Hello troops, a quick midweek update as promised.
Happy to tell you that another new show hits our Pod tonight, courtesy of Andy Miles.
His musical shenanigans for February 2008, is there for you, right now.
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Also, below, it seems the right time to unleash Andy's Q and A on you.
I'll be back at the weekend, with news of the forthcoming Saturday and Sunday programmes, from Cupcake, and Johnny Reece.
Enjoy your week !
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Steve
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The Andy Miles Q and A... :
If you were in charge of making the environment better what would you do?
This is a subject that I feel quite strongly about. Why recycle when you can re-use? When I was a young boy we would return empty bottles to the shop from where we got them. In return we received a refund.
After delivering goods to a supermarket, what does a truck take back to the warehouse? Why not return the containers which shoppers have returned. It seems pointless to collect so many 'custom made' bottles and jars and just grind them up when they could be re-used by the original companies. Coke bottles, beer bottles jam jars ... imagine...
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In your career with the Album Zone and the thousands of songs that you've played have you ever played anything that changed a listeners life?
Yes, many times. But you know, they have never thought to tell me.
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Have you ever considered quitting AZ ? And why ?
Not during the early days when we had 'live' outlets. Working with other presenters on a live event brings such a rush. Recorded programs are a mixed blessing. Working in your own studio with every thing to hand is great but it is insular and there is no instant feedback from listeners. Unless there are emails or letters or Faxes. I do sometimes wonder if anyone really enjoys the programme. It's wonderful to get communication from listeners. For those of you who do write in, a very big thank you.
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Anything you've done that you have really regretted ? Care to tell ?
Yes of course, many things. It's how we learn about life and relationships. I think one thing I can tell you that I regretted was to test a flashlight bulb in my grandmother's bedside light. I was 5 years old. It was very bright for a moment and I got a little burned too!
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It doesn't pay. Why do you do it ?
It's in my blood now. Like a drug. If I produce a good program that I feel proud of then it makes me happy. I am self critical though.
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What's the best thing about doing AZ ?
Getting emails from someone who says that they have enjoyed it or found the information useful or joins in with a debate on a subject I mentioned.
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And the worst ?
Having no feedback.
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Favourite city or town - and why ?
Guildford in Surrey, because it holds very special memories for me.
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Do you miss doing 'Live' Shows ?
Very much. They are completely different.
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Do you have a favourite record of all time - or are there just too many ?
It really depends on my mood. I do have many favourites and they are not just rocky ones. There are a couple of Jim Reeves songs I love. Richie Sambora features highly with me and Fool's Gold "Rain Oh Rain" is so beautiful. That's just for today. What favourites will tomorrow bring?
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Where have you never travelled - but really want to visit ?
Sweden.
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Ever thought of doing 'all talk' programmes ?
Yes, and I have done, but not for the Albumzone. It doesn't seem appropriate.
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Do you ever listen to any of the other AZ Presenters shows ?
If so, which ones and why ?
Yes. I have listened to all of them from time to time. I like being introduced to music I have never heard and also to be reminded of music I have but have forgotten that I have. Listening to other presenter's delivery interests me. Weird eh?
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Got pets ? What ?
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Yup, Got a 10 year old cat called Mussop. She made her debut on the Albumzone during a programme Johnny and I did together. I think her photo was on the blogspot page shortly afterwards.
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What's the funniest / saddest / strangest
thing to happen while doing (live ??) shows on the radio ?
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Johnny used to create a very warm atmosphere at the beginning of his programmes by opening a bottle of wine live on air so that you could hear the cork being pulled and wine being poured. I thought it would be amusing to satire this by opening a can of Guinness and a bag of crisps at the beginning of my show. However, the beer was a little lively and gushed from the can over the desk and soaked my jeans. My reaction was captured in the recording and in true Albumzone presenter fashion I continued with the programme in stout trousers.
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What was really embarrassing ?
Being met at Singapore Airport by a work colleague and talking to him for all of 20 minutes but could not remember his name. Is it just me?
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Who's the sexiest girl / boy singer for you ?
Gwen Stefani.
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Sexiest record ?
Move Over Darling - Doris Day, or My Side Of The Bed - Susanna Hoffs
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Please tell us something about your biography, we don't know much about you... where are you from, where are you now ? And where are you going ?
I was born in Oldenburg, Germany as the son of an English Officer and after moving to Gibraltar for 18 months returned to Southern England which has been my home ever since. I now live in the leafy glades of Hampshire (as Johnny likes to refer to it) and have worked for a few multi-nationals in the technology sectors and been very fortunate to have travelled on business to countries I may otherwise have never have visited. Where am I going? The next stop is bed.
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AZ has been going 10 years. Will you still be doing it in 10 years time ?
Yes I hope so.
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Would you like a job with a national radio station ?
Tricky question this. Yes, more so than a local station. I have very little respect for the standard of programming on local stations in the UK. The further from London you go, the worse they are.
So yes I would try a national station. More to the point, would any of them take me?
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Favourite Album ?
Phew, that's a toughie. I bit like songs I referred to further up the page. It depends on my mood. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a moody person, I'll punch anyone who says I am.
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Does a lot of advance planning go into your programmes, or do you just sit down and get on with it ?
Yes I do advance planning, and you know, it never seems to be enough. What does that tell you?
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Anything else you'd like to add ?
Yes, a few zeros to my pay cheque please.
