Michelle Ward - popular presenter - Phoenix FM, BrentwoodI’ve always been interested in
radio and enjoy having connections with many different forms from large BBC
stations in the UK to local community and hospital radio. Voices are vital in
this medium and the business of being a good radio presenter seems not an easy
one. So, how lucky as I am in knowing Michelle Ward, one of Phoenix
FM’s most popular presenters. When interviewed, Michelle outlined her professional life to date.
“I
knew Paul Golder, (Phoenix FM owner) before I worked on Phoenix FM. At the time
I was running a recording studio in London and our paths crossed because of
music. After the studio closed I moved to Dublin for five years. When I came
back I was not sure what I wanted to do. Paul suggested I come and do some advertising
sales for Phoenix FM, so I did. After a few months the Saturday mid-morning
show came up and I fell into it. I remember being so nervous, my voice was
shaking on that first broadcast. I did that for a year and then Eat my Brunch, which was a five day a
week slot, became available and Paul asked me if I'd like to be the new
presenter. I said yes and I have been on daytime radio now since 2012.
"The show is a mixture of charts, classic tracks, independent music (which I am
very passionate about being a musician myself), guest interviews, topical news,
lots of interaction from listeners. It's funny, quirky, serious and everything
in between. Phoenix FM Community Radio is now, in my opinion, one of the
best Community Radio Stations in the Country. The amount of shows,
presenters, content, guest interviews, website listen again hits are
phenomenal. There really is something for everyone. We have all the regular
features you'd expect from a BBC or Commercially run radio station, News,
Weather, Travel, Sports Shows, Daytime Radio, Weekend Shows, Arts Show and many
specialist music shows to name but a few! We have a fair share of celebrities,
too, with Vicki Michelle (currently in
Eastenders and of Hello Hello fame),
Steve Davis (Snooker Legend and now festival DJ), Bell &
Spurling who also feature weekly on Talking Pints (GB NEWS) and
Ronnie Ronnie 'Sullivan OBE. Some of our presenters have gone on
to shows on BBC Essex, BBC and Capital.
"I
start the show at 10am. It's a three hour show, five days a week. I start
preparing at 8am, I often produce a video for my socials, Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter and Tik Tok. Socials take a lot of time and endless tagging! You have
to self promote continually. This lets people know what is coming up and if I
am playing new music I tag in the artists. If I have an interview, I prepare
the interview questions. I am always trying to ask interesting questions. It's
been said that I keep the nervous guests calm. Everyone walks away feeling
great after an interview. I talk to people off air first to relax them. When
you're talking about a subject you're passionate about, the words flow easy.
People are surprised at how quickly time flies by. If I
interview writers, actors, local charities, local business, Council, musicians
or a celebrity, each guest feels I have taken the time to get to know them and
take an interest in what they do. It's connecting with people.
"I
produce my show, there is only me in the studio. I edit all my own
interviews and upload the Phoenix FM website. Most guests live in the studio
although I do use Zoom depending on where guests are based.
MUSIC
I
put out my debut EP DIRECTIONS, late last year and it was well received. I had
some good reviews too. It's out there now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazing
Radio and physical copies too (CD's available signed). I was surprised so
many purchased my EP. I felt almost famous signing my name (not so much
the trips to the post office).
I
write soul, jazz, reggae, folk, neo soul inspired music. I love to duet on Tik
Tok too. I spend as much time as I can in the recording studio with ED ROME
(who is a talented Producer, Songwriter and multi instrumentalist). I met ED
through THE CONDRIACS (who are doing incredible well as independent artists
with over 116k followers, patrons, YouTube live shows). I met them at Phoenix
FM, Their first radio interview was with me. We became friends and I
have worked with them for many years on different tracks with backing vocal
arrangements. They also appear on my EP on the track TWISTING THE KNIFE
which is a duet. Tony, Pete and Ed feature in the video too. We work so well
together.
My
plan is to release more music this year, keep building my online presence and
push forward with more content, more interviews and more music
releases!
Radio
changed my life, it gave me confidence to speak, it gave me a great social
network and many amazing friends. It made me passionate about music
again.
If
you're reading this and you want to find out more, all my socials are here. A
click or a like on any of my socials means a great deal and it helps me to
continue to produce radio and music and it costs you nothing :)
As
in the voice over sent in by listener Anver Anderson "I love
local radio because its radio and its local". :)
HOW
TO TUNE IN TO THE RADIO SHOW
Tune
in weekdays 10am - 1pm www.phoenixfm.com/listen-live
Or
shout at Alexa or Google "TUNE IN TO PHOENIX FM"
SOCIALS
Facebook
MY MUSIC PAGE (3)
Michelle Ward Music | Facebook
Facebook
RADIO SHOW Eat my Brunch
10am - 1pm weekdays (facebook.com)
Instagram Michelle Ward (@michellewardmusic)
• Instagram photos and videos
Instagram Michelle Ward
(@eatmybrunchradioshow) | Instagram
Twitter Michelle Ward (@EatmyBrunch) / Twitter
Twitter Michelle Ward (@luckybitches) / Twitter
Tik
Tok Michelle
(@luckybitches) | TikTok
ALL
MY SOCIALS can be found here under michellewardmusic | Twitter,
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree
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