RIP Hal Harbour, a mainstay of the old CFNY days
Hal Harbour (born Doug Barron) was a co-worker towards the end of the Spirit of Radio Days at CFNY-FM/Toronto. Not only was he pull regular announcer shifts, he worked tirelessly with the city’s and province’s indie bands as the station’s Director of Canadian Talent. He was also the producer of the CASBY Awards for a number of years.
Word is that Hal/Doug has passed away at the age of 71. No cause of death has been given.
Barron was from the Kitchener-Waterloo area, starting in radio in 1971. After working at CHIC-FM in Brampton (the future CFNY-FM), he ended up on the east coast working as a production director an morning show host. It was while doing mornings at crosstown Q104 that he adopted the name Hal Harbour.
His time at CFNY ran from 1989 to 1994. After changes at the station, he moved back to the Maritimes working at the CBC. And if you’re a fan of The Trailer Park Boys, you might remember his role as newsman Steve Rogers.
A full biography can be found here. You can also learn more about Doug/Hal here. Donations in his memory can be made to music or arts organizations in your community or to Hospice Halifax.
One last thing: Doug/Hal was also a musician. Here’s a sample of his band, Stunt Chimps.
