CJJR-FM

On March 20, the CRTC approved the application by Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. (owner of CJOR 600) for a new FM station at Vancouver, operating on 93.7 MHz with an effective radiated power of 36,000 watts.

CJJR “CJ Country 93.7” signed on July 1 at 9:37 a.m.

George Madden replaced Harvey Gold at CKBD and CJJT-FM. Gold was now in charge of special projects for parent company Pattison Industries. 

Harvey Gold left CJJR/CJOR to become president of Western World Communications (CJWW Saskatoon). Sharon Walker took over as general sales manager at CJJR/CJOR, replacing Ralph Ragan. 

George Madden was appointed President of Jim Pattison Broadcast Group. He retained the position of President and General Manager of CJOR and CJJR-FM.

Sister station CJOR became CHRX.

Jack Simmons was appointed General Sales Manager of CJOR-CHRX.

John Beaudoin was appointed program director for CJJR-FM replacing Frank Callaghan, who remained as morning show host.

The corporate name changed from Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. to Jim Pattison Enterprises Ltd.

CHRX-AM became CKBD.

The corporate name changed from Jim Pattison Enterprises Ltd. to Great Pacific Industries Inc. 

Jim Faser and Tamara Stanners hosted the morning show. Steve the Stunt Guy was evening host. Greg Richards was Creative Director at CJJR-FM/The Bridge.

Great Pacific Industries Inc. became Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. 

Newsman Tom Mark left CJJR-FM/CKBD after 15 years. He moved over to CKWX. Clay St. Tomas joined JRfm on March 24. He had been with Z95 (CKZZ). Morning announcer Jim Fraser left JRfm.

Donna Whalley left JRFM/The Bridge where she had been promotions director. She moved to sales and promotion at Media Group West in Vancouver. She was replaced at CJJR/ CKBD by Rick Holmes (as sales promotion consultant). He had once been creative director at Vancouver’s Z95 FM.

CJJR-FM had its licence renewed by the CRTC on August 26. 

Gary Chomyn left CJJR-FM/CKBD where he had been general sales manager. Gerry Siemens was vice president and general manager of CJJR/CKBD. Mark Rogers (formerly of CISS Toronto) was now general sales manager and Ruth Reynolds (formerly with CBUT) was now senior account executive with CJJR/ CKBD.

On June 9 the licence for Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Limited Partnership’s CJJR-FM was renewed by the CRTC. 

JRFM was named Station of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards. It was the third time the station had won the award. CJJR was also named Canadian Country Music Station of the Year at the Canadian Music Week Awards in March. This was the second time that JRFM has held both awards, simultaneously.

Jim Pattison, Managing Director and CEO, the Jim Pattison Group announced the promotion of two key executives of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group LP, effective July 1. Rick Arnish was promoted to Chairman of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group LP, following a very successful 14 years as President. Rod Schween was promoted to assume the role of President of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group LP. He had been general manager/general sales manager for the Pattison Lethbridge/Cranbrook division with 6 stations in 3 different communities. He would move to the Kamloops, B.C. Head Office of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, where he would be responsible as General Manager of Broadcast Centre – CFJC TV, CIFM FM & CKBZ FM.

Mel Kartusch, former general sales manager at Shore FM Vancouver, moved to The Jim Pattison Group Vancouver cluster as a senior account executive. Jack Marion left the JRFM morning news position. Afternoon traffic reporter Carly Walde succeeded him. 

Gord Eno, the long-time Program Director at JRFM 93.7/100.5 The Peak, was no longer with the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group stations. He had been with JPBG for about 20 years. Tamara Stanners was the new PD at 102.7 The PEAK while a new PD for 93.7 JRFM was yet to be named.

Mark Patric was the new Program Director at 93.7 JRfm, a promotion from Assistant PD. 

The CRTC approved an amendment to the licence for CJJR-FM to replace the existing transmitter and to reduce the average effective radiated power to 3,200 watts (maximum ERP to 7,000 watts) as well as to increase the effective height of the antenna above average terrain to 704.4 metres.

Bob Saye, formerly of JRfm 93.7 Vancouver, joined KX-96 Oshawa/Toronto as afternoon drive host. He started in March, succeeding Music Director Pete Walker who moved to middays.

In January, CJJR received CRTC approval to increase power from 32,000 to 33,000 watts (70,000 to 71,000 watts Max. ERP). The transmitter would be relocated and antenna height reduced.

In November, CJJR changed its branding from JRFM to JR Country.