Alberta country music star Corb Lund rallies support for struggling CKUA Radio

An Alberta country music star is lending his voice in support of Canada’s first public radio station.

Corb Lund is urging Albertans to donate to CKUA Radio, which says it’s in dire straits financially and at risk of going off the air.

BACKGROUND: At risk of folding, Alberta CKUA Radio trying to raise $3M by September

“You should all support CKUA’s fundraiser right now. They could use your help,” Lund said in a social media video from the United States while on his album release tour.

CKUA Radio launched a fundraiser last week looking to raise $3 million by September. The public radio station says Albertans and others have already donated $1.3 million, with donations coming from places as far as Singapore.

Lund credits CKUA Radio for helping him become a household name.

“CKUA has been a huge part of my career and they’ve helped me build and they’ve supported me from the very beginning and they still support me,” he said. “And they still support many, many young Alberta artists that are up and coming, and they’re a really important institution in Alberta’s arts and entertainment and music scene.

“So please support them. We need them.”

The Edmonton-based station, which has been on the air since 1927, blames inflation, limited government funding and the post-pandemic vacancy and devaluation of the Alberta Hotel, which it owns, for its financial struggles.

CEO Marc Carnes says the station’s difficulties are not because of a lack of success, pointing to an increase in listeners over the last five years, and steady advertising and fundraising revenues.

“We’ve been a donor-supported independent station since 1997 and this is the first time we’ve run into real economic challenges,” Carnes told CityNews. “Our listeners have always been there for us and we try to do that in turn.”

Amy van Keeken, an announcer and producer at the station, says CKUA Radio is unique because of the connections formed with the listeners.

“The relationship between host, listeners, donors and the broader community is just like connected and essential and unlike anything else,” van Keeken said.

Described as a pioneer for modern radio, CKUA Radio set the blueprints for radio today. The station even claims it was the first radio station to stream online in 1996.

On top of its different shows, CKUA is also home to the largest vinyl collection in Canada, which would also be lost with the station.

Many at a fundraiser event over the weekend said they are grateful to keep going and would love to see the station make it to 100 years in 2027 – and beyond that.

“We want it to keep going for another 100 years,” van Keeken said.