She used to be a touring musician. Now she's putting down roots with CBC New Brunswick
Award-winning journalist Emily Brass takes over host chair on Information Morning Saint John
A new voice is taking over the microphone at the CBC Saint John radio studio on weekday mornings, beginning Jan. 20.
Emily Brass, a storied journalist who has already begun exploring the province's historical architecture and picturesque coastlines, recently moved to Saint John from Winnipeg, where she spent the last six years.
Before that, she worked as a national and local journalist for CBC in Montreal, Toronto, Victoria, St. John's, and overseas in London.
She also has a background in music, having toured the United States with the Emily Brass Band and Foundation Stone, releasing several albums along the way.
So what attracted Brass to New Brunswick, besides the opportunity to work with the team at Information Morning Saint John?
"It's just the spectacular beauty — when you see those cliffs, going to the coastline, all the hills and river valleys, you know, it just looked spectacular," Brass said in an interview.
"You get the sense that people are friendly and welcoming and that it's just a really great community to be a part of."
Brass has held many roles in journalism. She's been a video-journalist, news reporter, radio host, TV anchor, and she created an award-winning podcast focused on her diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, called Type Taboo.
She also did an in-depth feature last year on homeless encampments that was featured on CBC Radio programs right across the country.
But being a radio host holds a special place.
"As I was reporting, I started getting lots of opportunities to backfill as a radio host and that's when I discovered, whoa, I think this is my favourite thing so far," Brass said.
"It gives me energy. I leave the station at the end of the day, you know, with gas in the tank ready to go for another day."
Brass said one interview that stands out for her is the time she talked to Ringo Starr the iconic drummer for the Beatles and leader of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, during the height of the pandemic.
When Starr's tour had a stop scheduled for Winnipeg, Brass said she messaged his agent asking for the opportunity.
His agent agreed, and while Starr never got to perform in Winnipeg because he got COVID, Brass said that made the interview all the more special.
She had a lot of fun with it, describing 'his quick laugh and non-stop kidding." Starr also described how he feels as a touring musician.
"Some nights, it's just great. Other nights, it's incredible. And I love that feeling," he said.
Those words could also describe how Brass feels about her work as a journalist.
She loves getting out to meet people and finding out more about their communities, something she found rewarding during her time in Manitoba and that intends to carry on in her new province.
While Brass has put her touring days behind her, she loves delving into the music scene and checking out local shows and is looking forward to getting to know her new home.
"I'm still pretty new, and I have a lot to explore and discover."
With files from Clare MacKenzie