An early photo of Tony, probably from his Big D days (courtesy Marisa Dixon).
As well as presenting a daily show on Sunshine Radio every afternoon, Tony Dixon (RIP) also fronted a popular soul programme every Saturday evening. Soul Special aired from 1800-2100 and had a dedicated band of listeners. In this recording from 1982, to celebrate two years with Sunshine, Tony is giving away an album and a station car visor. There are dedications from near and far, including from Limerick and even Amsterdam.
The recording was made on 21st August 1982 between 2025-2100 from 100.5 FM and is courtesy of Shay Geoghegan. Tony had a long career in pirate and licensed radio but died prematurely in 2010.
A sticker for the WABC Gold service (courtesy DX Archive)
Continuing our series on Donegal border pirate WABC, we take up the story in mid-1990 by which time the station had expanded into two separate services. The following text is courtesy of Ian Biggar.
WABC continued pretty much unhindered for the remainder of 1989, but by my next visit in May 1990 significant change had happened. Two stations were now operating from the attic of Paul’s family home in Greencastle and both were running live programmes. The original 101.7 transmitter was operating as WABC Hot Hits with the second station being WABC Gold on 101.2 MHz. The transmitters were located fairly close to each other at Stroove. Both were aimed at Coleraine and beyond and were gaining a loyal following and a fairly healthy advertising log. However by August both transmitters were carrying the programmes of WABC Gold. In November 1990 Free Radio News from Ireland reported that WABC Gold had installed a new aerial system for the 101.2 MHz transmissions resulting in increased signal strength in the area of Coleraine. It also reported the resumption of transmissions from WABC Hot Hits on 101.7 MHz. Staff shortages was given as the reason for the delay in getting the Hot Hits station back on air.
This recording is of WABC Gold with a lunchtime show presented competently by Krissi Bentley (Carpenter), who was married to station founder Paul Bentley (Paul Barnett, RIP). There are plenty of adverts for businesses in Counties Derry and Antrim and the programme itself is sponsored by a carpet shop in Coleraine. Krissi reads news headlines at the top of the hour and the show also includes a laid-back Coffee Time slot and a Beg, Steal or Borrow section. There is also a listeners’ competition and promos for the two WABC stations. The recording was made between 1125-1300 from 101.2 FM on 6th June 1990 and is courtesy of Ian Biggar.
Tony Dixon in the Sunshine days (courtesy Marisa Dixon).
Tony Dixon (RIP) was one of the best-known DJs on Dublin’s Sunshine Radio in the 1980s, presenting a daily show every afternoon and also a popular weekend soul programme. This recording from 1982 is of part of Tony’s lunchtime show with the usual mix of music, chat and dedications. The soundtrack of the afternoon features music from James Bond movies and there is a promo for a competition to win a house worth £45,000, an example of the eye-watering giveaways on larger pirate stations like Sunshine and Radio Nova during this period.
Tony also mentions the Sunshine Radio election special that was broadcast every evening. The involvement of pirate radio in elections in the 1980s was controversial because of several failed efforts to bring forward legislation to licence local radio. Sunshine Radio took the unprecedented step of publishing a newspaper advertisment in support of Fianna Fáil in the February 1982 election because that party had committed to introducing local commercial radio.
After a long career in pirate and licensed radio, Tony died prematurely on 25th November 2010. This recording was made on Tuesday 9th February 1982 between 1210-1255 from 91.6 FM and is courtesy of Shay Geoghegan.
Sunshine car sticker from the later years (Anoraks Ireland Collection).
Following its rebranding in 1986, Sunshine Radio became the biggest station in Dublin, a position that it held until its closedown at the end of 1988. Renamed Sunshine 101, the changes ushered in by US radio consultant Bill Cunningham included the end of many specialist shows and a shift from a community feel to a successful commercial operation.
This recording is of a live overnight show from spring 1987 hosted by Phil Hilton. There are few adverts as would be expected for the time of night but a promo for the BIg Kahuna competition is aired. The Big Kahuna allowed someone to become a DJ for the day and launched a few radio careers. News at 0206 is read by Joyce Jackson – one of the aspects of the rebranding was to move news bulletins away from the top of the hour slot.
The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 100.5 FM on Tuesday 28th April 1987 between 0131-0217. Audio is generally good but there is some wobble at the start due to cassette degradation.
Paul Barnett (RIP) of WABC pictured c 1991 (courtesy Ian Biggar).
Despite closing down at the end of 1988 like the vast majority of the other pirates, the Donegal station WABC was among those to venture back on air in 1989, where it would remain for a further two years. Continuing our series on this important border station, we publish below an account of WABC’s return courtesy of Ian Biggar.
In early 1989, Paul Barnett [WABC founder, RIP] was talking about a license under what he termed ‘phase 2’. I assume he meant the community licenses which did eventually appear, but not for some years. To keep his hand in, Paul was operating a short wave transmitter on behalf of the Scottish Free Radio Network. However, the temptation was too great and WABC returned to the air on Sunday 3rd June 1989 on 101.7 MHz with a power of 20 kW. All the old crew like Krissi, Barry Owler, Happy Harry and of course Paul were back and the station often played American radio tapes overnight to maintain a 24-hour service.
I received a letter from Paul dated 1st September 1989, in which he wrote that the launch of Atlantic 252 had not lived up to his expectations! He said that the 101.7 transmitter was still located in Stroove at 230 feet above sea level. He had upgraded the aerial system with 4×10 element yagis estimating an effective radiated power (ERP) between 35-40 kW. The only drawback was that a couple of local houses could clearly hear WABC on their telephones! I had reported reception of WABC at on high ground on the west coast of Scotland on 98.3 MHz. Paul was surprised at this as it was only a 5 watts mono relay in the centre of Moville atop a 100 foot tower, 150 feet above sea level!
This recording was made shortly before Christmas 1989 and features the end of Paul Barnett’s breakfast show and the start of the lunchtime programme presented by his wife Krissi Carpenter. The musical style is oldies, referred to by Paul as ‘Solid Gold WABC’ and there are generic and branded station jingles. Due to the busy time of year, there are large numbers of adverts for businesses in Counties Derry and Antrim, reflecting the core coverage area and the reluctance of southern businesses to advertise of the pirates due to strict new legislation. The tape was made on 10th December 1989 between 1045-1215 from 101.7 FM and is courtesy of Gary Hogg and Ian Biggar. Audio quality is generally good but there is fading in places as this recording was made in Lancashire.
