CHEZ-FM
Encyclopedia
CHEZ-FM is a Canadian
radio station, which broadcasts classic rock
at 106.1 FM in Ottawa
. The station uses the brand name CHEZ 106 ("chez" is pronounced "shay", like the French
word).
and based at 126 York Street in the Market. Harvey Glatt owned Treble Clef music stores and was a concert promoter at the time.
The initial signal strength was 100,000 watts, and the first song was "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder
. The original morning show host was Mike O'Reilly, better known at the time as frontman in the rock group Bolt Upright and the Erections.
The station focused on the 18-34 year old demographic by playing English progressive rock music. CHEZ also ran children's programming, talk programming and even some French programming when it first launched on air. Shows like CHEZ Ottawa, The Source, Jazz 106, Medium Rare and In the City distinguished the station from others in the Ottawa market.
During the first few years on air, CHEZ-FM competed with AM station CFRA, then a pop leaning music station, and after less than 10 years on the air CHEZ attained the number one position in the Ottawa market with nearly 300,000 weekly listeners.
CHEZ had two sister stations, 101.1 FM CHEQ
and 630 AM CJET
, under the umbrella of Rideau Broadcasting, located in Smiths Falls
.
From 1987 to 1993, CHEZ news director Ken Rockburn
hosted the syndicated newsmagazine show Medium Rare
from CHEZ's studios.
In 1994, CHEZ 106 shifted to classic rock
, partly due to the competing CJSB
moving its active rock
format from AM to FM.
The station and its holdings (Rideau Broadcasting), Canada's last major independent radio station, was sold to Rogers Radio
in 1999, joining CKBY
(Y105) and CIWW (1310 News) in the Ottawa market. CHEZ quickly went on to hire their main competition, CKQB
's morning show of Doc & Woody, in late 1999.
In 2000, Rogers Communications moved its operations out of the Market, and CHEZ-FM is currently located at 2001 Thurston Drive.
On December 10, 2007 after 10 years off the Ottawa radio airwaves, Darren Stevens
returned to the weekdays 3pm - 7pm on CHEZ-FM. "The Real Darren Stevens Show" enjoyed a brief run, with his final show on Wednesday February 20, 2008. In a strange twist of fate, on March 29, 2008 Stevens returned 'home' to the rock station down the dial to CKQB-FM
which is the location where he started his career during the 54 Rock AM period & the FM launch of 106.9 The Bear.
The morning show (5:30 - 9:00 a.m.) is with Doc, Woody, Randall Moore and Eric The Intern. Robin Harper handles 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Cosmo handles the afternoon drive show 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. Jacki handles the evening show 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Doc also hosts Saturday mornings from 6 a.m to noon. Robin also hosts 7 - 9 p.m. on Saturdays. Jacki covers Noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday. They use pre-recorded shows midnight to 5:30 a.m. Monday to Friday, as well as other times.
Weekdays
5:30am – 9:00am: Doc & Woody
9:00am – 2:00pm: Robin Harper
2:00pm – 7:00pm: Cosmo
7:00pm - Midnight: Jacki
Overnights: Classic Rock Blocks
Saturday
6:00am - 10:00am: Doc (with the best of Doc & Woody from 8-10am!!)
10:00am - Noon: The Classics (a different feature every week.
Noon - 6pm: Jacki
6pm - 7pm: The Ronnie Wood show. (A repeat of Tuesday's show). An hour of music and inside stories hosted by a Rolling Stone!
7pm - 9pm: Robin Harper
9pm - 2am: Classic Rock House Party
Sunday
6am - 8am: Rust Never Sleeps (all things Neil Young)
8am - Noon: Psychedelic CHEZ with Steve Colwill (a mid-60's to mid 70's headspace)
Noon - 6pm: Jacki
6pm - 7pm: House of Blues Radio Hour (hosted by Elwood Blues himself!
7pm - 8pm: Legends of Classic Rock
8pm - 10pm: The Classics (repeat of Saturday's show.)
Overnight: Classic Rock Blocks.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
radio station, which broadcasts classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
at 106.1 FM in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
. The station uses the brand name CHEZ 106 ("chez" is pronounced "shay", like the French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
word).
History
CHEZ was launched at 6pm on March 25, 1977 by CHEZ-FM Inc., a company owned and operated by Harvey GlattHarvey Glatt
Harvey Glatt is a notable and award-winning Canadian music promoter, manager, broadcaster, record and instrument retailer, and record label owner.- History :...
and based at 126 York Street in the Market. Harvey Glatt owned Treble Clef music stores and was a concert promoter at the time.
The initial signal strength was 100,000 watts, and the first song was "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
. The original morning show host was Mike O'Reilly, better known at the time as frontman in the rock group Bolt Upright and the Erections.
The station focused on the 18-34 year old demographic by playing English progressive rock music. CHEZ also ran children's programming, talk programming and even some French programming when it first launched on air. Shows like CHEZ Ottawa, The Source, Jazz 106, Medium Rare and In the City distinguished the station from others in the Ottawa market.
During the first few years on air, CHEZ-FM competed with AM station CFRA, then a pop leaning music station, and after less than 10 years on the air CHEZ attained the number one position in the Ottawa market with nearly 300,000 weekly listeners.
CHEZ had two sister stations, 101.1 FM CHEQ
CKBY-FM
CKBY-FM is a Canadian radio station, which airs a country music format at 101.1 FM in Smiths Falls and Ottawa, Ontario. The station is owned by Rogers Media, and uses the brand name Y101.-History:...
and 630 AM CJET
CJET-FM
CJET-FM is a Canadian radio station. Licensed to Smiths Falls, Ontario, the station serves the larger metropolitan Ottawa market. CJET broadcasts at 92.3 FM, programming an adult hits format with the brand name Jack FM.-History:...
, under the umbrella of Rideau Broadcasting, located in Smiths Falls
Smiths Falls, Ontario
Smiths Falls is a town in Eastern Ontario, Canada. It is in the census division for Lanark County, but is considered a separated town and does not participate in county government...
.
From 1987 to 1993, CHEZ news director Ken Rockburn
Ken Rockburn
Ken Rockburn is a Canadian radio and television journalist and host. He is most notable for his associations with the Canadian Cable Public Affairs Channel , the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and CHEZ-FM radio.-Career history:...
hosted the syndicated newsmagazine show Medium Rare
Medium Rare (radio show)
Medium Rare was a Canadian radio program, which aired from 1987 to 1993. Produced by CHEZ-FM in Ottawa, the program was syndicated to several radio stations across Canada....
from CHEZ's studios.
In 1994, CHEZ 106 shifted to classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
, partly due to the competing CJSB
CKQB-FM
CKQB-FM is a Canadian radio station, which broadcasts an active rock format at 106.9 FM in Ottawa and 99.9 FM in Pembroke...
moving its active rock
Active rock
Active rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:...
format from AM to FM.
The station and its holdings (Rideau Broadcasting), Canada's last major independent radio station, was sold to Rogers Radio
Rogers Radio
Rogers Radio is a subdivision of Rogers Communications, specializing in the radio broadcasting industry. Rogers Radio is Canada's third-largest radio broadcaster....
in 1999, joining CKBY
CISS-FM
CISS-FM is a Canadian radio station in Ottawa, Ontario. The station broadcasts a hot adult contemporary format at 105.3 on the FM dial, using the brand name 105.3 Kiss FM.-History:...
(Y105) and CIWW (1310 News) in the Ottawa market. CHEZ quickly went on to hire their main competition, CKQB
CKQB-FM
CKQB-FM is a Canadian radio station, which broadcasts an active rock format at 106.9 FM in Ottawa and 99.9 FM in Pembroke...
's morning show of Doc & Woody, in late 1999.
In 2000, Rogers Communications moved its operations out of the Market, and CHEZ-FM is currently located at 2001 Thurston Drive.
On December 10, 2007 after 10 years off the Ottawa radio airwaves, Darren Stevens
Darren Stevens (comedian)
Darren Stevens , commonly known as The Real Darren Stevens, is a Canadian radio personality, best known for his shows as heard on 54 Rock, 106.9 The BEAR & CHEZ 106 in Ottawa and B101 in Barrie; as well as his behind the scenes programming work in Barrie, Ont...
returned to the weekdays 3pm - 7pm on CHEZ-FM. "The Real Darren Stevens Show" enjoyed a brief run, with his final show on Wednesday February 20, 2008. In a strange twist of fate, on March 29, 2008 Stevens returned 'home' to the rock station down the dial to CKQB-FM
CKQB-FM
CKQB-FM is a Canadian radio station, which broadcasts an active rock format at 106.9 FM in Ottawa and 99.9 FM in Pembroke...
which is the location where he started his career during the 54 Rock AM period & the FM launch of 106.9 The Bear.
The morning show (5:30 - 9:00 a.m.) is with Doc, Woody, Randall Moore and Eric The Intern. Robin Harper handles 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Cosmo handles the afternoon drive show 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. Jacki handles the evening show 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Doc also hosts Saturday mornings from 6 a.m to noon. Robin also hosts 7 - 9 p.m. on Saturdays. Jacki covers Noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday. They use pre-recorded shows midnight to 5:30 a.m. Monday to Friday, as well as other times.
Weekdays
5:30am – 9:00am: Doc & Woody
9:00am – 2:00pm: Robin Harper
2:00pm – 7:00pm: Cosmo
7:00pm - Midnight: Jacki
Overnights: Classic Rock Blocks
Saturday
6:00am - 10:00am: Doc (with the best of Doc & Woody from 8-10am!!)
10:00am - Noon: The Classics (a different feature every week.
Noon - 6pm: Jacki
6pm - 7pm: The Ronnie Wood show. (A repeat of Tuesday's show). An hour of music and inside stories hosted by a Rolling Stone!
7pm - 9pm: Robin Harper
9pm - 2am: Classic Rock House Party
Sunday
6am - 8am: Rust Never Sleeps (all things Neil Young)
8am - Noon: Psychedelic CHEZ with Steve Colwill (a mid-60's to mid 70's headspace)
Noon - 6pm: Jacki
6pm - 7pm: House of Blues Radio Hour (hosted by Elwood Blues himself!
7pm - 8pm: Legends of Classic Rock
8pm - 10pm: The Classics (repeat of Saturday's show.)
Overnight: Classic Rock Blocks.
External links
- CHEZ 106
- CHEZ history at Canadian Communications FoundationCanadian Communications FoundationThe Canadian Communications Foundation is a history of Canadian broadcasting for radio and television chronicles and documents. It also provides a history of radio and television stations, including networks, programs, broadcasters and many others....