Radio DJing

[SuperMikey]

Tomorrow marks the first edition of my radio show on a local radio station in Southampton that i'm presenting with a friend of mine. Has anyone done any radio presenting before and could offer me any tips from their experience? The output of the station is very music-heavy, and links are supposed to be about a minute long as a maximum, so I don't really have to worry too much about burbling on too much, but any random tips about planning shows or ideas for features would be appreciated.

 

I think we're going to try to get a very thin theme going through the show each week, so any ideas for potential themes for listeners to contribute to as well as discussion for me and my co-host would be nice!

 

Cheers

[hamster]

What wavelength are you on Michael?

 

A minute is a long time when you are ****ting yourself.

 

"we're going to try to get a very thin theme going". mmm, how about Mars vs Snickers debate then put on a funny voice, pretending to be a moany old git and tell the listeners that the world was a better place with a M.A.R.A.T.H.O.N ....Marathon, comes up peanuts, Marathon, bite after bite.......

 

You could even roll out the olden but golden "What's got a hazlenut in every bite?" joke.

[SuperMikey]

Not for the first time Andy, I haven't got a f*cking clue what you're on about.

 

I'll be presenting on Surge FM (the biggest student radio station in the south and multiple nominee at this years student radio awards) from 3-4 tomorrow with my mate Andreas. Ought to be a laugh.

[hamster]

Not for the first time Andy, I haven't got a f*cking clue what you're on about.

 

I'll be presenting on Surge FM (the biggest student radio station in the south and multiple nominee at this years student radio awards) from 3-4 tomorrow with my mate Andreas. Ought to be a laugh.

 

Have they got a radio station for the more svelte student too Mikey.

 

btw, please don't call me Andy. 2 reasons, I wish to remain anonymous, it does not fit with my internet persona and I don;t want anyone to know that I am first name terms with any students. Thank You.

 

btwbtw, I wouldn;t expect you to 'get' the old confectionary commercial jingle references.

 

Good luck tomorrow, I would make a point of listening but it sounds like the sort of thing that is only heard through the Uni tannoy system?

 

btwbtwbtw, outside chance I may have a spare for Reading away if you're interested. Won't know til Monday but you can have second refusal if you want, just bear in mind that it would involve a long drive around picking people up en-route or meet at ground. Do you want second refusal?

 

Andrew

[SuperMikey]

Have they got a radio station for the more svelte student too Mikey.

 

btw, please don't call me Andy. 2 reasons, I wish to remain anonymous, it does not fit with my internet persona and I don;t want anyone to know that I am first name terms with any students. Thank You.

 

btwbtw, I wouldn;t expect you to 'get' the old confectionary commercial jingle references.

 

Good luck tomorrow, I would make a point of listening but it sounds like the sort of thing that is only heard through the Uni tannoy system?

 

btwbtwbtw, outside chance I may have a spare for Reading away if you're interested. Won't know til Monday but you can have second refusal if you want, just bear in mind that it would involve a long drive around picking people up en-route or meet at ground. Do you want second refusal?

 

Andrew

 

Dear Andrew,

 

You can listen on the Surge Radio Facebook page and also on the Surge FM website if you wish to listen to me and a northern monkey blundering around in a hot studio for an hour.

 

I would go to Reading but i've already got tickets, sorry mate. Do tell me about any future games you might have spaces for though mate.

[hamster]

Dear Andrew,

 

You can listen on the Surge Radio Facebook page and also on the Surge FM website if you wish to listen to me and a northern monkey blundering around in a hot studio for an hour.

 

I would go to Reading but i've already got tickets, sorry mate. Do tell me about any future games you might have spaces for though mate.

 

Finish work at 3 tomorrow then shooting down to Kent, I might hook up my phone and listen to your dullcit tones. Give me ' 'shout out' (I belive this is the correct terminology) at about 15:45 if you can. Actually I would be eternally grateful if you could dedicate a track (surprise me) to mrs h at that precise time as it is her birthday today and she is away in Corfu, she will be touched.

 

hugs

[hamster]

http://www.surgeradio.co.uk/onair/shows/0481.html

 

Coming at ya through your cornflakes. You won't get that one either Mikey, we're on different wavelengths. LOLOLOLOL.

[Jonnyboy]

Just please avoid being anything like Fearne Cotton and you'll be fine.

[Crazy Diamond]

What wavelength are you on Michael?

 

A minute is a long time when you are ****ting yourself.

 

"we're going to try to get a very thin theme going". mmm, how about Mars vs Snickers debate then put on a funny voice, pretending to be a moany old git and tell the listeners that the world was a better place with a M.A.R.A.T.H.O.N ....Marathon, comes up peanuts, Marathon, bite after bite.......

 

You could even roll out the olden but golden "What's got a hazlenut in every bite?" joke.

 

Oi. Leave my thread out of this.

[hamster]

Good spot.

 

The one thing i really miss is 'fun' size. Ruined half my jokes when they stoppd selling them.

[SuperMikey]

Finish work at 3 tomorrow then shooting down to Kent, I might hook up my phone and listen to your dullcit tones. Give me ' 'shout out' (I belive this is the correct terminology) at about 15:45 if you can. Actually I would be eternally grateful if you could dedicate a track (surprise me) to mrs h at that precise time as it is her birthday today and she is away in Corfu, she will be touched.

 

hugs

 

If I remember, I will dedicate a song to Mrs H at 3:45. I can't guarantee it will be a song that she likes though...

[hamster]

You taking callers on air Mikey?

 

Would you consider playing Iris or the Bob Dylan's (he's a singer/songwriter btw) Make You Feel My Love for her?

[dinger]

If you're anything like me, you'll quickly realise that the things you talk about while the song is playing are much funnier/more interesting than the slightly nervous links between tunes. That's when you realise you've got to pretend you're not on the radio...

[SuperMikey]

You taking callers on air Mikey?

 

Would you consider playing Iris or the Bob Dylan's (he's a singer/songwriter btw) Make You Feel My Love for her?

 

The phone in the studio is broken unfortunately atm, but when it's fixed we can take callers for features etc.

 

Iris by Goo Goo Dolls? We have that on the playlist, i'll whack that on at about 3:45 for your other half. You owe me though

 

If you're anything like me, you'll quickly realise that the things you talk about while the song is playing are much funnier/more interesting than the slightly nervous links between tunes. That's when you realise you've got to pretend you're not on the radio...

 

That's the annoying thing, me and my mate that i'm doing the show with are very funny together (if i do say so) but half of the stuff we talk about isn't daytime-radio friendly. Might be a bit stilted at first but i'm sure we'll grow into the role.

[Hamilton Saint]

Are there any rules or set formats you have to follow?

 

How long is the program?

 

When you say there is a one-minute "link", are you talking about the break between music when you talk about what you've played. If so, that's ridiculous!

[SuperMikey]

Are there any rules or set formats you have to follow?

 

How long is the program?

 

When you say there is a one-minute "link", are you talking about the break between music when you talk about what you've played. If so, that's ridiculous!

 

Normal broadcasting rules - no swearing, also no undue prominence as we don't have advertisers. Show is an hour long, usually get through about 10-15 tracks depending on the length.

[hamster]

 

Iris by Goo Goo Dolls? We have that on the playlist, i'll whack that on at about 3:45 for your other half. You owe me though

 

 

 

If it's on the playlist then you're playing it anyway. You owe me actually, for giving the show much needed structure.

 

You're a student, yes? I think that implies that it is you who owes me, the great british taxpayer. tfic.

 

btw young Mikey, I may be on question Time when it comes to Winchester in a fortnights time. Get you application in mate, we could car share.

[SuperMikey]

If it's on the playlist then you're playing it anyway. You owe me actually, for giving the show much needed structure.

 

You're a student, yes? I think that implies that it is you who owes me, the great british taxpayer. tfic.

 

btw young Mikey, I may be on question Time when it comes to Winchester in a fortnights time. Get you application in mate, we could car share.

 

We played it this morning, people will be angry about hearing the same song twice in two days. FFS.

 

I have Winchester down on my application form for Question Time, so they'll email me if they want me! Sounds good though mate.

[hamster]

Tell the complainant who they are dealing with, I'll fight em if I have to.Hope you're good mate?Night night, chat soon.hugs

[Hamilton Saint]

OK.

 

Is it supposed to be a mix of different kinds of music? Or are you going to focus on one type?

 

Any set format? Two tracks in a set? Or four tracks?

 

Does there have to be a minimum percentage of local artists, or British artists, or "hit" records? Or can you play whatever you want?

[SuperMikey]

OK.

 

Is it supposed to be a mix of different kinds of music? Or are you going to focus on one type?

 

Any set format? Two tracks in a set? Or four tracks?

 

Does there have to be a minimum percentage of local artists, or British artists, or "hit" records? Or can you play whatever you want?

 

Our only playlist requirements are to play at least 2 tracks from a specified playlist. We have to play 2 tracks from Playlist A or B, and then any of the rest we can bring in ourselves or use the large library on the system.

 

Playlist A consists of recent chart music and popular tracks.

Playlist B consists of 'massive hits' from the last year or so.

 

Thankfully there are a few decent tracks on either playlist, so we'll be relatively pleased with our musical output. I've got a few songs to put on a CD or something to play on air at some point, got a few crackers.

 

If anyone who's in a local band or something wants their track played on air, just give me a copy (radio friendly obviously, no swearing) and i'll whack it on for ya.

[Hamilton Saint]

If it was me (I did music programmes of all types for about five years on university radio in the late 70s and early 80s, by the way - the glory days of FM radio!), I would pick a theme and then play four or five sets, with three or four tracks per set. I'd try to mix up the styles and eras of music within each set. Then you can combine a diversity of sound into a unity of theme.

 

Or, I would devote a whole programme to playing my favourite music by one artist (problematic for you, I suppose, with your requirement of playing two tracks from Playlist A or B - unless they can both be by the same artist, and those playlists have some really good people on them!).

 

Trying to do it randomly doesn't always work; it's generally better to have something in mind, or have a core of tracks ready - even if you decide the order fairly spontaneously.

 

Have fun!

 

 

It can be interesting (for you AND the listeners) to pick a topical theme - something seasonal or some issue or event that's in the news.

 

Of course, you can also be the propagandist - playing stuff that you really like that you think deserves to be heard more. Ultimately - without being too self-indulgent - I think it's best to please yourself, rather than trying to play stuff you think will be popular.

Edited 14 October, 2011 by Hamilton Saint
further ideas!

[SuperMikey]

If it was me (I did music programmes of all types for about five years on university radio in the late 70s and early 80s, by the way - the glory days of FM radio!), I would pick a theme and then play four or five sets, with three or four tracks per set. I'd try to mix up the styles and eras of music within each set. Then you can combine a diversity of sound into a unity of theme.

 

Or, I would devote a whole programme to playing my favourite music by one artist (problematic for you, I suppose, with your requirement of playing two tracks from Playlist A or B - unless they can both be by the same artist, and those playlists have some really good people on them!).

 

Trying to do it randomly doesn't always work; it's generally better to have something in mind, or have a core of tracks ready - even if you decide the order fairly spontaneously.

 

Have fun!

 

 

It can be interesting (for you AND the listeners) to pick a topical theme - something seasonal or some issue or event that's in the news.

 

Of course, you can also be the propagandist - playing stuff that you really like that you think deserves to be heard more. Ultimately - without being too self-indulgent - I think it's best to please yourself, rather than trying to play stuff you think will be popular.

 

Thanks for the advice mate, that's brilliant. Does it irk you that when you were hosting student radio programmes in the 70s, I wasn't to be born for another 20 years?

 

I think our general aim with music is to play what we want, we probably won't pander to the listeners that much. That's part of the reason I signed up, to get some decent music on the radio for a change.

[Hamilton Saint]

Thanks for the advice mate, that's brilliant. Does it irk you that when you were hosting student radio programmes in the 70s, I wasn't to be born for another 20 years?

I think our general aim with music is to play what we want, we probably won't pander to the listeners that much. That's part of the reason I signed up, to get some decent music on the radio for a change.

 

Not at all!

 

The five years or so that I was deeply involved in university radio was one of the best times of my life.

 

There is a core group of friends that I made back then (most of us were involved in many aspects of radio - production, interviewing, news reading, DJing, etc.) that I still meet with once or twice a year. We had a "33 and 1/3" year reunion last spring (get it? - 33 and 1/3 being the RPMs of the old vinyl LPs, and 33 and 1/3 years since the radio station went low-power FM back in January, 1978.) Great days!

 

Here's the station's website:

 

http://cfmu.msumcmaster.ca/

[hamster]

Cheers DJ Mikey, mrs h was grateful but what was the kerfuffle about after the track finished? Your sidekick talks too fast btw.

 

Can you send me details of a contact too please. There's a new group at work who are working on a Hexagon Podcast, it would be an ideal platform for them to use. The people behind the station might want to pay us a visit and use the experience to hone their production skills etc. I would be very grateful if anything came of this as I need to be leaving as many legacies as poss so they never forget the hamster. There are also a couple of budding presenters too who also like the sound of their own voices. ;-)

 

Well done.

[SuperMikey]

Cheers DJ Mikey, mrs h was grateful but what was the kerfuffle about after the track finished? Your sidekick talks too fast btw.

 

Can you send me details of a contact too please. There's a new group at work who are working on a Hexagon Podcast, it would be an ideal platform for them to use. The people behind the station might want to pay us a visit and use the experience to hone their production skills etc. I would be very grateful if anything came of this as I need to be leaving as many legacies as poss so they never forget the hamster. There are also a couple of budding presenters too who also like the sound of their own voices. ;-)

 

Well done.

 

No problem mate, it actually helped us to plan the show a bit more having the dedication on there. My sidekick said the song was 'Goo Goo Dolls' by 'Iris', so we tried to take the p!ss out of him a bit. Hard to do when you can't swear.

 

Think the show was relatively successful for a first go, onwards and upwards. I'll PM you later with some details for somebody in charge of the station, they ought to be able to help you out with that mate.

[SuperMikey]

On air again from 3-5pm today, special 2 hour edition. You lucky sods.