Following host Shelagh Rogers’ decision to leave the show on May 30th, the CBC has decided to pull Sounds Like Canada from the schedule at the end of the summer.

The move seems to further reduce the amount of network radio programming which originates in Vancouver.

• Last year, CBC Radio cancelled Vancouver-produced Freestyle — the program which replaced Richardson’s Roundup. That time slot is now occupied by Q, a program produced in Toronto with more than twice the number of staff that Freestyle had.
• Just weeks ago, CBC Radio announced that Jurgen Gothe’s CBC Radio Two show will be pulled from the schedule in September.
• Randy Bachman is in negotiations to relocate his show’s production to Victoria.
• (On the television side, last year CBC replaced Vancouver-based Canada Now, its supper-hour national newscast, with regional programming.)

But it’s hardly an exodus, says Chris Boyce, CBC Radio’s interim program director. “We’ve actually moved a tonne of programming to Vancouver in the last year or two: Vinyl Tap, The Debaters, and we’ve moved Saturday Afternoon at the Opera from Toronto to Vancouver, as well as Bill Richardson’s Sunday Afternoon In Concert show. Both of those occupy huge chunks on the schedule.”

“We’re also in the process of developing a  lot of new programming. On Radio Two we’re looking for a new morning show, mid-day show, afternoon show, and weekend morning show. Any of those could come from Vancouver.”

In the case of a replacement for Sounds Like Canada, CBC Radio is using a slightly different internal process to develop the show. Most new programs are selected from an open-proposal system, where CBC staffers pitch show concepts that are usually complete with a description of the show’s features, how it would sound, often who the host will be, and so on.

In this case, radio management is inviting suggestions about the program’s basic concepts first. Within a few weeks, small groups of programmers will be brought together to brainstorm ideas and possibilities. (If you have suggestions and program concepts, they can be forwarded to your local regional director or network department head by April 9.)

Rogers is still in discussions with CBC Radio about a new weekly show on Radio One.

Sounds Like Canada was one of CBC Radio One’s flagship programs with This Morning and the legendary Morningside programs as part of its bloodline.

On my way into the studios Wednesday morning for my tech column, I ran into Shelagh Rogers. (We usually hang out at SLC’s 7am break, before I go on air.) The first thing she said to me was “We’re playing a clip from Peter’s last show.”

It melted me. Seriously.

Besides Shelagh, Peter Gzowski was (is) my radio hero. He could tell the stories of everyday Canadian living that seem heroic and, at the same time, inconsequential. That’s Canada, in my eyes. Humble AND critical.

That’s why I was thrilled tonight when Mark Mietkiewicz, Editorial Manager of CBC Digital Programming, pointed me to a full hour of Peter’s last show, broadcast live from the Temple Garden Spa in Moose Jaw, Sask.

If you have 53 minutes to spare, it’s worth listening to Peter’s last show.

Early every Wednesday morning in Vancouver, I sit in a small studio and do interviews with the regional morning shows from CBC Radio One for my technology column (most shows air it the following day). At 7:00 a.m., though, I have a 15-minute break, so lately I’ve been heading down to Studio 5 and hanging out with Natasha and Shelagh from Sounds Like Canada. This morning, as a tape piece aired, I guess I kept subconciously checking their clock to make sure they didn’t run over or something. Finally, Shelagh smiled, leaned in, and said “It’s okay. We’re on it.” Once a clock-watcher…

Dee, Calgary: ” I think I have a crush on Shelagh Rogers.” [full blog]

Newfoundland writer Tina Chaulk attended a performance recently which included Alan Doyle, Marjorie Doyle, and Damhnait Doyle in performance. In her blog, Tina talks about the role SLC host Shelagh Rogers played:

As the heat from the bodies in the room began to rise, the event started with Shelagh Rogers standing on stage for a few seconds until the gathered crowd realized she was there and began to clap. Her short-cropped hairdo made some not recognize her right away, but when she opened her mouth and introduced the evening, there was no doubting who our host was. Her introductions and personal stories of the performers throughout the evening, was a great bonus to the event.

The concert will air on Sounds Like Canada soon. You can read Tina’s full review of the evening.

Somehow, in one of those odd Internet moments one has every so often, I ran across the blog of the lead singer of Trooper. (Oh, Gowan… why have you forsaken me?). Turns out a couple of months ago, he was interviewed by Shelagh Rogers on Sounds Like Canada and he blogged about it:

Shelagh was such a joy to work with that both of us forgot that we were on the radio. We were just having a great conversation with a really cool new acquaintance…. It really was one of the most delightful interviews I’ve ever done. Shelagh Rogers is beyond professional and has the creative courage of a lion. We wandered fearlessly from topic to topic. She is THE best audience - and it was a total treat to meet and talk to her. And Connor, of course, loved it.

Shelagh said the book should be re-named; “Canada”. God I loved that.