The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Who Was Your Favourite D.J. Influence When You Were A Kid?

**Posted by RadioActive** September 30, 2024 10:56 am

This topic was inspired by a letter from a reader to Newsday, a N.Y. paper, about the voices he remembers growing up with. Back in the days when radio was the only way to hear new music, he recalls it was the voices between the songs that were as memorable as the great Top 40 tunes.

My list of those who inspired and made me laugh not surprisingly revolves around CHUM, which was my first go-to station. Guys like Brian Skinner and Bob McAdorey were early influences, as was the great Steve O'Brien on CKFH, who many here likely won't recall because he wasn't there long. But God, was he funny.

Once CFTR became a true rock station, Jim Brady was great and the fact I got to work with him later was a real thrill. B.C.'s Gill Harris, who called himself "Doc Holiday" when he was on 680 was incredible. And they may not be the first names to come to mind when it comes to fun DJs, but Sandy Hoyt and R.O, Horning Jr. did some great stuff on the Super 680.

And of course, there were the guys who played it a bit more straight, like John Donabie.

Out of town, Oogie Pringle on WNBC was amazing when the sun went down and after all the great radio he gave us, I was sad to hear he took his own life many years ago - truly, the tragic clown.

The Real Bob James on WGAR was not only one of the best ever, but I've since met him and am proud to call this genius a friend.

And who could not like the late Dan Ingram?

Who would be on your influence list?

**Posted by Jody Thornton** September 30, 2024 11:00 am

Charlie Van Dyke has my voice of choice. I love how he sounded in the 90s and 90s.
Dan Williamson was also a favourite during the CKFM and early Mix era.

**Posted by Bristol** September 30, 2024 11:04 am

Montreal:
CKGM: George Morris (aka Buddy G), CFOX: Roger Scott, CHOM: Doug Pringle, CJAD: Dave Patrick and George Balcon.
Buffalo WKBW : Joey Reynolds

Last edited by Bristol (September 30, 2024 2:26 pm)

**Posted by RadioActive** September 30, 2024 1:47 pm

**Posted by paterson1** September 30, 2024 2:19 pm

I too enjoyed Jim Brady on CFTR Other favourites on TR were Mike Marshall and Keith O'Bryan. Big fan of John Mahjor, Jim Van Horne, Jay Nelson and Roger Ashby on CHUM. On WLS liked John Landecker and when in Florida had to listen to WAPE and The Greaseman, Doug Tacht. Only heard Peter Garland on CKSL London for about six months, but he was a great morning man, as was Don Percy on CKY in Winnipeg.

**Posted by RadioActive** September 30, 2024 4:01 pm

I have to say I'm not familiar with Keith O'Bryan. I wonder if he was there after I left. Do you know approx. what year that was?

**Posted by AspectRatio** September 30, 2024 5:08 pm

RadioActive wrote:
I have to say I'm not familiar with Keith O'Bryan. I wonder if he was there after I left. Do you know approx. what year that was?

Searching online newspaper archives, I see The Brantford Expositor did a feature on him and his CFTR gig and that's dated February 13, 1974 - they mention Keith is age 22 there.

**Posted by kevjo** September 30, 2024 5:11 pm

paterson1 wrote:
I too enjoyed Jim Brady on CFTR Other favourites on TR were Mike Marshall and Keith O'Bryan. Big fan of John Mahjor, Jim Van Horne, Jay Nelson and Roger Ashby on CHUM. On WLS liked John Landecker and when in Florida had to listen to WAPE and The Greaseman, Doug Tacht. Only heard Peter Garland on CKSL London for about six months, but he was a great morning man, as was Don Percy on CKY in Winnipeg.

As a kid in Montreal Donny Burns and Steve Shannon were among my favourites...both would later do stints in Toronto.
In southern Ontario the big names for me were John Majhor (another one taken away too young) and John Rhode.
Don Daynard was another stellar talent to listen to.

**Posted by Paul Jeffries** September 30, 2024 5:40 pm

Tom Rivers and Mike Cooper always made radio sound like it would be a fun way to make a living.

PJ

**Posted by PSJ** October 6, 2024 10:10 am

When I started working for CHUM (all night show) I would spend my spare time just listening to Tom Rivers and Scott Carpenter. Both were electric on the air. When Bob Wood had an air check session it would include all jocks and he'd play some of the highlights of these two guys along with Terry Steele. As the rookie in the room I was in awe of these incredibly talented people. I heard Scott Carpenter doing an oldies show a couple of years ago and he still sounds great.

**Posted by newsguy1** October 6, 2024 1:28 pm

I listened to the likes of Roy Hennessy, (who I later worked for as a dj in his disco) and Michael W Morgan. Also a white guy who called himself Little Stevie Wonder.
I also remember a guy named Bob Ness who was a dj at CKLG FM when FM rock radio was frequented by total stoners.
Ness was one of them.
Us kids listened to all the jocks on LG am and CFUN.
Their rivalries and stunts were amazing.
Also the promotions kept coming, whether it was stickers or patches or frisbees etc. We used to flock to the radio stations to pick out the free gear.

**Posted by RadioActive** October 6, 2024 2:18 pm

newsguy1 wrote:
I listened to the likes of Roy Hennessy, (who I later worked for as a dj in his disco) and Michael W Morgan. Also a white guy who called himself Little Stevie Wonder.
I also remember a guy named Bob Ness who was a dj at CKLG FM when FM rock radio was frequented by total stoners.
Ness was one of them.
Us kids listened to all the jocks on LG am and CFUN.
Their rivalries and stunts were amazing.
Also the promotions kept coming, whether it was stickers or patches or frisbees etc. We used to flock to the radio stations to pick out the free gear.

That's when radio was fun and different owners were going after each other with everything they had, making them both better. Sad that's no longer the case in most instances.

I found this in my archives from Nov. 1967. Most of the names should be familiar to you. (And by the way, what does "MOT" stand for?)

**Posted by AspectRatio** October 6, 2024 3:37 pm

RadioActive wrote:
[(And by the way, what does "MOT" stand for?)

I had to look that one up myself - "Music of Today".

From a cover story of "RPM Music Weekly" from 1967:
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/RPM/60s/1967/RPM-1967-02-25.pdf

"It took a great deal of planning and deciding to bring about the drastic change in the policy of CKFH, and one that shook the listening foundations of habit listening Toronto. Rock and roll on CKFH? IMPOSSIBLE. As a matter of fact, the new CKFH regarded the term rock and roll as being their policy, but they were now hip to the MOT, that's Music Of Today, and it just so happens that with a population breakdown showing almost 50% of radio listeners being under 30 years of age, they were moving in the direction of capturing a good portion of this audience."

**Posted by RadioActive** October 6, 2024 4:02 pm

Thanks for the effort. I'm not sure I've ever heard that phrase before, but certainly not the abbreviation. Is it still in use today?