FEATURE:
Radio Stars
IN THIS PHOTO: Mary Anne Hobbs and Shaun Keaveny will present alternate weeks between 12-4 p.m. from Monday, 6th April on BBC Radio 6 Music/PHOTO CREDIT: @BBC6Music/@maryannehobbs
The Comfort of BBC Radio 6 Music
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I have written about BBC Radio 6 Music…
IN THIS PHOTO: Chris Hawkins presents the 5-8 a.m. weekend slot, and he is on from 6-8:30 a.m. weekdays from Monday, 6th April
a fair bit through the years, and I will try and keep this feature (relatively) brief. In past features, I have extolled the virtues of the station as they celebrated big listener figures, anniversaries and, well, just to generally tip my cap! Now, as the nation is in lockdown, many of us are having our routines disrupted; our lives are changed, and we are all looking forward to returning to normal – as much as that is possible. Whilst we are being given a rare opportunity to stay at home, I think a lot of people are struggling – that is perfectly understandable! Not only are people unable to work/earn money; many are suffering in terms of their mental-health. I have been able to work from home, but even that is not enough to give me requisite strength and optimism. I applaud all radio stations around the country, but BBC Radio 6 Music is my chosen station. They have been immense over the past few weeks and, as we are about to enter a new week of lockdown, things are changing at the station. From Monday to Thursday, it will look like this: 6-8.30 a.m.: Chris Hawkins; 8.30 a.m.-12 p.m.: Lauren Laverne; 12-4 p.m.: Shaun Keaveny/Mary Anne Hobbs to alternate/rotate weekly; 4 –7 p.m.: Craig Charles; 7-9 p.m.: Marc Riley; 9 p.m.–midnight: Gideon Coe. On Friday, these changes have come in: 4-7 p.m.: Craig Charles’ Weekend Workout; 7-9 p.m.: Cillian Murphy; 9 p.m.–midnight: Tom Ravenscroft. These changes ensure that the station can broadcast on, and they are protecting the health of their staff.
IN THIS PHOTO: Lauren Laverne is on the air between 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. weekdays from Monday, 6th April/PHOTO CREDIT: @BBC6Music
I always tune into Lauren Laverne at breakfasts, and she has been getting particular praise for bringing joy and comfort to all of us. I listened in on Thursday, as presenters from BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC 1 Xtra and Asian Network all joined together for a singalong. Each station played a song – voted for by their listeners –, and it was wonderful to see them all unite. On Laverne’s show, we got to sing along to Prince’s Raspberry Beret; listeners were encouraged to sing along and film themselves. Laverne and her team (her skeleton team) have been fantastic. Not only have we enjoyed all the unusual features and great music, but it is nice to hear the breakfast show going strong. Although it starts a bit later from next week, the fact Lauren Laverne is still on air and keeping us all uplifted is wonderful. On usual weekday mornings, she passes to Mary Anne Hobbs – they broadcast from the Wogan House but, as you’d imagine, are in different studios. Hobbs’ show, too, gives us that nice hug and sense of community. I always listen to her show, and I she is moving to a later slot next week – her and Shaun Keaveny are broadcasting alternate weeks. It is great Hobbs remains on air, and her calming tones are a tonic. I have not mentioned Chris Hawkins who, not only does weekday early mornings, but he does the early weekend shift as well!
IN THIS PHOTO: Craig Charles takes over from Shaun Keaveny/Mary Anne Hobbs at 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday from next week (on Fridays, he hosts the Craig Charles’ Weekend Workout in the same time slot)/PHOTO CREDIT: @BBC6Music
I have no idea where the man gets his stamina, but he is this constantly reliable figure. Like all shows on the station, I love Hawkins’ broadcast, and he is an essential part of the BBC Radio 6 Music family. It is that sense of family that really resonates. Rather than feel isolated and completely alone, you get this feeling that we are all part of the same brood. I am looking forward to Shaun Keaveny returning to the station next week – he has been self-isolating. Tom Ravenscroft has been doing a sterling job filling in (as usual), but I am excited Keaveny is coming back. He will reunite with Matt Everitt – who, I think, might be delivering his music news from home (check out his excellent The First Time with… series). Keaveny will be refreshed and ready to go I imagine, and I know he will bring us plenty of laughs. I am mentioning broadcasters from shows that I listen to, but I want to send a salute to each and every person who works for the station. I love tuning into Radcliffe and Maconie on weekend breakfasts, and it will be wonderful hearing Craig Charles in a regular (for now) slot from next week, as he always raises smiles, and is a someone who can lift the mood with his infectious energy. Although, as they’d be the first to admit, the real heroes are the NHS staff, the supermarket workers and those keeping us running, I think BBC Radio 6 Music (and all other stations) should take a bow, as radio is more important now than ever. Without their dedication and all-inclusive, all-in-this-together mantra, so many of us would feel adrift and lost.
I am not sure when things will go back to how they were, though most of us hope there is some positive news in the next few weeks – and it will be nice to think that those at BBC Radio 6 Music can give each other a hug and we can get back to how things were. At this time when we need to stay indoors and be patient, I suggest you listen to BBC Radio 6 Music – you can also check out their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts for information and fun stuff. Jane Garvey (of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour) recently wrote an article regarding the importance of radio right now. Maybe that is one of the positive that will come out of all of this: a new and strengthened appreciation of radio. None of us are quite sure what the next few weeks will hold but, as we tune into BBC Radio 6 Music, there is that warmth and sense of reassurance. Though the schedule is changing, the fact that so many of our favourite BBC Radio 6 Music voices are broadcasting is hugely rewarding. I – like everyone else – wish them safe health. It is inspiriting to be part of this…
IN THIS PHOTO: Gilles Peterson (left) is on air today (4th April) from 2 p.m./PHOTO CREDIT: @BBC6Music
WONDERFUL family.