When Russell James took over as program director for 93.7 JR Country, he had what can best be described as an awakening.
“I grew up thinking I didn't like country music because my parents loved it,” he says.
“But now it’s the most exciting for me because I like good songs. I'm a songwriter guy, and there's great songwriting happening. But I also love the passion the audience has for the music. It's unlike any other format."
James’ countryified awakening illustrates radio’s persistent relevance in the streaming era. It offers curation — by humans! — that can, and often will, inspire new perspectives on music. Radio is first and foremost a discovery platform for new music, as it always has been.
Unlock this story and help fund hyper-local, neighbourhood news in Vancouver
We're building real journalism in Vancouver, not clickbait, AI generated stories. Becoming a member helps our team fan out across the city, and deliver you critically important local news,
Sae 20% off a membershipA subscription to Vancity Lookout gets you:
- Risk free: Cancel anytime and get a 100% refund
- Unlock extra long-form stories and restaurant reviews
- Access entire archive of stories
- Support high-quality, local journalism in Vancouver
- Early access to Lookout events
