A century on the air reveals the untold story of a Brockville radio star

In 2006, Wilson was inducted into the Brockville and Area Music and Performing Arts Hall of Fame, recognizing decades of contributions to regional music and radio

Today, 104.9 myFM is celebrating 100 years of service to Brockville and Eastern Ontario, and the milestone is bringing back stories from the early days of local radio.

One of those voices is longtime musician Tom Wilson, who began performing in 1959 and once played live on CFJR. In those years, radio sounded very different from today, with musicians performing directly in studio.

Wilson described how live performances were recorded in 1965.

Over the decades, Wilson built a long career in country and bluegrass and completed more than 400 live radio broadcasts.

Wilson’s first recording contract with Rodeo Records produced two 45s and three albums. One of the songs he played, The St. Lawrence River’s My Home, remained on regional charts for 14 weeks and is still considered his trademark and most requested song.

Wilson said he did not write it, explaining the song came from a local man born near the river.

Wilson later recorded the song after Jim’s mother heard him performing on the radio and encouraged him to cover it. The recording helped build his reputation as his band toured across Ontario and Quebec from 1967 to 1971.

In 2006, Wilson was inducted into the Brockville and Area Music and Performing Arts Hall of Fame, recognizing decades of contributions to regional music and radio.

As myFM marks a century on the air, his story highlights the role local broadcasters played in launching and supporting homegrown talent.