Ridge Radio broadcasts from Soper Hall in Caterham Valley, we have 45 volunteer presenters who broadcasting 24/7 over the internet.
To listen go to the website www.ridgeradio.co.uk and click ‘Listen Live’ or download our free Apple or Android Mobile Apps, it allows you to hear us anywhere in the country. At home, if you have an Alexa enabled device you can listen by asking ‘Alexa Install Ridge Radio’.
If you are a local Charity and have an interesting story to tell, or a Local Band or Artist, 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 Dan Cottrell, our August Presenter in the Spotlight.He presents a regular Sunday night music show with Alex Campbell another one of our presenters.Sunday Night Live 8:00pm to 10:00pm, we asked him the following questions:
How did you get involved with Ridge Radio and what type of show do you present?
Having been a hospital radio presenter in North London, I was keen to carry on presenting when I moved to Surrey. Having found Ridge Radio based in Caterham, it meant that I could continue doing my favourite hobby without the long commute!
I present Sunday Night Live with my good friend and broadcast veteran, Alex Campbell – you will catch us every Sunday between 8pm – 10pm where our mission is to make people feel good! We take a look at the light hearted good news stories of the week, plus play some brilliant upbeat music, guaranteed to put a smile on people’s faces whilst inviting lots of audience interaction including swapping 9 o’clock for wine o’clock… perhaps you could choose the music next week?
What is your daytime job, and do you have any spare time for hobbies?
My job in Sales and Marketing is another passion of mine and I’m a huge believer in doing a job that you love means that you will never have to work a day in your life.
Although very demanding, it gives me an opportunity to be creative on a daily basis in order to build solutions that exceed my client’s objectives. Whilst I don’t get a huge amount of time for hobbies, I always make time to prepare and present my Ridge Radio show every Sunday!
If you could meet any musician, either living or deceased, who would you choose and why?
Ed Sheeran! One of my favourite musicians of all time and I’m absolutely in ore of how he can perform in a place like Wembley Stadium with just a guitar and a loop pedal. I’ve followed him since before he hit the bigtime and can really resonate with his lyrics.
What TV series have you recently binge watched?
Although I would happily swap my TV for a radio, I absolutely love a good drama! Recently, I’ve watched the entire series of Manifest about a group of people that re-appear on a flight five years after taking off! I’m also partial to a good documentary and would recommend watching McMillions available on Sky Documentaries which follows an FBI investigation into people who de-frauded the McDonald’s Monopoly game in the late nineties/early noughties.
If you could live on any other planet (real or fictional), where would you go and why?
I’m pretty happy on this planet to be honest, whilst I’m always curious about space travel, the thought of being cooped up on a space rocket for years and years to reach another destination just seems like a waste of time when I could be enjoying the time with loved ones right here.
What is your most treasured possession?
My BBQ! Anyone that knows me well enough will have been to one of my legendary BBQ’s – they may not remember leaving but they are guaranteed to have had a good time with lots of amazing food, drink, and entertainment. I BBQ in all weathers and throughout the year, including on New Year’s Eve in -5 degrees just to cook slow cooked brisket and pork belly, it was amazing!
If you could only listen to three albums for the rest of your life, what would they be?
The 90’s is my favourite decade and where I did most of my growing up. I think it was an amazing 10 years of music and these albums have pretty much defined my life. Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) Chaka Demus & Pliers – Tease Me (1993) and Usher – 8701 (2001)
What’s the most memorable holiday you’ve ever taken?
I went to Salou in Spain with my family when I was 16 years old and the DJ at the bar we went to quit on the night we arrived. I offered to step in to replace him and ended up DJ’ing every single night until the day we went home. It was amazing to see how the music I was playing along with the karaoke was getting people up on the dancefloor and giving them a night to remember forever!
You’re involved with Ridge Radio’s 96-hour broadcast, can you tell us more about this?
I’m delighted to be part of this epic event and broadcasting for 24 hours alongside Alex Campbell and Sarah Nicholls to raise money for Ridge Radio and the Tandridge Together Community Fund. We have been busy planning the show and can’t wait to take part in the challenge – the only question is, will we stay awake? You can donate at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ridgeradio
Finally, what advice would you give to an aspiring radio presenter?
Just be yourself and enjoy what you do. Don’t expect to be the next Chris Evans or Zoe Ball as it’s notoriously hard to break in to mainstream radio. If you enjoy what you do and can bring a smile to other people, then mission accomplished!
If you think you might be able to present a radio show, we are looking for daytime presenters, email Andy Mac andy@ridgeradio.co.uk for more info.
