CFRQ-FM

CFRQ-FM is a Canadian radio station broadcasting at 104.3 FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is owned by Stingray Group and airs a classic/active rock radio format. CFRQ uses the on-air brand name "Q104" ("The Mighty Q" or "The Q" for short). CFRQ's audience is often referred to as the "Q-Nation". CFRQ's studios are located on Kempt Road in Halifax, while its transmitter is located on Washmill Lake Drive in Clayton Park.
Programming.
The station's current on-air lineup includes "BJ and The Q Morning Crew" featuring BJ Wilson, Bobby Mac and Allie McKinnon. Anna Zee, the four-time winner of the National Music Director of The Year (medium market) award, is heard in mid-days. Afternoon drive time features Tom Bedell (who is also host of "The Q 104 Early Dismissal", the "5 O'Clock Traffic Jam", and the award-winning local music program "Route 104"). Evenings are hosted by Adam Marriott on "The Rock of the Atlantic" which celebrates the Maritimes lifestyle. It broadcasts live to affiliate stations CJMO-FM Moncton, CHNI-FM Saint John and most recently CKEZ-FM New Glasgow. Neil Spence hosts weekends and the Sunday Flashbacks.
History.
CFRQ was launched on November 28, 1983, by President Arnie Patterson of Patterson Broadcasters (also operators of CFDR at the time), Senior Vice-President/National Sales Director Bill Patterson and Vice-President/Chief Engineer Jack Hutchison. The station's original slogan was "The Rock of the Atlantic." The first song played on "Q" was "Rock and Roll" by Led Zeppelin.
The station's original line-up consisted of the "Morning Zoo" with Brother Jake Edwards, Hal Harbour (Doug Barron), and "Billy-Bob" (Bill Phillips), mid-days with "The Legend" Bob Powers, afternoon drive with Andy K., six-o'clock rock report with "Rockin'" Ray Plourde, as well as the Midnight Metal Show and weekend afternoons with Jessica Taylor who also created and did the voice of Bambi Fawn from the morning shows sponsored "Between the Sheets". Other original on-air personalities included Jim Armstrong (formerly of CFQM-FM Moncton and later CJMO-FM), Brenda Oland ("Ms. Information"), Doug Caldwell, Andrew Gillis ("Les Ismore"), Sylvie Schmid ("Jane Fondle"), and Andrew Boyle (sports).
CFRQ's evening program "The Rock of The Atlantic" (taking its name from the station's original slogan), airing weeknights from 7pm to 12am, was launched in August 2016 and simulcasts on Q97.9 New Glasgow Nova Scotia, Q103 Moncton New Brunswick and Q88.9 Saint John New Brunswick.
CFRQ Morning Show BJ & The Q Morning Crew airs 5:30am to 10:00am AST and started simulcasting on Q97.9 New Glasgow Nova Scotia, Q103 Moncton New Brunswick and Q88.9 Saint John New Brunswick January 20, 2021.
CFRQ was a sponsor of the 2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in neighboring Dartmouth. CFRQ has also sponsored the 2011 Canada Winter Games, The 2015 Ford World Men's Curling Championship and other high-profile sporting events and teams including the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads and NBL's Halifax Hurricanes.
Community & Charity.
CFRQ's charitable fund, the Q104 Children's Trust Fund was established in 1993 and supports local children and their families who are in need of financial aid due to medical circumstances. Annual charitable initiatives include "The Q104 Hunger Strike" (2006-2018) assisting Feed Nova Scotia and the Q104 Thanksgiv'er, which was started in 2019. The Q104 Toy Drive also happens yearly and is in support of the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank.
Awards.
Canadian Music Awards "Station of the Year" medium market 2010. East Coast Music Award "Station of The Year" 2008 and 2009. 2003 New York Festivals-World Gold Medal Winner "Best Music Special" "Q104 Top Ten Weekend". Medium Market "Best on Air Team or Host Music Format" BJ & The Q Morning Show - 2020 Broadcast Dialogue "Canadian Radio Awards".