ACRAs Finalists Fever – #6

Staff Writer

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. Today we feature, Darcy Thomson and Andy Martin.  Let’s Roll Out the Red Carpet.

The ACRAs Finalists Fever – counting down the days to the big event on October 8 by profiling the finalists across all categories. You can get involved by emailing us [email protected] 

BEST NEWCOMER ON-AIR

Darcy Thomson;Mixx FM, Hamilton VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C 

Where did it all start.

So I got an internship at Fox FM in my final year of studying music at RMIT (only because I’m pretty sure they thought I was the CEO’s nephew at the time). This wasn’t exactly true….but needless to say was an excellent way to land the gig! Then I (very casually) hosted a dance show on SYN 90.7 in Melbourne for a year, got a little more serious and decided to do radio course at RTI and then landed my current gig at 3HA / Mixx FM in Hamilton after that. I’ve been here just under a year.

 

Tell us about your entry…

I entered best newcomer on air and also submitted a commercial that myself and the incredibly creative Ray Adams made, and somehow ended up being a finalist for both!

To be completely honest I only ever had a view of doing production in radio, but ended up afternoon announcing on Mixx as well because the station is so small. I think that mentality has actually helped me on air though because I never stress about my shift too much…I just jump on the mic, be myself and without a doubt offend these beautiful country people with my complete lack of knowledge regarding everything farm related.

Best part of your job…

Well, I love bringing a bit of production into my on air shift…building short skits to play between songs is always fun. Working with the team to make an out-there demo for a creative client is rewarding.

Mostly just the fact I enjoy coming into the station everyday is the best (I’ve worked at some pretty grim jobs before). Oh also the station’s free golf club membership is unreal. 

Your speech, if you were able to make one…

Massive thanks to all the awesome crew I work with at ACE. Blacko for being an all round legend and letting a uni intern hang around him like a bad smell for months on end. Danny O’Grady and Sophie Jackson who have gone out of their way to help me pursue this as a career, and Toni Tenaglia for all her help with my announcing! 

 

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION

Andy Martin;Nova 91.9, Adelaide SA, NOVA Entertainment M 

Your Career so far…

Nova (Adelaide) Sept 2009 – Present  Casanova 
then Fitzy, Claire & Jules – Panel Operator
then Matt, Dan & Maz – Breakfast Production
then Maz, Dan & Shane – Breakfast Production
then Lewis & Lowe – Breakfast Production, Digital Content
then Daytime Imaging Producer (Tactic’s, Station sound, DJ Mini Mixes etc) & Local Digital Content manager

All above while being On-Air floater with regular Sunday shift & Summer Daytime/Breakfast Announcer & Anchor duties
 

Tell Us About Your Entry…

My Entry shows production skills used while I was Breakfast imaging producer for Nova 919 Breakfast Show ‘Lewis & Lowe’ that included creative writing & producing with super-tight turn arounds.

My ACRA entry had 4 parts;

1. Burst Watermain sting
This was produced quickly during the breakfast show. Sung by Breakfast Talent Shane Lowe to the song ‘Insane In the Membrane by Cypress Hill’.
2. Chipster Intro
This was used for a breakfast idea of a food van that handed out chips (crisps) in bread called ‘The Chipster’. It was super successful! Sung by Breakfast Talent Shane Lowe.
3. Nova’s Big Red Bus promo
This promo featured my voice as the Bus Driver and the ‘animal type thing’ that was typing on Facebook to get the Bus to arrive at their location. The ‘Animal type thing’ was the most talked about promo part around the station when we were running it. ‘There we go…. Yuuuppp!’
4. Break Down Free sting
Another Sting produced during the Breakfast show, tight turn around but sounds amazing, features Breakfast talent Shane Lowe singing to Queen’s ‘I Want To Break Free’
 

Your speech… let rip.

Finally, someone from Adelaide breaks through!!

(*Holds up trophy like the scene from The Lion King when Simba was presented to the world)

See you at the bar! 

 

 

Are You an ACRAs Finalist?

If you’re a finalist in Metropolitan, Non-Metropolitan, Provincial or Country drop us a line and we’ll shine the spotlight on you. Email Blair  here.

 
 
 

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