Erin Davis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Erin Davis
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| Born | September 26, 1962 |
| Occupation | Broadcaster |
| Spouse(s) | Rob Whitehead |
| Children | Lauren Davis (1991-2015) |
| Parent(s) | Don Davis Maureen Ellen Davis (nee Moore 1933-2012) |
Erin Davis is a well-known Canadian broadcaster and author. She wrote the book Mourning Has Broken: Love, Loss and Reclaiming Joy. Erin was a popular host on the 98.1 CHFI Morning Show in Toronto, Ontario, for many years. She retired from radio on December 15, 2016. In 2020, she was honored by being added to the Canadian Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps
Erin Davis was born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1962. Her father, Don Davis, was an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Because of her father's job, Erin and her three sisters moved around a lot. They lived in places like Ottawa, Trenton, Ontario, and even England.
Growing up, Erin loved music and singing. She often sang with her grandfather's orchestra. After high school, she decided to study Radio Broadcasting at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario. While studying, she was very busy. She hosted a radio show on CIGL-FM in the afternoons. In the evenings, she played piano at a local restaurant.
Erin's Radio Journey
Starting Out in Radio
After finishing college, Erin was hired by CIGL-FM right away. Six months later, she moved to Windsor, Ontario. There, she worked at CKLW Windsor, also known as "The Big Eight." Erin made history at CKLW. She was the first female co-host on a morning show in the Detroit area.
She co-hosted the morning show during the station's last years as a Top 40 music station. In late 1984, many employees, including Erin, lost their jobs. This happened when the station changed its music style. After that, she moved to Toronto, Ontario. She joined Good Morning Toronto at CKO Toronto. This was a big all-news radio station. This job helped her get her big break. In September 1988, she was asked to join the popular morning show at CHFI-FM with Don Daynard.
Becoming a Star at CHFI
Soon after Erin joined Don Daynard, their show, "Don and Erin," became the most popular morning show in Toronto. In March 1991, Erin gave birth to her daughter, Lauren. The radio station helped her keep working. They set up a temporary studio in her home. This meant Erin could broadcast the show from home for three months.
Don and Erin kept their show at the top of the ratings until 1999. That year, Don Daynard retired. Bob Magee took his place as Erin's co-host. The new duo, "Bob and Erin," also kept the show very popular. But in spring 2003, CHFI decided to change things. They let Erin go and moved Bob Magee to the afternoon show.
New Adventures After CHFI
After leaving radio, Erin had to wait a year before working for another station. This was due to a rule in her contract. During this time, she explored other opportunities. In summer 2003, the W Network offered her a chance to create her own daily TV talk show. That fall, she starred in W Live with Erin Davis. This show talked about women's lifestyle, health, and wellness.
That same summer, a theatre producer named Ross Petty contacted Erin. He was putting on his yearly Christmas family pantomime in Toronto. He invited her to try out for a role. Erin made her first live theatre appearance as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. The show ran for a month in December at Toronto's Elgin Theatre. She was doing this at the same time as her daily TV show!
Back to Radio at EZ-Rock
On September 7, 2004, Erin returned to Toronto radio. This was about 14 months after she left CHFI. A competing station, EZ-Rock, had an opening. Their host, Christine Cardoso, went on maternity leave. EZ-Rock asked their listeners who they wanted to hear. Erin was a clear favorite. She joined Mike Cooper to host the morning show at EZ-Rock.
Returning Home to CHFI
Erin's time at EZ-Rock ended sooner than expected in April 2005. It was announced that she would return to CHFI that September. Mike Cooper also left EZ-Rock to join her as co-host at CHFI. After a six-month waiting period, they reunited at CHFI. Together, they made CHFI the top-rated station in Toronto again.
Mike Cooper retired in February 2016. Erin then introduced CHFI listeners to Darren B. Lamb. He had worked at CHUM-FM. Erin continued to host with Darren until her own retirement in December 2016. Today, Erin and her husband live in North Saanich, British Columbia, near their family.
Beyond the Radio Mic
TV Appearances
While hosting her morning radio show, Erin also appeared on TV many times. She was a guest host on CFTO (now CTV Toronto) and Global. From 1998 to 1999, Erin wrote and performed a nightly commentary on CFTO News called "Just So You Know."
Later, she hosted The Erin Davis Show on Rogers Television. This nightly talk show focused on lifestyle and wellness. It ran for over 200 episodes across two seasons. In its second season, it won an award for Canada’s best cable talk show. In 2003 and 2004, Erin also hosted a live one-hour TV show called "W Live with Erin Davis" on the W Network.
Public Speaking and Singing
Erin often appeared at public events. She worked as an M.C. (Master of Ceremonies) and a keynote speaker. She is also a talented singer. For over 10 years, she sang with an oldies band. Erin was featured on three CDs for the Toronto Blue Jays and Variety Club in the early 1990s. She also sang the national anthems at many Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, and Argonauts games. It's said that the home team often won when she sang!
Helping Others Through Charity
Erin has been involved in many charitable causes. For several years, she co-hosted the Easter Seals Telethon on CBC television. She is also very active with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. She has worked for Sheena’s Place and the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada. In 1998, she raised over $160,000 for the Children's Wish Foundation just by shaving her head!
For her public service, Erin has been recognized by many groups. These include Rotary International (Paul Harris Fellowship), the Empire Club, Variety Club, and Toastmasters International. In 2008, she created the Erin Davis Women in Media Award at Loyalist College, her old school.
Awards and Recognitions
Erin Davis has received many honors for her work in media, public speaking, and charity. In 2020, she was inducted into the Canadian Broadcasting Hall of Fame. In 2002, Chatelaine magazine named her a "Woman Of Influence."
In 2006, she was named "Woman of the Year" for the Greater Toronto Area. This was after a public survey by the Consumers Choice Award. Later that year, she was also the Grand Marshal of the 2006 Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade. More recently, she received the Paul Harris fellowship. This is a special Rotary honor for outstanding public service.
Podcasting Today
Today, Erin hosts three popular podcasts.
- Drift With Erin Davis features original sleep stories that she writes and narrates.
- She co-hosts Gracefully & Frankly with her friend and former Toronto radio personality, Lisa Brandt.
- Erin also hosts the Real Time podcast for CREA, which is the Canadian Real Estate Association.
