[comradio-l] Music stars make waves in fight to save radio station All FM

[CMA-L]

Top musicians have joined a campaign to save a community radio station.

Beautiful South singer Paul Heaton and former Pulp guitarist Richard
Hawley are backing the bid to save Levenshulme-based All FM.

The station, which has been running for last ten years and gets around
14,000 regular listeners, faces an uncertain future after having
council funding cut.

The station broadcasts seven days a week – on a budget of £40,000 a
year – with shows playing everything from traditional Irish music to
rap.

It has also been one of the first to champion Manchester acts
including The Travelling Band and The Answering Machine and provides
training opportunities for local people.

Paul Heaton has presented shows on the station, which broadcasts
across south and central Manchester.

Paul, who lives in Didsbury, said: “All FM is a brilliant community
radio station that deserves funding. Not only does it give
disadvantaged people the opportunity to learn new skills, it champions
new music and unsigned artists and gives the community a voice. It
would be a travesty if it closed.”

Former Pulp and Longpigs guitarist, and now solo singer-songwriter,
Hawley has also played sessions at the station’s Albert Road studios.

Adding his name to nearly 2,000 others on a petition calling for the
station to be saved, he said: “I did my first ever interview as a solo
artist at All FM and have great affection for your magic station.”

The station has previously been funded by the Working Neighbourhood
Fund, which has been slashed as part of reductions in council
spending.

Staff are now hoping to find corporate backing and are holding a
fundraising night.

Station manager Ed Connole said: “Over the last year we have tried to
reduce costs to an absolute minimum but we just don’t know where we
stand when the council grant runs out.

“We have been broadcasting for the last 10 years and are determined to
stay on the air for another 10 at least.”

Jason Cooke, All FM’s volunteer co-ordinator said: “The radio output
is the tip of the iceberg of what we do here.

“The station and its presenters really do represent a diverse
community. We consistently have a waiting list for people who want to
do their own shows.

“It helps people build up their confidence and skills to take back
into the community and many have gone on to jobs in the media from
here.”

The fund-raising night takes place at The Klondyke Club, Levenshulme,
on Saturday. Go to http://www.allfm.org for details.

Source: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1410755_music_stars_make_waves_in_fight_to_save_radio_station_all_fm

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