To "Guest" you may be "one of the little people" but you've got a hell of a chip on your shoulder!! I've always had a committment to showcasing local artists or artists appearing in the area - if you fall into that category, my apologies. If not, perhaps there's a folk programme in your area?

Every week at GMR I have a pigeonhole full of CD's, and more arrive at home - at present I've around 30 - 40 waiting for me to listen to; there just isn't time in the day.
I never actually "request" CD's; if someone asks if they can send one, I never turn them down. I rarely turn artists away wanting to do interviews either. Over the past 3 years I've interviewed local, national and international artists, and some quite obscure! Some were selected by Laura and Jenny, the young people on the team, or by Bernard of course.

I spend around 5/6 hours per week preparing the show (I'm in the middle of it now) and try to present a diverse range of music. Some of the tracks I'm not keen on, but then, I'm not playing them for my benefit am I?

As for the "upper echelons", that's the artists, not the presenters! We merely facilitate. The "heroes" are the singers, musicians, poets -young and old, local and from far afield, male and female, soloists and groups, well known and unheard of etc.. And the "ivory towers" - have you seen our studios?!!!

On a happier note, I've been asked to present a 3rd programme - this time for Oldham Radio Cavell. I just wish I could afford to give up my day job!

Ali