Take it Easy was broadcast on Downtown Radio each Sunday night between 10.30pm and 1.00am, and spanned over 40 years.
Having been a freelance presenter on Downtown while working there as a Sound Engineer, John had hosted night time shows in the summer and early autumn of 1976, and when the late Paul Prenter left the station to become Tour Manager for the group Queen, his Sunday series, then called 'Nice 'n Easy', was offered to John on a regular basis by Programme Controller Don Anderson.
In 1977, the programme name was changed to 'Take it Easy', indicating that the musical menu aimed to attract a more contemporary audience.
Some memory joggers for listeners from that period: the 'World of Radio' where we heard how other countries' radio sounded (well before Internet streaming made it possible); Student Scene at 12.15; the Soundalikes, Albumscope (clips of every track from a new album); and even BERTIE the talking computer which asked competition questions; plus 'Up and Coming' where John chatted directly to the new artists whose songs were being played, such as Suzanne Vega and Jennifer Rush.
There were the programmes from further afield - from 2GB in Sydney, Australia where it was Breakfast time; from Radio Clyde in Glasgow; several times from Manx Radio on the Isle of Man; and the unforgettable Crawfordsburn Outside Broadcast where 'high spirits' in the crowd caused an earlier finish than planned!
'Take it Easy' ran until February 4, 1990 as some days later Downtown was due to launch its new service Cool FM on the Belfast FM frequency. The programme had always sung the praises of high quality audio - with the 'Sound Advice' feature offering guidance on getting the best out of your hi-fi - so it was felt inappropriate to continue on what would then be AM only in the main area of population.
John was with Downtown until the autumn of 2000, when he moved to Citybeat as Station Director. In May, 2004 he joined UTV, and on winning the licence for a new FM service, was appointed Managing Director of U105.
'Take it Easy' returned there in November 2005, 15 years after the first series, and ran until June 2009.
15 months later, on September 26, 2010, both John and Downtown were delighted to welcome listeners back to the original home of the programme, which could then be enjoyed in stereo on DAB Digital Radio across the Province, and online, as well as via Downtown's AM and FM transmitters. As an introduction to the third series, John said:
'The main guiding factor behind the music on the show is melody; beyond that it draws tracks from a wide range of eras. Tending to leave the mainstream oldies from the 60s and 70s to other programmes, 'Take it Easy' seeks out the significant and eclectic songs that still hold interest for today's listeners. The 80s are solid Sunday night territory and the music of that decade is recalled with special emphasis on artists who made quality singles and albums which were played previously on the show. John has dubbed the 90s 'the unEasy years' as there was no outlet over that period, but is keen to include tracks from the decade that fit the sound and style of the current show.
As ever, good new music has a welcome place on 'Take it Easy', and over this current series artists such as Caro Emerald, Jason Mraz, Kodaline, The Pierces, John Legend and Lady Antebellum have featured regularly. Local artists are also supported and include Triona, Chris Keys, Foy Vance, Saffyre, Pete Gardiner, Gemma Bradley, Anthony Toner, Duke Special, Sonya Sleator, Gareth Dunlop, The Rising, Mandy Bingham, Eilidh Patterson and of course Snow Patrol and the legendary Sir Van Morrison.
'Take it Easy' has always cast the net wide, refusing to limit itself to just what has been promoted by the home record industry; there are many tracks which enjoyed success in Europe, North America, or Australia and these are well worth sharing with the audience from time to time.'
In June 2016, the show made a little bit of broadcasting history by being simulcast on a Community station, Belfast 89, giving listeners in the city the opportunity to hear it in FM stereo quality again.
'Take it Easy' concluded its third series on September 27, 2020 featuring tracks synonymous with the show over the years, along with messages from regular listeners, some having tuned in since the 70s!
Having been a freelance presenter on Downtown while working there as a Sound Engineer, John had hosted night time shows in the summer and early autumn of 1976, and when the late Paul Prenter left the station to become Tour Manager for the group Queen, his Sunday series, then called 'Nice 'n Easy', was offered to John on a regular basis by Programme Controller Don Anderson.
In 1977, the programme name was changed to 'Take it Easy', indicating that the musical menu aimed to attract a more contemporary audience.
Some memory joggers for listeners from that period: the 'World of Radio' where we heard how other countries' radio sounded (well before Internet streaming made it possible); Student Scene at 12.15; the Soundalikes, Albumscope (clips of every track from a new album); and even BERTIE the talking computer which asked competition questions; plus 'Up and Coming' where John chatted directly to the new artists whose songs were being played, such as Suzanne Vega and Jennifer Rush.
There were the programmes from further afield - from 2GB in Sydney, Australia where it was Breakfast time; from Radio Clyde in Glasgow; several times from Manx Radio on the Isle of Man; and the unforgettable Crawfordsburn Outside Broadcast where 'high spirits' in the crowd caused an earlier finish than planned!
'Take it Easy' ran until February 4, 1990 as some days later Downtown was due to launch its new service Cool FM on the Belfast FM frequency. The programme had always sung the praises of high quality audio - with the 'Sound Advice' feature offering guidance on getting the best out of your hi-fi - so it was felt inappropriate to continue on what would then be AM only in the main area of population.
John was with Downtown until the autumn of 2000, when he moved to Citybeat as Station Director. In May, 2004 he joined UTV, and on winning the licence for a new FM service, was appointed Managing Director of U105.
'Take it Easy' returned there in November 2005, 15 years after the first series, and ran until June 2009.
15 months later, on September 26, 2010, both John and Downtown were delighted to welcome listeners back to the original home of the programme, which could then be enjoyed in stereo on DAB Digital Radio across the Province, and online, as well as via Downtown's AM and FM transmitters. As an introduction to the third series, John said:
'The main guiding factor behind the music on the show is melody; beyond that it draws tracks from a wide range of eras. Tending to leave the mainstream oldies from the 60s and 70s to other programmes, 'Take it Easy' seeks out the significant and eclectic songs that still hold interest for today's listeners. The 80s are solid Sunday night territory and the music of that decade is recalled with special emphasis on artists who made quality singles and albums which were played previously on the show. John has dubbed the 90s 'the unEasy years' as there was no outlet over that period, but is keen to include tracks from the decade that fit the sound and style of the current show.
As ever, good new music has a welcome place on 'Take it Easy', and over this current series artists such as Caro Emerald, Jason Mraz, Kodaline, The Pierces, John Legend and Lady Antebellum have featured regularly. Local artists are also supported and include Triona, Chris Keys, Foy Vance, Saffyre, Pete Gardiner, Gemma Bradley, Anthony Toner, Duke Special, Sonya Sleator, Gareth Dunlop, The Rising, Mandy Bingham, Eilidh Patterson and of course Snow Patrol and the legendary Sir Van Morrison.
'Take it Easy' has always cast the net wide, refusing to limit itself to just what has been promoted by the home record industry; there are many tracks which enjoyed success in Europe, North America, or Australia and these are well worth sharing with the audience from time to time.'
In June 2016, the show made a little bit of broadcasting history by being simulcast on a Community station, Belfast 89, giving listeners in the city the opportunity to hear it in FM stereo quality again.
'Take it Easy' concluded its third series on September 27, 2020 featuring tracks synonymous with the show over the years, along with messages from regular listeners, some having tuned in since the 70s!