I figured it out. Ray Griff was a friend of a man from Jacquet River, NB by the name of Ted Daigle. Ted Daigle was a country and western performer turned radio personality. He spent much of his radio career in the Ottawa area, which may explain why one in ottawa would here it on the radio.. Griff was likely writing about the places he's been (Alberta, BC) and using Jacquet River, NB for the song title. Perhaps Ted relayed a few stories from J.R. too.