Where am I : Programmes (Meet The Team) > Presenters > Ian Perry

Ian Perry: 1987 saw the launch of commercial radio in Derby, which gave Ian the radio bug.  As the airwaves called, Ian signed up for Derby's hospital station, Radio Link.  Several happy years were spent as a producer and presenter on request, magazine, specialist, sports and general entertainment programming.  He also fronted the station's Roadshow and fundraising department.

Whilst with Radio Link, Ian met BBC Radio Derby's (and now Erewash Sound presenter) Dave Halls whilst they were both out interviewing pop stars at a nightclub.  Dave invited Ian onto his BBC Saturday night show to present vox-pop features and album reviews.  When Dave left the BBC, Ian carried on work for Devon Daley until a management decision saw the end to Devon's show, replaced by network programming from BBC Nottingham studios.

The early to mid 90s saw Ian join short-term charity station Radio Cracker, and in 1996, he was invited to join Amber Valley station Valley Radio as a weekend overnight and Sunday afternoon presenter.  At the same time, Ian presented the Saturday night late show on Chesterfield's Trust FM - a station which would go on to make an albeit unsuccessful application for a full time licence in North Derbyshire.  Ian spent some time on the planning committee working on the licence bid.

1997 saw the mainstay of Valley Radio move city-bound to form Pride FM in Derby.  Ian soon became Chairman (later Director) and radio licence holder for the ASWAS Radio Group, overseeing one of only 25 Millennium services across the country, and a 2002 Jubilee Broadcast to commemorate the Queen's 50th reigning year, 75 years of the Derby Cathedral, and 25 years of Derby having City status - a service commended by the Radio Authority in their annual report.  Radio station coverage of HM The Queen's honorary pageant at Pride Park was ranked above that given by other local stations.  In 2003, Ian led efforts to revive Derby County’s defunct SKY satellite delivered football radio station, RAMPAGE, but this time, matchdays on AM as Pride Park Radio, but the project was halted when the a new consortium came in to replace Lionel Pickering.  Ian, along with the rest of the team, then turned his attention to the launch of Erewash Sound in late 2004/early 2005. 

Ian spends much of the year as compere for the Erewash Sound Roadshow at both family-orientated and corporate events including the Midsummer Happening on Ilkeston’s Victoria Park, Ilkeston’s Community Hospital Annual Garden Party, and local School functions.

He is a strong believer that the people of Erewash deserve a radio station just for the area and that when they do get Erewash Sound on their radio dial permanently, that they will realise just how poorly served they have been by local radio.  This is why he is so proud of the local achievements of the radio group so far, and, as an Erewash resident, looks forward with great excitement to the potential of Erewash Sound. His long-term wish is to make the service permanently available for all of Erewash to enjoy.

On-air you'll find Ian presenting the Saturday night 'Entertainment Tonight' show on station FM broadcasts, focusing on the local entertainment scene as well as national and international showbiz news, whilst the mood changes on a Sunday with 'Pure Class' - 2 hours of tunes to sit back and relax with, armed with a mug of tea or coffee, a box full of biscuits or chocolates, and make the best of your Sunday.  Ian presents the show at 11:00 every Sunday morning, on the internet radio service - Erewash Sound At The Weekend as well as regular shifts on the news team.