Well it’s hard to believe I have my own radio show sharing the music I love! I grew up in the great land of soft rock (Australia) and seemed to be alone searching for uplifting music which invariably came from the UK and later Europe.
Co-workers always found themselves smirking at the dance music bellowing out of my office and shaking my car but they always asked whether they could borrow my CDs!
Once technology came, I started making my own compilations and found my friends and even my teenage daughter coming to me looking for the latest Dance, Trance & Progessive and Hardcore tunes.
I like my music to lift me. I love shutting me eyes with the feeling the music is taking me away. And there is nothing wrong with sporadically just breaking out in dance - even for a big older fella like me!
My biggest whine has been Australia has been devoid of a Dance Radio Station. I should have been born in the UK! Dominated by large corporations, "the suits" in Australia always end up with a safe mix of 80s, 90s and current pop/rock boringly pumped out by a drab piece of radio automation software. The announcer doesn’t really know and often doesn’t care what the show plays. There’s no heart or soul in it.
All my life I search for the latest sound and I really don't understand people who continually reminisce over sad old love songs. Much better to listen to uplifting beats with "I will love again" rather than getting depressed with negative songs of the past. The future is good and having some powerful sounds to get your moving is a big help in my opinion.
I’ve had a serious corporate life and continue to consult to some of the worlds great technology organisations on making sure they have the right sales and leadership talent to win the big deals. It was a great honour to have run my profession as the National President of the ACS (Australian Computer Society) which represents technology professionals in Australia. I’ve lobbied government, I’ve run for Parliament, been interviewed extensively on TV and Radio, I’ve done TV commercials, continue to serve on many committees and am a part of a program to mentor young entrepreneurs. I’m time poor and live up to the adage: “If you need it done, find a busy person”.
But it’s been music and dance music in particular where I’ve gained my motivation and strength. For my entire life, dance music has lifted and motivated me. It’s like a pillar or foundation of my success.
I believe if you’re going to do something – do it properly or not at all. So I went through the gruelling process of getting into the Australia’s finest Radio Diploma Course at AFTRS. The Australian Film, Television and Radio School is staffed by the best in the industry. They pushed me hard. WeeKenDance was under constant scrutiny and my mentor Jen Oldershaw (one of the most brilliant TV and Radio voices in this nation) helped me “get it”. I cringe at what WeeKenDance originally was but even raw it played great music. Jen has given me the skills to keep reviewing the show, make it an exiting journey, to try new things and to entertain my audience.
So, my creative side gets a work out each week with my radio show "WeeKenDance" highlighting the best new Dance, Trance & Progressive, Garage, House and Happy Hardcore tracks. Who knows where it will lead? But in the meantime, it's just fun blasting out the beats I love and people asking me where they can get that tune!
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