A GRADUATE from Annan is taking to the airwaves with his own slot on community radio.
And Lewis Shaw will be using his weekly show to promote artists from minority backgrounds and musical talent from across the region.
His Sunday afternoon session, Lewis Shaw Live and Local, is the latest in a raft of new projects at Dumfries Community Radio (DCR), which is staffed largely by volunteers.
But it’s a familiar role for former Annan Academy student Lewis, who has had a strong interest in radio from a very young age, with some of his biggest inspirations coming from Colin McArdle and the late Sir Terry Wogan.
Upon leaving school he went to the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh and then onto the University of Stirling, where he presented for the student station alongside working on another community station.
Now he has returned home to Dumfries and Galloway with a passion for giving back to the community and works on inclusive developments with the Usual Place in Dumfries, as well as signing up for DCR, which is approaching its fifth birthday.
In the last five years, the station has become known for an eclectic mix of local and international music; talk shows about environmental and cultural issues, and topics about life that reflect Dumfries’ vibrant and ever-changing society.
They work in partnership with The Crichton Trust, the Holywood Trust and Paragon Music and rely heavily on funding from grants, fundraising events and sponsors from businesses to keep going.
Their next fundraising event is at The Venue, on Friday August 25, with live performances from artists Ben Nash, Shawnie Craig, The Mind Sweepers and The Lutras.
The guest host is Dumfries’ drag bearded lady, Madame Jo Mama.
There will also be a pop-up craft shop in The Vennel from Monday August 14 to Sunday August 27 with proceeds going to ongoing fundraising efforts.
And the DCR team are keen to hear from anyone else who wants to ge involved both on and off air. Email the studio at [email protected]
