Barry Neil
I have been involved in Soul Music and presenting for approx 40 yrs staring with a DJ spot at a well known night club in South Manchester “The Sandpipier” back in 1977. It was there I met my now wife Amanda of 35 years she was dancing round her handbag one night and for some reason took a fancy to me lol.
I have been credited with introducing Mick Hucknall (Simply Red) with the hit single “Moneys Too Tight To Mention” as Mick was a regular visitor to The Sandpiper and I provided a tape copy of the track by The Valentine Brothers from America. I have always been a student of Soul Music and started broadcasting in 1985 approx at KFM Radio in Stockport. Since then I have worked on many Radio Stations and played at many all nighters over the years with the likes of Richard Searling, Mike Shaft and Greg Wilson to name but a few.
I have also worked with in the studio with the likes of Lisa Stansfield back in the day and interviewed many Soul Stars over the years. I still attend concerts whenever possible and I am totally committed to embracing 21st century Soul associated genres as I believe it is a mistake to “stay stuck in the past”.I joined WFM some years ago and have presented various shows during that time. My current show has a high level of preparation with Classic soul as well as 21st Century grooves. I appear every year at The Printworks Soul festival in Manchester attended by over 40,000 people each year! In aid of the Christie Hospital and I am grateful to give something back to the masses that enjoy the music I love and raise funds for the Christie organisation