Back 40

Ron has a new podcast: Visit "Sounds Atlantic' - see link below...

Visit the "Back 40" Website

The "Back 40 Collective" has been revived, with new program hosts Pat Moore (Host, Saturday Morning) and  Al Surmachynski (Host, Saturday Morning and host of the Tusday evening "Alan Surmachynski" show. Pat and Al will host monthly shows, beginning in February, 2022.

"Back 40" is a program of traditional country, western and bluegrass music broadcast every Saturday at noon on CKCU 93.1 FM in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. In can also be heard on the Internet, in Real Audio, at www.ckcufm.com. Currently, it is the only program in Ottawa of its kind, and the only one that regularly features interviews with Bluegrass artists from across North America (see below).

One of over 100 programs broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the "Back 40" is celebrating 28 years this year. This April, Ron will be celebrating his 25th. year as the "Back 40" host. In November 2018, CKCU 93.1 FM Radio Carleton will celebrate "43 years in your ears" as the oldest campus-based community radio station in Canada, and a leader in community broadcasting.

"Back 40" began broadcasting in March, 1990 and was hosted by the "Back 40 Collective" of founder, the late Bill Grant, along with Doug Torrance and Dave deJongh. Joined in April 1993 by Ron Moores, the show eventually fell to Ron's care, when Doug and Dave headed for points west. Since taking over in late 1993, Ron has retained the original format of old-tyme, country, western and bluegrass music and added such new features as:

NEW SOUNDS ATLANTIC PODCAST

Search for our new podcast series, Sounds Atlantic, on any of your favourite Podcast sources.

Regular Features

There are regular features you can count on, such as:

• The Easter and Christmas Gospel Shows
• For lovers on Valentine's Day
• Christmas in the Valley
• Year in Review and Preview at year's end
• Bluegrass Unlimited/Bluegrass Now: "Top 15 Bluegrass Albums" (quarterly)
• New Releases and Discoveries, from local, regional, national and international artists.
• Special Profiles and Features

Ron brings diverse programming and insight into what lay behind the scenes of country music and its artists. The Back 40 profiles artists who play the rich diversity of country music - from yesterday's "hillbilly" to today's "alternative" - music you won't find on commercial radio. You'll follow their careers and listen to the songs that made them famous. From the rollicking old-timey string band sounds of Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers during the 1920's and 30's, to the brash contemporary "alternative" country of Fred Eaglesmith - you'll hear a new artist or feature every week on the Back 40. And you can go back in time in Ron's time capsule to hear western swing music, honky-tonk, and bluegrass classics. And there's much more, as you'll see below. Tired of the monotony of today's commercial country music? Head for the Back 40 Saturday's at noon for a slice of 80 years of classic country music!

Interviews

Ron attends many summer music festivals and events in the CKCU listening area and further afield such as the Central Canada Blue Grass Awards in Huntsville, Ontario, and the International Blue Grass Music Awards in Louisville, Kentucky. He interviews established bands as well as up-and-coming new groups, both local and international. Artists also call in from across North America. These interviews are featured throughout the year, providing interesting insights into the people and inspirations behind the music.

Special Promotional Broadcasts

Every year, Ron previews a number of music festivals and special events throughout the Ottawa Valley. These include:

• Palmer Rapids Twin Festivals (with promoter Al Schuut)
• Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame
• International Bluegrass Music Awards (IBMA) broadcast from Louisville Kentucky's Centre for the Performing Arts
• Central Canada Bluegrass Awards from the Deerhurst Lodge in Huntsville, Ontario.

Guest Hosts

Ron needs the summer weekends to attend festivals and interview the performers. While he is away, many talented guest hosts fill in and bring listeners their unique flavour to the Back 40. These include CKCU FM Saturday morning hosts Ray Harris, Dick Alta Vista, Renny Godier , Tonya Price and Dale  Pinkerton.

There is always someone or something new each week on the Back 40; tune in, we'll be waitin' for you! And don't forget to check out the "Coming Shows" section of this site.

Ron Moores

Hall of Honour, Central Canada Bluegrass Awards 2010: DJ of the Year,
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Winner, The David Tinkoff Award 2011

Link to Ron's website:www.ronmoores.com

Link to "Sounds Atlantic":

Hear Ron's Back 40 Radio show Saturdays at noon on CKCU 93.1 FM