In Praise Of… Paul Phear.

I’ve written a few posts under the title of “In Praise Of..” from time to time, you can check out some here, here, and here.

There isn’t really a main reason, or incident that prompts me to draft this one other than a thought coming to mind.

I was thinking back over the time I had in London building the Smooth network in Global. It was about this time of year- a bit earlier in truth more towards early November when I was installed in Leicester Square. I was very much getting to grips with the new gig, the challenges it gave and learning of the new plans and tasks which lay before me. I should elaborate, at the time Smooth had moved into the Global building in October following the completion of the GMG aquisition. It was a total network offering with no local programming with the exception of Scotland (which as a separate country required a local breakfast with the legend that is John McCauley). My job was to relaunch local shows (breakfast and drive) and refresh the network line up etc.

My new position had only just really been announced and the very first email I got from anyone externally was from Paul- at the time on Magic in London. The email was merely a polite congrats and a hello. Scroll on a few months and I was looking to build out the new network, install local programmes around the network and was sitting in Richard Park’s office one day when I think I mentioned Paul. Richard of course knew Paul well as they had worked together in Capital back in the day. Fast forward a bit more and Paul and I had a coffee, a few more chats and Paul moved into the afternoon slot on Smooth in the following spring.

So that’s a potted history of our early time, but why the praise now? Quite simply because Paul is an extremely talented craftsman of his art. Again, recalling a conversation with Richard about the need for a “record player” in an afternoon slot- the premise being that at that time of day, a radio station can make great strides by having someone who can put together the songs brilliantly, not get in the way too much but add a value and context, give enough personality and lifestyle without trying to “do a breakfast show” at the wrong time of day. It doesn’t require a “that was, this is” type jock, but someone who has presentation intelligence, a connection with the listener built on a feeling, understanding and the ability to create that every day with a sense of momentum and respect for the music. Enter Paul Phear.

Paul has a deep music knowledge and can tell great stories. Like all good story tellers, he understands timing, and what to leave out and what to leave in. He also has a great knowledge of the art and science of radio, crafting a good link, creating flow and light and shade. Add to all that, he has an amazing voice, which is perfect for a station like Smooth (and Magic before). When we had “snoop sessions” I rarely had much to say in way of critique, but we would choose a different output of Smooth to listen to (like a NE, or NW or something)- which gave a chance to hear Paul’s deft radio art come to life again with some split links and cleverness. If all that wasn’t enough, he is also a really nice bloke!

By way of demonstration of the role someone like Paul can bring to a station take a look at the performance. In the latest Rajar results (Wave 3 2023), Paul’s show (1-4pm on the network, Smooth Network (UK), results) has a Market Share of 4.2%. Morning’s has a 3.9% and Drive a 3.7% with Breakfast at 3%. A station like Smooth is driven out of an evening mood and Paul is only beaten Monday to Friday by evening and lates. If you look at traditionally the biggest Smooth market- Smooth North West which like London has a reach over 1million but fewer competitors and so a bigger share and where Smooth is the market leader, Paul’s show is the highest in Market Share Monday to Friday at 9.5% (Breakfast 6.2%, Morning 8.1%, Drive 8.2% and Evening and Lates both on 8.7%).

Perhaps the impetus for this post is that a presenter like Paul Phear rarely gets the praise he deserves, the highlights or the press. He quietly, diligently, brilliantly and professionally gets on with the job with an effortless grace every day, “putting in a shift”- to quote Richard Park yet again. Radio station’s need the likes of Paul Phear since if everyone was a headline, nothing would stand out, but it doesn’t mean they are unimportant, forgotten or in any way secondary. To overall success, as you can see from the numbers above, they are vital.