imogenation

Video killed the radio star...

2009-06-24T20:26:00.001+01:00

Let's hope not...

Listen Live at www.speysoundradio.com between 9pm and 10pm tonight!!

Hope you enjoy!

Em :o)

Queen Honours my Mum

2009-06-16T18:48:00.002+01:00

My mum's been awarded an MBE - how cool is that??? I'm so proud of her... How exciting!!! Trip to the palace awaits perhaps??? Time for a new dress and hat??? Every girl needs an excuse, right?

First Sunday Breakfast Show

2009-04-19T09:12:00.002+01:00

What a fab show this morning!! Loads of funky tunes, my very first competitiion, lots of callers and an international call... ooh and an email... we never get emails!!

Malky and I did a swap this week - my first ever Sunday morning and I got to do a competition - how exciting. The phone never stopped! And it's a sunny day too... how can the day get any better???

First international call too, proving that our live streaming reaches other countries as well as our own wee area in the Highlands of Scotland. Check out our schedule and tune in via the website - www.speysound.co.uk

Great fun - very exciting morning!

hahaha Thanks for listening!!! Back on Wednesday night 9-10pm (BST) and next Saturday morning 7-9am (BST)

Em xxx

Surprise Party for Mum

2009-03-10T08:58:00.005Z

Oh dear oh dear... not sure why I'd want to share this, but hey ho! Enjoy! There's a Part One still to come... I just haven't got it yet.

Here's some photos too :o)

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/emma.j.macdonald/SPFM#slideshow

Radio: well it was supposed to be all about numbers… but it ended up a bit random!

2008-11-26T22:30:00.000Z

All By Myself – Jamie O’Neal – Bridget Jones’ Diary soundtrack… - that’s exactly what I was… Becks had to pull out just an hour or so before the show, so I was left to wing it! Uh-oh

Life Is A Flower – Ace Of Base
My Doorbell – White Stripes
Say What You Want – Texas – without Becks I can say whatever I like!!!
Tears On My Pillow – Kylie – for the Junior ShowBoaters. Good Luck with your production this weekend!! You’ll be fantastic, I just know it. And good luck to the oldie SBs too (Malky, Al, Keira, Denise, Lucy, Me and Mar… they have to sing this song… cover your ears everyone!
Everyday Is A Winding Road – Sheryl Crow – explains my day really, yearning for my bed!!
I’ve Had The Time Of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warner – Request from Donna to Duncan

On this day…
1941 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs a bill establishing the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day in the United States.
1998 - Tony Blair becomes the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to address the Republic of Ireland's parliament.
2003 - Concorde makes its final flight, over Bristol, England.
South Australia: Proclamation Day

Born:
1981 - Natasha Bedingfield, British singer - These Words, playing in background
1939 - Tina Turner, American singer and actress - Anna Mae Bullock, better known by her stage name Tina Turner - "The Queen of Rock & Roll". Born in Nutbush, Tennessee. Songs - What’s Love Got To Do With It", "Private Dancer", "I Can’t Stand The Rain", "We Don't Need Another Hero", "The Best", GoldenEye".
Play - It Takes Two, Tina Turner with Rod Stewart in 1990

More songs:
Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol – for Becks, who better have her feet up looking after that bump! A song that reminds me, Becks, Mum, Graham and Dawn of our time in Australia.
Summer of 69 – Bryan Adams
A-Punk – Vampire Weekend
Viva La Vida – Coldplay – for Mar, because I almost forgot to mention her in the last dedication!
That’s Not My Name – The Ting Tings – for all the panto performers!

Saturday Breakfast Show – 7am-9am

2008-11-22T09:30:00.000Z

Here Come The Girls – Sugababes
Songs to slowly wake up to, Question for Fun, 8am news, upbeat tunes, Footie update – done by Em this time!, Questions for Fun, charty tunes. Em left early for rehearsals and Becks took control of the sound-deck—oooh – and dedicated 9 to 5 to all us panto performers.

Radio: Hollywood

2008-11-19T22:30:00.000Z

Here Come The Girls – Ernie K. Doe
Song? - Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack
Lady Marmalade – Pink, L’il Kim, Christina Aguilera & Maya – Moulin Rouge
???? to be continued…

Saturday Breakfast Show – 7am-9am

2008-11-15T10:00:00.000Z

Here Come The Girls – Sugababes
Songs to slowly wake up to, forgot the 8am news, slightly more upbeat tunes, weather report, what’s on today, some charty tunes with an interlude for a catchup on the happenings of Strathspey Thsitle FC… left to Becks as Em knows nothing about football!

Radio: Alphabet continued

2008-11-12T22:30:00.000Z

Supposed to start with Kylie again… but I was late for the show so Becks had to tackle the sound-desk without training… eek. So, after playing our theme-tune (Here Come The Girls by Ernie K. Doe), the first track on the CD was…
Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen – certainly made me drive a little faster!
L…
M…
N…
O…
P…
Q… well we played Queen at the start of the show!
R
S
Take That - ?
U
V
W
These last two weeks must’ve been written in Becky’s notebook!

Radio: Alphabet - Recorded Show

2008-11-05T22:30:00.000Z

Here Come The Girls – Ernie K. Doe
Angels – Robbie Williams
Blur – Parklife
C…
D…
Everyday…? – Keane
Freedom – George Michael
Green Day – Good Riddance – a double G!
H…
I Want To Hold Your Hand – The Beatles
… - Jackson 5
Kylie – Can’t Get You Outta My Head

All the way to K! or was it J? recorded show and I must’ve pressed a button to stop the recording… coz we cut off half way through Kylie!

Radio: Best of the Summer - Recorded Show

2008-10-22T23:30:00.000+01:00

Here Come The Girls – Ernie K. Doe
Love Is Noise – The Verve
Mountains – Biffy Clyro
5 Years Time – Noah & The Whale
Steve McQueen – The Automatic
Spiralling – Keane
That’s Not My Name – The Ting Tings
James Bond – Scouting For Girls
All Summer Long – Kid Rock
A-Punk – Vampire Weekend
Don’t Cha – Pussycat Dolls – anonymous request!
I Kissed A Girl – Katy Perry – another anonymous request!
Paddy’s Revenge – Steve Mac
Fans – Kings of Leon
Maggie May – Rod Stewart – request for Kim & Graham
Big Girls – Mika – request from Adrian for Becky

On this day…
Born:
1938 – Christopher Lloyd – American Actor – Doc in Back to the Future movies
1949 – Arsène Wenger – French Football Manager – and Em has no clue how to pronounce and proves how little she knows about football!
1952 – Jeff Goldblum – American Actor – Jurassic Park?
1968 – Shaggy – Jamaican Singer
1969 – Spike Jonze – Director and Film Producer

Pomme (Apple) Day - France

Holidays with Dawnie

2008-10-17T10:10:00.001+01:00

Radio: Cover Versions - Recorded Show

2008-10-15T23:30:00.000+01:00

Here Come The Girls – Ernie K. Doe
Take Me Out – Magic Numbers
I Think That You Look Good On The Dancefloor – Sugababes
Chasing Cars – Natasha Bedingfield
With Or Without You – Keane
First Cut Is The Deepest – Duffy
A Little Respect – Wheatus
Crasy Little Thing Called Love – Michael Bublé
Mr Bojangles – Robbie Williams
Every Step You Take – Puff Daddy
Uptown Girl – Westlife

On this day…
Born:
1925 – Mickey Baker – American Guitarist – Love Is Strange from Dirty Dancing soundtrack.
1946 – Richard Carpenter – The Carpenters
1948 – Chris De Burgh – Irish Singer/Songwriter
1953 – Tito Jackson – Jackson 5
1959 – Sarah Ferguson – Duchess of York

Global Hand Washing Day
USA – White Cane Safety day

The Steamie

2008-10-12T10:00:00.001+01:00

Radio: Running Tracks? Maybe…

2008-10-08T23:30:00.002+01:00

Here Come The Girls – Ernie K. Doe
Should I Stay or Should I Go? – The Clash
Old Before I Die – Robbie Williams
I Predict A Riot – Kaiser Chiefs
Great Balls of Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis
Grace Kelly – Mika
Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
Man I Feel Like A Woman – Shania Twain
I Believe In A Thing Called Love – The Darkness
Another Way To Die – Jack White & Alicia Keys
I Get Knocked Down – Chumbawumba

Birthday Wishes to Alan & Iona

On this day…
Born:
1918 – Ron Randell – Australian Actor (d. 2005)
1939 – Paul Hogan – Australian Actor – Crocodile Dundee
1949 – Sigourney Weaver – American Actress – Alien movies
1970 – Matt Damon – American Actor – Good Will Hunting, Bourne Trilogy, Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen! Little Less Conversation – Elvis Presley – Ocean’s Eleven

1985 – musical Les Miserables, based on novel by victor Hugo, opeended in London’s Barbican Centre, started its run as the longest running West End musical in history.

Radio: Reality TV

2008-10-01T23:30:00.000+01:00

Here Come The Girls – Ernie K. Doe
Leona Lewis – Bleeding Love
Hear’say – Pure & Simple
Leon Jackson
Kelly Clarkson
Girls Aloud
Liberty X
Will Young – Light My Fire
Alex Parks
The list was longer but I can’t remember them!

Belladrum 2008

2008-08-08T13:19:00.003+01:00

Travelling and Dedications...

2008-07-28T15:26:00.000+01:00

A whole hour to myself... arrgh! I hope you can put up with my ramblings...

So I've squeezed in as many songs as possible. There's two parts to tonight's show... the first part I'm going to share the music I travelled to whilst in Thailand and Australia... followed by 'On this day...' around 9.30pm where I'll be playing 3 songs back-to-back - all 3 songs linking to something that's happened 'on this day' in past years. For example, did you know that it's Beatrix Potter's birthday today?

The last part of the takeover I'll play songs that remind me of people, friends and family ending the show before the news at 10pm with a special didication before handing back to Malky.

First up tonight a song that's currently in the charts, but I first heard it in December 2006 live at Melbourne's Telstra Dome. This Australian band were one of the support acts for Robbie Williams during the Australian leg of his Intensive Care tour. I enjoyed the show much that I bought their album... and was pleasantly surprised to hear it on UK radio about a year and a half later... here's Sneaky Sound System with Pictures.

The next song isn't actually one that I listened to a lot whilst travelling but I needed a song to remind me of my time in Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory and I wasn't sure if yo'd appreciate the electric didgeridoo... oh and I do own an album of it!! Apart from the fab live [electric didgeridoo] music and dancing on the beach at Mindil Night Market, the thing I remember most is the spectacular sunset, viewed best from the beach... althoguh you don't want to go too close... lots of crocs in Darwin's waters! Here's Toploader with Dancing in the Moonlight.

Whilst in Australia my mum and Graham joined me and Dawn for a month or so over Christmas and New Year. We met in Adelaide and drove to Melbourne for Christmas via the Great Ocean Road and then on to Sydney via Canberra for New Year. This next song was on the radio constantly, almost every hour and everytimme it came on mum said "who sings this again?", "SNOW PATROL MUM" came the response. I share this Australia song with Becks too... she was in Oz not long after I got back. next up... Snow Patrol with Chasing Cars.

Next on the lineup is a song I listened to a lot in Thailand - I spent a lot of time on overnight trains and trabvelling north to Chiang Mai where, once camped in the jungle my iPod gave me respite from all the chants of the cicadas and other jungle noises.. for this I turned to the White Stripes' My Doorbell.

Keeping on the topic of creepy crawlies I really have to go back to Australia where there is an abundance of all things creepy and crawlie! An American chap kept me cmpany on my walks to and from work in Melbourne, I love this song... Insects Rule by brendan Benson.

Now an all time favourite... well from about age 16 anyway! This song made me cry at my goodbye party where me and some friends and family did a group hug whilst singing along to Green Day's Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).

Time for 'On this day...'... so On this day in 1974 Justin Lee Collins was born. AKA JLC, Justin is the co-host of The Sunday Night Project on Channel 4 alongside Alan Carr. His is known for some catchphrases such as "Good Times!", "Bad Times" and "I love it!" as well as having a liking for cult TV such as the A-Team. He can often be seen parading in t-shirts sporting classic rock bands - The Clash, Whitesnake, Guns 'n' Roses and many more.. including Def Leppard. Kind of a weak link but nevermind... here's Def Leppard with Pour Some Sugar on Me.

Also born on 28th July was Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Wife of the 35th President of the USA, she served as First Lady from 1961 until the assassination of JFK in 1963. Rod Stewart's You Wear It Well uses the pop opera Madame Onassis as a marker of style and grace to be compared against - there were loads of Jackie O related tracks but I chose this one!

Finally... on this day in 1981 one of my best friends and former flatmate was born. This also links in with the travelling theme as we, in a groupu of 4 girls, went to Barcelona last October to see the Magnificent Take That. This on'es for you, Elanor - even though you can't hear me - it's Take That with Could It Be Magic.

On to "our song" - songs that always remind me of people!

Taking a few of us back to the summer of 1999 when 6 of us missed our high school graduation to go on holiday to Ibiza - taking the Head Boy, Deputy Head Boy and Deputy Head Girl with us.. and leaving poor heather to make the speech on her own. This song goes out to Greg, David, Pamela, Callum, Jamie and Robert... it's House of Pain's Jump Around.

Next is a song that used to drive us crazy whilst working in Shenanigans/Acanthus on Waverley Bridge in first year at uni. I think the pub only had two CDs, Madonna and Moby! This is Madonna with Music - for Robert and Callum.

Now for a huge Indie anthem from 1991, which, 7 years later in 1998 hit the dancefloors again thanks to a new remix by Apollo 440. Another uni-time memory for me which reminds me of times in Edinburgh and Manchester with Sara and Cheryl. The first time we were dancing to it together I was obviously unaware of the dancing etiquette... as the band sand 'sit down' I turned round to find Sara and Cheryl sitting on the floor! Here's James with Sit Down.

Once upon a time there was a company called in60.com where I met some great people and one particular nutcase! We went to see Kylie at the SECC... it was quite a moment... gay icon that she is I found myself surrounded by men (not at all interested in me) and we were all dancing in the aisles. This one's for a different Robert... Kylie's Can't Get you Out Of My Head.

Almost at the end of the show now folks and tonight I'm ending with a special dedication for two of my bestest friends in the world who chose this next song as their first dance at their wedding... and the name of the song also kind of fits in with their circumstances at the mo as they're due to have their first baby this week - how exciting. I know you guys can't hear me but this one's for you anyway.

Guns 'n' Roses - Sweet Child Of Mine.

Thanks for listening - I'll be back again next week - hopefully with Becks this time!

Em and Becks on Speysound Radio

2008-07-14T15:12:00.004+01:00

This week… Em does a quick run down of T in the Park 2008.

Our radio show can’t come to you guys so I thought I’d maybe start blogging about it… and if you want you can listen to the tunes too and then it’ll more or less be like you were listening all along! And then maybe one day Becks and I will work out how to record the show and upload it… who knows?!?!

So tonight, we were given half an hour of Malky’s show as usual – 9.30-10pm – but not as usual… Becks wasnae well so I had to do it myself. Oh ok I could have pulled out but I was all hyped up about being at T in the Park at the weekend and I’d set up a list of songs already so I thought Malky and I could try and pull if off – did it work… I’m not sure, but I had fun… see what you think!

Just back from a weekend at T in the Park I strolled in to the studio (sounds swanky, but…) in a top that attempted to cover burnt bits and a hat fitted to cover up the mess that was my hair! I texted my key listeners to make sure they were tuned in and sat in with Malky and Amy – oh and a new visitor, Hannah who popped in to see what radio was all about… she was less nervous than me and still only at primary school!

As Malky set up the first half hour, I plugged in my iPod and sorted my CDs out into the order that I hoped to play them… hoped being the operative word – I had back up extras to cover any mistakes.

On with the show… did I mention I was at T in the Park at the weekend?

Fridays line up was for the happy campers only, and with Karen and I strolling in at about 6.30pm we’d already missed Newton Faulkner, The Wombats and KT Tunstall. We found our camping spot and set up camp and then headed for the arena. As we were walking in we could here Scouting for Girls pumping out some tunes and we had high hopes of catching most of their set… however, the walk in was a lot further than we anticipated and we strolled in to the arena just in time to hear the last few lines of She’s So Lovely!

So the first band we listened to were Feeder, so it’s only appropriate that my first tune for everyone be Buck Rogers from Feeder’s Echo Park album.

Feeder were an amazing way to kick off the show – loads of fab tunes and they were at the first T in the Park I went to too!

Next we headed to the Main Stage to catch Stereophonics. They were amazing too and hadn’t gigged at festivals since 2002, which happened to be the last time I was at T In the Park. Tune 2 this week… A Thousand Trees from the album Word Gets Around.

Stereophonics were followed on Friday night by The Verve but we went to see the Chemical Brothers instead on the NME stage. They were brilliant and had an amazing light show. I saw them last year at Rock Ness too. A good way to end the first night before we headed back to our tents for a very noisy night in the camp. We were lulled into a false sense of security when we got back to a quiet camp, but two hours later a possey of 6-12 came back and filled the whole camp with doosh doosh tunes until about 6am! Did it stop there, oh no, the music didn’t get turned off, they just decided to put the radio on instead, and shift two of the group woke up and kept the party going til lunchtime-ish.

For the next track I skipped forward to a band we went to see on Sunday afternoon in a packed King Tut’s Wah Wah tent. The band… Vampire Weekend… the song… A-Punk… dedicated to Karen for introducing me to the band.

Back to Saturday… the day started off with a wee bit of campsite shenanigans when we met up with a fellow ShowBoater…. Little Al and his mates Angus and Big Al! We had a few drinks and missed a few of the first bands but we arrived at the arena in time for The Feeling who were brilliant. We were based at the Main Stage for most of the day and watched/listened to Biffy Clyro, The Kooks, The Fratellis and the final song of Rage Against the Machine. Best band of the day by far… for me anyway… was the Kaiser Chiefs. Not a massive fan of them normally but they were amazing, brilliant set. We were stood at the back and couldn’t quite see them but apparently Ricki climbed a pylon despite being scared of heights and then went down to the crowd and got one leg of his trousers pulled off! My next song… I Predict A Riot from Employment by Kaiser Chiefs.

An amazing way to finish off Saturday night… a few of us then headed to the fairground for a dabble on the Eclipse and the Ghost Train before staggering back to the campsite – cheeseburger in hand!

Sunday was mainly Karen’s day – she knew the words to most of the songs of the bands we went to see, but I had a good time… and knew the odd song! First up was Scottish lass Amy Macdonald – what a voice – I thought she was a highland lass but apparently she’s from Paisley. Amy was followed by The Enemy, Counting Crows, The Goo Goo Dolls, Powderfinger, Amy Winehouse, Kings of Leon, REM and Primal Scream.

I recognised the sound of Powderfinger but didn’t know why I didn’t know the songs too. Powderfinger are an Aussie band… and it turns out that I didn’t really listen to the band much whilst in Oz but instead listened to Bernard Fanning… who happens to be the lead vocalist for the band but was doing a solo thing whilst I was there.

Amy Winehouse… oh my god we were disappointed. Loads of folk have been saying that she was brilliant, looked healthy and sang well… well I couldn’t disagree more. I didn’t think she was all that… we listened to two songs and then wandered off to get our dinner! Maybe we missed the best bits who knows… she’s one person I’d say that I’d rather listen to her CDs than see her live again… I certainly wouldn’t pay for the experience. Still at least she turned up!

Next up, it’s Kings of Leon… a band I thought I was a fan of, made a fuss of going to see them and then only knew two songs. However they were brilliant. Although the second song, and best one for me, was spoiled by a woman having a turn on the ground. She collapsed right in front of us and looked to be having some sort of fit. It soon turned out that it was drug induced… however it was certainly an ad for us not to try whatever it was she had… and as we don’t know what that was.. I won’t be trying anything funny thanks… not that I would’ve before!

So to make up for the interruption – really I hope the woman was OK – here’s Fans by Kings of Leon.

I’m skipping all over the place for the next song… still on Sunday, but on just before Amy Winehouse was Counting Crows. Luckily I searched on my iPod and found only one Counting Crows song, and it so happened to be the one I wanted… here’s Mr Jones by Counting Crows.

Well guys and gals, that’s the show almost over. This was the 15th year of T in the Park. There were over 80,000 festival goers, 12 stages and over 180 artists. There were 2,000 campers at the first camping T in the Park and this year there were 60,000! It was a fab weekend and it all ended for me in Perth… we left T in the Park just after the Kings of Leon and arrived at Karen’s mum’s in time to see REM on the stage on the TV. My last song tonight is REM’s Man on the Moon.

With the mud, minging loos, all night partiers… would I do it again… hell yeah! Bring it on!

Malky cut in in time for the news and followed the news with a Biffy Clyro tune – all was good. I said good night and left the building… still hyped up and singing along to Malky’s tunes on the way back in the car!

Race for Life - update

2007-07-10T14:00:00.000+01:00

Meghan, Sara, Elanor, Katie and I ran the Race for Life at Hopetoun House on Sunday 8th July!!

We've raised a whopping £558 so far and our page is open until 22nd July... so feel free to donate some more!! Just click on the link belwo and give what you can.

Thanks heaps.

Em xxx

Carry On ShowBoating

2007-06-17T22:32:00.001+01:00

Working trip to Brussels

2007-05-23T22:52:00.000+01:00

Brussels

Pictures from our couple of days in Brussels.

it's been a while...

2007-04-10T00:10:00.000+01:00

Hello peeps - sorry it's been so long, I just haven't had the chance to sit and type up anything... which is probably a good thing! haha

And this is just a quick update too really... I started my new job last week, so I'm now a Research Assistant and quickly trying to learn the ins and outs of breast cancer and treatments for it... it's all been a bit mind-boggling but I'm sure it'll sink in some time soon.

I now have a stylish new automobile too - I really need to take some photos to let you see the wonder that is the Renault Kangoo!!! But hey the Pope Mobile was free - for a few months anyway - so I'm just happy that a) it moves, b) it has power steering and c) it gets a radio reception... so I can listen to Moylesey on the way to work!!!

Oooh and I experienced Aviemore's very own nightclub this weekend, The Vault... hmmm... what can i say... unless I get ou paraletic, please don't ever let me take you there! Inverness is only 40 miles away after all!!! Thanks to my wee big bro for resuing me and taking me home and giving me his bed - not sure the couch is that comfy for a 6'2 lad but he didn't seem to mind. Which was good for me!

The Easter bunny was very kind to me this year... three Easter eggs, a packet of yummy mini milkybar egg things and a mini Easter egg - how cool! And no I didn't cram them all in til I felt sick!! For once I still have some left... they might last a while!!!

Oooh I've joined the Showboaters. We had a production last weekend. It was very successful and I had the all important job of controlling one of the spotlights... which, if I may say so, I picked up rather well :o) hahaha. Next meeting on Thursday for the enw production and apparently I'm getting a part in it - woohoo!!! Will let you know which weekend it is so that you can all rush to buy tickets :D

Watched that Aussie film last night about the backpackers who were attacked in the Northern Territories - it was a good film, although I spent most of the time watching out for places I'd been to! haha. Got a bit Oz-sick :(

Right I better get off to bed - Donna and I have vowed to get up at 6.15am to go for a run... who'd have thunk it... if the jogging in Darwin with Dawnie didn't make you think I was loopy, what on earth can you be thinking about me getting up early especially to go for a run... I think something is tampering with my mind again!!!

Happy Birthday Granny and David

2007-02-26T23:16:00.000Z

The last of the February birthdays... well for me anyway...

Hope you both have a lovely day.

Lots of love,

Em x

Happy Birthday Rod

2007-02-25T22:00:00.000Z

With you being in Oz you're nearly at the end of your birthday... but it's still early on here so I hope you had a very happy birthday.

Em xxx