Son of former N.S. 'fiddling premier' now head of new Cape Breton radio station that plays all local music
Even before he became Nova Scotia's 26th premier, it was well-known that Rodney MacDonald could play the fiddle.
Now, the 24-year-old son of the former "fiddling premier" is picking up on some of his father's passion for Celtic music.
Ryan MacDonald is manager and director of CBFM - a new online radio station that plays all Cape Breton music, all the time.
"People ask what genre of music the station is," Ryan MacDonald said. “’Is it folk? Is it fiddle music? Is it Celtic? Is it this? Is it that?’ It's Cape Breton."
The former Progressive Conservative premier is now the head of the Gaelic College in St. Ann's.
When Rodney MacDonald tunes in, he gets to hear some of his own tunes, along with his own son over the airwaves.
"He's doing a great job of it and he's joined on-air by a lot of great hosts," Rodney MacDonald said. "He's not shy, that's for sure. People know Ryan. He has a love of people. He has a love of music and I know that this is a passion for him."
The radio station, which launched in December 2021, is a passion project for father and son.
"We always had fiddle music in the house," Ryan MacDonald said of his childhood days.
Growing up watching his father fill a Céilidh or concert hall, Ryan MacDonald says the music has always been part of him. He adds that seeing his father in the public eye as premier helped him develop an interest in broadcasting.
While he’s the on-air host and station director, Ryan MacDonald says his dad offers plenty of advice.
"He's always listening," Ryan MacDonald said. “Being like, 'You should play more of this fiddler or that fiddler. He's always giving me tips on what I should do with the music."
MacDonald adds the hope is for CBFM to eventually make the move to the FM dial, and that plans are in the works for an all-Gaelic sister station.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.