Regina February/March
2014 | Issue 12
BEHIND THE MIC
MEET SOME OF REGINA’S FAVOURITE RADIO PERSONALITIES
A King in the Queen City:
A LOOK AT HIGH IMPACT WRESTLING
7 TWEEPS
IssueWorth 12 | February/March 2014 Following
8 CONCERTS
9 NEW MOVIES
City Slicker Magazine You Don’t CitySlicker.ca Want To Miss @CitySlickerMag
CitySlickerMag You Gotta See
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Issue 12 | February/March 2014
Issue 12 | February/March 2014
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PUBLISHER
Jaco van Heerden
----------------------------------ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
CONTENTS Issue 12 : February/March 2014
Sales@CitySlicker.ca
----------------------------------COPY-EDITORS
Bryce Aubert, Gary Hugie
----------------------------------DESIGN & LAYOUT
Brianna Coffin
----------------------------------COVER PHOTO
Cydney Toth
----------------------------------Follow us on Twitter (@CitySlickerMag)
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Sections -----------------------------------
05 Tweeps & Top 5 06 Music 12 Movies 19 Cover Story 28 Feature Story
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Featured
Writers ----------------------------------Dan Nicholls @dannicholls Music, Movies
Bryce Aubert @BryceAubert Music, Editorial
JJ Elliott @JJ_Ramone Music, Movies
Ali Thompson @AliLaurenCS Music, Movies
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Top 5
Follow
7 Tweeps
OSCAR RACES
You should follow on Twitter
TO WATCH
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Jolene Caswell @JoleneCaswell
Jolene is an avid dog lover, loving wife, yoga enthusiast, and a blast to follow on Twitter. With Awards Season about to explode expect to be checking your account often.
District Brewing Co. @DistrictBrewing
Having recently released their first brew Müs Knuckle, District Brewing has their lager everywhere. These guys are locally owned and operated and even offer tours. We could drink this all day, but then we’d have to publish annually.
Dessart Sweets @DessartSweets
My trainer at the gym loves that I follow them because every time they post about a new candy or ice cream flavor I have to buy more sessions. A proud member of the 13th Ave. community, they even carry A&W Root Beer Hubba Bubba. *swoon*
Laura Sperlie @lsperlie
The better half of Devan, Laura often tweets about travel, music, and living with a 5 foot tall Adonis. She also is apparently a fan of the Oilers, so there’s that too.
Understand Us @UnderstandUs1
Local mental health initiatives to help those struggling and help provide a voice for a younger generation. Mental illness doesn’t deserve the negative connotation associated with it, and the people behind the project are working to change that.
Eric Moser @mosereric
He tweets about The Simpsons, sports, higher education, and pretty much anything else you could think of. A seemingly well-rounded dude who is so punctual he even notes it on his Twitter bio.
LB Distillers Inc. @luckybastardSK
A micro distillery based in Saskatoon, LB Distillers really are lucky bastards… they get to craft and fine-tune alcohol. They presently offer Gin, Vodka, are aging their first runs of Whisky, and are soon to release a new line of Rum. Feel free to send us some samples. —Bryce Aubert
Battle lines are being drawn in Hollywood as campaigning for the 86th Academy Awards is in full swing. Here are the top categories to keep a close eye on when the envelopes are opened and the gold is handed out on March 2nd.
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Best Animated Film With Pixar seemingly taking the year off, the Oscars’ newest category is up for grabs. Will the smash hit musical Frozen bring home the kudos, or will the Minions from Despicable Me 2 charm their way into voters’ hearts? Maybe the Academy will award artistry over blockbuster status and hand the prize to master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki for The Wind Rises.
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Best Actor It’s McConaughey versus DiCaprio this year; Matthew’s got the heat for Dallas Buyers Club but Leo’s gutsy performance in The Wolf of Wall Street has some real edge to it. Just don’t be surprised if Chiwetel Ejiofor’s name is called – although it would be far more enjoyable to see Bruce Dern put on his “Prize Winner” hat from Nebraska and upstage all the young guns.
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Best Picture The evening’s biggest category may boast nine nominees but it’s a three-way race between American Hustle, Gravity and 12 Years a Slave for the top prize. Any one of the other nominated films could pull off a surprise win, but there’s going to be an air of disappointment in the room regardless of which picture is crowned king.
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Best Supporting Actress The performances range from hilarious (Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle) to heartwarming (June Squibb in Nebraska) to heartbreaking (newcomer Lupita Nyong’o in 12 Years a Slave). Here’s hoping Oprah, snubbed for her turn in Lee Daniels’ The Butler, marches up to the podium regardless of whose name is in that envelope.
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Who Wore It Best? One of the most enjoyable parts of Oscar night is watching the red carpet arrivals of Tinseltown’s biggest stars, where necklines plunge and celebrity fashion deathmatches are born. It’s sort of a bonus category for the starstruck viewers at home - Average Joes who know little about movies also get to pretend like they know a thing or two about style. —DAN NICHOLLS
Music
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anadian country music artist Brett Kissel is teaming up with the duo, One More Girl for a road trip they’ve titled, The Young Guns Tour.
23-year-old, Alberta born, Kissel is on the fast track to success. After Canadian Country Music Association Nominations, numerous shows, and much exposure from his two independent albums and the September release of major label album through Warner Music Canada, Started with a Kiss, is quickly becoming a household name. His warm country songs about real-life experience are winning the hearts of fans across the country and beyond.
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On the other side of this tour are sisters Britt and Carly McKillip joining Kissel from the West Coast. Their current single, “Love Like Mine” has gained much popularity, preparing their followers for their new album which is set to be released before they head out on tour. With a passion to create a sound, uniquely theirs, this duo claims they have ‘become their own genre’.
Country music fans if you’re looking for a show to ease the wait until this summer’s Craven Country Jamboree, this is a night you will want tickets for. —Ali Thompson
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RSO: THE OSCARS February 15th - Conexus Arts Centre
Dean Brody February 14th - Mosaic Place (MJ)
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anadian country crooner Dean Brody burst onto the scene in 2009 on the strength of his massively successful debut single “Brothers.” Not only did this song dominate Canadian country radio but it also made a huge splash in the elusive American market. Since bursting out of the gates, Brody has kept the iron hot by releasing hit after hit after hit, racking up a whopping seven Canadian Country Music Association awards.
When Brody hits the stage at Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw during a stop on his Crop Circles & Tractor Beams Tour, fans can expect a healthy mix of fun tunes like “Canadian Girls” and tearjerkers like “Wildflower,” as well as the murder ballad “Bounty” from his recent album Crop Circles. —JJ Elliott
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he Regina Symphony Orchestra is tuning up for one of its most popular annual traditions: The Oscars (part of the Shumiatcher Pops series) combines classic and contemporary film scores into an unforgettable evening celebrating the music of the movies, with this year’s installment scheduled for February 15th. Maestro Victor Sawa, a self-proclaimed movie buff, shares his love of film in anecdotes presented between each stirring piece. There will be a mix of themes the whole family can hum and equally impressive dramatic pieces that will swell within your spirit as the music fills the Conexus Arts Centre.
If you find yourself humming the theme to Star Wars on a regular basis, or if you just love the power of music in general, The Oscars will be a definite highlight of February’s live events scene in Regina. Tickets are still available at the Conexus Arts Centre box office and online at ReginaSymphony.com. —DAN NICHOLLS
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An Evening with
Zakk Wylde February 21st - The Exchange, Regina
W A Tribe Called Red February 18th – The Exchange, Regina ----------------------------------------------------------------------
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he chanting and drumming of First Nations music meets hip hop, reggae and a bit of dubstep when A Tribe Called Red takes the stage at The Exchange on February 18th. The group, comprised of three DJs from Ottawa, has been making waves across the Canadian music scene with their unique blend of traditional aboriginal sounds and modern electronic music; A Tribe Called Red’s second LP, Nation II Nation, was shortlisted as one of the ten albums in the running for last year’s Polaris Music Prize and they’ve been booking live performances from coast to coast. It’s a show guaranteed to heat up a cold winter’s night, and advance tickets are available for only $15 through the Globe Theatre box office. —DAN NICHOLLS
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hen it comes to music fans, metalheads can be as rabidly passionate about their favourite bands as you can get. This is certainly the case with Zakk Wylde. After gaining legions of fans from his longtime stint as the guitar slinger extraordinaire for Ozzy Osbourne, Wylde ventured out on his own to front Black Label Society, cementing his own spot in the upper echelon of Heavy Metal Gods. I don’t think there is such a thing as a casual Zakk fan. Zakk fans are pretty hardcore, making Black Label Society perhaps the biggest cult band out there today. There’s a reason the names Zakk and Zachary have become popular baby names this past decade, and I doubt it’s because of Saved By The Bell.
While Black Label Society shows tend to be a wee bit loud and raucous, Zakk Wylde will be toning things down quite a few notches for an intimate acoustic show at The Exchange. Fans will get to see their hero up close and personal performing stripped down versions of Black Label Society songs, as well as selections from his Pride & Joy Days. Who knows, he may even throw in an Ozzy tune or two. —JJ Elliott
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FOR BAND/ARTIST SUBMISSION DETAILS VISIT THEWOLFROCKS.COM
Matt Webb February 21st - O’Hanlons, Regina
March 16th – The Exchange, Regina
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ith multiple tours, performances, and the release of their album The Zodiac Single, The Fortunate Isles have been busy over the last year. They have played the Rifflandia Music Festival in Victoria, BC and had multiple songs broadcast across the local air waves, and now they are planning an upcoming show for a hometown crowd. With the mentality that everyone in the crowd should be up and dancing, The Fortune Isles plans to woo the crowd with their rowdy mix of disco-inspired indie rock tunes. With Steph Tewksbury up front, commanding attention with her powerful vocals and an incredibly talented trio, Jeremy Putz, Steve McNeil, and Donny Reddekop forming every electric beat they won’t settle for anything short of the entire crowd up and moving to their unique sound. —Ali Thompson
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ailing from Vancouver, (better known for his Marianas Trench) will the Queen City this Canadian tour.
pop artist Matt Webb role as guitarist with be making a stop in March while on his
Touring solo this time around, Webb will be promoting his new EP Right Direction which is set to release in early February. While his sound still holds familiar pop notes, as can be found throughout Marianas Trench, he has also tried his hand at a few different sounds in his solo work. On his official Facebook page Webb notes that he has learned that less is more and that he kept this album simple, striving for a “really organic feel.” For the die-hard Marianas Trench fans, don’t worry, he’s still with the band, he’s just an active musician with a passion to be constantly creating. —Ali Thompson
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March 17th - The Exchange, Regina
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here has been a noticeable lack of improper dancing in the Queen City this winter. But fear not. The Dance Commander himself, Dick Valentine, along with his bandmates in Electric Six, will own the night and start a nuclear war at The Exchange. It’ll be the perfect way to shake off the winter doldrums, exorcise those electric demons and get into the jam as Electric Six show how they are one of the best live bands in the land. It has been scientifically proven that it is physically impossible to not have fun at an Electric Six show. With classics like “Gay Bar” and “Danger! High Voltage!” these Detroit rockers are guaranteed to put on a show you will never forget. —JJ Elliott
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Movies
The
Monuments Men In theatres February 7th -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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eorge Clooney, the patron saint of modern-day Hollywood, returns to cinemas both in front of and behind the camera with The Monuments Men, a historical WWII drama inspired by actual events.
Clooney stars as George Stout, the commander of a group of art experts sent behind enemy lines to secretly steal priceless paintings and sculptures before Hitler’s men have the chance to destroy them. This art brigade is comprised of a motley crew of characters played by the likes of Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman and Bob Balaban. They’re sort of like the heroes of Inglourious Basterds but with paintbrushes instead of Nazi-scalping blades.
A class-act fellow regardless of his involvement with any project, Clooney appears to have crafted a film that’s as light on its feet as it is heavy with subject matter and setting. Enlisting some of his famous friends to help brighten up the marquee value of a potentially tough sell is a smart move – who wouldn’t want to see a bunch of cool actors fighting Nazis and saving the day? —DAN NICHOLLS
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The Lego Movie In theatres February 7th
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be one of those rare winter movies that could appeal to kids as well as older members of the family. The filmmaking duo of Phil Lord and Chris Miller adds an air of unpredictability to the movie thanks to an eclectic list of credits that includes both Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and the very R-rated 21 Jump Street.
ill Ferrell, Morgan Freeman, and Liam Neeson are just a few of the big names lending their voices to The Lego Movie (February 7th). The title sort of says it all with this one, but it might turn out to
—DAN NICHOLLS
Welcome To The Jungle In theatres February 7th ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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ou’re in the jungle baby, and you’re gonna diiiiiiiiirect Jean-Claude Van Damme and Adam Brody in a comedy that looks like it’s a knock-off of Tropic Thunder? This premise has potential for the basis of another amusing Go Daddy commercial, but it might be a stretch to make this a full-length feature film.
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On paper, and judging by the trailer, Welcome to the Jungle doesn’t have a whole lot of potential, but Kristen Schaal of Flight of the Conchords fame might be able to salvage the day and steal enough scenes to make it worth a few laughs. —JJ Elliott
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3 DAYS TO KILL
Robocop In theatres February 12th
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ust when you thought Hollywood was done rebooting films, here comes a remake of RoboCop. However, with the city of Detroit going bankrupt and the advent of drones this interpretation of the 1987 classic is actually fairly topical. With a cast that includes Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, and Samuel L. Jackson, director José Padilha has an abundance of acting talent at his dispersal along with state-of-the-art CGI to recreate this dystopian story.
In theatres February 21st
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Days to Kill (opening February 21st) could have been written with Liam Neeson in mind: An aging Secret Service agent (Kevin Costner) is diagnosed with a fatal and rare disease but is baited back into action for one more mission with the promise of an experimental cure for the disease and a ticket to a peaceful retirement in exchange for three more days of his services. Being that the script comes courtesy of Luc Besson (writer of Taken) it wouldn’t be unwarranted to assume that the movie could be little more than a reheated, generic action thriller. But having Costner back in leading man mode (as part of his major career comeback) adds a layer of hope to the proceedings.
If the first trailers are any indication it looks like RoboCop will be one of the early highlights of 2014. I know for a fact that most guys in my age demographic will be chomping at the bit to see this ultimate popcorn flick.
—DAN NICHOLLS
—JJ Elliott
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The Grand
Budapest Hotel In theatres March 7th
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eloved indie filmmaker Wes Anderson has assembled an all-star roster for his latest comedy, The Grand Budapest Hotel (opening March 7th). Anderson has lined up some of his favorite actors (including Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, and Owen Wilson) alongside a host of fresh faces (including Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, and Tom Wilkinson). The film boasts stars that can’t be beat and is hitting screens following one of the director’s biggest successes to date, the art house hit Moonrise Kingdom; to say that fans of Anderson’s work should be excited for this one would be an understatement, but newcomers to the director’s filmography will be comfortably guided by the colorful ensemble cast. The Grand Budapest Hotel concerns a prized painting awarded to the concierge of a luxury hotel and the list of unique characters that will stop at nothing to claim the art for themselves. The story spans several decades and points of view, articulated visually through the use of distinct aspect ratios. Anderson’s signature idiosyncratic style is on full display throughout the trailer for the film, which hints at a tone that will land somewhere between the seriocomic storybook style of The Royal Tenenbaums and the gleefully madcap comedy of Fantastic Mr. Fox.—DAN NICHOLLS
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In theatres March 21st
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ars von Trier wrote and directed this film, resulting in a beautiful blend of cinema and poetry. His style is distinctive and unmistakable, even in the short trailers. And, while the subject matter is far from ‘family friendly’ it’s a film you won’t want to miss.
Bad Words In theatres March 21st --------------------------------------------------------------------
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s the title suggests, this comedy starring Jason Bateman is filled with, bad words. Bateman is holding down the director’s chair on this film as well as playing the role of a vulgar jerk with a vengeance to corrupt an elementary school spelling bee. His desire to win the competition against children less than half his age does not come without a series of seemingly inappropriate adventures. If the un censored trailer is any indication, this one is sure to be bursting with politically incorrect conversations and offensive one-liners. —Ali Thompson
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Nymphomaniac is an erotic drama that is being presented to the viewing public in two volumes. Charlotte Gainsbourg plays Joe, a self-diagnosed nymphomaniac who recounts her entire life through her sexual experiences to a man who found her lying in an alley after being beaten. She recites her erotic experiences to him, in explicit detail, one chapter at a time.
Shia LaBeouf, plays Jerome, a young love interest in one of the eight racy chapters. One of the stories circulating the web notes that the first request LaBeouf received from the production team was for a photograph of himself, below the belt. Proving he was ready to take on this risqué film, LaBeouf complied. However, it is noted that body doubles were hired for the movie’s more explicit shots.
The script is poetic and the cinematography inspiring. It’s a dark artistic tale that is sure to stand out against its competitors at the box office and talked about well past its North American theatre debut. —Ali Thompson
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Noah
In theatres March 28th
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fter making a string of critically acclaimed indie movies like Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler and Black Swan, writer/director Darren Aronofsky has his first shot at a big budget cinematic epic with Noah. This interpretation of the biblical tale stars Russell Crowe as Noah who, after believing he has received visions from God, sets forth to build
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a massive ark to save his family and representatives from the animal kingdom from an impending apocalyptic flood. With a topnotch supporting cast in Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson and Jennifer Connelly, as well as a topic that is sure to generate controversy from both creationists and atheists alike, Aronofsky has created a film that is guaranteed to get people talking. —JJ Elliott
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Feature
BEHIND THE MICROPHONE
You know them as the voices on your radio dial, but unlike their counterparts on television many radio announcers remain faceless to the average listener. It’s a long way to the top, yet the following seven radio personalities are among the best in the business. For that reason, City Slicker takes you behind the microphone.
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EVAN BARAN 104.9 The Wolf
BY: Bryce Aubert
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orking the afternoon drive slot at Regina’s Rock Station 104.9 The Wolf, Evan Baran has worked his way up the broadcasting ranks in the Queen City to become one of the best known radio personalities in the community “I really never thought about being in radio growing up until I heard an ad on Z99 while driving down the highway. They said they were looking for a roadie, so I applied back in 2001 when I was 18 and I’ve been in radio ever since. As I look back, I just kind of fell into the business.” Baran, who began working at The Wolf in 2005 shortly after finishing broadcast school in Edmonton, was asked by the station’s parent company, Harvard Communications, to help launch their new Calgary station X92.9 on January 1, 2007. While many in radio strive to work in the biggest markets, the young announcer felt something was missing at his new gig, despite the station’s success.
“Once I was there, working until midnight, and late on weekends, I realized that although I loved my job I didn’t have much of a personal life because everyone I knew was in bed by the time I got off work. Working weekends can really wear on someone unless they’re doing something they really want to do but given the choice it was not something I wanted to do anymore.” Given the opportunity to take over the afternoon drive slot at The Wolf, Baran jumped at the opportunity to move home. Since his return, he’s built a following with a sometimes absurd outlook on things.
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“I’m just me,” he admits. “I like to talk about the stupid things that pop into my mind; I also love talking about new music, the history of music, and anything else that interests me. How I am on the radio really reflects who I am. I stumble over my words lots and I’ll often stammer on while trying to have fun. I think that’s what people can appreciate about my show is that I am a real person.” Now married with two young children, the radio jock who people often joke looks like a shorter, chubbier Dave Grohl is no longer the crazy party animal who was once seen regularly at Regina’s various nightclubs Not that you’d hear Baran complain. “There’s really nothing that stands up there with getting married to my beautiful wife and the birth of our two kids. I always said I’d never get married and I’d never have kids and now that I have both I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s an amazing feeling.” As one of the creators and producers of The Wolf’s rock band competition, Queen City Rocks, the quick-witted radio jock has shown an affinity for helping local acts get on the airwaves, often championing them whenever possible. Baran also pushed the Wolf to get behind Hamilton-based rock group Monster Truck long before they were earning regular spins at other stations, let alone winning 2013 JUNO award for Breakthrough Group of the Year. It’s all part of the gig in the eyes of the 31-year old announcer who calls his weekday 3-7 PM show “The Baran Wasteland.” “People get into radio because they don’t want to work a regular job. One thing you learn in broadcasting school is that radio is
a lifestyle, and it is. You go out and you’re living the music. You’re seeing shows all the time and living the lifestyle.” “People listening to radio get to know you. They’re at work or in their car listening sometimes for a couple hours a day. You hope people take some of the things I say on air with a grain of salt but sometimes people take the things I say quite literally. My humor is very dry and very sarcastic and sometimes that doesn’t come across well over the air.” “I love Regina,” he continues. “Although I’m originally from Wolseley, Regina is essentially home for me. It’s a small town in a big city in that everyone knows everybody, which can also be a detriment at times, but gives you a sense of community. I love going to Roughriders games and Pats games but it’s also great to be able to take the family and enjoy a day at Wascana Park.” “There are so many great local shops – X-Ray Records being one of my favorites – and great restaurants here too. With the kids being so young right now we’re doing a lot of things like introducing them to swimming, gymnastics, and stuff like that.” “I’ve made so many new friends from the shows I’ve gone to and having listeners coming up and introducing themselves. I really have a great job.”
CC, LORIE, & BUZZ Z99
BY: Ali Thompson
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ith a union longer than the average marriage, CC, Lorie, and Buzz of Z99’s The Morning Show say it’s good chemistry and the ability to have a lot of fun together that has allowed them to stand the test of time. “It’s nice to actually like the people you work with” Lorie commented. And it’s a good thing they do, because over twenty years of early mornings together would be far from desirable alongside anyone short of a genuine friend.
The trio wouldn’t commit to each playing a distinct role, but instead said they play off of each other. Through laughter, they complete each other’s sentences and feed off of each other’s jokes. Insisting they don’t pretend to be anything they aren’t, “We’re just real people in the real world,” CC said. “What you hear is what you get. For better or worse.”
They host numerous contests and events throughout the year, but are most proud of their involvement with Z99’s Radiothon. Last year their efforts raised a record breaking $700,000 for Regina’s Neonatal Intensive Care unit. It’s an event they look forward to each year and it’s quite apparent that it is something they hold near and dear to their hearts.
Looking forward, they plan to stay put, right where they are. “Well, as long as they’ll have us,” Lorie joked. “We have a lot of energy, enthusiasm, we’ve made Regina our home, and the raging masses seem to be ok with us,” CC added. They have raised their families, grown their roots, and are proud to call Z99 and Regina, home.
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fter moving to Regina from Brandon, Manitoba, Big Dog’s Heather Prosak said it didn’t take long before the Queen City felt like home. She knew it was ‘official’ though, once she was the proud owner of her first Roughriders jersey. Admittedly, she was initially shocked by the passion of the Rider fans, specifically at the preseason games. But, she fell in love with the spirit of the city and made it her home.
When asked how she came to a life of broadcasting her voice across the airwaves, Prosak said it was, in a large part, her mother’s doing. “She was my career counselor.” Her mother recognized she had shed her adolescent shy shell and found a passion in music. “You put these things together and you end up with radio. If it doesn’t work out, (I) could always try something else. But, fourteen years later, it’s still going really well.”
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It is a rare occurrence in a radio personality’s career when they are able to say they participated in the birth of a new station, but Heather can claim just that. She has been co-hosting Big Dog’s morning show since its inception in March of 2008.
Throughout her time at Big Dog she has had some exceptional experiences, but the highlight on that list was breaking ground in 2013 with Habitat for Humanity Regina and becoming the first Regina radio station to build a home for a local family in need. The process has begun and they plan to finish the build in 2014. Big Dog plans to get their listeners involved and will even invite them to join in the construction.
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Many big concerts, events, new team members, and exciting projects are in the works for the upcoming year, and Prosak is eagerly welcoming the whirlwind that 2014 will bring.
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HEATHER PROSAK Big Dog 92.7
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GLORIA EVANS 620 CKRM
BY: Bryce Aubert
Much like the Hank Snow country song popularized by Johnny Cash, 620 CKRM’s Gloria Evans has been everywhere, man.
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o-host of the popular morning show The Morning Run with Lewis & Evans and the long-running Internationally Famous Flea Market, Evans is hitting her stride at Saskatchewan’s top radio station on the AM dial nearly 30 years after her start behind the mic. Waiting to get into her preferred broadcasting school in Alberta, the effervescent media personality found an alternative introduction to the industry in 1986.
“I was older than most people that started because I wanted to go to Calgary to SAIT,” she explains, “but they only accepted so many people, and most were Albertans so they didn’t take many folks from other provinces. I bided my time and took a course through community college in Regina with a guy who was working for 620 CKCK on Park Street in the Leader Post building.” “He was working at their FM station, and he thought I had a great voice for radio. He said he was planning on putting together a school in Regina and wanted me to consider taking a course at it. I kept that in mind and I ended up being in his second three-month class.” Shortly after completing the course, Evans accepted a job at CKCK. Little did she know that over the next 25 years she would work at various stations in Alberta before returning home three years ago. Leaving CKCK in the early 1990s, Evans worked in High River, Alberta for a few years before accepting a job in Lethbridge. After a year in Lethbridge and another handful in Red Deer, Evans felt the time was right to return home to Regina. “I came home so I could be closer to family and I wouldn’t have to drive so far to go to Roughrider games. The job was interesting to me because CKRM being the voice of the Saskatchewan Roughriders I figured it would be a great tie in to my passion for the team.
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Evans, a longtime Saskatchewan Roughriders and Regina Pats fan counts herself as an early member of the KISS Army and Cheap Trick’s fan club The Dream Police. She also admits to a phase collecting anything and everything with polar bears on it. She jokes that she has hoarding tendencies, which she attributes to genetics. “I’m lucky enough to have a sibling who has kept scrapbooks [about the Roughriders] from back in the 1970s and my mom is pretty good at hanging onto clippings too. We’ve even found clippings from the Leader Post in 1952 when Glenn Dobbs was the coach.”
“The listening audience has been terrific and there’s lots of great things that are coming but everyone has to be on the same page and open to new things. I think CKRM has grown a lot over the last couple years and people have seen a change. For a lot of people it’s been the station that their grandparents and parents listened to and when you have a heritage stations in the marketplace you sometimes have to hip things up a little bit. It should be a station for men, women, and kids, and really keep that community vibe going.” “We’re not a station that’s all about gossip and all that stuff. It’s great to talk a bit about that stuff but for us it’s better to be the biggest promoter of what goes on in our community. As a rural station, and a sports station, there’s so much out there that we can be doing. The sky really is the limit.”
Fortunately, as an avid sports nut, Evans gets to attend each home game as part of CKRM’s Lucky Seat promotion where the diminutive announcer gives one lucky seat holder an oversized $620 cheque. Whether giving her prognostications for the Sochi Olympics or complimenting her on-air partner Jamie Lewis, Evans is as comfortable answering questions as she sounds weekday mornings. Asked what she brings to the CKRM brand, the veteran broadcaster is noticeably more reserved. “I’m not a big fan of talking about what I do,” she admits, “but I think one of the things that I helped change was being a female presence on the air. There was a lot of thought into doing something new [when they brought me in] as the person I was replacing had been there for so many years.”
Briefly pausing, Evans shares what has helped her endure an industry where the average announcer lasts a handful of years before moving on to greener pastures. “A few years back I realized why I really love radio – you can help other people. It’s not about what you’re doing for yourself or that you’re a big deal, and I think there are lots of big egos out there, but the fact that you can help others. Whether it’s somebody who is down on their luck or an organization that needs to get a message out, it gives you the opportunity to really help people. That’s what I love about the job.”
Photo Credit: Cydney Toth BEHIND THE MICROPHONE CONTINUED PAGE 40... Issue 12 | February/March 2014 City SlickerON Magazine
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Feature
A King in the Queen City: A LOOK AT HIGH IMPACT WRESTLING BY: JJ Elliott
While the competition aspect isn’t “real,” the bumps and bruises wrestlers give and take during a match can indeed be very real.
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I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Professional wrestling is fake. Oh? You already knew that? Well, alrighty then. However, the term “fake” is a relative term. In a professional wrestling match the outcome is predetermined, where a “babyface” (a.k.a. the good guy) typically defeats the “heel” (a.k.a the bad guy). While the competition aspect isn’t “real,” the bumps and bruises wrestlers give and take during a match can indeed be very real.
Having been on the receiving end of an open-handed chop to the chest a few years ago by former High Impact Wrestling star Plum Loco, I can tell you from experience that wrestlers put their bodies through a fair amount of abuse for something that’s been deemed “sports entertainment” in recent years. There’s a reason why WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) warns its fans to never try this at home.
Photo12Credit: Greg Rivett Issue | February/March 2014
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fter its humble beginnings as a sideshow exhibition at traveling carnivals and vaudeville shows, pro wrestling gradually attracted larger and larger crowds throughout the world with its distinct combination of sporting athleticism and theatrical presentation. Somewhere between the disparate worlds of boxing and Shakespeare exists pro wrestling as we know it today. By the late 1970s there were dozens of territorial promotions across North America, including the Calgary based Stampede Wrestling, which was the launching pad for the legendary Bret “Hitman” Hart.
When Vince McMahon took over World Wrestling Federation (WWF, since renamed WWE) from his father, his goal was to wipe out the territorial promotions and create a worldwide entertainment enterprise. Over thirty years later, it’s safe to say that he succeeded. With stars like Hulk Hogan, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Macho Man” Randy Savage, pro wrestling reached a zenith in the 1980s. In fact, its annual showcase event Wrestlemania has even reached a level of popularity on par with the Super Bowl. In the late 1990s, pro wrestling became arguably bigger than ever during the “Monday Night Wars” between WWE and rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW) with the rise of newer stars like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. During this time, independent promotions starting popping up all over the place with a generation of new pro wrestlers honing their skills with the hopes of some day making the “big leagues.” One such promotion was High Impact Wrestling, based right here in Regina. Founded in 1998 as World High Impact Pro Wrestling (WHIP Wrestling) by wrestler and promoter Charles Pichette, this upstart promotion provided the perfect opportunity for local aspiring wrestlers to train at the High Impact Training Acadamy. They would learn in-ring moves and holds, as well as the fine art of “wrestling psychology,” which means creating a character or persona that either “gets over” with a crowd or makes the crowd hate you. During those early days, the roster included larger than life characters with ring names like “Tailormade” Todd Myers, Plum Loco, Billy Bones, Rex Roberts, Thryllin’ Dylan, “The First Nation Sensation” Wavell Starr, Crusher Carlsen, Principal Pound, and Big Daddy Kash. Many of these performers are still going strong and continue to wrestle and train with High Impact Wrestling today.
Wrestlemania has even reached a level of popularity on par with the Super Bowl. 30
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Photo Credit: Rachel Ling
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Rex Roberts is one of the top Canadian talents around. He’s going into his 19th year in the pro wrestling business and hasn’t lost a step. Rex is still the man.
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fter wrestling with the company for many years, Mike “King Kash” Roberts (formerly “Big Daddy Kash”) took over the promotion in 2012. Since then he has worked hard to book more and more High Impact Wrestling shows across the province than ever, while continuing to don the tights and wrestle matches. Along with raising a growing family with his wife Kathy, “Kash” has definitely had his hands full. However, it’s obvious that running a wrestling promotion is a labour of love for Kash.
For Kash, wrestling has been in his blood since he was just a wee lad. He recalls getting the wrestling bug at an early age: “I’ve been a pro wrestling fan for as long as I can remember. My Grandpa used to watch Stampede Wrestling with me when I was four or five years old and it just stuck with me. My mom would take me to WWE (WWF at the time) live events when they would come through the city, my most memorable being the event where Hulk Hogan took on Randy Savage in the main event.” While WWE is still the ultimate goal for many wrestlers to potentially make big money, Kash isn’t a fan of their current product: “I don’t watch a lot of wrestling on TV. I very much lost interest in it three or four years ago. I found it got really watered down and just wasn’t enjoying it anymore.” However, Kash is very passionate about the current state of the independent wrestling scene: “I watch a lot of independent wrestling on YouTube. Indy wrestling feels like it’s starting to pick up a lot of momentum again.” “In the mid to late ‘90s when pro wrestling exploded, the scene became over-saturated. Everybody wanted to be a wrestler and everybody wanted to run a wrestling promotion. Within a decade people became tired of it because there was just so much of it. We are just now finally starting to weed out all of the crap left over from that era and are starting to build a solid foundation in the independents.” Under Kash’s guidance, High Impact Wrestling has steadily expanded its fanbase, building upon its already solid foundation. Kash attributes this to the high level of talent on the roster, including current champion Rex Roberts. Kash has high praise for the veteran grappler, saying, “Rex Roberts is one of the top Canadian talents around. He’s going into his 19th year in the pro wrestling business and hasn’t lost a step. Rex is still the man.” As an added draw, Kash has been able to book appearances from former WWE superstars like Tito Santana, Gangrel and Gene Snitsky for some recent shows.
Photo Credit: Greg Rivett
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Photo Credit: Greg Rivett2014 Issue 12 | February/March
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“I’ve been a pro wrestling fan for as long as I can remember. My Grandpa used to watch Stampede Wrestling with me when I was four or five years old and it just stuck withCitySlickerMag me. @CitySlickerMag 32
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ash also has his eyes on the future of High Impact Wrestling with the recent launch of a secondary brand called “HIW Wildside.” According to Kash, HIW Wildside “runs its own schedule and features a lot of the younger stars on the scene.” He says, “this year between the HIW Canada and the HIW Wildside event schedules, we already have over 40 events booked and will probably come close to 60 to 65 events this year when all is said and done, which is probably one of the busiest schedules of an independent wrestling promotion in the entire country.”
Mike Roberts went from the little boy who watched Stampede Wrestling with his Grandpa to the family man operating a similar wrestling promotion today where his own kids can watch their dad “King Kash” wrestle in front of packed houses. Not many people have the chance to earn a living fulfilling their childhood dream so Kash is proof that good things can happen if you follow your dreams. You can check out live High Impact Wrestling shows monthly in Regina, as well as watch live tapings on TV on Access 7.
Photo Credit: Greg Rivett
DAN REYNISH BY: Ali Thompson
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ince he was a little, bundled in his parents’ arms, radio has played a large role in Dan Reynish’s life. “My mother tells the story, when they brought me home from the hospital I was crying, whining and doing what babies do, basically,” he recalled, “and I wouldn’t fall asleep until they turned the radio on.” He found his way onto the opposite side of the sound waves at the young age of 11 while living in Germany. In an effort to entertain his fellow peers at his local youth centre, Reynish would play music on the turntables and 8-track player. Growing up as a child in a military family, they left their home in Germany and anchored their feet in the red soil of PEI. It was there he found his first broadcasting job. Much travel and an 18 year break from broadcasting brought him to where he is today, Regina, Saskatchewan. “It’s cliché.” Dan admitted, but when faced with the decision to move to the land of the living skies or head back to Toronto where he was, at that time, calling home, he chose Saskatchewan. “I was standing on the airport tarmac, boarding a plane back to Toronto. I stood and looked up at the sky and thought, ‘Yes, I should stay here.’” And since 1999, here is where he has remained. Dan Reynish has manned the Saskatchewan Weekend show on CBC radio since 2003. Since then he has travelled the province taking the show on the road, stopping at numerous locations such as the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame in Swift Current and the Diefenbaker Canada Center in Saskatoon. Looking back on 2013 Reynish highlighted interviews with one of his comedic idols, Rick Moranis as well as the time he was able to spend with Toronto Blue Jays hero, Joe Carter. His passion lies in these ‘conversations with Saskatchewan’ and will always be one of the highlights of his job. He has found a home in the Queen City and much like it’s the people who bring joy to his work, he said it’s the people who make Regina home.
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Dan Reynish has manned the Saskatchewan Weekend show on CBC radio since 2003.
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