For the average Winnipegger, our daily job usually consists of a drive to and from work. Drives such as these are often accompanied by music or a radio station to help pass the time or provide entertainment. My drive included a trek across Osborne Village to the town of Sanford, Manitoba.

Embarrassingly enough, I found myself creating an imaginary relationship with one of the radio hosts (a complete stranger). This was a relationship where I felt like I knew so much about the radio person, yet they knew nothing about me (nor did they know I existed).  I can literally have a genuine laugh in my car, simply by listening to two people joke on the radio.  When I’m not laughing, I often picture or even make up what these people might look like (being the fashion nut that I am). I think about what kind of outfits or style these radio personalities might have. And therein lies the origination for my “familiar voices” posts.  Currently, I am in the process of interviewing a few popular radio hosts that my fellow Winnipeggers may have also developed radio relationships with over the past couple years.  I hope you find their answers as riveting as I did.  The posts will keep coming as long as they keep responding! Cheers.

This weeks contender is Steve Adams from the radio station Hot 103 (103.1 fm).  He was kind enough to answer some of my questions!  Please see below:

What do you wear to work?

Typically jeans and a button up dress shirt.

Does fashion play a role in your life?

It doesn’t consume me, but at the same time, you want to look presentable and respectable when you’re out and about.

Does being on the radio allow you to wear whatever you want?

There’s this whole stereotype about radio hosts all slobbed out in shabby, mustard-stained t-shirts because “nobody can SEE us” – I don’t subscribe to that. Especially in the era of webcams. I suppose I could show up in my pyjamas if I really wanted to. But I wouldn’t.

From the best of my knowledge, being a radio host doesn’t just mean being on the radio- you are hosting many different events at many different venues. Can you briefly tell me a little bit about these events, and an example of what kind of outfit you might wear at them?

Over the years I’ve heard two schools of thought on this. The first is dress appropriately for the event you’re attending / hosting – ie: fit in. So if you’re at a rock concert, look like you’re going to a rock concert. If you’re at a formal dinner, wear a suit and tie. The second is, dress one notch above the crowd that will be attending said event. So if you’re going to a casual dress event, maybe throw on a jacket in order to appear more “host-like.” But you can’t overdo it, otherwise you come off as pretentious. It’s all subjective.

Are there any Winnipeg or even Canadian boutiques/shops that you support/love to buy clothes from?

In my younger days I used to buy my clothes almost exclusively from Le Chateau. More recently, it’s been Mexx and RW & Co.

Do you remember a particular outfit/accessory you lived and breathed in when you were young (one that your parents would beg you to take off so they could clean it!?)

For me, it’s always been about the jackets. When I was in my early teens, I had this jacket from the Gap, jean torso, tans arms, wore it everywhere. Then, later on, it was a very Matrix-y three-quarter length leather jacket. And now I’ve got this black PVC jacket with white kind of racing stripes down the arms. It looks very streamlined, and I always get compliments on it. It will be a sad day indeed when I have to retire it.

Ta ta for now!