Steve Snelgrove from Radio Mundial
After nearly 25 years behind the mic at BayFM, the legendary Steve Snelgrove is stepping down. Steve presented the ever popular Radio Mundial every Tuesday night bringing listeners the best in world music, or as he likes to call it, global music.
A walking encyclopoedia of the genre, Steve says some record executives decided the category should be branded “world” in 1987 so they could slot soul records in behind the label in record stores.
A 42 year-old Snelgrove first stepped through the doors of BayFM’s studios in May 2000 when the station was broadcasting from behind the old plaza. He was met by Brett Diemer, who is still on our airwaves with his brekky show Cafe D’Mar, and was ushered straight into the presenter’s chair. Being an ex BBC presenter he wasn’t phased by being thrown in live.
This was back when the trains ran right behind the studio. Steve remembers one grinding to a halt while he was doing an interview with Canadian musician Harry Manks who was freaked out by the sound.
He also recalls broadcasting from the old wooden shed (now located on the corner of Butler and Somerset Streets with fellow presenter Red Terra (Terrie Wells of “The Shakedown”), and Brett Nielsen, Australia’s first Thalidomide child, who panelled with his toes and runs Big Toes Music.
For his last show on March 25 Steve plans to drop some early Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Gotan Project, and a dub group from Thailand called The Kai-Jo Brothers. Tune in to Radio Mundial for more stand outs from Steve’s 25 years with the Station.
Thanks for the tunes Steve. What a gift you have been to BayFM.