I seriously need to stop waking up like this. This morning I woke up to a text from my sister Lisa asking if I heard or read the news and I had no idea what she was talking about. Not even 2 second later my phone rings and it’s her. I answer in a panic and say “What’s wrong? What happened?” and she told me she was sorry to have to tell me that my dear friend Don had passed away yesterday. At that moment my heart just stopped and was at loss for words.
Let me tell you a little about my big teddy bear friend Don. Don was an amazing man and a radio legend for any of you who are familiar with the industry. Don was one of the first people I met when I started in radio. It was 1996 and I was 16 years old doing a high school internship at Power 88.5 FM (the dance radio station located in Newmarket, Ontario at the time). Don and his side kick Dave Curran used to call me “Pina the Intern” and that’s what the listeners also knew me as. I used to love hanging out on the drive home show with them and Don’s big and loveable German Shepherd “Briggs”. It was non stop laughs with these guys and I learned so much from them. At first I remember being so nervous to even be in the same room with him, this just wasn’t any radio guy this was Don Berns…the legend…Dr. Trance! It was because of this man I fell in love with radio and pursed a career. He believed in me, took chances on me and this is something I will never forget. Remember I was a 16 year old girl in a guy’s world so this was pretty huge to have someone take me seriously. Don would often put me on the air with Dave and himself and for me it was the best thing ever…sweaty palms and everything haha.
The stories and memories from that time are ones that I will never forget. Like when Briggs (yes he would bring him in every day and sit beside him throughout his entire show) decided it would be funny leave a lovely and steamy present outside of the big bosses office in the hallway hahaha. That’s something that everyone at Power will never forget and it’s a story that is told over and over and over again…it will never get old. Don was so much fun, a truly personality, a big teddy bear, and an amazing man. What I would give to get a phone call from him and ask me to please get him a a diet caffeine free Coke right now…”Pina, the one in the gold can and oh get Dave a Big Turk”…I would run!
Even after our Power days came and went we still remained good friends and it’s because of him that my voice over career exists and is what it is today. He pushed me to go for it and even set me up with his agent who still represents me to this day (13 years and counting). We shared the same agent and once even competed for the same gig (Sony Playstation cinema spot…which I got 😉 haha sorry Don xo).
You may not know Don so here let share some of our moments together…
A few of the many birthday greetings from Don. Not a year would pass without a birthday wish from this man 🙂
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Don’s gifts were just as funny as he was if not a tad bit more LOL. Thanks Don I still use it every day…can you tell? 😉
He was a talented man and had one of the most amazing voices I ever heard…
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And when Don would see something he thought I would like he would always share just like this Foo Fighters video…
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We loved to laugh…
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The famous Briggs…
I would always let him know that I cared…
And I will miss you Don, more than you will ever know! Thank you for all the amazing memories, stories, talks, advice and time spent together…I will cherish it always. Please say hello to Briggs and Martino for me! I love you!
R.I.P. DON BERNS
XOXO