GEORGE FM - Having a ball for the last 10 years!

GEORGE FM - Having a ball for the last 10 years!

Ten years, where's the beers?!

In a Grey Lynn bedroom in 1998, George FM was switched on by founder Thane Kirby and the crew. Now, in 2008, we can look back on ten years of providing hundreds of thousands of listeners in Auckland, New Zealand and the world with funky beats and cool content. It moved from the bedroom to Ponsonby Road, and then one more move took it to its current location at 105 Ponsonby Road. At present around 70 DJs do a live two-hour show each week and as we think back, the mind boggles at the number of people who have contributed in ways both big and small. Did you know Elemeno P's Dave Gibson was the breakfast host in 2001? That comedian Dai Henwood used to host the Sunday Arts show? And TV3's Jacquie Brown is a former Programme Director? And that's just the tip of the iceberg...

Beyond Dancin':

The station has also always been synonymous with the Auckland dance music scene, and the cream of the city's DJ talent can reliably be found on George FM every day of the week. But as the station has evolved over the last decade it has become much more than a reflection of the city's nightlife, with everything from a Sunday afternoon Jazz show (which has since spawned a full time online station - George Jazz), to a 100% New Zealand music show on a Tuesday evening. In 2001 George FM got the big break thanks to a partnership with the Manukau Urban Maori Authority. This enabled George to spread its wings Auckland-wide, with the use of an Iwi frequency, 96.8FM. This partnership has grown over the years, and now George FM has a real commitment to promote and encourage the use of Te Reo and awareness of Maori issues in innovative ways, with the overnight Manu Tioriori programme, the humorous 'Kupu of the day' and more. We're aware of our proud cultural heritage, and this association with MUMA has enriched and expanded the unique 'vibe' that resonates through our programming.

No set playlist a key to success:

George FM is actual DJs, playing and mixing their own records, rather than being told what to do and play. The station is filled with music lovers volunteering their time for the love of the tunes they play. This authenticity shines through on air, and is the key difference between them and all other full power radio stations in New Zealand. Instead of one or two people deciding what listeners want to hear, they have an expert committee of seventy! Check www.georgefm.co.nz to peruse the full lineup.

The George FM 10th Birthday Ball:

Listeners are invited along to the George FM 10th Birthday Ball Friday June 6th at Pontoon. Breakfast Host Peter Urlich will entertain early by playing a set with his band - think Rat Pack for the 21st century. Following that some of the iconic DJs from over the years will take to the decks to get the party going in the main room, while the front room will see hour long sets by the hottest of the current DJ crop. If you miss out on tickets, be sure to tune in as we go live to air from the ball from 8pm. www.iticket.co.nz, Real Groovy for tickets.

Here's to the next ten years!

Love,

George FM (10 Years Old)

ENDS

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