This weekend looking busy.
On Friday evening (3rd July 2009) I’ve been invited to present the Best Band award at the Balcony TV Music Video Awards.
I’m also on Phantom 105.2 this Sunday, covering the 3-6pm slot.
Steve
Publicity and promo work on Shiprocked has continued to occupy me recently with readings and signings in Galway and Dublin. The Galway event, as part of the Volvo Ocean Race celebration, was a particular success, with a large crowd attending the reading at Galway Museum, many of whom were from the yachting and maritime world – they particularly enjoyed hearing the grounding and rescue sequences!
A large number of other readings and events are being planned for later in the summer, through to November, when I will be doing a reading tour in the UK. In addition to this, I have also started work on my second book, which is also non-fiction, and is aimed for publication in the second half of 2010. I’m keeping the topic under wraps for now but will update here as the writing progresses over the months ahead.
With this workload, and my frequent need to be travelling around the country, I’ve had to scale back on my broadcast duties with Phantom 105.2, for the time being. The station management have been remarkably uderstanding about my frequent absences due to writing and promotional commitments, and have given me every help with my various outside projects, but I can’t ask them to do this forever.
Phantom stalwart Sinister Pete takes over the Sunday evening request show Random Access, and the Saturday hours are filled by an extended Phantom Anthems.
Broadcasting is still a passion for me, and I will still be heard on Phantom from time to time, filling in for regular presenters if I am in Dublin at the time.
Life has changed in many exciting ways for me over the past 18 months since I signed up with the Seven Towers Agency, and I have a feeling that in the next year it is going to get more exciting still.
Steve
READING FOR VOLVO OCEAN RACE, GALWAY, SAT 6TH JUNE 2009
Seven Towers Press Release
We would like to invite you, your friends and guests to a wine reception and reading to celebrate the recent launch of ‘Shiprocked, Life on the Waves with Radio Caroline’ by Steve Conway, in the City Museum in Spanish Parade in Galway at 3.30pm on the 6th of June – just after the boats leave the bay.
Steve Conway, a former newsreader, DJ and programme controller on the famous pirate station Radio Caroline has just released this ciritcally acclaimed memoir – described as ‘the radio obsessive’s version of Nick Hornby’s ‘Fever Pitch” by the Sunday Business Post; as ‘hard to resist’ by the RTE Guide and former Galway Bay abd current 4FM presenter Gareth O’Callaghan praises ‘Steve’s wonderful ability to tell stories and create pictures’.
Steve will also have a thing or two to share about life on the high seas, and the perils that are likely to face the the sailors who have just left the bay – including treachorous currents, high and sometimes unpredictable winds – and the possibility of running out of chocolate.
You will also be given a chance to donate to the brave members of the RNLI who daily risk their lives to rescue people on the seas around Ireland and England and €1 from each book sold on the day will be donated to the RNLI
You can RSVP to this email address, which can also be used to send your messages on to Steve.
Steve’s agent can also be contacted on 0872283351.
Looking forward to seeing you there
Best regards
Sarah Lundberg
www.seventowers.ie
After a very hectic last three months, I’m taking a long weekend off this weekend (23/24 May 2009), so my shows on Phantom will be covered by others.No shows, no phone, no internet for three whole days 
I’ll be back online, batteries recharged,on Monday night!
Steve
Dublin band Heavy Traffic played two hours of Quo classics
I was delighted to be invited down to Port Laois on Saturday to introduce the band at Ireland’s first annual “Quo-Day” at Cloisters pub.
Around 150 turned up for the event, which featured Status Quo concert footage playing on a big plasma screen during the evening, with two hours of live music from tribute band Heavy Traffic in a marquee outside which went down very well with both older and younger fans. The band really knew their material, and threw themselves into the performance with gusto.
A nice touch was starting their set with “Caroline” after my introduction!
Hopefully this even will grow year on year.
Steve
Got this email today from a regular Phantom listener.
I know Quo aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but no-one actually knows anything but the chart hits. Anyway see pic included. A mate and i decided to give this a go, England and Europe have regular Quo days so why not here. The band lined up are Heavy Traffic from south Dublin who have put together a setlist of Quo album tracks from as far back as Piledriver so this is a perfect day for Quo fans and also for the knockers who have always slagged them off, a chance to hear what /quo are really all about. The gig is in Cloisters pub, Portlaoise on May 16th,
Mick
Sounds like it will be fun, especially if they are playing good covers of the lesser-known Quo stuff. I’m on-air 5-7pm next Saturday, but might head down afterwards in time to catch the gig.
Hope it goes well.
Steve
I’ll be presenting an extra show for the bank holiday Monday on Phantom 105.2, from 0900 to 1300.
As well as the normal selection of Dublin’s Indie Rock, listen out for some Phantom Famous Firstplays from 10am, with clips of Phantom artists describing the first album they ever bought, followed by a track from the album. Some really interesting choices from the best indie rock bands, and the feature runs throughout the whole day until 8pm on Phantom 105.2.
Hear us on 105.2FM - Chorus/NTL Channel 935 – Online at www.phantom.ie - Mobile Phone
Many years ago, on leaving school in the early 80s, I was interested in Journalism as a potential career. The only college offering a course in Dublin at the time was in Rathmines, but the applicants that year greatly outstripped the places on the course, and I didn’t get in. I forgot about journalism for a while as I got involved in the world of computers, until fate, and Radio Caroline, intervened.
I had almost forgotten this when I got a call this week from a friend of a friend who teaches one of the media courses there, asking if I would like to come in and be interviewed on the college radio station, which is running on 97.3FM until Friday 24th April.
Rathmines College Radio 97.3fm - with Robert O'Connor and Jessica Riley interviewing me on the Drive programme
It was really enjoyable visiting the college, and finally getting to play a part in one of their media courses, 25 years late, but better than never!
Listening to the station on the way over, I was impressed with the effort that had been put into the news and speech programmes, and the variety of guests who were participating.
Many Thanks to Jessica and Robert for a great afternoon.
4fm studio looks out over the Dublin skyline
Publicity continues for SHIPROCKED this week, with a review due to be published in the RTE Guide and a forthcoming interview in Hotpress.
On Tuesday I was on 4fm’s breakfast show for a second time, with Gareth O’Callaghan, himself a former Caroline presenter. Gareth is very helpful about the book, and his team on the breakfast show are a nice bunch, including former Sunshine newsreader Cathy Creegan. Lovely studios with great views across Dublin too.
This weekend I will be on Phantom 0800-1100 on Saturday, and in my normal Sunday evening slot 1900-2100.
The official Irish launch of SHIPROCKED – Life On The Waves With Radio Caroline took place on April 15th, attended by a good crowd including many from the world of radio in Ireland.
The book is now available in all major bookstores, including Easons, Hughes & Hughes, Chapters, Hodges Figgis, as well as through the major online retailers.
The evening launch was preceeded by a lunchtime reading at Chapters bookstore in Parnell Street
Declan Meehan was one of a number of old pirate faces who attended the launch party
Shiprocked launch at Cassidy's Bar
Caroline and Ross Revenge posters were displayed throughout the venue
The radio t-shirt line-up with Phantom 105.2 staff (left to right) Ger Roe, Fiona Scally, Steve Conway, Anne Marie (in Radio Jackie t-shirt!), Sinister Pete and Pearl
The BBC are celebrating the 45th anniversary of Radio Caroline’s launch in 1964 by running a special “pirate” station from a former lightship at Harwich Pier all over the Easter weekend – see details and listen here.
Pirate BBC Essex from the LV18, seen on Good Friday
It’s great fun to listen to, they have got a lot of the original 60s presenters from the various offshore stations, and are drawing huge crowds down to the pier, and lots of listeners around the UK and further afield.
As part of my UK visit to promote the book I called in to the Radio Caroline sales stand that is nearby to deliver and sign more books, and was delighted to be invited on board the ship to be interviewed on Pirate BBC Essex about the publication.
I also caught up with many old friends from the Caroline days, including Roger Day, Albert & Georgina Hood who used to run tenders, and now run the sales stand, ex Caroline and Laser engineer Mike Barrington, Paul Grahame and the Balls brothers.
Myself with Roger Day and his Ronan O'Rahilly T-shirt!
Signing copies of Shiprocked at the Radio Caroline sales stand. In the background is Mike Barrington, former engineer for both Caroline and Laser
Don’t forget that Radio Caroline themselves have special broadcasts over the Easter weekend, live from the Ross Revenge, though sadly the ship i not accessible for visitors.
Shiprocked – Life On The Waves With Radio Caroline had the first of its two launches, in London, on Wednesday 8th April, at The Hammersmith Ram, King Street, Hammersmith, in an event attended by a number of former Caroline associates as well as media and a good turnout from the pre-Caroline pirate station, South East Sound.
The Dublin launch takes place on Wednesday 15th April, at 6.30pm in Cassidys, Westmorland Street – all welcome! For details visit www.seventowers.ie
(left to right) Radio Caroline station manager Peter Moore, author Steve Conway, and longtime Caroline friend John Burch at the London launch on 8th April
The crew of the 1980s rock music pirate South East Sound at the Shiprocked launch - (left to right) Mary Warner, Geoff Rogers, Steve Conway, Ray Adams, Keith Archer, with John Burch at front.
In The Shops - Shiprocked on sale in a Dublin bookstore
At the distribution warehouse in south Dublin, surrounded by pallet loads of copies of Shiprocked, about to go out to the bookstores!
Saturday 28th March marked the 45th anniversary of Radio Caroline’s launch back in 1964, and a reunion event held at The Grapes, Shepherds Market in London was very well attended by Caroline staffers from all eras of the station’s history.
(left to right) Peter Moore, Ronan O'Rahilly and Paul McKenna at the reunion for Caroline staff on March 28th 2009
from the 558 era: (left to right) John Tyler, Peter Philips, Johnny Lewis
Just two weeks to go now until Shiprocked – Life On The Waves With Radio Caroline hits the shops.
It’s already available for pre-order from Amazon and also the Radio Caroline web shop.
I’ve had so much last-minute stuff to do that I’ve been short on updates here recently, but I will keep this page updated regularly now as we head towards publication week.
Normal stuff continues too – I’m still on Phantom 105.2 every Saturday (1700-1900) and Sunday (1900-2100) and am also doing a special show on Patricks Day march 17th from 2-5pm playing the best of Irish rock.
Steve
Shiprocked - out March 31st
ISBN 978-1-905483-62-4
The “Love & Chocolate” reading in Tralee went very well, and made for an enjoyable afternoon, even if I am shattered after the 600km return drive.
In addition to my normal Sunday evening show on Phantom, I will be interviewed on NEAR FM in Dublin tomorrow, Monday 16th Feb 2009, sometime between 12 and 1.
Very close to the final proof of the book now, just writing the acknowledgements!
Steve
Seven Towers, the Dublin-based publisher and literary agency have a host of events taking place throughout February 2009, in addition to their regular “Last Wednesday” open mic night.
Seven Towers represent me for my forthcoming book “Shiprocked – Life On The Waves With Radio Caroline” which will be published by Liberties Press on March 31st, and I’ll be reading passages from the book at a number of these events.
Highlights for the month:
Wednesday 11th February 9-10 am – Hear Eamon Carr – acclaimed poet, musician and broadcaster and author of The Origami Crow, Journey into Japan, Word Cup Summer 2002 chatting with Dave Fanning on The Tubridy show – about Beat poets, and other interesting happenings – including the publication of Eamon’s first book, the aforementioned The Origami Crow.
First themed reading of 09 Chapters of Parnell Street, Dublin 12 Feb 6.30pm – Valentine’s reading – ‘My love is like . . . ‘ with Barbara Smith, Steve Conway, Oran Ryan, Noel Ó Briain, Ross Hattaway, Anne Moran, Catherine Ann Cullen.
And for anyone spending a Valentine’s weekend in Kerry, there will be a Census launch and Valentine’s reading on the theme of Love and Chocolate in Rueben’s Cafe on Ashe St in Tralee at 2.30 on Sat 14th Feb, with Oran Ryan, Steve Conway, Noel King, John W Sexton, Tommy Frank O’Connor, Eileen Sheehan.
On 18th February (1.15 Chapters of Parnell Street) the lunchtime reading will feature bi-lingual poet Greagoir Ó Duill and Donal Moloney.
Keep an eye out for other events – including 24th Feb 9pm – RÁ performance poetry event at with Raven and Sweeney and special guest this month is London performance poet and rapper Martin Dawes.
And on 23rd February at O Bheal in the Upstairs at The Long Valley, Winthrop Street, Cork, Eamonn Lynskey will be reading and performing.
And on 25th February the Last Wednesday Series Reading and Open Mic at Cassidy’s of Westmorland Street, Dublin, featuring a full lineup of Seven Towers writers and guests. Regular readers include Oran Ryan, Ross Hathaway, Steve Conway, Noel O’Brien, Eamon Lynsky, Donal Moloney and more. Doors open 7pm, admission free, all welcome.
Further details of Seven Towers events at www.seventowers.ie
Steve
Just a note to say that I’m also updating regularly on twitter as we head towards publication day
http://twitter.com/steveconway
Steve
Tonight (Wednesday 28th Jan 2009) I’ll be at the regular Last Wednesday writers open mic hosted by Seven Towers, along with a huge selection of poets and prose writers. I’ll be reading a newly written short story “Of Little Consequence”.
Last Wednesday takes place every last Wednesday at 7.30pm, in Cassidy’s of Westmorland Street - more details at www.seventowers.ie
Last Wednesday Series Reading and Open Mic
January 28, 2009 (7:30 pm – 9:30 pm)
(Open Mic Night) First Seven Towers event of 2009. 7.30 in Cassidy’s of Westmoreland St. Our regular reading and open mic with Steve Conway, Ross Hattaway, Eamon Lynskey, Donal Moloney, Noel O Briain, Oran Ryan among others!
On Saturday 31st Jan I’ll be taking part in a special day of fundraising for the RNLI, with a reading at the Pavillion in Dun Laoghaire at 3pm, featuring the grounding/rescue story from my forthcoming book Shiprocked.
Also reading will be the poet Ross Hathaway.
Here’s the piec e on Shiprocked which ran in the Irish Independent on Saturday.
Irish Independent - Review section (Books)
The cover illustrated here is still currently a roughwork, full version will be available soon.
Publication date in UK and Ireland is 31st March 2009
Steve
There is a nice little piece about the forthcoming publication of Shiprocked! – Life On The Waves With Radio Caroline in the Review section of today’s Irish Independent (Sat 17th Jan 2009). it gives some info about the book, and a mention for Phantom too.(the review section is not online yet, so I can’t link to the piece)
Speaking of Phantom, I’m now on regularly on Saturdays 5-7pm as well as every Sunday 7-9pm.
Back here later this week with a review of a great album I picked up this week from a former broadcaster turned singer, Adrianne Sebastian Scott.
Steve
A quick update, publication of Shiprocked! has been confirmed for March 31st 2009 by Liberties Press.
It will be available from that date through normal retail outlets in the UK and Ireland, through various online sales sites (including the Radio Caroline Sales operation and the Phantom 105.2 Merchandise Store ).
A special pre-order package for Caroline supporters to include extra content is currently being agreed – more details shortly.
A number of launch events and readings will take place in both the UK and Ireland throughout the spring, and I will also continue to read at the monthly Seven Towers event Last Wednesday in Dublin (next event: 7pm Wednesday 28th January at Cassidys of Westmorland street).
Steve
Every New Year for the last several years, I’ve made the resolution to get the book finished, to get representation, and said to myself ‘maybe this will be the year when I finally get it published”.
But this new year is different – thanks to a huge number of things that happened in 2008,not least the sterling efforts Seven Towers Literary Agency, I start 2009 knowing that this IS the year in which my tale of life at sea with Radio Caroline will finally see the light of day.
Publication by Liberties Press is due at the end of March or early April (firm date to be announced soon).
Even knowing this, I was still amazed to find myself listed in the Irish Times today, in a feature on books that we can look forward to in 2009.
I know I should be all calm, and professionally detached, but really, I just want to say: Woo Hoo!
Steve
A very Happy Christmas to everyone reading this in Ireland or overseas, and I hope you have a peaceful and successful New Year too.
2009 looks like being a very challenging year the world over, so all the more reason to wind down and ignore the wider world for the next few days.
I’m takingChristmas with my family, but I’ll be on Phantom 105.2 a lot during the “in-between week”.
Saturday 27th 5-7pm
Sunday 28th 7-9pm with Random Access
Monday 29th 8-11am breakfast
Wednesday 31st 8-11am breakfast
Thursday 1st Jan 2009 - 8-11am breakfast.
If you get the chance to join me on any of these shows, either on FM locally or via phantom.ie, do drop a text or an email to say Hi!
Happy Christmas!
Steve
