CHOO Radio Recollections

An on line scrapbook of images & text for former staff and listeners alike

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RIGHT - Steve & Holly Kassay

Steve writes... I started at CHOO 1986-1988 on air overnights, evenings and as Music Director... later at CHOO 1992-1994 I was Program Director and hosted the PM Drive... At KX-96 1994-2000 - PD/PM Drive again... At Durham Radio Inc. (CJKX-FM, CKGE-FM, CKDO, CIWV-FM) 2000 to present - I am Vice-President, Programming/ Operations and am one of the shareholders at Durham Radio. The purchase of CHOO in ’94 and its subsequent flip to FM (KX-96) was one of the most fun, thrilling and exciting things I’ve been part of. We have always been aware of the CHOO heritage of KX... I am so proud of that.

Holly writes... I think I started at CHOO operating religious programming in April of '91... launched the CHOO COUNTRY Cruiser program in the summer of 91, and was there for the flip... doing mornings with Jerry Archer on KX96 for a couple years. Yup, I'm still here... in some capacity or another... announcer, promotions, and today, receptionist (ours is off sick)! I look forward to checking out the new additions to the website, and hopefully, will find some pics to pass along.

LEFT - Jim Ashbridge

Jim writes... I was employed at CHOO between July 1977 and November 1980 as a sales rep. I was also hired as a part time writer but after a few weeks, I focused exclusively on sales. Guess I liked the idea of driving nice cars and wearing suits compared to jeans and sitting at a typewriter all day... maybe I knew that I wasn't that good a writer. My sales manager, Ray McCarthy referred to me as "a nice chap from Port Perry" when he issued an internal memo upon hiring me. I had quite an interesting group in the sales department to learn the ropes from - Bill Orsborne, a veteran yellow pages salesmen who served in the merchant marines. Tough as nails but very funny. Ron Phillips, who carried all of his account files in the back of his car. Always looked like he just crawled out of bed still wearing his suit from the night before. He was a tireless worker. Our sales manager, Stan Hooper, replaced Ray when he left. Stan was very excitable and looked just like Harpo Marx with his curly white hair. Dave Cole joined us in 1978. A great guy. We are still good friends to this date. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun.

RIGHT - CHOO Morning man Brian Belfry with the special CHOO Radio 1390 reunion toque.

If you'd like one, there are a few left for a nominal fee. Contact me at the address on page one and I will pass your request along.

Would you like to see other retro CHOO logo merchandise next year, say a scarf or t shirt? If so, let us know. Address is on page one.

Thanks again to Jay Mandell for the great toques!

BELOW - "Dave Scott" (aka David Webster).

ABOVE - John Nugent.

John writes... I was at CHOO from May 84 to September 85 as a part time announcer then went fulltime in September 85 until the last day of CHOO, basically end of October 94. I’m currently employed at Durham Radio ­ KX 96; 94.9 The Rock and CKDO ­ in sales.