My Journey with CKUA

I can’t say for certain when I became a CKUA fan. Some of my earliest recollections are of listening to Cheryl Crowcher’s Heritage Trails on my way to work in the early 90s. I enjoyed these informative and entertaining stories of our Alberta history. It wasn’t long after that that CKUA lost its government funding and went off the air. I was anxious for it to return as I thought I had found something special. It did return and has been on air ever since thanks to listener support garnered through spring and fall fundraising campaigns every year. The next connection was with Cam Hayden and the Friday Night Blues Party. I never grow weary of the blues!

In September 2000 I had my first new car, a Honda Civic with a good radio. I began a new job and was on the road between 7 and 8 am daily, listening once again to the soothing voice of Cam Hayden on Alberta Morning. That must be when CKUA started to become a habit. Then I was saddened when Cam left the morning program and David Ward came on air. However, before long I was captivated by Mr. Ward and I thought I had found my soul mate!! I was learning so much about personalities and special days. I always had something to share with my students. When David left the morning program I came to know and appreciate Bob Chelmak. I had no sooner grown accustomed to easing into the day with Bob when Tony King took the helm. I thought, “Oh, no! I can’t handle jazz first thing in the morning! ( I enjoy “Voices in Jazz” and am learning to appreciate a wider repertoire.) Now I have become a fan of Tony and have downloaded some of his playlists.

Since those early days I have been energized by Luka on my journey home from work (Afternoon Edition), explored the world with Lark (World Spinning) and enjoyed R&B and the oldies (Lionel’s Vinyls) with Lionel and Roy (Roy’s Record Room). I have chuckled with Andy and become a fan of Celtic music; I have laughed heartily with Allison and discovered that I do like country music (Wide Cut Country). I’ve followed the accomplished and affable musician Craig Corth (bluegrass “Fire on the Mountain”) progress from a novice DJ to an “old hand.” I have discovered that my heart lies with folk music and I try not to miss Tom Coxworth (Folk Routes) on Sunday morning. Winding down on a Sunday evening with Folk Routes, Bel Canto, and Classic Examples was a perfect fit for me, but the schedule changed. I have had to learn to become flexible and adjust to ever-changing schedules. In fact, I told myself that change is what keeps CKUA fresh and always appealing. I haven’t met anyone who hasn’t become an instant fan of Baba!!

My husband says I talk about the DJs as though they were family. I replied, “It feels like they are.” It is difficult in a small rural community to find someone with my passion for an eclectic mix of music. CKUA radio and internet has made that possible for me. I’ve attended the Calgary, Edmonton, and Canmore Folk Festivals since I started listening to CKUA. I learned to appreciate many artists I had never even heard of before CKUA. I value CKUA’s support of local artists. Without CKUA I would have never known the wealth of talent Alberta has.

This month I have become aware of the music of Andy Palacio, Perla Batalla, and Amy LaVere. I will, unfortunately, never be able to hear Andy perform live. He passed away on January 19 ,2008 at the young age of 47 years because of heart failure. He was dedicated to preserving the Garifuna language through music. The Garifuna language originated when two large ships filled with West African slaves sunk off the Caribbean island of St. Vincent in 1635. About half of those slaves surivived and intermingled with the indigenous Caribs to create the Garifuna culture. These people resisted European colonization. Many were exiled to the Caribbean coast of Central America, some were segregated and held on to their cultural traditions, and others were forced to homogenize with the local predominant culture.

Perla Batalla first came to prominence as a back-up singer with Leonard Cohen who encouraged her to go solo. Her father was a musician who owned a popular Spanish record store. If I could afford it and the weather wasn’t so severely cold I would go to hear her perform at Festival Place in Sherwood Park on February 2nd. In lieu, I am putting her album “Mestiza,” which means ‘woman of mixed race’ on my wish list. It is a blend of Latin and North American influences.

Amy LaVere was born in a small Texas/Louisiana border town. Her parents were musical with a passion for traditional country. By the time she began high school in Detroit, her family had moved thirteen times. She admired Billie Holiday, but because her voice wasn’t very big she realized that she would have to make it expressive. She has always tried, in her own words, to “live life largely” and plays a bass larger than her demure self. She describes her latest album “Anchors & Anvils” as a “classic country/gypsy/jazz thing.” I hope to hear her live at the Strathcona Community Center in Calgary on April 19th.

THANK YOU CKUA FOR NURTURING MY INSATIABLE CURIOSITY AND EXPANDING MY WORLD!! CKUA can be listened to online at www.ckua.com. Click on "Live on Air" in the upper left corner.

I didn't have to go to work this afternoon. Our school was shutdown on Monday due to weather conditions. Since I work the second half of every week, that means working all day Thursday and all day Friday this week. The inclement weather and my part-time schedule has given me a wonderful opportunity to catch up on some writing and correspondence. What a rare event to have time for myself! Helge and I are both enjoying more home cooking.