Some more classic (?!) moments, including Michael getting hot and bothered over 'Candice' and the traffic reports...and, for historic interest, the one that got away (?) - Merseytram (R.I.P)...and I use family contacts to talk about beer school!  

Here's some extracts from the penultimate day's breakfast show of the Liver FM RSL. I chose this show partly because it contains some unintentional hilarity when Michael introduces veteran sports' broadcaster Keith Macklin, only for us to  hear the dulcet tones of Bill Medley!

 

Once again, I am 'Richard Duncan'!

 

It contains brief excerpts of copyright material, for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to exploit this material in any way or to deny the copyright holders any income or other benefits due to them as a result of their creativity. If any such person objects to even this illustrative material being made available in the public domain they are respectfully requested to contact me at richarddrudin@aol.com and the 'offending' material will be removed as soon as possible. Thank you-and enjoy! 

This is me (as 'Richard Duncan') presenting the 0800 news and some other material on May 6th, 2005 (the morning following the 2005 UK general election) on Liver FM - the Restricted Service Licence 'trial' service run in April/May 2005. This temporary service was to 'dummy run' the format, etc. in advance of advertisement of full-time 'large licence' for the Liverpool area. This was advertised by the licensee/regulator Ofcom on April 6th, 2006. See details by clicking on this link: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2006/04/nr_20060406 

The station is unusual in many respects in its format and staffing. More details at: www.liverfm.com

It contains brief excerpts of copyright material, for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to exploit this material in any way or to deny the copyright holders any income or other benefits due to them as a result of their creativity. If any such person objects to even this illustrative material being made available in the public domain they are respectfully requested to contact me at richarddrudin@aol.com and the 'offending' material will be removed as soon as possible. Thank you-and enjoy! 

You can also see more details, including a photo' gallery by clicking onto my hom-page: www.richardrudin.com

It seems unbelievable - but there's no arguing with the calendar: April 12th, 2006 is the 30th anniversary of the start of Beacon Radio 303 - the commercial (sorry - 'independent'-ILR) radio station for the English West Midlands. IMHO, in its first three and half years or so, Beacon was the most innovative, most refreshing and most dynamic radio station in the UK. Headed by an American Managing Director, Jay Oliver and programmed by Canadian Allen Mackenzie, it was certainly a refreshing change and release from the dreary sameness of both the UK and its radio stations in the mid-late 1970s. It was the last of the first batch of the ILR services - the development of which was halted by the killjoy Labour government (as a previous incarnation had legislated against the 1960s offshore stations). They certainly kept the best until last!

Beacon was the place where I gained my first full-time professional radio job, as a newscaster/reporter, and I was so happy and proud to be there, as a fresh-faced (and, as the photo' shows) long-haired 21 year old - the 'kid' - and where I acquired the nick-name 'Funky Duncan'  (in my commercial radio jobs I've always been 'Richard Duncan' - my two Christian names).

 

Copyright note: This podcast has been edited from a commemorative CD put together by Austin Powell for attendees at a Beacon Reunion in 2003.   It has been made available on my site for historic interest and educational use. It contains brief excerpts of copyright material, for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to exploit this material in any way or to deny the copyright holders any income or other benefits due to them as a result of their creativity. If any such person objects to even this illustrative material being made available in the public domain they are respectfully requested to contact me at richarddrudin@aol.com and the 'offending' material will be removed as soon as possible. Thank you-and enjoy! Further 'stuff' about the reunion at: www.richardrudin.com