Our 'Behind the Mic' feature this month travels to Hamilton for our chat with Bob Farrow of 94.7 the Wave. The station was the first in Canada to program Smooth Jazz twenty four hours a day and Farrow was the man who put the format together. As Music Director and morning show host at the Wave Farrow is setting the trend of what Canadians east of the Rockies hear in the format. Read our interview from June 26th, 2003.

John - Hi Bob. Welcome to our "Behind the Mic" feature for July. I always get great pleasure from talking to anyone from the Wave because well -being the first says a lot and all eyes have been on your station for a long time.

Bob - Hi John. It's a pleasure to finally be able to chat with you. I think it's been about a year since you first suggested this idea but something always seemed to get in the way, like work. By the way congratulations on joining "The Breeze" I know you've been very busy, hope it's going well and it sounds great. Before I forget, you and Shannon are doing a fantastic job on the web-site; it's one of the first that I check each morning. It's a wonderful source of information and all of us here at Wave 94.7 really appreciate the support you've given us.

John - Thanks Bob. Shannon and I really enjoy working on the site and the Breeze has been a rewarding experience. How long has The Wave been on the air now?

Bob - Well we are, believe it or not, coming up to our third anniversary. Yeah, I know that hardly seems possible but we officially signed on Labour Day in 2000. We'd been running some test audio for a month prior and had our launch party on the Friday leading into the long weekend and did our first "live" show on the holiday Monday. It was a great beginning and we've never looked back.

John - Is The Wave a special category license? Does the station have to play a quota of Smooth Jazz?

Bob - Actually John, the Wave does not hold a specialty license and no, we don't have a quota. We are free to play 100% Smooth Jazz which of course is what we do.

John - I've had a few inquiries from fans via email asking if the Wave is changing formats to pop. I sometimes wonder how these rumors get started. Any truth to the rumor?

Bob - Absolutely, no truth what so ever. We are totally committed to "Smooth Jazz." I'm like you, where do these rumours start? People with too much time on their hands, I don't know it's weird and very frustrating as I'm sure you can appreciate. We've seen how successful this format is in the States, we talk to people every day, we have tremendous response to the guest book on our web-site (www.wave947.fm) and they love what we are doing. So go figure. Please John, if you have a chance to respond to these people let them know that we're here for the long haul.

John - From my understanding you're in tough market doing this format. Does the BBM just measure Hamilton? If so, what about the people in Burlington and other surrounding areas?

Bob - Well, I've heard all that before about the market being so tough but we're still here, almost three years old with new listeners and clients everyday. As far as the BBM is concerned our full coverage area extends eastbound into Etobicoke. This is, after all, North America's most competitive media market and Canada's most competitive radio market.

John - You were the first Music Director and morning man doing this format in this country. Did you get any sense of that when you first opened that mic on that first day?

Bob - Absolutely, the memory is still very vivid. It was like take this huge breath, focus your thoughts and go for it. I have to admit I was very nervous, not scared or anything like that it's just that we knew that we're launching something very different, very unique and the level of energy and excitement was very high. It was one of those "scrapbook " moments.

John - What do you know now about the format that you wished you knew when the station launched?

Bob - Hmm, I guess a little more of the history behind the artists who've been in it for awhile. We did a lot of research with bio's and web-sites and I think we were pretty much up to speed but I'm always learning something new every day. I think that's a good thing because when you stop increasing your knowledge you might as well hang up the headset, right?

John - What does a song have to have for you to play it on The Wave?

Bob - Wow, (pensively) that's actually a tough one because we don't have a magic formula when it comes to adding music. I guess it really comes down to what your ears tell you. So we listen and sometimes you just know that a certain song is going to work. There are other times when you have to revisit a tune a couple of times before it gets a nod. Of course, I'm only one of several who make the decision; Gary (James) and Mary (Kirk) are part of the team as well. I should point out that Mary is actually the Music Director now and I assist her. That's not to be perceived as demotion on my part as I was in charge at the start, but with more demands being placed on me with regard to my on-air work Mary has been able to step into that role and give it the time it requires. I still assist her on a daily basis though. I guess what we listen for first is good production and you'd be surprised at some of the material that comes in, muddy vocals, bad mixing and so on. After that it's about how the track will fit in with the rest of the music. So maybe it's not so tough after all.

John - Tell some of your favorites in Smooth Jazz these days?

Bob - Oh there are so many. I love what Brian Culbertson is doing on his new album, as well as Spyro Gyra, Tower Of Power, Steely Dan and The Rippington's. They all put 110% into their work and it shows. Of course they all are veterans, so to speak, in the format but there is an incredible number of new players around like Mindi Abair, Jimmy Sommers, and Euge Groove. I've also come across some great talent that isn't quite as well known but nonetheless deserving mention, Europa from San Antonio, Texas, N-Touch out of Portland, Oregon, Sunnie Paxson who lives and plays in Florida and Chuck Yamek from Nashville. It's such a thrill to open up a new CD, put it on and know that you've come across something special.

John - What Canadian Smooth Jazz artist are you really excited about?

Bob - Well, there really isn't one in particular and by that I mean there are a lot of really talented artists who's work not only fits the format but who have actually written and recorded music that is almost custom made for us. These people have been incredibly supportive of what we are doing and it's pure pleasure working with them. I don't want to omit anyone but if I may mention a few names here, Carol Welsman, Bet. E. & Stef from Montreal, Rik Emmett, Eddie Bullen, Les Sabler, Jake Langley, North Of Soul also from Montreal and of course Brian Hughes and Warren Hill. I'm sure I've left someone out, so I'll apologize in advance.

John - Have you had a listen to the newest station Cool FM in Winnipeg and what do you think?

Bob - Yeah, I did have a chance to listen when they first went on the air. It was, as I remember, an interesting approach and I hope they do well. With Walle Larson's talent and experience and the addition of Ross Porter it should. I know that the people I talked to at the Toronto Jazz Festival are very excited because with The Breeze, Cool FM and Wave 94.7fm there are now more opportunities for air-play. That's really what it's all about, isn't it?

John - How did you get into radio and tell us about your very first air- shift?

Bob - Oh boy John, that was a long time ago. I actually went on-air while I was in high school in Galt, Ontario (now Cambridge) as a contributor to a half hour program called "High Time." Through that I became acquainted with the Program Director, the late Jack Etherinton. I sort of knew that I wanted to be in radio all through high school so when I finished I stopped in one day and asked if there were any openings. Well, timing is everything. Someone had just quit on very short notice and Jack needed a replacement in a hurry. I did the audition, went next door for a coffee and when I left the restaurant met the station owner coming down the street and he offered me a job right there. I started on Labour Day (how co-incidental is that?)in 1966. I can't remember the details but I know I was really nervous (this time scared) probably because my Mom told all her friends to listen. The studio was pretty antiquainted, a couple of 16 inch turntables, ampex 440 tape machines and no soundproofing. The station was on the 2nd floor of building at the main downtown intersection and it was hot, no air conditionin, so the windows were open and that led to all kinds of distractions. City buses were leaving the terminal, police cars leaving the station, religious zealots proclaiming the end of the world, all part of daily life at CFTJ. What a great experience!

John - What is your biggest pet peeve that you hear in other broadcasters?

Bob - Talking down to their listeners, cutting off callers before they finish so they can cram another call in and rambling on about needless information from the liner notes. Skip it and just play the music.

John - Has the promotion of Gary James as assistant PD effected your job at all, do you two work together? Does he have input on music?

Bob - Gary's promotion has actually made my job and life a lot easier. We do work together and see each other a lot more frequently now that he starts his day a lot earlier. Gary has as mentioned before, input into the music and he also has a wealth of knowledge about the artists both past and present. He writes the "Wave Splash" for the web-site and contributes to the "Wave Fave" as well. I think we'll keep him.

John - Your wife Karen introduced you to Jazz. Does she give you input on the sound of the Wave?

Bob - Karen was, is and hopefully will always be my biggest champion. She was the one who encouraged me to accept the position here and continues to offer support of what I and the station are doing. We love going to concerts and festivals and are looking forward to seeing Spyro Gyra in August and Tower Of Power in October when they both play Oakville.

John - Do you see this Smooth Jazz thing growing in Canada?

Bob - For sure and it's kind of like that "support your local sheriff" thing. The more people support our stations and their clients, the more CDs they buy, the more concerts they attend and the quicker it will grow. It's a win-win situation. Good times ahead!

John - Tell us about the best perk you've had from being in radio?

Bob - I would have to say attending the 2001 "Smooth Jazz" awards in the historic Chicago Theatre. I had an "all access" pass so I just hung out backstage during the sound checks and chatted with anybody who came by. Brenda Russell, Joe Sample, Marion Meadows, Jimmy Sommers and so on. Then after the show which was nothing sort of spectacular we were invited to the post-show party and met the rest of performers, Jeff Kashiwa, Larry Carlton, Euge Groove and a whole bunch of record label people. It was a gas!

John - What was the first concert you ever went to?

Bob - I assume you mean "Smooth Jazz?" Well, aside from the awards show I was really honoured to sit in at the sound check for Fourplay when they were in Buffalo, NY, last year. These guys are so cool. Now if it's the very first concert I'm thinking a very young Gordon Lightfoot, well we were all younger then. He wasn't all that well known outside of the annual Mariposa Folk Festival. It was just before he went to England and I remember him telling me during an interview (I was still in High School and doing the radio show) that he was expecting big things to happen and sure enough when he came back a couple of years later he signed a deal with Warner/Reprise and his career really took off. This show was in the upper hall of the old Preston, Ontario arena and he was very upclose and personal. I haven't heard anything about him after he was hospitalized so I hope he is OK. He is an icon.

John - Who's the most underrated musician out there?

Bob - As a far as in Canada, Eddie Bullen. This guy is so talented. He writes, produces a ton of CDs for other artists, excels as a performer with his band NEWA and yet he'll play along side other guys like Alex Walker. They blew the lid off the Burlington Sound of music festival. Plus he is a really nice person. He has tremendous respect from everyone in the music business. He also understands what this format is all about and has been a contributor and supporter from the start. If you're not playing him you should be. From the other side of the border, I'd say Ken Navarro. He's an excellent guitarist and writer. And like Eddie he also produces for other talent. He's got a great stack of CDs but the big break seems to have passed by. I would wish him a number 1 single.

John - What was the first album you ever bought?

Bob - That would have been a Barbra Streisand album from the late 60's called "My Name Is Barbra." I still have it.

John - What was the most embarrassing moment on Radio?

Bob - Well, it was kind of delayed reaction thing but a number of years ago I was working in Kitchener,Waterloo at what is now a classic rock station. At the time though it was easy listening with a lot of block programming on weekends. Due to the large German population I was given the duty of hosting a program called "Weekend Concert" and while the music was mostly all German oriented my commentary was in English. The show was a big hit and both Karen and I were regular visitors to the various German-Canadian clubs in the city. As I became more comfortable with the music I started to introduce the odd word or phrase in German. Now I want you to know that I don't speak German and don't pretend to understand it but it seemed to be working and the listener's liked the idea that I was trying to make them feel at home. I used to read all the coming events at the various clubs and on one occasion I referred to an "ice stock sliding" competition, which is something like curling, but I tried to do it in German and the word for sliding if mispronounced every so slightly takes on a whole new and rather rude meaning. It wasn't until a few weeks later when we were at one of the clubs that a few good friends came up and very politely pointed out my gaff. They thought it was hilarious and I guess it was.

John - What was the best experience on the air?

Bob - Before I came to Wave 94.7, doing a live one hour interview with Johnny Mathis. Once here, talking to Emillio Castillo from Tower Of Power when they played in Buffalo a couple of years ago

John - What gives you peace?

Bob - Sunrises and Sunsets. Being at the water's edge and watching the seasons change. It's pretty simple stuff.

John - Where do you want to be in twenty years?

Bob - Wow, 2023 I'll be 76. I'm not sure, I guess it all depends on what state of health I'm in and that's not suggesting that I'm not healthy but one never knows. I know we would like to travel and explore some new horizons but one thing is for sure there will be music involved; now weather I'm presenting it or just listening to it remains to be seen.

John - Who has been you biggest mentor in life?

Bob - I have two actually. My late Aunt Lydia who was a career educator and who encouraged me to pursue my dream as a broadcaster and helped me a great deal with my decision to choose the right path. The other is Alex Reynolds who is the entertainment editor for CH Television in Hamilton. While I was still in high school I would visit Alex while he was working at CKPC-FM in Brantford. We would talk about music, show business and books. He was and still is an avid reader and he encouraged me to be one as well. Alex also was very influential and tremendously supportive of my choices and at one time actually worked together in Brantford. He also taught me that if I ever had the chance to help someone get into the business to do so and teach them likewise so that it becomes a self-generating act. I owe both of them a debt of gratitude.

John - What's your thought on Radio today?

Bob - Part of me is opposed to all the corporate games that are played with people's lives. I've had some very good friends fall victim to downsizing usually as the result of another acquisition. I guess I really should be upset with the CRTC for allowing these things to happen. There is a "sameness" to a lot of stations and the intended absence of "personality" really offends me. Radio is about communication and developing a relationship with the listener. The other part of me realizes that this state of the industry opens windows of opportunity for people like Doug and Mary Kirk to bring something so totally different to the airwaves that people are excited when they discover us because we are unique. I'm very lucky to be here.

John - Tell us about some of your hobbies? What do you like to do at home?

Bob - I've never been a serious hobbyist, but I do enjoy working outside in all seasons. As you know Karen and I live on what was my grandfather's farm. We enjoy the space around us and the freedom it allows us. As I mentioned I love to read, I've just finished Margaret Atwood's latest "Oryx and Crake." It's very dark and somewhat apocalyptic but a great book. We both curl in the winter and of course music plays a big part in our lives and we do have a wide range of tastes and once I lose another 10pounds I'll do some tasting of another variety. John, we love life and all it has to offer.

John - Bob, thanks so much for talking with us. It's been a pleasure and you have done a lot for this format!

Bob - John, the pleasure was and is all mine. I hope some day we can meet face to face. I'm sure we wouldn't run out of things to talk about. In the mean time you have a great summer and keep up the good work on smoothjazzcanada.com. Bye for now.