Fearless As Possible: Under the Circumstances

by Denise Donlon

In this smart, funny, and inspiring memoir, Denise Donlon recounts her journey as a corporate leader at the forefront of the massive changes in the Canadian music and media industries. One of Canada’s most celebrated and dynamic corporate leaders and broadcasters, Denise Donlon has long been recognized as a trailblazer in the Canadian cultural industries. In Fearless as Possible (Under the Circumstances) , Donlon chronicles her impressive and storied career at MuchMusic, Sony Music Canada, and CBC English Radio, which put her at the forefront of the massive changes in the music industry and media. Throughout her incredible journey, she shares colourful and entertaining stories of growing up tall, flat, and bullied in east Scarborough; interviewing musical icons such as Keith Richards, Run-DMC, Ice-T, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Annie Lennox, and Sting; and detailing her life-changing experiences with War Child Canada, Live8, and the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership. Told with humour and honesty, Fearless as Possible (Under the Circumstances) is a candid memoir of one woman’s journey, navigating corporate culture with integrity, responsibility, and an irrepressible passion to be a force for good.

Genres: Biography Memoir, Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir

352 pages, Hardcover

Published November 5, 2016

Reviews

[Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denise Donlon is a hero of mine. Growing up in Canada, I watched her and the content she helped create on Much Music since I was a baby. My father used to make jokes about Much Music being my "default station". If I was alone and in control of the channel changer thats what was on. But it wasn't just the music that kept me glued. Much was so much more then that. (No pun intended!). I learned about equal rights, world politics, environmental issues... they covered everything. I feel so lucky I grew up with a station dedicated to using music as a platform for an even bigger message.

I went into this book expecting an awesome memoir all about Denise's life but instead, just as with much music, found myself reading an incredible book that covers so much it defies categorization. Not only are you getting Denise's story, but you also get the story of MuchMusic and an amazing guide to journalism. Then when Denise becomes President of Sony Music the book turns into a detailed look at the death of the record industry and the birth of a new way of business in a post-napster world. If this weren't enough, when Denise left Sony she joined the CBC and the book turns into an insiders look into the world of radio. When Denise begins producing charity events the book turns into a fundraising/Event manual.

The best part is you are learning many new things with each page but Denise's light, beautiful energy shines through making this an incredibly FUN read. This isn't just for those who like me, grew up admiring Denise. This is for anyone who wants to learn about, or work in the music industry. There really is something there for everyone.

My co-host Chanty and I had the immense honour of interviewing Denise recently for our podcast. You can find the full interview Here

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Denise Donlon has had an amazing life working in Canadian media (especially as someone who helped build MuchMusic in the 80s) but she signed too many non-disclosure agreements to make this an interesting read. I don't necessarily need to read dirt on famous people but this book could have been more personal and Donlon keeps the reader at arms length with too many tedious corporate details.

[Barry Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though you might remember Denise Donlon as a host/producer on The New Music or a VJ on MuchMusic, she's also had a variety of high profile executive jobs such as VP/General Manager of MuchMusic/Citytv, President of Sony Music Canada, General Manager and Executive Director of CBC English Radio as well positions with humanitarian organizations such as War Child Canada, Musicounts, and the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership. She's been honoured with the Humanitarian Spirit Award, Woman Of The Year from Canadian Women In Communications, been inducted into The Broadcast Hall Of Fame, and is a Fellow of The Royal Conservatory of Music and a Member of The Order Of Canada. Her memoir tells the fascinating journey of her life so far, from her early days as a music promoter, publicist, to her career at MuchMusic, to her adventures as a corporate executive, humanitarian aid hustler, mother and wife to husband singer/songwriter Murray McLauchlan. It's an extremely engaging memoir mixing interactions with the talented and famous, with insights into the Canadian identity, the fate of the music industry, with sidetracks into the meaning of living a fulfilling life. The reader comes away with a great respect for the subject and an appreciation of a life lived in pursuit of an ideal. - BH.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was listening to a podcast by Erica Ehm about the reinvention of the VJ recently. One of the episodes was an interview with Denise and that’s where I learned about this book. Her list of accomplishments and honours intrigued me enough that I wanted to know the story.

The early days in Waterloo and Vancouver were great stories as were the early MuchMusic stories. The perception that anything went and usually did at Much were proved true. I guess I hadn’t clued in to how much Much did to further charitable causes and political awareness when it was happening as I was in the target market.

What I didn’t realize was all the Denise did post MuchMusic. Her passion for doing right, for Canada and for fair and just leadership jumps off the pages. The lessons of how to make the best of some very unfortunate situations could serve as a roadmap on how to make lemonade from lemons.

Overall this was a good read focused on Canadian music history and the changes in media, music and broadcasting that have happened in the last 40 years.

[James McNally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably closer to 3.5 stars. Starts strong but bogs down in the middle when Donlon reports on her time at Sony Music and the CBC. Still, she's honest as she can be (if a trifle too diplomatic) and comes across as genuine.

[Gregory Klages · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a biography, I'm not sure that it would appeal to the average reader.

As a meditation on Canadian media policy, it offers some readable, concise commentary that I would consider assigning to my students.

[Lynn Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read for anyone following rock music in Canada.

[Karen Schulman Dupuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun trip down memory lane for someone who grew up with Donlon on TV in all the spaces that she writes about. Smart, vulnerable, and emotive. An enjoyable read.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a workout. Sometimes way too much, but overall pretty interesting.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed the inside look into Denise's life. A hazy part of my memory says I remember the first time Denise did Rock Flash on MuchMusic. It's hazy 'cause 1985 was my first year working at Much in Master Control, and there was a ton to learn and take in. I definitely remember Kim Clarke Champniss taking over from her.
So glad to see Denise embrace the music industry from so many angles and doing it so brilliantly. She even married into music with the talented Murray McLauchlan. Read this book to see what it's like to promote, interview, tour, research, produce radio and television in the music business and do charity for a number of worthy causes.

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denise is such an inspiration. And a vivid storyteller.