On Friday, November 1, at 8:00 PM, the Westboro Masonic Hall came alive to celebrate CKCU’s own Anne-Marie Brugger, the 2024 recipient of the Spirit of Tony Turner Award. This annual event, featuring an impressive lineup of local talent, paid tribute to Anne-Marie’s significant contributions to the Ottawa music scene.

As a radio broadcaster, arts reporter, and dedicated community volunteer, Anne-Marie has tirelessly worked to promote local musicians and connect them with audiences. Her journey began nearly 25 years ago at CHUO, where she focused on promoting Canadian new releases and highlighting local artists. Over the years, she has hosted various programs, including the long-running Canadian Spaces on CKCU FM, where she showcases a diverse array of Canadian talent. Notably, she also produced and hosted Hop The Fence, a music interview show that provided emerging artists with a platform to discuss their work and connect with listeners. This program played a crucial role in helping many musicians gain confidence and experience in media.

Anne-Marie has also organized impactful events like the FemmeVox concert series, which celebrates female singer-songwriters and promotes gender equity in the arts.

The Spirit of Tony Turner Award, affectionately known as the SofTTie, recognizes individuals who work behind the scenes to support musicians and improve the broader community. Anne-Marie’s commitment to this mission makes her a truly deserving honoree.

– Marissa Guido

PART ONE: MONDAY’S ENCOUNTER AND ASIAN SOUNDS

As we near the golden 50th anniversary of CKCU FM next year, we want to celebrate familial ties at the station, highlighting the bond between families and community. Over the past month, I had the pleasure and privilege of speaking with four families contributing to CKCU. Boba and Mihajlo from Monday’s Encounter, the Asian Sounds quartet, as well as the Hunter and Walker families. Each of the families offer a unique approach in their broadcasting to CKCU’s audiences, be it through cultural and communal awareness, or by shining light on artists and creative minds that make up Ottawa’s music melting pot and other less mainstream scenes. 

With a lot of ground to cover, this article will be presented in two parts, the first focusing on the shows that are centered around distinct cultural communities. Monday’s Encounter and Asian Sounds dive into the Serbian and the Indian subcontinent communities. The second part of the article, that will follow shortly, will cover the music-driven shows of the Hunter and Walker families.  

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Baljit Nagpal started with radio back in the 80s, where he assisted the host of CKCU’s Indian Morning. After receiving feedback from listeners who requested to play more modern Bollywood songs, he transitioned to his own show. Baljit said that during the 60s-70s when many Indian immigrants arrived to Canada, Bollywood films and its soundtracks were still in their minds. This is how Aap Ki Farmaish was born, which Baljit says means “your choice.” The show has been on CKCU’s airwaves for nearly 42 years.

However, the weekly Tuesday show is also known to connect multiple cultures throughout Ottawa through its selection of world music and guests that Baljit and his team of hosts bring in. The show’s main

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In an era where independent media is increasingly threatened, CKCU is a beacon of authentic, unfiltered community voices. The challenges facing independent media today are extensive and complex. As large media empires continue to grow, smaller stations and networks struggle to survive.

The effect? The voices that have long delivered diverse perspectives, alternative viewpoints, and local stories are gradually disappearing from the airwaves, leaving a gaping hole in the stories of everyday people.

Despite these challenges, radio remains a vital content provider in Canada, with around 70% of Canadians tuning in to one of the over 900 radio stations every week. Radio is especially popular and convenient when travelling, providing a reliable source of talk, music, news, and sports content.

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