Radio Moments - Conversations

He was the dog breeder who became Nottingham’s most famous radio presenter. Speak to anyone over 50 in the City and they’ll remember Dennis. When he died in 1996, the streets of Nottingham were lined for the procession to his funeral. Dennis McCarthy hosted ‘the Sunday Show’ and ‘Afternoon Special’ for a large proportion of his 28 years with Radio Nottingham – programmes still recalled fondly to this day, in surprising detail, by his audience. In this long-overdue tribute, 20 years on, colleagues and his family recall what made Dennis so special. What was it about his personality - and his approach - which resulted in this most memorable of broadcasters? 

This is not just the story of one broadcaster. It is the story of a time and place in BBC local radio, and the prime example of the sort of characters who dominated their markets in BBC local radio’s early days. It is also the story of the power of radio – the listener relationship - and of pure natural broadcasting skill, with the finest tricks used instinctively. 

This is the Dennis McCarthy story. With thanks to Owen McCarthy for the use of archive audio. 

More on Dennis on my blog at: http://davidlloyd-radio.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/our-dennis.html

Hear from the man who steered Signal in Stoke through its first couple of decades, rising quickly from breakfast show host to Programme Director. As industry consolidation advanced, John Evington also tells of his spell under Kelvin MacKenzie as Group PD of the Wireless Group. His early days are recalled too, from the magical moments in Manchester at the Piccadilly Radio of the 70s to the ill-fated Centre Radio in Leicester. 

This hour is the story of a programmer who was in for the early days of UK commercial radio and who was at the helm through its most fascinating and sometimes turbulent times. In his own words, illustrated along the way, this is the story of John Evington’s love for the closeness of radio.

Enjoy the whole Conversations series here. Music by Larry Bryant.