The Anatomy Of The Show
Several hours of preparation go into each three hour show believe it or not - the basic 'framework' consists of the listing of at least 14 tracks per hour. These are usually chosen at random although some may be because one of the band has a birthday that day or a listener has requested it during a previous show. On the subject of requests these can be handled on the day if I can put my hand on the track virtually straight away and of course they maintain the format of the show.
The main aim is to play tracks which are not heard very often on everyday radio with an obvious bias in favour of the magical 1980s. The other is not to repeat tracks from one show to another although some do receive another airing usually three or so months since the last. To help with this I have a database of all tracks played and in which show.
Added to this during regular visits to the likes of The Netherlands and Germany (to name but two countries!) I generally return with a fine selection of, shall we say, drinking songs generally heard in huge marquees at a considerable volume!
So - each show starts out as a blank piece of A4 paper. Celebrity birthdays are checked along with any requests and then the master list is read alongside what there is of the library database (which I know I'll never finish!) and piles of CDs.
Each chosen track is then written down followed by the month and year in which it charted along with its highest UK chart position. The running and introduction times (intro being the time up to the song's vocals starting) and where the track is are also noted. From this a range of books and sheets of paper are scoured for items of UK and world history from the month and year. Not all of this gets read out if the show turns out to be busy with emails arriving during the show with hellos and the like. Personally it always makes my day to be mentioned on the radio so I reckon it must be a mutual feeling!
Once all the tracks are listed I'll then skim through them all to gauge the 'feel' of the show. After that various station jingles are then added to the list which then completes the preparation job!