Gary takes the hot seat for top BBC radio programme
HE’S conquered Scotland, China and America – among other exotic destinations – but now Gary Innes is gearing up to Take the Floor.
The Spean Bridge musician announced on Friday that he would be the new host of BBC Radio Scotland’s Take the Floor, after veteran presenter Robbie Shepherd confirmed he was retiring from the Scottish country dance music show.
Tributes were paid to the ‘legendary’ broadcaster, who hung up his headphones after more than 30 years on Saturday.
And now 35-year- old Gary has ‘ big boots to fill’ but, with a huge fanbase, he is excited for the new challenge ahead. Gary told The Oban Times: ‘I’m totally delighted. It was just one of those things in life that I never saw coming, so it’s an exciting new challenge for me.
‘The response from everyone has been overwhelming and really wonderful. It’s lovely that people have been so supportive.’
The Mànran accordionist covered two Take the Floor shows in May when Robbie was away and said: ‘People were forthcoming with compliments and praise, but now I’m not just filling in for Robbie so it feels quite different. I’m sure it will take everyone, including me, a while to get used to.’
Gary was showered with congratulations on his Facebook page when revealing the news but knows the pressure is on. ‘I would be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling the pressure, but I will just go in smiling and do the best that I can. I have spoken with the producers who are keen for me to make the show my own and I’ll be writing my own script.
‘I know people may be worried about the show changing, with my folk music background, but the content and the music of the show will stay exactly the same.’
Between playing in one of Scotland’s best-loved bands and working on his solo career, Gary also has his own record label, is a shinty commentator for the BBC and a first responder with the Scottish Ambulance Service. So how does he juggle it all?
‘I don’t know how I manage to fit it all in, but it’s good to be busy. I had to give up some things a few years back, like playing shinty and being part of the fire service.
‘ Take the Floor is pre-recorded, but without losing the magic of the show, so I’ll still be able to go touring with the band.’
Gary also recently swapped ‘tools of the trade’ with paramedic Alan Knox to mark the launch of two fundraising ceilidhs he will be holding to raise money for defibrillators to be placed in Spean Bridge and Roy Bridge.
‘I have spoken with the village halls in both communities who have said they are happy for the defibrillators to be fitted externally.
‘We want to raise as much money as possible, but the minimum is £1,000 from each concert so the villages have their own equipment.’
The concerts will be held in Spean Bridge on October 5 and Roy Bridge on October 7.
Gary looks set to be ending his year with a Lochaber Christmas concert in the Nevis Centre, on Saturday December 17.