John Beaudin article in Miramichi Leader : Smooth Jazz Now :

Beaudin stays in touch with many of his Miramichi Valley High School class of '79 friends, and has been developing an alumni chat line and website with some of them, so that more people can reconnect.
The website - located at www.mvhsalumni.com - is expected to be up and functional by May 1.
According to his best friend - and former Miramichier - Jeff Graham, the fame and recognition hasn't changed him in the slightest.

"Through all of the years I've been away, I've always expected people to change," Graham said.
"John has not changed even though he's met so many artists and has many famous musicians as close friends. He never changed how he treats people; everyone is equal."

Graham, who now resides in Alberta and has been in the army for the past 18 years, fondly remembers the first time he met Beaudin. As he shared the memory, he couldn't help, but chuckle.
It was Grade 7. Graham had just moved to the area. His parents dressed him up for school in checkered pants and a striped shirt. He was wearing thick, black Buddy Holly style glasses and was toting around a briefcase. As he looked around at the other normally-dressed students at Harkins, his gaze landed on Beaudin, who happened to be wearing a very similar get-up.

"He was as geeky as I was, so I went over and talked to him," Graham said laughing.
Since that fateful school morning, the duo have remained very close friends. In fact, Graham was Beaudin's best man last summer when he wed his beautiful girlfriend, Shannon Edwards.
Beaudin has two children with Shannon, Danica and Chase, and two grown children, Marc and Candice, from his previous marriage.

"John and I were always really into listening to music but for him, it wasn't just a hobby, it was an obsession. He was driven," Graham recalled. "Back in Grade 8, he said he was going to be a radio announcer." According to Dawn Jardine, a longtime friend and former sweetheart, there was no doubt in her mind he'd make something of himself. "In high school, he was always talking about becoming a disc jockey, a DJ, or a radio announcer. When I found out he made it, I wasn't surprised at all," she said.
"I'm just really proud of him because often times in high school, you have big dreams but once you graduate, they don't come true. John followed his and I really think he loves his profession and he's good at what he does," she added. So good, in fact, Beaudin is not only on the air, live, 40 hours a week at the Breeze in Calgary and hosts the weekend morning show (which is taped), but he voice tracks the No. 1 show in Vancouver for women between the ages of 24 to 54.
"John is unlike any radio announcer. He doesn't do a radio voice. He doesn't try to sound like anyone else," Graham said. "I really believe that comes across to the audience as authentic and that's why people like him."

See the Miramichi Leader on Wednesday for more on John Beaudin and this Miramichier's success.
Click here for part two.