Dave "Bookie" Bookman Fired from Edge 102

Published by Toronto Mike on December 9, 2012 @ 11:08 in Edge 102 ~ CFNY, Radio

radioDave Bookman, better known as Bookie on the radio, has been fired from CFNY / Edge 102. He had been on the air there since 1991.

Dave Bookman was the last on-air holdover from the 90s. When Alan Cross was fired in the summer of 2011 we feared Bookie would be next. He was older and probably making a decent salary, but he was passionate and knowledgeable about the music. I always enjoyed listening to Bookie talk about the music.

Here's Bookie's bio from edge.ca where you'll still find it. I suspect it won't stay there much longer.

bookie

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56 Responses to "Dave "Bookie" Bookman Fired from Edge 102"

Sam in Pickering
December 9, 2012 / 11:37

And the last remnants of the spirit of radio has left the building.

RIP Spirit.

IMHO
December 9, 2012 / 11:38

T.O. Mike r u sure?

edge.ca still has him listed and his blog and everything.

How do you know I won't hear him on Monday night? How do you know he's fired. Did he tell you?

Toronto Mike
December 9, 2012 / 11:41

@IMHO

Stellar inside source.

Max Wedge
December 9, 2012 / 11:50

and now there is no one left that knows squat about music, very sad day.

Andrew
December 9, 2012 / 11:56

I think I've said enough on the subject... the transformation is complete.

A sad day indeed, I can remember when Bookie started at The Edge - doing hits into the 6pm NOW show with Kim.

A true music savant, I wish him the best in finding a new gig that has the music first.

I'm hoping he intro's The Low at their shows in December at The 'Shoe. I can personally thank him for all the great info he provided over the years.

Cheers,
Andrew

Demo
December 9, 2012 / 12:03

A guy on the air old enough to be the dad of a target listener isn't going to play well in this game anymore ... just the reality ...

John
December 9, 2012 / 12:07

From an internal email sent to staff RE: Bookie:

"Bookie is leaving his position as host of the evening show on the edge. Bookie is off to pursue other opportunities as he continues a career that’s been filled with excellence."

Was he fired, or did he decide to leave? The Edge PD's comment was very deceptively worded!

Jacob
December 9, 2012 / 12:10

If they're gonna get rid of him, could they at least finally get rid of Josie Dye too? Her voice makes my ears bleed.

Demo
December 9, 2012 / 12:12

Bookie has a long association with the guys who run the Horseshoe who are doing well enough to want to buy the Masonic Temple...

More future in all that than radio none of you listen to!

Yellow Board
December 9, 2012 / 12:40

It's shit like this SOWNY. Specificially you shane alexander.

An hour after this entry goes live the piss yellow board gets an entry by shane alexander that simply says "bookman gone from edge - heard he got fired."

Hmmmm... no link, no 'heard it on toronto mike' or 'toronto mike reports'. I wonder where shane alexander heard that?

Punk move by a punk forum.

- Former Yellow Boarder

Alex
December 9, 2012 / 12:42

Sorry to learn Bookie is gone from the 102.1 airwaves. He was the best they had left - someone who loved the music and knew the music.

Bookie's college of musical knowledge is out forever.

Alex
December 9, 2012 / 12:43

@Yellow Board

That is a dick move by SOWNY. We all know where shane got that info and to not link or reference the source is petty and reeks of jealousy.

deadbeatdad
December 9, 2012 / 12:45

Thought Irvine's job required him to stop trolling?

Toronto Mike
December 9, 2012 / 12:45

A little more...

It seems clear from my source that Bookie was pushed and didn't jump. But, the corporate world is all about spin. I've seen many "John Smith has left for new opportunities" emails in the corporate world when I knew John Smith was let go. The spin machine never stops.

Here's the full email from Ross Winters, program director at Edge 102.

Hello All;

Bookie is leaving his position as host of the evening show on the edge.  Bookie is off to pursue other opportunities as he continues a career that’s been filled with excellence.  There are so many highlights that there are too many to mention but Bono and U2 on air with Bookie at 228 Yonge street studios is one that comes to mind. As well, the Foo Fighters on air with Bookie twice last year, Rock of Fame inductions to the RHCP, Coldplay, the Hip as well as a recent One on One with Soundgarden are a few others that come to mind.  Then there was the interview with the legendary John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin during his time with Them Crooked Vultures.

There aren’t many in the business that can pick up the phone, call Dave Grohl and get him into the studio for a live chat, but Bookie is one of those, not to mention one of the best interviewers in the country.

Bookie wears many hats in the music industry and there is no doubt that we will all cross paths with Bookie in the near future.

Hey Bookie, we’ll miss you! Best wishes with all in the future Bookie

Sincerely

Ross

Really?
December 9, 2012 / 13:30

Arguing over who did or didn't give credit for breaking the story... REALLY?! What are we, 12? Grow up.

Sorry to see Bookie go. I hope he is moving on to bigger and better things.

Ronni
December 9, 2012 / 13:34

I know who broke this story. Ross Winters when he and HR met with Bookie.

But really when your demo is 20 year olds and you've got a 40-something year old DJ, it's only a matter of time.

I'll bet Bookie's replacement is paid half his salary.

What frightens me is how Martin Streek reacted to being fired in a similar fashion. I pray Bookie is in a better frame of mind.

Demo
December 9, 2012 / 13:41

Does losing a part time job make you a suicide risk? Come on... the guy held down other jobs in the 10++ years before they let him be a DJ. He's in mid fifties now btw.

Demo
December 9, 2012 / 13:44

And just because you're a certain age and on air every day doesn't mean money was good...

Ronni
December 9, 2012 / 13:56

@Demo

How old is Bookie?

Wasn't this a full time job at 102?

CQ
December 9, 2012 / 15:24

Wasn't last night the start of Chanukah? And this morning it is stated that a long-time employee by the name of Bookman was just sacked?
So guessing, who was the HR Grinch that timelined this 'holidays eve' firing?

Anonymous
December 9, 2012 / 15:34

Good luck Bookie!

Thanks for 21 great years.

Jewie
December 9, 2012 / 15:47

Chanukah is a minor holiday. Prior to social media spreading the word most Jews (and everyone else) assumed it was the last week of December.

Odie
December 9, 2012 / 16:00

Why do people assume this Ross Winters is completely heartless? The publicity over previous firings couldn't have been good for business either.

For this format to still work you need Fearless Fred types who can at least pretend to be living the lifestyle of the products being sold. That's how advertisers buy in. That's business.

Todd serves that purpose in the morning show so that Dean can go to bible study or whatever he does IRL.

J9
December 9, 2012 / 17:51

Aww...sorry to Bookie go. Radio is a VERY hard gig.

simplegearle
December 9, 2012 / 20:29

Sorry to see you go Bookie -- always enjoyed listening to you! Hoping you get a gig at 88.1 and can't wait for them to hit the air.

Kardnal
December 9, 2012 / 21:40

Sad to hear he's gone. His knowledge of music was epic, and he was a great interviewer. After Alan Cross, he was my favourite personality at the Edge.

dre
December 9, 2012 / 21:51

Great.... maybe this means more time for fearless fucktard to talk about battlestar galactica or some other rediculous shit

Mark H
December 9, 2012 / 22:19

Its really sad how far downhill the Edge has gone. I got a new car a few months back and it came with Satellite Radio. Opie and Anthony do the morning show thing better than Dean Blundell and his crew ever did and a few of the channels are doing what CFNY used to do.

I thought I'd miss a local voice more...but between some local podcasts and the occasional 30 minute stint with 680, I don't miss it at all.

RS
December 9, 2012 / 22:30

Mark H, can you recc any satellite stations doing what CFNY used to do?

Jason from Sudbury
December 10, 2012 / 01:25

It always succks to see someone lose their job especially after 21 years. I enjoyed listenning to Bookie, hopefully he'll get another gig soon.

Mark H
December 10, 2012 / 06:30

RS: All I meant is that they're playing new bands and exploring deep into older bands catalogues so play lists go beyond the same handful of bands and older classics.

So no, I guess they're not doing exactly what CFNY used to do, but you can get a more diversified range of music.

Cbab
December 10, 2012 / 09:58

The station hasn't been the same for over a decade now, but that's because... it's radio, folks. This is par for the course.

That being said, I tuned away from the station about 2-3 years ago because it simply wasn't giving me what I wanted in terms of music. My favourite hosts were gone, sure, but modern formats are all about a 3-4 hour rotating cycle of music that gives advertisers their highest ROI.

Good or bad, it is what it is. I can still access my favourite hosts via the internet, so not all is lost. Alan's podcast is quite frankly one of the best things to happen on the scene in some time. Maybe Bookie will follow suit.

Good luck, sir.

Mike G
December 10, 2012 / 10:13

http://www.edge.ca/Blogs/BookieAtNight/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10477033&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

"Hi Edge family, friends and listeners

I wanted to let you know personally, I'm leaving the Edge.
Having the privilege to share the evolution of new music with all of you has been a wonderful experience.
I'm on holiday at the moment but will return for a final sing-a-long with Josie on December 20th from Noon to 2:00


Can't wait to share new adventures in hi-fi together again soon!


Peace, Love and Understanding"

Toronto Mike
December 10, 2012 / 10:16

@Mike G

How many radio personalities get to say goodbye?

Very, very few. That's pretty cool.

Mike G
December 10, 2012 / 10:35

I agree. I am surprised to see this.

Oscar
December 10, 2012 / 13:17

Any chance of him getting on the air at indie 88.1? Here's hoping...

Jamie
December 10, 2012 / 13:28

Something fishy's going on at the edge. Todd was away last week and his last twitter update was sketchy. Dean was asked on twitter today how long will the chritmas break be and he replied "REALLY long". My columbo senses are tingling.

Tim
December 10, 2012 / 14:35

I was wondering the same thing myself. Ashwoa was a solid replacement for Todd and it seemed to energize Dean. The fratboy schtick that Todd and Dean have is old and tired. I like Derek. If he can put up with Deans attitude and Todds ass kissing he has a great future at the edge. As for Bookie, that truly sucks. Radio is very cruel:(

Toronto Mike
December 10, 2012 / 15:29

My dependable source who would know tells me this was a firing positioned to make it look like Bookie quit. But, my source wasn't Dave Bookman who has reached out to me to tell me he left on his own terms, so I've edited the entry accordingly.

If Bookie tells me he wasn't fired, that's good enough for me.

Thomas Edisto
December 10, 2012 / 16:47

Not sure if age has anything to do with it. Tons of us 14-17 year-olds used to love listening to that old lecher David Marsden back in the 70's because of his irreverence and depth of musical knowledge. I always found Bookman boring, predictable and sycophantic. Sadly - he was still the best on the CFNY crew.....

Anonymous
December 10, 2012 / 17:30

It is sad that Bookie is leaving.

But you guys on this thread sound like bitter old men that hate everything new and think everything was better "Back in your day".

This stuff happens, stations change, it is the way life goes! things have to change for them to progress. nothing can stay the same forever.

I wish Bookie luck! He is a great broadcaster!

Aj
December 11, 2012 / 20:01

It is sad to see Bookie go.
Yes things change and times change.
Perhaps Bookie can join Humble Fred Kelly and soon to be with any luck Alan Cross on the HumbleandFredradio.com podcast network

Andrew
December 13, 2012 / 18:30

You have Bookie as being 'fired' again?

RIPCFNY
December 13, 2012 / 22:21

IM glad Bookie is gone. Now the dumbing down of cfny is complete. Times change.

Stephen from Kitchener
December 14, 2012 / 14:33

Sigh. I knew I’d see this post on TO Mike’s blog eventually. It was only a matter of time considering Bookie’s age and length of tenure there. I’m not even surprised. I bet the aging morning show could be on the skids next. I would really like to know the details of how this was handled. After reading the entries here I see “fired”, “he quit”, “fired but made to look like he quit”. Was it any bit similar to how dickhead Ross Winters handled Martin Streek? Why didn’t Streek get to exit the way Bookie has done? He was just straight cut out of the station and deleted from history. A history he helped build for 20+ years.

“but he was passionate and knowledgeable about the music.”
That means shit in the radio world today, in terms of dealing with young market radio. Just sit there, play the ads, do the weather, play your safe for air and sometimes badly edited phoners, intro and exit the songs, read lame and manufactured “prep burger” stories, and try to sound like you have the slightest bit of personality and intelligence. Several people told me once I should be a radio DJ because of my love of music, but after coming to realize the business, its my love of music that keeps me *away* form ever having anything to do with standard radio, because its no longer about music anymore and hasn’t been for a long time. It’s about money and advertising dollars, among other things. Besides DJs no longer have free-form say over what they play, their hands are tied by the Program/Music Director. Your job is to simply sit there, shut up about everything else, and play the music like a good little paid employee. I hope you enjoy spinning the same current song eight times a day in an ever narrowing playlist world. And getting paid pennies to do so, compared to some radio vets. I would like to think Bookie made a decent living over 20 years.

I’d say fire Josie too, she’s getting up there in age and also is annoying as hell. But I hardly care; terrestrial radio isn’t worth putting energy into anymore. Why listen to hokey local radio with average dolts who try to sound and look interesting when you can have radio shows with worldwide appeal? There are so many “Edges” all around the world in local radio. After leaving the Howard Stern camp because I felt the show was never the same after Artie left (that and Howard became hardly live anymore in 2012), I turned to Opie & Anthony around September 2011 and became a major fan. When I first heard their Jocktober segments that year, WOW, was that ever an eye opener to show how *shitty* radio is and how it has been for several years. It made me think back to all the douchey bits I remembered happening on morning/afternoon drive radio. I don’t even remember what happened to “Find Todd A Fiancé” since I was already tuning out The Edge with my mp3 player, but that in itself was probably some lame ass promotional bit conceived by dopes in marketing and/or sales.

I think what is really sad is that for the large market/broadcast reach The Edge has in Toronto and beyond in the GTA, it is such a sucky “alterative” station these days. It’s a bad representative because it doesn’t really…make you discover all the great music out there anymore. I’ve heard, in various comment posts on this blog, some of the great stations in Vancouver, etc. That play a good old and new mix from bands all over the world. Kitchener-Waterloo’s 88.3 is a pretty decent offering of new and old alternative, and they also play album cuts of singles a lot of the time and not badly edited and sometimes censored “keep it at four minutes or less” singles. I just wish for living in Canada in the southwestern part of Ontario, that we had a better representative when it comes to this type of music. And hey, perhaps that *was* CFNY during a time I’ll never know since I wasn’t born until 1985. No longer the case these days; I’ve come to find so much good new and old music online, some from artists the Edge played years ago. Hell they don’t even play some of the good [80s and 90s Cancon] Christmas tunes anymore that I heard several years ago when I still had an ear to what the Edge was spinning.

It’s too bad I wasn’t old enough to really enjoy The Edge when it was still at least a little good. You lost all the good on air talent, you lost the live-to-airs, you lost all good programming that appeared on weekends and late at night, and above all you lost the music. You lost me and many other listeners, to cater to the lowest common denominator shithead demo(s) in trying to mix “Top 40 with grunge”. I honestly wonder if Edgefest will still be around in next few years. Maybe Ross can fuck that up too.

RIPCFNY
December 20, 2012 / 06:08

Ya what
STEPHEN FROM KITCHENER said.

Bryndle from buffalo
December 21, 2012 / 18:19

Bummed in Buffalo. Bookie knew it all and im sad for my drive home. Hes on to greener pastures i hope anyway Go Bills Bookie

Linda
December 26, 2012 / 00:51

Bookie was and is the best.

Julie
December 28, 2012 / 16:15

I was heartbroken when they moved Bookie from the afternoon slot, loved his show and missed it on my drive home. I am done with this station. Everything/person I loved is gone. I was so sad to see Martin, Barry (I found Barry on a Hamilton station this summer!), Alan and Jason go (Jason was the only reason I listened to DBS - I hate Dean).
I will miss Bookie the most.
RIP CFNY.

Pat
December 31, 2012 / 17:14

I'm guessing Adam will be getting the evening spot. It would only make sense, the guy's been working there for nearly eight years! There's no way they'd bring in an outside hire over Adam.

David
January 2, 2013 / 17:14

@Pat

You're wrong on that prediction.

Greg Beharrell has been hired to take over the evening spot. He worked at X92 in Calgary. No word on start date.

Moe
January 7, 2013 / 15:09

I would like to see him turn up at the new Indie 88.1 or whatever it is called. He could do a lot of great stuff for Canadian up and comers from there. It is supposed to be adopting the CFNY format from the spirit of radio days.

timmy
April 15, 2013 / 16:22

Who cares? The Edge plays terrible music for assholes in skinny jeans. Josie is a moron and the morning show got worse after Jason Barr was fired

Brian
April 17, 2013 / 00:37

Edge sucks now. Haven't listened in ages. Martin and Bookie were the best, Allan was damn good too. I liked Loriann more then Josie and as far as I am concerned between Fearless Fred and Greg Beheaded or whatever his name is, it sounds like listening to 5 years old with a microphone. Thank God for SiriusXM

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