Randy Kilburn had just finished the Global News break Wednesday afternoon when a familiar voice surfaced on my radio.
“Hey, good afternoon everybody. Wow, I can’t believe how much snow disappeared yesterday,” Bryn Griffiths said, seconds after the microphone went live at 2:05 p.m. in the 630 CHED studio.
Then, Griffiths went into the craft he has mastered for three decades in broadcasting.
Talking to people.
Thus, Griffiths began another chapter in his radio career. 630 CHED’s Chelsea Bird is on maternity leave — we wish you the best — so Griffiths is filling in.
His first minute sounded like Griffiths never missed a beat.
But those of us who know him — and, I’m one of the people who do — we know, only too well, Griffiths’ return to the radio airwaves is, on several levels, a triumph to be celebrated.
Cancer. Stomach cancer. Stage 4.
He had already dealt with cancer several years earlier, and when 2020 flipped the calendar page over, the dreadful disease returned — this time, taking his stomach hostage. It did not look good.
But Griffiths, who has been around sports teams most of his life, took the raw competitiveness he reported on and injected the combative spirit into himself.
He survived. But there were times when he didn’t know how sick he was — in fact, close to death.
He was in hospital when COVID was something new. The restrictions — while absolutely necessary — prevented Griffiths from seeing his family for six weeks.
I can see Griffiths right now. He’ll be sitting there, taking his stylish black glasses off and chewing on one of the ends, blushing, looking down, putting his right hand over his forehead.
In his nearly four decades of being in radio — Moose Jaw, Edmonton, Winnipeg and then Calgary — he would not enjoy being the focus of these past few hundred words.
Because he believes the story is never about the host, or in my case, the columnist.
It’s about the listeners. The guests. The readers. The interviews.
And yes, I subscribe to such a philosophy.
Yet, first-hand experience — there ain’t nothing like it.
Never.
So, when a member of the media has had a few challenges, it sets the table nicely to host someone who has, also, experienced a rocky road.
The questions can be a little more insightful and empathetic, digging in for answers not heard before.
More important, we get to share information that others going through challenges and issues can apply, putting their own personal spin on it.
Griffiths’ most recent experience will only make him a better broadcaster.
Because, as he told listeners in his introductory first segment, he sees life differently.
In the next breath, he said: “I want to have fun.”
Griffiths will be the first to admit he has an army of supporters who have helped him when he needed it the most, and people who have subtly helped him with his new venture.
He is especially grateful to this friend Alvin Gertz, who wanted to be in Edmonton for his debut and drove through the night from North Battleford.
Gertz’s gesture personifies Griffiths’ friends’ joy for the new job.
Listeners will soon, too.
camtait58@gmail.com
TAIT: Veteran broadcaster makes post-cancer return to the airwaves
7
0
02.11.2023
Randy Kilburn had just finished the Global News break Wednesday afternoon when a familiar voice surfaced on my radio.
“Hey, good afternoon everybody. Wow, I can’t believe how much snow disappeared yesterday,” Bryn Griffiths said, seconds after the microphone went live at 2:05 p.m. in the 630 CHED studio.
Then, Griffiths went into the craft he has mastered for three decades in broadcasting.
Talking to people.
Thus, Griffiths began another chapter in his radio career. 630 CHED’s Chelsea Bird is on maternity leave — we wish you the best — so Griffiths is filling in.
His first minute sounded like Griffiths never missed a beat.
But those of us who know him — and, I’m one of the people who do — we know, only too well, Griffiths’ return to the radio airwaves is, on several........
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