On air and in print branded as "Rock 103 FM", CJMO signed on with an album-oriented rock format, which was a first for New Brunswick. In Halifax, CFRQ-FM was the only station in the Canadian Maritimes which had a similar format (AOR). Noteworthy, within its first six months on the air, CJMO was nominated as Medium Market FM Station of the Year at the annual Canadian Music Week. Some of the original on-air personality: Al Roberts from CKTS in Sherbrooke was morning host; Gerry Proctor was news director; and Marty Kingston (from CKEY Toronto and formerly of CKCW/CFQM) was sports director. Later, John Pearce (CHNS Halifax), Robin Sauve (CJCH Halifax and CHAM Hamilton) and Eric Stafford (CIHI Fredericton) joined CJMO. Eric Stafford came on board in 1988 as program director and temporary drive host. Mitch (1988-2007) debuted as evening host in January 1988. Former CFQM-FM afternoon drive (1979-1981) and Q-104 on-air personality Jim Armstrong was morning drive host from 1989-1990.