Marty Forbes'
                                 'Edmontonians'

April 2008




One of the nice perks in the broadcast business is meeting some pretty interesting people. While I was running KISS FM in Vancouver in 1986, I agreed that the station would sponsor the first ever David Foster Foundation benefit in Victoria.

In case you didn�t know, David actually got his big break here in Edmonton in the late �60s, playing The Embers Night Club, then owned and run by Tommy Banks�now one of the hippest senators ever. Since then, David has gone on to in tons of Grammies, an Oscar or two. He�s worked with many of the biggest and best names in the music industry, and discovered remarkable talent.


                                     Marty and David Foster

It was a pleasure to touch base again at David�s media conference in Edmonton to announce his David Foster Foundation Benefit here in early September. What started as an annual celebrity baseball game with people like the late Sam Kinison, Ray Parker Jr., Olivia Newton John and Burt Bacharah has now evolved into the biggest fund raising event in music. A weekend of activities surrounds the blockbuster evening. David doesn�t preannounce who will entertain at these events but, if past benefits are an indication, we could see Madonna, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Lionel Richie or Celine Dion.

There are no individual tickets. Tables are being purchased by Edmonton�s business community, starting at $15,000 and ranging up to $50,0000. Daryl Katz� Rexall Group is the main sponsor�another salute to his Edmonton base�and most of our community leaders will be stepping up with support.

Telus bigwig Dr. Bob Westbury was in attendance, as were Don Metz from Aquilla Productions, Diane Young, formerly of the Stollery Children�s Hospital, James Stuart from The Bounce, Angus Watt of National Bank Financial and many other high profile folks. More details to follow. By the way, after several years in Edmonton radio, both at Corus and CHUM/CTV, James has left The Bounce to join CTV operation in Calgary.
He�s one of the good guys in the biz. In the blatant plug arena (Hey, when you�ve got your own monthly column, you gotta work
it!) I�m exceptionally proud of our Astral Media Radio Edmonton group for being nominated for six Canadian Music Week Awards.
This is an unprecedented amount for our cluster�we lead the entire country with this many awards. And the big news: The Bear won Rock Station of the Year� and Paul Brown, Yukon Jack and Gillian Foote won Morning Show of the Year. Because the CMW Awards are voted on by our peers in the radio and record business, they hold special meaning. It�s certainly nice to get continuos recognition for what you do on a day-to-day basis.

Heard from one of my multi-media friends: Seanna Collins is involved with "Babes Without Babes", which was formed in Edmonton in September 2004. It�s for women 35 and older who do not have children (maternal, adopted or step), and want to connect with other women living the same lifestyle. Seanna is one of the hardest working people in the broadcast field, with success as a morning radio co-host, television personality, and fundraiser. She�s heavily involved in the community. Further info on her group and how to join is at http://www.babeswithoutbabes.ca. Also touched base with another long time associate at Global TV and Magic FM. Mike Sobel got hold of me in regards to the launch of a new station in Calgary that was remarkably similar in format to one we launched here in 1981. Mike was among our original announcers at CJAX FM� which morphed into KING FM, Power 92 and now operates as the very successful JOE FM.

Nice to hear that Reg Milley has announced some new�and better�food services at Edmonton International Airport. Well� that�s what I asked for in my Edmontonians column in January. Not that I take any credit for the improvement. Reg and his team have been making our airport better for some time. I�m thrilled to hear this news, especially faculties in the international waiting area.

Finally, congrats to Premier Ed Stelmach and his Conservatives for their huge win in the provincial election. I know things aren�t perfect in Sunny Alberta but, if you travel as much as I do, you really appreciate living in the prosperity that we do.
Things back east and down south are not very rosy. We�re blessed with a level of economic certainty that is enviable� and I hope the momentum continues. Boom is better than bust.    

Marty Forbes is VP and general manager of The Bear, EZRock and The TEAM 1260 Sports Radio.

Contact: email:
marty@edmontonians.com

http://www.edmontonians.com  

.

Hey Marty,
Firstly, thanks so much for your insightful presentation of whats going on in Broadcasting in Alberta's capital city.
Thanks also for the sharing about David's early days in Edmonton. I recall David in his hometown of Victoria played at the infamous "Strathcona Hotel" in the mid to late sixties with a host of other talented Canadian musicians such as Steve Pugsley, Norm McPherson, Tom Middleton. Love the pic of you David! Keep up the great job!