James lives his dream presenting national radio show
He started out as a 15-year-old presenter on Melton Mowbray’s community radio station and James Hall is now living his dream presenting the evening show on one of the UK’s biggest commercial networks.
James, who is 32, started fronting his show this month on KISS, from 7pm to 10pm, after working his way up from his early days in the industry at Melton’s 103 The Eye.
He has come a long way since dreaming about being a national radio presenter when he was a student at Asfordby Captain’s Close Primary School, John Ferneley College and the old King Edward VII School.
James told the Melton Times: “After I got the job I had to keep it under wraps for a while and it’s been one of the hardest secrets I’ve ever had to keep.
“It’s an absolute dream. I’ve still got an email I sent to KISS when I was 17 saying I wanted to be on the radio.
“I’ve looked back at that email over the last few weeks and it’s really exciting to now being doing what I’ve always want to do.”
It’s been a lot of hard work for James to get where he is now – he has also presented on national stations Capital and Radio X, where he worked alongside former Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles.
And James credits 103 The Eye with being a vital part of his career, particularly founders and owners Christine Slomkowska and Patrick McCracken.
"I started at 103 The Eye when I was 15, doing the Saturday breakfast show every morning, 7 to 11,” recalled James.
"I used to finish my show and then go for my shift at the Co-Op in Oakham – it was a long day but I learned so much at the Eye.”
James recommends anyone who wants to get into radio broadcasting doing what he did and cutting their teeth at a community radio station.
“It’s much harder to get into it these days with the rise in influencers, social media and celebrity presenters – it is an industry which has shrunk in recent years,” he said.
"But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. You can’t read a book about it, you’ve got to get out there and do it.”
James is very grateful for the support he has had from parents Richard and Carol, who live in Asfordby, and sister Rachel.
KISS has over a million listeners across its network every week and James says he’s proud to be part of the station’s new refresh.
He is presenting from Bauer’s Manchester studios and his show – which he describes as having ‘big tunes, good vibes, and loads of fun’ – can be enjoyed on any digital radio in the country.
He added: “It’s a career highlight and something I wasn’t expecting.
"It’s such an iconic station with an incredible audience.”
KISS content director, Paul Gerrard, said James had already built a strong connection with listeners on KISS DANCE and fitted in well with the station’s evening audience.