CIKR-FM

On September 21, the CRTC approved the application by Mr. John P. Wright, on behalf of a company to be incorporated, for a new rock music FM station at Kingston. Mr. Wright, an experienced broadcaster familiar with the Kingston radio market (former GM of CKLC and CFLY-FM), would control the new company through his ownership of 60% of its voting shares. Other shareholders included Rogers Broadcasting Limited (25%), a major radio broadcasting group, and Mr. Douglas Kirk (15%). Mr. Kirk was also involved in the ownership of radio stations at Ajax, Chatham, and Hamilton/ Burlington.

On February 16, CIKR-FM “K-Rock” began testing at 4:00 p.m. It was licensed to broadcast at 105.7 MHz with an effective radiated power of 24,000 watts, but only ran with 2,000 watts at the start, using a temporary antenna at around the 200 foot mark on the CKWS-TV tower on Wolfe Island. Studios and offices were at 863 Princess Street, Suite 301.

“K-Rock 105.7” officially launched at 4:00 p.m. on March 19.

By the end of March, CIKR was running its full authorized power of 24,000 watts.

As a result of CKLC-AM changing to all-sports, long-time news director Tony Orr was let go. He ended up at CIKR-FM, working for his old boss, John Wright. Three other former CKLC staffers also came over to K-Rock.

On November 22, approval was given to increase effective radiated power for CIKR from 4,200 watts to 24,000 watts. When the station was first licensed, it was authorized to broadcast with 24,000 watts from a new tower that was to be constructed on Wolfe Island, south of Kingston. Upon licensing, CIKR, however, abandoned the plan for a new tower and, instead, implemented a temporary operation by co-siting the transmitter at the existing CKWS-TV site at the reduced power of 4,200 watts. 

On August 28, K-Rock 1057 Inc. received approval to operate a second FM station in Kingston. It would broadcast on 93.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 3,230 watts. It would offer a Country music format with a focus on country hits as well as more popular selections of bluegrass, western swing and other traditional country music. The station would target an audience aged 35-64 years.

CKXC-FM 93.5 signed on the air in January.

In late November, Rogers Broadcasting announced it would purchase the remaining shares of K-Rock 105.7 Inc. that it didn’t already own.

On May 4, the CRTC approved the application by Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. for authority to acquire from K-Rock 105.7 Inc. the assets of stations CIKR-FM and CKXC-FM Kingston.

Dave Hopkins became general sales manager at K-ROCK/KIX Country/The LAKE. He had been retail sales manager at Corus London.

Glenn ‘‘G” Williams passed away at age 42. Williams launched K-Rock in 2001 as its first Program Director and on-air personality. He left behind his wife, Jodi Decker, an on-air personality at Kingston’s FM 96, and a son.

Jeff Brown, who had been Program Director and afternoon drive announcer at CITI-FM Winnipeg, was the new host of the K-Rock Morning Krew. Brown had also been in Toronto at Jack FM and Q107, and was with CHEZ 106 Ottawa. He began in Kingston on December 6, joining co-hosts Sarah Crosbie and Tony Orr.

Darryl Kornicky moves from mornings at CIKR (K-Rock 105.7) to afternoons at CKQB (106.9 the Bear) in Ottawa. Jeff Brown and Sarah Crosbie left CIKR to be the new morning show team at Q107 in Calgary. 

Humble And Fred announced that they would be doing mornings at K ROCK as of June. Their popular podcasts would also continue. 

Danny Kingsbury, the General Manager of the Rogers Atlantic radio properties (Moncton, Saint John and Halifax), added the Kingston, Ontario, stations (K-Rock, Kix 93.5 and The Lake) to his portfolio. He would now be based in Kingston. 

Three senior Rogers Radio managers at separate locations across Canada were released from service: Doug Elliott, Operations Manager at Rogers Radio Kingston joined the station cluster in August, 2007, from his Program Director post at then Newcap Radio Thunder Bay. Terry Voth, who joined Rogers Radio in 1999 and was General Manager at Rock 106/The River Lethbridge, had moved to Rogers after a 19-year career with Rawlco. Terry Williams, Program Director at Lite 92.9 Halifax, joined Rogers in October, 2009, after a long career as PD at C100/CJCH Halifax. 

Darryl Spring resigned as Music Director/Program Director at K-Rock. His last day was September 14. He had joined the station earlier in the year from Bell Media Kingston.

Doug Elliott left Rogers Radio Kingston as Operations Manager to become Program Director at CKGE-FM Oshawa.

K-Rock 105.7’s new morning show, began January 28 with the return of Kris Big Kris Bawden and Wendy Boomer Bouwma. Her last stop was with 94.9 The Rock Oshawa where she was morning show co-host. The new local morning show succeeded the Humble and Fred experiment of the morning show originating in Toronto. Darryl Spring was Program Director.

Danny Kingsbury, General Manager for the Rogers Radio stations in Kingston and the Maritimes, added GM responsibilities for the Ottawa cluster in November. This was upon the retirement of Vice President/GM Scott Parsons. Kingsbury, now based in Kingston, would move to Ottawa.

It was announced that Stephen Peck, GM/GSM at Rogers Radio Fort McMurray, would move to Ontario March 1 as the new GM/GSM at Rogers Radio Kingston. 

Danny Kingsbury became VP & General Manager for Rogers Radio in Ottawa, Kingston and Halifax.