Rick Howe’s new book reflects on 50 year broadcasting career

After a 50 year career, retired radio legend Rick Howe is about to engage with his listeners once again, but this time, through the pages of his new book.

Behind the Mic: Five Decades Covering the News in the Maritimes is available now.

“Not just stories about me, but stories about what I experienced as a reporter… Westray for example” he explains. 

“I've been there, done it and seen it over the years, and I thought what I've seen would make for fascinating stories, so I put it all on pen and paper.”

Howe also shares many good memories and stories about what he calls zany, quirky but very talented radio characters.  

He writes about all fun he and his colleagues used to have, as he mentioned the water pistol wars with squirt guns and creaming someone's phone.  

When it comes to the listeners however, Howe spoke fondly and told CityNews Halifax about the impact they had on his talk show. 

“I think people appreciate the fact that they are given a voice, to speak their mind, within reason sometimes, I mean, sometimes get a little carried away but I think people really appreciate that and I think that helps with the success,” Howe says.  

Howe adds the open hour was interesting because he never knew how it was going to go, but the regular listeners who called in helped make it special; specifically mentioning “Deloris” and “Cape Breton Mike.” 

Howe believes he was a successful host because he listened to people, understood what they were going through and tried to help if he could.

It's been almost a year since he officially hung up his headphones and moved to a seaside cottage with his wife, former CBC journalist Yvonne Colbert. 

Howe had been on extended leave from his talk show at the time due to a health issue, which he hadn't publicly disclosed much about until putting together this book.

“It was difficult to write,” he admits, “but I felt that the people who trusted me, and the thousands who listened every day, should have the details of went on.”

At this point, he says his last chemo session was about two weeks ago, and now he's just waiting for his doctors to tell him what comes next.

You can pre-order Howe's book at Nimbus Publishing's website.