Frank McGwire

PLANET KIA DRIVE AT 5

The Afternoon Drive on The Spark Web Radio is a high-energy music and community-focused radio program hosted by station general manager and media veteran Frank McGwire.

Broadcasting from Brandon, Manitoba, the show serves as the anchor for the station’s weekday lineup. It transitions listeners from their workday to the evening with a deeply curated mix of classic rock hits, deep album cuts, and local music, paired with essential community updates.

Show Overview & Format

• The Sound: A rich blend of 70s, 80s, and 90s classic rock hits. True to the station’s core philosophy, the playlist features a 75% familiar classics to 25% deep album cuts ratio.
• Local Artist Spotlights: In addition to major classic rock icons, the show intentionally integrates tracks from independent and regional musicians from Western Manitoba to support local talent.
• Spoken Word Content: McGwire delivers targeted entertainment news alongside local happenings, events, and essential community stories impacting the Westman region.
• The Atmosphere: Engaging, authentic, and fast-paced. Frank McGwire leverages his decades of regional broadcasting experience to build a genuine, down-to-earth rapport with listeners.

The Host’s Vision

As the founder and General Manager of The Spark Web Radio (launched in 2020), Frank McGwire designed The Afternoon Drive to directly counter the overly repetitive, highly homogenized 400-song playlists common to commercial corporate radio. By utilizing a sprawling library of up to 5,000 songs, the show ensures that commuters and rock enthusiasts experience maximum variety without losing touch with their local community.