Radio continues to evolve and success in any industry comes from adapting to change. That’s exactly what one of Vancouver’s longest-serving radio personalities recognized early in his career. “The only constant in the business is change. If you're not ready to deal with change, you'll just get rolled over,” says veteran broadcaster, Stirling Faux. Every weekday afternoon, Faux graces the local airwaves at WAVE 98.3 with timeless hits that resonate, no matter who’s listening.
WAVE 98.3 has quickly become a welcoming spot on the dial for those craving sounds they grew up with like Motown, R&B, soul and smooth instrumentals. Since hitting Vancouver's radio waves in 2022, WAVE 98.3 has brought a lush sound to radio in the Lower Mainland, playing everything from household names like Michael Bublé, Kenny G and Sade to musicians with roots right here in B.C. like Diana Krall, Diamond Cafe and award-winning trumpeter Gabriel Mark Hasselbach.
The man behind the mic
While the Ontario-born broadcaster anticipated that his career would take him from city to city, Vancouver ultimately captured his heart. Faux arrived in Vancouver in early 1974 after driving from Quebec City with his partner. “We went through blizzards and God knows what else,” he says. “[We were] ordered off the highway twice in the prairies due to whiteouts and blizzards. Then, we got to Vancouver two weeks later and on the floor of the Fraser Valley the grass was green and the robins were singing. I had never seen that in February before."
Faux says when he arrived, he looked at his wife and they both realized, "[Vancouver] might be worth staying for a while.” Faux and his wife went on to live in a home with stunning views of B.C.’s natural beauty and raised three children. He continued to work in radio, integrated himself into Vancouver’s culture and considers himself to be “the luckiest guy on the West Coast.”
Back to the music
When Faux joined WAVE 98.3, he had returned to music radio after 25 years of talk radio. With a long and diverse career, all the changes in an arguably rocky industry shaped him into the legend he is now. He continues to study the music scene not only to entertain but also to introduce listeners to new artists and sounds. Faux describes WAVE 98.3 as catering to an audience seeking a station that’s easy to listen to. However, he warns that while the station is described as an “easy listen”, it’s far from the usual ‘60s and ‘70s format.
“We're easy to listen to and the music is uptown, modern and cool.”
Give WAVE 98.3 a listen by tuning in on WAVE983.fm and get your daily fix of timeless classics, smooth grooves, new hits and up-and-coming Canadian artists.
