Bill Paul (right) sits down to record his show Straight Talk. Also pictured is Abe Kelledjian (center), current program coordinator for Fanshawe's radio broadcast program. Photo courtesy of CIXX-FM photo archives.
With the passing of London’s unofficial town crier Bill Paul, many are reflecting on the legacy that Paul will be leaving across the city. Across London, Paul was known for his community involvement, and at Fanshawe College, he is remembered for his long-running interview show, “Straight Talk,” that aired on 106.9 The X. The show ran from the 90s up until 2016, and featured Paul sitting down and interviewing a wide range of guests over the course of the decades of shows produced by Fanshawe radio broadcasting students.
“I don’t know how he did it,” says Abe Kelledjian, current program coordinator for Fanshawe’s radio broadcast program. “It was almost magical, how he would have these conversations —and that’s all they were; the interviews were conversations. We didn’t know what we’d be producing week to week. He would come in and say ‘okay I have three guests lined up this week’ and then we’d start the show and just bang them out, one right after the other… I don’t know anybody who was as happy as Bill was.”
Kelledjian had met Paul back when he was still a broadcasting student at Fanshawe, and had produced several ‘Straight Talk’ episodes during his time as a student. As program coordinator, Kelledjian cites ‘Straight Talk’ as an inspiration for Fanshawe’s broadcasting program moving to include more documentary and interview-styled content not only produced, but hosted by students.
Beyond what he brought to the broadcasting programs at Fanshawe, Kelledjian believes that Paul’s lasting legacy in Fanshawe and London will be his joy and positivity.
“I think it’s something we don’t have a lot of today,” says Kelledjian. “Whether he was there for Laffguards, making balloon animals for kids —or even grown-up kids. He was always so happy; he always had a smile on his face. I can’t remember a time where he did not.”
While ‘Straight Talk’ hasn’t been produced since 2016, many of Paul’s shows have been saved and uploaded to 106.9 The X’s Soundcloud account, and are still able to be listened to today.
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