It's been a while, something like 15 years in fact, since I was last on the radio and, to be honest, I didn't think I'd ever get back on (or even try to). However, that's exactly what's happened (not the 'trying' part). I was approached by a new and, this time, legal internet radio station to become a presenter and, for reasons that I've never quite fathomed, I agreed.
This happened a few months back and I kind of put it to the back of my mind since then until a couple of weeks ago when I was invited to attend the first DJ's meeting for the station. Even then, at the meeting, it still felt a little surreal after all this time. Obviously, I'm still a huge fan of music and, indeed, am even more involved in/with it than ever. But I still didn't foresee the day when I would be back behind the decks spinning tunes and chatting bullshit.
Well that day is here. Starting this Saturday, 10th October 2009 between the hours of 9-12 pm (GMT) I will officially and, for the first time, legally be 'on air' at Jam1Online.
As with most things in life, there are pros and cons with this situation; on the positive side, despite this being a legal station it is also independent so I don't have to follow a playlist, another advantage to being legal is not having to worry about being cut off mid-show or, worse still, my records being seized. On the other hand, I do have to restrict what I play in terms of lyrical content and context. Being a bit of a potty-mouth myself combined with the fact that a lot of the music I like has been known to turn the air blue, I'm not happy about being (self-)censored in this way.
However, there is a possible silver-lining at the end of that particular nimbus and that is the possibility of an extra show on Friday nights from 12-3 (GMT). You see, the UK Radio Authority, unto which this station is responsible, has set a 'watershed' time of midnight, which means that I could play anything I like (within reason) on this show. So here I am, angling for more 'air-time' and I haven't even started yet. It's just that I abhor censorship (although I acknowledge that some people/groups of people are better off and/or prefer not to be exposed to certain material/knowledge/experiences) and want the chance to play some deep, meaningful Hip Hop (instead of that Club Rap stuff) from artists like Immortal Technique, Dead Prez, etc., and sometimes these cats use expletives when they're expressing themeselves.
I also intend to feature (in both shows, should I get the second one) tracks from unsigned and independent artists that wouldn't normally get played on legal radio, not just to be unique (although I will try not to turn into a clone of DJ wotisname) but because I believe in a lot of the music that never gets listed. Whilst some of it may never manifest as 'hits' I'm sure that a lot of it will be welcomed by a wider audience once they've had a chance to listen to it.
Anyway, if you're reading this blog I'd really appreciate it if (provided you're not due to be doing something else) you'd open up the Jam1Online page - you don't have to join, sign up or log in - in your browser on Saturday night (or evening, or morning, depending on where you are in the world), listen to the show and leave any feedback, good or bad (remember my stance on censorship, fire away), as comments to this blog (or anywhere you like really). I'm genuinely interested in any response because I want this show to mean something, otherwise it means nothing and I might as well go back into retirement.
