Opening up

I’m really not the sort of person who opens up easily about myself. Some people might find that weird given that I’m on the radio every evening talking to thousands of people, but I rarely talk about myself and my life on air. After all, my show is about other people and their talents, not about me.

But recently I was asked by the insanely talented Jack Louis Cooper to appear on a digital series he was putting together talking to men who work in the creative industry about their career and mental health. Having had a rocky start to 2021 and needing some space away from my job to deal with that, Jack asked if I’d be open to talking about it with him on a recorded Zoom call that he could publish on Instagram, YouTube and Twitter… I was apprehensive, like MASSIVELY apprehensive but I’m glad I agreed to it.

It’s always a weird experience being ‘the other side’ of an interview. I’m so used to being the one asking the questions of guests on my radio show (of which Jack was a guest talking about his amazing music - check it out here). So when I was on the receiving end of some of the questions Jack had for me I had to really think about the answers I was giving, especially as they were about mental health and wellbeing.

Jack put me at ease so wonderfully though. Take time to give the interview a watch in the player above and drop a comment on the video too, let Jack and I know what you thought of it. I’ve already had a few texts and messages from a few people about it since it was published. Some from people I hadn’t heard from in ages and one from a mate of mine who told me exactly what I needed to hear. So your comments really do mean the world.

…And breathe

I’ve been on annual leave for the last two weeks… I know, it feels weird being on leave without being able to go anywhere or do anything… But after a few weeks off work, I can’t wait to get back on the radio and showcase some incredible BBC Upload content.

I’m so glad I’ve had two weeks off work - it’s something I was long overdue. I’d noticed myself slipping into a bad mindset and felt like I was struggling to enjoy anything. You may have seen from my previous blog posts that I wasn’t feeling the best. Lockdown and other stuff has really been wearing me down. But taking some time off meant I managed to go back to Birmingham and see my parents (who I’m bubbled with) and it really helped me to get a sense of normality for a few days.

It’s the silly stuff like sitting with someone to watch the telly, having someone else to make a cuppa for when you get up to make yourself one… I’ve really missed social company. I’m such a sociable person and it’s hit me hard not having people around me as much. I’m also really tactile too, so I can’t wait to have a hug and high-five people again!!

Taking time to reset and recharge is important, but with the pandemic and lockdown I thought “what’s the point in taking time off, I can’t go anywhere or do anything” but I needed to step away from being on the work hamster wheel for a bit. Just to not think about work for a while.

With my mind rested I feel loads more focused and know I’ll be able to give it my all again. Thanks to anyone who has reached out, checked in, text, called, facetimed - It means the world to me. You are all heroes ❤️

I’m not ok.

I’m not ok. And that’s ok. That’s the conclusion I’ve come to in the last few weeks. Lockdown 3.0 has hit me hard, as it has a lot of people.

I’ve not posted on here in so long. It’s been a tough few months ey? Time to fess up. On air I try and stay upbeat and positive, but the last 10 months have been a struggle for me.

I live on my own, I worked right the way through the pandemic and I’ve struggled with being away from my friends and family. I know I’m lucky to still be working and in a job. But I also know that there are countless things to be grateful for and believe me I’m incredibly grateful for the things I had managed to achieve in 2020. I’ve got my own flat sorted, presented four national shows across the local BBC Radio network (3x Upload Festival shows, 1x Best of Upload show), I’ve hit the milestone of presenting my own radio show for two whole years and played hundreds and hundreds of incredibly talented people on air who have submitted their unbelievable creativity via BBC Upload. I’m chuffed to bits that I’ve done all of those things and that most of you who follow me on my social media channels or on my blog here have helped and supported me in one way or another to achieve all of that. Thanks for being awesome.

Here’s to 2021 being better. Yeah, I know... It hasn’t started the best. We’ve been thrown into Lockdown 3.0 and for many of us the vaccine seems AGES away because of how far down the list we are, but let’s keep as upbeat as possible.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Adam Crowther (@adam_crowther)

When I posted this photo on Instagram, it was my first post in months. I wrestled with whether to post it or not. But I did. I try and keep so upbeat and positive when I’m presenting on air, but I worried that cracks were starting to show. I was blown away by the incredible comments that came in on the post. Lots of support from friends, strangers, people I’ve played on the radio. One person was moved to write a poem based on the post, praising my honesty and vulnerability that I’d shown in posting it. The conversations I’ve had with people since posting it have helped me so much. Thanks if you’ve reached out. Love you all. x

Future generations

When I was at school, I loved the idea of becoming a presenter. I used to host the school concerts with my mate Lauren. We’d link in between acts on the stage from choirs, bands, drama productions… You name it, we linked between it. We LOVED it.

Our teachers were incredibly supportive back then and as I moved on and carried on presenting I got so much help and guidance from people working in the media and music industry that I’ll forever be grateful for.

That advice stood me in incredible stead for paving out a career working in radio. As a travel reporter, producer, social media journalist and even now as a presenter I’ve had so many people take me under their metaphorical wing to teach me all sorts of skills and a whole bunch of life lessons. Sometimes it’s proper coaching, sometimes it’s just a helpful word of the wise, but all of it has helped shape me in someway.

So, in turn, I think it’s important that I help others who ask me for help. I still find it bizarre (and incredibly humbling) that people ask me for advice. After training most of the BBC local radio social media producers a couple of years ago I was sent this from one of those I’d trained showing me the addition they’d made to their social media desk...

“What would Bristol do?” 

We were leading the way and people wanted to be like us. THAT IS COOL! 

I was asked earlier this month to talk to eager media and music students from Telford College about how I “got in” at the BBC and how I worked to get into radio presenting.

Talking to students at Telford College

I was asked to speak about all the different jobs I’d done, the various roles there are available at the BBC and the ins and outs of how to get radio play on the BBC.

Passing on my experience and knowledge of my career so far is the least I can do. I can’t count the number of people who have helped me progress in my career. Something I’ve always appreciated. The least I can do is help others in return.

Do me a favour. Help someone this week. Give someone the time to grab a coffee with you. Take the time to allow them to pick your brains. You might not feel like you’re the best placed to offer that person the advice you need, but the chances are you’ll give them that little confidence boost they need to feel like they can take the next step. Trust me.

Why we do Upload

What’s great about my programme on BBC Radio Bristol is that we get to support all different types of talent. Writers, bloggers, comedians, musicians. This week we’ve featured Brook Tate and his musical ‘Mr. Maglump’ as my House Band of the Week. The musical is a family friendly look at inclusion, community and togetherness.

The cast of the musical, from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, came in and performed the track live in session on my radio show. The shows writer, Brook Tate, tweeted out this.

Left to right: Shane David-Joseph, me, Tom Briggs and Brook Tate.

That’s exactly why I do BBC Upload. A platform to feature people and things on the radio that might otherwise not get the opportunity! I love it.

Upload is about supporting local talent. Being a front door to the BBC. Anyone can upload anything. That’s what’s great about it.

Hear tracks from Mr. Maglump on Brook’s Soundcloud below.

Getting nerdy about jingles

BBC Upload - Station imaging

Listen... I can't help it. I’m a radio nerd. I know that. But indulge me a little by listening to me and BBC Radio Bristol's station sound producer Tom Ryan talk all things jingles, imaging, voice overs and generally getting excited about nerdy radio stuff!

When we launched the programme in October 2018, we wanted a fresh sound with bold imaging and a voice over to match. Well, listen to the package and let us know what you think!

We talk about the concept stage, how we wanted it to sound, what we wanted to get across with the imaging as well as the style and feel of the programme. From picking a composer, a voice over artist and the elements we needed included to match the personality of the show and the station, while still sounding new a vibrant for younger audience.

Find out more about our jingle composer Dave Connolly here:
molecularsound.com

Find out more about our voice over artist Natalie Cooper here:
nataliecooper.co.uk

Listen to BBC Upload here:
bbc.co.uk/upload or via BBC Sounds app

Adam starts new show on BBC Radio Bristol

I’ve been busy busy busy over the last few months launching a brand new show on BBC Radio Bristol. The evening show airs weekdays between 7-10pm and it’s called BBC Upload with Adam Crowther.

BBC Upload has a strong and vibrant personality - the visual identity was created by graphic designer James Mobbs.

The show champions new talent in the BBC Radio Bristol area - from writers, poets, musicians, bloggers, vloggers, podcasters and comedians. Anyone can upload their audio to be played on the show via the website bbc.co.uk/upload and they could get their creations featured on the radio.

Targeting a young audience with a modern playlist, vibrant station sound/jingles, voiceover that reflects the youthful energy of the programme as well as pacy and fun presentation, I hope that audiences of BBC Radio Bristol love the new format.

Listen to the show weekdays:

🕖 7pm
📻 94.9, 104.6, 103.6fm/DAB
💻 bbc.co.uk/radiobristol
📲 Download the BBC Sounds app from your app store