The Story so far...

From small scale stations on a budget to the biggest in Scotland, James Russell has experience in radio stretching back 15 years. Most recently hosted River FM's flagship breakfast show, during his year in this slot he saw a dramatic rise in listening figures to a point when it had over 2 thirds of the entire station audience. He has also presented regular daytime shows on Clyde 1FM, Scot FM, Q96 and many more.
See below for the full story so far.

Nov 1990 - Joins Central Fm in Stirling at its launch and is given a Sunday 2-6pm slot, presenting a "hits and headlines" show. Within a month is on daytime 10-2pm Monday to Friday, as well as presenting the dance show on a Saturday from 6-9pm.

Jan 1991 - Whist still at Central FM is picked to host the Scottish Network Chart Show on a Saturday morning and also adds Radio Borders sport 2-6pm to a very busy Saturday.

October 1991 - Still presenting the mid-day slot at Central Fm James is invited to depp two weeks of drivetime on Clyde 1fm in Glasgow. This show was very fast paced with very tightly timed traffic and travel slots as well as a news self read at 5.30 and 6.30 pm.

November 1991 - Depped the evening show on Clyde 1fm 7-10pm Monday to Friday for three months covering for a sick staff member.

December 1991 - Given a regular Saturday slot on Clyde 1fm 10pm-1am.

March 1992 - Takes over Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights on the Scottish Night Network broadcasting to Clyde1, Forth1, Tay, Northsound, Westsound, and radio Borders.

Between March 1992 and April 1995 - Continued to host the night network and Saturday shows as well as being daytime depp for all other shows on the station.

April 1996 - Joins 96.3 Qfm at its launch in Paisley covering the nightime show 7-10pm Monday to Thursday and Classic Dance Saturday 6-10pm, before leaving the radio industry in January 1997.

October 1999 - Returns to 96.3Qfm to present the mid-morning show 10-2pm Monday to Friday.

November 1999 - Depps weekend breakfast at Scot Fm for 1 month.

April 2000 - Moves to nightime 7pm - midnight Monday to Friday on 96.3 Qfm, this show was voicetracked due to James taking up position as Sponsorship and Promotions Executive with the station, despite this it remains the highest ever rated night time show on the station. As S&P executive he brought in extensive revenue including 5 figure contracts with local shopping centres, also developed station presence throughout Renfrewshire with a series of high profile events.

December 2000 - Leaves the sponsorship position and the nightime show after a disagreement with the new station manager, but continues to present a Sunday afternoon show until August 2001.

September 2001 - Joins Clan Fm in Lanarkshire to present Friday night 80's 7pm-midnight, Classic Dance Saturday 7pm-midnight and Sunday 7-10pm. As well as being daytime depp for all other show on the station.

December 2001 - Takes over as Sponsorship and Promotions Executive for the station attracting several major clients and increasing revenue and local profile. He was also heavily involved in the stations commitment to local issues such as the "safer streets" campaign with Strathclyde Police and the "Domestic Abuse initiative" in association with local womens rights groups, which was praised and endorsed by members of parliament and heavily featured, in the local press.

After being unable to agree new contract terms James again left the radio industry in September 2002.

August 2004 - Was tempted back into radio on internet station Passion Fm presenting Saturday and Sunday afternoon shows 3-6pm helping the station to improve listening figures by 23% in 9 months.

May 2005 - Moved to weekend breakfast at Passion, which was now on DAB as well as an AM frequency in Sussex.

July 2005 - Joined Dumbartonshire station YOUR RADIO to present drivetime show Monday to Friday from 3 - 7pm, within a few weeks was asked to take over Sponsorship and Promotional activities as well and saw an immediate increase in both listener and income levels.

November 2005 - Difficulties in travelling meant that when James was asked to be part of the line-up chosen to launch Lanarkshire's L107 (only a few minutes away from his home), he left YOUR RADIO under very good terms and joined Mark Paige's Lanarkshire revolution as Drive time presenter 2 - 6 pm Monday to Friday.

March 2006 - Having worked under Donny Hughes at Scot FM, James didn't hesitate when Donny offered him the flagship breakfast show on West Lothian's River FM 6 - 10 am Monday to Friday. The latest RAJAR figures show a 30% increase in audience since the same period last year and it is by far the most popular show on the station having almost double the amount of listeners than any other show. (see graph below).

During his time in radio James has been the voice featured on station imaging for every station he has worked for. He has also voiced commercials at every station both in house and with external production houses.

In 2004 he was responsible for producing and presenting the weather on Internet station Non Stop Play.com Monday to Friday from Mid-day to 7pm and also voiced on hold telephone playout systems.

Equally happy broadcasting from the studio or in front of a live audience at roadshows or events, James has also interviewed famous names over the years including Bryan Ferry, Celine Dion, Gerry Rafferty Robert Miles, Incognito, Jordan and Abi Titmus.

For samples of some of the above click on the radio cuts or voice samples buttons.