LOCAL comedian turned actor Michael Smiley is taking over Ralph McLean's Country show on BBC Radio Ulster this evening for a special guest DJ set.
In what's already being described as "a powerful road trip down Americana alleyways galore", the Co Down-born star of Jawbone and FreeFire will be sharing some of his favourite country-flavoured sounds with the listening public.
"Michael and I had a little back and forth about music on social media and it was clear he loved his tunes and really knew his stuff," explains Mr McLean, who's also our resident Cult Movie columnist in Scene, of how the guest slot came about.
"So, I casually said 'if you ever fancy it, come in and present the show sometime'. To my surprise he took me up on it and made out a playlist.
"We recorded a great two hours of tunes for broadcast. Michael loves all sorts but he’s got a real feel for classic Americana. He's chosen old Willie Nelson and George Jones songs, so he loves an old weepie as much as me.
"But he's also got a real taste for country soul stuff from the Staple Singers to Larry Jon Wilson – old 70s funky country. We really bonded over that.
"It was great fun recording as the stories were great and Michael even had a wee dance around the studio occasionally. Listen in to hear another side to this actor/comedian and self-confessed 'hallion'. You might even learn something – I know I did."
:: Tune in from 8.03pm tonight on BBC Radio Ulster and online at BBC.co.uk/programmes/b09hmyvs
