A lifetime of radio: lessons from a RTA Media Production alum

Lifelong radio buff and part-time karate enthusiast, RTA alum Joe Mahoney (external link)  is more than grateful for the 35-year-long career he recently retired from at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). From meeting star-studded recording artists like Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor to maintaining some of the CBC's most critical broadcast systems, Mahoney's career has cemented a legacy that won't be long forgotten.

With a captivating blend of adventure and nostalgia, Mahoney's journey in the radio and broadcast industry has also been meticulously recorded in his recently published memoir. Adventures in the Radio Trade (external link)  explores Mahoney's expansive career at CBC over four decades, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the radio and broadcast industry.

Turning soundwaves into a lifelong passion

Like many people, Mahoney's passion for music began at a young age, growing up with his radio seemingly glued to the ON position. He ventured into the career world of radio as a teenager, working at his high school radio station and would later spend the better part of his days spinning tunes as a DJ at local radio stations in PEI. There, he discovered his deep-rooted passion for the medium, setting the stage for a lifelong career in the radio industry.

With a passion for the creative arts, Mahoney set out to learn all he could about show business, eventually leading him to the RTA program. There, he gained the knowledge and skills to navigate the entertainment industry, introducing him to luminary professors like Jerry Good and Bill Lawrence, who would further catalyze his passion for radio.

"I remember Jerry Good playing high-end production commercials with tons of sound effects," said Mahoney. "The writing and audio effects blew my mind and made me want to create work like that, which eventually I did."

While he initially wanted to pursue a career in film and television, as fate would have it, the first job offer he received after graduation was DJ’ing at a radio station, and a year later at CBC Radio, where he would happily spend the next few decades developing his skills and expanding his industry knowledge.

CBC through the years: a lasting legacy 

Mahoney's tenure at CBC lasted an impressive 35 years, where he witnessed first-hand the evolution of Canada's largest news broadcasting corporation. During this time, he served in 13 roles, from radio technician and recording engineer to director and operations manager, working with esteemed actors, musicians, producers, and engineers.

His ability to connect with fellow creatives and his dedication to producing high-quality content made him an invaluable asset to CBC. Notably, Mahoney played a crucial role as the founding recording engineer of the iconic radio show Q (external link) , and as Mahoney notes, much of his later success came from the foundational knowledge he learned in the RTA program.

"I would say that RTA made it all possible," stated Mahoney. "It taught me the lingo, and I still remember lessons from classes I took from giants in the field like Jerry Good, Bill Lawrence, Ron Keast and more"

He was also responsible for managing projects like the DaletPlus upgrade - a networked desktop radio system - the single biggest infrastructure change CBC Radio had seen since the original implementation of DaletPlus in the 90s, among many others.

"My team also helped make the transition from tape to digital in television news production and SD to HD and dozens of other complicated projects and implementations, all while maintaining some of the CBC's most critical broadcast systems," remarked Mahoney.

Adventures in the Radio Trade

The history of the CBC, which Mahoney has seen evolve for nearly four decades, is documented in his memoir Adventures in the Radio Trade. But the book is more than just a memoir; it's a portal to the heart of CBC Radio. Mahoney's vivid storytelling captures a pivotal era in the medium's history in which he played an integral part.

It serves as a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of radio, from Mahoney's eyes, filled with anecdotes, experiences, and technical insights. The book also invites readers to explore the charm, quirks, and challenges of working at CBC Radio through the eyes of someone who loved every moment and had the foresight to write it all down.

"If something interesting happened to me at the CBC, I would go home and write it down," said Mahoney. "I was just in the habit of doing that. When the internet came along, I started putting some of these experiences online, and after a while, there was so much of this material that a friend of mine, Karina Bates, suggested I turn it into a book, so I did."

The end of one journey, the beginning of another

Though his 35-year career might be in the rearview mirror, Mahoney's life is anything but idle. He's back to practicing martial arts in Moncton, New Brunswick, producing his own music, and co-hosting a hit podcast Re-Creative (external link) . Mahoney's expansive career has been filled with a lifetime of lessons, but as many parents can attest, his radio career is second to none except for the birth of his twin daughters twenty-three years ago. As he reflects on his career and embraces new adventures, it's clear that the passion that ignited his journey in radio still burns brightly.

Interested in learning more about Joe Mahoney’s career? Check out his website featuring his latest blogs, stories and links to purchase his memoir! (external link) 

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