Brandon’s community radio station is providing a voice for sub-cultures across the region and lending a helping hand to the local bands from the Westman area.

“CJ 106 is a welcome change to mainstream radio,” said station manager Jill Ferguson. “We play local music that you won’t hear on commercial stations, providing our up-and-coming artists in Brandon with a venue to have their music heard.”

Ferguson doesn’t only keep things in order at the radio station; she is also the Radio instructor in the Interactive Media Arts program at Assiniboine Community College. CJ 106 is run from within ACC by Ferguson and her students.
CJ106 is a mix of alternative and local music and colourful spoken word content. The station currently plays Voces De Nuestro Mundo, a Spanish language program that examines and explores issues facing the Latin community. Latin Waves is another program featuring the same issues, but in English.

“We have also produced a sixteen-part series called The Westman Immigrant Experience, which investigates the challenges and celebrates the successes of some new arrivals to the Brandon area,” said Ferguson.

Locally produced content is a necessity at the ACC campus radio station and helps CJ 106 connect with the city and surrounding areas.
Not only does CJ 106 offer informative sub-cultural spoken word content and a home to Brandon-born artists, during the school year students host shows throughout the work week. Ferguson also offers the opportunity to one student every summer to get their hands dirty in the station. Ferguson hires a student to work at the station programming music and spoken-word content and having their own on-air morning show.

“Randy Lilley will be hosting a show for the months of July and August,” Ferguson said.
“You can catch him from 8 am ‘til noon, Monday through Friday starting July 3rd.”
“Ultimately, CJ 106 is a testament to the diversity of the Westman region through the variety of its music, volunteer shows and spoken word programming.”

Ferguson is always interested in receiving proposals for new shows. Prospective hosts can contact her by email at Fergusoj@assiniboine.net.