FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2008

93.7 JRfm WINS CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION’S
MAJOR MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR FOR THE 2ND STRAIGHT YEAR!


VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Gerry Siemens, Vice President and General Manager of 93.7 JRfm (CJJR FM), is pleased to announced that JRfm has been named Canadian Country Music Association’s Major Market Radio Station of the Year for the 2nd consecutive year. The station received the award Sunday night in Winnipeg at the CCMA Gala Dinner.

“The Pattison Broadcast Group believes in Total Team Involvement and this recognition of the job that we do together, as a radio station, is outstanding” Siemens says. “I’m very proud of our hard-working staff. Our listeners also deserve a big pat on their backs for helping achieve this honour.”

The CCMA Major Market Radio Station of the Year award was judged by peers in the industry. JRfm’s presentation was deemed the best, and represents the pinnacle in Canadian country radio for 2008.

It has been a big year as 93.7 JRfm was also named 2008 Country Station of the Year at Canadian Music Week, an annual event that takes place in Toronto. JRfm took home this honour in 2004, 2005 & 2006, adding to the growing awards case.

“It’s exciting that our staff are being rewarded for the great radio they create for our listeners every day" said JRfm Program Director Gord Eno.

93.7 JRfm and sister station Unforgettable 600AM are part of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.

While on the subject of CCMA broadcast awards, it should be noted that Sharon Mallon and Danny Hooper of 790 CFCW's morning show were named personalities of the year, major market. That's nothing new for the station since Jackie-Rae Greening and the late Wes Montgomery, who was inducted into the CCMA Hall of Fame, twice won similar honors since 2001.

Another Alberta station was also honored. Tim Day of CKGY Red Deer was named music director of the year, secondary market.  

Congrats to everyone who won in the broadcast categories.  The Canadian Country Music industry is painfully unrecognized outside of its own world.  Sounds like everyone had a fantastic weekend in Winnipeg.

Quoted from sasklight

While on the subject of CCMA broadcast awards, it should be noted that Sharon Mallon and Danny Hooper of 790 CFCW's morning show were named personalities of the year, major market. That's nothing new for the station since Jackie-Rae Greening and the late Wes Montgomery, who was inducted into the CCMA Hall of Fame, twice won similar honors since 2001.

Another Alberta station was also honored. Tim Day of CKGY Red Deer was named music director of the year, secondary market.  

Scott Philipps at Country 105 also won music director of the year for major market

I raise this question purely out of curiosity but what do you guys think about "Music Directors" who follow the company policy/playlist dictated from the head office of major companies like Corus, Astral, NewCap.....??

Quoted from Poppa

I raise this question purely out of curiosity but what do you guys think about "Music Directors" who follow the company policy/playlist dictated from the head office of major companies like Corus, Astral, NewCap.....??

With the web and listener surveys the way a MD does his job has changed considerably over the years. I would say music directors at the big boys still have an important job to do. If anything, it might be harder to take that 450 song playlist and weave the music to fit your station and so the listener doesn't feel like you're "playing the same stuff". I am not a music director, but from what I have seen not everything is chosen by head office, consultants often will give you a playlist of classic tunes, but when it comes to new music that's your baby to make your own sound with. Same goes for if you're running daily or weekend features on your station. That is the difference to me between a good music director, and some guy who hits auto schedule on selector.

Congrats to JR Country. You've sure held your own from day one with the first sign on with Doug Lynn

What is this based on? I personally don't think CJJR does it as well as stations in Alberta, but I guess no one else thinks that.

In light of the world, it's only radio.  Like if there were "The Ant Collection Awards", people would talk as seriously there as here.

Quoted from TRENT

What is this based on? I personally don't think CJJR does it as well as stations in Alberta, but I guess no one else thinks that.

I believe it is based off of voting by members of the CCMA, so mainly people in the music and broadcast industries.  In my opinion they win it off of the strength of their basics for babies program.  If you ask me the actual station in terms of personalities and their music mix they are mediocre, but that program might be one of the best community programs done in radio in terms of cause and execution.