Bill Good, whose voice has been a constant presence in British Columbia for 49 years, is stepping away from the microphone.
The longtime CKNW talk show anchor announced he’s stepping away from his job on August 1 after 26 years at the radio station.
“I thought it was time to stop getting up at six in the morning,” says Good.
“It’s time to take a break, take a few months, maybe reinvent myself. I don’t want to go away, I don’t want to retire. But I want to work less, maybe try some other things.”
He doesn’t know what his future holds, save for one detail.
“One thing I’m not going to be is one of those old guys who sits there and tells people what they should do, or what it was like when I was doing it,” he says.
If he did, Good would certainly have stories.
Beginning his career in Prince Rupert in 1965, Good quickly moved to CFAX 1070 in Victoria before being hired by the CBC in 1967.
There, he served as the west coast host of Hockey Night in Canada, covered two Olympics and hosted coverage of the famous 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the USSR.
In those days, he was known by many as Bill Good Jr., sharing the same name as his father, also a famous CBC radio sportscaster.
“I determined that I wanted to be in broadcasting and journalism, but didn’t want to follow in his footsteps,” says Good with a chuckle. “I wound up doing 10 years at HNIC, two Olympics and the 72′ Summit Series.
“So I always tell young broadcasters, don’t make up your mind too soon about where you’re going. You go where the opportunities are.”
Eventually Good became anchor of CBC’s local newscast, but jumped to his own new opportunity at CKNW in 1988. He’s loved tackling the issues of the day with experts and callers alike ever since.
“I hope there will always be a spot for talk radio,” he says. “This is where premiers, prime ministers, labour leaders, people of all walks come together to talk to the community, and I hope there will always be a need for that.”
He soon found one job wasn’t enough, joining this station (then known as BCTV) in 1993 and hosting the nationally-broadcast Canada Tonight, before moving to CTV in 2001.
With all his experience comes an understanding of the many changes the media industry has experienced this century.
“The business is changing, the industry’s changing, talk radio is changing. It’s got to change,” he says.
“It’s probably time for a new generation.”
Good’s departure comes at a time of transition for CKNW. Philip Till, whose show airs directly before Good, announced his retirement last week, and replacements for both have not been decided.
Good has faith in the station’s future.
“It’s a new chapter for them. But they can write a good one.”
For Good, it’s a new chapter as well.
– With files from Brian Coxford