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Staff and Entertainers of CKNX ...

In the photos that follow are some but not all the staff of CKNX. Some did their work behind the cameras and were hard to catch on film. Some early staff photos were lost in the 1962 fire. Most of the photographs featured here are from a book called The Story of CKNX & Its People, that Ross and Carol Hamilton have worked long and hard to pull together. Many retired CKNX staff meet up once a year to keep up acquaintances, exchange memories and create more. Ross and Carol, both CKNX employees, tracked down photographs and pulled together a book that saves and preserves much of CKNX's history.

From 1926 until the mid 1970s, CKNX was a showcase of Canadian talent, on a scale rarely seen in the Canadian broadcasting business, considering the size of its operation. Many of the musicians that appeared before CKNX TV cameras or on CKNX radio had larger careers in the Canadian and American music business.

CKNX also provided another important service. It became known in the industry as one of the premiere training centers for young people wishing to become broadcasters. Although this was probably more evident in the TV years that followed the 40 years of radio, many were the people who honed their skills in the challenging atmosphere of this station where you were encouraged to try your hand at anything and everything, to become versatile to become in effect, a marketable personality in great demand in the broadcasting community. Those four letters CKNX on your resume were like magic. (Carbert essay, 1995)

Staff in 1955 - "CKNX is proud of the fact all members of its mechanical and production staff are local people. No imported talent whatever. Eventually Wingham Community players, of which Vin Dittmer, sales manager is president will get the spotlight with one of their dramas. The town's weekly barn dance, it is believed, will attract many viewers." (TS-1, 1955)

When I (Bob Carbert) joined CKNX radio in 1949 I was extremely proud to be able to join a staff that was second to none in the private broadcasting business in Canada. Doc's announcing staff was a group of top flight professionals with deep resonant voices, they were articulate, warm and sounded enthusiastic. Their grammar was excellent and they were all eager to assist we newcomers to polish our trade. People like Tom Rafferty, Vin Dittmer, Ross Hamilton, and Bud Cruickshank, anchored the announcing staff with capable weekend relief with people such as Norm Fry who doubled as an operator, his brother, Doug Fry, who also did some announcing and Bob Ferguson, a local high school teacher. Two others who served as summer and short term announcers were Harry Posliff, a local boy who became a teacher, and Harry Foster who came to Wingham and served on the announce staff for a short period of time. Who can forget Don Hildebrand, a Stratford boy who came to CKNX from Woodstock, just prior to the beginnings of TV. He served in radio, initially, then went to CKCO-TV in Kitchener to learn his trade and came back to CKNX-TV as a producer, announcer and program organizer. He later left to work at a variety of stations in Canada and the US and presently in retirement produces a senior's program at CKTB in St. Catharines. (Carbert essay, 1995) p. 16

Staff Memories - There are many others who come to mind, and there are some who have escaped my travels into the past because their names simply have eluded me. For this I apologize and I hope I shall be forgiven. But who could ever forget the efforts of Lillian Darling and Mary Louise Flach in the accounts department. Mildred Jones and Shirley (Nethery) Boucher in the continuity department, churning out the monumental number of commercial messages used every day. There were others who contributed to this commercial portfolio, Janet (King) Day, Wee Bobby Clark, Earl Heywood, John Cruickshank, Frank Eidt, and yours truly (Carbert) contributed to it, each in our own way. (Carbert essay, 1995) p.17

Up on the "deck", in addition to Scott Reid, Elmer Purdon and Norm Fry, we had Jack Caesar and Doug Fry, all excellent operators who spun the discs and opened and closed microphones on time and provided the Fade-ins and Fade-outs that made for professional programming. Doug Fry was also a better than average announcer, but he interrupted his radio career for a higher calling, entering theological school and going on to a rewarding career in the Presbyterian Church. John Langridge arrived from England about 1950, began as an operator, and eventually became program director of CKNX radio and manager. Bill Harris served for some years until he became a cameraman in CKNX-TV and crew chief. (Carbert essay, 1995) p.17

Music and Entertainment Department in 1942 - "is almost as well-known as the announcers." The artists in music and entertainment department have received mail from all parts of Western Ontario telling of pleasant times spent with their music and songs." Best known is Harold Victor Pym, musical director of the station. Cactus Mac is recognized by thousands of Barn Dance fans. Of equal popularity is Clark Johnston, Mary King, Jean McCool, Jack Reavie, CKNX Ranch Boys, CKNX Harvesters, Frank Kenny, Marie King, Jimmy Benninger, Melodie Mixers, Jean & Irene, Lloyd Shoebottom, Ken Rintoul, Harriston Girls Trio, Sarah, Laura Hayden and Cora Robertson. These are a few of the most prominent figures heard regularly over the station. "CKNX employs more artists than any other station in Canada and that we have several stars of other radio shows on our list. Cactus Mac and Frank Kenny for instance have appeared as feature entertainers over several American stations." (CKNX Almanac-9, 1942)p9

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Shirley Boucher worked in the continuity department at CKNX.
1940-1960
CKNX Radio and Television, Wingham, Ontario