Presenter/Producer

Kevin Field has worked as a Presenter and Producer for Radio Stations across the UK, you can hear some of his work on the audio Page.

Patrick Boniface of PB Media took the opportunity to have a quick chat with Kevin, this was originally created for a piece in The Radio Magazine.

Where have you worked as a Presenter and Producer?

It’s a fairly long list, check out my linked in profile for a full list.  It’s not because I’ve been sacked many times over, although its been close – I think I’ve been lucky in that I have always moved on to different positions and just kept on working.  In my early career I tried to pick up and learn as much as I could about radio – I think I did almost every job except read the news.  Although that was once offered to me.

I was Breakfast Producer and Station Sound Producer at Fox FM (now part of the Heart brand network) working with two brilliant presenters who have now also moved on to new things – Jo Thoenes is a fine presenter, she worked at BBC Oxford after Fox FM and Carl Carter (Partridge) is simply a genius, he writes award winning TV and Radio comedy and invented an Iphone app called BusChecker.

Say 'Happy Birthday CTR 105.6fm' competition winner

I’ve presented at every station I’ve worked at as well as holding down other positions, I think my favourite was at CTR a small local radio station serving Maidstone in Kent.  It was an opportunity to try out ideas and not have the boss scream at you if they didn’t work, it was almost a sandbox radio station in many ways and the people who worked there were so talented.

What have you learnt from your time as a presenter and producer?

I’ve been lucky enough to have worked for national and local stations broadcasting to very targeted audiences.  It has taught me a hell of allot about knowing your audience and what they want and need from you as a presenter and producer but also about the mechanics of creating radio – for me it is all about the science and theory behind it.

I was producer of Robbie Vincent’s Sunday Morning Soul at JazzFM for two years, and Robbie is old school, very good at what he does because he knows what he wants and knows how to get it done.  I joined him as an experienced producer yet I’m someone who always wants to learn and I learnt a hell of allot from Robbie.  Sunday Morning Soul is about understanding exactly what the audience want and need, Robbie knows that and how can you not learn from someone who has been there and done it and continues to deliver every week.

Mike Vitti is the Programme Controller at JazzFM and he taught me a valuable lesson in making sure what you do is at its very best every time you do it or else – and actually if its not what’s the point in doing it anyway – and his music knowledge and his passion is just amazing.

What are you up to now?

I provide voice overs for promotional on-line video, commercials to call handling, I also provide Adobe Audition and presenter training and present a few shows here and there to keep my toe in on the presenting front.

Most of my time is spent as the project manager and station manger, executive producer of a very targeted radio station and education project.  In radio production terms I look after everything at the station,  fulfilling  obligations and programme guidelines.

I’ll advise the producer and presenter what they need to do with a particular piece they may be working on, we provide training, advice and guidance and together as a team we have heard some powerful and engaging radio created as an outcome.

Is it true the project has won several major media awards?

Yes indeed, some of the programmes have been awarded for the quality of the work which is fantastic for the presenters / producers who made them as well as the project as whole.  These include a Mind Media Award, an IVCA Clarion and a Sony Radio Academy nomination, the awards have been given by industry professionals and when you consider who they were up against it is truly powerful.

Interview by Patrick Boniface for PB Media