Post 2646 - Radio News

So, here I am, on vacation, and something falls by the wayside. I fell behind in reading the Milkman website.

For those who don't know, The Milkman is probably the pre-eminent place to find out radio news in Canada. When someone goes to a station, or leaves it; or a station changes format, then you will find it on his website. And, no, I don't know why he calls himself the Milkman. I am doing well to know why I call myself "Bevboy".

Anyway, I took a break from the Spring cleaning today and fired up the website and learned that K-Rock 89.3 in New Minas, is in search of a new morning team. Yep. A whole new team.

The morning show the last couple of years has consisted of Curtis Bray and Lea Miller. Mr. Bray is also that fine station's Program Director. You may recall Lea from her days at the Q104 morning show as well as the times she filled in for Caroline Parker at the former KOOL FM. For reasons I do not know, and probably never will know, she is pursuing other opportunities, and Mr. Bray also decided to concentrate on his PD duties. I wish them both the very best in their careers.

I do not have any inside knowledge as to who will apply for the morning show gig at K-Rock. But, like you, I can think of many excellent candidates for the jobs, folks who would kick serious anus down there. This would include people who are presently on the air in Halifax who are underemployed, talented professionals who are lacking a position at the present time, and even people who have left our fair market in search of allegedly-better opportunities in larger markets. For those who haven't read the Milkman article and who read this stupid-ass blog of mine, I am hoping that they will consider the job at K-Rock and throw their hat in.

I am biased. I am from the Annapolis Valley and co-own a house down there and love that part of the province. My life and my job are here, but my heart is still down there. I have always felt jealous toward people who were able to forge a life for themselves in the Valley; the 26 years since I left have made that pang fade but not disappear.

If any radio professional reading this is wondering if moving to the Valley and working for a Newcap station is a good career move, then that is a decision you have to make for yourself. I know I would in  a heartbeat. The Valley is a beautiful place to live and to work and to... be. If you think there is nothing to do down there, then you are wrong. Wolfville is one of the most interesting towns anywhere. It is a university town. This means that there are eclectic restaurants and shops and coffee houses that are unavailable even in Halifax. Every Autumn they have the Deep Roots Festival, and we go to it every year. We saw Jesse Winchester play there a scant 7 months ago. We are grateful for that because the poor man died earlier this month.

Nearby New Minas is the shopping Mecca for the Valley. It is also where the radio station is. And there are dozens of beautiful communities surrounding these towns that you have to see.

My understanding is that when K-Rock went on the air in 2008, that mid-day guy Darrin Harvey drove the then-new morning team of Colin McInnes and Kate Peardon around the Valley and showed them the sights. Did he show them the house in Kentville where actor Peter Donat grew up? Did he drive them past the Canning Meat Market, the place where they sell the best steaks  you can sink your teeth into? Did he take them to Prescott House, where varieties of apples like Gravensteins were developed? I could go on and on.

I do not envy Curtis Bray. He has a difficult decision ahead of him. I certainly wish the people who get the job, all my very best. I will try not to be jealous of them while they get to live there and I don't.

Busy day Thursday. How do I find time for work anyway?

See you tomorrow.

Bevboy