What's New September 14, 2015

ACRAs Finalists Fever – #3

There are thousands of hard-working, dedicated and amazingly creative people throughout the radio industry – and every year a small fraction of those people make the short list as a finalist in the ACRAs.

Just like we did last year, over the next few weeks, Radio Today will shine a spotlight on the best of the best.

The ACRAs Finalists Fever – counting down the days to the big event on October 10 by profiling the finalists across all categories. You can get involved by emailing us here.

Today we feature, Simone Bailey, Lewis & Lowe and Don Plenty. Let’s Roll Out the Red Carpet….

ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC PRESENTER

Simone Bayley; Hitz 939, Bundaberg QLD, Grant Broadcasters, C

What’s your story Simone…

I started out many moons ago at 4VL in Charleville, did a brief stint as New Editor at 2GN in Goulburn in the mid 90’s, Back to 4VL as PD for about 4 years and then came over to Hitz939 in Bundaberg in 1997. I’ve been here ever since. Well I did leave the industry for about 10 years to pursue a teaching career but inevitably came back, full time, 2 years ago.

Tell us about your Entry…

This is the 2nd year up for the finals for Best Entertainment category. I’m pretty happy about that, considering I took 10 years off.

Your speech, if you were able to make one…

It might have taken over 20 years to put in a nomination but It’s finally paid off….Whoohoo!!!!

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMEDY SEGMENT

DLewis & Lowe; Dylan Lewis & Shane Lowe, Nova 919, Adelaide SA, Nova Entertainment M

How did you wind up in radio…

Dyan Lewis: I used to pretend I had a radio show when I was at school. I wrote scripts, had playlists (mostly hip-hop) and even had a bed organised to talk over (the instrumental at the end of ‘Licensed to ill’ by the Beastie Boys!).
Then I accidentally did a bit of stuff for Austereo as part of a TV show I was working on called Pepsi Live. Then I learnt how to panel and present semi-properly on JJJ (doing graveyard shifts, Christmas Day and New Years Day!).
Then I landed a gig at Nova where I did daytime music shifts for about 6 years before I got the brekky shift with Shane Lowe. Boom.

Shane Lowe: Volunteered the day after high school at 96fm Perth and two weeks later was given my own night show. From there I have worked in Perth, Melbourne and now in Adelaide with Dylan Lewis doing the breakfast show. That sounds crazy written down, but thats what happened.

Tell us about your Entry…

Dyan Lewis :Our entry is not a scripted piece of comedy. That’s because we’re not comedians. Funny right? So…

Shane Lowe: It’s a snapshot of a typical show. It’s not a “comedy sketch” or heavily produced, it is just 60 seconds that showcases our on air relationship and the vibe of the show.

Best part of the job…

Shane: Chatting to our listener’s everyday, it’s a show heavily inclusive of anyone listening. Plus working with the team we have.

Dylan: My team. Being able to be creative. And free beer.

Your Speech to the crowd…

Shane: Thanks to the team, and it just proves that two people not trying to be funny can win a comedy award.Irony.

Dylan: Thanks guys. Love you.

BEST NETWORKED PROGRAM

Country Today; Don Plenty, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

What’s your story in radio Don…

I began his radio career in 1987 at 5AU in Port Augusta and during a 3 and half year period worked as an announcer, newsreader, producer and PD. In 1991 I joined the on air team at top rating Adelaide station 5AD/Mixx fm and spent almost 11 years as the host of its popular ‘love song dedications’ program. After being made redundant at the end of 2002 Don spent a year travelling the world before taking an on air role at channnel 4 fm in Dubai. I then spent the next 7 years in the UAE working as a DJ, music director, PD and in news. Returning to Australia in 2011, I opted for a country lifestyle and took a role with ACE radio station 3WM/Mixx fm in Horsham handling various duties over a 3 year period including announcer, producer and news journalist. In 2014 I was awarded the ACRA for best newsreader – country. Earlier this year I moved to ACE radio station 3CS/Mixx fm in Colac and currently works in news and as host of the statewide farming show ‘çountry today’

Your entry to get a spot…

‘Country today’ is a farming show that runs twice a day Mon to Fri across the ACE network. As opposed to ‘magazine style’ shows on other networks, country today is for the serious farmer keen on improving his or her business. It’s full of the latest rural news complied by our team of journalists from around the state, innovations, finance and market reports

The moment and the speech you don’t get to do…

I would like to thank the hardworking team of ACE journalists who come together on a daily basis to make this show what it is – as essential tool for every farmer keen on improving his or her business. I would also like to thank the Australian farming community for their constant support and encouragement. Thankyou