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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Hal Anderson moving to 'OB

By: Lindsey Wiebe

31/07/2009 11:11 AM | Comments: 42

After 14 years as a Power 97 rocker, radio host Hal Anderson will take over as morning talker for Larry Updike on sister station CJOB.


"It’s a really sad day, but it’s a great day," said Anderson, who gave a choked-up goodbye to fans of his "Wheeler and Hal" show on-air this morning. Anderson has co-hosted the show since 1995, joined in recent years by co-host Dave Wheeler, who will stay with the show.


Longtime CJOB morning show host Larry Updike will leave his position in September to work as a senior spokesman for Siloam Mission.


Anderson has spent 26 years in broadcasting, and worked as news director at both CHAB in Moosejaw and Winnipeg’s former oldies station, KY58. He also earned the title of CBC’s 34th-greatest Canadian -- finishing just ahead of Laura Secord and behind Gordon Lightfoot -- after a groundswell of fan support in the national contest.


His last day at Power 97 will be Friday, Sept. 4.


"News and information has always been a part of my career for the whole 26 years, and I think I bring that to the table too," he said. "It’s not just this off-the-wall rock guy that’s coming in to change things completely."

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42 Commentscomment icon

Why wasn't my comment posted? I'm very disappointed in the choice 'OB made in Hal Anderson. I'll have to switch stations again. Between the woman on their afternoon drive show and now Hal Anderson, 'OB has really gone down the tubes! Sayonara!

Hal is a bag of hot air. I'm definitely not going to listen to CJOB in the morning any more.

You history buffs really make me laugh. Tom and Larry were on the air in Winnipeg until April '94. Went to Vancouver and didn't make it. Came back at the end of the year.

MolsonMan - just to correct you......

Larry worked at Power 97 before CJOB. Get your facts straight.

Just to correct MolsonMan, Larry did work with Tom at 92 CITI-FM until 1993. Tom and Larry left in late '93 to do the morning show at ROCK 101.3 in Vancouver, but they only lasted until the summer. Larry returned to Winnipeg to 97.5 where he teamed with Scruff Conners (Tom went to CITI and recruited Joe from 97.5). When Scruff got blown out, Larry moved upstairs to CJOB where he worked afternoons until getting the morning show in about 1999.
Hal Anderson is no stranger to 'OB as the once hosted a Saturday show called "ShowBuzz". It was outstanding. He will take CJOB to new ratings levels as his personality appeals to all.
Congratulations Hal!

It will also be interesting to hear how Hal & Brian Barkley adjust to each other. Yes they work in the same building and probably see each other every day, but Larry & Brian have an undeniable on air chemistry when they are on the air.
I too, have stopped listening to Power 97, mainly as I don't care to hear the same songs played every day in a different order, and will be interested to hear how Hal adapts to having a toned down voice persona on CJOB.

i listen to nothing but CJOB and I think this is great!

Hal spent many years working in news prior to his time at Power - this switch will be effortless for him. I'm a former co-worker of Hal's and I have never met a more professional, upstanding person in just about any job I've had. This is a good move for him, and he deserves a chance to prove all the naysayers wrong. Congrats Hal, you're a true pro!

Thankfully this will finally put the snoozefest that is "Wheeler And Hal" out of its misery. I stopped listening not long after BJ Burke left because Wheeler and Hal have absolutely no on-air chemistry. I think they'll both be better off apart. Hal's got a decent radio voice and he should do well over on CJOB.

here's something a lot of people don't know. Larry Updike was discussing leaving cjob in 2004 to team back up with Tom at 92. it was pretty hush hush at the time. the national program director for cjob found out and they hammered out a new contract with Larry then and there that kept him with cjob until this year. so 92 almost stole him back to the rock and roll lifestyle. lots of stuff goes on behind the scenes in winnipeg's radio scene.

Boy, I never would have seen this! Congrats Hal. I guess you'll have to tone it down.....a little. I must admit that I never listened to 97 but did enjoy seeing and talking to you at the Saturday skin ballets that you mc'd over the years.

I admire your sense of humour and after thinking it over, I really believe that you're gonna be great.

Just to correct a few posts here, Larry Updike did not come from Power 97 before joining CJOB, or 97.5 KISS FM as it was called back then. He was the morning co-host on 92 CITI FM with Tom McGouran (Tom & Larry) before it became the Tom & Joe show like it is today.
At the time, however, 92 CITI FM was Winnipeg's new rock station. So Larry and Hal's situations are very similar.

Many probably forget that Larry was with Tom on 92 CITI prior to 97...
check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeB05S8gP_Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIXrQ_dSbXo

I heard a rumour - it's going to be the Wheeler and Gabe show!

No real loss there, I just got tired of him talking/bragging about the 34th greatest Canadian thing. Who really cares about that? Did he do anything to deserve it? Nope. Oh well, guess I'll keep listening to other stations after I see what the new d.j at 97 talks about.

To all those who say that Hal will not be able to adjust to the CJOB change and that he will carry his 97 persona to CJOB must not remember Larry before he got moved upstairs.
Yes Mr. Updike was a class act at CJOB and I enjoyed listening to him and will miss his morning shows, but before the move he was very different and some times pulled juvenile pranks on his previous morning show. I was very shocked back then to hear that some one who conducted themselves in the manner that he did on 97 would fit into CJOB. But he did.
He had the ability to adjust and make his show suitable to CJOB listeners and I believe that Mr. Anderson will also make that change.
There are differences between the listening audiences of CJOB and 97, if you had CJOB announcers (talking the way they do) on 97 they would not keep their listeners and the same visa versa.
I believe that Hal is a professional and will make the change to the CJOB format and people will respect him as much as they do Larry.

Is most everyone forgetting that Larry came from Power many, many years ago and was a Rock Jock as well.

Everyyone said the same thing then and Larry has proven to be a great addition to OB.

These are characters they play.

Hal will make a great addition to OB!

I have not listened to Power in 20 years but am looking forward to Hal coming on board.

Ben, you don't know what you're talking about. When Updike got to OB he knew it was time to settle down with the rock lifestyle and play the game. Guess you weren't around back then.

I was hesitant when Larry moved over to CJOB - I thought "how is this gonna work?!" but I am happy to say it turned INTO a CJOB listener. I expect Hal will continue to keep me there. They all plays "roles" on the radio acting to the tune of their audience. Hal will know his audience on 'OB is more mature and will not take chauvanistic remarks lying down. Good luck to him! I for one am looking forward to seeing how he does! I was hoping they would not put the drive home chick in the morning spot - she drives me crazy. Welcome to 'OB mornings Hal!

D hue...should be d uh.

Pretty much everyone knows that. What you don't seem to know is that change in personnel on a radio station is often made in multiples. Corus is too cheap to pay anyone else though, so awe;ll all be stuck with that cornball Barkley for a long time to come.

The one thing that has distinguished CJOB has been the class act radio personalities, and it has led me to greatly enjoy Mr. Updike over the years. There is unfortunately no way I will be able to continue to listen to the morning show now......

Congrats Hal, back to your roots. Mid-life crisis over (strippers and bar gigs), you're a real radio guy again! Atta boy! Might even listen to OB one morning. So what's going to happen with Dave? Wheeler and Gal? Seems to be the trend.

I'm glad that Power97 got a little less conservative, and CJOB got a lot more conservative in this swap.

mattsback
You just don't get it do you.
Rock radio is the next best thing to acting.
You are probably just a serious boreing stick in the mud.
Lighten up and give the Guy a chance before you criticize.

Hal is a great guy and I wish him the best at 'OB, but may I be the first to suggest...

The Walby & Wheeler Show!

It is a big chair to fill; what's Chris doing these days?!

Uh, you do realize that Power 97 and CJOB are sister stations, and that the radio personalities have crossed over before and work together everyday. Nothing is going to change because of this. And he has great chemistry with Brian. I just hope the guy taking his place will wake me up in the morning. Hal's big stupid laugh made a great alarm.

I am P'd at this announcement! Not happy at all!

I actually think this is a great move by CJOB. I was a big fan of Hal and listened to Power 97 until Wheeler finally drove me away. At that time I switched to CJOB. I don't think there will be any issue between Hal and Brian... Brian talks to Hal every morning on Power 97 (or at least used to). This move has cemented me as a CJOB listener until Wheeler starts doing traffic.

That will be a BIG chair to fill at 97 and OB will have to purchase another BIG chair !

This is totally in line with CJOB's broadcasting mission. I can just see it now. Hal will start every show with the "I love Conservatives" song.

To all you naysayers...Hal Anderson is a seasoned and intelligent radio personality that will bring nothing short of excellence to the CJOB morning show. For those of you criticizing his comments and/or behaviour on the Big Rock Station, get over yourselves and consider the audience he was playing to and take it with a grain of salt. Hal is a warm and compassionate human being who will be welcomed with open arms by the listening public, if they have any common sense, that is. Starting in September, CJOB will be the morning show I will listen to after 14 years of POWER in the mornings. Go get 'em Hal, you old softie!!
Ross,
the pizza guy from the past.

Congratulations to Hal for making this brave move and to CJOB for making such a great choice!! I think it was an excellent decision and I know that there was some concern when Larry announced his new venture. Thankfully there was no attempt to fill that spot with some other "newsreporter" because that isn't what made the show popular. Larry was the voice Winnipeg woke up to for a long time and for many the voice of reason. It was his being a kind, thoughtful, "regular guy" that made him so loved and trusted. I think Hal has those same qualities.

Hal Anderson plays an on-air character. If it's chauvinistic, it's part of the rock DJ game. No one thought Carroll O'Connor was like Archie Bunker in real life.

Hal's a news guy first and foremost. Maybe it's time for a "new Brian". I can't imagine there'll be any chemistry between those two.

By the way....people said the same thing about Larry when he moved from Power to OB. It's just that Larry didn't go directly to mornings when he moved upstairs. You people have short memories.

@brian1279- you will be in for apleasant surprise. he is a educated man with well thought opinions and charisma. can't wait to see you proven wrong!
way to go hal!

I strongly agree with Brian1279, what are they thinking, I feel sorry for Brian and the rest of the crew

Not only has the IQ gone down but the integrity of CJOB has also gone down. Mr. Anderson is a male chauvinist. I have heard him make too many chauvinistic and degrading remarks about women on Power 97. I have been a loyal morning listener of OB but will now be listening to CBC which maintains its integrity.

Hal is a fantastic person and I have had the privlege of working with him. I think it will be a major loss for Power, Wheeler and Hal had a good thing going and it's going to hurt their ratings. OB will be fine.

Wow the IQ of the OB staff has now dropped lower than Stefan Lefors completion percentage. What is OB thinking?

Gonna miss his laugh!

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:(

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It's great to hear that Hal can still move. LOL

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I've never met Hal Anderson, but anyone I know who has met him has nothing but good things to say about him. May he enjoy a successful run!

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