The News About Eric Friesen And Jurgen Gothe

Just writing their names -- Eric Friesen and Jurgen Gothe -- conjures significant CBC Radio history. You may well have already heard the news, but in case not, I'd like to share it with you now.

Eric Friesen, host of Studio Sparks, is leaving CBC Radio after 24 years, setting his final departure for December 31st, 2008.

Jurgen Gothe, host of DiscDrive, is moving from his daily show to a show on the weekends, beginning in September.

Although neither change is immediate, obviously it's better to have advanced warning, since I know that for fans, these changes will have an impact on your daily lives. On this front, a small personal note...I have tremendous respect for both Jurgen Gothe and Eric Friesen, for their musical knowledge, the magnitude of their on-air skills, and their passion for music and radio. Eric, you will be missed. Jurgen, we're glad you'll still be with us on weekends. Hats off to you both, gentlemen.

Here are the official words regarding the news:

Eric Friesen

After 24 years with the CBC, and four memorable years hosting Studio Sparks, it is with regret that we announce Eric Friesen has decided to leave CBC Radio on December 31,2008. Eric has decided it is time for a new chapter in his life, and has made the decision to leave now while he is at the very top of his game.

Eric is, without a doubt, one of the most gifted broadcasters in the industry. His understanding of what makes music exceptional as well as his encyclopedic knowledge of all manner of genres is unparalleled.

Dazzled by broadcasting in general--arts and music, in particular--Eric first joined CBC Radio in 1972. And, he’s been dazzling the rest of us ever since: as a broadcaster in information programming and, more recently, hosting one of the most popular music programs on Radio 2, Studio Sparks. In his celebrated career, Eric has embraced a multitude of assignments and set a very high standard for those who followed.

During his first 12 years with CBC, Eric was the voice and personality of Ottawa’s afternoon drive show, Radio Noon, as well as The Passing Show, from Winnipeg, and, of course, The Eric Friesen Show, from Toronto. He also held several senior management positions in CBC Radio prior to accepting a programming position with American Public Radio/Minnesota Public Radio, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Returning to CBC Radio as the network concert host in 1997, Eric introduced Canadian audiences to the very best live concerts from around the world and across Canada on In Performance and Onstage from Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. Eric has always loved the “live” experience, engaging performers onstage, and finding the vital connection between classical music and contemporary life. He continued to expand our minds and our expectations with his next undertaking, Studio Sparks, which Eric says has been one of the highlights of his professional life.

After giving so much of himself to the network and to his audiences, we understand that Eric feels it’s time to explore the next phase in his life. Based on his past successes, we know we’ll all be hearing very soon about his next triumph.

Thankfully, formal goodbyes are still several months away. Eric will continue to host Studio Sparks through to the end of summer. After that, Eric will work on a special series for Inside the Music before taking his leave at the end of December.

Jurgen Gothe

In September the incomparable Jurgen Gothe will shift from his daily hosting duties on DiscDrive to a new weekend show on Radio 2. This change will allow Jurgen more time to enjoy the pleasures of his home in the Gulf Islands and pursue more fully the myriad interests he has while more fully indulging his three major passions --- wine, food and music --- on this new program.

We know that Jurgen’s colleagues and legions of loyal listeners will be delighted that he will develop a new show on Radio 2: a show that captures and showcases his style, spirit, knowledge and joie de vivre.

Jurgen is, without question, one of Canada’s most sought-after experts on some of life’s simplest, yet greatest pleasures: food and drink and of course, music. In addition to his work on Radio 2, Jurgen has co-hosted several national television programs (Simply Wine & Cheese, A Taste of Home, The Cooking Game). He remains Food & Wine editor for NUVO Magazine, wine columnist for The Georgia Straight, and a frequent contributor to many other publications, locally, nationally and internationally.

DiscDrive was a groundbreaking radio program concept on Radio 2. Jurgen’s innovative approach helped pave the way for many new programs that have come to air in the past 23 years. “It certainly has been a terrific run and a huge amount of fun, keeping Canada’s drive-home audience musical company all these years,” says Gothe.

In addition to the new show, Jurgen will spend time judging both wine and food around the world, expanding his travels to the wine regions, and continue with special projects such as appearances as narrator with various musical ensembles; he appears with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra in late March, performing Garrison Keillor’s Young Lutheran’s Guide to the Orchestra, and Cam Wilson’s DiscDrive Variations.