Art with Brian McQuade

Arts/Culture

Hello folks and thanks for looking in on my profile page on Sunny Govan's website. I'm Brian McQuade, your International Arts Correspondent or, as big Steg would say "Sir Brian Farquar McQuade, the only man from Govan who knows his arts from his elbow." Generally, I present the Arts & Culture show on a Wednesday night although this can vary. I also do what everyone else at the station does from cleaning up and making the tea to recording and editing the work of artists, storytellers, and anyone who has something to say. The 'International' part of my title is partly true for I have broadcast from Times Square in New York, the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, from Paris (on Bastille Day), and even from the top of the Vesuvius in Italy! However, the title 'Sir' is fictitious (so far!) and has been endowed upon me by all and sundry at Sunny Govan because they believe that I am The Secret Millionaire (not true – so far!). Well then, one might ask, if you are not a Sir or a millionaire, and only half an International, who are you and what is your raison d'etre? (a fanciful French expression for 'what's it all about Pierre?').

Well then I'll tell you: I'm from the old Wine-ally (Moorpark) and I've lived (on and off) in the sunny suburb of Govan for many years. The next question might be "How did I become involved with Sunny Govan Radio?".

The truth is that, just after the millennium, I was lured into a van by the station manager Heather, who told me that she would give me a lift up the road because it was pouring with rain. Instead, I was kidnapped and taken to the old pie factory in Craigton Road to where the fledgling Sunny Govan had moved their headquarters. As their first station had been based in Orkney Street jail, I should not have been surprised at their nefarious activities. Worse was to come for I was bundled out of the van by several burly members of the Sunny Govan crew, hustled up four landings of stairs, and then frogmarched into the new studio premises – right above the pie-making machines four floors below. Heather then told me that if I did not promise to stay forever with Sunny Govan then she would leave me locked in the studio until the savoury smell of freshly baked pies drove me mad.

Well, I've read all the war comics, seen the SAS movies, and faced the ultimate torture of watching a double episode of the soap opera Neighbours - but this was too much. I capitulated within seconds and signed my name on the dotted line. That was in the year 2000.

I'm glad I did because since then, some of the happiest memories I have involve this great wee station. I've learned a great deal here, made lots of good friends, and have spoken to hundreds of people who all have a story to tell.

So, listen in to Sunny Govan folks for it will change your life. Aye, ye canny wack it!