My Ear Candy #16 - Scott James

My guest on Friday's show was Scott James and great value he was too (this ain't him by the way, that's Ronan Keating.) It gives me a kick when guests are within walking distance of our Stonehaven studio although I have my doubts that Scott did indeed walk, by his own admission his stellar fitness years may be behind him. I can't speak mind you, I'm just back from my holidays having promised myself I'd go running every day and I haven't got off my fat backside so far other than to collect more chocolate from the kitchen cupboard.

Scott's residence in Stonehaven is the result of a steady journey south from his origins in Fraserburgh, or 'the broch' as he called it. He was brought up there and continues to enjoy friendships with a bunch of herberts from the town's football fraternity which he was once part of. He progressed to Stoney via Peterhead and Portlethen and has two young kids at Mill 'O Forest, if they play their cards right they'll get the chance to follow my footsteps into Mackie Academy one day but at least they'll be saved the savagery of corporal punishment 80s style for any misdemeanours. Scott and I discussed my belting at Mackie for the heinous crime of snowballing back in the day but I digress.

The Stoney Baloney show gives guests the opportunity to tell us a little about their lives and their livelihoods too. Scott has his own business, Scott James Wealth Management, which assists people who are looking for guidance on how best to invest their finances, something I believe we could all take advice on, he's very experienced and there's no better fellow to give you honest advice. His musical tastes on the other hand I feel less able to champion given the six tracks he presented to us, I can't expect everybody to be an indie fan but hells bells it'd be nice if just one of his six had a bit of edge to it. I had to play Ronan Keating for goodness sake, how does an aspiring DJ recover his street cred after that? Here's the list of woe in full, a couple of acceptable ones, a couple of borderline efforts and two downright stinkers. You're welcome back to Mearns FM anytime Scott, you're a natural on the radio, but you bring the patter and I'll bring the music.

Scott's Selections

Katy Perry- Fireworks

Ronan Keating - When You Say Nothing At All

Semisonic- Closing Time

George Ezra - Budapest 

The Kinks - Sunday Afternoon 

Walk The Moon- Shut Up And Dance

My Ear Candy #15 - Bob McAlpine

Who would appear on your list of the word's nicest guys and gals? Roger Federer undoubtedly, perhaps Michael Buble who appears to be a thoroughly decent chap and we'd surely all nominate our grannies. Well I've added Bob McAlpine to my list having enjoyed his company on my radio show last evening, a more modest and pleasant person you couldn't hope to meet.

Bob and his family set up a business called Dalriada Holiday Lodges which is constructing eight luxury lodges adjacent to Stonehaven Golf Club, they should be ready for occupancy by year end. They're situated where a derelict house slept for many a year, right behind the 9th green (or the 10th in old money), a piece of land that friends and I have peppered with ill directed approach shots for decades. The site commands incredible views across the North Sea skyline beyond the sweeping golf course greenery beneath and to the right the crescent shaped bay of Stonehaven guards the beautiful town. Take a look for yourself on their Facebook page or better still arrange a site visit with Bob on 01569 769189.

Bob was brought up in Fife and joined the armed forces before embarking on a career in the oil and gas sector and he now lives in Portlethen. He's very well travelled but confesses never to have visited Villa Park, clearly a major oversight, surely a venue for any self respecting bucket list. Bob's musical tastes match his personality to a tee, calm, pleasant and dependable. If you're looking for a haven of tranquillity and can't afford a sedate cruise around the Caribbean, do yourself a favour and spend an hour in Bob McAlpine's company, one of life's good guys. Good luck with the lodges Bob, put me down for the third week of next June, I'll use it as a base when winning the Stonehaven Golf Club Championship.

Bob's Selections

1. Voices In The Sky - Moody Blues
2. In The Summertime- Mungo Jerry
3. Vivo Per Lei - Andrea Boccelli
4. Everything- Michael Buble
5. All I Wanna Do - Sheryl Crow
6. Girl From Ipanema - J Gilberto

Sent from my iPad