Where and when were you born?
Strangely
enough in Maidstone way back in 1955, my Parents were both
teachers, I lived in Maidstone - Penenden Heath but spent
most of my first five years with my Grandparents in the
Foster Clark Estate, just opposite the Moat Park Cricket
Grounds.
Where do you live now ?
I’ve
lived in Dover since 1965, still there.....
What is your favourite part
of the Country?
I've
always loved South Wales, Llanelli through to Tenby. My
best school friend Alan I met some 39 years ago,
lives just outside Llanelli.
How did you get involved in
Radio?
Hospital
Radio, the Gateway Hospital Broadcasting Service (serving
Dover & Deal). Through Dover Rotaract I met Mark
Stafford around 1983ish. He became (and still is) a great
friend, through Mark I was fortunate to be involved in many
different radio stations including European Klassik Rock.
I'll always be in debt to Mark.
What are your earliest memories
of Caroline?
1965,
my Dad bought me a Grundig radio and an old Marconifone
open reel tape deck. I found Radio Caroline and totally
fell in love with her !. I also bought a small pocket size
radio which I took to school.....and got away with for several
years !.
When did you first join Caroline?
Just
at the end of E.K.R’s life in Maidstone, it was the case
of one door closed then another opened, right place @ the
right time. I was able to present two shows on Radio
Caroline (Sky analogue) just before my Daughter Kelly was
born. I quickly learned that a baby was more demanding
(and her Mother) than I first realised so I gave up Radio. Family
always comes first in my life.
Have you got any special/fond
memories of the station?
Sad
ones when Caroline went off the air for some reason / sinking
/ raids etc... Total elation when Caroline returned - how
I bored my family & friends with my love & passion
for Radio Caroline (and still do).
How much freedom do you have
on Caroline?
More
than I had dared to hope for. There's a tight format which
I try to follow as closely as possible, then some lovely
listener emails in their gems of requests - well one
just feels compelled to play what is asked for... doesn't
one ??
Have you ever worked
on a Radio ship?
Alas
not, well not in a Radio Presenting capacity....
What other Radio stations
have you been involved with?
Oooooh...
GHBS
(Dover / Deal), Atlanta Radio on 6260 49Mb, Radio Boulogne
Littoral (France), White Cliffs Sound (Dover), Shepway Sound
(Folkestone), Coastline FM (Dover), European Klassik Rock
(Maidstone) and Radio Seagull (Harlingen, Netherlands).
What is your favourite station
other than Caroline?
Classic
FM and Kiss 100 FM (depending on my mood).
What are
the worst and best things about radio today?
Dreadful repetition of music and "tag
lines". I hate "local" radio for that, Best -
Radio Caroline still lives on.
Do you have any embarrassing
or funny moments to share with us?
I
suppose the most embarrassing one was on Radio Caroline
several months ago when I mispronounced K.T. Tunstall..
!!! I received a couple of texts and some amusing emails,
fortunately no complaints.
What do you do for your day
job and for relaxation?
Day
job, I'm a Civil Servant (well it pays the Mortgage), for
relaxation being with my lovely family. Wife Linda &
Daughter Kelly (now 7yrs) keep me amused and entertained.
I know I reached Fatherhood late in my life but they make
me feel young. Kelly gives me an excuse to watch Boomerang &
be very silly..
What is your favourite food?
Anything
edible really. Love Sunday roasts - particularly love carving
joints of meat, I get the chance to eat the burnt &
crispy bits I know Kelly & Linda don't like.
What do you dislike doing
the most?
Without
a doubt - Ironing.
I’ve
always avoided that chore like the plague. I'd rather clear
out our drains than do the ironing.
What are your favourite bands
or groups?
Nice one - YES, Led Zeppelin, Steve Miller Band, Linkin
Park, Ian Brown, Pink Floyd, The Ozric Tentacles, Tomita,
Tiesto, Brian Transchau, Bjork, The Beatles, The Who, Imogen
Heap, Mike Oldfield, Mandi Perkins, Rush, Steve Hackett,
Astralasia.... God I could go on & on & on...............
Who is the most famous person
you have met?
Luckily.. who are....
James
Burke (of BBC's Tomorrows World) - In Dover Hoverport, I
let him use an office as respite from the "public"
who were bothering him. Roger Daltrey I stood at his
front door & had a brief chat. Dave Gilmore -
he made me a cup of coffee at Canterbury Airfield, smashing
chap, nice coffee. Mike Oldfield - Drank coffee with Mike,
he told me he loved Tubular Bells and was re-mixing it sometime,
years later TB II was released. Dave Cash - Awe inspiring,
loved working with Dave on EKR. Johnny Lewis - What a genuinely
lovely bloke, a nightmare to follow on air though. This
happened a few times on EKR, not yet on Radio Caroline.
Her Majesty The Queen... at the Queens Garden Party @ Buckingham
Palace, lovely ice cream as I remember. Lastly - Mark Stafford
- Say no more, he's a diamond geezer.
What
are your top 5 favourite tunes?
Streuth
no, you would ask!
(1)
YES - We Have Heaven / South Side Of The Sky (from Fragile)
(2) YES
- Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil) (from Tales from Topographical
Oceans)
(3)
Doobie Brothers - Long Train Running
(4)
Alanis Morisette - Thank U
(5)
Ian Brown - F.E.A.R.
When did you last go on board
the Ross Revenge?
In Dover. Just as the Ross Revenge tied up in the Granville
Docks. A memorable experience.
What are your plans and
hopes for the future?
If
I'm lucky - To keep Presenting on Radio Caroline & Radio
Seagull, fingers always crossed eigh?
Thank you for answering my questions.
Martin is always looking for "sensible" ideas
for the album of the show, something main-line ish
with at least 6 playable tracks not exceeding 5 minutes.
Presenters
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