CJMO-FM

CJMO-FM, C 103, Moncton

Stingray Group Inc.

StationYearFreq.PowerOwner/Info
CJMO-FM2018103.150,000Stingray Group Inc.
CJMO-FM1997103.150,000NewCap Inc
CJMO-AM1987103.150,000Atlantic Stereo Ltd.

1986

On August 5, J.R. Gordon, representing a company to be incorporated (would be known as Atlantic Stereo Ltd.) was given approval to operate a new FM station at Moncton. The new facility would broadcast on a frequency of 103.1 MHz and have an effective radiated power of 46,800 watts. The format would be adult-oriented album rock (Group II harder pop and rock) aimed at the 18 to 34 age group. Competing applications by Radio One Ltd. (CIHI Fredericton) and Radio-Aboiteux Ltee (the former CHLR Moncton) were denied. 

1986-87

In addition to being owner, Rick Gordon was also general manager. He named Michael Leaman, engineering director and Larry McCaw, program director.

1987

On June 19, CJMO-FM “Rock 103 FM” signed on the air. It was the first station in New Brunswick to offer an Album Rock format. The launch of the station was delayed due to a bad winter.

CJMO-FM was owned by a group of Moncton businessmen, headed by Rick Gordon, an 18 year veteran of broadcasting. Other board members: Dr. Mike Cripton, a local orthodontist; businessman Charles Lawson, one of the shareholder’s of the local cable system; Doug MacDonald, a car dealer; and Gary O’Neill, owner of the local Tim Horton’s and president of the American Hockey League’s Moncton Golden Flames.

Rick Gordon was general manager and general sales manager, Larry McCaw was program director and Mike Leaman was chief engineer. Al Roberts was morning host, coming from CKTS in Sherbrooke. Gerry Proctor was news director, and Marty Kingston (from CKEY Toronto) was sports director.

The studio building was in Moncton Industrial Park, and provided 8,400 square feet of space on two floors. The facility included on-air and production control rooms and studios, as well as a 700 square foot recording studio to be used in the promotion of local talent. Equipment included McCurdy 8816 consoles, Revox tape machines, and Technics turntables. The transmitter building and 300 foot tower were located on a five acre site on Caledonia Mountain, south of Moncton.

Former CKEY Toronto sportscaster Marty Kingston was now sports director at CJMO.

John Pearce (CHNS Halifax) and Robin Sauve (CJCH Halifax and CHAM Hamilton) joined the staff of CJMO. Gerry Proctor became CJMO’s news director. Marty Kingston was sports director. 

1988

Eric Stafford joined Rock 103 from CIHI Fredericton.

1989

The CRTC denied CJMO-FM’s application to increase its hit factor from 35% to 49%.

1990

NewCap Broadcasting bought 40% of Atlantic Stereo Ltd., owner of CJMO-FM. NewCap executive vice president Jim Macleod said the partnership would open new opportunities for staff and a program exchange between CJMO and NewCap’s CFRQ-FM Dartmouth, both of which had album rock (AOR) formats.

1997 

NewCap Inc. purchased control of Atlantic Stereo Ltd.

2005

On June 1 the CRTC renewed CJMO-FM’s licence until August 31, 2012. 

2009

In August C103/XL96 and Andrew Stewart have parted ways. Andrew served in a number of roles over the years and was most recently assistant program director and promotions manager for the two stations.

In August, Sean (Craw Daddy) Crawford left the morning show at FRED FM Fredericton to take over afternoon drive at Classic Rock C103. Scotty Horsman shifts over to co-host mornings on Today’s Best Country XL96.9. There will be no changes to The C103 Breakfast Club with Ernie, Mandy and the Taiter or to mid days which is hosted by Tim Cormier. Courtney Cavanaugh will be handling promotions activity. Mitch Mitchell, Terry Parker and Andrew Stewart are no longer with Newcap Radio – Moncton. 

2010

Newcap New Brunswick General Manager Hilary Montbourquette, who ran FRED-FM Fredericton and CJMO-FM/CJXL-FM Moncton, became General Manager/General Sales Manager at Newcap’s Alberta Radio South Group of stations (CKGY-FM and CIZZ-FM Red Deer, CIBQ and CIXF-FM Brooks, CJPR-FM Blairmore, CKDQ Drumheller and CKSQ Stettler), based at Z99/KG Country Red Deer. He succeeded Ron Thompson who retired September 30 (2009). As a result of Montbourquette’s move, completed mid-January (2010), Dan Fagan was promoted to GM/GSM of the Moncton stations and Dan Gallant was promoted to GM/GSM of the Fredericton station. Brad Muir was promoted to Operations Manager of Moncton and would continue to program FREDFM.

Dwayne Sawchyn was promoted to Regional Sales Manager, Newcap Maritimes (six markets with 10 stations in NS, NB and PEI), and was based in Halifax. He had been Retail Sales Supervisor at CFRQ-FM/CKUL-FM Dartmouth/Halifax. 

Katie Campbell moved to New Brunswick a second time, now as Promotions Director/ Programming Assistant at C103. Her stops include The Juice Kelowna, The Fox Vancouver and K94.5 MBS Moncton.

2012

Brad Muir, who had been Director of Programming for Newcap’s New Brunswick stations in Fredericton and Moncton, was now Program Director at C100/101.3 the BOUNCE Halifax. His first PD gig was at K97/96X Edmonton in 2001.

Program Director Brad Muir of XL96, who was also operations manager at C103, parted ways with the stations. Nick Addams, Program Director at CAM FM 98.1 Camrose, was appointed PD at sister station C103 Moncton. He began in Moncton, April 16. 

On August 8, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CJMO-FM until August 31, 2013.

2018

On October 23, the CRTC approved an application by Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited, on behalf of Newcap Inc. and its licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, for authorization to effect a change in the ownership and effective control of various radio and television broadcasting undertakings in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, so that effective control of the undertakings would be exercised by Eric Boyko (Stingray Digital Group Inc.). Stingray took ownership of the stations just a few days later.

2019

Darren “Dude” O’Donnell, 48, died on February 28. He had worked at C103 for the last few years.

The story continues elsewhere…
Effective September 1st 2019, we will only be adding new material to these station histories in exceptional circumstances. Our intent to chronicle the early days of these radio and television stations has been achieved, and many new sources and technologies, from the CRTC website to Wikipedia, and others, are now regularly providing new information in these areas.

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