CHAM-AM

CHIQ Limited opened CHIQ Radio in November. The station broadcast on 1280 kHz with power of 5,000 watts day and 2,500 watts night (same directional pattern, day and night). CHIQ Ltd. was owned by J. Iving Zucker’s Valley City Broadcasting Co. Ltd. Sydney Paikin was also involved in the ownership. Studios were at 206 King Street West (between Caroline and Bay Streets). The transmitter and six 176 foot towers were located on part of Lot 12, Concession 1, Glanford Township, Wentworth County. CHIQ had a classical music format.

Ad: Hamilton’s New Love. Beautiful CH”IQ” Music. Dial 1280. 

On August 27, The Board of Broadcast Governors granted CHIQ a power increase to 5,000 watts full-time. The same towers and site were used. 

Dave Mickey (Marsden) was doing the evening show at CHIQ.

CHIQ was given approval to increase power to 10,000 watts day and 5,000 watts night, using the same site and towers. 

J. Irving Zucker was President of CHIQ Limited. Jack Schoone was vice-president. These two would eventually go on to own a string of radio stations across Eastern Canada (after selling CHIQ). Gordon Marratto was CHIQ’s manager. He would be associated with Zucker and Schoone again in later years – through the station in Woodstock, Ontario.

CHIQ was an independent station with no network affiliation.

In October, CHIQ was given permission to move studios and offices to The Terminal Towers Building at 140 King Street East. 

Roly Koster, CHFI-AM-FM (Toronto) production manager was named station manager of CHIQ following the announced purchase of the station by Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. (still awaiting BBG approval). Norm Marshall was named operations manager and Earl Bradford, news director. Marshall would continue to do part-time sports at CHCH-TV as well. Bradford had been assistant news director of CHFI. A change in call sign was being considered by the new owner, along with staff and format changes.

The Rogers acquisition of CHIQ was approved and there was no opposition to it.

Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. applied for an FM station at Hamilton (102.9 MHz – 50,000 watts – 500′ ehaat antenna height – non-directional). CKOC also applied for an FM licence. Both were denied by the BBG.

Rogers completed its acquisition of CHIQ from Irving Zucker as of November 1 with a new sound (Middle of the Road music) and call sign – CHAM (with the HAM for Hamilton). The format of ethnic, religious and “hot line” shows was replaced with CHFI’s brand of “good music, authoritative news and limited advertising”. The call sign and format changes actually took place on October 27. When the station became CHAM with the new sound, management chose announcers (with the exception of two) who were TV personalities – established names for the visible studios – Sandy Hoyt, Bill Knapp, R.O. Horning (Jr.), Bill Lawrence and GM Norm Marshall. The Middle of the Road format was designed primarily for young adults with fringe pickup of older teens and middle- agers. 

Dick Drew was named sales manager. He had been with CHML. Bill Compeau would be music director. He had left Rogers-owned CHFI Toronto two years earlier.

Newsman Richard Sanderson died at age 28. He had only been with the station for six weeks.

CHAM staff at end of year: E.S. (Ted) Rogers (president), Vaughn Bjerre (vice president), Roly Koster (general manager), Norm Marshall (operations manager), Steve Hunter, Earl Bradford, Baden Langton, Don Parrish, Sidney Katz, Don Walker, Ken Kirkley, Bill Knowles, Fred Davis, Tom Gould, Bill Lawrence, Bill Stoneham, Jim Junkin, Don Wilson, Dick Drew (sales manager), Bruce Lawson, Bud Martin, Joan Tallo, Les Rooke, Charlotte Esseltine, June Archer, Diane Alfano, Mariane Eaton, Phil Ross Boynton, Bill Hartnoll, and Arnold Edinborough.

CHAM moved to new studios and offices in The Terminal Towers Building at 140 King Street East. The move received federal approval in October 1966. The studios/offices were glass-enclosed, allowing pedestrians to see the complete operation. 

CHAM 1280 received approval to increase night-time power from 5,000 to 10,000 watts (DA-2). Daytime power would remain unchanged.

Dancy Broadcasting Ltd. (licence holder for a new AM station at Sarnia) entered into a management contract to manage CHAM for Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. Dancy Broadcasting was owned by Keith J. Dancy.

CHAM was granted a power increase to 10,000 watts full-time (two directional patterns), using the same site and towers.

On December 24, Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. received approval for a CHAM studio at Burlington. Like the Hamilton studios, these would also be glass-enclosed.

Steve Hunter and Norm Marshall were among the on-air names at CHAM at this time.

Both CHAM and CKOC re-applied for FM licenses. Both had been turned down in the past because the BBG was not satisfied with the program proposals of each application.

Adrian Egan was appointed national marketing director for Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. (CHFI-AM-FM, CHAM).

Norm Marshall was promoted from operations manager to station manager. Former manager Roly Koster was promoted to a higher position at Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. Marshall was also sports co-ordinator at CHCH-TV. Koster was named manager of operations for all RBL stations effective June 1. He started his career in 1944 at CKOC. He joined Rogers Broadcasting in 1965 and was at seven other stations between his time at CKOC and starting at CHAM. Marshall took on his new role on June 1.

CHAM had a strong news department. It was the only Hamilton station to use two U.S. networks – ABC and Mutual, along with Canadian Press and Broadcast News. The station’s four main newscasters were Earle Bradford, Don Wilson, Baden Langton (from ABC New York) and Toronto Daily Star columnist Gary Lautens.

CHAM began airing brief, fast moving sports reports and it started airing a series of sports bulletins on the half hour, called, “Minisports”. 

Michael (Mike) Mezo was named general sales manager. 

Slogan: 1280 CHAM – Hamilton’s Good Music Station. 

CHAM subscribed to the Rogers Radio News Network which began operations in April. RRNN was affiliated with ABC in New York.

Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. announced it would sell CHAM to Dancy Broadcasting Ltd. (CKJD Sarnia). Dancy had been managing the station under contract and would continue to do so until the CRTC made a decision on the sale. 

CHAM agreed to carry some Montreal Expos baseball games this season.

On October 20, the application by Dancy Broadcasting Ltd. to acquire CHAM from Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. was denied. Despite this, Dancy would continue to manage CHAM under contract with Rogers.

On-air names at CHAM: Gil Harris (6-10), Don Collins (10-2), Steve Shannon (2-6), Ike Isaacs (6-10), Dick Joseph (10-2), and Paul Allen (2-6). Paul Godfrey, Mark Lee, John West and Ron Baptist were also on the air staff.

Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. became Radio Rogers Ltd.

Russ Tyson was now morning man (6-9). He was followed by Paul Godfrey (9-12), Dave Melnyk (12-3 – would later be known as Jim Van Horne at CHUM Toronto), Larry White (3-6), Paul Allen (6-9 – would later be known as Pat St. John at CHUM), Terry McPhail (9-1) and Brian Wood (1-6). Don West was at CHAM.

Len Robinson was now morning man. Greg Stewart did middays. Skip Dewling hosted afternoons and was followed by Gary Christian. McPhail and Wood continued to hold their 1972 shifts. Other announcers: J.J. Clarke (joined in July), Don West, and Gary Aube (joined). 

Skip Dewling was now in the morning shift. J.J. Clarke followed in middays. Ron Baptist (joined from WAPE Jacksonville, FL), Kirk Elliot, Gary Aube, Ken Packham and Wayne Dion (program director) were also on the air staff. Brian Wood left for CHAB Moose Jaw. Don Biefer joined in April from Toronto’s CKFH.

Skip Dewling was still morning host. Dave Fisher was now in middays. J.J. Clarke had moved to afternoon drive and Gary Aube was doing evenings. Other announcers included Ken Packham, Bill Hayes, Sandy Davis, Ted Silver and Jim Alexander. Bob Wood (aka Christopher Sky) was program director. Don Biefer left in April. Gary Aube also left the station.

Paul Burke was morning man, John Caines handled mid-days and J.J. Clarke was in afternoon drive. Bill Hayes, Ken Packham (left for CHML), Dan Ferguson, Ted Michaels (joined), Bob Van Dyke (joined), and Steve Young were also heard on CHAM. 

The call letters were changed in October from CHAM to CJJD as plans were in the works for the station to be acquired by Keith J. Dancy, President of Rogers Radio Ltd. The call letters (the “JD” for Keith Jules Dancy) were similar to Dancy’s CKJD in Sarnia. The station now had a slogan of “Gold and Great”.

Ted Randal was appointed program director.

Studios moved to Lloyd D. Jackson Square, 2 King Street West, adjacent to Hamilton Place. The official opening was held November 25. The facility had a size of about 3,200 square feet. The studios were designed by Rogers VP of Engineering, Ron Turnpenny. CJJD’s station manager at this time was Bob Irvine.

Gord Hume, director of marketing for Rogers Radio Broadcasting Ltd. was appointed station manager of CJJD. He would continue to hold responsibility for certain corporate marketing functions.

Keith J. Dancy became a director of Rogers Radio and general manager of CJJD. He joined Rogers Broadcasting in 1970 and was appointed president of Rogers Radio in 1975.

A numbered company formed by Keith J. Dancy received approval to acquire CJJD Hamilton from Rogers Radio Ltd. Rogers Management Services Ltd. received permission to purchase CKJD Sarnia and CHYR Leamington from Dancy Broadcasting Ltd. Dancy established the Sarnia station in 1968 and tried to buy the Hamilton station in 1970 but the CRTC said no. With the purchase of CJJD, Dancy left Radio Rogers Ltd. where he was president. He was replaced by Jim Sward. Dancy took ownership of CJJD on September 1.

Steve Boynton, Gerry Forbes, and Bill Kelly were heard on CJJD. Paul Tiss, Gord Haines, and Jackie Bynon were in the news department. Ken Packham returned from CHML in the fall to do weekends and traffic. Program director Ted Randal left for CHFI-FM in Toronto. General manager Gord Hume left. Bob Van Dyke left for CHYM Kitchener. Steve Young left. Kevin O’Brien (Kevin Kelly, brother of Bill Kelly) joined for swing in September. Terry Williams became program director.

CJJD lost part of the roof on its transmitter building in a big winter storm that hit on January 26. A number of stations in the region were off the air at some point because of the weather…including CHML and CKOC.

Early in the year Ken Packham left for CIHI Fredericton. Steve Howe joined as sports director from CJBK London in February. J.J. Clarke was now morning man and Paul Godfrey did mid-days. Dick Joseph returned to handle PM Drive and Bobby Van Dyke was doing the evening show. Gerry Forbes was on the air in the evening and Kevin O’Brien was swing announcer. Scott Cameron was program director and Steve Bolton was assistant PD. Rick Hamilton joined CHAM in the summer.

Bruce Dingwall left CJJD engineering for CFRB in Toronto. David Swallow of CING Burlington took the job of engineer at CJJD. With the change of ownership at CJRN Niagara Falls, Gary Hooper became director of engineering for both CJRN and CJJD. Both stations were now controlled by Keith Dancy.

On June 18, applications for a new FM station (102.9 MHz) in Hamilton were denied. The applicants were Armadale Communications Ltd. (CKOC-AM), CJJD Radio Ltd. (CJJD-AM) and Patrick J. Hurley (on behalf of a company to be incorporated). If it had been approved, CJJD would have used an effective radiated power of 14,000 watts. The CRTC ruled that all three failed to offer the quality and diversity of programming required to broaden the choice for listeners. CJJD proposed to serve 18-34 year olds, which already has an abundance of signals catering its musical tastes.

In mid-summer, Rick Hamilton left CHAM. He had been with the station since 1978, doing evenings and music. He left for CJCH Halifax.

J.J. Clarke was still in AM Drive. John Caines handled mid-days and Al Adler was on in afternoon drive. Other announcers: Larry Christian and Kevin O’Brien (swing). The news department included Doug Cameron, Brian Fisher, Ken McDonald, Steve Paiken (sports – he was a student intern), Steve Howe (sports), Phil Viggiani, Gord Haines, and Jackie Bynon. Steve Howe left in August to return to CJBK in London.

With Keith Dancy now working for Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. in Toronto, he appointed W.T. Townsend as vice president and general manager. Dancy continued on as president and chief executive officer.

Kirk Stewart became director of engineering for CJJD. He had been with Toronto’s CHIN Radio.

J.J. Clarke (mornings) left for CKOY Ottawa on April 18. He was replaced by Bob Bratina who joined from CKKW Kitchener on April 21. Kevin O’Brien (swing) left for CKAR Oshawa. Jackie Bynon was doing news.

In mid-summer, Rick Hamilton left CHAM. He had been with the station since 1978, doing evenings and music. He left for CJCH Halifax.

In June, Winnipeg’s Moffat Communications Ltd. was given approval to purchase CJJD Radio Ltd. from Keith J. Dancy. Moffat, owner of stations in the western provinces, had been eyeing an eastern acquisition for some time. The new owner committed $225,000 in the first year for major construction and renovation of CJJD’s facilities. It would also hire two more news people and a community service director. New programming would include a local news magazine, kids show and an east-west dialogue to be aired on all Moffat stations. The CRTC also gave the okay for CJJD to carry the John Michael Talk Show from Dacny’s CJRN in Niagara Falls.

Chief engineer Kirk Stewart left for CKAR in Oshawa. He was replaced by Rob Meuser from CKOC. Ken Nelson joined CJJD as Meuser’s assistant. 

Phil Viggiani joined to host a talk show.

CJJD switched back to the CHAM call letters on June 15. CHAM announced that it would use the Kahn AM Stereo system. Brian Wood returned.

In July, CHAM switched formats, from adult contemporary to country. CHAM-AM began broadcasting in stereo, using the Kahn system, in December.

After six years, CHAM lost the rights to Hamilton Tiger Cats (CFL) football to CHML 900. Debbie Walker (daughter of Bill) left CHAM to join CHCH-TV’s “Cherrington” team. Some of the on-air talent: Cliff Dumas (mornings), Brian Fisher (news), Beth Kubaylis (traffic), Brian Wood.

On January 9, CHAM was given approval to move from 1280 kHz to 820 kHz, increase power from 10,000 watts day and night to 50,000 watts day and 10,000 watts night, and to move the transmitter site from Hannon (near Hamilton), to Binbrook (south of Hamilton). CKMW Brampton and CFGM Richmond Hill had also applied for the 820 frequency. Their applications were denied. CHAM felt its 1280 signal was inferior to its competitors, mainly because of high-rise buildings and high voltage transmission lines near the Hannon transmitter site. The station also indicated that interference from U. S. stations at night was a major factor in requesting the frequency change. The 1280 signal was especially poor in the Stoney Creek and Grimsby areas. On 820, CHAM’s signal would be improved in all directions, but especially to the west and southeast. The 820 kHz frequency was assigned to Hamilton in the Canada-U.S. bilateral agreement of January 17, 1984. 820 had been an American class 1-A clear channel, with WBAP in Fort Worth, Texas being the priority station on the frequency. On August 18, at 8:20 p.m., after over a month of testing, CHAM officially moved from 1280 kHz to 820 kHz. Power was now 50,000 watts day and 10,000 watts night – using different day and night directional patterns. Six 300 foot towers and a Harris transmitter were used at the new Binbrook site. CHAM switched to the Motorola C-Quam stereo system at this time. At Gage Park, Hamilton Mayor Bob Morrow and CHAM morning man Cliff Dumas turned a dial on a gigantic radio from 1280 to 820 to make the frequency switch. The change allowed country music fans all over south-central Ontario to receive CHAM’s signal ‘loud and clear’. On-Air: 6:00 Cliff Dumas, 10:00 Mark Lapointe, 2:00 Brian Wood, 6:00 Ernie Steeves, 10:00 Gerry Dayprey, 2:00 Beth Kubaylis, weekends – Joel Christie. News: Doug Cameron, Brian Fisher, Jeff Howlett, Don Valley (traffic).

CHAM claimed a first when its AM Stereo programming was added to the FM band on local cable systems. Rogers Cable was the first to carry the country station’s signal, fed directly via 1.7 GHz microwave. Lisa Douglas was in the news department. Chet Martin and Cam Tilbury did traffic. Carl Patrick joined CHAM from CHEX Peterborough in November.

Roy Hennessey moved from CKY/CITI-FM Winnipeg to manage CKXL/CHFM-FM Calgary. Keith James moved from CKXL/CHFM to CHAM Hamilton and Don Kay moved from CHAM to replace Hennessey at CKY/CITI.

On August 19, CHAM began using digital audio tape machines on a regular basis. Technical director Rob Meuser and program director Jim Johnston noted that this was in conjunction with the station broadcasting in C-Quam Stereo with NRSC pre-emphasis and filtering – billed as the ‘AM wave of the future’. Sharon Caddy joined CHAM in October. Jim (J.J.) Johnston was now program director at CHAM. Ed Duarte was no longer the station’s general sales manager. He moved on to CHML/CKDS-FM. Mark Rogers who had been GSM at CKSL/CIQM-FM London replaced Duarte at CHAM.

Roger Duck became production manager at CHAM. He had been with CHNR in Simcoe. Also joining CHAM from CHNR – Kelly Holroyd – as assistant promotion director.

Late in the year, CHAM’s studios and offices moved to 151 York Boulevard. Craig Fox joined from CJOY Guelph. Gord Eno became CHAM’s program director. He had been assistant PD at CISS in Calgary. Jim Johnston moved on from CHAM to become PD at CFOX Vancouver.

CHAM was named Station Of The Year by the Canadian Country Music Association. The station was also named the Nashville Country Music Association’s Medium Market Station of 1989. Vickie Van Dyke (Traffic), Sean Vedell, and Rick Walters were now heard on CHAM. Brian Wood left for CHML/CKDS.

On-Air: 5:00 Cliff Dumas, 10:00 Joel Christie, 2:00 Mark Lapointe, 6:00 Catherine Dekorte, 12:00 Rick Walters / Sean Vedell. News: Doug Cameron, Carl Patrick, Brian Fisher. Traffic: Sharon Caddy, Vickie Van Dyke.

CHAM was purchased by Elmer Hildebrand’s Golden West Broadcasting Ltd. when Moffat Communications put its entire radio division up for sale. GWB also acquired CHAB Moose Jaw and CFXX Calgary from Moffat. Mike Smith, Bryan Williams, Yvonne Van de Wiele (news) were now heard on CHAM. Rick Walters left. Michael A. Cooper joined CHAM. Because of Michael S. Cooper, Michael A. had to go by the name Steve Cooper.

Cliff Dumas left for CISS-FM Toronto and was replaced in CHAM mornings by Mike Cooper. Catherine DeKorte moved to middays followed by Joel Christie in afternoons and Sharon Caddy in evenings. Sean Vedell and Mike Smith shared late nights. Weekends: Steve Cooper, Mike Smith, Bryan Williams. News: Brian Fisher, Carl Patrick. Traffic: Vickie Van Dyke, Linda Martel.

Al Kingdon joined from CKYC Toronto. He became program director.

Al Kingdon & Catherine DeKorte were doing the morning show. Mike Cooper had left for CJEZ-FM in Toronto. Vickie Van Dyke was now in the mid-day shift. Joel Christie & Linda Martelli handled the afternoon drive show. When Toronto’s Country 59 (CKYC) was taken over by sports station CJCL (formerly 1430 kHz), CHAM ran ads in Toronto newspapers inviting CKYC’s listeners to CHAM Country. A couple of the ads: (1) Return to Sender. Country Music Fan Southern Ontario. Country 59 Cancelled. For the music you love, move up on the dial to 820 CHAM Country. AM Stereo. (2) Who’s gonna fill their shoes? Country 59 has hit the trail. But we’re still here. We’re YOUR COUNTRY. REAL COUNTRY. 820 CHAM Country. AM Stereo.

Al Kingdon left for CFMX-FM Toronto. Morning drive was taken over by Joel Christie & Linda Mrtelli. Vickie Van Dyke did mid-days and Catherine DeKorte handled afternoons.

Affinity Radio Group agreed to acquire CKSL London from Telemedia. A new player, Affinity already had an agreement to buy CKTB St. Catharines from Standard Radio and was reportedly wanting to purchase CHAM from Golden West, with the aim of launching a network of AM talk stations. Sean Vedell was a swing announcer at CHAM. Announcer Joel Chrisite left CHAM. On June 25, approval was given for Golden West’s sale of CHAM to Affinity Radio Group Inc. (James O’Brien).

Cliff Dumas returned from CISS-FM for AM Drive on September 8. Vickie Van Dyke was his morning co-host. Lisa Monroe was now doing mid-days. Doug Rollins joined for afternoon drive in April. Other announcers included Linda Martelli, John Marshall, Dave Andrews, Bryan Williams and Joel Christie. Christie returned to the station as music director after leaving a year earlier.

On-Air: Cliff Dumas (mornings), Linda Martelli (mid-days), Joel Christie (afternoons). Lisa Curtis and Angela Marchione were now in the news department. CHAM, with a new 50,000 watt upgrade, bought full-page ads in Toronto’s Sunday newspapers in an effort to woo the roughly 400,000 Country fans left “homeless” by the decision by CISS-FM to drop country music.

On May 5, Affinity Radio Group failed in its bid for a new FM station in Hamilton when the CRTC denied their application. CHAM changed hands again when approval was announced October 11 for CHAM Hamilton, CHTZ-CHRE-CKTB St. Catharines and CKSL London to be acquired from Affinity Radio Group Inc. by Telemedia Radio Group Inc. The husband and wife morning team of Cliff Dumas and Lisa Monroe left to work in the U.S. Carl Patrick left 820 CHAM in August.

In January, CHAM moved in (studios and offices) with new sister stations CKOC and CKLH-FM at 883 Upper Wentworth. After 19 years as news director at CHAM, Brian Fisher left. Telemedia Radio VP Braden Doerr most recently vice president of the Ontario regional group, assumed responsibility for the Southern Ontario cluster (London, Hamilton and St. Catharines). Rick Doughty, VP of Telemedia Northern Ontario (Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Pembroke, and Orillia) continued in that assignment but also added responsibilities as a member of the executive committee of the Ontario division, reporting to Claude Beaudoin, TM exec VP for ON region. Tom Cooke was named to succeed Jim MacLeod as GM of CKOC/CHAM/CKLH. He had been Asst general manager at Telemedia’s four London stations. Brent Sleightholme was doing news at CHAM. Brian Fisher (news) left. Linda Martelli returned from CKLH to do noon-5 and Joel Christie took over mornings. Former CHAM (CJJD) owner Keith J. Dancy passed away May 6 at age 71.

On April 19, approval was given for Standard Radio Inc. to acquire Telemedia Radio Inc.’s stations in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, including CHAM-AM, CKOC-AM and CKLH-FM in Hamilton. On December 22, CHAM’s founder (CHIQ at the time) passed away. J. Irving Zucker was 82.

On January 31 at 8:20 a.m., to reflect its 20 years of dedication to country music, 820 CHAM became known as “820 CHAM The Legend”. There was a slight format change as well – classic country – “all time country favourites.” This change ended months of speculation that CHAM would adopt a news-talk format.

On September 27, Astral Media Radio G.P. received CRTC approval to acquire the assets of the radio and TV undertakings owned by Standard Radio Ltd., subject to certain conditions. The purchase included CHAM-AM, CKOC-AM and CKLH-FM.

On September 2 at 8:20 a.m., CHAM dropped its long-time (over 25 years) country music format to become “Hamilton’s All New Talk Station – Talk 820”. Programs included The Jason & Jodi Morning Show, Mike Naburrs, Mike-ipedia, Dave Shuttleworth, and John Biggs. Former and long-time Hamilton sportscaster Norm Marshall died on November 5. He was 89. He had been associated with CHML-AM and CHCH-TV for years, until he retired in 1988. Marshall had done play-by-play for Tiger Cat games on both CHML and then CHCH. In 1967, Norm Marshall joined CHAM-AM and eventually became the station’s general manager.

It was announced that Bob Harris, currently vice-president, programming and operations manager of CJAD/CJFM/CHOM Montreal would move to the post of vice-president and general manager of Astral’s Hamilton stations K-Lite, Talk 820 and Oldies 1150 in January 2010. Jamie Petrie, Account Executive for the past five years at Astral Media Radio Hamilton, was promoted to Retail Sales Manager.

Randy Redden, General Sales Manager at Astral Media Radio Hamilton, was no longer with the station cluster.

Peter Hobbs resigned his Cluster Sales Manager position at Rogers Sudbury to take on General Sales Manager duties at Astral Media Radio Hamilton as of April 5. Meanwhile, in Sudbury, Rick Doughty, Vice President Ontario North for Rogers Radio, took over the GSM duties. On July 22 at noon, CHAM dropped its talk format in favour of a return to country music ad “820 CHAM – Today’s Country”. Mike Nabuurs would remain with CHAM to handle the morning show from 6-10 a.m. Becky Coles would join Nabuurs to provide weather, news and traffic. CHAM would continue to host the Bulldogs, Toronto Blue Jays and Sunday night NFL. Regarding the format change Brand Director Drew Keith was quoted as saying, “Our clients and listeners now have what they’ve been telling us they want…”

Wendy Rose, the Promotions Director at Astral Media Radio Hamilton’s CHAM & CKOC, left after 11 years. She joined Evanov’s FM92 The Jewel/AM 1380 Brantford as its Promotions Director.

Blair Garner’s syndicated show now filled afternoon drive at 820 CHAM. Garner’s country music had roughly 260 North American affiliates. David “Rocky” DeRocco, who was promotions director at Corus Hamilton, moved to Astral Hamilton to become promotion/marketing director. He began March 14 and succeeded Tracey Fischer. Madelyn Hamilton moved from her GM position at Astral Niagara to become general manager at the sister Hamilton CHAM/CKOC/ CKLH-FM. The new GM at Astral Niagara was Bob Harris, the former GM at Astral Hamilton. On September 6, Today’s Country 820 CHAM welcomed back Joel Christie as part of the station’s new on-air talent line-up for the fall: Mike Nabuurs (5:30 to 9:00 a.m.), Christie (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) and newly appointed afternoon host Peter Jaycock (3:00 to 7:00 p.m.). Jaycock had been with sister station 102.9K-LiteFM (CKLH). Syndicated host Blair Garner continued with his 7:00 p.m. to midnight show on CHAM. Drew Keith was 820 CHAM brand director.

Drew Keith, the Brand Director/Operations Manager at Astral Radio Hamilton, and Michelle Quinn, Music Director/Talent, were no longer with the group. Keith had been with the operation since 2003. On August 20 at 8:20 a.m., CHAM dropped the Country Music format to follow sister station CKSL London, by going all-comedy as “Funny 820”. CHAM was now the second all-comedy station in the country. Mike Nabuurs, the morning man on 820 CHAM (country) remained with the station under the new format, providing traffic, entertainment and voiceover announcements. Under the old format, Mike had been on the air between 5:30 and 9:00 a.m., followed by: Becky Coles (9-3), Joel Christie (3-7), Blair Garner (7-midnight) and Aiko Iwashita (weekends).

Astral Radio announced the return of “Humble” Howard Glassman and Fred Patterson. On January 21, the Humble & Fred Radio Show began airing weekday evenings on Funny 820 Hamilton, Funny 1410 London, and News Talk 1010 CFRB Toronto. On June 27, 2013, after a previous such application had been denied in 2012, the CRTC approved an application by Astral Media Inc. to sell its pay and specialty television channels, conventional television stations and radio stations to BCE Inc., including CHAM.