A show presented by a Laois DJ is up against some of the top national programmes at the IMRO awards later tonight.
Ann Marie Kelly’s The Roadhouse Café, which airs on Friday nights on Midlands 103, has been shortlisted in the specialist music programme category.
It is the only local station up for an award in this category and faces off against shows from Today FM, BBC and RTE.
The Abbeyleix native, who now lives in Portlaoise, isn’t one bit daunted by the competition from a number of national stations.
“I put the same amount of work in,” she said.
She admits that she isn’t a big fan of awards, per se.
“I’m not really an awards kind of person. A lot of people do really like but I just get a bit nervous,” she said.
She added, however, that is nice to get the recognition.
Ann Marie is particularly happy with the piece which has been nominated, which features an interview with singer Luka Bloom.
It was an emotional interview with him following the drowning of a female coast guard officer in Clare, where he now lives.
“He was really emotional and I just let him talk and played some music. It was natural and real radio – it wasn’t jock orientated,” she said.
Having worked in Today FM and Radio Kerry, Ann Marie is looking forward to meeting up with old friends at the awards event in the Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny.
Torn muscle
However, a physical ailment is bothering her somewhat.
“I tore a muscle in my lower back. I’m dreading wearing high heels” she said.
Ann Marie has twice been nominated for an IMRO award before, but hasn’t achieved ultimate success yet.
“Maybe it will be third time lucky!” she laughed.
She and her entourage from Midlands 103 will find out later tonight.
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