All posts by andy walker

Like Baa Baa Black Sheep... but listeners love it

by Tuned In, with kmfm DJ Andy Walker Friday, May 11 2012

We all know the man’s name by now – we have been playing him since the end of January and you continue to tell us you love the track. Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know is the highest-selling single of 2012 so far. Some say it sounds like Baa Baa Black Sheep. Listen and let me know...

Katy Perry continues to be one of the most popular artists as well as Jessie J, whose stardom has rocketed thanks to her success on BBC1 show The Voice. Every one of her singles has gone top five in the iTunes download chart. You can hear her new tune with David Guetta called Laserlight on kmfm.

David became a household name quickly. My word does he know how to make a hit single. His album Nothing but the Beat is very easy to become attached to. The tunes are catchy and loud. The man just keeps on giving and his latest offering with Jessie on vocals has made another top five.

Train are another big band to keep listening to. You will remember Drops of Jupiter in 2001. It was their biggest UK hit so far with lyrics you instantly connected to. You felt it had meaning, and it does. It was written by lead singer Pat Monahan and was inspired by the death of his mother. He said the lyrics came to him in a dream. Drops of Jupiter won Train a Grammy. Now they have returned with a new catchy song – Drive By. It is simply a pop-rock song about love and how a man will stay for the one he loves and not leave. Drive By will have you tapping your steering wheel and smiling. Stay listening to hear it.

Be tuned to kmfm all this week as you could be winning a £250 shopping spree at Bluewater as we celebrate the opening of the new Pinkberry store. I will be there on Friday, May 18, at 9am.

Plus, don’t miss your chance to win your way into the Rochester Castle Concerts. I have tickets on kmfm Drivetime soon to see Steps, Billy Ocean, Alexander O’Neal, Jools Holland and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Categories: kmfm | music

Shopping sprees and catchy hits

by Tuned In, with kmfm DJ Andy Walker Monday, May 7 2012

There is so much coming up across Kent with kmfm.

kmfm will be giving you the chance to taste the brand new Pinkberry yogurt which launches at Bluewater. You could also be winning a shopping spree.

That is a lot of winning, but there is more. kmfm wants to invite you to a party night we are having soon at the fantastic themed restaurant Smith and Western in Tunbridge Wells.

I hope you are enjoying the hits we are playing on kmfm. Now there is even more of them as we are playing you a new band called fun. They are from New York and have produced an extremely catchy tune called We Are Young. It has already gone to No1 in the States and is already top three here. It is very alternative and stands out immediately. Listen out for it.

Tulisa not only will be back as a judge on the next series of the X Factor but also she has finished her first solo single and it cries out “summertime”. Called Young it is a big Ibiza-sounding dance song which will have you reaching for the high volume. The first few times of hearing it you ask yourself who it is because we have not really heard Tulisa sing solo.

The catchy hits continue with a new offering from the Scissor Sisters. Only The Horses is the first single from their forthcoming album. Only The Horses is produced by Calvin Harris. He and Scissor Sisters’ front man Jake Shears worked on Kylie’s Aphrodite album and they have got together for this new single.

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Categories: kmfm | music

Getting in the mood for a scorching summer - even if the weather's a washout

by Tuned In, with kmfm DJ Andy Walker Tuesday, May 1 2012

This year’s Kent festival season is really taking shape.

Over the last few weeks, Bruce Forsyth has been added to the Hop Farm Festival along with former Verve frontman, Richard Ashcroft, who will be making his only UK performance this year. When The Verve split, Ashcroft said there was more chance of The Beatles getting back together than his band.

Yet that statement came back to bite him when the band reformed the original line up in 2007 and released the album Forth in 2008. It wasn’t very well received and with his success as a solo artist, I think Richard is in a bit of a Harry Hill scenario: “I like The Verve and I also like Richard Ashcroft. Which is better?”

I did not realise Bruce Forsyth had a band, but he is bringing them with him when he takes to the stage this summer at Paddock Wood.

His performance is certainly going to draw in crowds from all generations – that’s the great thing about Brucie. Take away the bad jokes, forgive the wig and you have one of our greatest entertainers.

As we move toward the summer, an idea of the kind of red hot sounds we can expect to hear this year are emerging.

One to keep an ear out for is The Wanted. The band have come back with a new direction and Chasing The Sun is their new single.

The track has been written and produced by dance artist Example – it is a catchy, sing-a-long number that will have crowds waving their hands in the air at festivals across the country this summer. Let’s just hope it’s a scorcher.

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Categories: kmfm | music

Freaky weather... but great prizes

by Tuned In, with kmfm DJ Andy Walker Tuesday, April 24 2012

For the last few weeks we have not known what to wear out of the house due to the freaky Kent weather. It is April and we have had to deal with sunshine, rain, thunder and hailstones.

The sunshine we can deal with very well, but up to three inches of hailstones in Folkestone the other week is just odd. Watch out for falling frogs.

One thing that is certain is that all of this week you will have a chance to win with Chicago, Chicago... so good that we could be sending you to see it twice.

That means you could be winning tickets to see the musical Chicago at the Assembly Halls, Tunbridge Wells as well as in New York.

Its UK show stars Ali Bastian, from Hollyoaks and The Bill, in the lead role of Roxie. Cell-mate Kelly is played by Tupele Dorgu, from Coronation Street, and the smooth-talking lawyer, Billy Flynn, is portrayed by Stefan Booth, from EastEnders.

So already it sounds exciting, right? However, not only will we send you to see the hit musical on it’s opening night in Kent, we could also then be flying you out to New York to watch Chicago on Broadway! Now that is a brilliant prize.

Be listening all of this week to kmfm Breakfast with Rob Wills and with myself on Drivetime. Good luck!

Have you heard about the new The Making of Harry Potter studio tour at Windsor? It lets you into the magic of the movies and kmfm could be sending you there soon.

Stay listening for more and for more on how you could be winning a shopping spree at Bluewater with Pinkberry – the original frozen yoghurt from California – and how you could be going on holiday to Florida. All thanks to kmfm.

More forthcoming hit tunes can be heard on kmfm right now. Olly Murs has produced another ditty called Oh My Goodness, which you cannot help but enjoy.

Nicki Minaj’s Starships continues to be huge, Rizzle Kicks’ Mama Do The Hump remains a favourite, but the biggest pop tune of the year, or at least so far, is from Carly Rae Jepsen.

Last week I told you about her UK debut hit, Call Me Maybe, which has remained at No.1 for a second week. She came third on Canadian Idol and found inspiration to write the song from Annie Lennox’s Walking On Broken Glass.

They say you learn something new every day.

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Gearing up for a year of comeback stars

by Tuned In, with kmfm DJ Andy Walker Monday, April 2 2012

The weather is warming up, the clocks have gone forward and there’s yet more news of outdoor gigs coming to the county.

This year really seems to be the year for a comeback. We already know that Steps are back and will be headlining Thursday, July 19, at Rochester Castle Gardens. Now one of their main chart rivals back in the 1990s have reformed, S Club 7.

They have signed a seven figure deal – I see what they have done there – which could mean another two albums, including a Greatest Hits release. All we need now is Let Loose, MN8, Ultimate Kaos and Kris Kross back and it will be a 1990s music fest! I would actually welcome the return of the Let Loose guys – I loved Crazy For You.

Easter fun is coming to Leeds Castle with kmfm from Good Friday to Easter Monday and we will be here all day on the Saturday, so come and say hi and then take part in the egg hunt.

There is lots of talk about the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at the moment. Only the other week Her Majesty was given a new stained glass window to mark 60 years on the throne. I wonder if that window was part of a BOGOF? Or perhaps buy now and pay nothing until September? Well you have to think of the cost.

Anyway, the reason I am talking about her big event is that I am looking forward to another event at Leeds Castle coming up. Pencil Sunday, June 3, onto your calendar for the Diamond Jubilee fireworks and open air cinema evening. As part of the event, the classic movie Grease will be shown in the castle grounds.

Anyway that’s it for now but remember that by listening to kmfm you get More of the Music You Want. Katy Perry, Rizzle Kicks, Andre 3000, Gotye, Marcus Collins and Jason Mraz all continue to be huge artists and songs that you want to hear in the morning, at work, while you drive home and in the evening.

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Going all directions to see One Direction

by Tuned In, with kmfm DJ Andy Walker Friday, March 23 2012

McFly have recently completed two nights in Kent – at the Margate Winter Gardens and the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone.

Their fans were out in force. Some had queued from the morning and others had flown over from Canada and Germany.

I was asking on kmfm Drivetime if you had seen the same concert more than twice in a row after one mum of a McFly fan told me that her daughter was seeing the boys on both of their nights in the county.

One kmfm listener texted into the studio to tell me she has booked to see One Direction for four consecutive nights next year. Now that is a super fan – probably an addiction.

There is not just music worth seeing. Comedian Stewart Francis comes to the Tunbridge Wells’ Assembly Hall Theatre on Thursday, April 19 and the Winter Gardens on Saturday, September 22.

He performed at an event for me a while back and is a professional with a dry sense of humour. You may have heard Harley from the Rizzle Kicks on kmfm Drivetime with me last week.

Those guys know how to produce a catchy tune. Mama Do The Hump still has everyone singing. It is such a sing-a-long tune.

The boys are on at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone on Monday, May 7. Good luck this week as it is the last week of our Live in Boston competition. By Friday I could be sending you to see Coldplay!

You will fly there with Virgin, stay for four nights at the Omi Parker House which is amazing – search for it on the internet.

The hotel is in Downtown Boston and is rich in colour, décor and history. kmfm will give you $500 spending money and two tickets to see one of the world’s greatest rock bands. They are performing at TD Gardens, which is home to the Boston Celtics basketball team.

You can find out more about the competition and how to win online at www.kmfm.co.uk 

Good luck!

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Categories: kmfm | National Grid

Don't give up on male version of Adele

by Tuned In, with kmfm DJ Andy Walker Monday, March 19 2012

If you have anything planned for the next two weeks, cancel it!

All your attention needs to be on kmfm as we want to send you and a friend to Boston – the largest city in Massachusetts and one of the oldest in America – to see the amazing Coldplay, live.

All you need to do is listen out for Coldplay songs on kmfm when the competition starts on Monday. March 19. The final draw will be made on Friday, March 30 when one winner will take the prize… but there is a twist! Good luck!

We all know Adele, the global mega star who writes and sings amazing songs but what about her male equivalent? Jason Mraz has recently been called the male version of Adele. Jason has been around for a while – he is not a new artist. He is American and you may remember his biggest UK hit – I’m Yours, back in 2009.

He is back with a beautiful new single called I Won’t Give Up. For me, this is his best single so far. It’s captivating from the start as he strums his acoustic guitar. If you loved Damien Rice’s Cannonball, you will fall in love with Mraz’s new offering. His vocal is so pure and he takes you on a journey with lyrics which you know are from real life experiences. Hence the comparison to Adele. Tune in to kmfm to hear the song.

You can also hear Madonna’s new tune too, called Masterpiece. What I like about this is it reminds you of Madonna in the early 1990s. Her vocal is reminiscent of Dear Jessie and This Used To Be My Playground. Even that pure element that was evident on her Evita album.

I am a fan of Madonna’s dancey tunes, but it is also nice to hear her more melodic efforts. It is part-produced by William Orbit who Madge seems to have a great relationship with. He worked on her Ray Of Light album. Masterpiece is taken from Madonna’s forthcoming album, MDNA.

There has been more news on the summer concert front since I mentioned last week about Emeli Sande performing at Lounge on the Farm in Canterbury and Steps headlining in Rochester. It has been announced that legends Alexander O’Neal and Billy Ocean will complete the Rochester Castle Concert line up this year. Now that is going to be a big few days.

Speak to you on your way home on kmfm Drivetime from 3pm.

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Get ready for a summer of stars

by Tuned In, with kmfm DJ Andy Walker Friday, March 9 2012

The Critics Choice winner at this year’s BRIT Awards, Emeli Sande, will be performing at Lounge on the Farm in Canterbury this summer.

Emeli has stormed into the charts with her debut single, Heaven and now Next To Me. Her real name is Adele but of course there can only be one Adele in the music business.

Also announced on the bill so far are The Wombats, Chic, Mystery Jets, former headliner Roots Manuva, David Rodigan and Goldie.

News of the other summer concerts are starting to filter out. Rochester Castle Concerts are back this year with Steps headlining on Thursday, July 19. Jools Holland is playing the evening before. It will be great to see Steps back on the main stage blasting out their big classics that we remember back in the 1990s.

As the weather has been mild recently and the nights are lighter, now feels right to write about what is coming for Summer 2012. Cheryl Cole will be back with a new album and it is said she will mark her return by performing on new TV talent show, The Voice. Her American manager, will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas is a judge, so it makes sense.

You may have been to see Kylie Minogue in concert last year. Well, expect another concert and another album from her, celebrating 25 years in the music business. I can confirm she puts on a brilliant show.

Mariah Carey and Beyoncé may have recently had babies, but that has not stopped them making music. Beyoncé has already spoken about releasing new material. She has been writing with Ryan Tedder who is the lead singer from band One Republic. He also co-wrote with Adele on her record-breaking second record 21. Mariah already has new songs ready to go – one of which she is about to debut in America, so expect to hear it here soon.

The last few weeks I have been teasing you by saying that coming soon you could be seeing Coldplay live. So, get ready to win one of the biggest ever prizes on kmfm. Win your way in to see Coldplay... live... in... Boston! We could be flying you and your other half or friend to America to see one of the world’s biggest rock bands

Make sure you are listening to kmfm in March!

Speak to you on your way home

Coldplay tickets up for grabs

by Tuned In, with kmfm DJ Andy Walker Friday, March 2 2012

Are you ready for more new music on kmfm? Now all of the musicians have returned back from their one-month holiday in Barbados and their tans have faded they are back making music.

I do not think Madonna really had any time off. She has been working out harder than her biceps do. Her 12th studio album entitled MDNA comes out on Monday, April 2, and first off is her new single – Give Me All Your Luvin.

The Queen of Pop delivers a fusion of dance, pop with her first offering. You may have seen her performance online at the Super Bowl last month. One thing Madonna does is she will give you 100% every time. You have to admire that.

Aside from picking up a Brit Award for Best Single last week, it seems One Direction have been a little quiet on our shores of late.

They have been taking on America, and they seem to be winning. They have a female fan base which has grown almost overnight and have been on tour supporting an American boy band Big Time Rush.

Back here and they are releasing their next single, One Thing. There is an added rocky feel to their new song, which Brit Award winner What Makes You Beautiful did not have. That was more of a pop sound. So already the lads are evolving their sound and not sticking to one type of sound. It sounds like another hit.

One of my favourite artists, both on the ear and the eye is Katy Perry. She just keeps on giving us the hits. Her next single is Part of Me. It is a pop-dance track and comes from the re-released version of her Teenage Dream album. Perry changed the lyrics during her live performance of the song at the Grammy’s – aiming at ex-husband Russell Brand with the words, “keep your diamond ring”.

Be listening to kmfm to hear these songs and more – as well as the tunes you love from the 1980s and 1990s.

Oh, and standby to win your way to see Coldplay. I could be sending you to see one of the world’s biggest rock bands at a destination which will blow you away.

That is all for now, my lips are sealed.

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Keep listening for top prizes

by Tuned In, with kmfm DJ Andy Walker Friday, February 24 2012

kmfm has just given you the chance to win a romantic trip to Bruges with a boat ride along the canal and a horse and carriage ride through the city – were you listening? I was giving you the chance to go to the BRIT Awards on kmfm Drivetime the other week – were you listening?

If you missed your chances – be listening! You are missing out on not only the music You want, but some of the most-wanted prizes on radio right now.

Talking of music, it is another kmfm Winning Weekend this Saturday and Sunday, February 25 and 26. This time you could be win tickets to see JLS live at the O2.

Lana Del Rey has come from nowhere to become one of the most talked about talents in the world.

Her haunting melodies capture your ear and make you ask the question, “who is this?”

Born To Die is her new tune and you can hear it on kmfm.

Her debut album, also entitled Born To Die, went straight in at Number One earlier this month.

All the fuss about the 25-year-old New Yorker was started last year with her seductive debut single, Video Games.

Her real name is Elizabeth Grant, but she wanted a name she could shape her music towards.

At that time, she was spending a lot of time with Spanish friends in Miami. From it, Lana Del Rey was 'born’ as it reminded her of the glamour of the seaside.

Her current single is about living life on the wild side and Lana is definitely one to watch. She has already sold 800,000 records.

Gotye’s Somebody That I Used To Know continues to be a massive song on kmfm. You seem to love it, the more we play it.

Even though it has been out for a while, best mates Rizzle Kicks’ Mama Do The Hump – produced by Fatboy Slim – is without a doubt the catchiest tune on the radio. It has you singing in the mornings, at work, in the car on the way home and before a night out.

Speak to you on your way home.

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Categories: kmfm | music

Tuned In, with kmfm DJ Andy Walker

Hi, I'm Andy Walker - kmfm Drivetime DJ.

This is my blog for all the latest kmfm news and gossip.

Listen to me on kmfm weekdays from 3-7pm.

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