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ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL HAUL: BBC RADIO COMMMISSIONS [Dec 2006]
Among the programmes Smooth Operations will be producing for Radio
2 for 2007, in additional to our regular output, are the following
series: For more information on programmes currently in production please
visit our In Production pages. SMOOTH OPERATIONS TO PRODUCE 6MUSIC ROCK SHOW [July 2006]Smooth Operations has been commissioned to produce the new rock strand for BBC Radio's 6 Music from September 2006. The three-hour weekly show will be presented by Iron Maiden front man Bruce Dickinson, and will be produced by Ian Callaghan, who also produces Bruce's rock series for Radio 2. The show, commissioned by Radio 2 and 6Music controller Lesley Douglas, will be broadcast on Saturdays between 9pm and midnight. The format will feature the very best in contemporary rock, metal and underground, as well as classic music from the past four decades, some drawn from the BBC's archives. There'll be celebrity guests, interactive features and the chance to delve more deeply into Bruce's own rock'n'roll exploits. "It's fantastic news!" said Bruce, currently rehearsing with Iron Maiden for their autumn tour. Producer Ian Callaghan added: "Bruce is one of the most high-profile front men in rock music and a great, great broadcaster, so that makes him the perfect presenter for the 6Music rock show. He's passionate about the music, about discovering new music and sharing it with an audience hungry for rock on the radio. His connections and knowledge are impeccable. If anyone knows and lives rock music, it's Bruce, and we can't wait to get started." The Bruce Dickinson Rock Show adds to the Smooth Operations portfolio of music shows for BBC Radio 2, which includes The Mark Radcliffe Show, Nick Barraclough's New Country and Mike Harding's folk show. Smooth Operations has been one of Radio 2's major independent radio suppliers over the past decade. Managing director John Leonard said: "We are delighted to win one of the first independent commissions on 6Music. Digital radio is expanding rapidly and is a very exciting broadcast medium - we're looking forward to working with 6Music very much. We think rock deserves a wider audience and we have a great team in place to shout this from the rooftops." NEW BBC RADIO 2 COMMMISSIONS [June 2006]
Smooth Operations has enjoyed another string of successful commissions from BBC Radio 2 in the last bidding round. Among the programmes we will be producing for Radio 2 for 2007 (in addition to our regular output) are: The Feelgood Factor - Mark Radcliffe goes in search of Canvey
Island's favourite sons, punk's progenitors and the band that changed
his life; Dr Feelgood. LAUNCHING THE BBC RADIO BALLADS 2006 [February 2006]A year in the making, the new series of BBC Radio Ballads is due to start on Monday 27 th Feb at 9:00pm on BBC Radio 2. A six-part documentary series based on the groundbreaking BBC Radio Ballads produced for The Home Service from 1957-1964 by Ewan McColl, Charles Parker and Peggy Seeger. The series explores aspects of modern British society, featuring frank songs inspired by and interwoven with anecdotal personal experience. The 2006 Radio Ballads explore the decline of the steel industry; living with the HIV/Aids virus; the effect of the ban on hunting with hounds; the lives of travelling fairground showpeople; the Troubles of Northern Ireland and shipbuilding. Smooth Operations has also been commissioned by BBC Radio 2 to produce an interactive 2006 Radio Ballads website to accompany the series which lists details of all the shows and also carries online extracts from the original Ballads. BBC RADIO 2 FOLK AWARDS 2006 [February 2006]On Monday 6th February 2006, Smooth Operations produced the glittering 2006 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards which brokered the historic reunion of the original line-up of Fairport Convention. Richard Thompson reunited on stage for the first time in decades with bassist Ashley Hutchings, drummer Dave Mattacks, Simon Nicol (guitar) and the legendary fiddler Dave Swarbrick, now restored to health after serious illness. Presenters included Bob Hoskins, Mark Knopfler, Frank Skinner, Charles Dance, Lesley Garrett and the painter Jack Vettriano, who donated a signed copy of The Singing Butler for the occasion. Among the live acts were Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson, The Kate Rusby Band with Idlewild's Roddy Woomble, Paul Brady and hotly-tipped newcomer Julie Fowlis. Paul Brady and Richard Thompson received Lifetime Achievement awards, presented by Mark Knopfler and DCMS adviser and Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey. For full details of this year's winners, photo gallery and write-up
of the event visit COUNT ARTHUR STRONG GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH [January 2006]Smooth Operations is delighted to announce that following the success of the first series of Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show!, a second has now been commissioned. The 6-part comedy series, a co-production with Komedia Entertainment Ltd, will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 later this year. BBC RADIO 4 SUCCESS [January 2006]In another successful BBC commissions round, Smooth Operations has been commissioned to produce two music-based documentaries for BBC Radio 4. The Roadie's Tale – a glimpse inside the secret and subterranean world of the roadie – and Freak Out! The Frank Zappa Story will be broadcast in May and October of 2006 respectively. |