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The National (Scotland)

National

Alasdair Ferguson

New rock radio station with 'Scottish musician focus' set to launch

Rock (Organization) Scot (Organization) ACDC Metallica Nazareth

Radio host stalwart Tom Russell was tasked with launching the station (Image: Tom Russell)

A NEW rock radio station with a focus on Scottish musicians is set to hit the airwaves this Monday.

Following the success of Celtic Music Radio, which launched 20 years ago to help support the burgeoning Scottish folk scene, the organisers behind the station have decided to launch a new channel dedicated to rock music.

Launching at 9am on Monday morning, Rock.Scot will bring listeners classics as well as upcoming artists from across a variety of rock genres, including metal, punk, grunge and blues, but with a focus on musicians from Scotland.

Tasked with launching the new station by Celtic Music Radio founder, Alex Jenkins, radio host stalwart Tom Russell said he was more than happy to take on the challenge of coming up with playlists and finding presenters.

With more than 40 years of presenting shows from Radio Clyde to Rock Radio 96.3, Russell said he plans to play all the genres' big hitters along with the likes of Nazareth, Big Country, Marillion, Gun and even the likes of Tide Lines.

“The major radio stations in no way in a million years would have played what we’re playing,” Russell told the Sunday National.

Tom Russell will be at the helm of the station (Image: Tom Russell)

“Your Smooth radio or Real radio or whatever you call them, all different radio stations, they would never dream of playing something by Skerryvore, equally they would never dream of playing something by Metallica, even though Metallica's sold out Hampden next month.”

Some of the 17-strong list of presenters for the station include Glasgow-based country singer Martha Healy, who will host a country show, King King guitarist Alan Nimmo hosting a late-night blues show, and a prog rock show courtesy of Scott McArthur.

A self-confessed lover of all music, Russell said that listeners can expect tracks from a plethora of genres ranging from the 1960s all the way up to the latest releases from across the rock world.

He added that he is not “falling for the trap” that people don’t want to hear the likes of heavier rock music throughout the day and promises there will be a “real mix” for all rock fans every day.

However, he added that although he’s painstakingly curated several playlists, he is still keen to hear what listeners want to hear over the airwaves.

“It's down to the listener to decide whether it fits or not,” Russell said.

AC/DC at Murrayfield. (Image: Tim Craig)

“But you'll certainly have AC/DC, Guns N Roses, Led Zeppelin, and maybe you will have Skerryvore, and Nazareth, and then you'll have maybe Pink Floyd, Motley Crue, Hendrix, etc.”

Russell said he’s aware there are already “big name” radio stations that cater to rock fans, but is still very much hopeful with the likes of BBC Scotland cutting back on its output of homegrown talent, Rock.Scot will be able to carve out its own audience.

“We certainly won't be able to compete with the big names and the big money stations.

“I realise that. But, there's absolutely no reason why we can't offer an alternative.”

However, Russell said he’s already seen support pour in from across the world following test transmissions for Rock.Scot.

“We've been getting messages from the states, from Canada, from Brazil and Argentina, Sweden, Finland, Australia.

“People just stumbling across us on the online stream transmissions and saying, ‘Hey, I really like your choice of music’.

“That's really refreshing, it's wonderful.”

You can listen to Rock.Scot from 9am on Monday, May 25, on selected DAB or online at www.rock.scot.