I can't believe I'm doing this. I've just written a set of guidelines for me to bring with me the next time I set foot behind the microphone of a radio studio. They can be downloaded here (ooooh!) but remember, these are not instructions from a pro!
"Pro's" won't normally take the time to write guidelines of making potentially great radio because they are scared of people becoming better than them!
Anyone reading this is more than welcome to make changes to the document and rip the piss if they want to because I know that not everyone wanting to get into radio is serious about it in the long term. I'm writing this with Cindi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" playing in the background which I can remember using for one of the worst trails I've ever produced for The 80s Team. And this was when it really was a team! Ina was joined by the ever capable Cat Bonner but nerves got the better of them not just in the promo but in the show.
I know that they were only just starting but when you've got a station full of vibrant presenters (which at the time I really wanted to be part of) it's difficult to show the same enthusiasm for those who aren't so vibrant.
This is why once again, I'm glad we've got the right person helping out with the programming role this year. The enthusiasm of them will blend into the presenter if trained properly and if they're not as enthusiastic towards them, then the same will happen to the shy presenter.
That's what happened to me at Canterbury Hospital Radio.
No disrespect to Tim, but I think he gave me the wrong idea about making promos when rather than getting the presenter to promote the show and it's highlights, you put them into a booth and they either crack up laughing or are like "I don't know what I'm gonna say...". And in those cirumstances you just end up using whatever audio you can in the promo whether it makes sense or not. Although the first promo I ever produced at the station for "Matthew's Easy Hour" is a bit of both and even Matthew himself was happy enough to suggest how it could be better!
Anyway, I think the Anthea Turner comparison I made in the first year was a bit unfair but I was thinking of Anthea when she was on Blue Peter.
Anthea was 32 when she joined the programme with a hefty resume but was very fresh faced and looked a lot different to how she did when on Top Of The Pops only a year ago.
The show's then editor Lewis Bronze said in an interview 4 years ago that Anthea's best television was on that show and I can remember being really disapointed when she dropped the bright lights of TC3 in favour of the GMTV sofa. Especially as I'd met her a month before her departure.
She was great on the Spanish roadshows but with Eamonn? Not so good.
And don't get me started about The National Lottery Live or The Big Ticket.
It didn't get any better until a superb guest appearance on Simon Amstell's first Never Mind The Buzzcocks last year where she was more than happy to laugh at her "sell out autobiography" unlike a member of the Ordinary Boys was in the second series!
And why was Anthea so good? She started off in radio as well!
Yes, she was at Chesire's Signal Radio (an old haunt of Chris Moyles) and laterly BBC Radio Stoke where ex-boyfriend (and Moyles's ex-manager) Bruno Brookes also used to present where he made this geographical error on air! I'd best keep that away from Ricky Marshall!
But then again even the greatest have had to find their feet and lift themselves up when they get thrown down.
I really need to give Ina a better idea on how to use her beds and jingles that I produced for the show. I've even done a few more actually, she needs to listen to them and understand why they're so good, if a little cheesy!
Now Playing: 808 State: "Pacific 202" (Goorrrge!)
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