You’re invited to join the fun on Thursday, November 21.
CKUA is turning 97 years young! Tune in to hear birthday wishes from some special guests, festive music, and host recollections about their favourite CKUA moments.
CKUA would not be here today without the thousands of people who have said “Yes!” and “This matters!” again and again over the past 97 years. The trailblazers who started this radio station built a strong foundation, and so many people have strengthened CKUA over the years. The generosity of CKUA’s donors is crucial, and so appreciated. Thank you for celebrating with us!
Alberta Morning, with host Grant Stovel
6am-9am MT
One way of saluting the CKUA community’s rich past, present, and future is by bridging the gap between then and now! With that in mind, we’ll take a listen to pivotal songs originally recorded back in the 1920s which have been treated to brand-new versions by important artists of today. Whether its Robert Plant and Alison Krauss giving new life to Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe’s “When the Levee Breaks,” Bela Fleck’s bluegrass Gershwin tribute in honour of the centennial of “Rhapsody in Blue,” or Sue Foley’s song about Mother Maybelle Carter from a newly Grammy-nominated album — the era of CKUA’s founding is still very much with us!
Discoveries, with host Leo Cripps
9am-11am MT
Leo will share music by artists born around the time CKUA was. Then we’ll move into the modern era with music that represents the modern CKUA.
The Upload, with host Kate Stevens
11am-1pm MT
Join Kate as she dives into CKUA’s journey over these glorious 97 years! There will be celebration songs, CKUA trivia on air, and the “The Time-Traveling Turntable,” where we check out some top songs of charts past!
Thoroughfare, with host Tony King
1pm-3pm MT
CKUA will turn 97 years old, but barely survived a shutdown that took place in 1997. If we hadn’t survived, we would have only lived to 69. Therefore, it is celebration of music released in ’69, coupled with the theme of “survival.” Tony will also open the phone, text, and email lines to take requests from listeners, without whom we would not be here to raise a glass for our 97th!
Traffic Jams, with host Lisa Wilton
3pm-6pm MT
Lisa is inviting musicians and listeners to share birthday greetings and CKUA memories. Tune in to hear music and wishes from Alberta and Canadian artists such as Matt Beatty, Ruth Purves Smith, Sargeant X Comrade, The Lovebullies, Elliott BROOD, Jim Cuddy, and more.
A Time for Jazz, with host Kodi Hutchinson
6pm-8pm MT
Join Kodi as he looks back at the history of jazz on CKUA, and some of the hosts who have been a part of the famed history of the station.
Maestri, with host Oskar Zybart
8pm-10pm MT
Oskar will share some pieces from the later period of several masters, including Maurizio Pollini, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Igor Stravinsky. He’ll also feature music by the English composer Wilfred Josephs, who was born in 1927 and lived until 1997.
Twilight, with host Amy van Keeken
10pm-midnight MT
Amy invites you to celebrate CKUA’s birthday listening to some excerpts from past milestone anniversaries at CKUA. Hear some voices from the 30s up to the present. We’ll hear some tunes from each decade of CKUA’s history, as well. Happy Birthday, CKUA!
Roy’s Record Room, with host Roy Forbes
Sunday, November 24
2pm-3pm MT
Triple-R Radio celebrates CKUA’s 97th birthday a few days late with a stack of shellac 78s from 1927, the year of CKUA’s birth. You’ll hear essential sides from Blind Alfred Reed, Gid Tanner & his Skillet Lickers, Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra, the Carter Family, Jane Green, Clifford Hayes’ Louisville Stompers, Frankie Trumbauer with Bix Beiderbecke, Gene Austin, Charlie Poole & The North Carolina Ramblers, Lee Morse, and more.
P.S. You can also look up at the night sky for some unique celebrations. On November 22 the High Level Bridge in Edmonton will be lit up in yellow to celebrate the occasion. And on November 23, look up at the Calgary Tower to see it lit up for CKUA. Send us your photos or tag us on social media when you post them online.
Add your voice. We invite you to share YOUR birthday wishes for CKUA.
If you have birthday wishes or special CKUA memories to share, be sure to send them to us via your favourite social media channel, or record a voice message via the Open Mic feature on the app. You can also send a text message!
Send in your birthday message:
– to your favorite host using the text-to-booth option. Send a written text message, or an audio recording via text message, to 1-800-494-2582. Learn more here.
– on Twitter, Instagram, of Facebook.
– via the Open Mic option on the CKUA App. Learn more here.
– by email to feedback@ckua.com.