After 32 years as a personality on Country 105, Robyn Adair is hanging up her headphones.
Her longtime radio home will be rebranded “Robyn 105” to mark the occasion on Friday.
Adair will be joined by Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and other special guests from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. to wish her a happy retirement.
Adair called her career at Calgary’s country radio station “a dream come true for me.”
“It’s been a ridiculous amount of fun and I have had the chance to do things in this career that I couldn’t have imagined when I was starting out,” Adair said in a statement.
Roger Rhodes, Adair’s morning show co-host for the past five years, called her “a legend.”
“I’m so grateful — I still learn in radio every day and I’ve learned so much working alongside of her,” Rhodes said. “She’s the most down to earth, genuine person.”
Rhodes and Adair were friends before becoming co-workers, but Rhodes said his first day working with Adair was nerve-wracking.
“I was nervous as hell because I was stepping into such such a legendary morning show and such a heritage morning show,” Rhodes said. “If I hadn’t lost my hair already at that point, I certainly would have because it was just so, it was very stressful trying to step into such big shoes.”
A co-host on the award-winning morning show The Odd Squad, Adair said she’s long been looking forward to retire early.
“While I have absolutely no doubt that I won’t miss waking up at 3:30 a.m., I will certainly miss Roger, my friends at the station and all the listeners who have welcomed me into their lives,” Adair said.
Ronnie Stanton, western regional program director at Corus Entertainment, said Country 105 and mornings won’t be the same without Adair.
“Robyn is amazing talent and has been a key contributor to the station over the last three decades,” Stanton said.
Rhodes said Adair believed in having a relationship and bond with her listeners, and on-air authenticity was one of the greatest lessons he’ll take from his time with her.
“When she talks to you, you can tell she really does care. She listens to you and and to the listeners. And that, I think, is something that everyone in broadcasting can learn — you really need to have on some level a relationship and care about the people that are listening to you.”
In a statement, Nenshi expressed his gratitude for everything Adair has done in her career for the city and wished her well in her retirement.
“Robyn has shared her incredible talent, humour and enthusiasm with her colleagues and listeners, bringing her can-do attitude to work every day,” the mayor said. “Robyn gives back to her community in many ways, supporting the Alberta Children’s Hospital annual fundraising activities.”
Originally from Saskatchewan, Adair started her career in 1985, broadcasting in communities like Canmore, Red Deer and Edmonton.
She joined Country 105 in 1989 and has been an active part of community efforts like the Country 105 Caring for Kids Radiothon, which has raised $38 million over the past 18 years for the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
During her time at the radio station, Country 105 and The Odd Squad have won several Personality and Station of the Year awards from the Canadian Country Music Association. The Odd Squad has also received Personality of the Year nominations from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
Country 105 started broadcasting in Calgary in July 1982.