Terry Shaw / Presenter

Tommy says "I was born in Blackpool, Lancashire in the 60s where I still live, married with 4 children (what happened there?!) I started listening to music on vinyl from a young age and was given some records by my uncle to play on my first record player, a close and play sort of toy but it played 45’s when you closed the lid. In the 70’s and 80’s, I used to listen to all different kind of stations on the radio including what was left of the pirates (Radio Caroline) and Luxembourg 208 am (fading in and out). Since the late 70s I have worked at numerous venues from nightclub residencies, pubs and hotels to Mobile Disco work (which I still do occasionally) starting off on good old vinyl progressing to CD and then mp3. Out of all the formats I prefer vinyl but as technology has moved on I don’t mind which platform. My preferred genre of music is Northern Soul."

Started a broadcasting career as one of the first ‘Disc Jockey’ voices to be heard on BBC Radio Bristol, on a Saturday morning in September 1970. (my producer advised me the others were ‘radio presenters’). I spent approx. 4 years at the BBC, presenting different programmes as well as current affairs producer. I decided when my young family came along that perhaps I could have the ‘best of both worlds’ by trying my hand in ‘the business world’, and still work in broadcasting as a freelance. As well as being successful in commerce as an MD, Sales & Marketing Director etc. I have also worked for GWR radio, Classic Gold, WFM, Star Radio and Pulse Radio. Most of these were at the time very successful stations across the UK South East, South Coast and South West. As most radio presenters did at the time. I started out as a club DJ when the Soul Music genre was very powerful, with a growing following. It is encouraging to know that even after the time that has passed there is still as much interest in this genre as there was in those early days. The idea for Soul Vaults show was brought about after discussion with many people who were intrigued by the origins of ‘Old Soul’ and more importantly the lack of information about what is after all a key part of our musical heritage. I saw this as an opportunity to couple my love of the music genre together with my passion for radio. The show not only plays the songs but provides the background to the songs and the artists.