My Ear Candy #9 Steven J Innes

I tend to shuffle into Mearns FM a good hour before I go on air. I risk a dose of botchelism heating my soup in the microwave , thieve another presenter's coffee supplies then wander into studio 2 to line up the evening's music . This week I nuked my mushroom soup to such an extent that it blew up, pebble dashing the oven's interior and I went without coffee because my thievery has been tumbled, he takes his jar of Nescafé home with him now. The track list planning was successful however and the first hour of the show duly blessed by music of the highest order. But then my guest Steven J Innes turned up with his sounds and it went sideways.

In fairness he'd selected tracks that best accompanied his life story, they weren't necessarily a collection of his favourite ever songs. Also I'm a music snob so he stood little chance of a favourable response, that said, it was a bare faced cheek for him to insist on an Andy Williams number. Never again. Granted, the first track was a belter, a melancholic medium paced drifter preceded by Steven's explanation of reaching a point in life, when 30 years of age, he decided life's path must change. His subsequent music choices sound tracked us through this life journey, fascinating it was too, I take my hat off to anyone who takes life by the short and curlies, redirects themselves and sets off in pursuit of a life they truly want instead of staggering from one blunder to another. I speak as a lily livered apologist with no ambition beyond my next meal.

Steven's career has taken him in various directions, none more rewarding than the compering and hosting of events in the Aberdeenshire area and beyond. It takes a pair of sphericals to do that, one thing to broadcast from the anonymity of a radio studio, quite another to put yourself on stage in front of hundreds longing to see you fall on your arse.

I felt it rude not to make mention of Steven's brother, Bryan. I used to play a lot of golf with Bryan back in the 80's before he became Billy Bigtime, winning all those trophies and playing off +3. In passing I reminded Steven that his brother wasn't always such a hotshot and would face drubbings from me up at Stonehaven Golf Club on a regular basis. Golfers amongst you will understand when I tell you my nickname for him was 'dog licence'. My nineteen year break from the game took its toll and I'll need more practice to beat him once again but this I will do in due course.

Thanks to Steven J Innes for being a super guest. Great stuff and if you missed it go on the following link http://www.mearnsfm.org.uk/listen-again and choose Stoney Baloney (possibly from page 2), wind on to the second hour and there's Mr I in all his glory.

Steven's Selections

1. Paul Brady - Crazy Dreams
2. Andy Williams - The Impossible Dream
3. One Republic - I Lived
4. Mr Probz - Nothing Really Matters
5. Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World
6. Elton John - Your Song