Edmontonians - CKUA Behind the Scenes!

One of Edmonton's; I mean Alberta's; ok the "World's" best gems is our own CKUA Radio.

I've been a fan for many, many years and proudly offer these fun facts courtesy of my good friend CKUA's General Manager Ken Regan.

While most radio stations feature one basic format CKUA delivers programming that covers virtually every genre of music. It's an eclectic blend of both music and information and survives solely on listener donations and by selling a small inventory of commercials.

Cam Hayden and his partner Carol Dean travel all over North America finding bands not only to play on his Friday Night Blues Show, often on his motorcycle, but for Bluesfest that is held each August in Hawrelak park. This signature event virtually sells out each year.

The former Bonnie Doon High School connection to CKUA is strong. Holger Peterson and I were classmates there and city lawyer/CFL referee Bud Steen has long been involved behind the scene in keeping the place viable.

Holger is one of the most respected people in the Canadian music scene, with his ownership of Stony Plain records.

Lionel Rault has some of the best 'ears' in the business. It's a radio term for a guy who segues records together due to their audio qualitiesto sound seamless on the air.

Terry David Muligan (TDM) has long been a radio pal and has starred in movies, and television shows for years. One of his first jobs was as an RCMP officer in Red Deer. Terry now does a Wine Show on CKUA as well as his Mulligans Stew on Saturday.

Peter North, of course, is well known for his alter life as a journalist in Edmonton.

Senator Tommy Banks has a long history with the station and was integral to the stations survival several years back.

Allison Brock has been in Calgary radio for many years and currently also works at the Rawlco owned Mix radio station on Cowtown.

Mark Antonelli - did you know his mother Marylu Walters is a notable freelance writer and author of the book CKUA-Radio Worth Fighting For, (published in 2002 by University of Alberta Press). The book was one of four finalists for the 2002 National Business Book Awards.

David Ward - Is an accomplished musician and for a time played in the band "Lonesome and Then Some".

Lark Clark - for many years sang professionally with the group "Juba" and is CKUA's resident gypsy having lived in New York, Haida Gwaii, Edmonton and briefly in Africa, and having travelled for extended periods to Cuba and Columbia among other places....

John Worthington - CKUA's Old Disc Jockey - was born the same year as CKUA, was twice General Manager (including for a brief period when CKUA returned following the 1997 shutdown); he is also one of the most technologically advanced members on staff when it comes to applying computer editing skills - remastering dozens of old 78 rpm records for re-release on CD, making them sound almost new!!

CKUA recpetionist Erica Gaylor is recognized as one of Edmonton's foremost "twitter-ers" and is a Roller Derby afficianado (as in she competes).

Voices in Jazz host Dianne Donovan is a professional jazz singer and is married to Mitch Watkins, lead guitarist with Lyle Lovett's "Large Band"...Mark Antonelli - did you know his mother Marylu Walters is a notable freelance writer and author of the book CKUA-Radio Worth Fighting For, (published in 2002 by University of Alberta Press). The book was one of four finalists for the 2002 National Business Book Awards.

Alberta Morning show host Tony King once ran the Edmonton Film Festival

There are 13 FM transmitters throughout the Province and one clear channel AM signal. The AM is meant to reach areas in that the FM's don't. Clear Channel means nobody else is on that frequency in all of North America so the signal is as clear as a bell with zero interference.

It's a rare blend of some of the most knowledgeable music hosts in Canada and no other Province has such a structure. Please give them a listen and during the fund raising days I know they'd appreciate your financial support as well.