Back in the ’90s, ET Canada host Rick Campanelli was known by another name: Rick the Temp.
He was easily one of the most popular VJs (video jockeys, remember them?) on MuchMusic, interviewing the world’s biggest musical acts and talents. Those skills were transferred over when he was hired by ET Canada as a host for the show’s launch in 2005. He’s been there ever since, and now Campanelli is “returning to his roots,” joining Toronto rock station 102.1 The Edge.
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Starting Monday, June 27, he’ll be pulling double-duty as he starts up in the mornings on 102.1 radio show Fred and Mel with Rick Campanelli, which goes on-air weekdays from 5:30 a.m. – 9 a.m., and he will continue to deliver entertainment news on ET Canada at 7:30 p.m.
To celebrate the new addition to the morning team, 102.1 the Edge will be hosting a concert at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on Tuesday, July 5. Wintersleep will headline the show and be joined by Brothers of North, among others.
Campanelli spoke briefly to Global News from Las Vegas about his latest venture, and how excited he is to be “coming back home” to music.
Global News: Does this feel like you’re coming home, in a way?
Rick Campanelli: I really do feel like I’m “coming back home” or “going back to my roots” with joining The Edge morning show. Music has been a huge part of my life since I could remember. It’s really what pushed me into pursuing MuchMusic seriously. The Edge not only has engaging personalities — it plays the best music in the city!
It’s an honour to be part of a station that I grew up listening to. It’s seriously been an ongoing “pinch me” moment ever since signing on months ago.
Have you had any previous radio experience?
Yes but nothing like I’m about to experience. While at MuchMusic, I used to co-host the radio countdown with Jennifer Hollett, which aired across the country. Tons of fun, but it was all pretaped. I also was part of the Friday morning CHIN radio team (The Fratelli Squad) with Edoardo Monasterolo and Andy Guglielmi — live and tons of fun! That gig got me closer to my Italian roots, and it allowed me to give back to the Italian community.
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Are you ready for the ridiculous morning hours?
I’m totally excited, but at the same time extremely terrified about starting on Monday morning!
Fred keeps telling me I have nothing to worry about, but I’ll have to change up my sleeping patterns come Sunday night: early to bed and very, very early to rise! I’m kind of used to getting up at 4 a.m. since having my third son, Harrison. My wife and I co-sleep with our four-month-old and he wakes up a lot throughout the night, so that has gotten me used to getting up at all hours of the night. After the morning show finishes, I’ll be heading up to Global TV to start my ET Canada shift. Very busy days ahead, but I’m so pumped to start!
‘Fred and Mel with Rick Campanelli’ will air weekdays starting Monday, June 27th from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Toronto’s 102.1 the Edge. ‘ET Canada’ airs weeknights at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on Global TV.
Global News, ‘ET Canada’ and 102.1 The Edge are all part of Corus Entertainment.
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