a strong team for so many years, was a task that I was prepared for, and scared of at the same time. But when Paul and I hit the airwaves, joined by news person Allison Bankston, the magic happened immediately!

From there, Paul and I went on to being nominated as CMA Small Market Personalities of the Year twice, and ACM Small Market Personalities of the Year once. Both are honors I will never, ever forget and hope to win one day before I hang up my headphones one last time.

The Pine Tree Camp Egg Ride has been an institution at the station for many, many years and I recall Bob telling me before he left "You'll never go over $20,000 for the egg ride...just so you know." Well that first year, I made it my mission...and conquered it by taking to over $22,000 the first year...and as high as $55,000 this past year!

A lot has happened to me over the past 10 years, and you, my listeners have been right there by my side through the good and the bad. The one life changing event that I hope to never have happen again, was seven years ago when my vacation turned deadly...literally!! My heart stopped, for 11 minutes and the outlook for recovery was bleak during the first week. I was hospitalized for over two weeks, and during that time, I realized just how much this radio station means to you, the most amazing listeners...EVER!

I received cards, calls, letters, gifts and most importantly, your love and support, and for that I will be forever grateful and blessed! As you can all tell, I beat the odds, and am still here, able to write this post, and continue to keep you entertained every morning!

Over the past 10 years, I've seen many changes in this crazy radio business, I've seen good people come and go, ownership changes happen, been afforded opportunities that I never dreamed possible, and most importantly, been supported been great people, both within this organization, and you my very loyal and supportive listeners! I truly believe radio, no matter how many changes have happened, or will happen in the future, is truly where I belong, and it's the successes and the defeats that have driven me to keep doing what I love to do, wake up with each and every one of you everyday!

So, in an attempt to keep this very long story as short as possible and avoid putting you back to sleep, after doing what I do to wake you up in the morning...I just want to thank each and everyone one of you, from the bottom of my heart, for listening, supporting and keeping me in your thoughts, and prayers as we embark on the next 10 years together on this crazy ride we call radio and life, and most importantly, for making me feel like I'm part of your family. God Bless each and every one of you, and again...even though it doesn't seem like nearly enough...Thank-You All!

This photo of Steve Azar and I was my first event with Q-106.5 after my hospitalization and heart surgery back in 2006, so it's one that I hold near and dear to my heart!