Aircheck Tracker
Profile: Gary Burton: Born and bred in Derby, and having spent his childhood talking practically non-stop to his mother Carol, (who said he was talking before he was walking!) Gary moved behind a microphone in his teens, aged 14, first taking to the air under his real name Mark Shaw, on Derby's hospital radio station, Radio Link, working alongside people who were his colleagues both then and in the future, such as Richard 'Dick' Stone' & Colin Woolley. He once told his career teacher at John Port School in Etwall of his aims to get into showbiz - but his teacher just laughed! Not so funny now is it Mr. Teacher sir?!
The first record he ever played on the radio, probably at Radio Link's Studio 1, was Racey's 'Some Girls'. He is reminded of his school days by the Rush song 2112. This taste for rock music is echoed by Gary's choice for a long car journey - 'Load' by Metallica. In stark contrast, though, over his radio career so far, he finds Cameo's 'Word Up' quite amusing, and should he have to rescue a CD from a house-fire, it would be 'The Showbiz Kids Collection' by Steely Dan. His favourite tune of all time is The Beach Boys hit 'God Only Knows'.
The name change to Gary Burton happened upon the exodus of Radio Link presenters to Radio Trent in Nottingham and Derby, courtesy of Trent on-air boss Len Groat, who is known for changing many presenters names to 'more radio friendly sounding ones'. Gary moved into pro-radio in 1988, after what he quotes as 'much bribery', the year after Radio Trent 945 started in Derby.
During
his time at what was then Midlands Radio plc, he was the breakfast show presenter for
Trent FM in Nottingham, 103.2 Leicester
Sound, and more recently, the Border owned Century 106, (where a lot of ex-Trent
names appeared working for David Lloyd, Colin included), and Gary was the first presenter on
Kiss 102, now Galaxy, in Manchester.
He was also acting programme controller of Galaxy 105 in Yorkshire.
Gary has loved music since he was a kid and the thought of being in control of
it all and being the centre of attention inspired him to become a DJ.
He is labelled as being a Derby County fan and as such, has developed a very thick
skin!
The first records Gary bought were a Beatles EP, and the other was Cliff Richard's 'Voice In The Wilderness', not new but at a jumble sale. He once had a momentous time at the Manchester Apollo watching Beck in concert, and really wished he could've been at one of The Who's gigs to see Keith Moon in particular.
Gary appeared on the BBC's sixth radio station, the
digital service 'BBC 6Music' getting away with all sorts on The
Night Train, Weekends 0000-0600
Monday 0000-0700. 6Music is also available on SKY Digital as well as DAB
networks. Whilst working at Broadcasting House
with Auntie, his highlight was receiving a '..top of the morning' greeting
from none other than Terry Wogan
whilst passing him on the staircase. Gary recently married an American
girl, Terese (who comes from New York) - they married under the Brooklyn Bridge.
Gary, along with his wife, is now back living in the East
Midlands, back with his family, friends and other familiar surroundings.
In his spare time, he writes songs with his writing partner. He loves
eating sushi, a taste he first discovered in a New York restaurant called
'Omen'. His favourite tipple to wash it down is what he calls 'Rock 'n'
Roll mouthwash' - Jack Daniels on ice. With his new found American
connections, he cites Miami Beach, Florida as one of his favourite destinations,
but Barcelona is another.
He once sold caravans, at Don Amott 'King of Caravans' sales park in Eggington, Derbyshire. He is a huge addicted fan of George Forman's 'Lean Mean Grilling Machine', and is scared silly by eels. When he isn't singing, writing or eating out, he enjoys keeping fit, and as well as having interviewed Shakin' Stevens a staggering six times, his most embarrassing wardrobe item is a 'Shaky Is King' jacket. Gary is most amused by politicians in the main, but proper comedians that make him laugh include Alan Partridge, Morecambe & Wise, Eddie Izzard & Billy Connolly. His favourite TV shows include Seinfeld and The Royle Family. Radio is his ideal way to deal with stress.
August 2004 saw Gary settle in with old ex-Radio Trent chums at Saga 106.6FM in the East Midlands where he presented 'The Saturday Alternative' from 2:00-6:00pm.
Whereabouts: Back in the local radio spotlight, and upon the acquisition of 106 Century FM by Chrysalis Radio in mid-2005, Gary was recruited to present the new Heart 106 Breakfast Show alongside Vicki Blight. The show airs weekdays from 6:00-10:00am. Thanks for Alison Smith for providing the update!