Warm honest conversations with some of the biggest named musical artists from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
Warm honest conversations with some of the biggest named musical artists from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
"Make sure your expectations are low in terms of reaching large audiences."
Today Sandy Kaye, the creator of A Breath of Fresh Air - warm, candid conversations with the biggest musical stars of the 60s 70s 80s shares her story of Music History podcast.
► Tell us about you and your podcast
I'm a freelance broadcaster, journalist and producer who has spent more than 35 years on both sides of radio and television microphones. I’ve worked with every TV network in Australia, have produced and presented for countless radio and TV shows around the country as well as worked for shows in the UK and the US. I've also hosted my own commercial radio talk-back show and held the distinction of being Sydney’s first female newsreader on radio – way back before female voices on radio were a thing.
Today my passion is A Breath of Fresh Air which allows me to immerse myself in one of my favourite things – music. I just love all kinds of music and am fascinated by the people who make it. In particular, it's the music of the 60's, 70's and 80’s that takes me back to my youth. My primary audience are baby boomers who grew up during this era and like nothing better than being transported back to their early years when music ruled our lives.
But the show really is for everyone who loves music and is curious about the genesis of the world's biggest hits.
As a journalist, I’m all about digging deep into the classic hits. I bring you intimate, warm, fireside chats with the artists who tell us about their lives both then and now. It's all about THEIR LIVES, THEIR STORIES and THEIR MUSIC .. told in their voices.
I take requests from listeners who'd like to hear from their favourite artist and often, that listener joins us on the line having been given the opportunity to connect with the star of their choice.
This show REALLY IS A Breath of Fresh Air.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I started this podcast during the pandemic when radio station hosts began to become unable to fill their shifts.
I was (and still do) live entertainment reports for several radio stations here in Australia and some of the stations asked if I could possibly blow out my 20 minute segment into an hour to help them fill the time.
I took on the challenge and learned to build a radio show on my laptop computer.
I reached out to some of my favourite musical stars in the US and to my greatest amazement, many of them - people like John Oates, Alice Cooper and Toto's Steve Lukather - were at home too and more than happy to have a chat.
It grew from there.
The show ran solely as a radio show for several months as more and more stations began to add it to their weekly rosters. A Breath of Fresh Air kept growing and today, more than 165 stations globally - from The Philippines to The Netherlands and everywhere in between - take the show.
Initially I didn't think of putting it up as a podcast but thought I had nothing to lose. I didn't understand the rules around podcasting so I just loaded it one day and off it went.
I'm now nearly 120 episodes in and the show is growing rapidly.
I receive a lot of feedback from listeners around the world and am constantly being told that ABOFA gives people a great deal of pleasure.
This is my reward for all my hard work. The show at present carries no advertising although I do hope that a suitable sponsor will show up one day.
I love what I do. I feel very fortunate in being able to connect with so many incredible artists. I am proud that each one of them trusts me enough to open up and provide real, authentic, down to earth accounts of their life's journey. I, in turn, am so grateful to be able to use the available podcast platforms to push their stories out to all those who care to tune in.
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► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
ABOFA is released every week without fail. It comes out at the same time on the same day weekly so that listeners know exactly when they can tune in to a new episode.
Each episode takes me at least half a week to put together. From the time spent researching, chasing contacts, arranging interview times, conducting the chat then editing, publishing and marketing- I am totally consumed with this work.
It is like being a mouse on a treadmill albeit a very happy mouse on the ride of her life.
I work as a freelance journalist and manage to find the time to do various bits and pieces of work simultaneously.
I do fund the work myself although I get a little bit of support from a few radio stations.
I employ an audio engineer in Brazil to mix/master the show but everything else is all me.
If anyone reading this feels like throwing some advertising dollars at me .... I'm open to receiving. I certainly don't have the time to run around trying to do this as well as my creative tasks!
I couldn't imagine working full time and trying to do everything I have to do in relation to the podcast though.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
As mentioned above I have no sponsorship at present but would welcome some!
The show is being downloaded on average a couple of thousand times per month which I believe is not yet big enough to attract sponsorship anyway. It's a catch 22 and I'd love to know how other people get around this.
How does podcasting benefit me? I met some incredible people - take a look at the list of wonderful folk I've spoken with from Blondie and Dion to Peter Frampton and the late Gordon Lightfoot.
It makes me very happy to document this generation of performers in their own voices before they pass. Some already have, sadly and my podcasts - given their evergreen nature - will stand for future generations to hear these amazing people tell their own stories in their own voices.
That fills me with pride.
► How does your podcasting process look like?
I use my macbook pro, a mic and zoom video as well as a zoom h6 recorder. I edit using final cut pro.
As a journalist I am quite adept at researching. I've been finding people all over the world since before we had the internet so now, research isn't really that difficult.
I go through agents, management, publicists, social media - whatever it takes to find the person I'm looking for. I'm a bit like a dog with a bone and won't let go before I find my target.
Once found, I am relentless in securing an answer as to whether the person will grant me an interview. This often means following up several times via email.
Some agree some do not but for those who are willing to have a chat, my preparation includes researching them thoroughly. As a journalist I was taught very early on that you never ask a question you don't know the answer to so this is my edict and I work on this basis.
► How do you market your show?
Listeners can find my show on all major podcast platforms - spotify, apple etc. I have a youtube channel too where I post both the finished podcast as well as the raw video interview.
Marketing however is not my strong point. I have nearly 30k followers on facebook and belong to many groups there but feel I am preaching to the converted.
I've found that most traffic is being driven to my website
https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au
through google as a result of my recently having added transcriptions to every episode page.
I am yet to find the time to start an email campaign ... but know I should.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
Make sure your expectations are low in terms of reaching large audiences.
Make sure your technical quality is perfect before you begin.
Make sure you have interesting stories to tell and that your podcast isn't just you (and your co-host or guest) just ambling along.
Please ensure laughter is kept to a minimum. I find it incredibly annoying when trying to listen to a conversation.
Listen to any of several podcasts about podcasts. They all contain valuable tips and tricks.
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
A Breath of Fresh Air website: https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandyKayePresents/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandykayepresents/
X: https://twitter.com/sandykpresents
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa_p5zKTRrIfpAtwXVKBQVw
Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/seller/ABreathofFreshAirAU/dashboard
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