Ten Questions For Tom Allen

While three new show premiered this week with four new hosts (don't forget Molly Johnson on the weekend!) one of those hosts, the host of the weekday edition of Radio 2 Morning (6 a.m.-10 a.m.) probably needs little introduction. He has, I think, attained a status rarely conferred upon any individual -- he is a CBC Personality. Possibly even a National Treasure! (We won't hold this against him though.)

But it is still conceivable that there is someone reading this who knows nothing about Tom, or that someone who does might enjoy a few lighthearted words from Mr. Allen anyway, thus this little Q&A. (By the way, I was so glad he did not deny the veracity of question # 5, as I have an eye witness to the event, a.k.a. the R2 Blogger...)

1. Three words that describe your new show?

Bright, up, and fresh.

2. Three words that describe how you feel when you get up at 4 am to go to work?

Bright, up, and...full of it.

3. The quality you most admire in a radio host?

Honesty and directness.

4. The quality you most admire in a pet?

Character. I can put up with attitude, with noise and with fur all over the place, as long as character prevails.

5. True or False: You ride your bike around the atrium of the Broadcast Centre in the wee small hours.

True. At least, it was true, before CBC Security decided a bicycle is a global threat. It's ridiculous. If they're willing to leave Jowi Taylor in here without supervision in the middle of the night I don't see why I can't bring in my bike.

6. True or False: You once aspired to be a cook in a Mexican restaurant.

False - I didn't aspire to be one. I was one. Chili, soups, fajitas... I did all that. It was the high-end Russian cuisine I aspired to - for six whole weeks. Then the truth was revealed, and I had to find another way to pay the rent.

7. Favourite music to cook burritos to?

Tito Puente, Samba Squad or Tower of Power

8. The trombone versus the mandolin, in under twenty words?

Battle of the century! One night only! Don't miss it! Still plenty of good seats left!

9. Musician you would you most like to meet, dead or alive?

It would have to be someone I think I could actually get along with. I've met famous people, and once you've said "I have all your albums" and they've said "Thanks" there really isn't anything else to it. So: Bach's out - too busy. Beethoven - too moody. Cole Porter - all style and no substance. Richard Rogers - a grump. Bird, Coltrane, Hendrix and Elvis all had other distractions. Ray Charles could be prickly, John Lennon, too. Pete Townsend is deaf. Sting is a corporation. Kurt Cobain - are you crazy? Alright, alright... I'll pick three: Dizzy Gillespie for wit and humour, Steve Reich for intellect and a love of trains, and Tom Waits for the unexpected. Oh, and there had better be a woman around, just to maintain poise. Sapho? Hildegard von Bingen? No, wait! I've got it - Shirley Bassey.

10. Mantra for the new radio season?

If it cooks, it's on the menu.