Honestly Rock Star in itself did not do anything for my music career but it 100% opened the door for my television career. I hadn’t even contem - plated a career in broadcasting before that, but because I was the first Canadian eliminated, there were four other Canadians on that show out of fifteen contestants. However, because I was the first Canadian eliminated I became the go to for some of the Canadian entertainment outlets to talk about the show and weigh in on the remain - ing contestants so, I got to do a whole bunch of tv and I hosted a couple of things through that, which really openedmy eyes to potential opportu - nities and gave me some options when I decided that I wanted to move over into something differ - ent. So that show wasn’t what I expected it to be, but it really transformed what my life became. Spotlight: Interesting how that happens in life. Tara Slone: It is, I almost didn’t do that show and you know I really came very close to saying No so I am glad I did it. Spotlight: It has probably opened a lot more opportunities as well now when you are posi- tioned with projects, as you have that inner voice saying, what if I had of said no to Rock Star, it might not have opened your horizons Spotlight: Tell us about landing the Rogers Hometown Hockey gig and what it is like to travel across Canada, celebrating and having the opportunity to share local hockey stories? Why do you think the broadcast is so popular among viewers? Tara Slone: My first job on tv was at a very small station and it was focusing on entertainment and then I moved to the morning show, Break - fast Television, in Calgary which I did for 5 years which encompassed a broad array of topics. for other opportunities. Tara Slone: Yeah exactly!
I knew when I first went into tv that I didn’t necessarily want to stay in entertainment and I wanted sports to be a part of what I did in some way and I started to steer myself towards that and fortu - nately enough the Breakfast Television show was on City TV which is owned by Rogers, Rogers owns Sportsnet and so there was a connection there with programming communications. So, when Rogers Hometown Hockey was announced as a show, I read the press release and I thought that is something that I want to be a part of because I love hockey. I knew that I did not have the experi - ence to be a hockey analyst, or do the play by play in the booth, but I do love storytelling and that I wanted to be part of sharing hockey stories from local heroes from all across Canada. So, I actually sent an email and quite a compassionate letter to Sportsnet saying here is why I think that I should be part of this and spent three or four months trying to convince them that I was qualified for the job and ultimately was brought on board from day one. It has been a real gift to cross the country. It has been such a learning experience. It has been such a privilege to have people trust us with their stories, so I feel really blessed.
“ I knew when I first went into tv that I didn’t necessari- ly want to stay in entertainment and I wanted sports to be a part of what I did in some way and I started to steer myself towards that ”
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
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