8

It was not unusual for the representative of a record label personally to promote a new record on the radio, especially in the regions. Access to the airwaves has always been an excellent way to promote records. Host Jacques Normand certainly attracted many listeners. A good number of studio musicians were still heard. However, the use of records became the norm for the private stations.

9

Pianists Jos Brousseau and Marcel Grondin of the Montagnards laurentiens
21 May 1949
Quebec, Quebec, Canada

10

Radio (Radio-Canada, CHLP, CHLN, CKAC, CKVL) promoted Quebec singer-songwriters and folk singers and groups: Les Montagnards laurentiens on CHRC, Quebec, the Quatuor Alouette live in the 1930s, and Lionel Daunais.

11

The Montagnards laurentiens performed a traditional repertorie that inspired many musicians
21 May 1949
Quebec, Quebec, Canada

12

Host Jean-Pierre Masson accompanied by a pianist in a CKVL studio
1949
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

13

The private radio stations (CKAC, CKVL) broadcast variety shows in which local songs slowly took their place (Quebec performers started by offering adaptations or foreign hits, then later began performing local work); at the end of the 1950s, according to Fernand Robidoux, Quebec radio stations were playing American records whose main function was promotional; the European and Canadian companies didn't have big budgets and were already having trouble competing with American "dumping".

14

Host Jean-Pierre Masson of CKVL, choosing records
1949
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Credits:
Archives nationales du Québec collection

15

Parade of French songs on CKVL hosted by Guy Mauffette
1948
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Credits:
Archives nationales du Québec collection

16

The proliferation of song contests in the 1950s was a promotional tool that served both industries. Today's private stations are not re-inventing the wheel. Nonetheless, the impact of these contests on Quebec culture has been fundamental. Local singer-songwriters created an indigenous means of expression, which found its audience at home.

17

Records being played in a CKVL studio
1948
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Credits:
Archives nationales du Québec collection

18

Singer and folklorist Isidore Soucy and Jean Rafa, recorded at the Faisan Doré for broadcast on CKVL
26 February 1950
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

19

Pianist Billy Munro on CKVL
7 July 1951
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Credits:
Bibliothèque nationale du Québec collection

20

The contest 'Nos futures étoiles' ('Our future stars')
21 May 1949
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Credits:
Bibliothèque nationale du Québec collection

21

Radio-Canada contributed to the dissemination of classical music. The show "L'Heure symphonique" was broadcast starting in 1938. From 1941 to 1956, "Radio-Collège" aired broadcasts on the history of music with the collaboration of different composers, including Jean Vallerand, Lionel Daunais and Claude Champagne. Radio-Canada International produced albums of Canadian music (work by Claude Champagne, Clermont Pépin, Maurice Blackburn, Pierre Mercure); several famous Canadian performers recorded on this label, including Glenn Gould, Pierrette Alarie, Léopold Simoneau and Maureen Forrester. The radio contest "Nos futures étoiles" introduced a number of new voices to the listening audience.