Year Born: 1917
Year Died: 1999
Year of Induction: 1990
Pioneer – Member of CAB Hall of Fame
Brown, George A. (1917-1999)
George Brown’s first radio broadcast took place on station CJOC in Lethbridge in 1939. That same year, he joined the staff as an announcer and also performed as a baritone soloist on a weekly program.
In 1942, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Signal Corp where he worked in public relations – a role which took him to Winnipeg, and in 1944 to Australia where his unit was dispatched to intercept messages from Japanese-held islands in the South Pacific – all the while still being able to keep in trim with some regular broadcasting as an announcer and singer.
Following demobilization, George returned to CJOC where the job of Program Director was being held open for him. In 1952, he was transferred by ACMO to CFAC Calgary as Program Manager, and subsequently in 1960, moved over to CFAC-TV as Retail Sales Manager.
In 1972, he returned to Lethbridge on his appointment as Vice-President and General Manager of CJOC Radio and Television.
In 1979, George officially retired from that position, and became President and a Director of Lethbridge Broadcasting Ltd. (CJOC)
In 1972, George had begun a series of weekly radio shows called “Musical Memories” which he continued to do on CJOC until 1991, then taking it to CHEC (later CHRX-CKTA) where it continued to enjoy top ratings.
In both the Lethbridge and Calgary communities, George Brown played an active role in many public service projects. He was elected a life member of the Canadian Legion, and was the recipient of the Governor-General’s medal for community service, marking the 125th anniversary of Canada as a nation.
In 1990, George Brown was inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame.
Written by J. Lyman Potts – February, 1996