CJAY-FM

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CJAY is an active rock radio station in Calgary, Alberta that broadcasts on 92.1 FM. Owned by Astral Media, CJAY operates repeater transmitters located in Banff, Alberta and Invermere, British Columbia (99.7 FM). CJAY first broadcast on June 1, 1977. The station plays an active rock format, featuring current artists such as Nickelback, Theory of a Deadman, Default, Hedley, Coldplay, Def Leppard, U2, Sixx:A.M., Three Days Grace, Papa Roach, Linkin Park and Green Day and "classic" (1970s, 1980s, 1990s) artists such as Bon Jovi, Tragically Hip, Creed, Def Leppard, Ozzy Osbourne, The Rolling Stones, Van Halen, and Led Zeppelin.

In addition to being one of the longest-running radio stations in Calgary, CJAY-92 also draws one of the larger audiences, typically finishing in the top seven stations with a male-heavy audience. The most notable show is the morning Forbes and Friends show, hosted by disc jockey Gerry Forbes, with long-running guests. It features juvenile comedy and contests. The Forbes show is known for its hackneyed outlook on celebrities and Calgary events. During his daily show there are many pre-produced jokes and skits, which generally aren't created by Forbes, but bought from American radio production houses and prep services.

During the late 1970's Dieter Staschow produced and hosted the program Stereotypes, which ran daily during the 6-7PM slot. Though CRTC mandated, the attention to detail and research that Dieter Staschow undertook producing the show made it a success and was for many younger rock fans a great source of information. Each show featured a specific group or artist and through music and introspective facts and sometimes obscure details, Dieter would weave remarkable rock and roll radio documentaries. Around 1987 Norm Edwards joined CJAY from CHQR 810AM (later QR770) and CKXL 1140AM, where he had held an amazing 30 point share during the mid 1970s, Norm Edwards kept his morning show until succumbing to cancer in 1991.

In 2007 CJAY celebrated its 30th Birthday.

From November 12, 1960 to June 1, 1973, CJAY was the call sign of a CTV-affiliated television station in Winnipeg. The station has since changed its call letters to CKY.

CJAY was acquired by Astral Media as part of their take-over of Standard Radio. To announce the change in ownership, Astral ran two full page ads in the Calgary Herald. The first ad announced that as of November 2007, CJAY would be converting to an all-polka format "All polka, all the time." The ad on the next page said "Just kidding. Astral Media is pleased to welcome CJAY 92, Vibe 98.5, and Classic Country AM 1060 to the Astral family."

[edit] External links

• CJAY92 web site
• History of CJAY92
• Canadian Broadcast Standards Council 2004 decision against CJAY
• Recent (2005) radio ratings for major Canadian markets