Septemeber 1, 1993 is the day I first cracked the mic on 95.3FM in Vancouver and had a dream of being a radio announcer in my home town come true.
It was a long time coming. I started in radio in May 1990 in Vernon, and by January of 1991 I had started sending out tapes and resumes looking for the next gig. My bosses at Z used to joke the program director’s desk drawer was filled to overflowing with tapes from me. When you look at the stack of rejection letters I got from across the country, it would be safe to say many pd’s desks were like that.
I gunned hard for that next job, and finally in August of 1993 I got the letter from Brad Phillips confirming my employment with CKZZ.
“This letter is to confirm your employment status with Z95.3FM.
Your position with us will be a “Regular part-time” announcer. You will be paid $15 per on-air hour. The station will guarantee a mininum of 13 of these “$15 hours” per week.”
I was lucky I could move back in with my parents, and I picked up overnight shifts for $6 an hour to fill in my air time.
It was a big gamble, but 15 years later it’s safe to say it paid off.
Thank you for listening to me for 15 years. That’s a lifetime in radio to be in one market, and without you there, there wouldn’t be a me here.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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Congrats, Buzz. I still remember making mixed tapes from gr. 8 through 10 off the Z airwaves…most likely during your shifts =)
These “$15 hours”, haha!
Happy Anniversary!
Congratulations, Buzz. I have told you this before, but your voice reminds me of Vancouver and summer and my twenties. I’m glad they hired you!
Leaving the Okanagan 15 years ago it seems was a good move …see you here, when you are ready for retirement , ha, ha …CONGRATS to you and the family from the peaches in Salmon Arm ..
Ah yes, all those radio people and their high-rollin’ ways, paid at the princely rate of… fifteen… dollars… an hour?!
Then again, in 1993 I was getting ready to be a full-time musician, and I’m sure my hourly rate netted out a lot less than that.
Kudos on 15 years. That is indeed impressive.
Awww love this! Happy Anniversary!
You have been my fave dj for a long time and hope to hear you for many more years to come
Cheers to you Buzzy!
Congratulations Buzz!
[...] this edition of In The Sphere, showing what’s new by showing what’s old. It was 15 years ago that Buzz got his start at Z95.3 (which is now Crave 95). Love the hair, Buzz. What do you [...]
Wow. 15 years. Congrats!
Angella said it best, Buzz. Your voice is a brand and synonymous with Vancouver. It’s true.
[...] that I’ve turned the page on my 15th anniversary in the city, I’m going to be digging in to my big box of tapes every week and digging out an old [...]