Gord’s Biography

Gord Atkinson’s on-location interviews, with popular personalities and legendary stars, are unique radio documentaries that have won him international recognition. His in-depth programs have profiled over 200 celebrities including, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, James Stewart, Anne Murray, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Julie Andrews, Red Skelton, Bill Cosby, Harry Belafonte and Rich Little.

Born and educated in Toronto, Gord studied journalism, public relations and broadcasting. His first position in the entertainment business, as a publicist with Decca Records, led to a weekly radio show at Radio Station CFRB in Toronto, September 1948. His full time career in broadcasting began in 1950 at CHUM radio in Toronto, where, as entertainment editor, he remained for four years before arriving at Radio Station CFRA in Ottawa. In 1954 he was established on the Ottawa radio scene as the host of a daily variety program. Ottawa-born headliners Rich Little and Paul Anka made their respective radio debuts with Gord while they were high school students. As the host of concerts and stage presentations, Gord was the emcee of Elvis Presley’s only Ottawa performance in 1957.

Gord was appointed station manager of Ottawa Radio Station CFMO-FM in 1967. He held this position for twenty-two years, until his retirement in 1990. His broadcasting career has spanned over 50 years.

Gord first met Bing Crosby at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood, August 14, 1945, the day that the Second World War ended. His first radio program in 1948, on behalf of the Club Crosby, established a long lasting association and friendship with Bing Crosby that inspired Gord to write, narrate and produce The Crosby Years. This 14 hour authorized musical anthology earned him the prestigious Armstrong Award from Columbia University and a U.S. National Radio Award in 1975. The series was broadcast around the world and re-broadcast globally following the death of the legendary star. It is now available in a collection of updated CDs. It was the basis of a subsequent book, Bing, A Voice for All Seasons, published in 1984 and co-authored with Sheldon O’Connell.

In May of 1981, Gord was the emcee of a televised ceremony on the campus of Bing Crosby’s alma mater, Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. The unveiling of a bronze statue of the universally acclaimed performer and humanitarian was attended by his wife, family, show business friends and fans from around the world. Gord returned to Gonzaga in 2003 as emcee of the 100^th anniversary of Bing’s birth.

On September 24, 1996 Gord’s autobiographical book, Showbill, was published by Creative Bound of Ottawa, Canada and became a best seller. The book launch took place at the National Library of Canada.

Gord was instrumental in arranging a 1982 Frank Sinatra/Rich Little fund-raising concert for the Ottawa Civic Hospital, which raised one million dollars and built the Civic Hospital’s Special Care Nursery. In 1987 Gord produced a Rich Little Benefit Concert for St. Vincent de Paul’s Hospital in Brockville, Ontario and on May 3, 1988, collaborated again with Rich Little, for a benefit performance that launched Ottawa’s newest arts complex, Centrepointe Theatre and established a bursary for young artists and performers.

A featured columnist and spokesman for Ontario’s popular seniors’ newspaper, Forever Young, Gord is actively involved in the lifestyle of our senior citizens. Gord and his wife Elaine have seven adult children and fourteen grandchildren. They were one of the founding families of St. Basil’s parish in Ottawa and have been actively involved in the ecumenical movement. They were married Sept. 3, 1951 at St. Helen’s Church, Toronto.

AWARDS

1982	The Howard Caine Memorial Award was presented by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters for service to his community.
1982 to1989	Gord was awarded seven Certificates of Merit from the International Radio Festival of New York, for his radio profiles of Judy Garland, Paul Anka, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, George Burns, James Stewart and Bing Crosby.
1984	Gord’s special radio series on songwriters was produced with the cooperation of the U.S. National Academy of Popular Music and its President, the late Sammy Cahn. The collection was included in the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City.
1986	His authorized radio series of legendary star Bob Hope won an international Gabriel statuette from the United States Association of Catholic Broadcasters in Los Angeles.
1987	On June 30th, Gord was awarded The Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship. The ceremony took place in the rotunda of the Provincial Parliament Buildings, Queen’s Park, Toronto.
1988	He was the recipient of the Graham Spry Award for out- standing lifetime contributions to broadcasting at the 11th annual Association of Canadian TV and Radio Artists Dinner.
1988	Gord was greatly honoured by the executive and members of the Ottawa Lodge of B’nai B’rith as The Citizen of the Year. Head table speakers included his long time friends Rich Little, Larry Mann, and the Mayor of Ottawa, Marion Dewer.
1989	The rotary Club of Ottawa presented their fellowship citation for the first time to a non-Rotarian. Gord was the recipient of the Paul Harris Award, named after the founder of Rotary International.
1994	On January 22nd, The Variety Club of Ottawa celebrated Gord’s 40th Anniversary on the Ottawa Entertainment & Community Scene by naming him The Citizen of the Year at a gala dinner. He was one of the founding members of the Variety Club of Ottawa.
1998	Mayor Jim Watson, declared May 24th as Gord Atkinson Day in Ottawa. The proclamation took place at a “roast” and gala for Gord, which benefited the Boys and Girls Club. Rich Little was the keynote speaker.