The Spirit 97.1 FM History
By Terry Robert Fleming (page one)

The history of Spirit 97.1 FM started way before the actual application was drawn up, it started way back in 1990-1991. Terry for the second time went back to Lethbridge where he was for many years and started there as Program Director of 1090 CHEC, owned by the Brown family which at the time was being run by the well known lawyer in Lethbridge Patterson until the youngest of the family (Peter Brown) was age 21. AT the time Bill Brown was elected CEO and in there despite Patterson still running things, and Brent Seely) long retired, was the former station manager of CKTA Taber, now promoted to be General Manager of 1090 CHEC and 1570 CKTA. I wanted to get back into a station as Program Director, and was an assistant PD three times and a full PD twice. I was a well known morning man in Edmonton at the Gold station CKST soon to become (CKMG) Magic Gold and move from St. Albert to downtown Edmonton. I was responsible for that station 100% becoming a full gold station in the early years.

I heard about the position opening up at 1090 CHEC in Lethbridge and lost my position with CKST and was looking. I saw the ad in a trade magazine for the position and boldly went where no DJ's would go or even try. I phoned the number and boldly told the G.M. Brent Seely I was his man he didn't have to look any further. I did that with a few jobs. He said something like "Oh I see you sound pretty confident I like that". I was then flown up to Lethbridge at their expense, given lodging at the best place at the time (The Lethbridge Lodge), and then treated to great meals as well. The readers digest of this story is, I got the position and started early in1981 as the new PD of 1090 CHEC.

After being there for many years as PD, the new owners (the whole Brown family) finally took over after Peter became of age. Roger came from Vancouver as controller of the station, Leah brown became Manager of Taber, and Michael (a female) became receptionist, Bill was still President of the stations until his own family kicked him out after a big fight in the boardroom one day. After many years they fired my ass out the door, and for no good reason, and to this day I believe I was horn swoggled, setup, just because one or two of them didn't like me now that they took over. Personality I think two of the family was the main problem, and they plain didn't like me. I sued them for wrongful dismissal which set back my career because they I believe strongly blackballed me no matter who called they made sure I didn't have work for quite awhile, but I got a job as main freelance announcer for CFCN Television, did on camera commercials and voicers almost every day in those times. One time (after I left 1090 CHECK one of my loyal DJ's told me he heard the Brown family after a board meeting said in the hall ways of 1090 CHEC, "well one thing about Terry I will admit one said, he brought the best talent and promotions and on-air sound to 1090 CHEC in 15 years" and apparently they all agreed on that, and although I was proud of hearing this I still went through the lawsuit as it was wrongful dismissal no matter which way you slice it and I was in the right. Well, I won the case against 1090 CHEC and was awarded a good chunk of change for those days, but not too many wanted me when CHEC told them I sued them, I lost PD job after PD job including one in London Ontario for big bucks (at the time the station was called CJOE station of the stars), they practically had me on a plane until they called CHEC which I asked them not to do because of a wrong dismissal charge which was 150% legitimate of course. I thought honesty was the best policy (I was wrong) turned out that it wasn't good for me at all. I am guesstimating as it is a long time ago now that I lost about eight jobs no I mean really good ones because of doing what I thought was the right thing, and to this day I am still glad I did it, they were wrong.

That's when I left Lethbridge but came back in 1990 to do freelance at 2 & 7 Television and CFCN T.V. When I came back (fourth time) I heard a rumour that Bill Yuill owner of Monarch Broadcasting Ltd. who owned several stations including my old 1090 CHEC as the Brown family sold it to them were looking for a new PD for 1090 CHEC (name change) to 1090 ROCKS (CKRX). I went to Medicine Hat the home of Monarch Broadcasting to apply for this job at the new 1090 ROCKS formerly 1090 CHEC. I also knew because of working at CFCN (Dwayne who was once a salesman at CFCN), but now was the Vice president of radio for Monarch. He knew who I was and despite suing CHEC granted me an interview, and asked questions like why would you want to come back here to program. I had the answers which if I don't say so myself were pretty swift. Also in the original conversation with Dwayne the Vice Pres of Monarch (at that time) he asked me a serious question. He said we have had a loss continuously at CKTA in Taber, as Operations Manager what would you do with that station? I said I would increase power to 50,000 watts and turn it into a Christian station. He said really, Mmmm that's interesting and laughed. That was the Lord pulling at me back then in 1990 or 1991 to get Christian radio going in Southern Alberta. It stuck and it never stopped haunting me the Lord said do it and I finally did.

Always keep your big mouth shut.. what lost me the job was talking to an old morning man at CHEC who was staying on to doing mornings with the new station, and we talked, and in that not thinking straight I said what would you think if I told you I might (I said might) be your new PD again? He didn't hear the words MIGHT BE stressed, and went to the Vice President telling him I said I had the job and of course I lost it. I tried to explain I only told him MAYBE (I MIGHT HAVE IT). I was a big mouth and should have said nothing. I thought this individual liked me and guess I was wrong. What this individual didn't know is that when I was PD before, three and four in management wanted his ass out the door, gone bye bye, and I saved his job, but saying no he stays, look at my 5 page signed agreement and weep. Even after finally telling him I saved his butt (a few times), there were no signs of thankfulness or appreciation, but that's life isn't it.

After losing the chance of becoming PD there again under a new name, I decided I had to leave Lethbridge, so because of my good reputation as a professional DJ, and Program Director, I made a few phone calls and landed a job in Courtenay on Vancouver Island with my old boss (I had been there 4 times back then) this would be the fifth with the company. Twice with CFWB Campbell River B.C. and twice with CFCP (now Jet FM) and this time it was back with CFCP (third time), so I went back to work in Courtenay B.C. I also ended up in my many years back with them at my old stomping grounds CFWB Campbell River, B.C. Then it became twice with CFWB and three times with CFCP. The original owner Bill Browne a different Bill than the one in Lethbridge died and his wife and family took over, although Mrs. Norma Browne was bookkeeper there always with her husband doing the books for 50 years or so.

I finally became a Christian and disciple of the Lord, I really felt and did for years after that God wanted his station in Lethbridge PERIOD. So after going back to the Island, the other Browne family running that organization (four stations) and a few repeater stations had her son-in-law wanting to run for mayor which he lost but is as of recent. He ended up staying on but people were flying out the door including the PD. I got his morning show full-time and the G.M. of the station and I went way back working together to 1972. He was fun then and not power hungry with a big giant head. He and I had changed over the years, me becoming a Christian which he didn't like (even though his dad was a minister), so we went from fun days to ugly days him and I. During all those years and times I had slowly been looking into getting a Christian station going. While working at Courtenay on my own time, I decide to get a Christian Internet station going, it was easier than going through hell and back for a AM or FM license, and we wouldn't have to play 35% Canadian selections. My belief is if you're not good enough (American or Canadian) to be on the air then you shouldn't be on the air. While working on this I saw two names come by my face like a miracle. They were the visionaries of a Christian station in Thunder Bay Ontario Ray & Bonnie. I found their number and phoned them, we chatted forever (and I had the phone bill to prove it). We became friends at the time and she kept saying why Internet, with your background you should be heading up a real FM Christian station where you were told to, Lethbridge Alberta.

They said we want you to phone a man who is high up on the list of people who start Christian radio low power station in Canada. His name is Roger De Brabant from Timmins Ontario, so I did, and the rest is history. (more coming up on the start of Spirit 97.1 FM).