The new signs have gone up on 1075 Beach Radio in downtown Vernon
It’s the start of an exciting new era in Vernon radio.
Kiss FM — which got its start in 2001 as Vernon’s first FM radio station — is changing its name.
As of today, we are now Vernon’s New 1075 Beach Radio.
It’s only the third name in the station’s 70 year history.
Program director Russell James says the format will focus on music from the 80’s and 90’s.
“We had a lot of interest and love on the 80’s and 90’s music that we play occasionally here on Kiss, so we thought this is a great opportunity for us to kind of refresh things and serve the audience a great helping of amazing big songs from the 80’s and 90’s that really aren’t getting played in Vernon,” says James. “I mean you’ve got two stations playing Katy Perry, but nobody is really diving into the greatest era of music. We have a Beach Radio in Kelowna that does very well, so we thought, we kind of practiced there, let’s bring that fun brand and exciting energy to Vernon. I mean, who doesn’t have a good time at the beach?”
And what’s old is now new again, as Vernon’s New 1075 Beach Radio has gone back to CJIB as its official call letters.
That’s the original name of the station from when it first went to air in 1947.
Long time announcer Frank Martina says it’s all about being the city’s heritage radio station.
“We’re kind of coming back again. What’s old is new again they tell us, so here we go again, CJIB is back. I bounced it off management to be able to call it CJI Beach, but they voted it down,” laughs Martina. “But especially for a lot of the people who have lived here for many years, they will recognized CJIB.”
The popular features of Kiss FM are also part of Beach Radio such as Martina’s Classics show, on-air personalities like Jason and Jen, Mel, Shawn and Duane, along with news and information, and Vernon Vipers hockey.
