Ridge Radio broadcasts from Soper Hall in Caterham Valley, we have 45 presenters who are volunteers and broadcasting 24/7 over the internet.
If you don’t already listen, here are a few easy ways to start. Either go to the website www.ridgeradio.co.uk and click ‘Listen Live’ or on the move by downloading our free Apple or Android Mobile App, it allows you to hear us anywhere in the country. At home, if you have an Alexa enabled device you can listen to us by asking it to ‘Install Ridge Radio’.
On the website is a Schedule Page with all of our shows and their broadcast time, make a note of our Business, Sports and Chat Show times, or simply pick the type of music you prefer and tune in each week.
If you are a local Charity, have an interesting story to tell, or a Local Band or Artist, then please contact us to come in and share your music and interesting stories.
E-mail: info@ridgeradio.co.uk
This month we would like to introduce you to Mark Keegan, our May presenter in the spotlight, his regular Sunday night music show is, Mark Keegan’s Sunday Best 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
What type of show do you have at Ridge Radio and how did you get involved?
I’ve got an eclectic taste in music, playing Rock, Indie, New Wave, Blues, and blending music from the 70’s and onwards with new emerging bands and artists you may not have heard of. I also like to get guests on regularly, as it keeps things interesting for me.
I used to act at The Miller Centre (a fantastic laocal theatre in Caterham) for over 20 years, and one of my acting friends, Mike Millsted, did a late night Friday show on Ridge Radio at the time and he had me on as his guest a few times. That was back in early 2012. I got the ‘bug’ as it were. and I’ve now done over 370 shows and just celebrated my 8 year Ridge Anniversary!
Do you have a celebrity crush?
Not really. I think the word ‘Celebrity’ has been somewhat distorted in recent times. Celebrity used to be a by-product of being exceptionally good at what you do (whether that’s as an actor, writer, footballer, scientist, etc, etc). But, nowadays, with the rise of reality TV, people just want to be ‘famous’ without either putting in the graft or having any talent.
You can only listen to one album during lockdown, which one would it be?
Like most people my favourite album changes daily. Right now, I’m listening to an album called ‘Nude Casino’ by a great new Dutch band called Iguana Death Cult
Tell us three interesting facts about you?
I once swam with Jane Fonda.
My dad was Joe Cocker’s Accountant.
I bumped into Sir Paul McCartney whilst skiing in California.
What song would be the theme song to your life?
‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ by Queen
Which fictional character would be the most exciting to meet in real life?
Computer hacker and all-round bad-ass, Lisbeth Salander (from the ‘Girl with The Dragon Tattoo’ series of books).
What is the best musical purchase you’ve ever made?
The very first Motörhead album (‘Motörhead’) back in 1977. It sounded amazing to my 15 year old ears back then (and it still does today!)
What are your favourite music venues to visit?
In the 70’s and 80’s it was the Hammersmith Odeon (as it was back then). Saw so many great and emerging bands during that time.
What ridiculous thing has someone tricked you into doing or believing?
As a kid listening to the radio news, when they said there’d been ‘guerrilla warfare in the jungle’ I’d assumed they meant actual Gorillas fighting with guns! Watching ‘Planet of The Apes’ might also have had something to do with it!
Tell us about your day job?
In April 2015, I chucked in my job in IT (after 38 years) and became a professional actor. Highlights over the last 5 years would be: Performing in the West End (‘Dry Land’ at Jermyn Street Theatre, and ‘Flutter’ at Soho Theatre); Performing at the Edinburgh Fringe (‘Sad Girls’ in 2017 and ‘Istanbul’ in 2018); and filming Season 3, Episode 3 of ‘The Windsors’ with Harry Enfield and Haydn Gwynne which has just aired on Ch4/ Netflix
