Melfort program director and morning show host to retire this month

The community-minded broadcaster shows evidence of that community involvement on and off the air.

Wood is a big part of many community committees including the North East SPCA, who will celebrate the official opening of the Harry and Eve Vickar shelter later this month.

“The community gets to know you and that is one of the things that will be doing after I leave the air,” Wood said. “I’m gonna keep on doing the things I’m doing.”

Wood got his start at CKBI radio and televison in Prince Albert back in 1971 and then eventually made his way to CJVR in Melfort.

With Wood’s leadership, 1420 CJVR moved down the dial to 750 before the station flipped to FM. CJVR-FM was born in 2002.

The name Bill Wood is known wider than the city of Melfort as the station reaches over 100 communities in northeast and central Saskatchewan.

CJVR has been recognized four times as the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) country Mmusic station of the year in a secondary market. That is on top of being the Saskatchewan Country Music Association’s (SCMA) country radio station of the year 20 times during Wood’s time on the air. Wood himself was named SCMA on-air personality of the year.

CJVR’s Canadian Coast to Coast and Saskatchewan Country Sunday have been selected as radio program of the year twice by the CCMA and multiple times by the SCMA. Both on-air programs were developed under Wood’s direction.

The Melfort group has acquired more stations over the years with Bill changing roles to group program director. Fortunately for many broadcasters in the past and in the industry today, Bill gave them a start and is a mentor for countless individuals.

The most recent change for Wood was having a hand in CJVR’s sister station CK750 making the format change to Saskatchewan’s New Beach Radio under the ownership of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.

Although Wood is looking forward to sleeping in each day, there will be nothing quite like the feel of morning radio.

“You realize that there is a community importance and morning radio is fun because you get to work with the best people,” Wood said.

Taking over the morning reign is Saskatoon radio announcer Cristy Beggs.

Beggs will bring her 20 years of experience to the air waves as the full time morning announcer starts on Sept. 13.

Beggs is one of many who continue to look up to Wood and his accomplishments in the radio industry.

“There is no way to take over from someone like Bill; he is a legend,” Beggs said.

Beggs has worked for the Saskatoon Media Group since she graduated from broadcasting school, doing shows on both 600 CJWW and 92.9 the Bull.

The Colonsay, Sask. native has hung her hat in Saskatoon for the majority of her time in radio but made the move with family closer to the Melfort area.

“I was really lucky and fortunate that CJVR has been so embracing and welcoming because this is wonderful to be here,” Beggs said.

The community focused morning show will continue with Beggs.

“I love the feel of this radio station,” Beggs said. “I did a lot of things in Saskatoon that weren’t as community driven and that’s what I really love about Melfort is that it is about the community so I’m looking forward to that.”

When asked about Beggs taking over his show, Bill Wood said he knows the morning listeners won’t be disappointed.

“Cristy is from a small town originally and she knows what community is all about,” Wood said. “She is very committed to that and I’m very happy that she was selected for the position.”

As for parting words from Wood, he said he wants to thank the present staff, all of the managers he has had the opportunity to work with over the years, and of course, the dedicated listeners.

“Thank you so much for hanging in through thick and thin,” Wood said.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser

by Angie Rolheiser

Melfort program director and morning show host to retire this month

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