Ive had 55 program directors [and] only three were memorable and only three really made me a better broadcaster. I didnt know we also had to be writers and editors. You must be logged in to post a comment [The station beat perennial ratings leader CHUM AM, a station widely credited with inventing rock radio in Toronto]. I would do it and not care. Sometimes 7 a.m. isnt funny when youre by yourself, but when youre with your friends and youre trying to construct a show, there is still time for laughter. And suddenly you know: It's time to start something new & trust the magic of beginnings. View email address. These days there are a lot of visuals, more than ever before. Again, if you would like to hear the original broadcast, it can be found at: http://ondemand.streamtheworld.com/1050chum/. Success! Even if theyre just of the chocolate-covered variety this year. - Erin Davis photo. August 6, 2021 Erin's Journals. Listen to Mike Coopers Retirement Announcement on CHFI here: https://soundcloud.com/981chfi/mike-cooper-announcement. Having the Rogers machine behind us, advertising us and letting people know where we were and putting our faces out there and the brand. Check out this phenomenal toplist for casinos. After hours of dusty delving, I finally found three pictures in of all places photo albums, whose plastic sleeves are yellow with age. Once Tish Iceton was let go, Darryl Henry kept it going until the Christmas switch. You see, I began with CHFI in 1988. She never allowed it to get her down. Awesome that Mike Cooper is back on the morning show on @981CHFI His enthusiasm is infectious - love him! 2009, CHFI returned to mainstream AC, but retained the "Toronto's Lite Favourites" slogan and added the decimal point back in the station identification. Once they started playing the likes of the Backstreet Boys on the show is around the time they lost me.PJ. Mo will always be part of the CHFI family, and were grateful for the chapter she has written in this stations legacy. In the fall of 2015, Cooper received theCIBC Celebration of Hope in Markham for her inspiring fortitude and resilience. We were unable to log you in. Newsletters. The transition worked, making CHFI one of the longest-running English-language AC stations in Canada. PJ, Toronto Mike's episode 1004 with Mike Cooper. The records were cleaned, repaired and brushed with distilled water before being transcribed to tape. (insert drum roll here) Mike Cooper will be filling in for Darren B Lamb while he's away! In the fall of 2004, the magic continued. If you missed it, heres a link. Maureen hosted the afternoon drive show on Q107, a deep dive into her extensive Toronto radio career, Here she is playing her ten favourite songs of all-time, a complete overhaul of The Fan 590 lineup, Next Post : How to play Canada's Lotto 6/49, What Happened to Scott MacArthur? The highlight was first getting into radio at a radio station in North Bay called CKAT FM back in 1970. The call sign chosen to represent the words "Canada HiFI" or "high fidelity", providing a higher quality sound than on AM radio. When she was done with her [chemo] treatment at Mount Sinai, she would go back and volunteer at admission and make sure that everyone who is scared and lonely would get a hug, Davis recalled of Cooper. He said $750 and youre out, and I said Who do I give that to? and he said Me. That was a staggering sum of money. Welcome back Coop! 20 degrees and not a cloud in sky! The record wasnt that important to me, the notoriety was. (He steps down on Jan. 29 but will continue to host Coops Classics on Saturday nights.). I have the best kids in the world, and just when you think theyre going to grow up and youre never going to need them, something like this happens in the family and they were absolutely marvellous. This past Friday, January 8th, 2016, long time radio personality, Mike Cooper, announced that his final day as co-host, on the CHFI Morning Show, will be Friday January, 29, 2016. University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology Undergradruate studies M.A. If you were there, we were going to be okay. Then they got another hug before they left.. (Imagine the Commodores hit Sail On playing quietly.). The moment you stop laughing is the moment you slowly die. Listen Live: http://player.chfi.com/ Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/981chfi Follow us . As I got older, I was a little more cautious [laughs], but when I was a young broadcaster I was ruthless. In 1972, CHFI's AM sister station, by this point under the CFTR call letters, abandoned the beautiful music simulcast of CHFI-FM and adopted a Top 40 format. It must still be packed in a box somewhere. [4], In December 1987, Don Daynard became CHFI's new morning show host, a position he would hold until his retirement on December 10, 1999. Not everybody laughed, and the sergeant who came in said I dont know what we can do about this, but I just want to make sure you never ever work again. I thought my career was over. I dont actually remember what happened back there. permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com, Longtime local radio personality Mike Cooper is hanging up his earphones as co-host of 98.1 CHFIs Erin and Mike in the Morning show., I dont take back a single joke, a single word, a single laugh or a single smile, Cooper said in an emotional statement on Friday morning. Tory leadership hopefuls are outlining their views on national broadcaster's future, Sponsored giveaway supported by social posts directed at female-skewing audience, Annual charitable campaign taps influencers and the social web for the first time, Netflix remains wary of regulation as some tout 'Anne' and 'Alias Grace' partnerships, PayPal and Ipsos research shows "Shop Now" buttons are gaining traction, Popular online ad exchange bans site for violating hate speech policy, Former Microsoft and Globe and Mail exec returns to the agency world. In 1961 Cooper saw live blues musicians for the first time. With all those facts and figures in my head, I figured I should not have done that. Tickets on sale now at RBCCanadianOpen.com See more All The Fan 590 is also a Rogers-owned radio station. My job was to talk on the radio, but now it has evolved and I fell behind in social media, I fell behind with Facebook and Twitter. I second Radio Aaron's thoughts. Mike S. Cooper is a Canadian radio personality in Toronto, Canada, co hosting the 98.1 CHFI morning show with Erin Davis. Please retry or create an account if you have not yet done so. He will sign off for the last time on Jan. 29, the station says. As time went on, the modern recordings were phased out and the program featured mainly the period recordings. Immediately after Fridays show, Cooper headed to Mexico for a listener event. It was really a reason to be somebody, to try and entertain people. Bob Magee took over Daynard's position on December 13, 1999.[5][6][7]. The main programming heard from dawn until midnight was traditional easy listening fare, mostly instrumental cover versions of popular hits, as well as Broadway and Hollywood show tunes. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by Wordpress. I hate stupid management, and Ive had some very stupid program directors. He was dismissed from his regular on-air spot, only filling in as needed, till eventually leaving CHUM all-together. They have created a beautiful family and wonderful life together. I had such a great time with Maureen, I invited her back to kick out the jams with me. The Backstreet Boys certainly deserve their place on a retro show, and eventually the "newer oldies" will replace the "older oldies".My point is that the show has a heritage as an "oldies" program (as in "older oldies"), dating back to the Don Daynard days, and I also think Mike Cooper's audience tends to skew on the older side. In June 2003, CHFI, competing closely with rival adult contemporary station CJEZ, revamped their morning show to attract younger listeners. Hey, if you listen to Toronto radio and woke up thinking you were dreaming when you heard Mike Cooper back on the morning show on CHFI, you know by now, since he's been doing it for a week, that yes, my favourite radio guy is back in the saddle again. Its not the reason Im leaving, but it just was a huge wake-up call for us, that every time you think that youre going to live forever, you get humbled by life itself. Yes, there were a ton of family pictures (some of those felt like a gut punch), but I tried to hurry past them. January 13, 2016, Radio host Mike Cooper announced his retirement from CHFI last week, capping a 45-year career in radio broadcasting. I'm sure this came as a shock to many of the station's loyal listeners. So it was with a sense of dread that I was tasked with finding pictures from my early radio years. A real shame because that was a fantastic show, especially with Tish. In this segment from daytime Toronto, we visit an event held for Mike Cooper as he retires as Co-Host of Erin and Mike in the Morning on 98.1 CHFI. Now get out there and rock your reWirement. I even punched two bosses, and Im still working in radio. I have to admit I looked forward to it. He co-hosted the morning show along with Christine Cardoso. Compeau also created the popular Classics 'til Dawn, an overnight program of popular classical music. By the mid-1980s, the audience for CHFI and other beautiful music stations was beginning to age, while advertisers usually seek younger listeners. Mike had a good run at this station. CHFI's Mike Cooper signs off after 45 years 08:04 January 8, 2016. As luck would have it, he was having one of his mini breaks. It was always good to see and chat with all the stations on-air personalities and staff. A few seconds later, Coopers voice returned with the words, April Fool!. I remember well that Erin dressed as Elton John and Mike Cooper was wearing a slightly tight fitting, powder blue tuxedo. Please provide both your email address and password. The police came, a SWAT team came down and cordoned off Yonge St. I appears as if Mike is gone again, as well as producer Gord Rennie. As well, some upbeat, rhythmic material was also added, while softer artists such as Air Supply were largely dropped from the station's playlist. Canadian Country is moving in leaps and bounds. Copyright 2021 Real Family Productions Inc. Finally, during a commercial, as Mike was wrapping up the advertising dialogue, a guy walks into the studio, an argument and struggle occurs and ends with gun shots, screams and dead air. a brisket, or an entire leg of beef, or heck who knows? I have some great pictures of [me with] rock bands. A station official said he was on his way to Mexico immediately after his show on Friday. On November 9, 2016, Erin Davis announced she would be retiring from CHFI on December 15, and would be moving to British Columbia to be closer to her family. Fresh out of school, he landed his first radio job at CKAT-FM in North Bay, then a short gig in Ottawa, before rocking the airwaves of Toronto at 1050 CHUM AM in the mid-1970s. In Fridays message, Mike referred to Debbie as his tender morsel of passionfruit and his first love. In 2009, CHFI returned to mainstream AC, but retained the "Toronto's Lite Favourites" slogan and added the decimal point back in the station identification. He's been replaced by Toronto radio veteran Mike Cooper. CHFI also initially provided a special Muzak-like background audio service, playing soft instrumental music for offices and retail outlets in the city. Yes, there was a guy named Bill Brown. Explore Mike Cooper's discography including top tracks, albums, and reviews. We could have passed it onto the children, but we looked at each other and said No, we dont like them that much.. Im not a big fan of following the rules, but I am a company man. Do it on YOUR terms with love, laughter, and loads of loud music. Just a thought And suddenly you know: Its time to start something new & trust the magic of beginnings. Then the insanity of the past few yearsand lovely Mo and Mike, of course,which brings us to today. JOIN THE CONVERSATION. Rob and I adore you, Ian now go on and find your good time. Correction - January 11, 2016: This article was edited from a previous version that mistakenly said Mike Cooper's last show was on Friday. In addition, newer jingles were unveiled, along with an opening bumper for newer music. You gave many of us THE most memorable good-byes and Ill never be able to dance you out, as you did me from Casa Loma, ending this radio career Im not even sure was possible without you in my corner. I loved War of the Worlds and thats where I got the idea. A veteran radio personality of 45 years and a leader in Toronto broadcasting, Mike gathers with his co-workers, friends and family at the Mill Street Beer Hall and Brew Pub in the Historic Distillery District.\rdaytime Toronto takes you on a behind the scenes tour of the event and we get to speak with one of the finest radio hosts in the business. Thank you, Mike, for 45 amazing and unforgettable years in radio! I knew I had to get out because I was in trouble, and the moment I unzipped my canopy I get sucker-punched right in the head. I think Ive got that, Im going to die with it, but everything else I wasnt doing so well in.. Im just so happy for them all. He's been replaced by Toronto radio veteran Mike Cooper. Well, here we are, the first day of April. The only good retro show left on the air is Roger Ashby's. And we hope you're as happy as we are that Erin Davis is back. In 1962, an AM counterpart, CHFI (1540 AM) was added, which originally simulcast CHFI-FM's programming. While writing the article, I tried to find my copy. On Apr. I remember getting to say hello to him, wishing him well for his remain days to go and giving him a hug. With help from his co-host Davis, who conducted an interview using our questions (and some of her own) we found out why hes leaving now, his future plans and all the details about that 1976 April Fools Day prank on CHUM that went horribly awry. Ian is sailing off into a new life of reWirement. You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. The car [I received] was an Austin Marina. Copyright 2023 Metroland Media Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved For this writer, it filled me with many good memories. working alongside Mike Cooper. [Meister Eckhart]. Nobody even pretended to put their hand up, they werent even thinking about it. He was the creator of the 5:10 "Stupid joke of the day" during his time at 680 CFTR. [AUDIO] The Morning Show Says Goodbye to Mike Cooper. In this segment from daytime Toronto, we visit an event held for Mike Cooper as he retires as Co-Host of Erin and Mike in the Morning on 98.1 CHFI. Please see details at www.celebrationofhope.info. Thats been a huge part of the past 10 years. You have permission to edit this article. I dont display them in the house theyre just some fond memories. Thank you, Mo! Jay and Billie hosted mornings on co-owned Toronto station CISS-FM before it flipped to adult hits earlier that month. Send a news tip or press release to Mike Cooper. Like and follow 98.1 CHFI for the latest in entertainment plus local news and events. Don had been there for a year, having been lured over from 99.9 CKFM. Looking back, what do you consider your career highlights? Weve saved up a couple of pesos here and there along the way so we could do whatever we wanted to do. 09 A B C D E F G H Wikipedia, Mike Emrick Mike Doc Emrick Born August 1, 1946 (1946 08 01) (age65) La Fontaine, Indiana Occupation Sports commentator Wikipedia, Mike Wallace (journalist) Mike Wallace Born Myron Leon Wallace May 9, 1918 (1918 05 09) (age93) Brookline, Massachusetts, US Occupation Wikipedia, Mike Schmidt Third baseman Born: September 27, 1949 (1949 09 27) (age62) Dayton, Ohio Wikipedia, Mike Eruzione Born October 25, 1954 (1954 10 25) (age57) Winthrop, MA, USA Height Wikipedia, Mike Hubbard (politician) Mike Hubbard 65th Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Incumbent Assumed office 2011 Governor Robert Bentley Preceded by Seth Hammett Wikipedia, Mike Stephenson for the rugby union footballer, see Michael Stephenson (rugby union) Michael Mike Stephenson, also commonly known as Stevo, (born 27 January 1947 in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire) is an English Rugby League World Cup winning Rugby League, and Wikipedia. In addition, the station rebranded as 98.1 CHFI (pronounced, "ninety-eight-one CHFI") instead, and unveiled the "Today's Lite Music" slogan.[8][9]. The Backsteet Boys had their first hit 26 years ago. I struggled the best I could. I hear it now and I hate it. Meeting one of your favourite radio personalities was a big deal! Mike Cooper got his start in North Bay and signed off as co . I went to Westdale Secondary School. My wife had a health scare she had, and has, colon cancer. You will be missed. She also left behind their son Christopher and daughter Sarah, who are both in their 30s. For the better part of August, the station would have regular check-ins to see how Mike was doing. Im looking forward to celebrating our son-in-law Phils birthday today and Robs birthday, which coincides with Easter Sunday, this weekend. Im sure this came as a shock to many of the stations loyal listeners. It didnt end well for the station or Mike. It was April 1st, 1976. But there just arent any of me at CFRA in Ottawa, CKLW in Windsor or CKO in Toronto, the stations whose people and experiences helped this chipmunk-cheeked newscaster grow into who I eventually became. For the past 5 years she fought this head on. Deborah Cooper, whose battle against cancer inspired thousands, dies at 66, Even in chemo herself, Deborah Cooper found strength and courage to console other cancer patients, Deborah Cooper honoured at CIBC Celebration of Hope, LIVE NOW: Its May 1 and our top story is 'Everybody's happy place': Newmarket Farmers' Market kicked off revitalization of downtown Main Street, 'Here for everyone': Georgina Public Library joins fine-free movement. It was good to have him back on Toronto airwaves. We want to see the world a little bit. Listen to Pooja & Gurdeep all week at 6AM and play 'Is This You?' for a chance to # WIN a pair of tickets to see Alanis Morissette on June 10th! I was there with camera in hand, doing what I do best, capturing the moments. I want to share with you a story or two about a guy a pillar at CHFI whos leaving the only job he ever had, today. They have been together since they were 15 years old. Sail on, my friend. Debbie has been by his side throughout his entire radio career. Detailed contact information including email, phone number, social profiles, tweets and news articles written by Mike Cooper. Mike isnt one to look back or to dwell on the past and Ive taken a page from him in terms of my career. A few photos were snapped of the happy couple. Aurora GO trains temporarily replaced by buses as additional track construction gets underway, Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign returns to support children at Markham Stouffville Hospital, Davis Drive in Newmarket to be closed for Southlake event, 'Everybody's happy place': Newmarket Farmers' Market kicked off revitalization of downtown Main Street, LIVE NOW: Its April 28 and our top story is Missing Vaughan teenager Sol Mejia-Mesa found dead in Toronto, 'The worst is behind us': York Region medical officer of health halts regular updates on COVID-19. And THANK YOU. But theres one thing they cant teach you in college, and that is true personality. 3,058 talking about this. - Catch Erin Davis's final broadcast tomorrow morning on CHFI from 5 to 9 a.m. - . For those that listened to Toronto Mike's episode 1004 with Mike Cooper earlier this year.. around the 1:27:00 mark, Toronto Mike asks Mike Cooper about Coop's Classics and how long he'll keep it going for. Liked. No one will fill those big shoes, or strangely little chair. As always, you can watch a video version of this journal on my Facebook page, or here on YouTube (if theres an ad there, thank Motown!). Some Sad News From Our CHFI Family. Longtime local radio personality Mike Cooper is hanging up his earphones as co-host of 98.1 CHFI 's "Erin and Mike in the Morning show.". She had been the competition over at CHFI for ten years but, you couldnt hide the chemistry between them on the air. All the people that hugged me when we got to Mexico with our listeners, each one thanked me for their own personal memory: thanks for getting me up in the morning, thanks for making me smile, thank you for the information you gave us, but mostly thank you for the laughs. This article is over a year old, and the information within may be out of date. Cooper's courage in battling cancer began in 2013, but all that stopped on Oct. 23 when she passed away at 66, leaving a . . The longtime co-host of 98.1 CHFI's "Erin & Mike in the Morning" told his listeners Friday morning that he doesn't "take back a single joke, a single word, a single laugh or a single smile," that he "I loved it all.". CHFI-FM (98.1 MHz) is a commercial FM radio station in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Only one volunteer came out for the Radio Westdale club and that was me. Share to Facebook. Please try again, or contact customer service at marketing@halldata.com. Ian is sailing off into a new life of reWirement. He said How would you like to go to a real radio station and see what happens?, My father was a lineman for Hamilton Hydro, and he really wanted me to be a grunt: he wanted me to be a cop, to work for the hydro company. No drama or long goodbyes. The story of the Coopers, who have been together since they were 15 years old, is not dead. So Mike and the family would like to thank everybody who has offered their support and their kindness at this terrible time.. I got sued for assault and battery because I hit [his would-be assailant] with a crescent wrench. I even punched two bosses, and Im still working in radio. This news from Rogers-owned CHFI comes mere days after a complete overhaul of The Fan 590 lineup, including the dismissal of Scott MacArthur, Richard Deitsch, Rob Wong, Josh Goldberg, Andrew Nie and Jason Rozen. But of all those 45 years, the true highlight of my entire career was the 10 years Ive spent with Erin Davis on 98.1 CHFI. Okay, he did have another job: he drove the van for the Pickle Barrel in his teens until he took a corner too fast and a door flew open. This past Friday, January 8 th, 2016, long time radio personality, Mike Cooper, announced that his final day as co-host, on the CHFI Morning Show, will be Friday January, 29, 2016. Let me know if you'd like to visit a third time for another episode of Toronto Mike'd. When Christine went on Maternity Leave, in came Erin Davis. Last song was Trooper, Here For a Good Time Not a Long Time. The record stood for less than a month. Why are you choosing to retire now? In the middle of a live commercial, listeners heard the sound of a door opening, an argument, then several gun shots. Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be a registered Torstar account holder. I want to be like them. He took me to the radio station with Mr. Brown, and the seed was sown. They even had a CHUM jingle in the report. Youre not one to hold on to all the accolades. Before sharing the morning show marquee, Cardoso was an entertainment reporter, traffic reporter . From perfect harmonies to sharing all of those mornings the rawest, guffaw-est time of day together before most of our world was even awake. Hazards of too many moves. . He's filling in during Darren's absence and just doing a fantastic job, having a great . Somebody else had a great idea, and three disc jockeys got on a wheel in Boston and rode it for almost half a year, taking shifts. So whos taking over the classics show? Those laughs mean a lot, and I think they stop the aging process. Born August 24th 1942 in Reading in Berkshire. Here are excerpts from this mornings show.https://t.co/pZkKI9KZ1N. [14][15] On October 1, 2021, Maureen Holloway announced she would be leaving the station,[16] with Lamb having had his last appearance earlier in the year (Lamb has since retired). Well that was the final Coop's Classics on CHFI last night. In his sign-off for CHFI, Cooper repeatedly praised his wife Debbie, who was with him from his start on-air as a teenager, and through often-low paying jobs in a career that wound through North Bay, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal. It was 2006, Erin had returned to the station and Mike was with her. Previously, Maureen hosted the afternoon drive show on Q107. Hers still fit perfectly! But regardless, I will be tuning in.Coop's Classics now airs 8PM to Midnight on CHFI. Radio personality Mike Cooper is seen with his wife, Debbie, who passed away on Oct. 23 after battling cancer for five years. Cause youre The General. It means the world to us and, of course, so does our dear friend, her Uncle Ian. With a voice like mine, I sound really good-looking. The longtime CHFI morning man recounts his 45-year broadcast career. Those three will have to do. If you are interested in hearing any of these highlights, they can be found at: http://ondemand.streamtheworld.com/1050chum/ . Twain: maybe those fools are the ones who are preventing us from succeeding?