Radio Recap – 25 August 2024

“I don’t have hobbies. Other than watching telly and walking my dogs, what I do is work. That’s who I am. Working every day isn’t hard if you love what you’re doing.” Michael Ball

Michael Ball is a workaholic. It’s who he is, what makes him come alive, what fills him up. He loves juggling a dozen balls in the air and never dropping a single one. The more projects, the happier he is. I honestly don’t know how he does it. In recent weeks, he’s been in the recording studio with Alfie, he finished his second novel (and is recording the audio version) AND then there’s his weekly radio show. In between all this he somehow made time to honor his mother’s birthday in Wales, go to France to cheer on his granddaughter in the Olympics and spend time with his immediate family and dogs. Plus, he took a long overdue vacation! Michael, I’m exhausted even thinking about it!

“Hello, my lovelies. How are you this Sunday? Nice to have your company for the next couple of hours. You know what this show’s about. It’s about love! So, let’s kick off with this. Boy meets girl, waiting for a star to fall.” And we hear that famous giggle. “Well, I was a bit wobbly on the stairs coming up, but I’m fine.” Uh … Star … Stair … Okay … Oh, Michael, these transitions get you every time!! And he launches Lighthouse Family’s ‘Lifted.’ After the song: “Well, I don’t know about waiting for a star to fall. I’m waiting for a kettle to boil so I can make my nice Sunday cuppa tea. Because that’s what Sunday’s all about, isn’t it? A nice cuppa tea … How are you? How’s your week been? … I’m so excited. I harvested my first tomatoes and chilis from the garden yesterday. First time I’ve done chilis. Tomatoes, it’s my 3rd year. I’m going to make a lovely Spaghetti Arrabbiata for dinner tonight (He pronounces it like a true Italian).” Someone in the room asks Michael what that is. “Spicy tomato sauce. That’s all it is.” Another giggle. “It’s going to be DELICIOUS! I can’t wait.” Please send any leftovers my way, Michael. And thanks for the update on your garden. We also love hearing about your culinary creations. Now all we need are a few pictures – of both the garden AND the spaghetti! Michael wraps all this up with “And your mood in the next 2 hours is going to be lifted,” another reference to the song ‘Lifted.’ More laughter, and then he adds, much to my delight, “I’m making an art form of cheesy links.” Now I’m laughing hard. He knows his transitions need work. Michael, you are the BEST at calling yourself out with a wink and a giggle. Well done, my friend!

Song Track List: Lighthouse Family ‘Lifted’; Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars ‘Die With a Smile’; Diana Ross ‘When You Tell Me That You Love Me’; Yazoo ‘Only You’; Gabrielle ‘Out of Reach’; Alex Warren ‘Carry You Home’; Tony Rich ‘Nobody Knows’; Barry Manilow ‘Mandy’; Adele ‘Easy on Me’; Mark Ronson ‘Valerie’; Post Malone ‘Guy For That’; Elton John ‘Your Song’; James Arthur ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’; The Emotions ‘Best of My Love’; Finley Quaye ‘Your Love Gets Sweeter’; Phyllis Nelson ‘Move Closer’; The Beach Boys ‘God Only Knows’; Coldplay ‘Yellow’; Mariah’s Wallace ‘Cry Baby’; Daryl Hall & John Oates ‘You Make My Dreams’

Your Special Day. Michael speaks to Glenda on the Love Line. Glenda started competitive dancing at the age of 55. It went well for 12 years until she had back problems and a spinal operation. She also lost her partner when she was recovering from the surgery. Reaching her late 70s, a remarkable thing happened. “My hairdresser came to do my hair—“ Michael interrupts, laughing, “Oh, get you! Your hairdresser came to YOU. You’re someone to know!” (I love when he says that to people). Glenda’s hairdresser got her to go onto the internet and meet some men (under safe circumstances) so she wouldn’t be alone anymore. She received an email from a gentleman named Robin who wanted to meet her while visiting his daughter in that area. They hit it off, eventually going on holiday together (everything was very proper, she informs Michael), he proposed while they were away, came home and bought her a beautiful ring. “Glenda,” Michael intones softly, “you’ve made my heart sing.” Glenda’s special day was the day she married Robin, and they’re now about to celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary. “I hope my story, Michael, might inspire people – sometimes things don’t come to you. Sometimes we have to go out after them.” Michael agrees. “Have a cuddle and a bit of a smooch to this,” he says, as he plays Diana Ross ‘When You Tell Me That You Love Me.’ What a lovely, lovely story.

When the subject of Radio 2 in the Park comes up, only 2 weeks away, Michael voices his nerves. “Oh, I’m so scared. And Scott Mills, are you listening? ‘Cause this was your bright idea. You put me up to this. You’re gonna help me. I think you might have ghosted me. You’ve left 2 blue ticks on the message I sent you, but you haven’t got back to me.” He’s trying not to whine! “I’m scared, mate. Ohhh.” Michael, if you are your true self behind that microphone in the park, you will be spectacular, just as you always are. The crowd will LOVE you!

Back on the Love Line, Michael speaks with Mandy, who says she met Michael in Cardiff when he serenaded her with the song ‘Mandy.’ Her daughter Emily has just passed her exams to teach in the school where she overcame a learning disability as a young girl. Michael calls Emily, who is in awe of Michael. When Mandy gets on the line, all 3 of them are crying. Today’s show demands boxes of tissues! Michael’s heart truly shines through when he connects with people in this manner.

Michael takes a moment to speak to the kids who have just completed their exams, telling those who may not have done well not to worry, that they will succeed eventually. And he uses his own test scores as an example. He also salutes the teachers, knowing it’s not an easy job. “Thank you for all you do.” Michael has always been a champion for children and those who nurture them.

When Michael returns for the 2nd hour, he previews what’s coming up, including Love Letters. “It can get emotional. I’ll probably get a little choked up, I always seem to, I apologize for that—No, I don’t! I’m proud of my emotions.” As you should be, Michael.

Back on the Love Line, Michael speaks with David, who is getting married to his partner this afternoon. He met Ibs (short for Ibraham) 15 years ago. Next door neighbors, they hit it off immediately. When Michael asks about their first dance, David says he can’t tell him that, which sets off Michael’s giggles. “Good try, though,” David adds. “Is it fast, slow, funny?” Michael pursues. David’s response? “All three.” Michael continues, “I’ll bet you’ve done a routine to it.” After a slight pause, David teases, “Maybe …” In closing, Michael plays Elton John’s ‘Your Song’ for them. Lovely.

Love Letters. Michael speaks with Sharon, whose daughter Sam is getting married, and Sharon is giving her away as both father and mother of the bride. Sam likes to dictate how things should go, very much in charge. (Sharon says they’re so alike!). “What’s Sam like?” Sharon says she comes off as feisty, but she’s kind and is a tower of strength despite being a tiny woman. Sharon has decided to do the sneaky thing and go through Michael’s show to express her feelings for her daughter. Samantha always tells her mother that she’s tough and hard and doesn’t have any feelings. Michael calls Sam, who initially thinks it’s a prank. Sharon reads her beautiful letter to her daughter, who has remained strong through SO much adversity, caring for her dad during his final days, facing the loss of her brother during COVID. “Sharon, you read that letter beautifully,” Michael praises afterwards. “And I did it without crying,” adds Sharon. Michael’s response, “Unfortunately, I didn’t. Have the most fantastic wedding, Sam. I’m sending you lots of love.” This is an extraordinary segment, full of so many emotions.

The Last Dance. This week it’s for Ron & Pam, both in their late 80s, celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary. Michael plays Hall & Oates and joins the long list of royalty and celebrities who have wished these 2 amazing people well on their anniversary over the years.

And there you have it. These 2 hours have flown by. Michael is in such a lighthearted mood today, and it shows in each and every segment. As always, he signs off with his heartfelt words, “Remember my lovelies, be safe, be positive and always try to be kind.” Words to live by.

Michael’s latest accomplishment is finishing his second novel. They say you should write about what you know, and that’s what Michael’s done with ‘A Backstage Betrayal.’ He brings his vast knowledge of the theatre, a lifetime of experience, to his novels. He understands actors, knows how they think, how they work. He’s seen the jealousy, the backstabbing, the nastiness up close. He speaks of these fictional characters as old friends, which is what they become over time. Returning to them for a second book is like going home for Michael. As he spoke about this new novel in his promo video, there were so many emotions on his face: humility mixed with pride, excitement mixed with nerves. There is nothing more vulnerable than pouring yourself into a book, which is a window into your private self, and then letting it go, letting it fly to be judged by all. There’s no one else to blame if people don’t like it. It’s your baby alone. What a brave accomplishment! Just one of many for this jubilant workaholic.