John Small is a 40-year veteran of both broadcasting and education in Canada and the United States. In his early years he served as an on-air personality for formatted programs of jazz, classics and contemporary music. In 1967 he found himself disenchanted with the radio programming of WABX-FM in Detroit and he urged the owners to change from the "Middle-Of-The-Road" format, to what was then considered 'Underground Radio'. The transformation of the station skyrocketed the ratings to number one and an international reputation for both Small and the station. Along with KSAN in San Francisco and the Wolfman Jack shows out of Mexico - the three spearheaded the advent of the growth of FM radio in North America. Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds lived in Detroit and listened to John Small on WABX during this time period. Small was soon enticed away from WABX to join the competition (WKNR-FM) and continue his work in underground radio. While there, he teamed with two other staff members to unfold the "Paul McCartney is Dead" mystery. The investigation gained worldwide coverage and eventually led to an appearance on The Phil Donahue Show in the '70's.

By 1972, "Underground Radio" had just about ran it's course and while visiting friends in Toronto, Small landed a job as National Promotion Manager of Capitol EMI Records working with the likes of Anne Murray, Leon Russell, Glen Campbell and Helen Reddy. He also served as National Promotion Manager for Motown Records and the Children's Television Workshop Record Division. He notably worked with stars like Stevie Wonder and, of course, Big Bird!

John then entered the advertising field in '79 as Creative Director of Yorkville Advertising and subsequently turned his attention to education in 1988 as Professor at Seneca College in Toronto. He became Program Coordinator for the Creative Advertising Department. During his professorship, he was asked to return to radio and develop a program for the Rock Radio Network in 1989 and subsequently Q107 in Toronto. The project was called BLUES NORTH and broadcast for seven years on the R.R.N. until some genius there decided the show was to bluesy (go figure that one out). The show's staff was scaled down but kept broadcasting every Sunday night at 10:00 pm on Q107 FM in Toronto up until February 16th 1997 when it was decided by the station that the music that spawned Rock and Roll was not an appropriate format for a Rock station. Hats off to Big John Small for being a true believer and showing his support by setting up his tent in the Big Blues Camp of Canada. John is still teaching and hanging out with Uncle Bill & Bob. Keep your faith my brother.. ODAAT.. JV

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