Edmonton's Radio Man


                                       Marty Forbes

Just too much going on, currently, to be 'timely' with my Edmontians Column (plus I'm heading south again) so with apologies to my editor at the magazine, heres a PRE RELEASE on September's column.

Boy, you're going to need a program to follow along with all the morning show changes in the Edmonton market over the past month or so.

Never in the history of Edmonton radio (or any market I know of in North America) have there been as many changes on one shift at one time as to what we're going to see and hear this fall.

There are virtually new personnel on no less than five Edmonton morning shows that will debut in some form or another during the Fall Bureau of Broadcast Measurement(BBM) period this September.

Going from the left hand side of the dial to the right, talented Rhubarb Jones will have a new co-host on JOE FM as he lost sidekick Audie Lynds over the summer. (to be announced shortly!)

CAPITAL FM is reuniting a well known morning team from the past with Rob Christie and the aforementioned Audie , a team that won several International Radio Awards when they worked together at CHED and Power 92 a dozen years ago.   My old Bonnie Doon High School pal Randy Broadhead returns to the airwaves with his unique brand of humour too.

Terry Evans on K-97 (formerly K-ROCK as a moniker) has a new co-host in Phil Aubrey:  Karen Kay has moved back to the CFCW newsroom and Melissa Wright moves back to her former daytime shift on the station.

Magic 99, our smooth jazz station (!), now has Shannon Tyler holding down mornings with Duncan Patterson and PD/ND/GM Kurt Leavens on News and Information.

EZ Rock 104.9 welcomes one of Edmonton's most recognizable television faces back to radio as Seanna Collins joins Shane Michael's, and Cheryl Brooks on the morning show.   Seanna also spent time on CHED, Power 92, K-97 and the then K-LITE about a decade ago.  She continues to work on Global Television, and will continue to operate her own business working in the community.

Remaining intact is our own Paul Brown, Yukon Jack and Gillian Foote at The Bear, Pepper and Dylan at The Bounce,  Garner Andrews at Sonic FM, Sharon Mallon and the tireless Danny Hooper on CFCW and Bruce Bowie and Shawn Burke, on CISN FM.  Jennifer Martin is still covering a Maternity Leave for awhile longer on the country morning show.  Bryn and Jake, of course, are on The Team....however Bob Stauffer has left Afternoon Drive to join the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club as 'color' on the radio broadcasts.

This past month I also ran into several well known radio and television personalities in my travels around town.  

CKUA's Terry David Mulligan was in for the Folk Festival and we caught up with a nice chat and a latte at Second Cup.  Terry now lives in the Okanagan and his new radio show 'The Tasting Room' is being placed in several markets across the country over the past few months.  The show features news and information on the Wine Business, and TDM's special guests include the who's who of television and movies.  

CTV's Graham Neil and former Bachelorette participant Jennie Adams let me butt into their conversation in the CTV cafeteria where I heard that Jennie is in the final three for consideration as host of CITY Televisions national talk show CITY LINE.
Good luck Jen.

On a sad note my thoughts go out to the students of the Canadian School of Modern Broadcasting with word that the school has been shut down under somewhat controversial circumstances.  Jackie Hammond faces alleged fraud charges in the United States on another matter and many of the students lost their registration fees and obviously their dream of chasing a radio career.

Off radio for just a second, but related obviously, the David Foster Foundation will hold a massive fund raising event mid-month (Sept) in Edmonton as noted in past columns.  

This event started in Victoria several years ago, and has grown into a simply massive social and public service event that helps raise a huge amount of money that goes towards a very good cause.  Tickets are scare, unless you're a big corporation, and during the evening many surprises take place including who the headliner is.    

I don't have my ticket yet  but I'm hoping I can sneak in the back door dressed as a waiter as this will be one of the most talked events ever in our city  which is known as one of the best  community supportive cities in the entire nation.

Finally, I guess the final change in Edmonton radio is, well, me.  After 38 years of working at the biggest and best stations in Canada I'm calling it a day at the end of the year.The plan is to spend half the year in Phoenix  and half here.  Guess which half?  I will continue to be involved with my current employer, Astral Media Radio GP, in a consulting role, but it's time to sit back and enjoy some time riding my motorcycle through the Deep South.   It's been a slice.  

You? Retire?  You're way too young for that, Marty.  Damn...now you have me thinking about it.  Phoenix you say....hmmm...not a bad idea.  But seriously, it's been a slice and a half knowing and working with you these many years.  You're one of a (good) kind and I know you will be missed.

Thanks Steve...I'm hoping The Coyote (KYOT) needs a part-time copy writer - think I've still 'got it.'  Our work together in Vancouver remains part of my greatest memories and I hope to bump into you again at CMW or NAB down the road!  

Hey Marty, Glad to hear you're going to enjoy life even more.
As our buddy Tom Rivers always told me 'Bobby, ya aint living unless your fishing"
Wear a helmet and don't forget to go fishing.
If your bike brings you to Nanaimo look me up, I'm sure I can find a Salmon to BBQ.

Bob

I, for one, will be sad to see you leave the "business" Marty.  I am so very glad I got a chance to work for the best General Manager and one of the best guys EVER in radio.  You are truly a class act Mr. Forbes.  Enjoy your "retirement".  Thanks for everything.