By Kathy Gallant

CJNS celebrates 40 years on-air in Meadow Lake

Nov 1, 2017 | 5:00 PM

When Meadow Lake’s radio station CJNS debuted, the first song to hit the airwaves was the aptly-titled Turn Your Radio On by the Statler Brothers. Today marks 40 years since that song and the beginnings of local radio in Meadow Lake, on Nov. 1, 1977.

The initial broadcast was only four hours a day and was mixed with 1050 CJNB in North Battleford, as it is to this day.

The idea for the station started with CJNS’ first General Manager Harry Dekker Sr., according to his son David.

“My father had is eye on Meadow Lake for being a great community for a number of years prior to 1977, and that’s when we signed on,” he said.  

David himself took on several roles the CJNB news director, general manager and part owner until he retired a couple years back. He was also involved in the conversion from AM to FM in 2004. He said he’s been happy to witness the progress of the station over the years, and thought the reason CJNS is was successful was the connection with the community.

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“If you want to find out what’s going on in the community, radio is the primary source. The fact that the radio station has done well since 1977 is really a tribute to the community, as well as the business community that supported the radio station through many years,” he said.

Joe Boutilier was the station’s first announcer. He very recently passed away, but Joanne remembered how much of himself her husband gave to the job. He emceed community events like the Stampede and Winter Festival, he broadcast Stampeders games, he started the Telemiracle broadcast, and did countless community remotes. 

Needless to say, during his time in Meadow Lake Joe became a staple in the city.

“I remember when we were invited to the museum when the CJNS went up. Joe would always kid about being an antique because he was now part of something in a museum,” she said.

In 2014, the station was acquired by current owners, the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group. In January 2016, meadowlakeNOW was launched. General Manager Karl Johnston said the company is so proud to be part of the community.  

“Holding a broadcast license is a privilege and we’re thrilled to serve the community,” he said. “Meadow Lake has been so good to us and we hope we’ve given back entertainment, local news and information and help the community achieve the things they strive for.”

He said he looked forward to the future and hoped the station keeps growing.

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter @ReporterKath