Searching for and promoting local talent has always been important to me. Many Radio Stations are just like Juke Boxes in the sky and never have any interest in, or even the ability to record such talent.
As far back as I can remember I have been interested in the promotion of local talent/artistes, and from the early 70's after I joined the BBC I trawled the North East Clubs, Pubs and even Churches looking for artistes to record - a selection of five pieces of their work featured on my "Stars for a week" slot on my Award Winning Tea Time Show.
I was never paid by the BBC for the weekly recording sessions, which I produced in my own Mission and out in the region, but when I had produced over 600 local musicians and vocalists, the "Sunday Sun" presented me with their "Jack-o-CIubs" Command Show Award in 1978 at the Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle - by which time I had done eighteen Shows at Newcastle's City Hall, each one a sell-out. I booked in the main local artistes and produced and compered the Shows for broadcasting on my BBC Shows.
Many artists launched succesful national careers from these sessions and among th many artists recorded and featured on the Show, were 1970's Pop Group Flintlock, the Dooley's and Renato with his No 1 hit "Save Your Love For Me", as well as many comedians.
This section of the site aims to look back at the many artists recorded and featured throughout the years - fond memories of North East Clubland.
Do you have memories of North East Clubland? We'd love to hear from you.
Frank Wappat
Click here to read about how Frank Wappat rediscovered Bobby Thompson doing "Go As You Pleases"
