Page 40 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Observer Showbiz
Radio Confidential News from stations from around Victoria
Justin Smith returns. Why?
Country Crossroads info@country crossroads.com.au Rob Foenander
Mick, Mal on stage
■ After a long 35 years, former Stars band members Mick Pealing and Mal Eastick once again join forces and return for a stage performance at the Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick, on February 20. The two will play the songs of the late Andy Durant and the Stars. The night will feature tracks from two legendary albums Paradise and Land of Fortune, plus music from the live album Stars 1157. Andy Durant was a singer-songwriter with the band. He passed away in 1980.
Nia, Bill tie knot
■ Congratulations to Melbourne music couple Nia Robertson and William McMartin who were married on December 5. The two are active supporters and participants in the local indie music scene and are regular hosts of the popular house concerts that feature prominent Australian artists. Bill is also a presenter of the long running Rebels Rednecks and Rock n Roll Show on Casey Radio 97.7FM every Friday nights along with Roger Lloyd.
Ramble Tamble
■ The Australian Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute show Ramble Tamble will be the main feature on New Years Eve at the Hampton RSL. The boys do all the classic CCR hits of the 70s and are known to sell out shows very fast based on their performance and likeness to the original group. More info at the Hampton RSL. - Rob Foenander
Showbiz Briefs
■ Voting is now open for Triple J’s Hottest 100 which is broadcast on Australia Day. Chet Faker’s Talk Is Cheap was 2014 winner. ■ Ben Mendelsohn has been nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in Bloodline. ■ UK actor Nicholas Smith, best known for Are You Being Served?, has died aged 81.
r Obser vbeiz On This Day Show
Wednesday Thursday December 16 December 17
■ German classical composer Ludvig Van Beethoven was born in 1770. He died aged 56 in 1827. British actor, writer and composer Sir Noel Coward was born in 1899. He died aged 72 in 1973. Actress Georgie Parker was born in Sydney in 1964 (51).
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
■ British singer Tommy Steele is 79 (1936). Australian media magnate Kerry Packer was born in Sydney in 1937. He died aged 68 in 2005. ABC presenter Ian ‘Macca’ McNamara was born in 1945 (70). Artist Clifton Pugh was born in 1924. He died in 1990 (65).
■ Popular 3AW presenter Justin Smith has returned to Melbourne after a two-year stint at Sydney sister station 2UE. This week he started as the summer morning man on 3AW, but the big question is what will a presenter of his calibre be doing at AW during 2016. In 2014 and 2015, Smith has presented the Drive program at the Sydney station. He has innovated, sometimes presenting the show from the streets of the Sydney CDB, armed with a microphone, set of headphones, and a backpack that allowed him to broadcast live from anywhere he walked. His programs included many interviews with members of the public, of whom he asked questions of the day. Smith is perhaps known best to Victorian listeners as a long-time senior producer for the Neil Mitchell program. Is he in waiting to take over from the morning presenter who turned 64 last month? Justin Smith was raised in Echuca, and had his start in radio at age 17 Smith has worked in radioat nearby 2QN Deniliquin, He has also worked at 3SH Swan Hill, 2LF Young, 3BO/ 3CV Bendigo, and 2AY/ Star FMAlbury.
Summer line-up
● Justin Smith hosting the late Sunday adternon shift from 4pm.
He does it for you
New ratings
■ The final radio ratings survey results for 2015 were released yesterday (Tues.), after this issue of the Melbourne Observer went to press. The ratings are now available online at www.jocks journal.com
Limit up ■ Pacific Star Network, operators of SEN and 3MP, have had a vote passed that allows the annual remuneration payable to non-executive directors be increased from $250,000 to $450,000 per annum.
■ One of 3AW’s Sydney sister stations, 2UE, has launched its summer line-up. Former Ten News presenter Bill Woods and entertainment reporter Angela Bishop will fill in for Breakfast co-hosts John Stanley and Garry Linnell over summer. Taking over 10am to 2pm is Tim Webster, with Australia Overnight’s Luke Bona on air from 2pm-6pm. 3AW has started its Summer of Cricket broadcasts, beginning with the first Test between Australia and the West Indies live from Hobart. Macquarie Media will broadcast ball-by-ball commentary of the feature Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests, plus all One Day International and Twenty20 fixtures. Macquarie’s cricket commentary team includes Ian Chappell, Greg Matthews, Damien Fleming, Dean Jones, Bruce Eva and Tim Lane.
● Bryan Adams ■ Bryan Adams, the voice behind the hit songs Heaven, I Do It For You, and Summer of 69, has joined the Smooth 91.5FM a weekend line-up. Adams, who starts his Get Up national tour in March, is
Magic lost
■ Melbourne-hosted programs relayed to Brisbane’s Magic 882 station are not being received well by many Queensland listeners, if the station’s Facebook page is any indication. Listener Bev Anderson said: “The only reason I haven't switched yet is because I can't work out how to change the station on my digital radio but I will. “The play list is nowhere near as diverse and the number of prolonged silences is just plain embarrassing for the station and as far as the weather forecast is concerned, I am not interested in the weather in Frankstton, Geelong or Dandenong!” Brisbane is 1675-km by road from Melbourne.
Briefs
■ Afternoon program contributor Flip Shelton made 3AW sound like a backwater community station late last week when she sent greetings messages to family members. Producers of Denis Walter’s show should have a word. ■ The Australian Radio Network, which includes Gold 104.3 and KIIS 101.1, is advertising for applicanjts for an Agency Account Director to work in Melbourne. CVs should be lodged by Thursday next week (Dec. 24). ■ Nova Entertainment, which operates Smooth and Nova, wants to appoint a Melbourne-basede Technology Manager. Melbourne
Observer
Friday December 18
Saturday December 19
■ Rolling Stones lead guitarist Keith Richards was born in Kent, England, in 1943 (73). US film director Steven Spielberg is 69 (1946). Film critic Leonard Maltin is 65. US actor Brad Pitt is 53 (1963). US actress Katie Holmes is 37 (1978).
■ English actor Sir Ralph Richardson was born in Cheltenham, England, in 1902. He died aged 80 in 1983. French singer Edith Piaf was born in Paris, France, in 1915. She died aged 47 in 1963. American actress Jennifer Beals is 52 (1963). Cricketer Ricky Ponting is 41.
Sunday Monday December 20 December 21
Tuesday December 22
■ Former Australian Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies was born in Jeparit in 1894. He died aged 83 in 1978. Actor and TV-radio presenter Noel Ferrier was born in Melbourne in 1930. He died aged 66 in 1997. TV presenter Ray Martin is 71 (1944).
■ US actress Barbara Billingsley (June Cleaver) was born in 1915. She died aged 94 in 2010. Radio and TV host Donnie Sutherland was born in Sydney in 1945 (70). Actor Simon Westaway is 567(1958). Model Jennifer Hawkins is 31.
American actress Jane Fonda is 79. US rock guitarist Frank Zappa was born in 1940. He died aged 52 in 1993. US actor Ray Romano is 58 (1957). Canadian actor Kiefer Sutherland is 49. He stars in 24. US talk show host Phil Donahue is 80.
Thanks to GREG NEWMAN of Jocks Journal for assistance with birthday and anniversary dates. Jocks Journal is Australia’s longest running radio industry publication. Find out more at www.jocksjournal.com