U & I RADIO's TRAJECTORY to the NEXT LEVEL

   It all started in the mid 90’s when I was sat in my sodden flat with my worldly possessions swimming around my front room, because someone decided to steal the copper piping from the flat above me. I was on the 13th floor! I needed a way out. But as an ex-offender many doors were closed.

   I decided to create a pamphlet of poetry and inspirational ways to get out of the rut we often find ourselves in! 

   From my window I could see a local resource centre, so I went over to see if they could help me make a transition from hopeless criminal to someone who might be valued and respected.  

   I spent days hand-designing artwork using an old typewriter to create the pamphlet. After a few weeks I had the final pages ready to print.  Now all I needed was the money to produce 1000 copies. I needed sponsors!  

    A Pirate radio station called Fresh FM helped me out. As I was collecting the payment for the pamphlet, I asked who was responsible for booking the shows. The Director of the station was stood right next to me! 

“Oh, you think you can do it can you? I nodded.

"Well, we’ve a slot on a Sunday evening you can have!” 

I said, “What would you like it to be about?” He said “You just told me you can do it, so get on with it!” As I walked home with a bounce in my step all I could think was I am going to be on the radio this Sunday night.  

   But, I had nothing prepared. I listened to Fresh FM for the day taking notes on how the Presenters were doing it. After several hours of ingesting, I decided I was going to do a talk show and intermix it with new tunes and requests from the local listeners. After a few weeks doing the show, I enrolled on a journalism course in London, it was going to cost me around £3,000 which I didn’t have. I got a Career Development Loan and spent twelve months in London learning the world of Media. As part of the course, I had to find my own work experience. I managed to get a placement with Planet 24, who are famous for the TV show ‘The Big Breakfast. It felt like I had found my creative home. Exam time came. I failed the exam on ethics. I ran out of money and headed back to the Midlands.  

   In 2001 I concluded two wonderful years at Coleg Harlech, Mid Wales. I learned all aspects of the Radio Industry. Under the tutorage of the wonderful Jenny Zobel, who was BBC World Service Presenter for twelve years. Jenny extracted my passion for talking and discovering music from all around the world! I found my voice and presenting style! I was coming back to life. Jenny is so very sadly missed. RIP.

   Life changed in 2007. I was going to be a dad, again! I moved to Cardiff to be closer to my little one. After me and her mum split, I ended up sharing a house with a local music promoter. One fine day he said he wanted to have a radio show. Within a week had secured us a slot on the local community radio. I would be his Producer. This show lasted for two months before he decided it was too much work. So, the station offered his slot to me! I spent the next five years teaching myself. Things had to change. I started to collect our massive database of awesome music from emerging Independent Artists globally. When I was dismissed in December 2014 it was a  kick in the teeth.  At that time, I had two shows of my own and was the Producer for three others. 

   I had won ‘Best Male Radio Presenter' in 2011.  So, I spent several months fighting my thoughts and demons,  whether or not to keep on the radio path. I met a software provider who offered a radio station in one package, for a monthly fee. I actually said “F**k it!” If nobody will take me on and appreciate what I have to offer, I will create my own radio station, based on my own ethos, and find people with the same values!  I spent the next year learning how to build a website, create a brand, a label and upload a database of over 30gb's of original music and classic albums which I'd gathered on my journey.  On March 3rd, 2016 I soft-launched U & I Radio to the world. 

As U & I Radio continues her trajectory in the 21st Century we have a Technical Director who makes sure that we are at the forefront of supporting Emerging & Independent Artists in the best ways possible. Our Team is growing week by week and our unity is awesome. Like-minded people with  passion, doing what we can to promote the music of Emerging & Independent Artists globally. We recently decided to collaborate with Fab-song and SKY TV. We hope that you will work with us...