Terry DiMonte leaves Montreal

Wow. The title of the post is something I would never have thought I'd write. Terry DiMonte is a Montreal institution, and now the fans of Calgary Q107 will find out why. You can read all the details in this morning's Montreal Gazette. Basically, though, Terry DiMonte has been a voice of morning English radio at one time or another on each of the major flagship stations in Montreal with his side-kick Ted Bird. He was on CJAD 800, Mix96, and his latest stint was on CHOM 97.7. Terry's last day is this Friday. The show starts at 5:30 AM. I know I will be listening. On Monday, Rob Kemp will take his place. As most readers of this blog know, I am a news junkie and I also have a special spot for radio. But, I also must be honest. I have never really been a fan of the CHOM format, but Terry and Ted in the morning was a staple. It was something I could always turn to on the dial in the morning to make the day a little easier to wake up to. I am not so sure how it will feel on next Monday. It will also have a personal impact for me, as it will for others who have had their life touched by Terry DiMonte. My Terry DiMonte moment came without his knowledge back when I was a confused 17 year-old trying to figure out the world. There I was in High School, and Terry DiMonte came to a career fair. He came to speak about careers in the media. I listened so carefully to every word he said. He was a radio god to most teenagers on the hottest station in the city. I can almost remember his speech word for word. He laid it out straight with no sugar coating. A career in media he said" can mean caribou reports from the great North. You have to make sure you have a passion for this type of job". He also reminded us that "Montreal had limited space for English speaking talent" (and back then it was even less)"and it was super competitive". My dreams were dashed a bit, because it was not the glamour and easy career teenagers think most things are. But then again, I was also a stubborn sonofabitch.

I graduated that year with a clear vision that Journalism/broadcasting would be hard, but something I wanted to try. The next year I attended John Abbott College (where Terry and Steve Anthony had also gone) and immediately got involved in student media. I joined the student paper, and starting hanging out at the radio station CSKY. I got to meet many people who now dot the media landscape in Canada including "Magic" Merv Williams, Shawn Berry, Mike Desouza, Chris Zanti, among others. Into my last year of CEGEP, I applied to university and with my portfolio and experience easily got into the 2nd year at Carleton Journalism. I was older and wiser now, and Terry's words were still in my ears. It was one thing to mess around while doing a Liberal Arts degree in student media, and a whole different ball game to "major" in broadcasting. It was a step that with a huge self-doubt, no encouragement and possibly some bad advice I decided to forgo the challenge. Fear got the better of me for the first time in my life. So instead of me being on radio or in newsprint, in the fall, I attended McGill. It was one of those moments in life that was pivotal and forever-life changing. Had I taken the path to Ottawa 11 years ago, I would be somewhere completely different. Without giving away what happened next in my life, which isn't so much important as to only say I never went onto a career in media. And the choice I made back then is the direct result of the life I have now.

Do I regret it? I'd lie if I said I didn't. There are some nights the questions come fast and furious:
What would have happened had I gone away to Carleton? What if I had let my stubbornness ignore those around me telling me I was crazy? And let me be honest and straight. My media college buddies were always very supportive. It was a thought we would be a band of merry brothers for many years to come. I was the only one to opt out and choose a safer path.There are many times I wish I could go back and see what would have happened. But then again, I have a pretty good life right now.

Now seeing Terry DiMonte leave brings back all these memories. It's a jolt of sorts. It reminds me of what I had once saw as my dream career. And now Terry also has a different impact on my life. Reading the paper and his comments : "My regret is that I couldn't ride into the sunset in my home town." The man is not afraid of change. He does not settle. I think it happens in life as you get older, to get stuck in a routine and just think "that's how it is". Terry is my hero for not doing that. It's really what I think it takes to be super successful. Taking big chances and big risks lead to big rewards (or colossal failure), but you know where you stand. Most of us, take what we get, and are happy and grab onto it for dear life. Sort of like a squirrel finding an acorn in the winter.

I'm quite happy where I am now. This decision by Terry, though, reminds me I am doing the right things in my personal and professional life. Keep the status quo a moving target.

Okay, now that I have gotten that out of my system, Terry, I want to thank you for the 23 years of great Radio you have brought to this city. I want to thank you for the great help you have provided to charities, to people in need, for volunteering your time, for speaking at schools (wink) and for being as genuine on the radio as you are in person. Best of luck in Calgary. We'll miss you.

*** Bonus Material** Q&A with Terry DiMonte from CHOM's Website.

What's the coolest thing about living in Montreal?
Its my home, where I grew up and its the most european city on the continent...lucky me.

When you have friends visit Montreal for the first time, what's the one thing you insist they see/do? The first thing I do is give them a personalized driving tour of the city. Must see spots are: up Ste. Catherine, through Old Montreal, along St. Laurent, the Westmount lookout and on to Cosmos in NDG!

Favorite Hobby/Pastime?
Reading biographies and discovering movies that were made before my time.

One song that's the anthem to your life?
Have a drink on me AC/DC

Favorite band and songs growing up?
....Elton John's Yellow brick road (the LP) changed the way I heard music. Too many fave songs to list

Coolest moment of your radio career so far?
Getting the job as morning man in the town you grew up in at the station you listened to as a kid...also the time they call you to tell you "pack your bags, we've got a gig for you in Churchill Manitoba" and meeting Elton...I could go on and on here.. its been a hell of a run!

If they made a movie about you, what actor would you like to play you?
... Billy Bob Thornton

Famous person (living or dead) you'd most like to have dinner with?
Hands down, Johnny Carson

What's your #1 pet peeve?
....Lack of manners

Whom do you admire the most?
...My parents Bev and Lou

Dog or Cats?
..... Dogs