Radio and Me ... 37

A few months ago, Halifax Radio Station CHNS marked its 90th birthday.
The inaugural transmission went on the air in May, 1926, produced by founder / manager Major William Borrett.

For the first 20 years, it was the only Halifax radio station.
It gave the news of the progress of the solo trans-Atlantic flight of Charles Lindburgh in 1927, and provided the world-wide riveting reports by J. Frank Willis of the Moose River Mine Disaster in 1936.
On a lighter note, in the 1940s, it hosted a daily music program by a young baritone from the South Shore, Hank Snow.
CJCH (private) and CBH (CBC) came on air by the end of World War II.
CHNS also transmitted to the world on CHNX Shortwave, 6130 on the 49 meter band (until 1989), and began FM in 1949.
However, for most of its history -- especially during the 50s, and through the 70s -- it was part of a fierce war for ratings.
Current Halifax ratings wars, with no fewer than 11 commercial stations taking part, seem pale, minor skirmishes by comparison!
Both stations — CHNS 960 and CJCH 920 — had begun ‘block programming’ by the late 50s.
This format featured fast-paced musical programs (standards, big bands, and the emerging rock ‘ n’ roll), presented on records, in hour-long blocks, by a ‘personality,’ with spot commercials and announcements, for 55 minutes, with news on / near the top of the hour.
At CJCH, the news was presented at :55, 'First, Fast, Five Minutes Sooner.'
Teams of announcers were specially selected and hired to give each station its particular ‘sound,’ by which it was sold to advertisers.
In first half of the 60s, CHNS had a great lineup, starting with the early ‘Drive’ slot, then AND NOW, the most important / lucrative radio time, and on to midnight:
— 6-9 am: Mike MacNeil, whose ‘Open Mike’ was the first call-in show in Halifax; followed by,
— 10-1: Box Oxley, who later became a CBC local and national news announcer;
— Afternoons: Brian Sutcliffe, and others; then
— 7- Midnight: Frank Cameron, who went on to become a national TV musical host and news host.
Morning news was more than ably prepared and delivered by Clive Schaefer.
Later, an 'All-Night Show' was introduced, featuring Fred Walker, and then, Hal Blackadar.
Front Office people included:
-- Program Director: Orv Pulsiver,
-- News Director: Ron Slade,
-- Technical Director: Carl Westhaver,
This ‘lineup’ worked so professionally that they overcame a big CJCH ratings lead, and then captured and stayed at #1 until the rise of FM in the 70s, when the ratings wars by CHFX and C100 started all over again!
Frank Cameron is STILL active as a volunteer host on ’Seaside FM,’ metro’s ‘Easy Listening’ station.
I’m proud to claim him as friend and mentor; he has just written a cheeky autobiography, with a long title: ‘I Owe it All to Rock ’n’ Roll … and the CBC.’ It’s thorough, gritty, straight from the heart, and recounts his life’s story in radio / TV, warts and all.
Check out more details of CHNS broadcasting history.
Today, CHNS is anchor station of Maritime Broadcasting System (MBS) and is known as ’89-9, The Wave.’
Happy 90th — hope to help you celebrate your 100th!