Toronto Mike'd: The Official Toronto Mike Podcast - Ann Rohmer Kicks Out the Jams: Toronto Mike'd #810

Episode Date: March 2, 2021

Mike catches up with Ann Rohmer before she kicks out the jams.

Welcome to episode 810 of Toronto Mic'd, a weekly podcast about anything and everything. Proudly brought to you by Great Lakes Brewery, a fiercely independent craft brewery who believes in supporting communities, good times and brewing amazing beer. CDN Technologies, your outsourced IT department. Contact Barb, she's Barbced IT department. Contact Barb. She's Barb at CDNTechnologies.com. Palma Pasta. Enjoy the taste of fresh homemade Italian pasta and entrees from Palma Pasta in Mississauga and Oakville. StickerU.com.

Create custom stickers, labels, tattoos, and decals for your home and your business. Ridley Funeral Home. Pill pillars of the community since 1921. And Mike Majewski, or as I call him, Mimico Mike. He's the real estate agent who's ripping up the Mimico real estate scene. Learn more at realestatelove.ca. I'm Mike from torontomike.com and joining me this week to kick out the jams in honour of her birthday, it's my friend, Anne Romer. Happy birthday, Anne Romer. Thank you. It is a happy day and I am excited to be stepping into a new year, which

is wonderful and I'm proud of it and I embrace it. And it's so good to see you. And yes, we are friends. Oh, honestly, your first two visits are like two of my favorite episodes of all time. And I just want to remind listeners, like, so they're listening to you now. Of course, it's COVID time, so we're doing this remotely. But if they want to go catch up on the original deep dive with Ann Romer, it's episode 348.

So find the 348th episode. Mike chats with Ann Romer about her career at City TV and CP24. Her retirements. And all of them by choice. We made that clear because a lot of people speculated negatively, but that just seems to be the way of the world.

But you and I are always very positive and we're very honest. And, of course, we talked about at that time, I think you were contemplating this exciting plunge and then the plans did change. Yeah, again, by choice. It just wasn't the right time. So tell us, because as I speak to you, you're at the region. So tell us a little bit about what are you doing at the region and where can people hear you?

I'm the proud host of two talk shows. One is called The Feed and it's a news magazine show with contributors like Jim Lang and Tina Cortez, who's our station manager and news director. Also, we hear from Karen Johnson, who's one of our news anchors, Sunil Joshi, another news anchor. So it's this great, I know, aren't they amazing? We're so lucky. We're just this little engine that could. 105.9 The Region. I like to think it's the voice of York region. The other show I host is In Conversation. We launched it last October and it's upfront, up close, uplifting, and it's getting to know people that you know, famous people, but also people that you would like to get to know. And I'm just so proud of both of those shows and love being a part of the region. It is my second home now. Well in conversation with sounds like it could be a well-paired with Toronto Mike. Like it would be.

I think so. Is that a hint? I follow you anywhere. I got to, I don't know. Can I bike to Markham? That's what I'm trying to figure out right now. Yes, you can. It's a little chilly today, but yes, you can. Do you know that they're predicting in the early 20s by the end of March, which is something to look forward to, that temperatures could be tickling 20 or beyond?

That gives me such great hope. Now, of course, not of course, because how would you know, but in the fall of 2020, me and my buddy Mark Carey, we decided to bike around the city of Toronto. So I did bike up, like I biked through Rouge Park and then I went along Steeles. So really, I think that technically maybe, I got to check my map, but I think I was close to York Region.

Yeah, well, York Region is wider than it is taller, if you will. So the span from west to east is quite remarkable. And so you probably did brush closely with York Region. It's a great, great area. It's an amalgamation of incredible cities and towns. And I love the people. I just think they're fantastic. And hopefully they like us at 105.9 The Reach.

Now, here's a fun fact. You mentioned Jim Lang and I saw him a moment ago. He was in the calendar to visit this studio. Like literally, I would say he was coming the week of like March 15th, 2020. So basically like on the Friday, you know, guests were banned from the basement and he was up like that next week. Like he was like, I think the first,

the first Toronto Mike casualty of the pandemic. It's such a shame too, because he's a great guy, but now that we've got this system worked out, you, you will invite him to join you again. And he is, I call him a salt and pepper shaker. He's just, he's, he's so spicy and he's so exciting and he's gritty and he's funny and he's super smart. Reminds me of you. Well, he sounds like an amazing guy. Yeah, he really is. Speaking of amazing guys, you mentioned Sunil Joshi, who's been on the show and

what a career he's had. Like, I think he's fantastic, Sunil. who's been on the show and what a career he's had. Like, I think he's fantastic, Sunil. I do too. And he's just a nice guy. When I do see him, he does the morning shift. So he's in at five o'clock to be with Jim Lang and he wraps up at about 11. I normally start recording at noon.

So on occasion, we do pass in the hallway and he's just so sweet and so humble. And he's got this hidden dry sense of humor that comes out every once in a while. And I just love him. And we've known each other for a thousand years. He was used to be in my fitness class at Body Alive. He was a part of City TV and he moved around and here and there. So we're back in the same place, which is great in a different spot, but in the same position. All right. And I played a 32nd clip, your first appearance,

but I'm actually hoping I can play it again. I'm actually, I see I have it in my drafts of my email. Let me pull it out here. Stand by. This is just a short clip here. I'm vamping here, as they say, but let me load it in here. And then I'm going to ask you about somebody you worked with at City TV. But here is, I love playing this, and this is a great excuse to do it. Here we go. I'm not waiting around here.

Here we go. Come on. There's a new player on the sports team at City TV. I don't think Martina has anything to worry about. We've got Ann Romer, an ace reporter whose energy is going to keep City Pulse on top. It's shaping up to be a great threesome. And one. And two.

They're doing it City style. That's how it's done. The City sports team. Salzburg, Romer, and McKinney. Every night on City Pulse. The eyes of Toronto. So far, so good. Wow.

You know, Mike, that that wouldn't fly today because everybody's so sensitive about everything. But it was a riot back then. And I think it was, I have to remember when I was called to join the City Pulse team. I think it was 86. Yeah. So it was back when, you know, we didn't have to filter. We weren't as careful as we should have been, but it was all in good fun.

And I think I had very short shorts on for that. Well, look, I'm no, come on. I don't know what I'm allowed to say anymore. I know me too. I don't know. I don't want to offend anyone. So maybe we shouldn't say anything. I will say that Salzburg there is still a big deal in New York. Is he? Yeah, he's still on the air in New York is still a big deal in new york he is he yeah he's still on the air in new york and still a big deal there and i actually was lucky enough that recently just before the

pandemic struck i got jimmy kenny to visit the basement here and uh it was fantastic love that man and i may have told you this in our first conversation there was a bit of pushback in the city called sports department upon my arrival. So there were four men, two of them didn't want me there. Two of them did. And Jim McKinney was one of the ones who did along with John Whaley, with whom I worked at Breakfast Television. But the other two, they didn't want me there. And they made it really difficult. So Jim was my life saver. That's for sure oh I'm pleased to hear that because I produce a podcast for Peter Gross and Peter Gross is still uh best buds with

Jim McKinney so that I mean I'm glad to hear that yeah and he's another neat guy I used to see Peter Gross uh when I lived in a certain neighborhood he would be rollerblading everywhere he still does little bomb you know he's great he still does rollerblade as often as possible. I've met him in local parks. We met up and he rollerblades there. You on your bike and him on his rollerblades. Exactly, exactly. So shout out to Peter Gross.

If I may, Anne, just before we kick out the jams, I believe you worked with Jeff Ansell. Is that correct? For one year only. But that relationship, that bond remained until his dying day. And it is such a great loss. I admired him so much. He was just a fantastic guy.

I wanted to take life and shake it at its very core and see what would fall out you know like shaking a tree right he was phenomenal and he did such a great job his new life when he left television was that of media training and superb at it and a long hard fight against uh cancer and he just you know it was his time, I guess. And he's in a really good place now, but boy, do I miss him. Yeah. So we're sorry to, to, to learn of the loss of Jeff. He passed away last week, but I know he was like an anchorman when you were doing sports there.

Oh, he was great. And he would say, do, say and do things and report in a way that I really admired. He was, he didn't, he didn't filter. And again, it was in the 80s. So it was okay then. And he just said it like it should be. And like it was, he told the truth and he didn't try to sugarcoat it. And I really admired him and he was just a lovely, lovely man. Now we're going to kick out your jams. You're Ann Romer. So you get 11 jams. I just want to let the listeners know. Thank you.

I hope I don't bore people with my choices. Well, I mean, I'm lucky enough that I, because I got the list and I loaded up the jams. You've got some great songs coming up. Are you kidding me? These are great songs. And I can't wait to hear, like, why did Ann Romer choose this song?

So before I press play on the first one, which is just an iconic, fantastic song, I just want to thank some partners of Toronto Mic'd. Great Lakes Brewery have been there for five years now. Fantastic partners. I love giving guests, when they visit me, some fresh craft beer from Great Lakes. So thank you to Great Lakes. You mentioned, Anne, that there's a young lady who's a young woman who's working at the region,

helping with social media and some stuff and her last name is Petrucci. Yes. She's apparently, because I had a brief conversation with her, but she's not related apparently to the Petrucci family who own and operate Palma Pasta in Mississauga and Oakville.

But she might want to check into it, do some ancestry or something because... Absolutely. But isn't it true that we're all related at some level or six degrees of separation? I'm sure Caroline is in some way related to Palma Pasta Petrucci. So we're going to find out. She's a neat young gal. She has a whole huge future ahead of her, just like Palma Pasta. Too far.

Well, look, fantastic. And again, she should find out maybe she's got a great aunt named Palma. Or uncle, who knows? I guess it would be Palmo. Right. Oh, yeah. I think that's Carmine. It's such a great family. But Palma Pasta, they're in Mississauga and Oakville. Go to palmapasta.com.

Stickeryou.com. On Friday, actually, this is kind of a small world story. I have a gentleman on my show coming up on Friday named Barry Witkin. And Barry is one of the founders of the Purple Onion. And the Purple Onion, kind of a famous Toronto in Yorkville, a famous Toronto music venue. And he's going to come in and talk about just that vibe of the Yorkville scene back then and some of the great acts that play there, like the Miner Birds, et cetera.

But then I find... Yes, exactly. So you got Joni Mitchell and Neil Young and just a fantastic scene. And it turns out Barry Wittgen, his son, is Andrew Wittgen, the founder and CEO of StickerU. They've been great partners of the show for two years. So shout out to StickerU. They make fantastic stickers.

And I'm going to have Andrew and his father, Barry, on Friday's program, which will be very cool. I think that's terrific. Or delay it until Father's Day, and that's when you have them on. See, I need you on the TMDS team because that's a great idea. I would be happy to do that. It would be my pleasure on a volunteer basis to do anything to support you, Mike. Well, I have this, I don't want to say fantasy because that sounds like it's going to be something dirty, but I want to play tennis with Ann Romer. This is on my bucket list of things to do before it's too late.

I need to play tennis with Ann Romer. And also, didn't we discuss having lunch at Ikea at one point? I was afraid to bring it up because that's too good to be true, but absolutely. Yeah, I know. But I think they're closed at this point. And when they do reopen again, I don't think that their takeout area opens at the same time. So in the future. And I love that it's in the future. I'll be patient. Thank you to Ridley Funeral Home for their support.

Great, great partners of the program. And they've been pillars of this community since 1921. They're in New Toronto here, Lakeshore and 14th. Mike Majeski, just a little bit east in Mimico. They call him Mimico Mike.

His motto is literally in the know in Mimico. If anyone's considering a move to Mimico or selling a Mimico, he's the man to talk to. Go to realestatelove.ca and chat up Mike Majewski. He's ripping it up in the Mimico scene. And Barb Paluszkiewicz, she is, I have a picture of her actually. So Barb is the CEO of CDN Technologies and they're your outsourced IT department.

So in theory, if the region was interested in outsourcing their IT, they could contact CDN Technologies, barb at cdntechnologies.com. I have another idea. Chat up, Barb. How about Barb on the feed or in conversation with me? What she does I think is fascinating, and I'd like to mine that, explore that. You know why, Anne? This is because I speak with her once a week, and this is such. And I'd like to mine that, explore that. You know why, Anne? This is because we talk, I speak of her

once a week, and this is such a male-dominated world. She talks about going to these conferences and stuff, and she's literally like a unicorn, because here she is, a woman, surrounded by dudes, like a complete sausage fest. And honestly, I'll hook you two up, because

she's so well-spoken and interesting. And I'm sure that in some cases, and I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I'm sure once in a while a man will turn to her and say, I'd like to order a coffee, honey. They don't understand why she's there. So I'd love to have her on in conversation. Oh, my God. We'll make that happen.

Okay. All right, Anne. One last question for you before I press play here. Are you ready to kick out the jams? Are you ready to kick out the jams? I am ready to kick to the place that's the best When I lay me down to die Going up to the sky Going up to the spirit in the sky

That's where I'm gonna go when I die When I die and it ain't much of a mess. I'm gonna go to the place that's the best. Now that should be the theme song for the funeral home. Yes. I love it. Yes, you're absolutely right. That should be here.

It's very uplifting and it's exciting and both of us bobbing our heads. And I think it would be terrific for such a great business. You're so right. Tell Brad Jones, we've got his theme song. It's perfect. Created by Norman Greenbaum. I think he only had one hit. And the reason I love this song and chose it, there is no personal connection to it other than it was the first song that brought out the head bobbing in me. And I remember that so long ago. And I saw you doing it as well. Yeah, you can't help it. For whatever reason, we did the chicken walking head bob.

I loved it. And it was kind of a nice mix of gospel and electronic music. I love the song. And I'm sorry that he never created another song that took off. But Anne, I read an article with him in which he talked about how he was able to structure his life that he could live off the royalties of this one song. Isn't that great? And that's the way it should be for the artists that do reach success and don't have it again. He obviously had a smart accountant and manager on his side. We know of stories where they artists have lost all of their money. I guess if you're going to have one hit,

it's got to be, if you make it an iconic hit like this, I hear it all the times in movies and trailers, right? When you want to set a certain mood, it's fantastic, Anne. Do you remember Guardians of the Galaxy? The very first,

the first one, but one of the opening songs was, and I can't remember the name of it, but it was by Redbone. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Come and get your love. Come and get your love. Pinky swear. Well, that band was famous for it was, I think, one of the first indigenous bands to have a big hit record. And that song is fantastic too. It's a great song.

And I guess my point is that so many of the movies made today, they go back to songs from the seventies, even if the director and producer and the stars were even born at that point, they just, the music of the seventies is like no other. And we're going to hear a few songs from the 70s in this jam kicking here today. Yes. I was listening to it as a little baby. The music of the 70s.

I love, Anne, how you preface this by saying no personal connection. But then you told us that this is like the first song that brought out, what did you call it? The chicken dance? Is that what you call it? Yeah. Well, it's, you know how birds when they walk, not fly, but when they do this sure yeah so you and i were doing that so yeah the other songs that i've chosen do have personal stories you know okay they do have to do with one of my husbands or with a first date that kind of thing okay awesome so thank you for that i will tell you uh that

chicken head pecking thing is actually my only move. Like that is all I know. I saw another one. You put your Billy Crystal. He's called it white man's overbite in When Harry Met Sally. You just did that. Oh, my God. That's marvelous. The chicken bob and the Billy Crystal white man's overbite. Nice luck, Mike. All right. Let's kick out jam number two. It's a little bit funny, this feeling inside. I'm not one of those who can

easily hide I don't have much money but boy if I did I'd buy a big house where we both

could live If I was a sculptor But then again No Or a man Who makes potions And I Travel and show

I Know it's not much But it's the best I can do. My gift is my song and this one's for you. And you can tell everybody this is your song. It may be quite simple, but now that it's done, I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down the words. How wonderful life is

While you're in the world It's beautiful. Wow. I've got tears in my eyes. Wow. Yeah. Beautifully written song, beautifully presented by Elton John. Did you see Rocketman, by the way?

Yes, I did. I understand what he went through and how the songs came about. I mean, it was a collaboration. But what a beautiful song. And there is a romantic in me somewhere. I know you don't believe that because I go through husbands like I go through, I don't know, things in my cupboard just a little bit too quickly. And and but at one point I was very much in love with my first husband.

And that was a song that we kind of dedicated to each other. Wow. Beautiful song. Beautiful song. Wasn't this was this Lady Di's favorite song? Or am I conflating facts? I thought it was Candle in the Wind. Because didn't he then re-record Candle in the Wind to fit her? But I think this is actually her favorite song.

And then he did, because that was for Norma Jean. That was for Marilyn Monroe. And then he rewrote it for her. But I think this might have been Princess Diana's favorite song. And what a shame, because she did not know the love that she deserved, frankly. But she had a song that encapsulated how she felt about love. It just didn't happen to her in her life. Elton, you mentioned some of the troubles and tribulations in the life of Elton John.

But when he did finally, I think it was in the early 80s, he came out of the closet as a proud gay man. And I believe the backlash he received was the reason that George Michael decided to stay in the closet as long as he could, because he was afraid he would suffer the same commercial backlash that Elton dealt with in the 80s when he finally came out. And thankfully, that didn't last long. I think people got over it very quickly. One of the other things about Elton John, he was best friends with Freddie Mercury. And right up until the day Freddie Mercury died,

they were close. They gave each other gifts. And in fact, I think that Elton said that just before Freddie passed away, he gave him like a statue or a vase or something and he wrapped it in linen. And that was his way of showing his affection for his dear friend, Elton John. And just always did things in such an extraordinary way. Both men. And, you know, I believe that wherever you find love, you go for it. And I believe in

equality and support for anyone who is trying to make a difference in life. It doesn't matter who you love. It doesn't matter what your orientation is. Just live, love, and carry on. But I don't think it was quite that way in the 80s. Well said, Anne. Well said. And I'm going to press play on song number three, but I will preface this by saying I think it might surprise some people. I feel this jam might surprise people. Really?

I think so, but we'll talk about it on the other side. But here is Anne's third jam. Yeah. aside but here is Anne's third jam yeah you need baby I'm not I'm gonna back way down I said, yeah, back in school age. Way down inside.

Honey, you need it. I'm going to give you my love. I'm going to give you my love. Oh, you want a whole lot of love. You want a whole lot of love. You want a whole lot of love. You want a whole lot of love. Wow. I love it. I had to take a piece of clothing off.

I just did that while the song was playing. There's just something about that that makes you want to get down and get, you know, going. That's the Robert Plant effect, I think we call that. And you know why I chose that song? I interviewed him. was phenomenal and very sexual and very complimentary. And I just, I fell in instant love with him. No, I'm going to say this.

I fell in lust with Robert Plant. So that song means a great deal to me. Wow. Okay. I was, cause I'm putting your list together and it, they all make sense to me and then this one stuck out only because uh i'm like oh man that's a song this is i don't even know if they named these albums but we call it led zeppelin four that's what we kind of call these things because they decided they'd all be like nameless or something but led zeppelin four which has stairway to heaven on it and rock and roll. And I, although, you know, now that I

speak, I realize I'm not a hundred percent sure this is, I, I feel like this is from Led Zeppelin four, but regardless, it's a hard rock. It's a heavy song. I'm listening to the headphones. It sounds great. I love that you chose this song. I love it. There is a leather bomber jacket in me somewhere, you know, that, that need a studded belt that needs the hard rock. And it makes such a difference. I always use this analogy. When I was in sports, I interviewed football players. I have no interest in football, but as soon as I interviewed a particular person in a particular sport, I was all about that sport. It just opened a door of interest to me. So interviewing Robert Plant, I was

just, I was enthralled by his music. Well, and I'm a heterosexual man, and I'm listening in the headphones to Robert Plant here, and I might have a little lust here going too. Well, your hair is standing up straight now, so that must be, I'd like you

to come and do mine, by the way. Do my hair. Okay, good. Yeah. Okay. Is it getting warm in? It's getting warm in here. Blame it on the song.

Blame it on the song. Wow. Okay, so the song, which I know you're not listening. Oh, yeah, you do have headphones on. Okay, so I find this is a good example of a song that when I hear it out in the open, yeah, I go, oh, yeah, that's a great song, that Zeppelin or whatever. When I hear it in the headphones, it's next level. Like something about the production,

it's much better with headphones on. And I feel that way about any of Queen's songs as well. When I hear it on headphones on any song, I hear the layers and I understand, I listen to his voice, which was one of the most remarkable voices of all time when it came to music, but listening on headphones, I can distinguish between what I'm hearing musically and his voice and

intonation. It makes such a difference to have headphones on. I'm with you. I'm with you. And I'm going to kick out your fourth jam. Here we go. Here we go. Yes, ready. Never met a girl could make me feel the way that you do You're alright Whenever I'm asked what makes my dreams real I tell them to do

You're out of sight Well twiddly deep Twiddly dumb Look out baby Cause here I come I love the dance. I love it, Anne. Anne's dancing, everybody. Wow. Get ready by Rare Earth. Oh, yes.

I feel great. There's nothing. Are you laughing at me? I love it. I love, I love, because I get to see, I'm lucky enough I can see the visuals here and, uh,

you got up and danced and it was fantastic. It was so good. So I chose this song because it was one of the songs that I use to warm people up in my fitness class at body alive. Right. Right. Brings back great memories, lots of sweat,

lots of fun, lots of clapping, lots of hip grinding. Get ready because here I come. I love the lyrics. So remind, obviously, people, if they don't know, they should be going back to that initial Ann Romer visit. But remind us about like which years did you do it? Where? Like just remind us about this aspect of your life. Which part? Oh, doing the aerobics classes. Or television. Oh, the aerobics classes. Yeah. Okay.

So that began in the early 80s, Body Alive. And I carried on as an instructor for about 25 years. And the reason I think that i'm still here today there's something so great about fitness and endorphin release it keeps your skin young your butt firm your heart working properly it is such a great escape so there you go well and you're here today but with the genes you have uh g g and j whatever genes you like with the jeans you have, G and J, whatever jeans you like, with the jeans you have, we're going to be kicking out the jams in like 50 years, I think, you and I. I think you're right. Well, you will for sure.

Me, not so much. No, thank you. And speaking of jeans, G and J, do you realize that I have worn, and I have about 10 pairs of these, but black, well-bottomed sweatpants for the past year. Because you don't see me on radio. And when we're doing something like this, you just see me from the belly button up. But I haven't put on a pair of pants, a pair of jeans, not for a year. Okay, you're not alone in that club, I think. on a pair of pants, a pair of jeans, not for a year. Okay. You're not alone in that club, I think.

But I will, I just, on that note, I just should say, it is nice that I still see you on CP24. Like it is nice to still see you on the TV because you, of course you do the, the ads for Anderson windows. Renewal by Anderson. Yeah. There are four ads that run on CP24 and you're right. It's, it's kind of fun for me as well. I watch CP24 because it's the best source of news as far as I'm concerned. And I love all the people who are still there. But it's kind of fun to kind of go, well, that's me. I'm still with CP24.

How fun is that? And one of my clients, I produced a podcast for Dana Levinson. Oh, I love her. She's got a new Capital Direct. Say it with me. CapitalDirect.ca. Oh, my God. She's got a new Capital Direct. Say it with me. CapitalDirect.ca. She's wonderful. And they have sponsored segments on CP24. She's on radio with it. She has a short version of her commercial, a longer version. It plays everywhere. I'm so happy for her that she was there was a departure from ctb news and so she has for her she has come back in such a strong way and i'm so delighted and she looks fabulous well yeah uh yeah she does

and it is nice so so if you if i have cp24 on in the living room i might see my friend ann rohmer or i might see my friend danainson. So it's always nice to see you both here. That's so great. Well, give her my best when you're speaking with her next. Oh, I will. For sure, I will. Yeah, I think she's great. And tell her that she's doing a wonderful job. Really, truly. And she has a hell of a producer, so no surprises.

And the best producer ever. And that producer is about to play your fifth jam. Okay. Let's get some dancing going now. Woo! And that producer is about to play your fifth jam. Okay. Whoa. Oh, yeah. Let's get some dancing going now. Woo.

All right. Get that white man's overbite going. Get up. Get up. Do you remember? Do you remember? Woo. When it first starts tomorrow. Get a... Do you remember?

We're in a big black, uh, cake container right now. Cake! In the key that our souls are singing As we dance in the night Remember how the stars go the night away Hey, hey, hey Party on Send a little bit of Party on Dancing in September Party on

Never was a cloudy day I don't even want to fade this down because it's such a great groove. Isn't it great? Now, where are your sunglasses? I just put mine on. Okay, there we go. Ooh, cool. Now you just need to go here. There's something missing and I can't tell you what it is yet. It might be a fanny pack that's missing. Oh, yeah. I got one upstairs.

Don't ever admit to that, please. I actually heard they're making a comeback in COVID times because people have a mask and they have the sanitizer and the... Yeah. I think you may be right. And I think Dwayne Johnson was sporting one recently. And you don't argue with him. If he's wearing a fanny pack, it's like, okay, that's great. Yes, sir.

Oh, and I know that photo. I'm pretty sure... I think that photo might be from the 80s, though. But maybe he recreated it. But yeah, the rock. It could be. Why not? So why, Anne, why did you choose this groove from Earth, Wind & Fire?

Well, it was the 21st of September. And it was a very good day for me many, many years ago. And I landed a job that I had always wanted and got the news on that day. I think it's the 21st that's in the song. Yes, it is. As opposed to 25th. They sometimes say it, and when I listen to it, I think, did they just say the 25th of September?

But it was the 21st of September and I got my dream job on the 21st of September a few decades ago. Which job was this? Is this the City TV job? What job is this? No, this was CP24. Oh, yes. Okay. And the song had been out for quite a long time. But as soon as I got that word that, you know, I was going to be moving to CP24 full time, which was the best thing that ever

happened to me. I remember that song and I played it and just danced around the room and was so grateful. Oh, love it. By the way, you mentioned John Whaley at the beginning of this program. So I just want to let people know that there's a fantastic 30th, I would say the Breakfast Television 30th anniversary retrospective in which you visited me. So you were sitting, that's in the good old days when I could reach out and touch in which you visited me. So you were sitting, that's in the good old days when I could reach out and touch you there. Touch me. And we called John Whaley.

We got him on the phone, which was amazing, but we also got the honorable David Onley. David Onley was on the phone. Yeah. And Steve Anthony. And David was our newsman. He was our news anchor for Breakfast Television.

It went to air on September the 5th or 6th. Now, I can't quite remember. 31 years ago now. And Steve Anthony, crazy, wild and crazy guy. It's interesting. I had Steve Anthony join me on In Conversation as well as Alan Frew. And my theme for In Convers conversation for that particular show was what our slogan is at the radio station, 80s, 90s, and now. So each of those two men reached

a level of superstardom in the 80s. They worked hard in the 90s. And we talked about what now was for them. So and they were both terrific guests. And we'll talk, spoiler alert, we might talk more about Alan Frew in a few moments, actually. I like him. I like him more now that I know him. Sixth jam for Ann Romer. You say you will love me If I have to go You'll be thinking of me.

Somehow I will know. Someday when I'm lonely, wishing you weren't so far away. Then I will remember things we said today. Things we said today You say you'll be mine, girl Till the end of time These days such a kind girl Seems so hard to find Someday when we're dreaming

Deep in love, not a lot to say Then we will remember The things we said today Me, I'm just the same Oh, my Beatles. Wow. My Beatles. Have you ever heard that song before?

I put that on my list. You you know what i will say you picked a deep cut because i thought i heard all the beatles songs but i wasn't even familiar with things we said today this was on rubber soul and uh it was paul mccartney lead singer on that one but co-written with uh john lennon and again the reason i chose it I had the honor and the privilege of interviewing Paul McCartney. Wow. Wow. Yeah, he was promoting a movie called Give My Regards to Broad Street. So this was a little later.

You know, the Beatles had broken up. Long gone. He was the nicest, most easygoing, respectful interviewee that I've ever run across. I don't know if you realize this, but when you're on a junket, which is what this was, it was a press junket in Los Angeles, the guest stays in the hotel room and the interviewers like myself are brought in, we sit down and then you leave. And he asked me to stay a little longer and we just just chatted and had just a wonderful kind of connection.

And he was everything that I had expected and hoped for and more. Paul McCartney, Sir Paul McCartney. I was in love with him as a younger person. I also love John Lennon, too. But such, so respectable and just so interesting and so kind and that was that's rare when you meet someone who's really nice to you in an interview and after the light goes off that they're still nice to you oh well who's not nice to ann romer i want the i want the names and just send them over elliot gould was not very nice penn and teller were not very nice i mean that's just a

few that as in my career I've ran into people who were just not so nice. Disappointing. You just say, thank you so much. William Shatner, not so nice. Oh, that's disappointing. I know. I'm sorry. It was just with me. Maybe they just didn't like me. That's all. What's their problem? Just yesterday I had

a gentleman named Greg Godovitz on the program. And Greg Godovitz is probably most famous for being the founder and lead singer and bassist for Godo, which was a popular band. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. And he was telling me about attending

a Beatles concert at Maple Leaf Gardens in the 60s. And then I thought, I have a client named Dr. Diane Sachs, who was the environmental commissioner for Ontario. And she just last week, she said she was going through some old like shoebox of memento she had kept, and she found her ticket stub from seeing the Beatles at Maple Leaf Gardens.

I think we were all there. I went with my older sister. So I was, I can't believe my parents let us go. I would have been, so it was 1964, I think, that they played the gardens. And I would have been like a little tiny person six five or six years old at that point my sister three years older but we were dropped off at front doors and we went to the gardens we sat under the no smoking sign which was way up right and honestly they looked like beetles they looked like little ants that's all I heard was screaming I didn't hear

anything they played I couldn't see them. Somebody was sick to her stomach nearby because she was so excited. It was kind of neat. For a six-year-old, it was very cool. That's amazing you were allowed to go and it's awesome you had experience because that's amazing. It would never happen now. No, it wouldn't happen now.

Amazing that you were there and it didn't even matter I suppose that you couldn't see or hear them because you were there. It was the experience even matter, I suppose, that you couldn't see or hear them because you were there. It was the experience. Oh, man. You know, your jams are killer here, Anne. I can't wait to kick out this one. Here we go.

For some reason, I can't hear that. It's a Zoom thing. Oh, there we are. Yeah, it's a Zoom thing. Very good. Got it. Let's go. Are you ready? Are you ready?

Are you ready for this? Are you hanging on the edge of your seat? Out of the doorway It's a bullish rip To the sound of the beat Yeah Another one bites the dust Another one bites the dust

And another one's gone And another one's gone Another one bites the dust Hey, gonna get you too another one bites the dust. Hey, I'm going to get you too. Another one bites the dust. Awesome. I think you and I should sing along. I hear my own voice and I just heard yours.

Freddie Mercury would be rolling in his grave, I'm afraid, if he heard us. Tell me about, I can't wait to hear your story for this one, because then I have a little sidebar story about this Oh, I'd rather hear yours Mine is very simple I knew nothing about Freddie Mercury Until I saw the movie Bohemian Rhapsody And it changed my world

So I'm now one of the biggest fans ever And that's it, that's why I chose it I love, love, love, love his life, his story, his work So mine is the fact, well, two things. One is I believe this song was used in like a Coffee Crisp commercial in the 80s. So I think this is in my memory bank and, you know, copy of a copy of a copy. It could be completely messed up. But I distinctly remember first hearing this song advertising a Coffee Crisp.

I don't remember that, like what I learned is in, as an adult, I feel then I think this is pretty well documented that the, the baseline, which is so groovy and amazing to this song is clearly borrowed. If you will. Is that the nice word for it? Uh,

an homage maybe, uh, or plagiarized. Yeah. Stolen from Nile Rogersgers and Chic with Good Times. So think about Good Times by Chic and play that. Good Times. Do you have that handy that you can bring up?

Well, you know what? That's why I got YouTube here. Okay, good. You're a good time. It'd be interesting to play them at the same time, but I understand what you're saying. Let me play this on YouTube. I'll fade out of the great

song you chose by okay stand by here fade out of that one look at me producing on the fly here okay i love that so can you hear that? Yep. I'll bring it down so we can talk. But basically, if you kind of listen to the opening okay, well, while that's fresh in your mind, here's what I'll do. I will bring her down all the way. And bring back Freddie.

And I'll bring back Freddie. So here's the beginning of Another One Bites the Dust again. Okay. Let me turn it up here. This could be a controversy, you know. Yeah, yeah,

yeah, yeah. I know what you mean now. But you know, it's all good because they're both great jams, of course. And, but man. But aren't you interesting's all good because they're both great jams, of course. But aren't you interesting to have figured that one out?

You're a deep thinker. Well, I recently did a... And a deep listener. I recently did a Nile Rodgers deep dive. By the way, Nile Rodgers did produce one of the seminal albums for Spoons. Gore Depp and the Spoons out of Burlington, Ontario. So there's your CanCon connection for you. I like that. I like that.

I think I only have one Canadian connection in my Choice of 11 songs. You have three. You are going to add that one. You have three. Really? I'm aware of two, so here we go.

Okay. So this actually, in fact, you put them all together. So this will be the last non-Canadian song, is this one. And then we'll do three in a row that are Canadian. So here's your... Perfect. Yeah. I don't know what number we're at because you have 11, but we have this one and three

more. Here we go. Radar Love. Long intro You gotta hit the post I've been driving all night my hands wet on the wheel there's a voice in my head that drives my heel

it's my baby calling says I need you here and it's a half past four and I'm shifting gear When she is lonely and the longing gets too much She sends a cable coming in from above Don't need to fuck at all We've got a thing about some old red-eyed love

We've got a thing about some old red-eyed love. We've got a wave in the air. Red-eyed love. Talk to me, Annie. Oh, boy. Well, my first husband was a downhill racer, Steve Podgorski. Of course. World champion. This was the song that he listened to in the transport car,

taking him to the hill for each and every downhill race. This was the one that inspired him. Wow. That's a fun fact. I love it. Yeah. And I love that song. Even though we're not together any longer,

I still love his choice of song. I think that's great. And it inspires me as well so i love it uh yeah you know you you're you're you mentioned off the top you're not i think you said you weren't particularly romantic but i because but i think you might be because i feel like you might be and again i'm not uh your therapist and i'm not your i don't have a therapist maybe i should you might be. You might be like a serial monogamist, like a true romantic who, you know, who seeks these flames and is in love with this,

with being in love. No? No, not at all. Not at all. Okay. I got married three times because I thought it was the right thing to do. Each time I grew tired of my partner and I,

I left, we didn't have children. So it made it a little bit easier, but I have commitment issues. Well, I can't judge that I'm on marriage number two myself. So, yeah, well, but you're doing really well with this marriage. So, oh yeah, no, I, I'm yeah. My goal is to not have a marriage number three. That's the goal here. Very good. And my goal is to not have a marriage number four. And so that's never going to happen again. This song, if you ever listen to any classic rock radio,

they like this song when they're introducing the traffic reports. Right, yes. Because it's got this nice long intro and they can use it. I've heard that too. Isn't that funny? I'm trying to think. There are certain songs you hear in traffic reports. This is definitely one because it's Radar Love.

And then Jimi Hendrix has a song called, I think it's called Crosstown Traffic or something like that. That one I don't know. But yeah, I guess they dig deep to find these songs. And most people recognize them, even if they weren't born in that particular decade. Love it. Okay, great job here

that golden earring so and by the way i said there's three jams left and they're all canadian but really the second of these three will be a debate on what is canadian because i consider this canadian but you might think maybe this is scottish but we will have a debate about whether i think it's a qualifies okay so let's don't tell me which one it is. So three more to go. This one's definitely Canadian. No one will argue with me on that one. Here we go. She's come undone.

She's come undone. She didn't know what she was headed for. And when I found what she was headed for It was too late She's come undone She found a mountain that was far too high And when she found out she couldn't fly It was too late It's too late

She's gone too far She's lost the sun She's come undone She wanted truth but all she got was lies Came the time to realize And it was too late She's come undone. She didn't know what she was headed for. And when I found what she was headed for. Mama, it was too late.

I think I heard you add a little chorus in there that wasn't actually there. I tend to do that, yes. I know. I told you we shouldn't be singing. And I do realize that the past few songs, every once in a while, I sing the wrong lyric. I miss a word, you know? It's all fine, man. It's all good.

Whatever. Anyway, love that song, Burton Cummings. Love it, love it. And here's why. Anyway, love that song, Burton Cummings. Love it, love it. And here's why. When I accepted the job at City Pulse to be the weekend sports anchor,

I didn't know what I was headed for. And I did come undone. It was one of the hardest three years of my life. And so I sort of glommed on to that song. And it just sort of helped me get through so is that because it was a male dominated space yes and also i wasn't the right person for the job i didn't have a good background in professional sports i certainly had it when it came to amateur sports i was a figure skater i'd'd been married to a downhill racer. I played tennis.

You know, I knew all of those, but I didn't know the intricacies of NFL, CFL football, NHL hockey. So I was, I came undone. I became unglued and hopefully it wasn't noticeable on air, but my quiet life, my private life, it was in tatters because of of that job and i just tried so hard thankfully breakfast television came along and i was offered that job uh in 1989 i guess or in 89 and that changed my life and and all for the better thank goodness

so i didn't need to sing. She's come undone any longer. Well, if it's any consolation, the viewers like myself were unaware that you were coming undone. Oh, good. I'm glad. But I really was. I was very, very, I was just, I was stuck. I just didn't know how to proceed. And I just, I was so awful, but that which doesn't kill you only makes you better. And I'm so glad in 1989, that breakfast television came to rescue you. That's fantastic. And it did, it really did. It just lifted every part of me and I loved it so much. I was honored to have been the host for more than a decade and loved every minute of it. So my life became done as opposed to undone.

Peter Sherman says hello to you. Oh, hi, Peter. Peter's been on the program as well. We had a great chat. He's done so many different things, you know, from politics to radio to you name it. He's a very interesting guy to chat with. I love that. I think that people who do many different things are incredible.

They're brave. They're intelligent. And good for him. So hi, Peter. Hi, Peter. Before we kick out the penultimate jam, fun fact, Anne, and I think this might even surprise you. What do you think is the official technical title of that Guess Who song we just played?

Well, I thought it was She's Come Undone, but obviously I'm wrong. So tell me, tell me, Mike. Well, I'm glad you asked. So the song is actually called Undone and they spell Undone, U-N-D-U-N. So that is the official. U-N-D-U-N? Right. Which is, of of course normally we would spell it u n d o n e but it's uh they spell it any particular reason you know i don't have any uh further information just that that is the official title of that song undone u n d u n now the penultimate jam and uh hopefully we hear more about your conversation with this uh scottish canadian fellow but let's kick out. Love him.

Let's kick it out. Here we go. Oh, yeah. You take my breath away Oh, love Things it takes to stay Oh, there's still so much It's a huge, huge day. Bye. Bye. Bye. If you could see what I see Broken hearts and broken dreams Then I wake up and you're not there He finds me everywhere

Oh, but you don't care Don't forget me when I'm gone My heart would break I have loved you for so long it's all I can say Woo! Woo! Oh!

You know what? This is your most modern jam of the 11 is this one. I know. It came out in 1986 as part of an album

The Thin Red Line Glass Tiger frontman Alan Frew 11 is this one i know it came out in 1986 as part of an album the thin red line glass tiger frontman alan fru and he it was so cute to see the official official video you know he's wearing like a baggy shirt and baggy pants and he's got his don johnson kind of sleeves rolled up halfway miami vice right it was it was great the other song of his, and I quite like it, Someday, I looked at the video of that, the official video, and he was wearing a sort of pink-purple beret with a jewel on the front. Who does that?

But I guess you did in 1986. So do you want to hear a little Bryan Adams? Yes, sure. Okay, listen closely. Okay. Oh, yes. Yes, listen closely. Okay. Yes. Yes, I know that story. Yes.

Yes, of course. So tell us about how was the conversation with Alan Frew in conversation with? Let's first explain the Brian Adams connection. Oh, sure. Yes, please. His voice is so recognizable, and many people don't know that he had a part of that song. So you have that story because that's a, that's the Jim, Jim Valiance, right? Isn't that the, uh, the Brian Adams cohort? Uh,

you correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he co-write this song or Jim Valance? That I don't know. Okay. Okay. Tell me your story. All I know is that, that, uh, you could hear Brian Adams in the background of that song. Absolutely. And it's fantastic. Absolutely. I love that.

And, you know, is there a bigger, well, there might be because we might play him next. But really, is there a better, a bigger Canadian star on the planet? Although today it's probably Drake, to be quite frank. I guess, yeah. You know what? I love Drake. I think he was a great little actor when he was on, what was the name of the show?

Degrassi, The Next Generation. Degrassi. He was terrific. He is a great ambassador for music when it comes to anything Canadian. I just can't remember his songs. So maybe it's a generational thing for me. Sure. But when I hear it, I think, oh, that's great.

But then I can't sing it to somebody later. It just doesn't gel with me at this stage in my life. So Anne, do you consider Glass Tiger, as I do, do you consider them to be a Canadian band? Yes, I do. as I do, do you consider them to be a Canadian band? Yes, I do. And I guess it's because they, as far as I know,

they recorded in the greater Toronto area. I think that some of the other band members, they may be from Scotland originally, as was Alan Frew, but I think they're Canadian. Yeah, I think they're Canadian. I know they definitely are. Like if you talk about CanCon requirements, they're Canadian. And they're a new market band.

So this is a new market band. And Alan is a proud, oh yes, of course, he's proud of his Scottish heritage. And he loves his, I don't even know the answer. He's a big fan of one of the soccer teams over there. We didn't get into that. But he did mention in the interview that we did that he loved the fact that there were two women doing the play-by-play for the soccer game that he had watched recently. I think that's great.

And Newmarket is in New York region, which is where we broadcast here at 105.9 The Region. Get that plug in. It all comes full circle. And Glass Tiger, great band, and that's their biggest hit. And it's great to hear some Brian Adams in the in the background there awesome that's a great penultimate jam and uh i if somebody like listening to us now wants to hear you speaking with alan fru would you

because there's somewhere you could direct them or am i putting on the spot there no not at all go to our website 1059theregion.com and on the homepage, there are a list of suggestions and you go to schedules and you pull down the tab and it says podcasts. You go to podcasts and it's called In Conversation. And you can find the Alan Fruit interview in conversation. It was a couple of weeks ago. Maybe it was about a month ago, but you can hear the podcast by going to our website, 1059theregion.com. Awesome. And are you ready for your final jam, Anne? Yes. And I can't remember what it is. Can you give me a hint? No, but when you hear it, you'll remember who you're going to dedicate it to in the story

you're going to tell, because I have that intelligence here. Here we go. You made me cry. Oh, man, look at my life. I'm a lot like you were. Oh man, look at my life, I'm a lot like you were. Thank you. Love lost such a cost Give me things that don't get lost Like a coin that won't get tossed Rolling home to you Oh man, take a look at my life

I'm a lot like you I need someone to love me the whole day through I want to look in my eyes And you can tell that's true I'm in tears, and I really am, like. I'm an ugly crier, too. It's a safe space, Anne. I know it is.

Let that out. You know, that song, I dedicate it to my father, General Richard Romer. He is alive, and he is well, and he's wonderful. He's 97. You're making me cry, Anne. Anyway, I always think of my dad when I hear that song and I haven't been able to hug him for a year, which is really hard, but we stay in very close proximity. He's in Collingwood, and he doesn't know that this song is for him, but I will play it for him.

So are you okay? You know what? Honestly, I just feel what you're feeling. I know. And it's very powerful, to be honest. Yeah. It's a beautiful song. Neil Young is one of our treasures,

and so is my father. I was going to say, so the general is healthy? Yes, he is very healthy. He is 97. When my mom passed away a year ago, he said to me, I don't want to live in a place full of old people. I had put them into a lovely seniors residence in Collingwood. He said, I want out.

So I found him a great rental right on the water, fully independent. I adopted a now 12-year-old Yorkie Poo for him named Charlie with one tooth in his head. The two of them are very happy together. And he's doing well. We're waiting for the vaccination. I think he's one of the oldest people in Collingwood. And he should be getting a shot in the arm real soon. I want an update when you get that,

when you get that next hub hug with your father. Oh, I can't wait. He is a wonderful man and he's my guiding light. My mother was the center of my universe, but my father is my guiding light. And that song brings me to tears every single time I hear it, but I love it. Beautiful song.

Neil Young is a national treasure, and so are you, Anne, by the way. I know your dad is, but you are as well. Honestly, this was amazing, and I'm so glad you did this with me. I am so happy that you asked, Mike. Thank you so much. I think that you and I are even better friends now for this, so thank you. I'm counting the days till that IKEA visit. Oh, yeah, I can't wait. I know it'll be just great. You are wonderful. And I hope that we

see each other again very soon and continued success. You're just a, you're a dream come true. And, and I don't think we felt that way about each other when we, before we first met, but we do feel that way about each other now. Well, right back at you, babe. And that brings us to the end of our 810th show. Oh, wow. You can follow me. I'm on Twitter. I'm at Toronto Mike.

Anne's not on Twitter, but you can, of course, find her at 105.9 The Region. That is where she's got a couple of shows, it sounds like. So good for you, Anne. That's great. It The Region. That is where she's got a couple of shows, it sounds like. So good for you, Anne. That's great. It's fantastic. Our friends at Great Lakes Brewery are at Great Lakes Beer. Palma Pasta is at Palma Pasta. Sticker U is at Sticker U.

CDN Technologies are at CDN Technologies. Ridley Funeral Home, they're at Ridley FH. And Mimico Mike, he's not on Twitter, but he's on Instagram at Majeski Group Homes. See you all next week. This podcast has been produced by TMDS and accelerated by Roam Phone. Roam Phone brings you the most reliable virtual phone service to run your business and protect your home number from unwanted calls. Visit RoamPhone.ca to get started.