Open Nights is a bold, brave, high energy exploration of music, a show that fears no rock ‘n’ roll. It was the perfect match for its new sponsor: Deer City Records.
Jesse Roads founded Deer City Records in 2021. A touring musician, he already knew CKUA well.
He first tuned in about 15 years ago, “in another life” on the road as a semi truck driver. His first show? The Road Home with Bob Chelmick.
“It floored me,” he says. “I thought, ‘What am I listening to?’ It was something really different and special.”
He started listening to other CKUA programs, he says, and discovered “a buffet of awesomeness.”
When Roads started Deer City Records in 2021, advertising with CKUA instantly became a goal.
Last year they were able to make it happen.
“We put together a six-month campaign and I was blown away at the results,” he says.
“We had so many new people and new inquiries, new clientele, new everything coming through. It was really quite amazing. It was hands-down noticeable.”
And now it’s been kicked up a level, with their sponsorship of Open Nights.
He’s been a fan of the show for a long time, he says. “I love just that little bit of edgier unpredictability. It’s so cool that someone is capturing that and delivering a three-hour mega show on air.”
“It’s such a cool show and to be associated with that, and with Mark, it’s a dream come true for us as a label.”
Mark Rodgers, host of Open Nights, says the feeling is mutual. “I always rooted for the underdog and having a smaller market record label partner up with CKUA and want to be part of Open Nights feeds my musical soul in ways that are hard to describe,” he says. “I’ve been in radio for 18 years and this feels like a validation of this part of my career. Thank you, Deer City Records!”
Deer City Records is a boutique music label that focuses on promoting homegrown talent and contributing to a thriving Canadian music scene. They celebrate independent artists such as Memphis Mafia Band, Wild T and the Spirit, and Miles Thomas. Deer City also facilitates short run and small batch merch orders.
Learn more about this independent Canadian label here and about Open Nights here.
If you are involved with a business that would like to leverage the power of dedicated and engaged listeners, contact CKUA today.
