The Science of Magic with Gwilda Wiyaka - EP 160 - Guest: Rob McConnell - Canadian Broadcaster & Broadcast Executive

The 'X' Zone Radio Show

ROB McCONNELL - Well, the young Rob McConnell, who was raised in the multicultural area of Montreal known as Park Extension accomplished all his life goals, including being a musician, a police officer, artist, broadcaster and now is taking on new and exciting adventures in life and learning each and every day. Music has always been a part of Rob McConnell’s life. Born in Montreal in 1952, after teaching himself to play guitar, woodwind instruments, percussion and vibraphone (and he does a great job playing the piano with two fingers!) Starting at age 16, Rob could be found playing in garage bands on the South Shore of Montreal. While playing the part of John Lennon in one of the first Beatles Clone bands “The SelBeat” Rob would be found playing bars and wedding receptions to playing at a motorcycle club's party in Sorel. From a very young age, the media, radio and television intrigued young Rob McConnell.As a youth, Rob was a guest on The Magic Tom Show (Tom Auburn) and on The Johnny JellyBean (Ted Zeigler who went on to be a regular on the Sonny and Cher TV Show) at the studios of CFCF TV Channel 12 on Ogilvy Avenue also in the Park Extension neighborhood. In his late teens, Rob could be seen sitting and chatting with Leonard Cohen, having lunch with Cliff Edwards from the great Canadian group, "The Bells", teaching First-Aid for the St. John Ambulance Association. In the late 60s’ Rob played Montreal’s British Pubs, the French Bistro’s in historic Old Montreal, church and high school dances, to playing the Coffee Houses of Montreal’s McGill University’s Aylmer Street area where he met and played with a little known but up and coming Canadian artist, Gordon Lightfoot at The Yellow Door. In his later years, Rob worked with such international artists such as B.J. Thomas, Bobby Curtola, Linda Gentille, Brighton Rock and Peter Noone. Rob enjoyed off time with his friends at Montreal's The Maiden Head Inn where he met and became friends with Ferddie Furtado and at The Cock'n Bull enjoying the music and comedy of Festival of Laughs musical comedy artists, "Bowser & Blue." During his years, Rob has also crossed paths with such greats as Danny Kaye, Red Buttons, Paul Williams, Burgess Meredith, Liza Minnelli just to name a few. Yes, Canadian broadcaster and media personality, Rob McConnell has quite a career to his credit... musician, police officer, director, producer, publisher, author, board game creator, researcher, syndicated columnist and still, after 20 + years, hosting the very popular internationally syndicated radio show which he created, The ‘X’ Zone Radio & TV Show. When it comes to the world of the paranormal or the science of parapsychology, Rob's expertise is ranked in the Top 10 in his field. Since 1992, Rob McConnell has been publishing The ‘X’ Chronicles Newspaper, North America's only Paranormal/ Parapsychology / New Age Newspaper. McConnell continues to be one of the few spearheading the Canadian Media Scene. Now, as President and CEO of one of Canada’s fastest growing multimedia companies, RAM Media Company (which encompasses Radio/TV Broadcasting, Programming and Production - Publishing, Internet and Satellite Programming Delivery), he released his first Music Album, "Music of The ‘X’ Zone" (© 2013 REL-MAR McConnell Media Company) which was inspired by just some of those who have been a major part in his life and the lives of his international ‘X’ Zone audience. McConnell is now offering media opportunities and mentoring to those who seek careers in the new world of broadcasting, publishing and the new media. Rob McConnell was featured by the BBC in C*O*N*T*A*C*T in 1997, and was the consultant to the producers of the Canadian hit TV Show, Creepy Canada for three years. In 1997 Rob invented the very popular 'X' Game. Rob's broadcast experience includes 1220 CHSC in St. Catharines, 1290 CJBK in London and Rob was also the Executive Producer of Talk Programming for NewsTalk 610 CKTB. Rob has produced TV commercials, infomercials, concerts and features in Ontario and Quebec for such clients as The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, The Hyatt Regency Hotel, Centre Duvernay, Auberge Vieux Gabrielle, J D Car Stereo Centre and others. Rob is a syndicated newspaper columnist, and the author of several books found on Amazon.com including The ‘X’ Zone Directory of Who’s Who (2013) and The ‘X’ Zone Book of Triviology (2012). As a publisher, he has published a number of books including, “Out of the Woodwork” by long-time friend and fellow broadcaster William Peckham and “Rented Silence” by Lucia Mann. Rob McConnell lives in Southern Ontario.