I can’t believe the day has arrived. The days have flown by since we started The Final Countdown at 27 shows and here it is. My final Afternoon Drive Show on 94.7 Highveld Stereo.

It is the end of an era in radio as a whole today across all stations and it’s sad.

I have received 1000’s of amazing, humbling messages. Oh the tears that have welled up. I have received many that have really made the lump in my throat even bigger than it already is and they’ve all said similar things: That they have listened to me every single afternoon. I have been “with them” every afternoon for 7 years and it seems unfathomable that next Monday I won’t be…. It feels like they’re going through a break-up; like they’re losing someone.

OK… It made me cry.. a lot and it’s been a tough week.

BUT, I want to celebrate my 7 years because they have been incredible. I’ve dug up some photo’s over the past 7 years too – good fun to take a trip down memory lane.

I have been honoured to have worked with some of the best in the business. How many people can say they have presented with Alex Jay, Revin John, Brad Brown, Patrick Hayworth, Jeremy Harris, Rob Forbes, Ian F and Mark Pilgrim? How many people can say they have been in a team with Uveka Rangappa, John Walland, Benita Levin, Derek Alberts, Lebogang Nthathe, Carmen Reddy, Cindy Poluta and Marc Lewis?

I’ve presented with all of them over my 7 years and while they have all swopped and changed, I’ve remained the constant – it’s been challenging and allowed me to grow as a presenter and I’m so grateful. It’s taught me a lot. Each one of them has taught me more than they realize and the knowledge gained has been priceless.

I have had so many laughs over the years. In fact, I should have a six pack from all the laughing, but hey… Getting there.

I’ve met some of the most amazing people too, like Richard Branson, Michael Buble, Lionel Richie and Enrique Iglesias to name drop just 4.

I want to thank each and every one of you who have made my 7 year journey a priceless, fun, memorable, incredible and happy one.

I’d love to go through each person, but this blog post would become a novel. I’d like to share a few special mentions though.

Alex Jay – when I started with you at 22 years old, I was in awe. I couldn’t believe I was sitting across from you, working with you. You were one of the inspirational reasons why I wanted to get into radio. I remember my very first day with you. You casually said On Air: “And now Bailey Schneider has your traffic…”

On the outside, I was trying to be cool, calm and collected and did the traffic report – no problem, but on the inside I was doing a happy dance and screaming “OMG! OMG! Alex Jay just said MY name.”

You inspired me over the years, taught me so much and have become a good friend. The 3 years working with you were invaluable… It was here that my “Bailey-isms” began… I will fondly remember “Super Handy” with you and the start of “Toodles”  at the end of every show.

When you left the show to present 9am-1pm, it was the only time I have ever CRIED ON AIR.

I have a funny feeling today will be the second time.

Here are some photo’s over the years:

Alex Jay and I dressed up for The Fugitive

Doing an OB (Outside Broadcast) at the cricket with Alex Jay

Derek Alberts (Sport) in OB Van

5am – when we stood in for Breakfast Show

No idea WHAT we were doing here: Alex Jay, Derek Alberts and I

Alex and I MCing at Joburg Day

Ravi Naidoo, Alex Jay, Bailey Schneider, Lebogang Nthathe and Derek Alberts

Alex Jay, Bailey Schneider and Cindy Poluta

Benita Levin and Alex Jay

Been honoured to present with both Patrick Hayworth and Brad Brown

Revin John, Bailey Schneider and JR

Presenting with Revin John

MCing with Revin John for Joburg Day

On the Bus with Bafana Bafana for The World Cup 2010

Mark Pilgrim you have become a wonderful friend of mine and we have made an amazing team. Listeners dubbed it “The Baldy and Bailz Show” quite quickly and it stuck. You are the ultimate professional, your work ethic is something I wish we could bottle and sell and your one liners are hilarious. I don’t care what people say…corny or not, they’re super funny. You became my “work husband” over the last year and a half and I’m going to miss seeing you every afternoon.

“Rooihuiskraal”  or should I say “Rrrrrooihuiskrrrrraaaal” will always hold a funny memory for me. Besides the fact that (and I don’t know if I’ll ever understand it fully) listeners love the way I say it and I get requests to say it daily, whether it’s in the traffic or not…I will always remember seeing your eyebrows “dance” when I say it. It makes me laugh just thinking about it.

“Doef Doef Friiiday!!!” will also be a favourite memory with you and how can I not forget all the PLANKING we did!

The laughs we have had – oh my gosh – you introduced me to the “corpse on air”, which means you basically cannot stop laughing and therefore can’t continue speaking or continue with your radio links.

Such great times.

Thank YOU.

Mark Pilgrim and I dressed up and swopped genders for The Fugitive

Mark Pilgrim and I about to go on the first Gautrain trip to Pretoria

Eating scones

To an amazing team over the years (and I have to list you all, even though we have worked together at different times): Uveka Rangappa, John Walland, Derek Alberts, Benita Levin, Lebogang Nthathe, Carmen Reddy, Cindy Poluta and Marc Lewis – every single one of you are shining stars. You love what you do and it shines through. It inspires me. We’ve made some kick ass teams!

But the most important thing out of all of this, is that I’m proud to call every one of you a dear, close friend.

Derek Alberts and I

To my family and my friends who have been unconditionally supportive, encouraging and motivating over the years. It’s a difficult industry to be in and I have been blessed to have my mom, dad and sister and good, true friends who have always been there through the good and the bad. Mom, you have always called yourself “My Number 1 Fan” and I appreciate that more than you know.

That for me, makes me the richest person in the world. I am beyond blessed.

To the listeners. I know I haven’t met all of you, but you are special to me regardless of that trivial fact. I have read every single email, sms, message, Facebook message, tweet, letter and any other form of communication sent over the years. There has been hate mail and fan mail and I’ve read it all. I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to message me. You have made me laugh and cry and grow as a presenter and human being. Your support and encouragement is something I will treasure always.

I hope you will continue to support me and join me on my next adventure.

Oh gosh… I’m crying as I type this. Phwoar. Big salty tears all over my laptop. It’s quite messy.

Now… It’s not GOOD BYE entirely on 94.7. It’s good bye to the Drive show, but for now I am staying on at 94.7 as a Freelance Presenter, filling in for shows here and there… so you’ll still hear me.

I’m not disappearing… in fact, quite the opposite. I’m growing and expanding…

My BIG NEWS is very exciting!! I am going to be…

Find out on MONDAY.

*Such a tease… I know.*

But, seriously… THANK YOU for listening over the past 7 years. Final Show today with Mark Pilgrim and The Team between 4-7pm.

Mark Pilgrim wrote a very humbling blog – A Tribute to Bailey: http://www.markpilgrim.co.za/blog_files/20120330.html