Jay Crawford
Jay Crawford's radio career began 35 years ago with the launch of Radio Forth and he is now the brand programme director for Real Radio across the UK as well as programming Rock Radio and Smooth Radio in Scotland. Jay is also chair of the Radio Academy in Scotland and a strong supporter of Scottish charities; he is Honorary President of the Dog Aid Society of Scotland.
1. To what extent are we living in a 'golden age' of radio, or was that a long time ago?
That’s a good question to start. Having watched The Boat That Rocked, a film about pirate radio in the ‘60s, I’m glad I’m not on a boat in the middle of the North Sea but it must have been an exciting time. I think the best radio coincides with the best music, the early days of rock and roll in the USA with Wolfman Jack, Radio Caroline when The Beatles and Stones were at the beginning of the British taking over the world in the 1960s. The early days of commercial radio in the 1970s were really exciting; it was still a very special thing, to be a radio DJ.
2. What is the Radio Academy and what does being chair of the Scottish division entail?
The Radio Academy exists to promote excellence in UK broadcasting and recognise the achievements of its people. In Scotland we’re trying to encourage co-operation at all levels to ensure that radio is recognised for the part we play in the daily lives of more than 90 per cent of the population.
3. By the end of your term in office, what will you have hopefully achieved?
It would be good if there was more unity between the radio groups, and between the commercial sector and the BBC, which enhances radio in the eyes and ears of the public, business and with politicians.
4. Should broadcasting be devolved? If so, why?
Any time someone takes over a country in a coup they usually head straight for the broadcasters to ensure the radio and TV stations put out their message. One has to ask, what percentage of broadcasting available to Scots actually has any Scottish content and is that likely to increase or decrease in the future? It’s all very well having a Parliament in Edinburgh, but as newspapers continue to decline and less TV and radio programmes are made in Scotland, how will the MSPs communicate with the public? We hear more about the American politics than we do Holyrood now.
5. The Sony Radio Academy Awards are each year the 'Oscars' of UK radio. How does Scotland usually fare and is it an accurate reflection of what you believe to be the quality of radio broadcasting in the country?
Scotland has won a fair share of the Sonys over the years but, overall, the BBC dominates the awards - which is a result of the excellence they achieve with the resources at their disposal. The commercial sector doesn’t always have the time, people or material to produce winning entries so you know that when we do win something, it must have been very special. We moan about it but 'hats off' to the BBC, they don’t just dominate the UK in terms of broadcasting they are in fact world-class and we can all take pride in that.
6. Your former stomping ground of Radio Forth is part of a network of stations, including Clyde and Northsound, and they share programmes. Good idea?
Some programme sharing is a good idea, all radio stations take some network or pre-produced programmes from other sources. However, when the majority of the broadcast day is dominated by programmes with no local content or relevance to the area they serve they may lose the connection with that audience. We used to be called ILR, Independent Local Radio. Now, virtually none are independent, a small percentage of the shows are local and the 'commercial' comes before the 'radio'.
7. In a sentence or two, how will the UK government's plans to ditch the analogue radio signal for a digital one impact on your station? And is the move in general a good one?
Well, we can’t have us all living in a digital age and radio remaining in analogue. It’s been a huge challenge for the industry and a massive investment, financially, that has been a hard cost for us to bare. Digital radio is not just about DAB, large numbers of people are now listening to radio on their mobile phones and using the internet to access stations from across the world. Listeners are the real winners as choice is extended to levels we could only have dreamt about in the '60s when the BBC gave us two hours of pop music a week.
8. Would you recommend radio as a career for a young person?
Yes, but I’d also recommend it for anyone. Bringing one’s life experience to air can be engaging. You wouldn’t ask a publisher that question: “Would you recommend writing a book to a young person?”
9. Who could you not have done all this without?
My mother and father, their love for each other - and for their wayward son - still inspires me.
10. Your proudest moment?
In my professional life it has to be becoming a Fellow of the Radio Academy.
