It’s quite sad to let go, as I had a lot of fun at Xtreme Radio, and have overseen loads of exciting projects. I’ve also been very fortunate to meet loads of people from radio throughout my 2 years, from nice SRA folk, to famous faces!

So what next? Well I’ve got a few options open to me and I’m exploring them all so hopefully I’ll get a job in the not too distant future! Wish me luck

Brett

Please note: This article was requested to be written for the Swansea University newspaper The Waterfront, I’ve just reposted it here, as my blog hasn’t been getting much loving recently

On Tuesday the 24^th November 2009, I was lucky enough to have one of the best, even if a bit surreal, days of my life. I was nominated for Best Technical Achievement at the Student Radio Awards 2009, so I got invites for tours around BBC Radio 1 and Global Radio, as well as an invite to the Student Radio Awards in the indigO2 in the O2 Arena (Millennium Dome).

When I arrived in London, I went straight to Radio 1! So I get my guest pass, and wait outside, then I hear someone say “Excuse me” to us students, so we move out the way, and Fearne Cotton walks past, everyday stuff! Then I walked up the stairs, and look up and get passed on the stairs by Al Murray, very surreal! Anyway when we were in Radio 1 we had talks about Radio 1, how to get a job there, and stuff like that and a tour around the studios; it was awesome and we got to watch Greg James do some of his show, and were shown around by his producer, Neil Sloan! We got a tour around Chris Moyles’ studio, and basically had a lot of fun, we even got mentioned on Radio 1 by Greg James, while we were in the studio next door listening in, can’t get much cooler than that!

Then it was off to Global, for more of the same – and seeing their studios was also fantastic and met some really nice people, and saw the studios of all of their radio stations, including Galaxy and XFM.

Then it was time for the main event, the Awards, hosted by Scott Mills, Fearne Cotton and Greg James. Loads of famous faces were giving out awards, including Zoe Ball, Westwood, and Richard Park. Then my award came up… and I won Silver! Was very happy to win Silver, very chuffed!

Then was time for the mash up! Global Radio vs BBC Radio 1, this was awesome! Basically DJs representing both sides, with a bit of friendly banter thrown in! The likes of Scott Mills, Sacha Brooks, Greg James, Dave Pearce, Huw Stephens and Steve Lamacq, all had a go, and by the end of the night, we were all, slightly tired and emotional, really loving the music, and having fun with all the other radio folk.

All in all a great night, hopefully we can go again next year!
Big thanks to BBC Radio 1, Global Radio, the Student Radio Association and all the folks that I met on Tuesday!

Well I’m a Computer Science student, but I don’t think I could sit in front of a computer for the rest of my life programming. I like being an engineer at Xtreme Radio because one day I could be fiddling with the mixer, one day I could be programming the website, one day I could be in the attic fiddling with cables, one day I could be on the computers fiddling with playout systems. It’s varied, it’s interesting, it’s fun.

I also get to broadcast! Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t think I’m the next Chris Moyles, Jonathan Ross, Richard Bacon or even Terry Wogan. But I enjoy it, and I put quite a bit of effort into it, and to trying to improve myself. It also comes back to my point eariler, I can do tech stuff and I can even broadcast… brilliant

Now i’ve recently become involved in Afan FM, a community radio station covering Port Talbot & Neath, and it’s great fun. The first live show I did there was very nervewracking, as it was the first time i’d broadcasted live on FM radio, a pretty big moment for me, and I was paranoid I was going to do something which I’d regret. Anyway hopefully i’m starting to loosen up a bit now, as i’m getting more used to the station, and i’m starting to “forget” about being on FM in a weird way, and just thinking about creating good radio. But on the same token, as i’m starting to become an IT Technician/Webmaster for the station, I can also fiddle with code, fiddle with websites and other stuff as well as be a DJ! What other job lets you have this much freedom?

I’m hoping to go into radio as a career when I leave university, but who knows where i’ll end up. Radio isn’t the best paid job in the world, hell i’ve not made a penny from Radio as yet, but I enjoy it, and i’d rather do something I enjoy but take a bit of a pay cut, then do something I hate but get more money, I mean whats the point in spending ~8 hours a day doing something you hate, just for more money?! Life is too short!

Sorry for the lack of posts, i’ve been so busy!

Xtreme Radio is doing well, and you can check out my Show 1-3 on Monday – Will probably be the last one this year however, and will probably get a different time next semester, but listen regardless or… listen again. THERE IS NO EXCUSE!

Anyway Xtreme turned 40 a few weeks ago and Zane Lowe came down to DJ. He was great, he really does know how to mix!

I’ve been a bit snowed under with coursework lately, but it’s the last day of term on Friday, yipppppie! Can’t wait to have a break, this semester has been really really tough, the courses are very hard.

So that’s a brief update on what i’ve been up to, i’ll try and post a bit more often over the holidays

Have fun,
Brett

the last week has been ultra busy for me, so that explains the lack of posts!

I’ve been in the Xtreme Studio most days, and at Freshers Fayre/Meetings etc, so i’ve been very very busy! Incidentially if you want to listen to xtremeradio, go over to xtremeradio.org Anyways, it’s been a hectic but fun week, and today we had a load of freshers come along to join Xtreme, and it was packed! Amy has a massive job on her hands to place all those folks in the Schedule, I don’t envy her at the moment :s, I don’t yet know if we’ve had any applications to the Engineering team, so can’t comment there.

I’ll be stewarding at the Xtreme Social on Monday night, I’m pretty sure there are still tickets available, so if you want to go, then grab a ticket fast! They are selling very very fast. It’s gonna be a good night