Mark Bicknell

Thanks Shane but to be honest mate if i had to go by a play list or a certain theme then i'd rather not do it, all specialist shows on Solar have a free run and we play what we want which is just how it should be and is not always the case on more mainstream stations trust me on this. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

All i can say is www.solarradio.com Sunday nights from 8pm - 10pm i might be old school 46 years old with 30 years on the scene and all that but i try to keep it real and that's all anyone can do, everyone has an on/off switch and if you don't like it then don't listen. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I reckon this is far rarer on Jam than the other labels, i have a stone mint one in my collection but it's too good to sell at this moment in time...well anytime really...lol great record also good by Calvin Williams. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Sorry messed that up....lol never mentioned playing total unknows Winston, just playing the whole deal really, and yes audience it's important i know that more than most six years on Solar and all that, there is just so much good music to go at and personally i try and cover all i can. Your comments are so vaild so respect. Mark Bicknell.

I agree with you Winston but the question was asked from a radio perspective about how it should be presented circa 2006, yes it's retro but it can still be made curret and interesting for a cross section of ages as a form of entertainment, radio is a very different animal to the live gig situation, choice and variety can be explored when you don't have the dance floor to consider. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Paul, a few years ago i took a year out of work to do a media/braodcasting course in Manchester and believe me having met many radio/media types it's exactly like that infact worse, lot's of people thinking they know it all and know better, shallow and very frustrating, i'm not sure if the station would be that concerned about the presenter being the right man for the job rather than he must be because of the 'Casino' connection, some radio/media types are masters of knowing a little about everything rather than a lot about one thing if you understand what i mean, very few are music people to be honest. If you feel this strongly about this then submit a show reel, no longer than 15 minutes otherwise they will bin it and see what happens, i tell you now what the answer will be mate, if it was about art and knowing your subject, having a passion, commitment and love of the music then you would get the job but it's not about that it's about to repeat myself knowing a little about everything etc. etc. which results in often not very good and a watered down media version of a subject rather than a worts and all approach. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Paul, i take all your points on board mate but sadly the radio world is very much based on jobs for the boys and more about who you know rather than what you know, outside of the scene the mainstream are clueless and will only see the association for example with Wigan Casino as being the be all and end of of the Northern scene, prior to XFM starting like months before i knew there was possibly an opening for a Northern based show and to be honest being happy with my Solar gig i did'nt even submit a promo show reel as again i knew what the score was, often the powers above think they know it all and have their finger on the pulse when in truth they are way off the mark. I would suggest that any such show on stations like this would be themed to be Northern Soul but somewhat watered down rather than the real deal because that's how it works, so the playlist and style of the show would be very structured and not specialist or anything of depth or substance with very much a retro 'Keep The Faith' ethic rather than having an open playlist or free style approach as i do on Solar. I suggest that thy are happy to have a Northern Soul show which is retro and safe rather than something which is a true reflection of the scene today. Mavericks and free spirits are few and far between in broadcasting and often don't exsist on mainstream commercial radio, however they can be found on specialist stations on Digital and on the net, i guess XFM and similar stations feel safe and content with their version of Northrn Soul, Mr Winstanley has presented for many years via the BBC etc. and has a good reputation within the industry and the new station would have been influenced by his CV rather than his current involvement with todays scene, i do believe that to give the best possible repusentation of a subject that you should be at the very least current in the present rather than looking through rose tinted glasses in the past. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Martyn, just hire the one Rolls Royce mate and let the brides maids walk to the reception...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Did this not hit seven grand??? oh what i could buy with that kinda money and more than one record...lol still each to his own i guess? Mark Bicknell.

Hi Mark, i bet Tim was pleased...lol, next time i play it i'm gonna convince myself mine is slighty off centre...lol record collecting don't you just love it. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Interesting comment about Roy Robert with some being pressed off centre, i think i'm on my third copy and never come across this, always a safe bet buying from Mr Anderson at Soul Bowl and for £40.00 only a few years ago. Stunning tune. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

What's the 45 on offer this year then?........save me one Ady...lol Mark Bicknell.

Just a quick question on this record, i have a light blue promo had it for years now, just wondering if there is a Black stock/issue copy of this out there as The High Keys - 'Living A Lie' / 'Let's Take A Chance' as i can't ever remember seeing one? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Good call Paul, everything you say about the man, the venue, his commitment, attitude, dedication, passion etc. is spot on, Ady was one of the first promoters to give me a go at the 100 Club way back about 1980/81 and for that alone i thank him, without question there is something just that little bit special about standing in front of the big 100 sign and playing tunes, is a special place, when we all look back on this scene in years to come The 100 Club, 6T's, Cleethorpes, Ace/Kent and everything decent and pure connected with Ady will go down as one of the most respected, honest and soulful people who have been involved with it, Ady has without question an untarnished record, like you stated Paul simply one of the lads....happy birthday Ady.

Now the big question is what was the 10th record played on the first night?.....lol Mark Bicknell.

Well there you go....lol Mark Bicknell.

Blimey £300.00 for Jerry Jackson....result i think it's still upstairs...lol Mark Bicknell.

Was it not The Sherrys - Put Your Arms Around Me???? followed by Dottie Cambridge...not that i was there i was only 13...lol Mark Bicknell.

George Wydell has to be worth £150.00 of anyones money, two fantastic sides. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I saw on the news and in the papers a couple of days ago that they may be relaxing these restrictions in the next week or so??? i can see this Italy / Milan trip being a nightmare.....let's just hope it all works out soon, strange the actions of madmen and everyone suffers..total bollocks. Mark Bicknell.

Mines light green, looks nice sounds even better, if a few more jump on records like this then we have nothing to worry about....................superb. Mark Bicknell.

Good luck Grant...you will have a blast mate, hope it all goes well. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Jimmy Gilford - Heartbreaker - Solid Hitbound....Don't really get much slower or better in my opinion. Regards - Mark Bicknell.