11.06.10
Isn’t it amassing the ways to make money! Had Rachel Allen back for a full day in studio this week recording recipes from her various books. Her publisher flew over from London and we got through 66 recordings. Know what happens next? They end up on a server for downloads to your I-Phone App with accompanying video. Now imaging trying to explain that to your Dad!
G Hook is back in for his show on Newstalk later today, so I’ll catch up on all the rugby gossip. It’s going to need to be fast though as I’m still on stage with “Barefoot in the Park” and will have about 60 seconds from the time George signs off on air until I need to be in the car to make the 7.30 call at the theatre.
By the way, am I the only man on the planet that doesn’t care that the World Cup has started?
17.05.10
Sometimes when doing this “Blog” I feel like I should be starting with…...............Dear Diary!
Well since the last time I updated, I’ve committed myself to a play and have been busy pounding the lines into my head. It’s no joke, its 15 years since I last had to learn this amount of dialogue and my brain is old. The show is “Barefoot in the Park”; by Neil Simon and his brilliance is providing the cast with a lot of fun, whether anyone shows up or not. It’s on in the Cat Club in Cork June 2nd to 12th…............come along; I’ll buy you a pint (Terms & Conditions Apply)
Apart from that I’ve solved a long term technical “dropout problem” by installing a bit of gear called a “Mains Conditioner”. Basically this box of tricks takes the mains supply with all its spikes and noise and turns it into a smooth gentle flow of electrons, guaranteed not to upset the delicate temperament of my equipment. So while I rant & rave in studio, the technology remains cool and aloof!
24.03.10
Met my hero’s today; was recording some audio for 4FM at the launch of the Marquee Gig’s in Cork this summer with Jim Aiken and had time to interview Barry Devlin & Jim Lockhart from Horslips. Also met Westlife who apart from being very nice lads, have the patience of Job when it comes to signing autographs for gangs of young girls. On top of all that, the weather was glorious and it was t-shirts all round…..................altogether, it nearly made up for losing the bloody Triple Crown!
11.03.10
Morning all; Spring has sprung at last…........mind you it was 5 below this morning so the warmth still has to hot up so to speak. Well done to Newstalk, who picked up the Grand Prix for The Budget promo at the Radio Awards bash last Friday. I’d like to think it was all down to my fantastic voice over, but John and Neil may think differently! My son Jack is on work experience with Red FM in Cork at the moment and loves it, I may have infected him with a pasion for this industury and thereby condemed him to a life of poverty and pain…..................ah well, mabey one of the other kids will buy me the Mercedes. George Hook was in fine form last week when he did The Right Hook from the Red Sock Studios and I think Dr. Pixie from the Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies series is due back in a couple off weeks to talk to the Nation and Ray D’arcy on Today FM. Yesterday I recorded an entire session in Chinese Mandarin…........but let there be no panic, I was’nt behind the mic, but I wish it was, think of all the radio stations in China!!!!!!!
This morning I had the pleasure of the company of the gorgeous Rachel Allen for a TV vox session for O’Brian’s Sandwich Bar…............................It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it!
02.02.10
OK OK I know I’ve neglected the blog, but it was Christmas and New Years…......there were parties and drinking and food and stuff!!! Then came the deep freeze when we built snowmen and tried not to crash the bloody car. Now all that’s behind us and the roads are perfect again; as long as you don’t drive on them. So now we’re back in the swing, and about time too. Christmas seems like a lifetime ago and we look foward to the summer. The 6 Nations is about to kick off, ROG is in the number 10 slot along with Munster gods called Hayes and O’Connell, so fingers crossed for a cracking competition. Business is better than expected and I’m not even selling cars. I am working on a now multi station project which may or may not get to full production stage. At the moment its all coffee and hot air to be followed by market research and demos then into full producrion and hopefully a few bob (Stay tuned for details)
09.11.09
Monday…..................at least its still raining, so we know everything is going according to plan! Just uploaded one of the “Newstalk Business Tips”, you’ll find it in the Samples list, its called “The Fly”. Have a listen and let me know what you think.
Thanks to John Davis at Newstalk for doing such a great job on the post production.
06.11.09
Hurray, its Friday! Thankfully November is cooking nicely, with all the doom and gloom around, I was prepared for the cold winter winds to be blowing up my left trouser leg - I guess there will be a Christmas in Ireland this year after all.
Just did my 1st “Santa” voice over for the Blackrock Shopping Centre, so its time to dust off the ‘ol coot for another year. Whats worrying is that I’m starting to assume the big guys shape as well as voice and my beard is turning white all by itself.
Whats going on, I’m only 34! Oh hang on….....................that’s my trouser size!
19.10.09
Just finished a TV voice over session with an old colleague John Creedon from RTE. I have known John for many years, back when we both wore pirate eye patch’s and said “Ah Har” a lot in ERI. We figured it must be over 22 years since we did a commercial voice over session together. I will never forgive him for confronting me with a microphone and film crew in the Metropole Hotel during the Cork Jazz Festival when I was somewhat the worst for wear. I should really insist he buys me a few pints to make up for the experience…..............................but he’d probably bring the bloody film crew with him again!
14.10.09
Has anyone noticed how nice the weather is? I am going to start a campaign to move the Irish Summer to September and let the kids out of school. Think of the advantages; all the holiday destinations are much cheaper and for those staying in Ireland, you wont have to wear the wellys all the time (even in bed) - just a thought. Currently I’m the voice of “the business tips” slot on Newstalk, it runs 3 time s day, have a listen out and let me know what you think!
02.10.01
Morning guys, thanks for the parking suggestions for the Greenday gig, I think I’m sorted! Just been asked to host “The Right Hook” programme with George Hook on Newstalk, live from this studio again next Monday October 5th. Last time George’s producer Mark Simpson left his laptop power supply here and my old colleague from the Newstalk newsroom, Jonathan Healy failed to pick it up several times. Thinking I might hold it hostage when they arrive! On Tuesday 6th, Dr. Pixie from the TV show “Embarrassing Bodies” will be in my studio talking to Ray D’arcy in Today FM - better clean the place up. Its all go in the world of showbiz!
23.09.09
Hey the sun is shining!!!!! Or else a big space rock about to hit the house! Thankfully September’ has kicked off the run up to Christmas and I’m busy after the silly season. If you are a Newstalk listener, keep an ear out for the Business tips. They run 3 times a day and feature my dulcet tones.Hopefully they will become a regular feature.Looking forward to the Greenday concert next month in the O2. Think I’ll drive up and down to the gig and not stay over, the moterway has made the trip an easy 2 and a half hour spin. Only problem is the parking - their is none near the gig. Anyone got a suggestion as to where the car could be parked within walking distance and still be in one piece when the gig is over? - e-mail me now.
26.07.09
Back in Ireland and slaving over a hot mixing desk again. Whats happened to the weather, are we in a Nuclear winter? OK hands up, which one of you set off a stealth bomb over Ireland and would you please get the test data you wanted and switch the bloody rain off and the sun back on!!!!
Back in the “back to school” routine and once again find myself smiling at the copy (much of it my own) where we do the “bright, fun, isn’t it great to be back” approach to try and convince the kids how lovely school is…..................and fail miserably!
Good job we;re advertising to the adults. On the bright side - with the underage depression about to hit the children of Ireland next week - it will balance out the depression of the adult population very nicely.
Come on Ireland, don’t let the “rain/wind/cold/rain/gray skies/economy/school/school runs/runny noses/rain/new shoes and coats for the kids…........did I mention rain? Get you down - Christmas is coming and I’m on the nice list!!!!
27.07.09
Greetings from Sunny France! I’m sitting in the garden and its 25 degrees - Yeeeeepppppiiiiieeeeee!
Have the portable studio with me and am working this morning on some “On Hold” messages for clients and trying to get a new power supply from Dell for the kids laptop (the joys of it all)
Now is nearly 1pm local time and as the clouds are rolling in a bit, I think its just about cool enough to tackle the rest of the hedge cutting - I do so love gardening (NOT)
Joined Voiceover Universe before I left Ireland, so will wait and see if any contacts come from that. I am also on Twitter, but must still learn how to use the dam thing, so don’t expect any movement for a few weeks (I’m a slow learner)
Buy 4 now - and don’t forget to send me a contact if you read this!
16.07.09
Howdy and welcome to the new site. The old one had been running for 7 years without anything being done to update it - I will try and do better this time out.
There is still some stuff to sort, including a video section and additions to the samples section. I am also in the process of setting up a twitter site and will let you know how it all turns out!
My design Guru; Ian will be here next week so I hope to have the site polished off and ready to rock n roll by end of the month.
If you do come across the site, please send me your comments and suggestions.
Tanks!