Long-time radio host in High River, Charlie Brown, officially retires this Friday.
It will be a bittersweet day as we're sad to see him go, but we're thrilled he gets to have more time for his grandkids, as he gets some fishing and camping in.
He's been a part of the fabric of High River for decades and not just for his work with the radio stations, 99.7 Sun Country and AM 1140, but for so much more.
While many of us have listened to him throughout the years share some of his incredible stories, some of us have wondered how he got to be so good on the radio.
The bottom line is, he's a genuine people person just like a few of the Country music legends he's had the pleasure of interviewing such as Hoyt Axton and Charlie Pride.
After starting out from humble beginnings in southern Ontario and attending both Fanshawe College and Lambton College in the late 1970s, he was able to get his start at his hometown radio station, CKJD in Sarnia. Charlie then made a stop in North Bay before making his way to Alberta and landing an on-air gig in Red Deer at CKGY in 1981.
An interesting note, Charlie was known as Gerry Brown while on-air early in his career, but switched to Charlie in North Bay, and we've all known him as Charlie Brown ever since. Charlie's actual birth name is Gerald Howard Brown. A name he carries with great pride, as he was named after his grandfather, who served with distinction in the Canadian military.
Charlie and his jovial laugh then decided to get into selling radio advertising, which he did with great success from 1983 until after the Calgary Olympics of 1988.
Once again, it was time to pack up for a new adventure in Canmore, where he continued in Sales but also jumped back on-air, hosting the Morning Show for almost three years.
CKTA in Lethbridge came calling next, as he worked there and in Taber at a radio station there until 1994 before moving to High River.
After settling down in High River with wife Tracy and daughter Stevie-Lee, and a few years later, daughter Madison joined the family, he got into volunteering in the community while he commuted to Calgary, where he once again got back into Sales full-time at Calgary Flames Radio, 66 CFR.
As you would've guessed by now, there is always a lot of packing and moving going on in the radio industry, so by the year 2000, he joined what was then known as the 'Q Group' of radio stations in Stettler, Drumheller and Ponoka.
He wasn't done yet, as he then joined Country 105 in Calgary back in Sales from 2001 until 2009, as his success continued.
Charlie also worked at Shine FM in Calgary in 2010 before starting at AM 1140 in High River in 2011.
His quick, easy interactions with people during Tradio on AM 1140 had listeners calling for hours to try and get on the radio with him.
He then transitioned over to the Morning Show on 99.7 Sun Country in 2021 and has been waking up High River and the Foothills with local guests, celebrities and more contests than you can shake a stick at.
Not many people in the radio industry are as successful as Charlie has been in both Sales and on-air.
Always ready with a 'long story short' just waiting to be told, he's entertained audiences, family and friends since he was knee-high to a grasshopper and will continue to do so long after he's officially retired.
Many of us have had the pleasure of working and interacting with Charlie daily; some of us have had him DJ our weddings or our kids' weddings as Charlie Brown Sounds, and he always does it with a smile and an infectious laugh.
Not to mention all the events he's hosted throughout the almost 46 years he's been doing this, with 31 of those years living in High River. From fundraisers to golf tournaments and everything in between. He also coached quite a few softball and fastball teams over the years. Just one of the many hobbies and sports he's loved over the years, including playing senior men's hockey locally over the years.
When asked what his favourite part of the job was, it was a simple answer: the people.
Charlie and his family aren't going anywhere, and you'll continue seeing him around town sharing some stories and having a laugh or two.
While he's looking for some rest and relaxation over the next few months, we're sure he'll be volunteering or helping out in the community in one way or another in the near future.
One of the best Peanuts cartoon specials says it all, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."