Craig Charles Interview

Craig Charles Interview Craig Charles is the acclaimed English DJ, actor, comedian, poet, TV presenter and family man who first graced English television screens back in the early days of Red Dwarf in 1988. Spreading the Funk and Soul vibes of music throughout the Radio for the past 10 years, Craig Charles plays host to the most successful of BBC Radio 6 shows. A well-known and respected name, both far and wide for his legendary DJ sets; Craig is looking forward to his upcoming shows in Australia. BBM’s Frankie Salt catches up with him as he arrives at Coronation Street for his usual day on set.

Hello Craig and a happy Friday to you! How are you mate?

I’m running a little late actually for Coronation Street which isn’t like me. (You know what though, Craig, it is Christmas and it is excusable) I love Christmas you know, love it for the kids and it has such a good feeling about it. Everything always comes together at this time of year.

So you have been in the industry for 30 years, what was your first break?

I started out as a poet to be honest. Way back before Channel 4 was invented. I worked with Wogan on a chat show and I did topical poems about the week’s news.

Where did you grow up? Did you always want to be an actor? How did the music thing come about?

I grew up in Liverpool in the UK and I didn’t want to be anything to be honest. It was definitely more the music than the acting that was my passion. A lot of the modern music back when I was young passed me by as I had a different beat in my head and I loved the classic Funk and Soul.

How did your show, the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Radio show come about?

Well it is now the only original show left on air really. I am the Ken Barlow of Radio 6 music. I was so sure that people would love to have this kind of show and it worked.

Your Radio 6 show has done so well, what is the point to the show?

It isn’t a history lesson on my show, it teaches people but it is fun. All of the bands are actually still recording and performing today but we also go way back. Black American music is a Golden era and then we go on to explore the other music.

What do you love about DJing and what influences you? Guilty pleasure?

I work really hard but I don’t think that what I do is really ‘work’. I look at my life like I have been invited to this really cool party and then asked to choose the music. It isn’t work, it isn’t a burden. It is ‘let’s get a wiggle on’ and I never ever complain about what I do. Everything influences me and I love it.

It can’t be bad showing people a good time! Go on then mate, what do you listen to that is a guilty pleasure?

I have loads man! ELO is my guilty pleasure (ELO are definitely not guilty enough Craig!) Well, they are where I am from! I like Rush too, I absolutely love them and ‘Farewell to Kings’, you need to buy that album. Turn the lights off and lie on the floor and listen. It is brilliant.

What is your life guilty pleasure? Are you a golf kind of guy?

God no golf! Well Monday to Friday I film Coronation Street. Some nights I’m DJing at the weekends and bits of time off for Red Dwarf. I’m not really a hobby guy to be honest.

Also about the brand new series of Red Dwarf, why have they decided to do another one? So many people are excited for some more of the cult classic….

They just wanted to carry on the story. The new one is really very funny and I suppose it was a piece of unfinished business. The new ones are the best and it is a really good thing to say at this point. You can look in the mirror and say ‘I still got it’ (laughing). Well it is great to hear that as I was worried the come-back would suffer as the original was so successful. Well trust me, to be able to all work together so well now and it be so successful again is a great thing between us mates on set.

Have you always had a massive involvement with music? How do you feel about coming to Australia to play? What are you most looking forward to?

The music involvement has always been massive. When Kiss FM was a pirate station and then changed to a station with a licence, I was their original breakfast DJ and back then it was all black music with some shows of Techno and allsorts. I just have always loved British Dance music. It is what I do.

Well you do it well. How do you feel about coming to play in Australia?

Well I have been across to Australia to perform my poetry and comedy at the Melbourne festival and such. And now I have my album ‘The Craig Charles Funk and Soul’ out, it feels like the right time to come and play some music. Australia has imported the CD in which is very nice. We just want to come over there to party.

What else do you want to achieve in your career?

I don’t have any unfulfilled ambitions. If you wish me what I wish for next year, I just want more of everything I have.

Well good luck with your show in Sydney, thanks for your time Craig.

Cheers Frankie!

Craig Charles Australia Tour
Saturday 2nd February 2013-The Basement, Sydney

Check out the latest BBM Dance Music Podcast