Candy O'Terry
Candy O'Terry, also known as Candy O, is the American president and co-founder of Boston Women in Media & Entertainment, an interviewer, singer/songwriter, spokesperson, television and film actress. A broadcaster in Boston for 25 years, O'Terry is the founder and former co-host of WMJX, Magic 106.7/Boston's Exceptional Women[1] radio show, and has been profiled in the book: Boston Inspirational Women by Bill and Kerry Brett. Her most recent project is as the producer and host of a new podcast series, The Story Behind Her Success, which continues in the genre of inspirational interviews with women doing great things with their lives.[2]
Candy O'Terry | |
|---|---|
.png.webp) Candy O'Terry as featured in Wellesley Weston Magazine, November 2009 | |
| Born | Candace Ann Low |
| Occupation | President & Co-Founder, Boston Women in Media & Entertainment |
| Website | https://www.candyoterry.com |
O'Terry has recorded 11 songs and has received national and Canadian airplay for "The Gift" with Jim Brickman and David Corey, "You Are The Only One", with Charlie Farren and "Silent Night" with Grace Kelly. She is a member of the cast of the Emmy Award-winning talent show, Community Auditions: Star Of The Day[3] and made her film debut as reporter Candace Malone in the full-length feature film CO2 in 2010. In 2011 she was cast in the independent Christian film Luke Eleven and in 2014 played the role of newscaster Pamela Fontaine in the independent film Lazarus Rising, starring Eric Roberts and Lenny Clarke.
O'Terry served as the spokesperson for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk for eleven years[4] and the PinkRose Foundation.[5] She is an ambassador for Music Drives Us[6] and also serves on the boards of the Council for Women of Boston College.,[7] Dream BIG! and Strong Women, Strong Girls.
Personal life and education
Born Candace Ann Low in Manhattan, New York, O'Terry was adopted when she was 5 months old. The family lived in Syosset, New York, and then relocated to Norwalk, Connecticut, where she lived until she was 10 years old. Her parents were divorced when she was very young, and O'Terry moved with her mother to Newington, Connecticut, where she attended St. Mary's School and Newington High School. She was a champion diver and was recruited by Boston College, where she won the silver medal in the 1976 Intercollegiate Swimming & Diving Championships. O'Terry's mother Marjorie died of breast cancer in May 1976 at the age of 52. This personal tragedy would shape her lifelong commitment to the fight against breast cancer. O'Terry graduated from Boston College with a degree cum laude in English. She was married at age 21 and has two children: Christopher, and Colleen. O'Terry was divorced in 1991 and spent 15 years as a single mother until marrying Tom Gaffny in August 2006. She discovered her birth parents and four half-brothers and half-sisters in May 2007.
Career in radio
O'Terry graduated from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, in October 1990 and secured an interview on November 2, 1990, at Magic 106.7/Boston for a temporary position as the secretary to a program director, Don Kelley. After serving in that position for 8 weeks, she was officially hired as programming assistant and public service director on January 23, 1991. O'Terry landed on the air on July 20, 1991, purely by accident when a part-time disc jockey fell asleep for the third time and was fired. With no one available to work that night, O'Terry did her first overnight shift with coaching from Magic 106.7's Moneen Daley. She worked the overnight shift every weekend for another year, while her children slept in the newsroom. On December 28, 1992 she sent a memo to News Director Gay Vernon[8] about an idea she had for a public affairs program to be called Exceptional Women. The two began a collaboration that lasted until Vernon's resignation from the station in February 2012. The Sunday morning show and O'Terry have received 43 awards, including a record breaking 23 Gracie Allen Awards from the Alliance for Women in Media. In 1993, O'Terry began filling in for midday personality Nancy Quill and also became the afternoon drive traffic anchor for both WMJX Magic 106.7 and sister station, WBCS, Country 96.9 where she took on the alias: Christy Grace. In 1997, she added traffic duties for 105.7, WROR-FM and began a 3-year period working 7-day weeks on multiple stations. The success of the Exceptional Women[9] radio show inspired a yearly celebration called the Exceptional Women Awards in 1998 with a portion of proceeds to benefit the fight against breast cancer. In 1999, O'Terry was promoted to program administrator of the Greater Boston Radio Group[10] and served temporarily as Music Director for WROR-FM. In 2001, she was promoted to assistant program director for WMJX Magic 106.7 and was invited to become the radio spokesperson for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in 2003, a position she held until 2015. The year 2004 found O'Terry with a Billboard nomination for APD of the Year and a Gracie Allen Award for Individual Achievement as a program host. She would realize the lifelong dream of hearing and playing her own songs on the radio between 2005 and 2012 with the recording and release of Jim Brickman's "The Gift and Valentine", a duet with Charlie Farren called "You Are The Only One" and a collaboration with jazz prodigy Grace Kelly on the Christmas classic, "Silent Night". In March 2013 she traded her responsibilities as assistant program director for the chance to be on the air full-time and became the co-host of Morning Magic with The Exciting Mike Addams. In June 2013, Addams announced his retirement, and O'Terry was teamed with a handful of people throughout the summer including David O'Leary, Sue Tabb, Ed McMann, Jaybeau Jones and Chris Shine. In late August 2013, she was permanently teamed with David O'Leary. On March 27, 2015, she left, declining a two-year contract renewal with WMJX to focus on other projects, including her first full-length CD called Dream Come True and a children's book series she is co-authoring with her daughter Colleen.[11]
Endorsements
Host of American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Boston,[12] BMW, Canyon Ranch, Century Bank, CertaPro Painters, Connecticut School of Broadcasting, Dentyne Ice, Dunkin' Donuts, Edible Arrangements, HomeGoods, JetBlue, Landmark College, Lifetime Television, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Massachusetts Lottery, Medifast, Nabisco Premium Saltine Crackers, Proven Winners, Sandals Resort, Sleep Number, Shake 'n Bake, Verizon Wireless, and YP.com.
Talk show host and moderator
Host
O'Terry is the founder of WMJX Magic 106.7's Exceptional Women[9] radio program. Originally co-hosted by Gay Vernon, the show is now co-hosted by former "Matty in the Morning" Kiss 108 personality Sue Tabb and Tina Gao . The 30 minute show airs on Sunday mornings at 7:30. The theme is: "radio portraits of women who will inspire you". About 600 women have been featured on the show since Exceptional Women debuted on WMJX Magic 106.7 in January 1993 including: Patti Austin, Brittany Bergquist, Magi Bish, Wendy Booker, Mariah Carey, Attorney General Martha Coakley, the buxom Nancy Quil, Lynne Cox, Jackie DeShannon, Linda Eder, Gloria Estefan, Gina Gallo, Gloria Gaynor, Valerie Harper, Dr. Carolyn Kaelin, Gladys Knight, Joyce Kulhawik, Patti LaBelle, Dr. Kathy Magliato,[13] Dr. Roseanna Means,[14] Bette Midler, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Olivia Newton-John, Stevie Nicks, Mary Pope Osborne, Michelle Phillips, Anna Quindlen, Dr. Julie Silver, Carole Simpson, Liz Walker,[15] Mary Wilson, and Kate White. Exceptional Women is the most successful public affairs program produced by and for women in the United States.
Moderator/emcee
- December 2009: Massachusetts Conference For Women/Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Candy moderated the panel View From the Top: Women Leaders Share Their Success Stories [16] as well as presented the Be the Change Award.
- February 24, 2010: panel E2E: Connecting Eagles To Eagles at her alma mater, Boston College.
- December 9, 2010: Massachusetts Conference For Women/Boston Convention & Exhibition Center O'Terry presented the Be The Change Award to Jo Crawford, founder of Web of Benefit. She also moderated the panel Making A Difference: Finding Your Unique Way to Give Back'.
- January 11, 2011: Landmark College Lunch & Learn Webcast which included the following panelists: Adrienne Major, Academic Dean; Mike Lucian, Dean of Students; and Mike Nieckoski, Director of Educational Technology.
- June 4, 2011: Friends of Mel Foundation, THE ART OF LIVING: Facing the Challenges of Life After Cancer, Quincy Marriott
- June 7, 2011: Publicity Club of New England Bell Ringer Awards, Westin/Waltham Hotel
- 2012–present, host "The Story Behind Her Success" interview series, Boston Women in Media & Entertainment
Career on television
- 2004-2006: Co-host of the [isoldmyhouse.com] show with Magic 106.7's Dan Justin
- 2007 to present: Judge on the Emmy Award winning talent show, Community Auditions "Star Of The Day".[17]
Scholarships
The PinkRose Foundation's "Candy O'Terry Scholarship" in honor of her mother, Marjorie V. Low is a $1000.00 scholarship awarded to graduating high school students in the Boston area who have lost their mother to breast cancer.[18]
Career as a singer
| Performance | Date |
|---|---|
| Lead Singer: Stage Unlimited | 1984–1990 |
| Star Search | 1984, 1987 |
| Jingle Singer Highlights: Columbo Slim Yogurt, Great Bear Spring Water, Successful Singles |
1987–present |
| National Anthem for the Boston Celtics Fleet Center |
2000 |
| Recorded Jim Brickman's "The Gift with David Corey of Kiss108 Airplay on WMJX, WXKS, WPLM |
December 12, 2004 |
| Recorded Jim Brickman's "Valentine" Airplay on WMJX |
January 2005 |
| Performed "The Gift" live with Jim Brickman and David Corey at the Shubert Theatre Track included in "The Magic of Christmas" to benefit The Home for Little Wanderers |
December 17, 2005 |
| Performed "The Gift" with Gary Cherone of Extreme | December 2005 |
| Performed "Over the Rainbow" with Keith Lockhart & the Boston Pops Orchestra at Symphony Hall | January 26, 2006 |
| Interview with Lionel Richie before a live studio audience at Magic 106.7 and is invited to join him on the duet Endless Love |
June 13, 2006 |
| Performed "The Gift" with Charlie Farren at the Boston Tree Lighting Live TV coverage on Chronicle, WCVB, Channel 5 |
December 2007 |
| Featured in "Stars Over Boston" at Scullers Jazz Club Performed "Valentine", "Over the Rainbow", and "The Look of Love" |
April 2008 |
| Recorded "You Are The Only One" with Charlie Farren at Bopnique Studios, North Chelmsford |
July 26, 2008 |
| "You Are The Only One" makes its debut on David Allan Boucher's Bedtime Magic, Magic 106.7, Boston | November 1, 2008 |
| "You Are The Only One" is included in The Magic of Christmas CD to benefit The Home for Little Wanderers |
November 26, 2008 |
| Performed "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and "You Are The Only One" with Charlie Farren at City of Boston Tree Lighting |
December 2008 |
| "You Are The Only One" becomes available on iTunes | December 2008 |
| Opened for Jim Brickman and performed "You Are The Only One" with Charlie Farren at the Cutler Majestic Theatre |
December 27, 2008 |
| "You Are The Only One" is released to radio nationwide and debuts at #34 Mediabase on January 12. The track is supported by the syndicated show Weekends with Jim Brickman |
January 2009 |
| Featured as the only independent, unsigned artists on the AC track with Charlie Farren in Billboard Magazine for "You Are The Only One" |
March 2009 |
| Performed "You Are The Only One" with Charlie Farren at the Regent Theatre, Arlington Performance is videotaped for use as a music video to be released in 2010 |
May 29, 2009 |
| Performed "You Are The Only One" with Charlie Farren at WSRS, Worcester listener party | September 10, 2009 |
| Performed "You Are The Only One" with Charlie Farren at the famous Boston Hatchshell before a crowd of 30,000 to benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer |
October 4, 2009 |
| Taped performance of "You Are The Only One" with Charlie Farren for Community Auditions charity broadcast |
October 11, 2009 |
| Scheduled with Charlie Farren to open for Jim Brickman at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium and are prevented by technical difficulties on stage |
November 14, 2009 |
| Performed "Valentine" and "Silent Night" at Wishes & Miracles for Miss Massachusetts in Milton, MA |
December 12, 2009 |
| Music video for "You Are The Only One" is launched on YouTube | February 2010 |
| Performance of the National Anthem with singer & reserve police officer Shanna Jean at the Agganis Arena for the Special Olympics Gala. |
May 2010 |
| Hosts Nantucket Music Festival | July 2010 |
| Candy performs with Grammy nominee John Ford Coley, singing "Sometimes When We Touch" and "The Search Is Over" with Jimi Jamison, former lead singer of Survivor at Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus, MA |
July 29, 2010 |
| Candy performs the National Anthem with Reserve Police Officer Shanna Jackman at the Boston Breakers (WPS) game at Harvard Stadium. |
July 31, 2010 |
| Candy performs the Jim Brickman song, Valentine, at the Power of One Concert in Wellesley, MA | November 3, 2010 |
| Performance of the National Anthem at the Tsongas Arena for the Boston College Men's Hockey championship game against UMass Lowell |
January 29, 2011 |
| Performance of the National Anthem and God Bless America, Hatchshell, NSTAR's Walk for Boston Children's Hospital | June 12, 2011 |
May 30, 2015 Candy releases the CD Dream Come True at a release party held at RLR Studio in Framingham, MA. to benefit Lucy's Love Bus.
Career in film
O'Terry plays the role of newscaster Candace Malone in the full-length independent feature film, CO2, which premiered October 23, 2010 and was produced by Wild Beagle Productions. She wrapped filming her first major role as Nina Wallace in May 2010 for the feature film Luke Eleven, produced by On Cue Productions and scheduled for release in 2011.[19] In 2014 she played the role of Pamela Fontaine, a newscaster in the film Lazarus Rising, starring Eric Roberts and Lenny Clarke.[20]
Awards
| Year | Award | |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Boston Women, Inc. "Women Amongst Us" Grimke Award
City of Boston, Certificate of Recognition as an "exceptional broadcaster" Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Governor Charlie Baker Citation for excellence in broadcast & community service Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Senate, Official Citation for "inspiration to the city of Boston." The Jett Foundation "Beacon Award" | |
| 2017 | The Molly Bish Foundation, "Save A Life, Save The World Award" | |
| 2015 | Alliance for Women in Media's "Gracie Allen Award" Outstanding Portrait/Biography/Radio, Exceptional Women: "Love Is All Around"
Alliance for Women in Media's "Gracie Allen Award" Outstanding Soft News Feature/Radio, Exceptional Women: "Love Is All Around" Massachusetts Broadcasters Association Broadcaster of the Year Award Candy O'Terry, Magic 106.7/WMJX, Boston | |
| 2014 | Alliance for Women in Media's "Gracie Allen Award" Outstanding Talk Show-News: Exceptional Women "Grace Under Fire"
All 4 One Cancer Foundation "Champion Award" for devotion to the fight against breast cancer. Catholic Academy of Communications Professionals Gabriel Award Single News Story/Local Release: Exceptional Women: "Grace Under Fire" Communicator Award of Excellence, On-Air Talent, Talk Show Candy O'Terry, Host of Exceptional Women Communicator Award of Distinction, Writing & Scripting Candy O'Terry, Creator & Host, Exceptional Women series on 3 women who saved lives after the Boston Marathon bombings called "Grace Under Fire". Massachusetts Broadcasters Association "Sound Bite Awards" Best Feature Story, Exceptional Women: "Grace Under Fire" Strong Women, Strong Girls "Phenomenal Woman Award" | |
| 2013 | Communicator Award of Excellence, On-Air Talent, News Anchor | |
| 2012 | Chosen to represent Massachusetts as one of 100 Girl Scout Greats by the Girl Scouts of the USA on the 100th Anniversary.
Alliance of Women in Media's "Gracie Allen Award" Exceptional Women, Magic 106.7 Public Affairs Program:
| |
| 2011 | Alliance of Women in Media's "Gracie Allen Award"
Best Interview Show, Major Market Radio: Exceptional Women: "Hearts & Hands" | |
| 2010 | The Activating Confidence Award from the Women's Sports Foundation American Women in Radio & Television's "Gracie Allen Award" | |
| 2009 | American Women in Radio & Television’s "Gracie Allen Award"
Outstanding Public Affairs Program/Major Market Radio Series: Exceptional Women: "Think Pink" Outstanding Interview Program/Major Market Radio Series: Exceptional Women: "Think Pink" Communicator Award Best On-Air Talent/Talk Show Host/Candy O’Terry Best Public Affairs Program/Award of Excellence/Exceptional Women | |
| 2008 | American Women in Radio & Television’s "Gracie Allen Award"
Best Public Affairs Program/ Major Market Radio Series: Exceptional Women: "Higher & Higher" Outstanding Interview Program: Exceptional Women: "Higher & Higher" | |
| 2007 | American Women in Radio & Television’s "Gracie Allen Award"
Best Public Affairs Program/Major Market Radio Series: Exceptional Women: "Right On!"
Best Portrait/Biography/Major Market Radio Series: Exceptional Women: "Right On!" | |
| 2006 | American Women in Radio & Television’s "Gracie Allen Award"
Best Portrait/Biography/Major Market Radio Series: Exceptional Women: "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough" | |
| 2005 | American Women in Radio & Television’s "Gracie Allen Award"
Best Public Affairs Program/Major Market Radio Series: Exceptional Women: "Lost & Found"
Communicator Award
Best Writing & Creative Concept: Exceptional Women: "Lost & Found"
Best Public Affairs Program: Exceptional Women: "Lost & Found" | |
| 2004 | American Women in Radio & Television’s "Gracie Allen Award"
Outstanding Individual Achievement Award/Major Market to Candy O’Terry Best Portrait/Biography/Major Market Radio Series: Exceptional Women: "No Guts, No Glory" Communicator Award Best Public Affairs Program: Exceptional Women: "No Guts, No Glory" | |
| 2003 | American Women in Radio & Television’s "Gracie Allen Award"
Best Portrait/Biography/Major Market Radio Series: Exceptional Women: "Flying Without Wings" Best Public Affairs Major Market Radio Program: Exceptional Women: "Flying Without Wings" Communicator Award "Crystal Award of Excellence" Best Public Affairs Program Exceptional Women: "Flying Without Wings" | |
| 2002 | American Women in Radio & Television’s "Gracie Allen Award"
Best Portrait/Biography/Major Market Radio Series: Exceptional Women: "Three Voices, Three Stories" Town of Wellesley Special Recognition Awarded to Candy O’Terry Communicator Award Best Writing & Creative Concept: "Exceptional Women: The Backyard Hero & The Superstar" Best Public Affairs Program Exceptional Women Achievement Award for Excellence in Communications - Massachusetts March of Dimes: awarded to Candy O’Terry | |
| 2001 | American Women in Radio & Television’s "Gracie Allen Award"
Best Public Affairs Program Major Market: Exceptional Women Boston Achievement in Radio Award Best Public Affairs Program: Exceptional Women The Gilda Radner Foundation "Communicator Award" to Candy O’Terry | |
| 2000 | American Women in Radio & Television’s "Gracie Allen Award"
Best Public Affairs Program Major Market Radio: Exceptional Women Massachusetts Broadcasters Association "Star Award" for excellence in public affairs programming: Exceptional Women Boston Achievement in Radio Award Best Public Affairs Program: Exceptional Women Best Station Sponsored Event: Exceptional Women’s Awards | |
| 1999 | American Women in Radio & Television’s "Gracie Allen Award"
Grand Award/ Best Major Market Public Affairs Program: Exceptional Women Boston Achievement in Radio Award Best Specialty Show: Exceptional Women Best Public Affairs Program: Exceptional Women | |
| 1998 | Boston Achievement in Radio Award
Best Public Affairs Program: Exceptional Women American Cancer Society "Special Recognition Award" to Candy O’Terry |
References
- "Exceptional Women". Archived from the original on 2009-12-26. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
- "The Story Behind Her Success with Candy O'Terry by Candy O'Terry on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
- "Community Auditions - Candy Terry". Archived from the original on 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-11-08. Retrieved 2010-01-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Music Drives Us - Candy O'Terry". Archived from the original on 2009-08-30. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
- Leah M. DeCosta. "Home - Alumni & Friends - Boston College". Bc.edu. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-12-27. Retrieved 2010-01-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-12-26. Retrieved 2010-01-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-03-30. Retrieved 2010-01-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Candy O Moving On From Magic : Final Program" (PDF). Daylaarabella.com. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
- "American Cancer Society". Makingstrideswalk.org. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
- "Dr. Kathy Magliato". Kathymagliato.com. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
- "Health Care Without Walls". Womenofmeans.org. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
- "Liz Walker - Award Winning Journalist Engaging, Changing and Inspiring People Through the Power of Words". Lizwalker.tv. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
- "2009 Speakers". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 2010-06-18. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
- "Community Auditions". Communityauditions.com. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-05-19. Retrieved 2020-07-13.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)