Radio: It still matters… it’s still important. Step up!

Radio?? How…. 20th century! Well… maybe, but radio is not only important for providing [fill in: information, news, music, social connections, etc., etc. …], it’s now scientifically established that radio makes you feel better!  (Thanks to Mediazoic for the Twitter tip!) You’ll actually feel better than if you spend your time surfing the Net. And it’s also a great social experience. But, it is also, as always, an immediate source of that information/news/music mentioned above. And, if your interests, tastes, viewpoints on those areas, are not well-served (I hope not!) by “mainstream radio”, if Internet streams and radio stations provide little, if any, information about … Continue reading

CKLN gone; Radio Regent now online

A parallel story to the post below about CIUT’s 25th anniversary, and a lesson about the vulnerabilities of local, non-commercial radio… As most readers know, what was Toronto’s first and longest-running community radio station, CKLN (88.1) sadly went off the air last year and lost its broadcast license. It continued broadcasting online from a studio in Regent Park, but officially dissloved at the end of September. On January 1, many of its programs and hosts moved to Radio Regent, an online radio station. Check it out and tune in at www.radioregent.com For some background on CKLN and what happened see … Continue reading

CIUT FM: 25th Anniversary Open House and party: Jan. 15

Given the precarious state of community and other non-commercial radio, this Sunday marks a remarkable event: 25 years since CIUT began broadcasting on the FM dial. So the station is inviting all listeners & supporters to a 25 anniversary celebration: Sunday, Jan 15, 1-6pm Music Room, Hart House, University of Toronto (Map) CIUT hosts, staff, alumni and others will be there, along with live performances by Donné Roberts Los Caballers del Son Memoryhouse Barry Livingston & Darren Moore Canadian Space Opera Company See this page for more goodies & details. The station’s history actually goes back much further, to the … Continue reading

T.O. Music Pix on CKLN: Aug 12

I will be guesting on Paul Corby’s “Corby’s Orbit” show on CKLN Friday, Aug. 12 around 1pm, featuring some music and talk. Tune in online to www.ckln.fm CKLN — Toronto’s oldest community radio station — is still around and broadcasting (online for the moment) while they face two battles: loss of their broadcasting licence and loss of their offices/studios at the end of this month. Voices like CKLN’s are a vital and irreplaceable part of the city; it’s important to do what we can to keep those voices heard.

Newport Folk & WOMAD festival: audio, video, photos online

Two major music festivals were held last weekend: The Newport Folk Festival and in England, WOMAD.  Some info, audio, video and photos from those events: NEWPORT Most concerts are archived online on the NPR website. Last night, I enjoyed Ramblin’ Jack Elliott’s performance (with Pete Seeger guesting). One of a kind, and a true treasure. Ramblin’ Jack will be at Hugh’s Room on Sep. 24. A quote from Seeger at the Festival: “When kids get older, they realize that a lullaby is a propaganda song” WOMAD From The Guardian: a review and some photos (Featuring a couple of my favourites: … Continue reading

CKLN off the air for now & needs help

Toronto’s first community station is now off the air, having heard last month that the Federal Court of Appeal will not hear the station’s appeal of the CRTC decision to revoke their broadcasting license. That decision forced the station off the air immediately. However, the Chair of the station’s board of directors says CKLN intends to come back. “We aren’t even close to being out of the picture yet. There are options. And when there’s a will and community support, there’s a way”. This is a great loss to Toronto’s airwaves. For more information, including what you can do to … Continue reading

Okavango African Orchestra concert broadcast on CBC’s Canada Live on April 20 & 22

From Batuki Music (www.batukimusic.com): Canada Live on CBC Radio will broadcast the Okavango African Orchestra concert featuring Daniel Nebiat (Eritrea – krar/vocals), Donne Roberts (Madagascar – guitar/vocals), Pasi Gunguwo (Zimbabwe – marimba/mbira/vocals), Kooshin (Somalia – kaban/vocals), Sadio Sissokho (Senegal – kora/tama/djembe/vocals), Waleed Abdulhamid (bass/vocals) and Walter Maclean (Ghana – percussion) on the following dates: Wednesday, April 20 – Canada Live at 7:00 pm on CBC Radio 2, 94.1 FM in Toronto (check the CBC website for frequencies elsewhere – http://www.cbc.ca/frequency/) Friday, April 22 – Canada Live at 2:00 pm on CBC Radio 1, 99.1 FM in Toronto (check the CBC … Continue reading

Toronto Radio: the importance of CIUT & CKLN

This week (April 11-17) marks the semi-annual fundraising for CIUT FM, 104.5, If you’re reading this, then the kind of music you’re interested in would be much less available (on radio and live) in Toronto without strong, independent voices like CIUT or CKLN… and they wouldn’t exist at all without supporters helping to pay the bills. So, please, if you care about this music, consider contributing something to keep those voices alive. CKLN, 88.1, Toronto’s first community radio station is still under threat from a CRTC decsion but is reorganizing and revitalizing. Check its website for updates; it can also … Continue reading