For close to two years now, John Grant has been keeping the beat on the pulse of Lethbridge.
Host of CKXU’s Community Chest, Grant provides a place for local artists and venues to promote upcoming shows and talk about their work.
A culmination of several community interest programs that have been aired on CKXU over the years, Community Chest became the first one to find a permanent place on the lineup.
Started by DJs Richard Belchamber and Amberlea Parker, it has become a weekly source for anyone looking
for information on local artists and performers.
Grant takes two hours every Saturday to interview local artists and performers with upcoming shows and events, plus he also gives venues a chance to promote upcoming shows.
The interviews are spaced between musical breaks where Grant provides the artists interviewed with a chance to get their music on air.
Although his influence is heavy on the programming, Grany does not view it as something that begins or ends with him.
“A lot of people have come to see it as my show, but it never really was mine to begin with,” he said. “But I’m proud of the fact that I’ve been able to grow it into something that has a large following.”
Aaron Trozzo, general manager at CKXU, says Community Chest is an important part of CKXU’s brand.
“It really adds to the quality and colour of the station here at CKXU,” he said. “It’s about being able to benefit listeners by bringing them new ideas.”
Riley Miller, a member of CKXU’s board, added the show allows for the station to provide a deeper look into the community.
“It falls right within our mandate as far as community campus radio,” Miller said. “We love to reach out into Lethbridge and show off the various Heinz 57 kind of personalities we have in town.”
As for what the future holds for Community Chest, Grant said he’s looking to provide even more people with the opportunity to grow the show.
“I know at this point in time, I’m even in the search for a new co-host,” he said.
Community Chest airs every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on CKXU 88.3.
John Grant sorts through CKXU’s collection of music from local artists for his radio show, Community Chest.
John Grant takes a quick break before his next interview on CKXU’s Community Chest on Jan. 23.
