Ian McKenzie has been a blues fan since he was in his early teens - and thats a long time ago. In the late 1950s he was a ‘skiffler’ in a small group which was good enough to be selected by the National Jazz Federation to support the Chris Barber Band. Ian fell in love with the music that Chris played and was entranced by many (most) of the dozens of blues musicians he brought over to the UK. A lover of most types of blues from Mississippi through Chicago and including Zydeco and Cajun music, as well as the more ‘folky’ style of the likes of Elizabeth Cotton, Woodie Guthrie and Josh White, Ian is a huge Big Bill Broonzy fans and is the curator of www.broonzy.com , a tribute site. Ian has written articles and done record reviews for Blues and Ryhthm. He has been the editor of Blues In The South (www.bluesinthesouth.com) for twenty years this year. He still does regular book and record reviews and has interviewed close to one hundred blues artists from all around the world. For more than fifteen years he has been involved in producing and presenting blues radio shows, both live and pre-recorded for stations on both sides of the Atlantic. 'Wednesday's Even Worse' (the title comes from the wonderful song by T-Bone Walker, 'Stormy Monday') is a show reflecting Ian's broad interests and includes, old and new blues, acoustic and electric blues, Cajun music and Zydeco, Blues Rock and old rock 'n' roll, Gospel music and even the of bit of Jazz.
Blues shows
If you would like to request a track or two you can contact me here via my email
Iain Lamond Presenter / DJ Iain has been working in community radio since early 2019 after being recruted to Wirral Wave Radio in December 2018. He works a presenter of their Beer Show and alternate Blues show and is co-manager, making sure everything is scheduled and runs smoothly, this doesn't always happen! (That's community radio for you!) His interest in Blues was formed at an early age when his mum introduced him to Manfred Mann, Barcaly James Harvest and Queen. In his teens he developed his own musical tastes forming mainly are UK indie bands like Jesus Jones, Carter USM and Pop Will Eat Itself as well as getting to rap music like Cypress Hill and Linkin Park, although he has always liked experimental bands like Genesis and Pink Floyd. He also likes bands such as Coldplay and Snow Patrol. Now his musical interests range from Dream Pop to Blues Rock to Heavy Metal. REM are a big influence, espcially the early years when they had a more Americana / Blues sound to them. He tries to promote new and upcoming artists wherever possible. His love of the Blues was reinvigorated in 2020 over lockdown when he discovered a Facebook advert for When Rivers Meet and ordered the CD without even listeing to the music! Through their fan community his love and knowledge of modern Blues and Blues Rock has grown, with him being introduced to the likes of King King, Elles Bailey and Connor Selby amongst many others. Orignally an occaisional feature in his Beer Show, he developed a Blues show in July 2022 to help out his college, friend and station manager on Wirral Wave, Paul, who produces their regular Blues show. Now they share alternate weeks. Iain has not has one repeated show! It goes out three times a week, but its always a new show when his turn comes around. Six Beer Show featues and 10 full shows later, the show originally entiteld Have I Got Blues For You has morphed into, after much consulatation, Fired Up Blues for its syndication to Blues Radio UK. The title was suggeted by Paul from Wirral Wave and embodies Iain's love of modern Blues Rock, although some classic and slower Blues will also feature.
Every week Iain brings you an eclectic mix of modern, contemporary, classic and alternative Blues as well as a “Two Track”, two songs from a featured artist. There may even be artists you may not associate with the blues. He’s all fired up for Fired Up Blues, are you?
James “The Blues Hound” Nagel
Actively involved in the blues community for nearly four decades as a writer, photographer, producer, emcee, promoter and festival/benefit organizer. Served as Festival Chair of the 2007 Charles Brown “Day of Remembrance” Blues Festival and Entertainment Chair of the 2008 Charles Brown Music Festival. Formerly served on the Doc Blues Records Advisory Board and on the Board of Directors of the Uncle John Turner Foundation. I served as the first President of the Houston Blues Museum (2009-2011) and continue in an advisory role. Radio career with KPFT began in 1996. Current host of “Howlin’ the Blues” (Sundays 2-5 pm) on 90.1 FM KPFT Pacifica, www.kpft.org (streaming live), a 2006 KBA Public Radio Blues Programming recipient, and host of the website, www.theblueshound.com. Served on KPFT’s Program Council (2006-2007). I am a lifetime member of the Houston Blues Society and have had the privilege of serving as a Board of Director, on the Advisory Board and was Vice President from 2013-2014. Served as talent buyer for The Shakespeare Pub (Houston, TX) from January 2014-December 2017. I am a member of The Blues Foundation and proud recipient of a 2017 Keeping The Blues Alive Award.
Alec Martin presenter of 'Have I Got Blues For You' presents a 2nd show dedicated to the open mic scene. Alec began arguably the very first open mic in NW UK around 30 years ago and is still heavily involved with his Buskers Ball sessions. This programme is aimed to raise the profile of open mics, and features both studio and live performances. To send in your music for possible broadcast, send (with artist details)to