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Cutliffe joins local
radio line-up
22.08.08
BUNCRANA-born music
producer John Cutliffe is set for a return to the
Donegal airwaves courtesy of ICRfm.
After an absence of almost 20 years from local
radio, he is returning to his roots, both musically
and as a broadcaster. His last stint as a radio
presenter was on the now-legendary NWCR in his
hometown. His new show, 'Across the Pond', will
debut on NWCR’s successor Inishowen Community Radio
next Thursday, August 28, at 6pm.
Now living in Norcross, Georgia, USA, John grew up
playing Irish traditional and bluegrass music in the
pubs around Inishowen as well as playing in pop,
rock and folk bands over the years.
ICRfm station manager Jim Doherty is excited at the
prospect of this latest, exciting addition to the
ICR schedule.
“It’s great that someone of John’s stature within
the music scene is getting involved with the
station. His musical knowledge, contacts and
experience will make this a very special radio
listening event," said Jim.
"John's well known locally and internationally and
this will be a sort of homecoming for him. ICR tries
to be a station for all the people of Inishowen, no
matter where they are, and John’s involvement shows
that anyone, anywhere can play a part in the station
and stay connected with home,” he added. |
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John helped form the
legendary Pyros in the early 1980s in Buncrana and
the group developed a cult following throughout the
North West. Featuring musicians such as Kevin
Doherty and Ciaran Tourish, the Pyros have reformed
for the past three years and headlined sell-out
shows at the successful Ar Ais Aris festival.
John is also the founder of |
www.jigtime.com
, a website that chronicles Irish and American roots
music.
In 2005, he teamed up with James Taylor’s fiddle
player, Andrea Zonn and moved to Nashville for a
year to produce the 'Hands Across The Water' CD, a
16-track collaboration album between Celtic and
American artists. The album features a host of
Andrea and John’s friends including Bonnie Raitt,
Jackson Brown, Paul Brady, Altan, Vince Gill, John
Prine, Sharon Shannon, Maura O’Connell and more.
John and Andrea worked with over 100 musicians in 30
different studios all over the world for the CD, the
proceeds of which go to help children orphaned by
the tsunami in 2004. The CD is still available
worldwide on Compass Records and music stores around
the world.
Since moving back to Georgia, John has been working
on many projects including tour managing his old
friends Altan again as well as producing podcasts
for various people and festivals all over America.
He still writes for his own website but has a
passion for radio.
Jim believes 'Across the Pond' will be an innovative
show and a great example of how distance is no
longer an issue for people wishing to retain a
connection with home. “John will be producing the
show in his home in Georgia and we’ll be
broadcasting it here both on the radio and over the
internet. People can tune in anywhere, interact with
John or the station and be part of the Inishowen
community no matter where they are. John is also
going to be working with us to develop our website
to make it more interactive and user-friendly, with
comment pages, podcasts, and up-to-date information
so check that out too.”
'Across The Pond' will feature music from people on
both sides of the Atlantic, especially roots music
with influences in the traditions John grew up with.
“The links between Irish and American folk music are
really strong and so many of the important people I
know musically have explored those roots and allowed
their own music to grow because of it," explained
John.
“I produce it at home and will have a live webcam
and chat room open when I am making the show, so
people can pop in and say hi. I was so happy that
ICRfm decided to host the show. The station is such
a well run and entertaining part of Irish
broadcasting.
"When I was growing up we had so few choices in
radio and could hardly even get the RTE signal. Now
even in America I can tune in to ICRfm and feel a
few thousand miles closer to home." 'Across The
Pond' hits the airwaves every Thursday at 6pm on 105
- 107.6fm or online at www.icrfm.ie and is repeated
on Sundays at 2pm. |
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