1 of 1- paterson1
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Small Town Radiothon Raises Big Bucks
Caught about an hour of the Radiothon that The Bruce 97.9/91.9 (CFPS) was doing today. The Bruce is an active/new rock station broadcasting to Bruce County out of Port Elgin with a repeater at 91.9 in Tobermory.
The radiothon ran from 6am to 6pm and had a goal this year of $200,000 to raise money to help buy a CT scanner for the Southampton Saugeen Shores Hospital. This is a small town 16 bed hospital, with 24 hour emergency department and acute care. At 6pm they had raised $245,000 and more was still coming in. Raising well over a quarter of a million is not out of the question.
The Bruce with it's new format and repeater has only been on the air since mid May, and it was so smart the way that local business, healthcare, industry, government and of course listeners were all involved. on air and part of the broadcast. The Radiothon also had some great auction items donated by business and industry in the area. And through it all they still were still playing some music and news.
The station covers Bruce County which has a population of about 67,000 people, so to raise almost $250,000 in 12 hours is pretty impressive. What was interesting was how the listeners calling in would comment on the hospital and relate a story but also many commented on the station how much they loved the music and hosts, and how they appreciated the work that goes into the radiothon which has been an annual event for some time. The two hosts were having a ball and kept things light and funny.
When The Bruce went on the air with the active/new rock format in the spring, I had some doubts. But it was runner up for small market radio station of the year in the recent Broadcast Dialogue Radio Awards, has produced some local live to air concerts, and now this today proves that radio is far from dead.......It just has to connect to the local community and listeners, and actually get out and do something for and in the community!
The audience is still there,,,,,and they are waiting.
Last edited by paterson1 (December 9, 2021 9:33 pm)
- mic'em
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Re: Small Town Radiothon Raises Big Bucks
The Bruce gained the rock market with virtually no OTA competition after the demise of The Bull out of Wingham. Savvy move by management recognizing a captive audience. A Bayshore Broadcasting property. I listen to their alt rock 89.1 Max FM from Orillia when I can get the signal. They play local artists , including my son's band " Break The Trend ".
- paterson1
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Re: Small Town Radiothon Raises Big Bucks
mic'em wrote:
The Bruce gained the rock market with virtually no OTA competition after the demise of The Bull out of Wingham. Savvy move by management recognizing a captive audience. A Bayshore Broadcasting property. I listen to their alt rock 89.1 Max FM from Orillia when I can get the signal. They play local artists , including my son's band " Break The Trend ".
Well The Bull became COOL FM to align with Blackburn's other three COOL stations. Musically though COOL Wingham is similar to The Bull and, still very much rock oriented. 97.9 The Bruce is a bit more eclectic in their music and play more album/indie cuts. The Bull didn't play as many album cuts and no newer rock or indie rock that I recall. .
Good on The Bruce and MAX FM Alternative North out of Orillia supporting local artists with airplay. The quality of some of these bands confirms that there is so much great cancon that receives no radio airplay. All the best to your son's band Break The Trend, I will give them a listen.
What I do find interesting is that with the strong response from the Radiothon indicates that 97.9 The Bruce is well accepted by the listeners and business community in Bruce County and that there is a market for a more alternative/active rock radio station in a small market like this. Also shows again that some of the best radio and competition can be found in several medium and smaller markets.
Grey - Bruce and Huron counties are a perfect example of this, a smaller market (154,000 people) with lots of quality local radio with varied formats. Over 20 stations in total. The area even still has two AM stations in 820 CKNX and 560 CFOS, both with heavy local news and information, and both play music.
Last edited by paterson1 (December 10, 2021 3:32 pm)
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Thread Starter- mic'em
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Re: Small Town Radiothon Raises Big Bucks
The last time I tuned in the Wingham station, I heard the Cool jungle and immediately thought they had become a mix format like 106 Owen Sound so I flipped the dial. I do recall they were doing classic rock after The Bull id had been replaced. I recall Brough [ bruff] as the first morning man on The Bull, he now does afternoon drive on Max but is obviously VT. I just read he does afternoons on 106 as well. . I usually put on 560 CFOS when I'm Owen Sound, and try to catch Bill Murdoch Monday and Friday mornings as his delivery reminds me of my early days in radio in a small market. 
Thanks for the interest in Break the Trend. they are on all the streaming services and youtube.
My son is lead guitar.
Last edited by mic'em (December 10, 2021 8:48 pm)
- paterson1
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Re: Small Town Radiothon Raises Big Bucks
Your son's band is pretty good mic'em, really liked Hey Darlin'. Great song, very tight. Glad that the group is getting some airplay on MAX. Does FM 96 in London give the band any play?
Yes Bill Murdoch is an interesting listen on the radio, and a character. Owen Sound and area always sent unique people to Queen's Park. Everyone there still talks about the late Eddie Sargent who was the MPP for many years.
What station did you work at in your early days?
Last edited by paterson1 (December 11, 2021 1:44 pm)
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Thread Starter- mic'em
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Re: Small Town Radiothon Raises Big Bucks
Thanks for the nice words regarding Break The Trend. The band was another victim of covid. My son and the lead singer John have continued to write and record as a duo and my boy has several solo songs currently being mixed with a release date likely next month on YouTube. I will post links when he gives me the go ahead. He has grown into an Outlaw country type artist , it is just for fun now as he has a career job as he approaches 30. Hey Darlin got some airplay across Canada and on the internet during the summer of 2015. They played all the major spots, The Horseshoe, Rockpile etc that year and had a record deal but like so many other good bands, they didn't get that break needed to get over . I am proud of them none the less. I am so thrilled when I hear them played on MAX FM. My meager radio career began in Summerside PEI, took me to Halifax briefly, St John's NFLD for a year, Charlottetown for two years , Midland Ont for a year and wound up in Brampton in 1986. I'm just a fan now.