Andy Barrie
Encyclopedia
Andy Barrie is a Toronto
-based radio personality, most known for his work at CFRB and later on CBC Radio
as host of Metro Morning
. Retired from the work of hosting a radio program, he remains active with the CBC.
in 1952, where he attended public schools, going on to major in theater at Dartmouth College
in Hanover, New Hampshire
. After university, he began a career in radio: WCCC-FM
in Hartford, Connecticut
, WAYE
in Baltimore
and WASH-FM, then a Metromedia
station in Washington, DC.
Given Conscientious Objector
status by his local draft board during the Vietnam War
, Barrie trained as a combat medic. In 1969, he received orders to be shipped to Vietnam
. A conversation with his brother, a career officer who had just returned from two years there, confirmed Barrie's decision to desert
and leave the U.S. for Canada. He later received a General Discharge from the United States Army
, became a Canadian citizen, and is free to travel to the U.S.
, and when one of the station's long-time commentators resigned in protest during the October Crisis
of 1970, Barrie was named as his replacement. In 1977, he moved to Toronto
and a job at CFRB
, where his commentaries won him an ACTRA
award. He also worked briefly as an anchor and reporter for Global Television.
In 1995, he was invited to join CBC Radio
as the host of CBLA-FM
's morning drive-time show, Metro Morning
, in Toronto
, Ontario
, the talk and current affairs program that became the top-rated morning radio show in Toronto.
On June 29, 2007 Barrie revealed to his listeners that he had been diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson's disease
. Barrie said he intended to continue as a broadcaster for at least another three years. On February 1, 2010 he announced his retirement from Metro Morning. Barrie's last day as host was Thursday, February 25, 2010. He was succeeded by Matt Galloway
.
June 16, 2010, Barrie was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Toronto's York University. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyUnDuqFMIk
. Their daughter Jessie also has a doctorate in education and specialises in outdoor experiential learning.
Mary Cone Barrie died on February 18, 2009. Barrie took a leave of absence from the CBC from November 2008 to March 2009 to care for her during her illness.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
-based radio personality, most known for his work at CFRB and later on CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
as host of Metro Morning
Metro Morning
Metro Morning is CBC Radio One's local morning program in Toronto, airing on CBLA-FM and is hosted by Matt Galloway. The program airs from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m...
. Retired from the work of hosting a radio program, he remains active with the CBC.
Early life
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Barrie moved with his family to Yonkers, New YorkYonkers, New York
Yonkers is the fourth most populous city in the state of New York , and the most populous city in Westchester County, with a population of 195,976...
in 1952, where he attended public schools, going on to major in theater at Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
in Hanover, New Hampshire
Hanover, New Hampshire
Hanover is a town along the Connecticut River in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 11,260 at the 2010 census. CNN and Money magazine rated Hanover the sixth best place to live in America in 2011, and the second best in 2007....
. After university, he began a career in radio: WCCC-FM
WCCC-FM
WCCC-FM branded as "The Rock 106.9" is a radio station serving central Connecticut that plays hard rock and occasionally classic rock. WCCC markets itself as the only non-corporate operation in Connecticut, with no pre-recorded DJs The station regularly invites listeners to make requests and also...
in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, WAYE
WAYE
WAYE is a radio station broadcasting a Religious radio format. Licensed to Birmingham, Alabama, USA, the station serves the Birmingham. The station is currently owned by Christian Broadcasting of Birmingham, Inc. and features programing from Westwood One.The station signed on in 1949 using the...
in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
and WASH-FM, then a Metromedia
Metromedia
Metromedia was a media company that owned radio and television stations in the United States from 1956 to 1986 and owned Orion Pictures from 1986-1997.- Overview :...
station in Washington, DC.
Given Conscientious Objector
Conscientious objector
A conscientious objector is an "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, and/or religion....
status by his local draft board during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, Barrie trained as a combat medic. In 1969, he received orders to be shipped to Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. A conversation with his brother, a career officer who had just returned from two years there, confirmed Barrie's decision to desert
Desertion
In military terminology, desertion is the abandonment of a "duty" or post without permission and is done with the intention of not returning...
and leave the U.S. for Canada. He later received a General Discharge from the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, became a Canadian citizen, and is free to travel to the U.S.
Career in radio
Barrie was introduced to CJAD in MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, and when one of the station's long-time commentators resigned in protest during the October Crisis
October Crisis
The October Crisis was a series of events triggered by two kidnappings of government officials by members of the Front de libération du Québec during October 1970 in the province of Quebec, mainly in the Montreal metropolitan area.The circumstances ultimately culminated in the only peacetime use...
of 1970, Barrie was named as his replacement. In 1977, he moved to Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and a job at CFRB
CFRB (AM)
CFRB, Newstalk 1010, is an AM radio clear-channel station in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, broadcasting on 1010 kHz, with a shortwave radio simulcast by CFRX-SW on 6.070 MHz. The station broadcasts a mix of talk and news throughout the day from its transmitter located in the community of...
, where his commentaries won him an ACTRA
ACTRA
The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists is a Canadian labour union representing performers in English-language media. It has 22,000 members working in film, television, radio, and all other recorded media....
award. He also worked briefly as an anchor and reporter for Global Television.
In 1995, he was invited to join CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
as the host of CBLA-FM
CBLA-FM
CBLA-FM is a Canadian radio station. It is the flagship station of the CBC Radio One network, broadcasting at 99.1 FM in Toronto, Ontario.- History :...
's morning drive-time show, Metro Morning
Metro Morning
Metro Morning is CBC Radio One's local morning program in Toronto, airing on CBLA-FM and is hosted by Matt Galloway. The program airs from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m...
, in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, the talk and current affairs program that became the top-rated morning radio show in Toronto.
On June 29, 2007 Barrie revealed to his listeners that he had been diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
. Barrie said he intended to continue as a broadcaster for at least another three years. On February 1, 2010 he announced his retirement from Metro Morning. Barrie's last day as host was Thursday, February 25, 2010. He was succeeded by Matt Galloway
Matt Galloway
Matt Galloway is a Canadian radio personality, who is host of Metro Morning at CBLA-FM in Toronto. Galloway succeeded Andy Barrie as host of Metro Morning effective March 1, 2010....
.
June 16, 2010, Barrie was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Toronto's York University. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyUnDuqFMIk
Personal life
Andy Barrie was married in 1970 to Dr. Mary Cone Barrie, who retired in 2005 as the director of the School of Continuing Studies at the University of TorontoUniversity of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
. Their daughter Jessie also has a doctorate in education and specialises in outdoor experiential learning.
Mary Cone Barrie died on February 18, 2009. Barrie took a leave of absence from the CBC from November 2008 to March 2009 to care for her during her illness.