Classical music radio host Bob Burgan enters 7th year of broadcasting
I am pleased to say that today August 26th host Bob Burgan will enter his seventh year of hosting a classical music radio program on CHLY 101.7FM.
Photo: Bob Burgan in the on-air studio at CHLY 101.7FM. By Jesse Woodward
Burgan, a senior of 83 years, and a lounge pianist of 35+ years, first started as a volunteer host in 2019 with a one hour program called Mozart at One. Over the years, the show grew to two hours and saw a name change to Amadeus and Friends. This year, the program shifted to a three hour format under the name Midday Mozart, which now airs Tuesdays from noon to 3PM. It is our station’s flagship classical music program, among many other music programs that feature genres not typically heard on other local stations like jazz, blues, electronic, metal, punk, and independent rock, pop, and hip-hop.
We’re very eclectic, and Burgan’s has great taste in classical music. He’s also undoubtedly an interesting character.
One particularly standout memory is from his earlier days at the station. One summer much to the surprise of management, Burgan showed up for his volunteers shift on a sports motorcycle. He is not a large man, so it was a real surprise when a mysterious motorcyclist rolled up wearing Crocs and shorts, parked and took off their helmet, only to reveal themselves to be Burgan. After this, he may have been encouraged by his family to switch to an pedal assist eBike, which thereafter Burgan would regularly ride to and from the station for his volunteer shift.
“Hosting this show is probably the best thing I’ve done since coming to Canada during the Vietnam War. ”
When I asked him about his experience hosting the show, Burgan had this to say:
“Hosting this show is probably the best thing I’ve done since coming to Canada during the Vietnam War”. I learned years ago that Burgan fled the United States to Canada from Colorado in his parent’s car. This came after, as he puts it, he “received a letter from the President”. He remarked to me “It was either to Canada, go to Vietnam, or go to jail, I chose Canada”.
In Canada, Burgan would raise a family, and would work as a lounge pianist for years in southern Alberta at the historic Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Park.
After seven years, Burgan has become a fixture at the station that staff and volunteers love to have around. The station is a multi-generational community, with student members from Vancouver Island University, as well as community members from the broader community hosting and producing the majority of on-air programming.
Bob Burgan can be heard on Midday Mozart every Tuesday from noon to 3 PM on CHLY 101.7FM on the Salish Sea, or www.chly.ca/listen.
If listeners wish to show their appreciation, they can send us a postcard, or send a message through Midday Mozart’s contact form.