Newfoundland and Labrador broadcast icon, Bas Jamieson, passes away at 85

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 15, 2013 (St. John’s, NL) – Bas Jamieson, a Newfoundland and Labrador broadcasting icon, has passed away peacefully this evening at the age of 85.

A household name to many in Newfoundland and Labrador, Jamieson started his broadcast career on Canada’s west coast in 1958 in British Columbia before moving to Windsor, Ontario where he hosted a radio talk show that had a wide audience which extended into the United States, and he was subsequently named Citizen of the Year by the City of Windsor.

Jamieson retuned to Newfoundland and Labrador in the early 1970s to work at CJON Radio and Television where he hosted the daily OpenLine show and several TV programs.

CJON Radio became CJYQ radio (Q93) in the late 70’s and Bas was an icon of the station. Additionally to his duties hosting the daily OpenLine show he ran the news and current affairs area of the business.

Jamieson’s next move was to VOCM, where he was always on the other end of the phone for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for OpenLine, Backtalk, andNightline at various points during his tenure with the station. More often than not, when he answered, those callers would ask, “dat you Bas?” That phrase would become so entrenched in pop culture that subsequent hosts of the show were also met with it and it was parodied many times by the Newfoundland and Labrador comedy group CODCO.

Despite a number of attempts to retire, Jamieson returned to host VOCM’s daily talk shows at 71, answering the call of his fans to return to the airwaves.

Bas was a mentor to many over the course of his more than five decades as a broadcaster. He was recognized by the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) in 2006 with a Life Time Achievement award for his many years of work in the media business.

He was also involved in politics having been elected to St. John’s City Council in an At Large position in 1990.

Bas Jamieson, the last of his siblings, leaves behind a loving wife, Lorna, their children Debbie, Lee Anne, Craig, Scott, Kent, Paul and Janet as well as a number of extended family members to mourn.

His signature sign off, and the words he himself lived by, could not be more appropriate at this time. To give Bas the final word: “Do something nice for somebody today, you’ll feel better for it. Bye bye for now and god bless.”

MEDIA CONTACT:
Joshua Jamieson
jjmoxy@gmail.com

The Jamieson brothers (L-R: Donald, Bas, Hubert, and Colin)

Remembering Uncle Colin

With great sadness that I’m sharing the news of Great Uncle Colin’s passing on November 28, 2013 just before 4pm at St. Pat’s. His daughters, Glenna, Robyn, and Nancy have been home in Newfoundland for the last little while, and have been by their father’s side through everything with the support of family.

Times like these are melancholy, but also filled with reflection and I have been no exception to that rule over the last number of days. When I was young, Glenna’s son and I were very close – we spent summers together in Swift Current, we were a trick or treating duo at Halloween, and also got into the occasional mischief.

I vividly remember sleepovers that usually included renting a VHS, a fun-style supper, and pumping up an air mattress to watch the film on in the middle of the living room. Uncle Colin and Auntie Joan were often there in the background – smiling and always pleasant – they shared one of the most genuine connections and love that I’ve ever seen. I remember Uncle Colin always sitting in a comfy chair, much the same as I imagine my grandfather would have been, taking in the warmth of the family scene.

He was quiet, and in those times – being a child – I didn’t take pause to really develop what you’d consider a deep connection. But, as I got older that changed. I got into the habit of religiously looking for and picking up new issues of 50 Plus, a newspaper that Uncle Colin edited and published for years, every time I was at a supermarket. I was in my early teens and hardly the target audience, but I sought it out with a sense of pride because was a publication my very own Uncle produced and even recall showing it off and telling others about it because of that.

Our relationship further evolved when I started research for the documentary I’d eventually make about his brother, my grandfather. I knew the two of them had been involved in the inner-workings of operating CJON, but I learned so much more through that process. The hour and a half that we shared conversing about our family for that film will always be a treasured time for me, and I’m sorry that it was so late in life that it occurred.

He told me about how they were interested in drama and theatre when they were young, and how he would produce plays my grandfather wanted to be in. Uncle Colin talked about their days of making News Cavalcade together, the behind-the-scenes preparation, and his memories of my grandfather during those times. Uncle Colin loved the thrill of broadcasting, he was wholly invested in publishing, and enjoyed theatre as a young man. I learned we had way more in common than I ever imagined.

I trust that both he and Auntie Joan are now reunited. The two of them probably have dinner plans with my grandparents, Barbara and Don – breaking out the brandy and sherry, sharing a cigar and many great memories.