The story of Downtown Radio comes to life in new book 'It Brought a Smile to Your Ear'
'It Brought a Smile to Your Ear' is a fascinating new book that explores the rich history of Downtown Radio, one of Northern Ireland’s most influential broadcasters.
Co-written by Ivan Martin and John Rosborough, former Downtown presenters, the title is based on an early sticker slogan.
The book tells the story from the beginning of radio in Belfast as far back as 1924, to the arrival of independent local radio as an alternative to the BBC, the preparations for the launch on March 16th 1976, and the successful decades that followed right through to the present day.
Both authors know the station from the inside - Ivan was the host of the breakfast programme ‘First Edition’ with Richard Young over two decades - and John Rosborough was the Head of Programming for 21 years up to the year 2000.
Nostalgic yet informative, it captures the voices, music, and moments that defined generations.
They met a range of former Downtown people, who shared recollections of their days in Newtownards when the station provided a fast and reliable news service in an often difficult time, along with the entertainment needed as a counterbalance to lift the mood of the audience.
The book chapters are arranged like a ‘playlist’, and after a break for colour photographs, in part two a series of ‘One to Ones’ focuses on the reminiscences, often amusing, of a cross section of names associated with the station.
Speaking about Downtown's five decades of broadcasting, John Rosborough said: “When Downtown first went on air, there was a real sense that we were doing something different, bringing local voices, music and stories directly – and legally – to listeners in their homes and cars every day. None of us could have imagined then that the station would still be going strong 50 years later.
“What made it special was always the people – the presenters, news team and engineers behind the scenes. In many ways we broke the broadcasting mould in what was a bleak, dark time in Northern Ireland, bringing the music, chat and news that local communities needed and appreciated. It’s wonderful to see the station still thriving and to be part of such a great milestone.”
How to buy 'It Brought a Smile to Your Ear'
The book was launched at No Alibis Book Store on Botanic Avenue earlier this week, just in time for Downtown's 50th birthday celebrations.
Priced at £14.99 the book is available from No Alibis on Botanic Avenue in Belfast, from their website noalibis.com and from colourpointbooks.com