Firstly, an update on the spam situation. You may remember, last month I blogged about spam and gave penis enlargement as an example of the kind of emails you would get. Well, just days ago I got an email saying “you’ve got a comment!” and guess what it was about? PENIS ENLARGEMENT. Fair play, I did mention it in the post so the spam software automatically saw it and commented with a related message, but really? Bloody spammers.
I’m now getting rather excited about my upcoming trip to New Zealand at the start of September. I’m going over and staying with my relatives (who moved to the country from Kent about 4 years ago, lucky sods) which is very kind of them because it means I don’t have to pay for a hostel or hotel – this is good! Given that I booked the trip a good two months ago now, I really should have figured out what I’m going to do whilst I’m over there. I haven’t. I’ve got a few days with ZM’s imaging department sorted but that’s about it at the moment! So, I’m going to open it up to you (in a rather cheesy “cue to call” fashion). What should I do whilst I’m over there? Is there something you’ve done over there that was particularly amazing? Comment or email me please, I’m a bit stuck for ideas and I’ve only got three weeks to plan it!
Finally, another apology for not updating the blog in ages! I’ve been at Salford Quays in Manchester doing some work with Real/Rock and Smooth Radio as part of a weekly course. It’s great fun but takes bloody ages to get up there!
Also, I would really like the winter to happen. I’m a bit fed up of the heat.
That’s all.
Bye.
Oh hey there. It’s been a while since I’ve blogged so I thought it was about time I treated you to a bit of rambling action.
Lots of stuff’s happened while I’ve been doing other things – mainly radio related ’shniz’ but other things too. Spammers have happened to me recently. Not the ones who say “can I have your bank account details please?” but the ones that say they can make your penis fifteen inches bigger. It’s generally considered insulting when they email you with these kind of proposals, but leaving a comment on the blog?! Do they really think that people are stupid enough to let them through? I’ve currently got 307 comments waiting for approval and I can pretty much guarantee that 306 of them are spam and 1 is an accident.
The local radio scene in Swindon hasn’t exactly been inspiring over the last few years, especially in terms of ‘variety’ (excuse the pun). Commercial radio in the area has been especially bad – we’ve had Heart (fair play to them – you can’t deny they’re pulling in the figures!) and Brunel FM. Brunel has been a nightmare, especially for those who actually work in the industry in this area. A number of corrupt companies have taken over the station over the last year or so, all going into administration. One of which I worked for (and like most in the industry who worked for this particular company, didn’t get paid). Now, the future’s looking brighter – Mr Orchard from Total Star in Cheltenham has taken over the group of ex-TLRC (Brunel FM, Bath FM, 3TRFM & both Quaywest stations) stations and is investing in decent programing and a far more viable (in my opinion) music format! Good luck to Brett and all the team at Total Star…
That’s all I can be bothered to write for now. MORE NEXT TIME. Whenever that’ll be…
AU REVOIR MES AMIS.
So Eurovision happened yesterday (Saturday) and I have to say that I really thought this year was ours … ahem. Despite the relatively new phone voting system coming into play, there was still some relentless political voters out there in Europe – countries still got points for being allies to them or for being their ‘next door neighbor’ (a phrase I hate when used to describe countries next to one another). Ireland even gave us some points! In the end, we lost. Shocker. The UK came last with even Ireland beating is, and they don’t even try! I think it’s time we all started to realize getting Pete Waterman or Andrew Lloyd Webber anywhere near Eurovision is a disaster. We need to try a different approach – someone who isn’t a ‘has been’ or a musical man. Someone… new.
The winner was Germany with a distinctly Kate Nash soundalike. I know this has been said all over the radio, on TV and in newspapers but she really does sound like a carbon-copy of her! Boring, dull, average and yet she still won the whole competition! Just to prove my point, the video’s below. She puts the most ridiculous cockney accent on half way through – maybe she IS Kate Nash!
Eurovision 2010 winner – Lena Mayer Landrut – Satellite
Awful, isn’t it? Don’t answer that. It is. My personal favourite entry was Moldova’s entry; a nice dance tune with some violins and a sax, perfect! Have a listen and I dare you to tell me it ISN’T good…
Sun Stroke Project & Olia Tira with their Eurovison entry for Moldova, Run Away
Why they didn’t get more points than they did, I’ll never know – they weren’t in the top ten.
It’s disgraceful that despite the new system inplace for voting, we STILL came last. Either we do what I suggested (yes, it was my idea) and replace these crappy writers with people who are half decent, or we get used to the feeling of coming last… again and again. And again.
I have no idea what the weather’s doing. Yes, I know the weather isn’t what you’ve come to read about. It’s been jumping between temperatures of 21 degrees and warm sunshine, to 10 degrees, gales and loads of rain! I’d like it to be one or the other please – thanks.
Sorry about the blog neglection. It started out being an almost daily blog, then weekly, then ‘oops I forgot to update it’ monthly. Hope you’re not too mad at me.
It’s been a pretty boring month to be completely honest. That’s half the reason I didn’t bother updating the blog until now! Something that has really struck me in the last month though, is people’s ability to be on time. I take it for granted that if I say “Meet me there at one pm” and the other person agrees, that they’ll be there at one pm. There are a large number of people I know who do this who need to sort their lives out! Get a planner or something. The worse thing about people being late is if you’re left standing outside in the cold. Now that’s annoying. “If you’re going to be late, at least have the decency to tell me – that way, I won’t arrive until you do.” That’s what I think.
Other than people being late, nothing exciting has happened in my life other than the Arqiava Awards which I was not in attendance at. Brilliant year for Absolute – especially JACKfm and FM107.9. It was only in my last post I was congratulating them both on the Sony nominations!
Want music? I’LL GIVE YOU BLOODY MUSIC.
This is Grum with I Can’t Shake This Feeling – the Beaumont remix
I think it’s an absolute tune! There are several out at the moment that I’m loving – Cascada’s new single Paromania’s going to be a massive hit. As big as, if not bigger, than Evacuate The Dancefloor. I don’t know how she does it but all her singles seem to be brilliant (apart from I Need A Miracle and all her old stuff – that was awful)!
Hope you’ve enjoyed reading this post.
Thanks.
You can go now.
And welcome to the second week of April. All be it almost over.
In my last post, I talked about a new show I was embarking on. I do intend to do my utmost to keep presenting as a hobby and producing as my full time job, but these days, you need to be able to do everything to survive in the industry. I’ve always fancied myself as a camera-op or performing some kind of role in the control room. Maybe it’s the power? With the industry cutting back on, well, everything it seems, I don’t have a producer for the show. No big deal you may think, it’s only one hour! Not so easy. Trying to get companies on board to donate freebies to the show, so I can in turn give them away to the listener on air, is stupidly difficult at the moment. I’ve been in contact with several large firms who operate locally – well, when I say “in contact with”, it’s kind of a one way thing in the sense that no-one’s replied… It seems that companies are in some way reluctant to donate their goods in return for publicity – either that or their staff don’t check their emails regularly! I don’t like chasing these kind of things up only a week after emailing them, especially over Easter, but ‘d-day’ is approaching and I need something secured.
In other news, the Sony nominations happened last night (Wednesday) and it was great news for 106 JACKfm! With four nominations, they have by far outdone themselves this year – Save JACK was nominated under ‘The Best Promotional Campaign’, Joe Thomas was nominated for JACK’s imaging, Ali Booker’s Cancer Diaries were nominated for ‘Best Community Programing’ and to top it all off, the whole station was nominated for Station of The Year (300,000 – 1 million). Absolutely amazing! I’m privileged to have worked with the people behind the station and wish everyone in ‘the bunker’ the best for the awards ceremony in May!
… and welcome back. Sorry for being so long – I know I promised a music based blog but stuff that idea because quite frankly, it’s too much effort.
So, what’s been going on in my world? Nothing much really. Being freelance means that you can take work anywhere so I’ve been whoring myself around different stations doing various different projects and production. All good.
I’ve recently had a look back at Swindon 105.5. It’s hard to believe that two years ago (when the station launched) I did a Sunday morning show there. The show went through numerous co-presenters… I personally preferred it with just me but the boss didn’t. So a big HELLO to Ed (who moved to Reading to study drama, not sure where he’s at now!), Sam (no idea where he went. Came in for one show then never came back!), Lauren (just didn’t bother turning up half the time) and Dan. Trusty Dan, he was the only one who actually turned up consistently, although Ed did because we did the show together for a long time!
Back to my point, I went back to the station. I gave up presenting in November (ish) of 2008 and decided to focus on producing, which has got me where I am right now. The problem is, I still love presenting! I’m going to keep it as a ‘hobby’ and just do it on 105.5. I was offered a Saturday night show playing dance and chatting to my fellow presenter – Luke. We met a while ago but (and this is what annoys me) we’re really good on air together. Not with anyone else, just together. It did (for a time) make me seriously considering going back to presenting, but then I decided that I was right the first time… so a hobby it is!
That’s all that’s happened to me really. Sorry it’s a bit of a life story rolled into one blog post!
AU REVOIR AVID READERS.
…that’s it! Ali’s finished. It was the last show on Saturday so I’d just like to say thanks to everyone who’s supported the show and listened in the past or listened for the first time this week – we both really appreciate it.
From next Friday, as the previous post points out, I’ll be reviewing new music for your ears. Woop woop!
With Ali leaving the Download Chart I’ve decided to follow another ‘passion’ of mine and review music on the blog. I’ll do my best to introduce you to bands who I think are going to be big, but for a majority of the time, I’ll stick to reviewing new singles from bigger artists.
If you want to write a review for a particular song or album, you can email me your thoughts, and the best stuff will go online!
The change will start this coming Friday. ARE YOU READY?
So if you were listening to the show yesterday you’ll have heard Ali’s announcement – he’s leaving!
If you missed it, here’s the rather dragged out three minutes in which Ali drags it out:
But, if you can’t be bothered to listen to the three minutes of preamble before the announcement, why not listen to Neil’s reaction…
Next week’s show is going to be pretty big! If you’ve got any ideas/want to come on air and wish him well in the future or just say bye, let me know and I’ll do my best to get them on the air! Listen in this Saturday from 10:00, it’s going to be huge!
Recently (I don’t know if you can tell) I’ve been running short of ideas for the blog. Maybe my ‘creative juices’ just aren’t flowing or not enough exciting events occur around me, but it just seems at a bit of a dead end. I welcome any suggestions via comment or via email other than “Eurg, James, just stop posting” or “Eurg, James, you’re rubbish at this, please stop” etc… If you do chose to leave a comment with your thoughts, remember that the chances are I won’t publish it but reply personally instead.
You know Kent, that largish county to the bottom right of the country, well apparently they had some snow this week. Yeah, MORE! I’ve got a friend who’s going out to Virginia today (hope you get on alright if reading!) and the snow there was so bad that they closed the airport a few days back! It’s just a sign really that we’re really awful with dealing with snow. Over 50 schools were closed in Kent (again) and roads/trains failed. Surely by now, after a good few weeks of heavy snow fall across the UK in January, we know how to prepare ourselves against it happening again? Apparently not. I’m bored of snow now anyway – can’t we have hurricanes or something more interesting? At least it would make for more interesting news stories than reporters having to stand in the cold and drag out a story about a man getting a car stuck, and a landrover saving him with live action of the incident happening behind them. How boring’s that? I don’t want to know if someone I’ve NEVER met before has got stuck in some snow, let them deal with it! It’s not a national bloody emergency is it!
The moral of this post is – STOP SNOWING – OR I’LL MAKE YOU STOP.
Finally, Ali’s back this week from 10:00 on Oxford’s FM107.9 with the top twenty downloads from this week. We’ve got some amazing prediction tracks – genuinely brilliant!
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