How a barber shop led to life on the airwaves for Caz

Caz Matthews

FAILSWORTH-based club/pub DJ and radio presenter Caz Matthews simply can't get enough of belting out the very best tunes from arguably the best decade for music - the 1980s.

I could certainly concur with that statement. Although I didn't necessarily realise it at the time, the 80s sounds touched so many people from so many different walks of life.

Little wonder it is proving so popular today.

As for Caz, as well as being a part-time barber she is as busy as ever promoting her Back To The 80s nights and entertaining a growing army of listeners each Tuesday between 5pm and 7pm with her show, alongside partner in crime Kim Smith, on Manchester-based FAB Radio International.

So how did jet-setter Caz get into the exciting world of broadcasting?

She said: "I had a barber shop in Spain a few years ago, and just got invited on to the local San Miguel Radio station as a business guest really. From that, I was offered a show. I started work on there with one show a week, and then after that I started work on Tower FM, which was the sister company of the Tower station from Bolton.

"Unfortunately Tower FM over there went bump, so I came back to England and went straight to North Manchester FM.

"I did five or six years with them, before switching to FAB a couple of years ago."

A huge Ska music fan, Caz continues busily with her club nights - the Streetbridge in Hollinwood is a regular haunt - but it appears the airwaves are her first love.

"I love radio," Caz said. "I never watch TV, ever. I don't even have it on. If I do have the TV on, I've got a radio station playing through it.

"I think I watched the soaps for a bit because I was doing a show on the radio about them, but I nearly hung myself having to watch them.

"I'm just a massive radio fan. I listen to every station going."

Caz and Kim are looking forward immensely to a show yours truly is particularly interested in.

The popular local duo will be DJing at the brilliantly named Modfest At The Beach special at the Winter Gardens in Morecambe on Saturday, July 15 - a show which features some stellar names from the current exciting mod scene.

Late 70s and early 80s legends Secret Affair will play, as will the Lambrettas, while Jenny from the Belle Stars will MC the night.

Failsworth-based Lee Hollister and his massively popular Manchester Ska Foundation are booked on the bill, too.

"It's going to be amazing," Caz said. "I've been to check out the venue and that's out of this world. Tickets are going fast for the weekend, so I'd recommend that people need to get them fast. The hotels are booking up as well.

Caz has always been a big supporter of the Ska Foundation.

"Lee and the band have done so well over the past six years," she said.

"I've followed and supported them throughout that time and they're actually coming over to my Ska'lloween night that I'm putting on in Galgate (near Lancaster) in October."

That show takes place on Saturday, October 28, and is sure to sell out.

Ticket details for Ska'lloween and Modfest At The Beach can be found on Caz's Facebook page.