Halifax community radio celebrates 40 years on the air

Nazareth Yemane is the host and programmer of Voice of Eritrea on CKDU, serving members of the Eritrean diaspora. (Source: Kheaven Brasier)

A sound drifted through the Dalhousie University campus in the 1970s, one that would get fainter as students walked away from the storied classrooms and dorms that dot the Halifax property. The sound would contain songs, opinions and discussions. The sound was unlike most things offered on mainstream stations.

It was the sound of college community radio. In due time it would come to be known as CKDU, a name that would stretch beyond the confines of the Dalhousie campus.

“Our mandate is to be a voice for the people,” said Megan McCracken, operations director for CKDU.

The station, which began as a radio club in 1964 before evolving into a larger broadcaster in the 1980s, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend, celebrating the music and voices that have filtered through the airwaves over the decades.

“It’s a space to represent the people around us,” McCracken said. “This is for everyone. Anyone can have a radio show.”

Following a student vote in 1983, CKDU converted to FM and officially started broadcasting outside of Dalhousie on Feb. 1, 1985 through the 97.5 frequency. It upgraded its broadcast power to 3,200 watts and changed its frequency to 88.1 FM in 2006.

“Our signal is 80 kilometres,” McCracken said. “You should be able to hear us out in Lunenburg.”

Christiana Armstrong is one of CKDU’s many loyal listeners. Growing up in the Annapolis Valley, her radio options were limited, so when she moved to Halifax she was excited to discover a station that catered to her tastes.

“It was great to find a station that played more underground music and so many genres,” Armstrong said. “I turn on CKDU to see what they’re playing. I’ve discovered so many good artists that way.”

Armstrong is a member of the band norc, a Halifax-based group founded in 2017 that’s been featured on CKDU several times.

“They support so many bands,” Armstrong said. “It’s really challenging to break into the Top 40 without being signed. They’ve brought us in for interviews.

“You don’t have to fit into a box with CKDU. If they like you, they’ll support you.”

In the age of music streaming, McCracken thinks college radio stations like CKDU can offer a personal touch.

“Radio used to be the primary way to listen to music,” McCracken said. “It has a certain charm to it that a Spotify playlist doesn’t have. Every hour is a different show here, so every hour is a different person introducing you to their tastes. It’s added more charm and intimacy to the radio.”

Many of the hosts have been with CKDU for decades. Bev Lamb has hosted “Touchstone,” which features traditional and contemporary folk music, since 1985.

“Congrats to CKDU staff and volunteers,” Lamb said in an email. “It’s a success just surviving for 40 years. Thanks for your energies.”

The station will mark 40 years on the air with a celebration at Propeller Arcade on Gottingen Street at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The show will feature performances from RS Smooth, Sleepy Kicks and norc.

“We were really stoked to play,” Armstrong said. “The show will be a mix of different genres, which is something people expect from CKDU.”

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