Randy Snow and Stephanie O’Brien have something special. They joke. They tease. But they also have one another’s back. Their radio magic wouldn’t be what it is otherwise.

What makes it click? They admit they are not really sure, but whatever it was happened almost immediately on that very first Morning Jam morning.

CHEMISTRY & NOSTALGIA

“There’s definitely chemistry between us. People say they can feel like there’s that obvious chemistry between the two of us,” Snow begins.
“He’s obviously obsessed with me. And that shows,” O’Brien teased. They laugh.

“Steph has got a history in radio. I’ve got a history in radio. And when we met almost two years ago now, it was just instant,” Snow added.

While they tease they’d like all the credit for being number one, they both also know the music has a lot to do with it too.
“There’s lots of nostalgia there in the music and that has helped. We’ve amped it up when it comes to promotions or small contests or even our topics of conversation. People can relate to the music, and we talk about things that are relatable. We talk about what we do. We’re local and it’s relatable,” O’Brien shared.

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Snow agrees. “That’s a big part of it. I’ve often said that for radio, in order for it to work, it needs to be local. People rely on the fact that you have a radio station here so your people on the air should be from here. Steph and I are both Newfoundlanders. We can relate to the geography, the history, the culture, and to what’s going on. Steph grew up here. I grew up in Gander, but I spent a lot of my adult life in St. John’s steps from the Goulds, in fact my mother’s from Goulds, so we had that instant connection and I relate to everything she says,” Snow said.

O’Brien, who is carefully applying her makeup for an offsite once she gets off the air, reflected on what Snow had said.
“I think that’s important on the radio. When they’re listening to us, they know these guys know what they’re talking about because they’re from here and they’re waking up in the morning right here and we’re all experiencing the same things.”
Snow picked up where O’Brien left off. “Steph is a mother. She’s a career woman. So a lot of families who listen in the morning really connect with her.”

Especially during the pandemic, or as Charlie likes to call it, the ‘pan-dammit.’

“There was a lot of guilt going on, I think, during the pandemic with moms and working and trying to do the mom role at home, especially if they had husbands that were offshore or away. So when we talked about it onair, especially when I was working from home, they got it. I would have to stop the news for a minute because Charlie was screaming in the background. It was real. That was all real. And I’m positive there were so many moms out there being like, ‘oh, my God, I totally got it.’ But they also feel ‘I’m not alone,’” Snow added.

‘THANK YOU FOR HELPING’

“They hear this woman on the radio who’s juggling all of this at the same time and listening to how she’s handling it with a smile. That’s like six o’clock in the morning. Sometimes some mornings there’ll be frustration, and you could tell that and the parents were like, ’I get it’ because they are at home and they’re trying to do homeschooling and all this kind of stuff. And here’s Stephanie trying to do her job from home and little Charlie is like three or four years old. She doesn’t get Mommy’s on the radio and working. So she’s going around singing and screaming and trying to get breakfast.”

But nobody seemed to mind, Snow added. “We got a lot of comments from listeners telling us, ‘thank you for helping us get through the pandemic with a smile on our face.’”

O’Brien said they took the pandemic as an opportunity to keep it light.
“We gave the important information but we worked to keep people entertained and try to get them through it. People were lonely at home and saw nobody. I mean, it was just a horrible time.”

O’Brien found the 19-week lockdown tough. So did Snow, who – because he was working at the office still, didn’t even see his own parents who live across the street to keep them safe.

“I’d be here and I went home. Steph said to me off the air one morning, ‘I don’t know how much longer I can do this.’ I said, ‘Steph, I go home. I see nobody, but at least I feel like I’m helping keep people safe. You got your husband and a little girl there who is relying on you, and two cats. I don’t even have a pet anymore.’ So we kind of got through it and we relied on each other a lot that way to remind one another that it was going to be normal again soon, but we had to also count our blessings.”

COUNT THOSE BLESSINGS

O’Brien says that having a chance to work with “everyone” has helped her grow as a person and as a radio host.

“I love everyone that works here. Rob was my first morning show co-host and we got along great and it was a great show. And I worked with Stephen and Hugh. We all really love being together. But the magic really came with myself and Randy. And I hear that from everyone,” O’Brien said.

Snow couldn’t agree more. “In life when you meet your life partner, you know. Same thing in this kind of business. In a career like this we have to be able to predict each other’s thoughts when we’re on the air.”
There’s a turn of phrase for such chemistry, he added.

“I call it honouring the verbal reality. That’s a rare thing in radio where you can say something on the radio without letting the person know ahead of time what you’re going to say, or where you’re going to be going with it. So if I said to Stephanie, ‘hey, I went to a movie last night’ but off air I just told her I went to bed at seven o’clock, she will know I’m setting up another story.”

That’s something that came naturally, O’Brien added. “It’s funny because one of the things I learned in college for musical theater in one of my acting classes was you always say yes. So when you’re doing a scene or enjoying improv, you never shut it down. You have to keep it open. The second you say no it goes nowhere and it’s done. So I actually did listen and learn something in school that helps in life. That’s amazing.”

NEVER SHUT IT DOWN

The two banter back and forth and queue another song, The chatter doesn’t stop when the mic is off, either.
“When we started Stephanie said to me, ‘I’m going to learn so much from you’, but I’ve learned so much from her. Stephanie has got such effervescence and a bubbly personality. And I remember when I came back here, I said, ‘before I wrap up my career, I’d love a chance to work with that woman.’”

Their first meeting is somewhat up for debate, but the story is cute and deserves sharing. “We met once at a party at my house, she says, and she claims she put me to bed – details are scanty and I say that never happened. But I said ‘I think her and I could create something special together.’ From the first morning we were on, we just connected. Stephanie knows how I’m thinking.”

O’Brien says they not only play off one another, but pick up for one another as well. “The other will jump in and pick up if one isn’t feeling themselves one day. And that’s true teamwork. There really is like an unspoken thing that just naturally happens.”

IT JUST WORKS

The two have chemistry, but they also have an obvious admiration for one another as well. “I would listen to Randy on the radio before we worked together and think, ‘I’m going to be better than he is one day’ but now I’m working with him and we are number one together. I admire him so much and now we get to share this journey and it’s incredible.”

Snow admits to “checking O’Brien out” as well. “When we didn’t work together I knew I had to keep an eye on her because she’s coming after me. I heard her interacting with callers and I said, ‘she’s got it.’”

That the two stars get to spend their mornings together is a win-win for so many reasons. O’Brien gets the last word.

“It’s all very serendipitous. It’s one of those things where everything that happened, good and bad, got us to this point. And it just works.”

Jay Lawrence, Station Manager/Program Director at OZFM, has much to be thankful for, but high on the list at the moment? The fact that his team is number one in the province.

“It’s a great achievement,” he opened, sharing that the fact that OZFM remained true to its roots through it all is “unique in the business.”

HAPPY DAYS AHEAD

“Sometimes when radio stations make changes, they also change the name, but OZFM never did that. Throughout the years we’ve adjusted the programming as needs changed, like a couple of years ago in 2019 we made a change to play a lot more of the music from the 90s and the 2000s, but still touching on today’s hits as well. And that really seems to have connected with the audience and we’re thrilled at the results. We look forward to more happy days ahead,” he shared.

RETURN OF RANDY

One change? The return of Randy Snow, now co-host of The Morning Jam alongside Stephanie O’Brien.

“We were more than thrilled to welcome back Randy Snow,” shared Lawrence. “Randy was a big part of OZFM’s early success, and he left for a different radio station and then we had an opportunity to bring him home. I think that, in addition to the programing change, helped make us number one. Having Randy rejoin the family was a great move.”

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The other half of that winning formula is Stephanie O’Brien.

“Stephanie and  Stephen were our two remotes at the beginning of the pandemic. Back then, everybody was scared. Nobody knew quite what was going on or what was coming next. We really made a conscious decision to be a companion for everyone else who was stuck in their house and couldn’t go out. We resolved to give people the important information that they needed to get through the day – so government information and the COVID updates – but we resolved to not be doom and gloom and to be a bit of an escape and to be people’s friends.”

WEATHERING THE STORM

Lawrence shared he heard from so many saying that their approach was truly appreciated.

“We were a companion during all the lockdowns and people really appreciated that. We got notes from listeners saying how happy they were that we were there for them. Some people were all alone for months at a time, and for many their families were away, and we were their only friend, and we took that responsibility pretty seriously.”

Stephen Lethbridge has also seen a rise in popularity. The music, and his conversational style, is certainly part of the winning combination. There’s also some great chemistry between Lethbridge and NTV’s Eddie Sheerr. When the two gab in the afternoon, it’s a popular tune-in.

“We know that a lot of people really enjoy listening in and we’re really happy that we get to share, for at least a few minutes on weekday afternoons and during the evening show as well, Eddie’s forecast,” Lawrence explains. “We’re love having Eddie with us. The conversation that he and Stephen have every afternoon is always entertaining. We get comments on that all the time and so we’re happy that people love it. And we’re happy NTV shares Eddie with us.”

JIGS & REELS

Danielle Butt and her Jigs & Reels has long been popular, Lawrence added.

“Danielle is a legend in local broadcasting. She’s been on the air for quite a number of years. I won’t say the number. She’ll hurt me. But Jigs & Reels has its own audience, which has always been quite large. Danielle brings her personality and her knowledge of the music to the table. And it’s been a really interesting addition to what OZFM does. On a Sunday afternoon you’re going to hear The Parting Glass and at 1:00 you’re going to hear Rick Dees Weekly Top 40. It’s kind of a jarring change, but it’s something that we’ve done for years to great success.”

A TEAM TO THANK

Lawrence has huge praise for the entire team.

“We love that Robert (Shawn) and Hugh (Campbell) are really conversational people and both of them have the ability to connect with folks. Rob likes to tell stories about his dog Turk and about his life and you just can’t help but listen, and Hugh is there with all the pop culture references and I think both of them have a real good ability to connect with the audience.”

Shannell Lewis, who has joined The Herald sales team recently, is also a welcome addition to the OZFM number one winning team.

“Shannell has been there for us whenever we needed her. When Stephanie was off on maternity leave, Shannell stepped in and since then, whenever anybody has been sick, you can call on Shannell at ten o’clock at night and say; ‘please be in at five o’clock the next morning’ and she’s there for you.  She’s been kind of like our emergency go to for the last several years and no matter what show she’s thrown into on a moment’s notice, she always gets the job done and sounds like she’s been preparing for it for hours.”

STAYCATION SUMMER TEAM

Of course, the Summer Staycation duo of Becky and Noah is also key to OZFM’s success, Lawrence explains.

“The Staycation Summer Team is an extension of what we do. Keeping in mind COVID guidelines and public health directives, we’re out there saying ‘hi’ to people. We’re saying, ‘hey, normal life is coming back.’ Obviously, we don’t shake hands and give a whole lot of things away like we used to do but there are some prizes available and we focus on what’s open and what you can do during these interesting times in  Newfoundland and Labrador.”

It’s all about outreach, he shared, and staying connected to OZFM’s extended family; the listening audience.

“What are some interesting things people can do with family this year? They can take a road trip and listen to music and they can bring OZFM along. We love being there for people as a friend and a companion in these weird times.”

STAY CONNECTED

It’s easy to stay connected, Lawrence continued. “We have nine transmitters across the province so in most of the populated area of the island, you can pick us up on your radio no matter where you’re going, especially along Trans Canada. We’re also available on the Web.”

While it’s great to be heard, it’s even better to hear from listeners, he said.

“We hear from people that we were the backdrop to their weekend at the cabin. They enjoy listening to music from the 90s, through to today and those same people  enjoy Jigs & Reels on a Sunday morning because it’s such a Newfoundland tradition to listen to at the cabin with a cup of tea and your bacon and eggs, and then it goes back to today’s hits and people just love the flow. I think what’s unique about OZFM is our mix of music. What’s special about us is our on-air talent.”

‘NUMBER ONE POSITION’

Lawrence, who has been with OZFM for four years, says he’s proud of the work he does every day, but he’s more proud of the people he works with.

“Being able to execute what I thought was the right direction for us is a proud thing for me. We did something that was kind of new and hadn’t been done in this marketplace before. We brought Randy Snow back and we went an almost completely different direction with our music. And I think the biggest pride that I take is that it was a success so quickly.”

It can take quite a while for an audience to adapt to a change, he added.

“Here, we jumped into the number one position after a change quite quickly and I’m really happy with that.”

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We’re going back to OZ folks! Nostalgia is the name of the game as the station that changed the way Newfoundlanders and Labradorians listen to radio across the province is embracing the sing to the top of your lungs hits of the 90s, 2000s and the best music of today.

OZFM SING ALONG

It’s a brave new world and a brave new OZFM, one that pays fan service with the top music of the defining eras of Billboard – from No Doubt to Destiny’s Child, Matchbox 20, Jennifer Lopez when she was J-Lo – and sprinkles in the very best of what defines the charts today. It’s Newfoundland’s music mix and one that honours old school with a decidedly modern approach.

“We’re definitely taking the music in a bit of a different direction on OZFM,” shared OZFM Station Manager Jay Lawrence. “The music we’re playing is for people who want to sing along…loudly … with their favourite songs, but also want to keep current with today’s top hits. It’s designed to complement that “old friend” feeling you’ll get from the morning show. Turn on OZFM and your favourite jams are there for you, already playing.”

The centrepiece of the re-tooled and improved OZFM is The Morning Jam, which will see beloved station favourite Stephanie O’Brien team up with the returning Randy Snow. 

“I think Randy Snow would be welcome anywhere he goes,” shares Lawrence. “So we’re pretty happy he wanted to come home to OZFM. Randy has such a unique ability to make a connection with people. Even people he hasn’t ever met. You turn on the radio and it’s like a friend is there with you. I think OZFM listeners will feel like that friend is coming home.”

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RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

 “I’m excited to work with Randy because of his experience,” O’Brien shares. 

“I’ve always admired his radio work and admired how people just love him, they’ve always loved him. You wonder when people started their careers in radio how do they get to be that way? Is there something they did? And Randy just has it. He’s very good at his job and I’m excited to learn from him. This is an opportunity for us to get together and make something really cool happen and along the way I’ll get to learn a lot as well.”

The combined talents of Snow and O’Brien is a surefire recipe for success. The duo brings decades of on-air experience to the new home for morning radio, The Morning Jam. 

“Randy and Stephanie both bring an ability to make that connection with people,” adds Lawrence. “They’re going to have a conversation every morning and it’s going to be just like there are a couple more people sitting at your breakfast table. There’s going to be a lot of laughter, a lot of fun, and hopefully, people will go off to work in a better mood than when they woke up.”

FAMILIAR VOICES

Kick-starting weekdays with The Morning Jam, the weekly OZFM lineup will feature a host of welcomed familiar voices. Robert Shawn holds court from 10 AM to 2 PM, turning over to Stephen Lethbridge from 2-6 PM. Hugh Campbell takes over from 6-9 PM on Tuesday to Friday evenings as well as serving as your ambassador for good times on Saturday afternoons. 

And while the popular music featuring three generations of hit-makers will be front and center at OZFM, the sounds that make up the fabric of our province will not be forgotten.

Jigs and Reels, the behemoth of traditional Newfoundland tunes across the province, will start your Sunday mornings with sweet tunes a little earlier, running from 7 am to 1 pm, while also removing their Saturday programming.

So take a trip back to OZ for a heavy dose of nostalgia to get you through dreary work weeks with the best personalities in local radio combined with the best hits of today and the local flavour that makes Newfoundland and Labrador one of the musical hubs of the world. 

THE EVOLUTION OF OZ

“This evolution of OZFM goes back to the music people love, while still making sure they hear their favourite current music,” shares Lawrence. It’s a balance that’s always evolving.”

 “People love it, they love nostalgia,” adds O’Brien enthusiastically. “I feel really positive about these changes. I feel like it’s exactly what listeners want and what we’ve needed to do. Going forward I see nothing but good things down the road for OZFM.”

For more on OZFM programming and to listen online visit ozfm.com and visit the official OZFM Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.