The P.N.E. has announced its Summer Nights concert series for 2008 and it is outstanding. Trooper kicks things off in fine style on opening day August 16th. Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus’s dad, takes to the outdoor stage on August 17th. The Bacon Brothers, headlining the superb actor Kevin Bacon appear August 18th. High School Musical’s Vanessa Hudgens shines August 24th. It’s George Canyon on stage August 19th, and Scottish thrush Sheena Easton August 20th. The brass of Tower of Power hits the stage August 21st and Sass Jordan is featured August 22nd. There is more: Glass Tiger August 23rd, Aaron Pritchett August 25th, Air Supply August 26th and our very own resident tribute artist Bobby Bruce saluting Neil Diamond with Nearly Neil August 27th. Susie McNeil headlines August 28th, 54-40 rocks the fair August 29th and Bill Henderson with Chilliwack appears August 30th. The big salute to Elvis Presley will be held on August 31st on the occasion of the 51st Anniversary of his appearance on the P.N.E. grounds in 1957. On Labour Day it is a special show celebrating the 25th anniversary of Spirit of the West. All in all, a great line-up. May I suggest you take in the Red Robinson Talent Showdown each day on the outdoor stage, with the best amateur talent from all corners of B.C. competing for a grand prize of $10,000.00… Also in August, at my theatre some great Rock and Roll with the Doobie Brothers August 8th, Gerry and the Pacemakers on August 15th, and August 29th and 30th Bonnie Raitt… the annual 24 Hour Relay for the Kids raised an incredible $1.315 million dollars, which will go to Easter Seals Camps in B.C. I have visited all three camps, and let me tell you the sight of these youngsters enjoying summer camp is a heart-warming experience… It was a warm night, for a change, when the Vancouver Aquarium held its annual signature gala fundraiser. Over 700 of Vancouver’s philanthropic and corporate leaders came together to aid in raising funds for this Vancouver landmark. Some of the special guests included Howard Blank from Great Canadian Casinos and CBC News anchor Gloria Macarenko, TVWeek‘s Darren Parkman, and others. However the real star of the evening was the new baby Beluga whale frolicking in the water with her mother… I have talked with Dave McCormick and Dal Richards about the forthcoming demise of 600 AM. It looks as if these two performers and others on the station will be without a home. Management at the outlet informed me that a condition from the CRTC for them to get an FM license was to offer a different format and turn the existing license back to the CRTC. This will mean that AM 600 will go dark. A similar situation has existed in other markets in Canada leaving a void for, what I refer to as, Nostalgia Radio. It really does not add up, when you consider the aging population with a majority of the wealth in the country who want their familiar favourites and now will be denied them anywhere on the dial. Oh well, who am I to question these moves. However, in my opinion, it is a sad day… In the Valley there will be still another station in Chilliwack and called Rock 89.5 FM. Many changes for the area and more competition…

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