Rob Hammond

The show

How would you describe your show in one sentence?

A perfect nostalgic and local accompaniment to your weekend afternoons.

What makes your show, your show?

My memories of growing up in the late 70's and 80's.

Favourite features or games to do on air?

I love "My First Record", where I play the first record that listeners owned, where they bought it from and their memories of it.

What kind of listener will love your show?

Anyone who grew up in the 70's and 80's.

Their journey

How did you first get into radio?

I helped out at the student radio station at my university, then I did hospital radio at Spire Hospital Radio in Louth.

What's been your path to where you are now?

25 years with Lincs FM.

Did you always want to be on air?

I love all aspects of radio but connecting with listeners on the radio is something special.

Best moment on air so far?

So many to choose from but moments like finding someone a turkey on Christmas Day because when hers had defrosted, it was rotten. They're the moments that are the best.

Any interviews or moments you're especially proud of?

Adele, Take That, Miley Cyrus, I've interviewed a lot of people but interviewing the artists I grew up listening to are the most special so I would have to say The Pet Shop Boys.

Toughest moment in radio?

When my sister was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer during Covid and died a year later. It was a very difficult year as she lived 200 miles away. Dealing with that and having to present my radio show from home for 6 months during that time was the toughest thing I've ever had to deal with.

The listeners

What do you enjoy most about interacting with listeners?

Hearing their stories and hopefully connecting with them with mine.

A message or moment from a listener that's stuck with you?

I once had a listener tell me that listening to me and being able to call me in the studio stopped them feeling so lonely.

Music & influences

Earliest memory of listening to radio?

Listening to comedian Boothby Graffoe on local radio and calling in to his show. The Radio 1 roadshows and the Top 40 on a Sunday, of course.

Biggest broadcasting influences?

Terry Wogan, Steve Wright, Simon Mayo.

One song you'll never get bored of?

Robert Miles — Children.

What kind of music do you love off air?

I love so many songs from different genres but 90's dance music is a definite favourite.

A track that always gets a reaction on your show?

Rick Astley — Never Gonna Give You Up. Who doesn't love it?

Magna

What does being part of Magna Radio mean to you?

It's local radio for Lincolnshire, being a Yellowbelly. It's in my blood and I've done local radio for 25 years.

What excites you most about what we're building here?

Once again being part of a radio station that understands what it's like to live in Lincolnshire.

Quickfire

Tea or coffee?

Definitely tea.

Early start or late finish?

Late finish.

One word to describe your show

Nostalgic.

Guilty pleasure song?

Anything by Steps.

Something people wouldn't expect about you

I was once semi-finalist of Young Fish Frier of the Year.

Hidden talents or unusual skills?

I can say the alphabet backwards.

Looking ahead

What would you love to achieve on air?

To make Magna Radio Lincolnshire's number 1 listened to radio station.

Where do you want to take your show next?

To make it THE show to listen to at a weekend.