A Story of True Grit, Determination
and Defying All The Odds
Story by Karen Tinsley
Photography courtesy Mimetic Entertainment Inc.
Young Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi began building long-distance wireless transmission systems in 1894. Three years later, the British, Canadian and American Marconi companies were established by Guglielmo, and so began communication between radio stations on land and ships at sea.
Marconi was also credited with saving the 700 people who survived the sinking of the Titanic.
The Marconi companies and others improved radio quality and experimented with various uses, thus sowing the first seeds of radio broadcasting.
In the Hague in November 1919, Nederlandsche Radio-Industrie and its owner-engineer, Hanso Idzerda, made its first regular entertainment radio broadcast over station PCGG from its workshop.
In August 1920, the Detroit News began daily news and entertainment “Detroit News Radio-phone” broadcasts, originally as licensed amateur station 8MK, then later as WBL and WWJ in Detroit, Michigan.
The first car radio was introduced in 1922, but it was so large that it took up too much space in the car. The first commercial car radio that could easily be installed in most cars was introduced in 1930.
Today’s burgeoning digital landscape of streaming services, podcasts and on-demand media might lead some to think that plain old-fashioned radio is obsolete, but radio continues to provide value.
Blurring the lines between being entertained and being kept company for many, radio provides the soundtrack to morning and evening commutes; relatable on-air personalities can build connection, create a sense of community and offer authentic opinions from new music recommendations to which coffee shop serves the best caramel mocha macchiato.
One such relatable personality was Marty Adler.
Windsor’s own former harness horseman and community icon was also well-known and loved by many who listened to CKLW radio and watched CBC-TV Windsor.
With a passion that began bubbling when he was just a young boy wielding a make-believe microphone, it continued to flourish throughout Marty’s life until his final days.
Marty’s son Greg recalls, “Dad often said he was born with a microphone in front of him and he’d go out the same way.”
In the 1950s, teenaged Marty set up a radio transmitter to host dances at a local A&W; he also spun tunes at Massey Hall high school dance parties.
“Dad would broadcast live from Waterfront Ice Cream in downtown Amherstburg, doing doo wop and ‘50s dance music,” Greg says. “He deejayed live on radio, with people dancing all around him.”
In 1982, Marty founded Great Lakes Television, a production company focused on radio/TV advertising.
Greg continues, “In the late ‘80s, Dad discovered another passion: giving high school students and local amateur sports competitors their ‘15 minutes of fame’, before the internet, before social media, back when it was still sooo cool to be on TV. He’d go to the high school sports events and interview the athletes as well as the folks watching the game in the stands. It was amazing watching Dad work.”
In 1982, Marty’s love of harness racing led to 40 years as track announcer at Windsor Raceway, Leamington Raceway and Michigan’s Hazel Park Raceway.
And just a few years ago, Marty, nearly 80 years old and legally blind from glaucoma (and also fighting Stage IV cancer), began applying to the CRTC to put the town of Amherstburg on the airwaves.
There were obstacles everywhere he turned. But in typical Marty fashion, he succeeded, defying expectations as CKBG 107.9 ‘The Burg’ was born.
‘The Burg’ was Marty’s grand finale.
A little more than one year ago, Marty Adler passed away at the age of 81.
Radio Renaissance: Amherstburg’s New Wave tells the story of Marty’s small-town radio station CKBG 107.9 ‘The Burg’, born against all odds, but embraced as the voice of its community.
This 6-episode docuseries takes viewers inside the inspiring story of this grassroots radio station.
Radio Renaissance follows the dedicated employees and volunteers who are faithfully carrying Marty’s vision forward. From promoting local musicians and businesses to delivering hometown news and holiday cheer, viewers will clearly see how CKBG quickly became ‘more than just a radio station’; it became the voice of Amherstburg itself. It’s a behind-the-scenes, first-hand look at how the airwaves inspire this community to come together.
Featuring vivid images of the town’s heritage streets, sparkling Detroit River vistas, charming shops and voices filled with pride, it’s a story told with humour, heart and small-town grit.
Revealing what it takes to build something against all odds, Radio Renaissance is about more than radio. It’s about the power of connection and how one person’s dream can give an entire town a new voice; something that thrives and endures.
Gavin Michael Booth, Radio Renaissance writer and director, was born and raised in Amherstburg.
His professional career was launched by sneaking into Detroit rock concerts, armed with a self-made Canadian Television Pass. One of the first bands to ‘buy in’ was ‘90s post-grunge pop sensation Third Eye Blind. So impressed was frontman Stephen Jenkins, he invited Gavin along on further tours, which lead to many other gigs.
Today, dividing his time between Canada and California creating cutting edge films, Gavin is redefining how stories are told, directing the world’s first live-broadcast film Fifteen (with Jason Blum/Blumhouse). His critically acclaimed real-time split-screen drama Last Call was declared ‘one of the best films of 2021’ by Harper’s Bazaar. He has also directed more than 100 music videos and recently wrote, directed and served as showrunner for all 8 episodes of the interactive murder mystery streaming series ‘Dreamcrusher’.
At press time, Gavin’s two feature films, the science fiction drama ‘Primary’ and ‘Sydney vs. Sean’, starring Jean Parrish (Pretty Little Liars) and T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy) were ready for screening.
Gavin says, “Marty was a local legend. Someone on their deathbed, fighting and overcoming all odds to build an ‘analog radio station in the digital age’ is kinda wild. You can’t make this stuff up! Even though by the time Marty was diagnosed with cancer he was already completely blind, he didn’t let anything stand in his way! I knew his story would touch just about anyone.”
Radio Renaissance was one of 62 documentaries which premiered at this year’s Windsor International Film Festival which ran from October 23 to November 2, 2025.
The docuseries also began airing exclusively across Canada on Bell Media’s Fibe TV1 platform. You can watch “Radio Renaissance” on Fibe TV1, Channel 1 or through the Fibe TV app.
Greg Adler concludes, “My dad was all about promoting and uplifting local communities. That’s why he was so beloved. He truly loved where he lived and he truly loved life.”
Published in the Holiday 2025 Edition.
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