CTV News Montreal

Updated: Fri Feb. 25 2011 4:27:15 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

Big changes are once again coming to Montreal's English radio scene.

Friday morning a source with Virgin Radio (CJFM 95.9) confirmed that Cat Spencer will be leaving the most-listened to radio station in English Montreal and heading to the competition, The Q (CFQR 92.5).

The news comes as long-time morning man Aaron Rand announced on-air that he will be leaving The Q at the end of April.

Rand said he is not ready to retire, but after more than 25 years hosting morning radio, he has plenty of alternatives.

He reportedly owns two restaurants located on St. Jacques Ave. in Montreal.

Mark Dickie at The Q told CTV Montreal Friday afternoon that Rand will be greatly missed.

He called him a "phenomenal broadcaster" who has "given this city 26 great years."

Listen to Aaron Rand's announcement as recorded by Montreal blogger Steve Faguy, aka Fagstein.

Previous changes in Montreal radio

The last large-scale shakeups in Montreal morning radio happened in 2009.

In January 2009 Ted Bird left CHOM-FM after 17-years of working for CHOM, then Mix-96, then CHOM again.

He finally landed as a morning man at K103 in Kahnawake, and makes weekly appearances on CTV Montreal.

That same year The Q fired long-time announcers Paul 'Tasso' Zakaib and Suzanne Desautels.

Tasso and Rand had worked together for 25 years before being unceremoniously split up.

Desautels, a former reporter for CTV, has since resurfaced as morning weather woman on CJAD.

Comments are now closed for this story

elizabeth
I'm glad Aaron is leaving.. he`s boring and arrogant... they should have kept Tasso... at least now hopefully the show will be funny again, altho I`m not crazy about their music.. I`m 59 and love hip hop!! didn`t anyone notice when Aaron went on holidays, the show was more upbeat, no prima donnas? Aaron does not seem to like being upstaged.. now maybe Murray can be his own self again, not having to worry about Aaron`s `me me me`attitude! I loved the old Murray!

Donna
I quit listening to Q92 when Murray Sherrifs came back. Disgusting man who makes jokes about serious issues, especially regarding the child who had surgery through the nasal passages. That did it for me.

Linda
I can't believe Cat is leaving Virgin. I started listening to Virgin when Tasso and Suzanne got fired (I found Aaron just too boring on his own). Man, I hope that Lisa can hold her own alone, or that they give her a really good partner or I'm gone.

john
Montreal radio has changed once again..unfortunately not for the better.stations are aiming younger and younger.thus the departure of great radio personalities.first Terry Dimonte.then Aaron Rand.formats have changed as well.CHOM went from classic rock to anything rock.the Q aims for women mostly.Virgin plays nothing but Hip Hop and modern music which to me is terrible.radio stations need to remember their listers and people who put them on the board cause without us and them there will be no ratings.i listen to CHOM for my local stuff but satelite radio and inter net radio is the way to go because to me Montreal radio has deterated.

Richard
Aaron Rand is a pro all the way. He managed to keep good ratings for all those years. Perhaps it was time to move on though. Unfortunately, the Q's music targets females and is a bit too boring for me. They'd be better off targeting an older demographic with great album cuts from the 70's and 80's. After all, boomers have disposable cash and there's lots of them!

Richard

Dairienn
I listen to both stations on my way home from work. I will miss Aaron but I am sure Cat can keep up the pace especially back with Murray. I will still listen to both channels every morning. They both cover different news and I like Murray's opinions. Can't wait to hear the new shows. Good Luck Aaron!

Stephen
I really Cat and will check out the new show on Q! The music on The Q seems to be better these days.

Brett
i am sad for cat leaving .he was a good man to listen to i will miss his voice on virgin. .i wiil miss cat.he was so great and happy man.he alway go in work happy and he love his job.i love virgin radio so much that i will not stop listen virgin radio because lisa wiil be there always

Anne
Shocked this morning when I heard Cat was leaving... I've been a loyal fan ever since the station was called the "rainbow" station! saw many morning men/women come and go but I admit, Cat is my favorite. Will now have to switch to listen to the Q... but will still tune in during the day to the Mix (can't get used to the Virgin label. Murray and Cat together, I like this:)

Cappo
If you want good morning radio, listen to K103 with Java, Ted and Paul.

Frank D.
It's sad to see the Catmyster leave. What Vergin should do now is give Lisa a bigger role. Lisa will be staying on? No? I hope so. How about Lisa and Sophia? No?
Cat . . . you will be missed. Good luck at The Q.

Terry
He talks to much. Won't miss him but will continue to listen.

Will
Cat was boring. Q-92 will be more suited for his age group.
Hopefully now Virgin will get on their knees and ask Patrick Charles to rejoin the team.
CHOM is way funnier in the morning. Chantal Desjardins is much edgier than Lisa Player.

Pina
Sad to hear that Cat is leaving. They should put Mark Bergman or Cousin Vinnie in Cat's morning show with Lisa.

Why get someone from the outside when they can put from the inside 1st. Get a chance to move forward.

No matter what they do I will still listen to Virgin Radio.

Chris
I'll stick with Virgin Radio - I'll miss Cat for sure but hopefully they will put Patrick Charles (funny guy). Only way I'd switch is if Murray Sherriffs ended up back on Virgin Radio - I can't stand his way of adding his own cruel and rude comments when reporting the news (trashed abused women and animals in the past). Unacceptable.

rick
I never heard of the station,and I am english.

Roberto Vitae
Once again, it's all because of those French laws and bill 101 and...Oh. Wait...maybe not.

Chris H
C'mon. They're going to slip Patrick Charles in there. Would make sense. He's funny. A good guy too. And he's on CTV sometimes as well.

Mike
The most powerful radio tag team will be split up!!!!!! How can this be happening? I haven't seen happen since the split of WWE's the Rockers, The Hart Foundation and DX!!!

They better find some one who's as great as Cat is and that is a tuff feat to pull!!

Good luck at the Q Cat, you'll definitely be missed!!!

James
So Cat and the Sheriff are reunited.

matt delucca
GREAT ! Finally ! Hopefully they will get someone in there that can do a better Job.

Ross
It's going to a sad day once again when one of the best anchors in radio leaves the best station in Montreal I've been listening to this station since came on the air back in the 70's all the good ones always leave Let's hope Lisa never leaves she will be sadly missed if that happens. All the best at your new job.

john
oh great !!! i like both lisa and cat. which station should i listen to now. Lisa on virgin radio or cat spencser on the Q

aaarrrgggg !!!!!!

IvaB
That's too bad, we all like the morning show... and we'll miss you...but life goes on, good luck in Q!!!

Jake Goldstein
My sons aren't going to care... they listen to their iPods and have no clue who any of these people are.

Dina
I guess I'll be listening to the Q now...I love Cat hes the best :)

Brianna
so maybe your daughters should start listening to the Q....The Q plays the same great music without the vulgarity.

GDC
Oh noooooooo....I will miss Cat! I listen to him and Lisa every single morning..they are such a great team! I wonder who will be replacing him in the morning.

Cat, You will be missed. Best of Luck to you!

Carlos Guzman
My daughters are going to be sad.