Happy Friday “Drivers” fam and welcome to this week’s show! It’s been a bit tough over the last week and a bit, personally, and I’m sure for any of you out there who knew my very good friend, Jim Reilly, that I consider my brother. Today’s show is dedicated to JIm and will be a reflection on the music that makes me think of my dear friend from over the years. Songs that come to mind when thinking of Jim during the magic times. Jim was talented, good looking, charming, funny and sometimes grumpy and all around amazing human and I don’t just say this through rose coloured glasses that sometimes emerge after losing someone you love. I can’t imagine how many people he touched in some positive way throughout his years as a radio presenter, club DJ, print editor, designer, painter and just a well regarded in Ottawa’s nightlife over the years. I met Jim in the late 80’s during my years at “Club Zinc”, where he held a residency for a bit, and also caught him on CKCU on Friday, funny enough, around this time slot. We became what I consider closer friends starting in the early 90’s and he has been a constant presence since the beginning of my dive into the DJ / proper night life scene. Though he sometimes came across as a bit of a grouch and would regularly shoot off at the mouth in someway of another it was always with love and a brilliant sarcasm that would always come across with a humorous and loving twist. Our good mutual friend, Jefferson Park, referred to him as a Unicorn in the sense that people who knew him would react with a certain type of awe if they were fortunate enough to cross his path *in the wild. I believe this kind of reaction is because he made everyone feel like they were his best friend and very special with how warmly he would greet them and the respect and love he would to convey to those anyone who crossed his path. It’s hard to describe how truly generous and caring he was. I can’t count how many people I’ve spoken with who recount him calling and later texting for Christmas, New Year well wishes to birthdays and all the mothers he would reach out to on Mother’s day. Truly remarkable! JIm was an amazing DJ with an ability to make any crowd move with his deep knowledge of so many genres from Punk and alternative to Funk, Reggae, Hip Hop, Drum & Bass with a special love and understanding of the greatest music from the 80’s. I kind of resent how many different types of music he was into simply because it makes today’s show extremely difficult with the impossible task of fitting all the types of music and amazing songs into a very short two hours. So all you “on demanders” can get the extras that will be exclusively available by streaming. That being said, I will do my best from a somewhat subjective perspective by referencing our chats about music coupled with some of the songs I witnessed him spin that I could tell he truly loved. Big love to Jim’s brother Joe, also a CKCU presenter, for having Jim and my mutual long time friends Serge, Ollie and Balu on his show, “The Wavelength”, to share some stories, thoughts and a few tunes in loving memory. If you knew Jim or not I would recommend checking out this and next week’s episodes of Joe’s show to get a glimpse into the man, the legend, Jim Reilly. The Wavelength 2026-03-30 Link: https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/161/74804.html We’ve lost a grumpy angel with a heart of gold, rest well my friend. I’ll be running through a variety of music that I remember Jim loving and that reminds me of him from throughout the years and will be letting the music speak without much interuption. More music less talk is the motto. Happy listening, thank you all for taking the time and hope you enjoy this week’s offering.