Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2007/January 2008 | Page 44

life

ISLE OF WIGHT RADIO

Your Island
Your Station

Wake-up to
Andy and
Justine

“I know when
to shut up,” says
Andy Shier of
IW Radio.
“I think that’s
the secret of our
success.”
He is talking about the double
act that he and Justine Field have
perfected on the Breakfast Show.
He and Justine are one of the great
success stories on the station, and it is
because, he says, they genuinely know
each other really well. “Double acts on
radio don’t always work, but I think we
sound natural because we like to chat.
We use a lot of eye contact too!”
Andy and Justine are founder members
of the 17-year-old radio station. He came
from hospital radio as a presenter, and she
began working in administration: after
taking part in a one-off discussion, she
was hauled in to be a presenter. Together
they are the breakfast dream team.
“I think listeners relate to us because
we’re just the other side of 40. We talk

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Photo: Morning presenters Andy Shier, Justine Field, background James Falconbridge
about everyday stuff that concerns our
listeners. A lot of radio stations make
the mistake of getting the youngsters
to do breakfast shows, who just aren’t
in touch with their audience.”
They do not go in for snazzy productions
or special features, Andy says. “We
just open up the mike and chat.”
However, competitions play a
big part, for fabulous prizes.
What is really important, Andy says,
is the mood created by the music.
“We play short, happy songs, no

heart-wrenching show ballads. We want
to put a spring in people’s step.”
The breakfast show is Monday to
Friday, 7am till 10am, and Andy hosts
the Album Chart show on Saturday,
12-2pm. On his own. “Oh, it’s an easy
life for Justine,” Andy moans. “Three
hours work and she’s done …”

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