Popular MuchMusic host visits Uxbridge to talk about new book
Lisha Van Nieuwenhove
Blue Heron Book’s ad announces promises big names for its ‘Book Drunkard Prelude’ event next Monday evening (Sept. 21). Singer-songwriter Colin James and MuchMusic/ET Canada/Breakfast Television host Rick Campanelli, onstage together, each promoting their new books. Writer/editor Jared Bland will interview the two Canadian icons about their respective books, and Campanelli’s is sure to reveal surprises to many.
Says publisher Harper Collins Canada, Tempted is “Rick Campanelli’s journey of winning a nationwide contest to become a MuchMusic VJ on the iconic Canadian music station launched him quickly from an unknown Hamilton kid to an on-air national superstar known as “Rick the Temp,” as his warm, affable personality won over millions of Canadians from coast to coast. But while in front of the camera his star was rising, behind the scenes all was not as it seemed.”
Without giving too much away, Campanelli’s secret involves an addiction to gambling.
“I’d been hiding it for a long time,” Campanelli told the Cosmos. “It’s time to tell the story. I felt like I’d been lying to all the people who’d watched me and followed me on this journey. I feel like I’ve finally come clean to them.”
Campanelli says he’s telling his story in Tempted partly to face his own demons, but also to warn those who may be involved with online gambling.
“I fear for the younger generation,” he says. “I was able to get myself out of it, and am able to manage it. What would a 21-year-old do going into it, specially if they’re winning? They’re eventually going to lose. I’m not here to bash them (online betting organizations); I just want to warn the people getting involved that it could be scary, of what could happen.”
Campanelli was able to hide his gambling addiction for many years, even from those closest to him. He says he was a “positive guy, happy-go-lucky, but living a double life,” visiting casinos and constantly in contact with his bookie. Now online betting organizations have apps and platforms that are available right in the palm of a user’s hand.
“Let’s get the conversation going on this, it’s so mainstream now,” he says. “And it’s not just bad for your bank account but also for your relationships and your career. You can’t hide it these days, like I could.”
He says his wife Angie started picking up on the signs of his gambling and was the one who eventually called him on it. With her encouragement, he sought help from Gamblers Anonymous and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), learning the tools that helped him gain control of his addiction.
“I realized I had hurt her (Angie) along the way, and I got an ultimatum. I realized ‘I’m going to lose this wonderful person if I don’t stop.’ There’re a lot of stories that won’t end this happily. I’ve been getting a lot of response from people already, just an outpouring of support, and the stories of other people going through similar things is amazing. That’s one of the reasons we wrote this book, we knew it would be timely. Campanelli co-wrote the book with writer John Meyer.
Campanelli joins Colin James and Jared Bland in conversation and music at the Uxbridge Music Hall on Monday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. Tickets available at starticketing.com
“I’ve driven through Uxbridge before,” laughs Campanelli. “I’m looking forward to hanging out there and seeing Colin again! It’s been, like, 30 years!”
