The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Jeff Chalmers Leaving Boom?

**Posted by Radiowiz** June 16, 2025 1:28 am

Jeff Chalmers is leaving Boom 97.3? That is all I have heard. Where is he going?

Last edited by Radiowiz (June 16, 2025 1:29 am)

**Posted by jughead jones** June 16, 2025 5:42 am

He is still very talented. I listened to him recently and thought to myself he has deserved better fates in the medium.

**Posted by AspectRatio** June 16, 2025 9:24 am

At least he's not dead. I clicked into the thread expecting that, as the convention on this board is generally a name and nothing else in a thread topic means that.

Why wouldn't the thread name be "Jeff Chalmers leaving Boom?" or something more meaningful?

**Posted by Johnny B** June 16, 2025 9:27 am

Love that guy...consummate pro...simply an excellent announcer for decades and a great cook and gardener too....best of luck to him wherever he goes and whatever he does.

**Posted by RadioActive** June 16, 2025 9:31 am

AspectRatio wrote:
At least he's not dead. I clicked into the thread expecting that, as the convention on this board is generally a name and nothing else in a thread topic means that.

Why wouldn't the thread name be "Jeff Chalmers leaving Boom?" or something more meaningful?

Fair point. I made the change.

**Posted by AspectRatio** June 16, 2025 10:49 am

Johnny B wrote:
Love that guy...consummate pro...simply an excellent announcer for decades and a great cook and gardener too....best of luck to him wherever he goes and whatever he does.

One of my favourite Chalmers memories is that for a period of time (early to mid 2010s or so) he was doing some work for the "Canadian Traffic Network" and doing traffic breaks on 1010 and elsewhere. Toronto was having problems with sinkholes opening up and seemingly another one in the news all the time. On one traffic break he said "And a stinkhole that has opened up..." vs. "sinkhole" - he somehow made it through the rest of the segment without losing it in laughter, but the bemusement in his voice was clearly there.

**Posted by Radiowiz** June 18, 2025 7:37 am

Sources say Jeff will soon be heard on Jazz FM.

**Posted by UnSub** June 18, 2025 3:37 pm

It's been confirmed, he's the new drive guy on JAZZ

**Posted by RadioActive** June 18, 2025 3:41 pm

Hmmm. Boom is near the top of the ratings. Jazz FM not so much. Why would he be willing to make such a move?

**Posted by UnSub** June 18, 2025 3:42 pm

RadioActive wrote:
Hmmm. Boom is near the top of the ratings. Jazz FM not so much. Why would he be willing to make such a move?

He is a jazz lover and a big fan of the station apparently.

**Posted by RadioAaron** June 18, 2025 3:46 pm

RadioActive wrote:
Hmmm. Boom is near the top of the ratings. Jazz FM not so much. Why would he be willing to make such a move?

Part-time vs Full-time

**Posted by UnSub** June 18, 2025 3:49 pm

RadioAaron wrote:
RadioActive wrote:
Hmmm. Boom is near the top of the ratings. Jazz FM not so much. Why would he be willing to make such a move?
Part-time vs Full-time

Yes, I would imagine that would also be a factor and probably a more enjoyable working environment.

**Posted by Muffaraw Joe** June 18, 2025 4:39 pm

This is a good fit...and will spark new listeners, now let's make the morning show better.

**Posted by cash** June 18, 2025 4:56 pm

I wonder if Jazz FM plays the same 300 songs over and over. Not that anyone could tell the differnce.

**Posted by Easily Amused** June 18, 2025 7:00 pm

cash wrote:
I wonder if Jazz FM plays the same 300 songs over and over. Not that anyone could tell the differnce.

I think WNED FM 94.5 does that. Except it's more like 100, and every second piece has to be played by the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner conducting. Thank god for CBC's Julie Nesrallah and Tom Allen.

Last edited by Easily Amused (June 18, 2025 7:06 pm)

**Posted by UnSub** June 18, 2025 9:04 pm

cash wrote:
I wonder if Jazz FM plays the same 300 songs over and over. Not that anyone could tell the differnce.

Brad Barker is a great broadcaster and was excellent for all those years on drive. He was also the Music Director and was extremely good at that as well. Having said that, typically when an MD moves on there is an overhaul of the music universes, rotations, clocks, etc. No idea who will be the new Music Director will be but they will have big shoes to fill. Also they do a lot of specialty shows, like a lot, so it's unlikely there would be much playlist fatigue solely for that reason.

As for mornings, I haven't had a chance to listen much recently but I've always liked Heather Bambrick and I think she is doing a solid job.

**Posted by cash** June 18, 2025 9:37 pm

UnSub wrote:
cash wrote:
I wonder if Jazz FM plays the same 300 songs over and over. Not that anyone could tell the differnce.
Brad Barker is a great broadcaster and was excellent for all those years on drive. He was also the Music Director and was extremely good at that as well. Having said that, typically when an MD moves on there is an overhaul of the music universes, rotations, clocks, etc. No idea who will be the new Music Director will be but they will have big shoes to fill. Also they do a lot of specialty shows, like a lot, so it's unlikely there would be much playlist fatigue solely for that reason.

As for mornings, I haven't had a chance to listen much recently but I've always liked Heather Bambrick and I think she is doing a solid job.

I am not a jazz fan so I wouldn't know if they were playing the same stuff over and over. I would imagine they would have more flexibility to play a wide variety of music. I imagine the same would be for classical music.

**Posted by jughead jones** June 19, 2025 11:42 am

Best of luck, Jeff.

**Posted by RadioActive** June 23, 2025 11:59 am

The official line from Broadcast Dialogue.

Jeff Chalmers joins Toronto’s JAZZ.FM91

**Posted by cash** June 23, 2025 1:13 pm

He must have taken a huge pay cut. Sounds like semi-retirement.

**Posted by Radiowiz** June 23, 2025 2:18 pm

cash wrote:
He must have taken a huge pay cut. Sounds like semi-retirement.

I don't know the wages of Jazz FM, but I do know earning less (if that's the case) in a full time position is better than a part time rut.