Rock Radio Scrapbook: AIRCHECK OF THE WEEK

Subject: THE LAUNCH OF AM 740
Station: CHWO Oakville, Ont.
Date: January 8, 2001
Time: 23:55

On January 8, 2001, CHWO officially switched frequencies from 1250kc to 740kc. But this was much more than a mere frequency change. Founded in 1956, CHWO operated for years at 1250kc with a signal of 10,000 watts by day and 5,000 watts at night. Now it had a 50,000-watt clear channel signal at 740kc that blanketed Ontario and can be heard in more than two dozen U.S. states (reception reports have been received from as far away as Finland, Belgium, Jamaica, Alberta and Seattle!) It was a huge boost for CHWO, which took over the 740kc spot that became free when CBL, the CBC's English-language outlet in Toronto, moved to FM in 1999.

CHWO, known for years as "Radio to Remember" in its 1250 days, rebranded as "AM 740 - Prime Time Radio" with, as long-time owner Michael Caine described it, "a mix of MOR, easy listening, '50s pop, big band, swing and nostalgia." Veteran broadcaster Tom Fulton came over from CFRB to team with Donna Priesi on the morning show. Barry Morden did middays, Norm Edwards afternoon drive and Jim Paulson evenings in the original AM 740 weekday lineup. Weekend personalities included Earl Warren, Bob Sprott, Michael Englebert, George Jonescu, Dennis Snowdon, Art Drysdale, Bob Kerby, Richard Infantino, Frankie Benson, Colin Hoare and music director Brian Peroff with his popular "Flashback" show.

Many changes have taken place at AM 740 since its launch but one thing remains constant: the station's commitment to a wide range of popular music of the 20th century. Named 2002 "Station of the Year" by the Ontario Association of Broadcasters, AM 740 continues to be, in the words of Michael Caine, "an oasis in the desert of rock and talk radio..."

Rock Radio Scrapbook asked AM 740 music director Brian Peroff to send along his recollections of AM 740's first decade, and he was kind enough to offer this wonderful perspective...

"On January 8, 2001, AM740 Prime Time Radio made its debut at 7:40 in the morning. The first song played was All The Way by Frank Sinatra & Celine Dion. The new morning host was Tom Fulton, one of the best. His morning co-host was a lady named Donna but she didn't last long.

There were a lot of people behind the scenes who made it happen. We didn't realize how fast we were going to grow. We had a passion for the music and programming. It all started when Michael Caine, our general manager, announced that CHWO 1250 had been awarded the powerful AM 740 frequency once owned by CBC. I realized then that I was finally going to get my chance to work for a Toronto radio station after 24 years in the broadcasting industry even though the offices were staying in Oakville.

As music director I was given the challenge to automate our music. Everything was going to be computerized. That included not just the music but also commercials, jingles and Id's. It was all new to us. I needed to find a music scheduler. Plus, I needed to teach myself how to set it up and make it work. The odd time I had to call Music Master for advice on how to use the DOS-based scheduler. The best teacher is practice.

I knew it was going to take a lot of hard work to get it going but everybody pulled through and here we are today, ten years later. Over the past ten years we've had our ups and downs. There was happiness about our new-found success. A few times sadness crept in and that gave us a terrible jolt. Tom Fulton, Jim Paulson, Earl Warren, Tom Rivers (who worked with us briefly before going back to CHUM) all passed away. Then came the news that AM740 was going to be sold to MZ Media in 2008. Once in their possession changes were made. Those who made it work in the beginning weren't all going to be with the New AM740. Only time would tell whether AM740 under the new management would still have the magic to be successful.

There were a lot people who need to be recognized for their contribution to AM 740 over the years. There are two people who deserve special mention who are no longer with us: the late Bob Sprott and Brian Smith. Brian Smith started the AM740 Yahoo group. He was passionate about his music and he was a dear friend."