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Cutliffe joins local radio line-up 22.08.08

BUNCRANA-born music producer John Cutliffe is set for a return to the Donegal airwaves courtesy of ICRfm.
After an absence of almost 20 years from local radio, he is returning to his roots, both musically and as a broadcaster. His last stint as a radio presenter was on the now-legendary NWCR in his hometown. His new show, 'Across the Pond', will debut on NWCR’s successor Inishowen Community Radio next Thursday, August 28, at 6pm.
Now living in Norcross, Georgia, USA, John grew up playing Irish traditional and bluegrass music in the pubs around Inishowen as well as playing in pop, rock and folk bands over the years.
ICRfm station manager Jim Doherty is excited at the prospect of this latest, exciting addition to the ICR schedule.
“It’s great that someone of John’s stature within the music scene is getting involved with the station. His musical knowledge, contacts and experience will make this a very special radio listening event," said Jim.
"John's well known locally and internationally and this will be a sort of homecoming for him. ICR tries to be a station for all the people of Inishowen, no matter where they are, and John’s involvement shows that anyone, anywhere can play a part in the station and stay connected with home,” he added.
John Cutliffe John helped form the legendary Pyros in the early 1980s in Buncrana and the group developed a cult following throughout the North West. Featuring musicians such as Kevin Doherty and Ciaran Tourish, the Pyros have reformed for the past three years and headlined sell-out shows at the successful Ar Ais Aris festival.
John is also the founder of 
www.jigtime.com , a website that chronicles Irish and American roots music.
In 2005, he teamed up with James Taylor’s fiddle player, Andrea Zonn and moved to Nashville for a year to produce the 'Hands Across The Water' CD, a 16-track collaboration album between Celtic and American artists. The album features a host of Andrea and John’s friends including Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Brown, Paul Brady, Altan, Vince Gill, John Prine, Sharon Shannon, Maura O’Connell and more.
John and Andrea worked with over 100 musicians in 30 different studios all over the world for the CD, the proceeds of which go to help children orphaned by the tsunami in 2004. The CD is still available worldwide on Compass Records and music stores around the world.
Since moving back to Georgia, John has been working on many projects including tour managing his old friends Altan again as well as producing podcasts for various people and festivals all over America. He still writes for his own website but has a passion for radio.
Jim believes 'Across the Pond' will be an innovative show and a great example of how distance is no longer an issue for people wishing to retain a connection with home. “John will be producing the show in his home in Georgia and we’ll be broadcasting it here both on the radio and over the internet. People can tune in anywhere, interact with John or the station and be part of the Inishowen community no matter where they are. John is also going to be working with us to develop our website to make it more interactive and user-friendly, with comment pages, podcasts, and up-to-date information so check that out too.”
'Across The Pond' will feature music from people on both sides of the Atlantic, especially roots music with influences in the traditions John grew up with.
“The links between Irish and American folk music are really strong and so many of the important people I know musically have explored those roots and allowed their own music to grow because of it," explained John.
“I produce it at home and will have a live webcam and chat room open when I am making the show, so people can pop in and say hi. I was so happy that ICRfm decided to host the show. The station is such a well run and entertaining part of Irish broadcasting.
"When I was growing up we had so few choices in radio and could hardly even get the RTE signal. Now even in America I can tune in to ICRfm and feel a few thousand miles closer to home." 'Across The Pond' hits the airwaves every Thursday at 6pm on 105 - 107.6fm or online at www.icrfm.ie  and is repeated on Sundays at 2pm.
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