Welcome to JJ-365 Salutes. Over 2018, we pay tribute daily to one of “The Good Ones”. Today we are shining the light on Maurie Sherman.

While at Standard Radio headquarters, there was this young guy who was hanging around who was so keen to get into the radio business. Like myself he was a radio rat at a young age. He worked hard to get to know as many people as he could and pretty much knew everything that was going on in the entire Toronto market. I am of course talking Maurie Sherman.

Maurie got on as an intern at 102.1 The Edge in ’96 on Kim Hughes’ "Live in Toronto" show performed at the Edge’s old store front studio. He met a lot of celebs there like Michael Hutchens from INXS, Sonic Youth and many more. 

At this time, he used to call the late and great Punch Andrews, our evening guy on the MIX, on a pay phone (remember those?) every night to talk and get his advice. Punch finally let him come into the studio and while hanging out, Wayne Webster dropped in and offered him a job as a board op, and that was the start of his dream come true. Getting into radio, is all he ever wanted. 

I think when it comes to luck, it’s mostly about doing the work to be ready if opportunities develop. At least get to know enough to make a running leap. Maurie learned as much as he could while hanging with Punch, convincing him to let him operate the board for him and that’s what got him ready.

Back things up a bit…while going to school Maurie listened non-stop to the Rob Christie Morning Show at MIX and Roger, Rick & Marilyn on 104.5 CHUM FM. He would pretend to be Rob Christie or Roger Ashby in the mirror holding his toothbrush. Maurie says “I remember saying things like '104.5 chum fm, it's 7:30, time for the news, let’s say good morning to Jeff Howatt’. So, when I was working overnights at MIX pulling the CD's & Carts for the morning show, and the first day Rob Christie walked in, I was in awe! Several years later, I was really lucky when I actually got to produce and op for Rob Christie with Larry Silver on 92.5 JACK FM. My on-air name became Pee-Wee Sherman. I was also fortunate to have worked at CFRB (now Newstalk 1010) with legends like Jim Richards. I had many lives at 2 St. Clair West, including working with Mad Dog & Billie on Virgin Radio. 

If you blinked in the early 2000's you would have missed that year long moment when 1050 chum switched to TEAM 1050. Would you believe I actually worked there too? I did and became very close with the legend himself... Geets (Geets Romano one half of the fabulous ‘Pete and Geets’ show in the early 70’s CHUM-FM mornings). He and I were like two peas in a pod, I was not only the morning show bit producer for Mike Richards, but I was also the traveling op with Geets, working the Grey Cup in Montreal & Vancouver.”

Maurie is a true lover of radio, and gushes that having the chance to work out of 1331 Yonge St. in the old CHUM building was a milestone and a highlight of his career. He says all those incredible memories and "pinch me" moments paved the way to be working as the producer/performer on ROZ & MOCHA show on KiSS 92.5. More than just friends he says: “They are family, I've learned and continue to learn from them each everyday. The laughs, tears and more I've shared with ROZ & MOCHA on KiSS 92.5 have created memories that I hold close to my heart forever.” 

In my opinion, the ROZ & MOCHA Show is one of the, if not the best CHR morning show in North America. As a team they all reflect the 2018 Toronto in so many ways. The show is inventive, inclusive to all, fun and in complete step with the new Toronto. Maurie’s talent and inherent persistence brings a bunch to that show. They understand that "Chemistry is not Content. Chemistry brings Content to life" (TM) and Maurie is a great source of their content.

Back before email, it was old school in getting guests interested and on the radio. Maurie explains: “How does one be persistent before Email, twitter or Insta? Well, let me tell you... I REALLY wanted to get Donald Trump on with Rob Christie at JACK FM, as it was the height of his Celebrity Apprentice days. So, I found the fax number to his office and wrote a nice pitch letter and faxed it over...nothing... So, I decided to send that same fax EVERY DAY until I got a personal call from his assistant that Donald will come on the show if I promise to stop sending those faxes.”

And then there was Bill Murray who really isn't a fan of doing interviews. One year at TIFF he noticed Bill walking up Avenue Rd. in Toronto and ran over to say hi, started recording on his phone, and walked for a while talking. Bill noticed the phone in his hand (Maurie says it was totally obvious that he was recording) and Bill said, "well done, I'm impressed". 

How about Charlie Sheen during his crazy periods: “To this day, this is one of my biggest proud moments. When Charlie was doing his "Tiger Blood" "Winning" tour around the world he made a stop in Toronto for a few days. I found out where he was staying and caught him driving at the hotel. I was wearing my signature headcam and stared walking towards him. Security immediately tried to stop me, but Charlie yelled out to let me through. We had a fast but amazingly funny chat and we hit it off right away, he told me to come by his show the next day to chat again. At his show at Massey Hall the following day I went to the stage door and his security told me to wait outside. I will never forget this, while standing outside the stage door, I heard in that signature raspy voice "is that Maurie out there? let him in." I felt so f***ing proud at that moment, I was both star struck and beaming with glory! We sat down in his dressing room and talked more about his tour, the Leafs and drugs (it's all on youtube). This was around the time he was also looking for more assistants or something, and he actually wanted to adopt me, no joke! Ask ROZ & MOCHA if you don't believe me! LOL! The next day, he was doing a walk-up Yonge St. and had me walk with him for a couple blocks to do a 3rd chat.”

During all the drug scandal stuff with Rob Ford, the press was all clambering to try and get comments from him. Staking out at his home, underground parking at City Hall and outside the famous elevator inside City Hall. But for some bizarre reason on several occasions when Maurie and husband Matthew were chilling out at home the phone would ring, and guess who was on the other end of the line? "Hey Maurie, its Rob Ford, did you want to record something?" 680News was very happy when these calls happened and to this day, Maurie has no idea why him!

Madonna moment from Maurie: “Ever had one of those moments when you get to meet one of your idols and everything comes out all wrong? Yup, that happened to me when I got to ask Madonna a question at the TIFF 2011 press conference for her film W.E. I sat front row, right next to her then publicist Liz Rosenberg, and when the moderator threw to me, I started by saying 'By, hi, the, way?' I wanted to say "hi, by the way". However, things got better when I got to talk to her again on the red carpet for the same film and Liz brought Madonna right to me saying "We have one more, here's my favourite guy!”

His favourite radio memory? “It always blows people away when I share the story of how I proposed to my amazing husband Matthew. He's a massive member of the Lambily - That's what fans of Mariah Carey are referred to. He jokingly told me that the only way he'd marry me, is if I got him to meet Mariah. Taking that seriously I spent more than a year working on it. While at her show in Vegas in 2009, Mariah called Matthew & myself to the stage. I got down on one knee and asked Matthew for his hand!

There are always a few bumps along the way. While working over nights at CFRB 1010, after Jim Richards was finished at midnight, Maurie never busy’d out the phone lines. He had no idea that it cost CFRB money when you answer the 1800 lines. He would kill lots of time talking to the people who called in. Program Director Steve Kowch called him into his office, asked about the talking charges for the 1800 lines after midnight? Maurie’s response: "So, is this a bad time to ask for a raise?" To this day, that is one of Steve's favourite stories.

Here is a lad who always knew what he wanted, knows what he has, and today still lives and breathes radio. He is relentless and ingenious when he puts his mind to it. He’s creative, works hard and is a great teammate and contributor to the ROZ and MOCHA show. Well done and keep doing it Maurie!

Thank you, Maurie Sherman, the legend, on being one of the “The Good Ones”. Feel free to like and share Maurie’s positive story. Who is the subject of tomorrow’s JJ-365 Salutes? Stay tuned!

Jim Jj Johnston is the CEO, President and Chief Talent Coach for JJIMS INC. and works with talent in many different industries worldwide. He can be reached at JJ-IMS.COM.