Page 18 - Sports Energey News - Issue No 99, Cornwall, Mike Piquette

18 Issue #99 March 2021 www.sportsenergynews.com

Get to Know Dan and Bill, The Voices Behind

101.9’s boom breakfast

By Molly Kett amazing personality to work with daily
and more importantly, a great friend.
ou likely know the voices of Bill Basically, we are a couple of shmucks
YHalman and Dan Allaire from just sitting around the breakfast table
101.9’s boom breakfast morning show, trying to make each other laugh. With
but you’d probably like to know even that, we hope the audience will laugh
more about these two local guys. right along with us. Sometimes we
Halman moved with his wife to have to talk about serious things like
Cornwall in 2011, after spending six COVID, but we are always looking for
years out west. Not only does he co- the angle that will bring a little levity to
host the boom breakfast along with any topic.”
Dan Allaire, he’s also the Program Allaire, on the other hand, was born
Manager for Corus Cornwall, which and raised right here in Cornwall, aside
includes Boom and 104.5 Fresh Radio. from the three years he left town to
His radio career has taken him to a few study broadcasting at Loyalist College
different cities in Canada, including in Belleville. He also has a deep love Photo Submitted
Grande Prairie, AB, Whitehorse, YT, for their show. Popcorn Company in downtown Allaire pairing, is that they’re always
and Drumheller, AB. He and Kristin “The music we play is almost identical Cornwall. looking for ways to get involved in the
have two kids: Jack (11), Delilah (6), to my vinyl collection at home, so it’s
“The store is a gourmet popcorn and community.
and Baby #3 expected to arrive early almost like hosting a radio show from retro candy outlet that also showcases
“Dan and I do a lot of fundraising
July. my basement,” said Allaire. “There products such as sodas and chocolate for groups in the community, including
“There are two things that I like most is so much news and information out from around the globe. There were a the Cornwall Community Hospital
about doing the breakfast show. First, there that I like having a focus on fun, number of reasons for us to take on such Foundation,” said Halman. “We do
the people we get to meet - locals, so we provide an escape every morning
celebrities, business owners,” said to hopefully put a smile on someone’s an enterprise, but the main reason was an annual Radiothon for them and
Halman. “The relationships you forge face as they start their day. Also, I get to to ensure that our son Jack, who is on last year’s event is one that I will
the autism spectrum, would have a job never forget. With COVID-19 as
in this business are amazing. Which make fun of my boss, Bill.” when he gets older and is able to learn the backdrop, and our indoor event
leads to the second thing I like most, and Aside from the radio show, Halman real life skills in a safe environment,” pushed outdoors and with social
that’s coming to work every day with is kept fairly busy with the side project said Halman.
my cohost, Dan Allaire. He has been an he started with his wife, The Happy distance measures in place, our 13-
Allaire also has his own set of hour broadcast helped bring in over
hobbies, with collecting vinyl and $120,000 to help the hospital’s COVID
One-Stop-Shop for all interior & exterior lighting whisky at the top of his list. efforts and it was quite an emotional
“I am a craft beer enthusiast who day. When you can help raise that
loves IPAs in particular. I also do stand- kind of money in a day, you tend to
up comedy at some local shows and remember it well.”
have also performed at clubs like Yuk Every year the pair also does a food
Yuk’s in Ottawa, the Comedy Nest in drive for St. Vincent de Paul called
Montreal, and Absolute Comedy in Stuff the Studio, which Allaire created
Ottawa and Kingston, as well as many and spearheads each year.
small communities in Ontario and “Our local catholic high schools and
Quebec,” said Allaire. the community drop off food during a
With such an interesting job, the pair 12-hour broadcast. It began with one
were bound to have some incredibly cart-full and $300, and now we collect
memorable moments to share. over 15,000 pounds of food each year
“It’s happened a few times but when and a couple thousand dollars. This
a good friend of ours, Cornwall native community definitely takes care of its
Paul Deslauries, comes by to perform own,” said Allaire.
live and hang out with the show, it is From community involvement, to
always a good time. I know we get sharing touching stories on the air, one
to share the show with the audience thing is for certain: Allaire and Halman
listening, but it really feels like he’s both love their job and love their city.
doing a private show for us and he is “I’ll be taking a little time off from
an amazing live performer. It certainly the radio with my third child on the way
doesn’t happen enough,” said Halman. in July, but, as long as Cornwall wants
For Allaire, his memorable moment to listen, Dan and I are committed to
came on Pink Shirt Day. hosting 101.9’s boom breakfast for as
“On the morning of Pink Shirt Day, long as the ride can last,” said Halman.
we were talking about bullying and “It’s a privilege to have the
Lighting & Fans promoting awareness. An old friend of opportunity to be heard each morning
mine from high school, who was moved and lend my voice and time to so many
by my words, popped in out of the blue local causes. The people make this
840 Tenth Street East, Cornwall and told her story and we hugged it out community great, and I am but one
on the air. I was very emotional and thread in the fabric,” said Allaire.
613 932-5660 it’s something I will never forget,” said Next time you find yourself driving
www.emardlumber.ca Allaire. through the city, tune in 101.9 with
One of the best parts of the Halman- your friends Bill and Dan.