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10 Questions with ... Katie Summers, Ed 'Special Ed' & Melissa Bunting
March 12, 2019
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Katie: katie@ampcalgary.com
Social Media: IG & Twitter: @katiessummerss and @itskatieanded , On FB: Katie SummersI graduated from the RTBN program at SAIT in Calgary in 2009. From there, I got my first morning show job in Airdrie at The Range 106.1FM, then moved back into YYC to work as an anchor at 660News. In May of 2011, I was hired to do the weekend show at AMP Radio and have been here ever since!
Ed 'Special Ed': Specialedradio@gmail.com
Social Media: IG: @AMP_SpEd and @itskatieandedI was born and raised in Minneapolis, and a longtime fan of KDWB. When I failed as a roller rink DJ; I figured I would try my hand at failing as a radio DJ. Attended radio broadcast at Mount Hood Community College in Oregon and failed as an intern at KNRK. My first on-air gig was overnights at KRBV Wild 100.3 in Dallas, a failing Top 40, then spent the better part of the 2000s at KDWB -- awesome! In 2008, a programmer from Halifax, NS, Canada offered me a night gig and I jumped at the opportunity to do the night show I always dreamed of. Two years at CJCH, six very fulfilling years at CKFM in Toronto, then an insane opportunity to, like before, do the morning show I have always wanted to do here in Calgary at AMP.
Melissa Bunting: melissa@ampcalgary.com
Social Media: IG: @melissabuntcake and @itskatieandedI grew up in Boulder, CO and the only station in my mind was KYGO/Denver. I was so lucky to get an internship with The Waking Crew in 1998; that led to my first producer gig. I've worked with morning shows at KFRG, KSON, KUSS (RIP), WFUS, KYGO again (!) and I hosted my own show with Bob Castle at KDRK. In 2011, an opportunity of a lifetime came up and I moved to Toronto, working with Mad Dog and Maura at CKFM Virgin Radio Toronto. In 2017, Calgary called and the Katie & Ed era began! In two years, our show has expanded and is on in ten cities across Canada!
1) Katie, what's the best thing about plugging in next to Ed every morning?
The best part of working with Ed every day are the laughs. We laugh a lot in the studio about pretty much everything; and that's mainly due to the fact we share the same ridiculous sense of humor. What's really great is how we have that same energy both on and off the air, so we can bring it onto the show and share it with the people who listen to us every day.
2) Ed, what's the best thing about plugging in next to Katie every morning?
Katie is a wealth of talent and humor. We are on opposite ends of a generation and have so much to offer each other as far as pop culture references and opinions. From the moment I met her, I knew that she was one in a million in this industry, I can't think of anyone else I'd rather work with.
3) Ed, who would be a dream guest that you guys would love to have live in the studio for the show?
She would maybe say Taylor Swift? Because mine would be John Mayer, how awkward would that be?
4) Katie, the Flames are having a terrific year. What's the vibe like in town when the hockey team is going good?
Honestly, Flames fans are the best even when the team is doing terrible! Ha ha. The C of Red is such an amazing and supportive fandom all the time, but the vibe in the city right now is definitely heightened. All I'll say is ... The Flames are coming for that Cup!
5) Katie, last year during the height of the Me Too fallout, you bravely stepped forward and talked about how Jacob Hoggard from the band Hedley treated you in an inappropriate manor. Your bravery is admirable. How hard was it for you to come forward and what kind of support did you receive?
It really wasn't difficult at all, and that's because of the support I received from both my co-workers and my programmers. It was such a relief to know that I could speak that truth without worrying about losing my job, which is why I kept it to myself for nearly seven years in the first place. The only reason I told my story was to show others, both young women and men alike, that it's okay to speak up and tell your story, no matter when it might be, or who it involves and that there are people who will listen and support you through it.
6) Ed, every year The Economist Intelligence Unit releases their annual Global Liveability Ranking and Calgary seems to always be in the Top 5 cities in the world. Other than your morning show, what makes living there so amazing?
I would say it's the open space, hard to really put my finger on it, but being from Minnesota, this place has felt the most natural to me. We're also close to the mountains and it's sunny most of the year here, but the winters are a huge trade-off.
7) Ed, what's it like when the famous Calgary Stampede is up and running?
It's a shit-show, I would equate it to any Midwest state fair midway, but with a massive rodeo.
8) Katie, as of earlier this year, the show is now heard at night in some excellent markets. How did the syndication opportunity come about? Is the content completely different from the morning show?
We were really lucky to have been presented the syndication opportunity by our management. We never thought two years ago when we started that we'd one day be bringing our show to different audiences across the country, it's been such a cool experience. We work really hard so that everything we do as a show, as Katie & Ed both on our morning show in Calgary and on The Night Show across the country, is the same. By that I mean we only ever want to talk about the things that matter to people, all the time. Relationships, friendships, life, drama, things that make you laugh, things that make you cry ... and we'll keep bringing this content to all of our audiences no matter where they are.
9) Katie, there aren't many women who lead morning shows, and your producer Melissa Bunting has a high profile role as well. What would you say to other women with similar aspirations?
I'll be honest, the radio industry has always been somewhat of a "boys club." It was like that when I first started working in Calgary as an overnight announcer nearly 10 years ago and it might still be in some ways depending where you are, but what I love so much about this business is how progressive it is becoming when it comes to supporting women. There are so many more opportunities for females in this industry nowadays, it's really exciting. So, to all the women who want to work in radio and who want to be successful at it, don't let anyone tell you that you can't because you absolutely can!
10) Ed, you're married to the show's producer Melissa Bunting, and you're both from the U.S. to boot. What's the dynamic like in the studio vs. the dynamic at home? (Answer this one very carefully)
I still think it's crazy we're doing a show together. We met at Virgin in Toronto and had mutual friends in the States, but had never met before she moved to Canada. At work, I want to talk about memes and at home she wants to talk about show planning, it's really annoying. Something I have always admired is how observant she is, we'll just be having a conversation and she'll say "That's a bit!" and start writing shit down in her planner. Don't tell her, but I have been one of her biggest fans since 2011.
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