by Marty Forbes
September 15, 2024
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Over the next few weeks I am going to post some ‘from behind the walls at 630 CHED’ memories before the station flips to 880 on the dial. Bob Layton will be joining in with contributions from his two books on the station!
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Several other station employees, and my brothers Gord and Gerry, will also participate.
The illustrious run of one of Canadas greatest radio stations 630 CHED had an enormous effect on my entire life starting at a very young age.
Not only did I have to follow Dads fame and reputation (as well as carry his name) but I had to follow brothers Marty and Gord.
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As a 12 year old my father would take me in to the old CHED building downtown. From the moment I walked in the doors of this iconic radio station I was mesmerized by the talent, the fun, and creativity that was unburdened by rules.
Wes Montgomery, Denny O’Neil, Scott Morgan, Chuck Chandler and many more I could mention but Bob Mcord was my true inspiration to follow the dream of one day cracking a microphone and forget the word caution.
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The illustrious talent on that station in each and every department was immeasurable.
One day I bought a cassette machine and practiced till I couldn’t speak from hours of practice. My Uncle Norm, in Toronto, got me a job doing in store announcements at a paint store to start building up my confidence.
I was never as good as those icons on 630 CHED, and didn’t have half the talent that Bob McCord did, but I truly believe he was a gift to all that listened. Pierre La Puck was genius. Debbie Drab too. Putting up the Christmas tree each year…or at least trying…before it would come crashing down. Priceless memories.
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Few people know that it was Bob who produced Dads legendary A Creature was Stirring for 630 CHED too. Man what talent.
Bob hit the heartbeat of Canada and those who listened felt the joy in this man’s creativity blossom. Every single day he did countless productions and was a genious at having fun with the listener.
He helped me get better day to day, along with Dad and my brothers Marty and Gord, and my thank you’s stretch to the sun and back.
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The last thing I ever wanted to do was let them down so I worked my ass off through Kamloops, Hamilton, Toronto, Edmonton and closed out my career with a couple of decades as Morning Man at CJAY in Calgary.
To Wes and Bob and all those who made a kids dream come true, I salute you and the mighty 630 CHED.
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My note: Dad is in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Gerry is in the Canadian Music Week Hall of Fame and WAB Hall of Fame. Gerry and I were bestowed with the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Award for Community Service. Gord went in to sales. No awards but he could buy Ger and I two times over. With my daughter Lauren and Gord’s daughter Cally becoming third generation broadcasters we collectively have about 175 years of broadcast experience in Canada. It all came from ‘that frequency!’
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