THE GOLDEN YEARS OF THE CBC

I grew up listening to 1050 CHUM radio in Toronto. My parents listened to CFRB with Wally Crouter in the a.m., Gordon Sinclair and Betty Kennedy later on. We watched neighbour Fred Davis, Front Page Challenge, on the television. I still recall CFRB’s weather man Gordon G’s description of a crummy weather day as ‘mausy’. 

When I moved to Bancroft in 1971 the main radio station was the CBC. It featured many excellent programs. For instance on Saturdays while I would split my week’s wood supply and move it into the house I would listen to Arthur Black and his show Basic Black. But first, I would listen to Sy Strange and Bill McNeil‘s excellent ‘Fresh Air’ program which featured “The Voice of the Pioneer” which provided interviews with men and women that gave us some insight into the fabric of what made Canada. They also featured H.Gordon Green’s segment wherein he would report interesting items from small town newspapers across Canada. I recall him bragging that he received his first family allowance cheque for child support the same week he received his old age pension. Often his reports were quite humourous. And the music was reflective of the time. Then mid afternoon there was Captain Jack and Gary Dunford whose mailing address was Maynooth (‘Ma-nooth’ not ‘May-nooth’ as the CBC still insists on pronouncing it.)  During the week Vicki Gaberaux featured many interesting stories. She once interviewed me concerning a shoe tree. I had been working out back when she called and I had to run up a tall flight of stairs to access the wall phone in our kitchen. No cell phones then. Unfortunately I sounded winded. In the morning Peter Czowski had an interesting show including a political panel from all stripes. I only heard it on days I was not at work. It was always interesting and informative.

Saturday nights the entire family would not miss Danny ‘Finkleman’s 45s’ show featuring his rock’n roll picks.  I recall him wondering where all the autumn leaves went during the winter for in the spring they were gone. After he retired Randy Bachman took over with another insider’s informative themed show. Then suddenly he was let go to be replaced by disappointing programs. Canadian Opera Tenor Ben Heppner had a witty, informative show. Although not an opera fan I enjoyed the show. The CBC buried it late Sunday nights.

The radio personalities used to speak clearly and were familiar with basic grammar. An old joke states that the on-air host’s face was one made for radio. Of course the essence of radio is the voice. Unfortunately the CBC does not apparently understand this as some of the on air folk in 2024 have voices made for print.

To-day there are fewer quality shows on the CBC. Terry O’Reilly’s “Under the Influence”, Bob McDonald’s “Quirks and Quarks” come to mind. “Cross Country Check up” on Sundays is still a decent show but not up to the standard when Rex Murphy was host. Their policy of radio hosts chatting informally does not have the desired effect. Most are mindless, not very articulate when off script, uninteresting conversations that only waste airtime and questions the life skills of the speaker in many cases. And, what they call music is mostly abrasive and irritating seldom reflecting the themes discussed.

My son told me that the CBC wants more government financial support. In the meantime executives received financial bonuses; after laying off many workers.  When I asked my son who listens to the CBC – as I know his generation does not – he replied “You”. Which is true but sadly less and less. Our tax dollars at work? I’d rather they go to volunteer radio such as CANOE FM in Haliburton which features many better quality programs.  

  

“Fresh Air” for example could learn much from Canoe FM. An acquaintance who works at the CBC once told me, when Jeff Goods hosted the show years ago, that the program operated on a shoestring budget. That hasn’t improved. Canoe FM is volunteer driven, certainly has a tight budget not tax based, and is more creative. It could teach the Fresh Air crew much. Also, why not air some segments of “The Voice of the Pioneer?” Many of our current younger generations who may listen, certainly many newcomers, would all benefit to learn of Canada’s founding peoples.  Fundamentally the program is anemic. Like many other CBC shows. One example when the “good old days” actually were.

GARY DUNFORD

I once wrote Gary Dunford, of CBC Radio’s Parka Patrol, requesting an interview. You see his mailing address was P.O. Box 166, Maynooth, Ont., K0L 1S0. Although his mailed response included an incorrect postal code I still received his note. His rejection note was postmarked ‘Maynooth’.

I asked for the interview because I believed that my Bancroft Times’ readers would find him informative since he was evidently in ‘the neighborhood’. In fact he lived near Purdy/Combermere part time and part time in Toronto where he also penned a ‘social gossip column’ for The Sun, I seem to recall. I presumed that Gary headed for Purdy to escape the TO scene.

The following rejection is the funniest that I ever received over my 40+ years of freelancing. Enjoy.

Jan.15/87

Barney –

We’re all greatly flattered here at Parka Command to read your note! And what with so little snow to scoop this winter, we were even tempted to say yes. But we are shy guys who believe in duty, Barney. Rescuing dogs from icy lakes (the Jan.31 ice fishing show); making sure the Yukon gets the attention it deserves (our Jan. 24 show). Making sure the folks from Ohio who parked their cars in Maynooth to go to Expo, get them back. Making sure no shot ever ricochets off the front of the Shot and Bottle at the Arlington. We’re doers, Barney. Not talkers.

Signed – DUNF

Gary Dunford & yer pals at CBC Radio’s Parka Patrol

Bear in mind that these shy and not talker guys hosted a national, popular radio show.

Leap forward from 1987 to 2024.

Thanks to the internet you can learn much more about Gary Dunford if so inclined. Goto: dunF.blogspot.ca or dunF.blogspot.com. In fact he did write for the Toronto Sun; was writer/host for the CFRB “Recordhounds” program; writer for “The Beachcombers” plus a whole bunch more. Regarding the death of O.J. Simpson his cartoon caption states that “a white Ford Bronco is parked at the Gates of Hell”. FYI.