No sooner had I hung up my typing fingers working for TVWeek than tons of news breaks out. Crave FM and Superhits 650 CISL have just hired a Program Director to replace the departed Eric Samuels. New PD Ronnie Stanton is from Australia and will make sure that the ratings aren’t way “down under”… Another successful Vancouver Record Collectors swap meet at the Croatian Cultural Centre on Commercial Drive in Vancouver. It seems every major city has one or two a year. On hand today was CISL program director Gerry O’Day, Larry Hennessey of the morning team at JACK FM, Terry David Mulligan, he of a multitude of broadcast projects, and Dave McCormick now with CISL and working to improve the playlist at the frequency. Also present at the hall was Chad Allan signing his new CD and Roy Forbes, who is no stranger to many of us as a Canadian recording artist. The sunny warm weather did not prevent a great turnout. Dave has found a new home at CISL and longtime bandleader and radio host Dal Richards will be part of the on-air line-up at the station beginning in November… 600 AM has commissioned radio archivist Gord Lansdell to create a final farewell documentary for the outlet before it signs off the AM side forever. Once known as CJOR, the pioneer radio station deserves a proper send-off and it looks like it will get that… Joe Leary and Jennifer Thompson are now the morning team at Talk 1410. Another busy weekend at the Red Robinson Show Theatre with a fundraiser for the C.H.I.L.D. Foundation starring David Foster at the piano reflecting on his amazing career. Terry David Mulligan acted as David’s aid helping him to review his history. The fundraiser was the first ever Great Canadian tribute dinner in honor of Dr. Brandt Louie, CEO of H.Y. Louie Company which includes all the IGA Marketplace stores and London Drugs. He was being honored for his contributions to community. The induction was conducted by Peter Legge of Canada Wide Media. It was my honor to act as emcee…
l-r: Red, Terry David Mulligan, David Foster, Grace McCarthy, Brandt Louie, GCG’s Ross McLeod
My replacement at TVWeek is Fred Lee, man about town who has been covering community events and galas for a series of periodicals and of course the National Post… radio veteran Tom Jeffries had a scare when he quite suddenly had a seizure. Happily, after extensive tests there is no indication of something serious. He will be taking a little time off from his weekend CKNW duties…
My friend Penny Gray, Al Green and me at the “Red”
Last weekend I emceed Al Green’s appearance at the Red Robinson Show Theatre. He performed his catalog of hits and wowed the crowd. Al was about a half hour late for his show. I learned later that he had picked up a lung infection in Denver the week prior and it had left him weak. Like the trouper he is he went on to thrill the audience with his memorable music… on September 5th colleague David Abbott and I visited the home of the late Vic Waters, which is now occupied by his son Rick and his family. It was in a way a “wake” as Vic had requested in his will. Friends, family and media members gathered in the presence of his wife Thelma who is almost 90. Photos of Vic were placed around the living room and friends spoke of his life experiences with them. He lived a full and fruitful life. Vic will be remembered always by radio people as one of the truly great communicators. On hand were radio people such as Dave Abbott, Bruno Cimolai, and others who had all worked under his “watch” at CJOR. He was responsible for assisting the careers of three mavericks, myself, Frosty Forst and Fred Latremouille. He will be missed.