Navigating the ever-changing
landscape of radio broadcasting is better suited for the young, explains
seasoned radio personality, Chris Palliser, who kicked off a new morning show
on 107.5 Cool just 7 weeks ago. Getting there is another story. Palliser had
plenty to say about returning home to Victoria to raise a family and the highs
and lows of a career in radio.
Long before Camosun’s DIPR program
was available, Palliser was enrolled in its predecessor, ACP, where he quickly
narrowed his scope in media studies to radio broadcasting. Lamenting having
missed the program’s big graduation party, Playback,
Palliser opted to head to Fort McMurray, Alberta for his first big gig. Palliser
recalls thinking some “beer money” and the experience would be worth it.
Reality set in during his first “dark
December,” Palliser laughs. “What the hell did I just do?” he remembers thinking,
shocked by the brutal winters. After a few bumps early on (dropping the f-bomb
on his third shift) his career was off to a great start. Palliser quickly
settled into the relaxed nature of small-town broadcasting and stayed for 3 and
half years.
After his girlfriend at the time
landed a job in Edmonton, he made the switch to Joe FM, where he reported for
cable T.V. and did video work as well. After the two had separated, Palliser inched
even closer home by joining the successful Vancouver Beat station.
After a major rebranding of the
station, Palliser’s life experienced big changes as well and he met his wife
and had two girls and asked to transfer back home to Victoria, which he says is
a “perfect place to raise your kids.”
“There’s this idea that if you’re
from the island, it’s like, yeah they get it,” he says highlighting how to
connect to the listening community. Still adjusting to “island time,” Palliser’s
energy is aptly suited for the morning slot where he competes with on air duos
like Ed and Cliff of The Q.
The lasting test of any radio show
is chemistry. Palliser is confident that Brittany and he have what it takes. “Out
of the gate, Brittany and I have the same thing, but it just needs time,” he says.
Sometimes off the cuff is best and others, preplanned and scripted is the
safest bet, noting that Ed and Cliff, “wouldn’t be successful if they didn’t
plan it out.”
Now that Palliser has had some time
to settle in, he’s reflecting on the difference between this rebrand and the
last. Palliser is feeling the pressure, but says, “it’s cool to be part of
something new!” Bringing his big city and small-town experience back to
Victoria is a dream come true for Palliser. He recalls the feeling after his
first airing, “It was like, let’s go get it. Let’s do this!”
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