I get asked that question more than you would believe. I always give the same answer. I felt UNBELIEVABLY Blessed to have worked there, because of the PEOPLE, at 1900 West 4th Avenue.
For you non Vancouverites - CFUN was on am at 1410 - with a 50 KW pusher. Not the greatest pattern, but our engineers made the Station sound great - MONO.
When you are dealing with people PLUS entertainment, there are the inevitable clash of egos - but, if there were,I never saw it - and as far as I was concerned, I didn’t work with ONE Prima Donna.
What a relief that is! I looked forward to going to CFUN, every day.
I know that 3:45 am doesn’t sound very glamourous, but, I got to sit in for the incredible Fred Latremouille, and had the chance to do mornings, a ton. That was incredibly stressful - but with the stress came the drive to make every break perfect. Every jock at the station were excellent. Tom Lucas, Bob Merchant, Stu Ferguson, and Robert D. Vine, Jack Casey, Freddie, Rich Ellwood, Kirk Wilson, Darryl B. (*Incredibly we lost Darryl and Rick Honey within days, of each other, 12 years ago - and a huge hole was left in our Industry). Jim Hault was a great Morning talent, Ched Miller, and so many more.
The News Staff were led by JJ Richards. World Class. Kathy Danford was my team mate in the afternoon and she is just amazing. NEVER stumbled - always top of her game. (* Having Kathy Danford in the newsroom, really raised the bar).
I loved the feeling of connecting with CFUN listeners, because they were always great to have on the air, and I was glad to be able to gift many people with prizes and cash over the years. In effect, we all got paid to make people HAPPY. I take great comfort in that.
As my final years wind down, I look back on all those years, and smile. Thanks to Alan and Jimmy Waters are in order. The Family from CHUM, bought the station, after reacquiring the signal from the ignominy of CKVN and the owners in Montreal.
They treated all their staff VERY well. We were NOT over paid - but we were valued and the incredible Chuck McCoy and - later Pat St. John and Neil Gallagher, made sure that all of us were aware that we were part of something special. Our Christmas Parties were legendary.
Paul Ski was the GM for many years, and his skills find him now as one of the top shooters at Rogers. Thanks to Paul for his help when we worked together at CFRA in Ottawa, as well.
I had a career because of OTHER people, you see.
Fred Latremouille - was my mentor * more on Freddie when I look at KISS-FM years.
May I also take a moment to say thank you to you - if you just so happened to listen to CFUN, back in the day and we crossed paths. I had a great audience and we had warm repartee. It was a pleasure, believe me.