News and Views

Posted on

New Christmas Song Release!

This song, “Christmas Kisses” is very special to me because I co-wrote it with my amazing mother, Shirley Machura. Last Christmas she called me and said she had written a poem and wondered if I could make it into a song. And here it is, friends!. This song is autobiographical for my mother. She wrote it about my father who passed away a couple of years ago after a happy 63-year marriage. She wrote the lyrics as a poem that is soon-to-be published in her new book, Dare to Dream. This song is about their love for each other and how love transcends time and space.

Posted on

Christmas Kisses, New Song Release!

This new Christmas song, I am pleased to say, was co-written with my mother, Shirley Machura! She wrote the lyrics in as a poem that is published in her recent book, Dare to Dream. My father passed away a few years ago leaving my mother alone after a long and happy marriage of 63 years. This song is about their love for each other and how love transcends time and space.

Posted on

Manfred’s Guitar: Show TBA

Marvyn and Manfred Show…

Thanks for being a great guest at Gallery Vertigo for the third episode of Manfred’s Guitar and a big thank you to Linda Coumont …. brand new camera ‘ person’ for Shaw Rogers TV.

Posted on

Vernon’s Valley FM is Aiming to Power the Tower by May 2024

Valley FM Fund Raiser

February 1 – April 30, 2024

Power the Tower!

The Creation of Community Radio Station (Valley FM 97.9) in Vernon is Nearly Complete

On February 1, 2023, we began online streaming from our website: www.Valleyfm.ca

This was a big step forward to realizing the dream of having our own community radio station in Vernon! And now we need to take that final step forward and start broadcasting ON AIR!

We Will Lose our Broadcasting License If We Are Not ON AIR By September 2024

Though the hard work of Gord Leighton (who sadly passed this summer) and many others, all the heavy lifting in getting our FM licence and radio tower is done. Over the past year, we have also secured studio space, online streaming equipment, and (as mentioned) started streaming content. The next step is to buy, install, and power up our radio transmitter, go ON AIR, and start broadcasting to our community. If we cannot manage to do this before September 1, 2024, we will lose our licence; this is to say, there will be no Valley FM 97.9 in the airwaves of Vernon.

We Must Raise $25,000 to “Power the Tower” and Go ON AIR

This final step to get ON AIR is going to cost us $25,000.00. We have carefully come up with this figure looking at all options and searching for the best deals and volunteer assistance to keep the price tag as low as possible.

“Power the Tower” campaign starts on February 1 and will end on April 30—or sooner if we reach our target before then.

We welcome all suggestions from our membership as we plan and implement this essential undertaking to not only save our 97.9 FM frequency licence, but also to save our dream of having a successful, functioning community radio station proudly serving our hometown of Vernon, BC!

Our Next Meeting Will Be On January 30 at 4:00

Please join us to Power the Tower!  Our next meeting will be in our Valley FM 97.9 studios on January 30 (4:00-5:00 pm). Please plan to attend and help us get this final step done. And please share this message with all whom you know who may be interested in helping us on our way forward. Everyone is welcome. Entry is behind the Towne Theatre, 2913 29 Ave.

 Valley FM 97.9 “Power the Tower” Fund Raiser 2024 (February 1 – April 30)

Donations accepted at [email protected]

Posted on

Silver Bell – By Ian Tyson Cover Released!

Hi Friends! This cover of Ian Tyson’s 2005 release “Silver Bell” from Songs from the Gravel Road CD has always been one of my holiday favourites. As far as I know, it is the only Christmas song that Ian Tyson had released. Sadly, Ian passed away just before New Years in 2022. I have wanted to record this song for many years, and finally got around to it this year. I hope that your 2023 Christmas is wonderful no matter where you are and that the spirit of Christmas stays with you well into the new year. “It’s the giving not the taking.” Bring light into the world and let the love in your heart not remain silent. It ring! Now and always. Make the most of every moment. Cheers and Merry Christmas!