Soundtrack To My Life - Blackers

 

Since January, I have been presenting the Saturday morning lunch time show at Ribble FM - a community radio station in the Ribble Valley (in Lancashire).  I thought it would be a great idea to get to know a few of my fellow presenters by asking them to participate in Soundtrack To My Life.  

The first victim presenter is Mark Blackman - a.k.a. "Blackers".  He wakes up the local area each day as host of the Ribble FM weekday Breakfast Show and looks after music and presentation at the station (his knowledge of popular music is astounding and it was fascinating to listen to him when he co-hosted the show with me as part his 12-hour presenting marathon for Ribble FM's 4th Birthday).

Mark knew he wanted to be a DJ or presenter as early as being three years old!  He set up a mobile disco at the age of 13 with his friend Gary and honed his craft with local gigs and residencies until he left university in 2006 to pursue a full time career in radio, working at commercial stations and BBC local radio stations across the North West. 

Blackers is also part of the Bee Vocal Choir from Manchester - a choir which helps with mental health conditions - and their first concert was performing in front of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Royal Variety Performance with Emeli Sande.  

Mark joined Ribble FM in February 2019 to help progress the station with his 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry and is an integral part of the team both front of house and behind the scenes.  So, for now, it's over to Mark, with his musical memories...

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Stevie Wonder - I Just Called To Say I Love You

This was Number 1 on my birthday when I was born in 1984 and it just means so much to me and my family every time I hear it.

Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World

This was one of the first songs I played on Commercial Radio in 2005 but also in Community Radio at Halton FM in 2001. It kicked started my 'live' radio experience which is now something I love.

Keane - Everybody's Changing

The Hopes and Fears Album is one of my favourite albums of all time - it has tunes which took me through tough times and those tunes which make you feel better inside too - a top album!

Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out Of My Head

This was one of the floor-fillers which was out when I first started doing my first DJ sets in clubs and pubs 

Naughty Boy feat. Emili Sande - Wonder 

When I joined the Bee Vocal Choir in 2018 this was one of the songs we sang together, and again means so much as it really helped my mental health.

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You can tune in to the Blackers Breakfast Show every weekday morning from 7am to 10am on Ribble FM : 106.7FM locally, via the Ribble FM website, the Ribble FM app, or ask your smart speaker to "play Ribble FM".  You can follow Mark on Twitter - @markblackman.

 

Find out more about Soundtrack To My Life here then read and listen to all previous Soundtrack To My Life entries or follow the Pinterest board. If you want to participate please let me know.