VIDEO: Beloved 106.9 FM The Wolf DJ retires after nearly four decades in radio

Jones’ retirement brought to an end 31 years as a Nanaimo morning show host under several different ownership teams and numerous formats.

Overall, he spent 39 years entertaining listeners as a radio on-air personality.

He originally moved to Vancouver Island from Calgary for a change of scenery.

Jones said he was “in a rut” in Calgary, hoping to avoid a pattern of partying too much with friends.

His entry into the business as an overnight announcer for what was then known as AM 1440 CFCP in Courtenay was comical.

With no training or radio experience, he showed up at the station in response to a job posting and was asked to hand over a demo tape, which he didn’t have.

A station manager gave him an old newscast to read in a production studio.

“I didn’t have a clue how to operate the buttons, zero,” Jones chuckled “I had to pull somebody in from the hall to get the mic recording going. So I read it, he came back, listened to it and said ‘Yeah, I think we’ll hire you.'”

Jones made other stops at radio stations in Campbell River, the Fraser Valley and back home in Calgary before arriving in Nanaimo in 1989.

He’s been in the harbour city ever since, unleashing his quick wit, edgy humour and wide array of voice impersonations.

A 1995 staff bio of Ron Jones when he served as morning host for CKEG AM 1570 in Nanaimo. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Jones recounted his most memorable moments in radio, including significant promotional giveaways and hosting a three day long show in a mall parking lot in the early 90’s to kick off a format flip.

He inadvertently spewed foul language over the air in frustration with a broken on-off switch. Jones warned the receptionist angry phone calls were coming.

“The station owner was listening and about to head out for sales calls, he heard me and came straight back in,” Jones said.

The radio veteran received a flurry of messages from appreciative listeners, some he’s connected with for decades.

“I’m a fairly emotional guy, it hits right in the heart when somebody says they appreciate the fact you spent some time in their morning throughout their life. It’s really cool.”

The most emotional moment came earlier in the week, when he shared the air with his long-time co-host Dan Marshall for the last time on Tuesday, July 21.

106.9 The Wolf co-host and voice of the Clippers Dan Marshall breaking Ron Jones’ heart with a touching poem. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

As for future plans, the avid camper and fisherman plans to continue enjoying the outdoors, potentially settling down elsewhere on Vancouver Island with his partner and maybe doing some freelance work.

He looks forward to not having to wake up at 4 a.m. every weekday.

Station program director Kent Wilson said Jones’ presence will be missed both amongst staff and in the community.

“What I think I’ll remember most is he’s an overall legend,” Wilson said of the popular morning show host.

Jones’ former co-host Pat Siedlecki said being on-air with him on The Wolf from 2003 to 2007 were some of his favourite times in a 23 year radio career.

“He’s smart and so engaging, he’ll certainly be missed,” Siedlecki said.

Jones will be replaced by 106.9 FM The Wolf afternoon announcer Graeme Tait, who will work alongside co-host Dan Marshall.

— with files from Alex Rawnsley

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes

by Ian Holmes

VIDEO: Beloved 106.9 FM The Wolf DJ retires after nearly four decades in radio

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