Crunch & Roll

I tell you what we we want, what we really, really want... ... a Head of Music who threw the Spice Girls debut single straight in the bin! But what if he was right all along..? This was one minor misstep though, in a fantastic 36 year career, entertaining audiences in East Anglia, the North East and Home Counties. John Darin chats to Foxy about his mad living arrangements when he moved to GNR; how as a manager, he tried to budget his way out of his on-air gig; and our old friend the radio station ghost makes a comeback. It's been a while. Classic Darin: https://www.aircheckdownloads.com/audio-search?term=john+darin&sort_bef_combine=relevance_DESC John's socials: https://x.com/johndarinradio // https://www.youtube.com/@JohnDarinRadio Support us on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

We've been asked loads why we don't have more people from Scottish radio on, and we can assure you it's not for the want of trying. But we think you'll agree we've bagged one of the absolute G's of Scottish radio here. Like Madonna and Cher, he's instantly recognisable by a single moniker. And like Madonna and Cher he's excelled in his field. It remains to be seen how he suits a see-through body suit or a conical bra though. His chat with Foxy is a joy, taking in his origin story as a successful knitwear salesman, an unbelievable management encounter on day three of a new job, and we get deep trying to figure out why there's a dearth of Scottish accents on English or national radio. And of course we discuss hi-jinx on the high seas with tales from the legendary listener trips to Amsterdam, Boogie on the Boat. Listen to Boogie in the Morning on Forth 1, weekdays 6-10: https://hellorayo.co.uk/forth/shows/boogie-in-the-morning And Boogie & Arlene on Greatest Hits Radio, Sunday nights from 7: https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/presenters/boogie-arlene-ghr Boogies socials: https://x.com/BoogsTweets / https://www.instagram.com/boogieinthemorning/ Support us on Ko_Fi and help keep us on your feed: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

Foxy's guest in this episode is bit of a rebel. The evil genius behind a pirate radio station at his school, busted by Ofcom and (accidentally) turning up to an awards do high as a kite. But rather than doing stretch Strangeways, James Merritt has forged a stellar radio career. Golden age Kiss 100, both Virgins, Heart and BRMB. Not bad for guy who wanted to get into radio after watching a Christian Slater film. This episode also contains another losing-your-gig story that can firmly be filed under 'Only In Radio'. This one is possibly the strangest one yet. Click here to listen to James on Virgin Radio and Virgin Radio Chilled: https://virginradio.co.uk/play/virginradiouk There's loads of classic Merritt on Aircheck Downloads: https://www.aircheckdownloads.com/audio-search?term=james+merritt&sort_bef_combine=relevance_DESC James on Twitter: https://x.com/james_merritt?lang=en-GB And Insta: https://www.instagram.com/james_merritt/ Help keep us on your feed. Support us on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

There's two for the price on one on this episode - we really do spoil you. Their parents christened them Simon and Chris, but these two Oldham lads went with the far more exotic sounding surnames when forging their radio careers, so you'll know them as Jagger & Woody. And it's their names that serendipitously got them their big break. More on that in the episode. They also chat to Foxy about getting the sack (a recuring theme in the early days), the one time they fell out, and how they almost ended up on one of the biggest shows on UK radio... but then, you know, radioy things happened. You can hear these two legends on the Heart Wales drivetime show, from 4pm-7pm. https://www.heart.co.uk/radio/shows-presenters/jagger-and-woody/ And you can hear how they launched Heart South Wales back in 2014 - https://www.aircheckdownloads.com/audio-search?term=jagger&sort_bef_combine=relevance_DESC. Your support of the podcast is always welcome and appreciated on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

This is part 2 of Foxy's chat with former presenter, producer, music guru, TV bloke and pop-quiz-question-setter. The first part is available now, but if you're up to date, prepare to hear about how he was probably responsible for popularising some of the most annoying songs of the early 00s; how TV wasn't for him; and how he came to be part of the most listened to feature on UK radio every day. Support Crunch & Roll: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll Listen to Ten to the Top, every weekday morning with Vernon Kaye on Radio 2, or catch up with on the podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06q6h18/episodes/downloads Test your own level of music geekery with Lee's book, The Official Charts' Music Quiz Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Official-Charts-Music-Quiz-Book/dp/1789295017

People often ask how we choose our guests. The answer is quite simple. People who've had varied and interesting careers and have a good story to tell. And it always helps if we know them. So getting this episode's guest on was a no-brainer. Lee Thompson has been a presenter, producer, author, head of music, TV guy... and is now part of the most listened to feature on UK radio. He tells a bloody good story, and he has plenty of them from working at Metro, Viking, Radio 2, Box TV and more. In this, the first of two parts, he chats to Foxy about how he heard the "phenomenal" demo of a 16 year old, future radio star; chatting with one of the 90s most iconic stars; and getting sacked from a radio station in Wales for doing something truly mad! Look out for part two, coming very soon. Support Crunch & Roll: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll Listen to Ten to the Top, every weekday morning with Vernon Kaye on Radio 2, or catch up with on the podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06q6h18/episodes/downloads Test your own level of music geekery with Lee's book, The Official Charts' Music Quiz Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Official-Charts-Music-Quiz-Book/dp/1789295017

This is part two of Foxy's chat with the brilliant Allan Lake. Part one is available now, if you want to hear his origin story. In this episode he chats about how a cow nearly got his employers evicted from their studios; losing his "dream job"; and how the tragic death of a good friend and colleague affected him. Support Crunch & Roll: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

As Oscar Wild almost once said, "To lose one job may be regarded as a misfortune, to lose several looks like carelessness." John Fox's guest on this episode admits to getting sacked a lot. He also admits he struggles with "where the line is". There could be a correlation... Allan Lake is a brilliant, one-of-a-kind radio presenter. Lesser presenters would have sunk without trace after the feature that lost him his first job, but Allan came back stronger after every set back. He has a CV many of us could only dream of: Capital, Absolute, Power FM, Red Dragon, Galaxy, Viking... One of the most notable entries on his CV though was his iconic Capital Disney evening show. And where do you go after entertaining the kids, that's right, a porn station! He'll make it make sense. This is the first of another two-parter, in which he talks about accidentally taking the radio station off air before his first ever show; how he was hidden from a group PD; and what might explain his penchant for pushing things just that little bit too far. Look out for the second episode soon. Support Crunch & Roll on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

We've heard lots of reasons why people get into radio on this podcast. Often it stems from a childhood obsession, starting with good old Bedroom FM, then maybe doing mobile discos, hospital radio and what have you... It's almost a calling. For the guest of this episode though, that really wasn't the case. She just wanted to dress up as her local radio station's mascot! After realising her ambition, she then went on to become one of the most heard voices on UK radio. Sally Bailey presented the ubiquitous, showbiz evening show Music Control. She also had iconic stints on Galaxy and Red Dragon, forming memorable double-acts with with Kam Kelly and Kevin Hughes. In fact, if you were to say "Kam and..." or "Kevin and..." to a generation of radio people they'd all know the only acceptable response is "Sally". These days, Sally is one of the hardest-working and most recognisable voiceovers in the UK, as well as doing a daily show on Virgin Radio Chilled. In this episode hear about how she worked for free for a ridiculously long time; which global mega-star made her cry; and who she did an "abysmal" demo with to try and get on Capital. Sally's on Virgin Radio Chilled, weekdays 10-2: https://virginradio.co.uk/play/virginradiochilled Hear some classic Kam and Sally here, including their very first episode: https://www.aircheckdownloads.com/uk-airchecks/corecontrol/2000s/kam-sally-first-show-sept-2nd-2002-723 Sally's voiceover website: https://www.bristolvoiceover.co.uk/ Help keep the Crunch & Roll episodes coming, and support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

This is the second part of John Fox's chat with Manchester radio stalwart Adam Cole. Catch up on part one if you've not heard it yet... ... because this episode he swaps Moss Side for Miami. Hear about how this hot jock ended up reading the news; presenting a breakfast show with his boss; and probably the most uncompassionate and brutal sacking we've ever heard about ("In for a penny, I've got nothing to lose"). It's a rollercoaster. Adam’s current project is the spiky upstart in the MCR radio market, and it’s rather good. Have a listen: https://www.thisisthebuzz.com/ Here’s some classic Cole cuts: https://aircheckdownloads.com/audio-search?term=adam+cole&sort_bef_combine=relevance_DESC Help keep the Crunch & Roll episodes coming, and support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

shaft /ʃɑːft/ verb past tense: shafted; past participle: shafted vulgar slang, informal treat (someone) harshly or unfairly. There are moments in some people’s career where they’re riding on the crest of a wave and an exciting new challenge comes along and tempts them away with promises that are too good to say no to. Then… see above. Adam Cole is a stalwart of the Manchester radio scene and has been for a very long time. In fact, he’s worked at every major station in the market there, and at one notable example FOUR times. His Galaxy breakfast show was legendary, hugely successful and multi award-winning. And it’s probably his success there that set the scene for what was to come. In this episode we find out why he got sacked from hospital radio, which legend he eagerly got CDs out for before his breakfast show, and hear about a wind up call that went a bit too well. This is the first of two episodes with Adam – look out for the second on this feed very soon. Adam’s current project is the spiky upstart in the MCR radio market, and it’s rather good. Have a listen: https://www.thisisthebuzz.com/ Here’s some classic Cole cuts: https://aircheckdownloads.com/audio-search?term=adam+cole&sort_bef_combine=relevance_DESC Help keep the Crunch & Roll episodes coming, and support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

Some of our guests dip their toe in the exotic world of overseas radio but end up gravitating back to the UK. We get the impression that Ian Camfield though, would rather lose a limb than return home. He's and XFM legend - there from the start and through the glory days which we hard about in part one of this two-parter. In this second part though, we cross the pond to the good ol' US of A where we hear the crazy circumstances of how he got his first gig over there; the cut-throat world of American radio; and a man called Don Belucas. Ian's on Alt 103.7 in Dallas which you might find tricky to listen to outside America, so if you want to hear him, get some of these classic Camfield cuts in your ears: https://aircheckdownloads.com/audio-search?term=ian+camfield&sort_bef_combine=relevance_DESC And he's got his own fancy website: https://iancamfield.com/ Follow Crunch & Roll on Bluesky for the heads up on future episodes and exclusive clips: https://bsky.app/profile/crunchnroll.bsky.social And you can support the pod on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

Some of our guests dip their toe in the exotic world of overseas radio but end up gravitating back to the UK. We get the impression that Ian Camfield though would rather lose a limb than return home. He's and XFM legend - there from the start and through the glory days - but plies his trade in the US nowadays... but more of that in part two. In part one we concentrate on the Camfield origin story, including which Radio One behemoth invited him into his (very loud) studio when he was just aged eight, and started him on his stellar career trajectory. Also find out how the stigma of working on a certain station almost meant his XFM dream died before it had even started, and which kings-of-rock asked him to help get their personal trainer a US visa. This is part one of two, so keep an eye out for the second on this very feed. Ian's on Alt 103.7 in Dallas which you might find tricky to listen to outside America, so if you want to hear him, get some of these classic Camfield cuts in your ears: https://aircheckdownloads.com/audio-search?term=ian+camfield&sort_bef_combine=relevance_DESC And he's got his own fancy website: https://iancamfield.com/ Follow Crunch & Roll on Bluesky for the heads up on future episodes and exclusive clips: https://bsky.app/profile/crunchnroll.bsky.social And you can support the pod on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

Hey man! It's Griffo! For those of you not familiar with Griffo's work, he's a legend of the airwaves in North Wales and Yorkshire. He's tighter than a gnat's chuff and has a voice that Morgan Freeman would kill for. As one former boss told him in a snoop, "You make my station sound BIG"! Foxy's know Griffo for almost a quarter of a century having worked with him at V*king FM, so he has some stories to hit him with off the bat. And there's plenty of stuff he didn't know about too, including how he got his first break on air at 16; how an engineer fell on him mid-link; and there's a classic instance of a laissez-faire interpretation of GDPR with regards Phonebox. He also reads out a memo sent by an eccentric MD in 1999, subject line: Men's Toilets. It's INCREDIBLE. Griffo's website: https://griffomedia.com/ Classic Griffo: https://www.aircheckdownloads.com/audio-search?term=griffo&sort_bef_combine=relevance_DESC Twitter: https://x.com/GriffoMedia Support Crunch & Roll: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

We all have those moments in our lives where we look back and think, why did I do that. In radio terms, Paul Hayes 'why did I do that' moment was HUGE. Let's just say it involved a Richard Park, Ashley Tabor and a pizza. Paul's done a decade on the mighty Magic in London, but his career has taken in big stations in the UK, Canada and UAE, so the guides us through stories from his time at Southern FM, Galaxy, Heart and more. Including how he once rearranged a former PD's entire house, much to his anger; how his brother made a joke about his career trajectory that unfortunately came true; and how one boss took him out with "a wad of cash" in an attempt to change his mind about leaving! Hear Paul in action on pretty much all his stations, here: https://www.aircheckdownloads.com/audio-search?term=paul+hayes&sort_bef_combine=relevance_DESC Paul's on Magic early breakfast, 4am-6am, Monday to Friday: https://hellorayo.co.uk/magic/presenters/paul-hayes/ Paul's Twitter: https://x.com/hayesonair Like what you hear? We'd be eternally grateful for any support you can give on Ko-Fi. https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

What? Another legend from the station formerly known as Wave 105? Ambassador, you're spoiling us. Mark Collins is another stalwart of the South Coast radio scene and still plies his trade on the mighty 105.2FM (or DAB 11B / 11C in new money), under it's new name, Great Hits Radio. You might have heard of it... But Mark had a career longer than most before he'd ever been to the South Coast taking in Chiltern, Red Dragon, Radio City, Hallam and one single show on TalkSport amongst others. Highlights of his chat with Foxy include learning the lesson of taking a job just for the money might not always be the best option; how he was effectively guarantor to a well know presenter he wanted to hire against the wishes of his boss; and the best story about giving away a Panasonic boombox in South Wales that you'll ever hear. Here's a stack of classic Collins: https://www.aircheckdownloads.com/audio-search?term=mark+collins&sort_bef_combine=relevance_DESC Hear Mark on Greatest Hits Radio South Coast, weekdays 1300-1600: https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/south-coast/ Mark's Twitter: https://x.com/SparkyTheClown Feel free to drop down a Trainspotting rabbit hole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnKLvmuo1Vs Support Crunch & Roll: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

Us radio folk wear the term anorak as a badge of honour. But no matter how big a radio geek you think you are, you're really not, because John Foster is the Anorak in Chief. As Foxy chats to him, he produces pieces of paraphernalia, liberated from former workplaces, each with a story attached. He also has an incredible memory for details such as radio station addresses, straplines and trim levels of branded cars he's owned! He takes us through his career, from the heady early days at Radio Cleveland, right through to the emotional times towards the end of his time in the industry. Listen to some classic Foster here, with clips from pretty much every station he's ever worked at!: https://www.aircheckdownloads.com/audio-search?term=john+foster&sort_bef_combine=relevance_DESC Need a voice over, some media training or event hosting? John's your man: https://www.johnfostervoice.com/ John's Twitter: https://x.com/johnfostervoice Support Crunch & Roll: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

We've featured some presenters who are synonymous with the stations where they plied their trade for an impressive amount of time - Fresh at Beacon and Elliott Webb at BRMB for example - and there's no denying that James Heming is Mr Invicta. He spent the majority of his career at a station in Kent, somewhere he admits he couldn't have pointed to on a map before moving there! And for an incredible 19 of years of his time there, he was on Breakfast. Not bad for a cover jock... He also opens up about his ill-fated stint on XFM breakfast; his bromance with a well-known fellow Invicta presenter; and how he dropped the F bomb on at 8.10 one morning! So tune in and rip the knob off! (If you know, you know...) James's socials: https://www.instagram.com/jamesjheming/ | https://x.com/jamesheming James on XFM! https://www.aircheckdownloads.com/uk-airchecks/xfm-london/1990s/james-heming-aug-29th-1998-230 Listen to James, weekend mornings, 7-11: https://www.madeinkent.co.uk/shows If you enjoy the podcast, just want to give you a quick reminder that we’d be grateful if you would support us on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

For the two of you who don't know, Clive was one of the big guns in UK radio management. The King of Capital. The Duke of Jack. The Archbishop of Absolute. But then he went to Australia, and took a lifetime of radio knowledge and enough stories to fill your average-sized encyclopaedia with him. So very early (too early) one Sunday, when British Summer Time and Australian Eastern Standard Time conveniently aligned, we embarked on a mission to liberate and disseminate some of this knowledge and these stories from the Southern hemisphere. So prepare to find out how Elton John was responsible for him getting into radio, how he almost introduced Posh and Becks back in the 90s, and how he's not scared of Richard Park! There's also some consumer advice on how you might go about buying a major radio group, so if your in the market for one, you might want to make some notes. If you enjoy the podcast, just want to give you a quick reminder that we’d be grateful if you would support us on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll

On the advice of our legal team, which as regular listeners will know is a made up guy called Gary, we were advised to give this guest the chance to rebuke a serious accusation made against him by several previous guests on this podcast. So for the avoidance of doubt, SIMON LOGAN HAS NEVER THROWN A WHITEBOARD RUBBER AT ANYONE. Now that unpleasantness is out of the way... Simon was the guy on the Viking FM breakfast show when a fresh-faced young John Daniel Fox was travelling to college, drenched in Joop and wearing one of those colour-changing t-shirts. So, in the week that Viking FM celebrates its 40th birthday (and ceases to actually be Viking FM anymore, but let's not dwell on that), who better to get on than one of its legendary jocks. Simon may have been best known for his on-air wind up calls both in Hull and on Radio Aire in Leeds. In fact he put out a CD of the best wind ups and got into the top 20 of the actual album charts, sandwiched between two Britpop stalwarts! Most recently he's been plying his trade on BBC Radio Newcastle, a job that he got all by himself. But if a former Radio 1 legend had his way, he could have been his agent and taken a tidy 15%. More on that in the episode. And did you know he may have been the highest paid overnight guy ever? You will once you've listened. So many great stories and big laughs in this episode. Enjoy! There is some FANTASTIC classic Logie to listen to here: https://www.aircheckdownloads.com/audio-search?term=simon+logan&sort_bef_combine=relevance_DESC Hear Simon's more recent 80s v 90s shows on BBC Radio Newcastle: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004wzjk If you enjoy the podcast, just want to give you a quick reminder that we’d be grateful if you would support us on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/crunchandroll