Behind the Scenes

Gary Seed

You may have heard of the Genie who magically appeared at Phoenix.

Here he is, Gary Seed.

Without Gary magically appearing in a puff of smoke in March 2007, we honestly don't think we would have made it on air as the final deadline in getting the bird in flight was looming ever closer.

Gary could see that Phoenix only needed a couple of finishing touches so he stepped in as an ordinary working man, where others didn't have the nerve, and helped the wounded bird of prey Phoenix to fly again, literally edging it off the roof to freedom.

Kathryn, Gary's wife, has also been paramount in helping the Phoenix back in flight.

We thank them both and hope that they continue with Phoenix as it grows into the station that Calderdale truly deserves.

You will find Gary many a night or weekend putting his magic touches to the place, usually drinking large quantities of tea and almost certainly being in a grumpy mood - he even has a T-shirt to prove it!

When we are really desperate, and we mean really desperate, Gary also acts as a 'Stan-Din' presenter. He's known on air as the Jinx Genie. You've been warned!

Phil Gott

Ex-BBC professional, so watch your Ps and Qs when he's around. Phil brings his expertise to Phoenix as studio technician and general master of all things audio and technical.

When you have the offical BBC stamp on your arm, it's hard to stay behind the scenes and away from the microphone. Phil presents the Hart & Soul show with Northern Soul and Motown on Thursday evening at 10pm til 12 midnight. Even then we can't keep him in the studio and he makes regular visits to The Ritz and the OK Club among others.

Spearheading the live broadcast from the Halifax Parish Church...sorry, Halifax Minster , Phil has opened up a whole new avenue for Phoenix, so watch out if you're out and about at a local event...we might be right behind you with a microphone!

Mike Cunningham

The newest member of the behind the scenes tech-team, Mike Cunningham is an I.T. geek by day, Harley riding Phoenix FM volunteer by night!!!

Bikes, like music, are a huge part of his life, "I think there's something about the freedom of the open road on two wheels that goes hand in hand with the beat of a good tune". He has a wide and varied taste in music, mainly rock based, but hey who can resist the sentimental journey of being a child of the 80's??

So why would he volunteer at Phoenix?? It keeps him out of mischief (some would disagree).... but on a serious note, he thinks community radio can play a great part in the fabric of local life, "Where else can you get such a wide variety of chat, music, news and viewpoints from the people who actually live in the area that the station is being broadcast to. That, coupled with the desire to give a little back to the community that I've lived in most of my life, constantly learning, and dealing with the day to day challenge of a radio station".