​Blyth Festival’s “Radio Town” is amazing tale of tinkerer who put Wingham on the map

If you ever lived within 100 miles of Wingham, you know all about CKNX radio and television. But do you know the story behind the little radio station that could?

Then you need to get a ticket to the Blyth Festival Theatre’s production of “Radio Town: The Doc Cruickshank Story.”

This is an amazing tale of a tinkerer who put Wingham on the map, how a town of 2,800 became the television and radio voice for 300,000 people, and how CKNX became the thread stitching rural southwestern Ontario together – proof that geography doesn’t have to limit community spirit.

Written by Nathan Howe, the world premiere of this play certainly resonated with the opening night crowd, Friday, as audience members clapped their hands to the music, sang along to that eerily-familiar opening tune to Ernie King and the Ranch Boys, and jumped to their feet in a standing ovation at the end of the show.

“Radio Town” opens with the older Cruickshank, played brilliantly by Gil Garratt, in 1971 as his precious CKNX radio and television business is about to be sold to Blackburn News.

The show then returns to 1926 when it all began, with Landon Doak offering a stellar job as the young Cruickshank, tinkering in his radio repair shop, as well as Cruickshank’s son, Bud, later in the play.

The remaining ensemble is also superb, moving through various roles and performing the country music that is the backdrop for this agriculture-based community. Joining Garratt and Doak on stage, are Geoffrey Armour, Shelayna Christante, Massae Day, Michele Fisk and George Meanwell.

Of particular note, is Armour as the indefatigable Johnny Brent, voice of the “Barn Dance” and “Barn Dance Live!” He makes that slogan ring: “From coast-to-coast, people like old-time music most!”

From the moment Cruickshank decides to build a transmitter to the founding of CKNX radio (which was originally J.O.K.E. radio), to the CKNX television station, the main goal is to continue uniting people and building community.

And that is no better exemplified than the moment in 1962 when a fire destroys the TV station, and everyone helps rebuild it, with the rallying cry: “CKNX is for the community, and the community is for CKNX.”

As he retires and returns to tinkering, Cruickshank struggles to do nothing, as his brother, John, and son, Bud, take over, finally selling the business in 1971. "Another local boy, another local story, has come to an end," intones Cruickshank.

It is truly an amazing story, well-written, and well-played.

“Radio Town: The Doc Cruickshank Story” continues to Sept. 20 on the Margaret Stephens Stage at the Blyth Memorial Theatre.

For specific dates and times, and to purchase tickets, visit blythfestival.com.