Warren Hill performed at the RMB Crystal Awards.
Photo: BizBash
“No, I’m not Judy Croon and I don’t know where she is.” Radio Marketing Bureau president Gary Belgrave delivered that opening line when he took to the stage at the Crystal Awards yesterday to fill in for his absent host. “For reasons that go beyond anything I’ve ever heard of, we don’t know where Judy is. So I may not be quite as pretty, but you’re stuck with me,” Belgrave told the 425 guests attending the luncheon at the Fairmont Royal York.
The afternoon event, which recognizes creativity in radio advertising, takes place annually during Canadian Music Week. The luncheon began on schedule at 12:15 p.m., with a performance by Warren Hill. But just minutes before 1:30 p.m.—when the award ceremony was set to start—Croon was still nowhere to be found.
“She was supposed to be here at 11:30 a.m.,” event producer Andy Stinton said. “This is what makes doing live events interesting.... This business is unique in the fact that you don’t get a second chance. We could give lessons in crisis management, because you soon learn there’s nothing you can do.”“It’s never happened before, so I guess we live and learn,” said Cora Aranjo, who planned the event with RMB creative director Wray Ellis. Belgrave served as M.C. for the awards, handing out honours in 10 categories. He didn’t perform Croon’s stand-up routine.
In an interview today, Belgrave said, "Judy just had a booking error. She thought it was today." He continued by saying that the show "seemed to go off really well, so we're not really complaining."
The afternoon event, which recognizes creativity in radio advertising, takes place annually during Canadian Music Week. The luncheon began on schedule at 12:15 p.m., with a performance by Warren Hill. But just minutes before 1:30 p.m.—when the award ceremony was set to start—Croon was still nowhere to be found.
“She was supposed to be here at 11:30 a.m.,” event producer Andy Stinton said. “This is what makes doing live events interesting.... This business is unique in the fact that you don’t get a second chance. We could give lessons in crisis management, because you soon learn there’s nothing you can do.”“It’s never happened before, so I guess we live and learn,” said Cora Aranjo, who planned the event with RMB creative director Wray Ellis. Belgrave served as M.C. for the awards, handing out honours in 10 categories. He didn’t perform Croon’s stand-up routine.
In an interview today, Belgrave said, "Judy just had a booking error. She thought it was today." He continued by saying that the show "seemed to go off really well, so we're not really complaining."
