PB - How did you get into the Broadcasting Business? What was your big break?
CC - I started doing overnights at a radio station in Edmonton (hometown) then was hired by CFOK-AM in Westlock, AB about an hour north of Edmonton. I stayed there for about a year then off to BC and worked at Mountain FM Whistler/Squamish (loved it!!!!), a stop in Vancouver at “Country Music Radio” a syndicated network across Canada and my last stop before tv was Kelowna at Silk-FM… I started with CMT back in 1997, about the same time I met you!... ( I know… you’re life has never been the same… sorry ‘bout that….)
PB -Is this something you've always wanted to do, or did it take you by surprise?
CC - Believe it or not… I wanted to be an Art teacher…(I actually have my first year apprenticeship for a Commercial Artist) I had plans on going to University however that all fell through when an old girlfriend at the time mentioned I should get into radio… I said “Naaaaaa!!!” (I had a gift for the words back then!!)… But I did enroll into a radio program… and as they say history was made… to answer your other question, yes it did take me by surprise… the fact someone would actually hire me!...
PB -Are you a goal oriented person? Are you a control freak?
CC - That’s a great question… and one I’m thinking people around me might be better suited to answer… I would like to think I’m not a control freak… and I would also like to think I’m a goal orientated person… at this level in broadcasting I think you have to have a plan but be prepared to roll with the punches, cause brutha, there are a lot of punches!...
PB -What music/artists do you like to listen to?
CC - Com’ on!... what do you expect me to say… *Brittney.. **Fall Out Boys… you’ve listed me in your liner notes… what you think I don’t read those… k.. outside of present company I’d have to say I’m a bit of a nut for the Alt. Country scene, (Wilco, Charlie Robison, Hank III) Jazz (Miles, Yellow Jackets, Brian Blade Trio, Ella) and some Pop music (John Mayer, John Legend, Sam Roberts) . I do love straight ahead country in fact the majority of music in my nano is main stream country! (* I don’t really listen to Brittney) (**I do listen to Fall Out Boy..)
PB -What's your favorite website?
CC - Dang! You’re really making this tough… ok.. paulbrandt.com and for some reason I love real estate so I’m always on mls.ca, itunes and facebook.com is a focus of mine.. that site is crazy! Oh.. and the soon to be launched caseyclarke.ca (shameless plug!)
PB -Talk about your current album/projects... OR if there's not a current project... What are your album/career plans?
cc- We’re very excited to launch our syndicated radio show… this will be five times a week or so and hopefully we can get most if not all country stations in Canada on board. We have a genuine love for country music and the people that are involved in making, promoting and overall supporting it! Some of my best friends are in the biz (wink* wink*) and no matter where you are and what your doing, once you hook up again you just seem to pick up from where you left off.. love that! We’re also heading into our 11th year at CMT with some adjustments to the show that will see us involve the viewer even more which I am very excited for!!!!
PB -Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
cc- God willing doing what I love to do, which is this!... my kids will be 11 and 10 (now that scares the hebee geebees out of me!) and something tells me I will be even busier then I am now… When I look back at the last 10 yrs and all the changes we have gone through I am looking forward to what the future has in store, my wife Suzanne is the most important person in my life and with her we can do anything!...
PB -Where do you see yourself tomorrow?
cc- In my office working on taking over the broadcast world!... then going home for my daily run with my daughter, then it’s BATH TIME!!!!…
PB -Are you a pet person? Do you have any pets? Any pet stories?
CC - We have a beautiful White Sheppard Cross named Winnie… She has to be THE best dog ever.. no really she is!!!
PB -Do you care to share your religious beliefs? What's your life philosophy?
CC - Laugh… you need to laugh everyday as much as you can. Enjoy life, even if you’re having one of those days, weeks, months, or years I will guarantee there’s someone out there that would trade. If you have a significant other, cherish them, tell them how much you love them, tell you family too.. Hold your kids, kiss your kids, watch them sleep, play and for the love of Murphy… talk to your kids! We all have a gift, discover what yours is and embrace it!...
PB -What's your favorite food?
cc- I could eat pizza everyday…. Just ask my wife… this is me “Can we have pizza tonight..?”… then the next day “Honey how ‘bout pizza tonight???”… and the next … well you get it!...
PB - Please add any other interesting comment, tidbit, sound-bite or mantra here...
CC - not sure what to place here other then thanks for all the laughs… Not a lot of people know this but you Paul have been such a great friend and supporter of my family and me and it’s that support I don’t take for granted!... Thank you for your guidance and friendship and here’s to the next 10yrs!
