SILK FM TURNS 20 Kelowna’s long-standing Adult Contemporary radio station continues on with great programming and terrific people Silk Release Silk FM signed-on June 21, 1985 - 6 months to the day after CRTC approval, and 10 years after Nick Frost first began his quest for the station. The market was skeptical at first, with Kelowna media joking, “There aren’t enough elevators in town for a station like this”, and “The only station playing artists who’re all dead”. But the heckling didn’t last too long.
From the start, Silk had great financial and community support from local shareholders and listeners - tying for #1 in its first ratings… and over its 20 years, earning the highest average 18+ ratings in town. From "Beautiful Music for a Beautiful City", to “Easy-Listening”, then “Soft Rock”, and “80’s, 90’s & Now”, the station has retained its smoother, adult sound throughout. Silk FM now remains the only locally-owned media firm in town - and having its best year yet. Silk serves the Central Okanagan from Peachland to Winfield with a population of 175,000, as well as providing FM transmitters at Big White Ski Village and Sorrento in the Shuswap.
In 1995, the company started Silk Internet, which went on to become Kelowna’s largest dial-up Internet provider. After the sale of this firm in 2000, Silk FM moved its expertise and people to create Castanet.net, which has since become Kelowna’s largest local portal, with News, Classifieds, Events, and 60,000 visits daily.
Silk FM formed the Rainbow of Opportunities Fund in 1990, now with more than $350,000 cash in donations - for families who can’t afford recreation. The company continues to strive for the highest standards, gaining recognition like the 1998 CAB Community Service Gold Ribbon, 1998 BCAB Creative, 1999 RTNDA Honourable Mention, and 2003 BCAB Community Service. During the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Fire, Silk FM and Castanet.net staff provided exemplary and sensitive coverage that went way beyond the call of duty.
Silk FM has survived, grown, & prospered - because of its staff. People like Rudy Herman in Technical, Mike Carroll in Sales, Val Palmer in Traffic, Kelly Hayes as News Editor, Nicole Hutchinson in Castanet Sales, ‘TJ’ as Morning Host, Heather Adams in Middays, Claire Telford in Sales, Desiree Daniels in Sales Support, Cam Gordon in Sales, ‘MJ’ as Music Director, Albert Berkshire in Creative, Jenn Rutherfurd-Drasdo in Promotion, Vicky Hunter in Castanet Support, Andrew Laird in Sales, Dorothy McInnis in Creative, Jim Avery, Weekends, Wayne Moore in News, Kristine King for Bingo Kelowna, Karen Moore for Remotes, Tammy Johnston in Production, Ryan Andrews in Creative, Don Huculak in Sales, Andrew Murdoch as Creative Director, Chris Kearney as Castanet Sales Manager, Andy James as Program Director, Bruce Irving as Sales Manager, David Fowler as Castanet Manager, Jackie Thurston in Accounting, & Rick Dyer, General Manager.
For your support all these years… and for listening… thanks! |