Graeme White back in the driver's seat at Good Hope FM

One of Cape Town’s most popular DJs - Graeme White - will be taking the wheel of the Good Hope FM afternoon drive show next month.

Good Hope FM has announced that Graeme will be soothing stressed commuters with his own brand of good beats and catchy rhythms from 4 pm to 7 pm from Monday, November 4. Graeme takes over from Ryan O’Connor, who’s been occupying the driver’s seat for several months and will return in December with his own show in a different time slot.

Graeme left KFM earlier this year to build up his audio-production company specialising in radio imaging (packaging promotional soundbites for radio stations) and producing integrated voice response recordings for the cellular industry.

"I’m hoping for another very happy and exciting run at Good Hope FM, it’s like coming back home to a big family!" says Graeme, aka The Vanilla Thriller. "After all, it’s where my dreams came true!

Graeme always wanted to be on radio. While still at primary school in Kimberley, he saved up all his pocket money to equip a mock home studio with second-hand sound equipment. He’d take the best from his favourite DJ’s, adapt it to his own style, then record and play back his own programmes.

Graeme then joined Good Hope FM, where be built up a huge listener base before joining KFM for two years.

While the 32-year-old still fancies the idea of retiring at 40, he agrees the revamped state-of-the-art Good Hope FM studio overlooking the Atlantic breakers is a lekker place to be.

"So many people have forgotten what radio is all about," he comments. "It’s a one-to-one medium, extremely intimate, just you and your listener.

"I want to get back to basics, to offer the audience great music, relevant info and a good time - a soothing three hours that they can look forward to at the end of the day. And I also enjoy outside broadcasts where the audience interaction is great."

"It’s good to have Graeme back," says acting station manager Brendan Ficks, part of a core team spearheading the renaissance of the 24-hour, regional commercial station. "Graeme has a strong reputation in the industry - he’s professional, creative, and on top of the issues of the day."

On the music front Graeme favours the current top 40 sounds and talented solo artists like UK singer Sophie Ellis Bextor, Barry White and Celine Dion. "And there’s plenty of top local music, some amazing Cape Town talent."

After hours, Graeme chills out at the movies or at home with family and friends, preferably enjoying a good curry or braai complemented by a couple of glasses of Cape wine.

Pet peeves? "Crime and violence in SA, rising petrol and food prices, arrogant and egotistical people, speed traps and bad manners."

Inspirations? "God, love and people with handicaps or disabilities who don’t allow these to stop them living life to the full."

Good Hope FM is a 24-hour, regional commercial station, broadcasting in English with a contemporary Top 40 format. Music is a mix of R&B, ballads, pop, hip hop, dance, contemporary jazz and old school. One in every three radios in Cape Town is tuned in to Good Hope FM, bringing listenership to over 600 000.