Jonny Staub - Mid-Days on The Beat 94.5

Well, ask and you shall receive! After posting Ceara K’s story on the weekend where she mentioned her friend/ex co-host Jonny Staub I sent out a little tweet to let him know that he was practically famous online (not that he isn’t well known already). He responded and said he would write up his story. How about that? Two contributions in one week, been awhile since that has happened! So, how did Jonny go from aspiring broadcaster to a household name on THE top 40 station in Vancouver? Let’s find out (wow that was cheesy… but I’m keeping it!).

Mitch: I would love to hear your story. How did you get to where you are today?

Try and follow if you can Mitch! 

I have to say that I entered radio at an early age, with a love for the medium and a drive and passion that fueled me to where I am today. At 17, I was in my first year of radio/television studies at Conestoga College and was hired on after volunteering at (Adult Contemporary) CHYM FM Kitchener. There, and at it’s (Talk) sister station 570 CKGL, I got a real taste for what I was in for. I did everything, from assisting in promotions, categorizing a CD music library and being on air. I was fortunate that my first PD, Gavin Tucker put me on the radio in so many capacities-  weekend traffic reporting, morning/drive traffic, overnights and fill-in evenings. It was a huge opportunity and I am so grateful to have had that as my start.

From there, it was off to Vernon BC for 6 months to host (Top 40) evenings at 94 CJIB AM. Which lead me to James Stuart. James has been a part of my career for over 10 years now. He had heard me in 2000, on air in the Okanagan and gave me a shot to work overnights in Calgary at (Top 40) Power 107. In less than a year I was offered the evening show. 

A call from a former PD who moved to Vancouver lead me to hosting Evenings at Z95.3. Then I was fired. 3 months later, with pennies left in my bank account, James Stuart took another chance on me for weekends at (Power 107 sister station) Power 92 in Edmonton. I was promoted to mid-days 3 months later.  After a format flip, I found myself on the same frequency remaining on mid-days. However this time I was now hosting daytime at (Classic Hits) 92.5 JOE FM. 

Winter 2005, James Stuart left and took my best friend/colleague Ceara K and I with him to the soon to be launched (Top 40) 91.7 The Bounce. After hosting mornings there for 6 months, I was switched to afternoon drive. A year later, I chose to move off the air and into management as Music Director. 

The call for (Top 40) The Beat 94.5 came summer of 2007 and I packed my bags and moved back to Vancouver for round #2. This time it was back to mid-days. I’ve been in this role for just over 3 years now.
What were some of your big successes or maybe some things that didn’t quite work out like you planned.
I guess the biggest success is that I have continued to be “in demand” in this crazy business. Mind you, I’ve had to create some of that demand…however I’ve been working solidly for over 10 years now. That’s pretty great. 

Things that didn’t work out  like I planned? Gosh we could spend hours listing them. It was tough not performing at my best when I got my first morning show gig with Ceara at 91.7 The Bounce/Edmonton. I also, early on, had to learn the hard way to really check my ego. I’ll admit it, I made mistakes and thankfully learned from them. Sometimes you have to fall hard to wake up, dust off, humble yourself and start fresh.
 And what advice would you give to aspiring radio broadcasters like myself?
* Learn the difference between confidence and cockiness (CHECK THAT EGO BRO!)

* Stay humble, from your heart. 

* Be authentic. 

* You HAVE to be adaptable.

* Treat yourself to something nice if you worked really hard and got exactly what you wanted.

* Ceara once said to me “It’s important to make sure that your talent level exceeds your bullshit level”. I never forgot that. It’s so true and that mantra has kept me employed. 

*I try to ask “What more can I do?”* Listen to on air personalities, fall “in love” with them, e-mail them, learn from their talent.

* Get your stuff out to PD’s. Ask every single one of them NOT for a job but for an aircheck. Be diligent with them. If they see your potential you’ll get the job after they hear your MP3 and (hopefully) improvement. Don’t be surprised if 95% of them don’t actually reply or don’t follow up. The onus is on you.

* Stay creative in all that you do

* If you want major market on air work, get ready for the new world of PPM. Study up on it. Learn how your sound will work within the restraints of the new system.

* It’s also imperative in this day and age to make sure that people know who you are. About half of the radio stations that I worked for/listed above don’t exist anymore- that means new networking has to be done. If you are so lucky and “in good” with your co-workers, keep up to date with them. I can’t even tell you how many people I have worked with, competed against or took the time to meet that have helped propel me. I’ve also assisted them. We’re all in this together, it’s just a matter of making the most of this experience.

Jonny Staub
Mid-days The Beat 94.5

After getting this email I must have read it a good couple times, because it is loaded with some great advice.  

First, I think the best way to learn and grow, especially in a business where you are only able to use your voice and personality is to learn all the ropes. I know that, although I am FAR from major market criteria, being given the opportunity to try all aspects of a station during my days at BCIT was beyond beneficial. News, documentaries, mini-features, music director, programmer, the list goes on, it all helps you to wrap your head around how you can approach different things.


As for the rest of the advice here, it’s all solid and coming from a professional who is doing more then fine in his career I would take it to heart. I think it all boils down to being a genuine person who is willing to lend a helping hand just because, but also someone who is willing to try new things and grow. That and the ever important… don’t burn bridges seeing as how you never know who you might work with or ultimately for, down the road. And of course, if you work hard, make sure to buy yourself something nice!


Ceara’s advice is solid also and all day as I was day-dreaming while folding clothes at the not-so-fun-non-radio-related part time job, I was thinking about it. “It’s important to make sure that your talent level exceeds your bullshit level”. Genius.


Another amazing insight into this business I’m heading into. Jonny has not only shared some great advice, but also is staying true to it. You can catch Jonny live on air from 10am-2pm on The Beat 94.5 in Vancouver (or even in Victoria, it’s got a great signal) or of course online at www.thebeat.com

Thanks Jonny,

Mitch