PATRICK DOWNES SOOF PRODUCTIONS

Patrick, although not a presenter, is an integral part of Rhondda Radio's production team.  Patrick is responsible for our latest batch of jingles and radio adverts and is working hard to replenish our ever growing stock of excellent sounding jingles. He works together with Lee Cole, our scheduling manager, to bring variety and entertainment to our advertising sector, a core element of any commercial radio station.


So I’ve been asked to write my profile/biog for Rhondda Radio – where/how to start? Should I write in the third person or just write normally, he thought for a second…

Having always been a huge music fan from a young age, I first picked up a mic when I was just 8 or 9, the recordings still exist now (I’ve even been insane enough to convert them to mp3 and have on occasion played them out on the radio…)

I’m quite stubborn to be fair and very blinkered. From the age of 14 onwards I just “wanted to work on the radio”. Okay, so not doing great on GCSE’s because I played too much on Sensible Soccer on the Amiga wasn’t such a great career move, but I did well enough – except on RE, which I got F on. Not great considering I went to Catholic school. Rebellious streak? Hmmmm… yep J

Got onto hospital radio when I was 18, and through a friend who got me into a proper ILR station, ended up at Red Dragon Cardiff, when I was 23 – late bloomer I know. The same person who suggested me for the PRS timing work, also got me into the Manics. And he’s also currently in charge of BBC Radio Wales.

My first paid show was in the Spring/Summer of 1996 – overnights on Red Dragon, on the “All night Jam”. In the time I was at RD, I ended up Tech op on Touch Radio, Traffic and travel, late night phone in producer, sports show producer, dance show techop, plus covering evenings on Dragon, Touch Radio as well as having my own show. RD was part of EMAP and was sold to Capital in May 1998 as the ownership rules then forbid EMAP having too many stations within a certain size/area – how things have changed huh.

In the Summer of 99, I started tentative talks with Valleys Radio in Ebbw Vale. And completed my first show there on August Bank Holiday Saturday. Ended up on the drive show in 2000 and stayed with them till they closed in April 2009.

I’ve somewhat become a bit of a gig fanatic. Such is being a late starter (Robbie in 2001), there aren’t many artists I’ve not seen (Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Britney still on the list). Musicwise my knowledge is faultless – generally speaking leaning on the side of the mainstream scene – I’ve got every single Now album on CD that you can get ;) I’ve also been known to DJ at the local rugby club – but only private parties. Been doing that now for the past 7 years. I’m also a bit of a social networking geek with fingers in allsorts of pie.

Had a 18 month break from the radio till I ended up at BRO Radio in Barry (home of Gavin & Stacy) and that’s where I currently reside every Saturday morning 8am-10am with Bring the Noise – a mix of the best music and latest film news – together with us mucking about. You can also find us during the week learning Welsh (badly) on the Welsh Show, Tuesday evening 7pm-9pm. I’m also partially responsible for what you hear on Rhondda Radio these days wuth regard the sound of the station.

So there ends, our profile/biog. A slight mix toward the self promotional aside of me (if any radio stations are reading this – hire me, you wont regret it)

To finish, here’s the 30 second quick fire round

If you were a tool, which one would you be?
Screw driver (although there’s a line before than punchline)
If there was one personal item you couldn’t live without, what would it be?
Phone charger
What did you spend most of the school holidays doing?
Riding my bike (and falling off on my 13^th birthday doing ATeam “stunts” which meant I broke my right wrist and was in plaster)
Did you do anything to earn your pocket money when you were a kid?
Paper round - £2.50 a week… tight gets!

If you could take part in any TV programme, which one would it be? Love boxes – Deal or no deal
How would your best friend describe you in three words? Annoying, but loyal
Favourite TV show?
Dr Who (I live/work 5 mins from where their based.. it’s in my blood)
Most embarrassing moment?
Singing “You’ve lost that loving feeling” to a girl, giving her a box of Quality Street..and nothing happening after that. The things you do when you’re a teen huh!
What were your favourite sweets when you were a kid?
Cola bottles – still are ;)

Time up…

Thanks for reading

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