Lyric fm's Breakfast show presenter - Marty Whelan.

Onthe3rdDay · 28-03-2014 12:40am

Yvonne23R wrote: »

I think there is nothing wrong with playing beautiful music: it's what Marty does and it's what Niall Carrooll continues on and then Liz Nolan picks it up again for the reverse of the Marty journey. All simply beautiful music of different types. From Nelson Riddle to Beethoven and Hayley Westenra and from Lakme to La Boheme to Ennio and so on and on.

And you say, and I quote - No one listens -. Well I listen and now more than 50,000 people listen and growing. No one listens? Do me a favour!

I agree with what the reasonable people here have all been saying. And it's all about linking people to the music. Ordinary people being lifted up to great music of all the Genres - jazz, hits from the shows, the light classical, the bit of John Barry, some trad even, and the bits of the Goon Show that Mart puts in like currants in the cake to give the musical diet a bit of a lift. All linking in you see and sending us off to our days with a smile on our faces and a song in our heart.

You don't understand what I mean by beautiful Music, I'm talking about the format, Look it up, you've access to the internet.

Can you please show me were there's a figure of 50,000 listening to Marty? There are no adverts, Heck there's no one on this thread only the same 5 or 6 people compared to other sections where 100's and 1000's read and contribute.

As I said before figures that Marty gets are so low they can't be measured. To be fair, that was the case for a lot of Lyric's existence, but there was a point just before Marty arrived when the station started to gain traction. That was lost as soon as Marty arrived.

Lets face facts, almost no one cares about the show as Almost no one listens.

I know it's a little dated but here's a direct quote from Lyric's Facebook in 2012

The latest listenership figures are out and what a spectacular set of figures they are for lyric fm. We won't bore you with the details but: thanks for listening.

https://mbasic.facebook.com/RTElyricfm?v=timeline&timecutoff=1392739326&page=10&sectionLoadingID=m_timeline_loading_div_1357027199_1325404800_8_10&timeend=1357027199&timestart=1325404800&tm=AQAqFO-izygesvvl&_rdr

Don't mind figures, especially when Martys on the Air.

Expunge · 28-03-2014 10:05am

As I pointed out before, RTE/Lyric management is responsible for scheduling and programme mix, not Marty Whelan, much as you prefer to scapegoat him and the fact that his programme includes items like live interviews and some lifestyle features. Thats the way it is, get over it !! There are many other 'serious classical music' programmes on Lyric. In its current format it's never going to be 100% serious classical music, there just isn't the listenership full stop !

I disagree and will continue to disagree, because Woodville56, it's the right thing to do. Whelan, along with most RTE presenters, still have a great deal of influence to choose the music and there is no doubt in my mind this is what he's at. He is basically being left at it by a management system in RTE that hasn't a clue what Lyric is supposed to be. They are probably fighting too many fires with cutbacks and the great distraction that is 2Fm to give a s**t.
They also seem to be men and women with no vision, more concerned with looking after final salary related pensions for themselves.

As for listenership for an (almost) 100% classical music station, the total daily reach for Lyric continues to hover between 3 and 4 percent (5 to 6 percent in Dublin). Much as it was before Whelan arrived. You don't have much of a clue what you're talking about.

Public service betrayal is underway to facilitate a has been who has no future anywhere else, it seems, on RTE radio.

As for my tone discussing the outrage and violation that is Whelan and his music on Lyric that you dislike so much, put up or shut up. Press the button or quit your whining.
Good luck, Woodville, on your search for even higher moral ground. I hope the banter and elevator muzak is nice there.

jmcc · 28-03-2014 10:18am

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

As I said before figures that Marty gets are so low they can't be measured.

That's something that is a bit confusing. What is the methodology behind the JNLR figures? Do they count individual people or group shops/hospitals/businesses that have LyricFM in the background as multiple listeners? Also is would a listener who goes off for a while and then comes back be considered a new listener? (Think of the errors created by a school run.)

I think that the normal methodology is to have a set (a thousand or so) of randomly selected people asked about what they listen to each day but the JLNR seems to be a bit different.

While it is possible to measure some things and then extrapolate (that's how the RedC and other political polls are done), there is a margin of error and sometimes, if the sample is small enough, a small movement or change can result in a big error. Thus Marty might appear to have far more listeners than he really does and his core audience is himself, Hugo and/or Yvonne.

The big argument for the show's low numbers seems to be the lack of advertising in comparison with later shows. Advertisers, particularly in this economic climate, don't waste money on shows where the audience/demographic won't provide a good return on investment.

Regards...jmcc

Yvonne23R · 28-03-2014 10:31am

jmcc wrote: »

That's something that is a bit confusing. What is the methodology behind the JNLR figures? Do they count individual people or group shops/hospitals/businesses that have LyricFM in the background as multiple listeners? Also is would a listener who goes off for a while and then comes back be considered a new listener? (Think of the errors created by a school run.)

I think that the normal methodology is to have a set (a thousand or so) of randomly selected people asked about what they listen to each day but the JLNR seems to be a bit different.

While it is possible to measure some things and then extrapolate (that's how the RedC and other political polls are done), there is a margin of error and sometimes, if the sample is small enough, a small movement or change can result in a big error. Thus Marty might appear to have far more listeners than he really does and his core audience is himself, Hugo and/or Yvonne.

The big argument for the show's low numbers seems to be the lack of advertising in comparison with later shows. Advertisers, particularly in this economic climate, don't waste money on shows where the audience/demographic won't provide a good return on investment.

Regards...jmcc

I'm astonished that people who want snobbish music on the Show are also calling for commercial spots. I'd see it as part of the quality remit to give unfurling music all the way uninterrupted. Like the BBC in that and people here, some of them, want to have something like the BBC Radio Three.
Rufus Wainright now singing "Hallelujah" on air: love, love, love it!

DownBeaten · 28-03-2014 10:36am

Yvonne23R wrote: »

I'd see it as part of the quality remit to give unfurling music all the way uninterrupted.

Couldn't agree more.

jmcc · 28-03-2014 10:37am

Yvonne23R wrote: »

I'm astonished that people who want snobbish music on the Show are also calling for commercial spots.

People are discussing the lack of advertising on your beloved Marty's show compared to that on later shows as being an indication that the figures are so low that it is not worth the advertiser's money placing advertisements. This is not calling for more advertising to be included.

I'd see it as part of the quality remit to give unfurling music all the way uninterrupted.

No Marty? There's something that many would agree upon.

Regards...jmcc

Calina · 28-03-2014 10:42am

Yvonne23R wrote: »

I'm astonished that people who want snobbish music on the Show are also calling for commercial spots. I'd see it as part of the quality remit to give unfurling music all the way uninterrupted. Like the BBC in that and people here, some of them, want to have something like the BBC Radio Three.
Rufus Wainright now singing "Hallelujah" on air: love, love, love it!

Are you not familiar with ClassicFM at all? Why all these BBC3 references?

I like Rufus Wainright. But he gets a spin on almost every other radio station which don't tend to give the likes of Rachmaninov much of a spin.

I've never said I want something like BBC3. I've repeatedly said that if I wanted inane chatter in the morning, there is a massive choice of alternatives on the radio dial. I don't. I want something to ease into the morning. There are no options on that front.

Calina · 28-03-2014 10:43am

Yvonne23R wrote: »

I'm astonished that people who want snobbish music on the Show are also calling for commercial spots.

Stop being so insulting. The one who is a snob here is you with your constant banging on about the plain people of Ireland, projecting life styles on to people you know nothing about.

Classical music is not snobbish music. It's a specific style of music which like every other style of music has its place. This reverse elitism has to stop. It has to.

Woodville56 · 28-03-2014 10:56am

Expunge wrote: »

You don't have much of a clue what you're talking about.............. put up or shut up. Press the button or quit your whining.
Good luck, Woodville, on your search for even higher moral ground. I hope the banter and elevator muzak is nice there.

I pay my taxes and TV licence too Expunge and am quite entitled to my views here on Lyric as you or anyone else here . I don't pretend to hold any high moral ground on this issue, it's just that I find the personalisation of abuse against ANYONE objectionable, be it Marty Whelan or whoever!
I have agreed on several occasions in this thread that I accept that the programming on Lyric doesn't meet the needs of those who prefer the higher levels of classical music - point taken ! I could say similar about programming on mainstream radio or TV but I don't resort to personal abuse of the presenters there.
Your indignation has now proceeded to abuse and berating of me and anyone else who doesn't agree with your personal and vindictive tirade against Marty Whelan. I'm sorry if I've offended or challenged the rarefied intelligentsia of high classical music in asking for less of the personal attacks on Marty Whelan.

I may not have the classical nous of yourself or others who contribute to this thread but I'm entitled to express my views here same as you are, much as you would wish to dismiss my comments and much as you personalise your comments .
I've got news for you Expunge, I'm not going anywhere , much as your bullying and abusive comments would wish. If you feel my contributions here are lowering the tone, away you go to the Moderator or flag me !

DownBeaten · 28-03-2014 11:04am

What's all this rubbish about "snobbish" and "highbrow"?

I like to listen to classical music in the morning. Not an amateur Terry Woganesque presenter. Not schoolboy jokes. Not dreadful crossover garbage.

That's not snobbish, or highbrow. Practically all other Lyric FM presenters have some respect for the genre they play, be it classical, jazz or traditional. Whelan does not. He's a pop musak presenter on the wrong station.

Yvonne23R · 28-03-2014 11:19am

I don't know if you heard the last chunk this morning where there was a fascinating discussion with the director of an opera that's opening in Dublin soon: The "Rise and the fall of the city of Mahogany". Mart spoke to him as an equal and it gave a really tempting taste of the opera that I - for one - wouldn't have thought I'd have been able to enjoy. it's quite like Cabaret as they said. And some of it was even sung in German which isn't really a musical language for enjoyable singing. But it will be done in English in Dublin which is better for ordinary punters who wouldn't have the bit of German like me.

And as for listeners - I didn't win myself

- but Mart said that there was a huge response to the Wexford Opera Competition for tickets to the gala opening Night to attend the reception and meet Mart and all the Lyric gang. With dinner in a restaurant and an overnight in the Ferrycarrig Hotel for two.

I think if you get thousands and thousands of entries for the competition from opera lovers and listeners around Ireland and beyond it shows just how well the Show is hitting its audience.

No, I know nothing at all about Classic FM in England and I don't want to. (Is it there to make money for its private owners maybe? :cool:) It's as much as I can do to keep up with the great stuff that the national broadcasting station gives us.

Expunge · 28-03-2014 11:20am

Look, Woodville56, I really don't care what you think about MITM. That's fine, never siad you wern't entitled to your view. I have responded robustly to YOU, not everyone, because you have singled me out on this. I have pointed out gaps in your knowledge, leading to some sweeping generalisations on what audience there is or is not for a (largely) classical music service in this country.

I do need to remind you that you have decided to take me up on what you feel is personalised abuse of a radio presenter, who is the subject of this thread. You have thrown up your hands in horror and protested to me about my tone on this matter. I feel a robust reply to your lecturing of me was always on the cards.

You, you alone, have chosen to lecture me on what you percieve to be a posting style you disagree with. That's fine and if a mod cautions me, I will be the first to submit.
You have said you're not going anywhere and I welcome that, even though I think you were bowing out about 20 posts ago.
I suggest we agree we to disagree on my posting style for now and I'll go back to my white hot outrage and you can ignore my sometimes severe tone, which I believe is justified and, as you have made clear, you do not.

I wish you the very best, Woodville56, although I continue to be made physically sick by the presence of Marty Whelan on Lyric.

pinkypinky · 28-03-2014 12:05pm

Yvonne23R wrote: »

I think if you get thousands and thousands of entries for the competition from opera lovers and listeners around Ireland and beyond it shows just how well the Show is hitting its audience.

I didn't hear the show (apart from 10 seconds of an 80s classic around 9am this morning) but I don't think MW saying there was a huge response to a competition means "thousands of entries". I'd be amazed if any competition on Lyric had thousands of entries.

There's undoubtedly a place for the sort of show Marty provides but it's on a station like 4FM. I remember the halcyon days of Carl Corcoran presenting that show. He also put in the occasional modern piece and film theme but without the banter and personality driven fare we get currently.

It's very sad that there's no classical offering on radio in the morning. Like other posters have said, we can get personality shows on many other stations. I just want some quiet, swishy music to wake up to. I did write to Lyric to complain a few years ago but their response was a very disappointing carbon copy that was actually forwarded on from a reply to another similar complaint. I just voted with my ears at that point. I still listen regularly to other shows on the station but I'll take anything over what they currently offer in the morning.

Woodville56 · 28-03-2014 12:28pm

Expunge wrote: »

Look, Woodville56, I really don't care what you think about MITM. That's fine, never siad you wern't entitled to your view. I have responded robustly to YOU, not everyone, because you have singled me out on this. I have pointed out gaps in your knowledge, leading to some sweeping generalisations on what audience there is or is not for a (largely) classical music service in this country.

I do need to remind you that you have decided to take me up on what you feel is personalised abuse of a radio presenter, who is the subject of this thread. You have thrown up your hands in horror and protested to me about my tone on this matter. I feel a robust reply to your lecturing of me was always on the cards.

You, you alone, have chosen to lecture me on what you percieve to be a posting style you disagree with. That's fine and if a mod cautions me, I will be the first to submit.
You have said you're not going anywhere and I welcome that, even though I think you were bowing out about 20 posts ago.
I suggest we agree we to disagree on my posting style for now and I'll go back to my white hot outrage and you can ignore my sometimes severe tone, which I believe is justified and, as you have made clear, you do not.

I wish you the very best, Woodville56, although I continue to be made physically sick by the presence of Marty Whelan on Lyric.

Just a few points in response to above
1. I haven't singled out anyone in particular in my postings on this matter - I started with comments on postings which were (in my view ) personal attacks on Marty Whelan. I responded when my posts were in turn commented on. So I'm not singling you out Expunge, as you will see if you look back on my inputs to the thread. You will see there that I responded to a number of posters.
2. I accept that I'm not a classical music aficionado , I do listen to Lyric regularly and while I may not have the classically cultured ear of other posters here. I so enjoy what I hear , including Marty Whelan, John Kelly, Liz Nolan, Carl Corcoran and others. And while I wouldn't have the knowledge
of listenership figures you profess, I do know that in the scheme of things listenership is in the low to mid single digit range at best and I doubt if ditching Marty Whelan would improve the ratings to any extent ? Realistically, what you seem to want is a 100% pure classical station catering for a listenership of around 5% of the listening public ?? I couldn't agree with taxpayers money promoting that concept and on that we will disagree. Or is it a personal dislike of Marty Whelan for some reason - get rid of Marty and all will be well ??
3. If you and others here have such a dislike to Marty Whelan, the musical content of his show and his presenting style , how do you feel about the JK Ensemble programme or the Gay Byrne programme on Sundays - loads of ad lib and personal views on these programmes and a very cross over content on the JK show - yet I don't heat any criticism of these presenters , both of whom I enjoy.
Incidentally , and in relation to others comments about plugs for various events on the Marty show, I just heard Sean O'Rourke on Radio 1 read a listeners positive comments about "War Horse " - would you say this is inappropriate also ??

I'm not going to comment further on this topic ( definitely ) but as I only accidentally came upon this thread a few days ago and found, what to me is an unacceptable level of personal criticism of someone just doing their job as determined by Lyric Management, I felt I needed to have my say . Done that, not really prepared for the level of heated debate ( mostly one sided it seems) , the other fora where I contribute are much less adversarial, so better stay there .
Anyway, a bit tired of this thread where those who can see some grey rather than just black and white are dismissed and berated for their middlebrow views on the MITM programme. Good luck with the Marty bashing folks, maybe ye should ask the Mod ( if there is one) to rename the thread the " Anyone but Marty' forum . At least then passers by would be under no illusion that there might be an opportunity for fair, balanced and respectful comment .
Saying no more , ye win !! More to life than obsessing over who presents a morning radio programme !!

Yvonne23R · 28-03-2014 12:51pm

Woodville56 wrote: »

Just a few points in response to above
1. ......... I started with comments on postings which were (in my view ) personal attacks on Marty Whelan.

Very good point.

Woodville56 wrote: »

I couldn't agree with taxpayers money promoting that concept and on that we will disagree.

Or is it a personal dislike of Marty Whelan for some reason - get rid of Marty and all will be well ??

Sometimes I worry that there could be some sort of radio jealousy. Were some posters here in the past other less successful people from Radio and TV Land who couldn't stomach Marty's success and his rapport with ordinary people?

Woodville56 wrote: »

If you and others here have such a dislike to Marty Whelan, the musical content of his show and his presenting style , how do you feel about the JK Ensemble programme or the Gay Byrne programme on Sundays - loads of ad lib and personal views on these programmes and a very cross over content on the JK show - yet I don't heat any criticism of these presenters , both of whom I enjoy.

That's so true. This makes it really suspicous that there's such a downer on Mart. I sometimes wonder if it's because he doesn't try to be hip and fab and groovy like John Kelly - a fellow I like on radio too, by the way. And Gay is out on his own.

Woodville56 wrote: »

Incidentally , and in relation to others comments about plugs for various events on the Marty show, I just heard Sean O'Rourke on Radio 1 read a listeners positive comments about "War Horse " - would you say this is inappropriate also ??

Now that's the clincher! You see.
The plain people of Ireland will be going to "War Horse" in their hoards now that Mart and then Sean O'Rourke have given positive comments and thumbs ups to it. Isn't this what they mean by Supporting The Arts?

Onthe3rdDay · 28-03-2014 1:31pm

Right, that's me away from this mad house. I don't listen to Lyric in the morning any more, I know others that don't listen to Lyric at all. This is because of Marty in the Morning. it's not a personal attack, just the truth.

I accepted Woodville56 point of view because it does appear to be real and not a campaign, It's very different for the other posters that are supposedly normal listeners of the show.

There doesn't seem to be anyone defending the show on the thread other than Yvonne23R and Save our lyric. The interesting thing about those particular two contributors is the nastiness they show towards the (as they put it) the common people of Ireland. They would want to be careful, if they talked about another Nationality or race like they talk about Irish people they could be accused and charged with hate crimes. The way those two accounts go on about Irish people is no different from the cartoons of the Irish in the British Press in the 19th Century.

I'm sure there are one or two out there that enjoy the show and more power to them. I also know that the likelihood of Marty still being in the same job by Autumn 2015 is very low. I'm not saying lyric will get better but it will change. There are those in RTE that have noticed what is going on.

And that's were I bow out.

Yvonne23R · 28-03-2014 1:40pm

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

Right, that's me away from this mad house. I don't listen to Lyric in the morning any more, I know others that don't listen to Lyric at all. This is because of Marty in the Morning. it's not a personal attack, just the truth.

I accepted Woodville56 point of view because it does appear to be real and not a campaign, It's very different for the other posters that are supposedly normal listeners of the show.

There doesn't seem to be anyone defending the show on the thread other than Yvonne23R and Save our lyric. The interesting thing about those particular two contributors is the nastiness they show towards the (as they put it) the common people of Ireland. They would want to be careful, if they talked about another Nationality or race like they talk about Irish people they could be accused and charged with hate crimes. The way those two accounts go on about Irish people is no different from the cartoons of the Irish in the British Press in the 19th Century.

I'm sure there are one or two out there that enjoy the show and more power to them. I also know that the likelihood of Marty still being in the same job by Autumn 2015 is very low. I'm not saying lyric will get better but it will change. There are those in RTE that have noticed what is going on.

And that's were I bow out.

Have I just been accused of being racist? Me, of all people? I can't believe it. This is shocking and has to be taken back.

Onthe3rdDay · 28-03-2014 1:48pm

Yvonne23R wrote: »

Have I just been accused of being racist? Me, of all people? I can't believe it. This is shocking and has to be taken back.

Just to clarify, read the post carefully, you're not been accused of racism.

yosser hughes · 28-03-2014 1:58pm

Marty or his wife appears to be having a conversation with him/her self on this thread. It's farcical at this stage.It's almost amusing if it weren't so pathetic. The lengths an adult will go to over something like this.
I'll continue with BBC 3 myself. I won't be listening to Lyric until I hear that the chancers have been cleared out. I won't hold my breath.

HeidiHeidi · 28-03-2014 2:03pm

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

Right, that's me away from this mad house. I don't listen to Lyric in the morning any more, I know others that don't listen to Lyric at all. This is because of Marty in the Morning. it's not a personal attack, just the truth.

I accepted Woodville56 point of view because it does appear to be real and not a campaign, It's very different for the other posters that are supposedly normal listeners of the show.

There doesn't seem to be anyone defending the show on the thread other than Yvonne23R and Save our lyric. The interesting thing about those particular two contributors is the nastiness they show towards the (as they put it) the common people of Ireland. They would want to be careful, if they talked about another Nationality or race like they talk about Irish people they could be accused and charged with hate crimes. The way those two accounts go on about Irish people is no different from the cartoons of the Irish in the British Press in the 19th Century.

I'm sure there are one or two out there that enjoy the show and more power to them. I also know that the likelihood of Marty still being in the same job by Autumn 2015 is very low. I'm not saying lyric will get better but it will change. There are those in RTE that have noticed what is going on.

And that's were I bow out.

Hear hear. We can but live in hope.

Expunge · 28-03-2014 2:13pm

I also know that the likelihood of Marty still being in the same job by Autumn 2015 is very low. I'm not saying lyric will get better but it will change. There are those in RTE that have noticed what is going on.

That's interesting, Onthe3rdday. Doesn't look likely, alas. RTE seem to be showing incredible loyalty to Whelan and Byrne, regardless of the consequences to the Public Service ethos of the company.
There's not much point in replacing MITM with some other 'has been' who has to be looked after, who thinks he can play whatever the hell he wants, with a production team and management who basically just fellate him.

Utterly depressing.

DublinWriter · 28-03-2014 2:21pm

Yvonne23R wrote: »

but Mart said that there was a huge response to the Wexford Opera Competition for tickets to the gala opening Night to attend the reception and meet Mart and all the Lyric gang.

Well, he's hardly likely to say the response was poor.

I find him very hard to listen to, it gives me a headache trying to figure out what he's saying.

Gay's Sunday show is a pleasure, on the other hand.

SaveOurLyric · 28-03-2014 2:27pm

Yvonne23R wrote: »

Very good point.

Very good point.

SaveOurLyric · 28-03-2014 2:29pm

Yvonne23R wrote: »

Have I just been accused of being racist? Me, of all people? I can't believe it. This is shocking and has to be taken back.

I second that. It must be taken back.

HeidiHeidi · 28-03-2014 2:38pm

[Yvonne23R=DublinWriter;89671525]Well, he's hardly likely to say the response was poor.

I find him very hard to listen to, it gives me a headache trying to figure out what he's saying.

Gay's Sunday show is a pleasure, on the other hand.[/QUOTE]

I have the same problem with Gay as I have with Marty - the music is grand (even though I'm not a big jazz fan) - if he'd just give up the jabbering in between. Repeatedly joking about his 752 listeners and the old radio valves and his wind up gramophone....I rarely listen but I still know the gags. He's another presenter who has over inflated notions of how funny he is.

So to someone who asked earlier, no this is not just about Marty Whelan (on my part anyway), it's about the content, or lack of it, on prime time programmes on a music station.

(Yvonne23R, no need to respond as you have a hundred times before with another tale of a witticism you found amusing and directed at the plain people, we've got the message. You find them funny, we (I) don't)

jmcc · 28-03-2014 2:44pm

Must be about time for Yvonne to chime in with the latest advertisement for something that Marty is pushing on his show.

This must be the only thread on Boards.ie with its own commercial breaks.

Regards...jmcc

Onthe3rdDay · 28-03-2014 2:45pm

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

I second that. It must be taken back.

This is my last comment on this boards, let me just quote yourself...

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

The UK is a far more musically sophisticated country. Ireland is pretty backwards in this respect, and bobbling around 2%, even stretching its range far outside the 'classical' realm that R3 and Classic FM maintain, feels about right to me.

This is one of many comments that are disgraceful. I am not spending the time going back further as I have a life to live. However, no one was accused of racism. However, it is fair to say that you and Yvonne23R have a very poor opinion of Irish people.

So its goodnight and goodbye!!!

Yvonne23R · 28-03-2014 3:20pm

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

This is one of many comments that are disgraceful. I am not spending the time going back further as I have a life to live. However, no one was accused of racism. However, it is fair to say that you and Yvonne23R have a very poor opinion of Irish people.

So its goodnight and goodbye!!!

That was the closing catchphrase that "The Two Ronnies" used - which is appropriate because - linking again - they are a favourite of Marty's for good comedy and Mart has a Ronnie himself as his facial Trade Mark.

Yvonne23R · 28-03-2014 3:23pm

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Well, he's hardly likely to say the response was poor.

(Yvonne23R, no need to respond as you have a hundred times before with another tale of a witticism you found amusing and directed at the plain people, we've got the message. You find them funny, we (I) don't)

Since you ask, Mart had a good one during the week ( sent in by a 7 year old - which shows how good the Show is at appealing to all age groups ) -

Why did the Jelly Baby go to school?
Because he wanted to be a Smartie!

Yvonne23R · 28-03-2014 3:28pm

jmcc wrote: »

Must be about time for Yvonne to chime in with the latest advertisement for something that Marty is pushing on his show. This must be the only thread on Boards.ie with its own commercial breaks.

Regards...jmcc

I think in fairness Mart isn't "Pushing" anything. He is helping to shape taste in the general audience about gigs that might appeal to us like the Opera he was giving some time in the sun to this morning. We can be bamboozled by journalists reviewing things above our heads in the papers. Mart brings things down to earth.

Or Cara O'Sullivan the soprano who's career he has made. Or Vladimir the Violin Virtuoso playing Vivaldi, who Mart rescued from Grafton Street busking and has turned into a star and now the conductor of his own orchestra. Or "War Horses" that has been brought to our attention.

With Marty Whelan you know you are in safe hands and that anything that Marty Recommends is well worth going to.

DownBeaten · 28-03-2014 3:48pm

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

I have the same problem with Gay as I have with Marty - the music is grand (even though I'm not a big jazz fan) - if he'd just give up the jabbering in between.

+1. But thankfully next Sunday's show is his last, I believe. Hopefully it'll be replaced by a music programme.

Yvonne23R · 28-03-2014 3:50pm

DownBeaten wrote: »

+1. But thankfully next Sunday's show is his last, I believe. Hopefully it'll be replaced by a music programme.

Yes, Frank McNamara is coming back for a summer season, I've heard on the grapevine. With his piano live in studio this time.

Calina · 28-03-2014 9:09pm

Yvonne23R wrote: »

Or Cara O'Sullivan the soprano who's career he has made.

Cara O'Sullivan was a star long before Marty Whelan got his radio slot on Lyric. He didn't make her career.

SaveOurLyric · 28-03-2014 9:14pm

Yvonne23R wrote: »

Yes, Frank McNamara is coming back for a summer season, I've heard on the grapevine. With his piano live in studio this time.

A done deal I believe. And you could see how he would fit in seamlessly to the current Lyric vision.

Interesting insight from Marty into the hair transplant thing here and how well he was looked after by the guys at HRBR. Really seem to be a quality outfit.
http://www.independent.ie/videos/irish-news/marty-whelan-hair-transplant-video-testimonial-29953881.html

Anyone enjoy the bit of Gossec this morning ? A composer well worth exploring. Do.

SaveOurLyric · 28-03-2014 9:17pm

Calina wrote: »

Cara O'Sullivan was a star long before Marty Whelan got his radio slot on Lyric. He didn't make her career.

Would she be where she is today though without the platform that Mart gave her? Possibly. But possibly not, also. She is good though and deserves success.

DownBeaten · 29-03-2014 9:53am

Calina wrote: »

Cara O'Sullivan was a star long before Marty Whelan got his radio slot on Lyric. He didn't make her career.

But without the legup she got from the great one, she'd still be playing the fiddle on Grafton St.

.

Have to say how wonderful it is to listen to a truly skilled, professional radio presenter on Lyric on Sat/Sun. Great work, Trish.

Yvonne23R · 29-03-2014 6:25pm

DownBeaten wrote: »

But without the legup she got from the great one, she'd still be playing the fiddle on Grafton St. .

Have to say how wonderful it is to listen to a truly skilled, professional radio presenter on Lyric on Sat/Sun. Great work, Trish.

I heard Trish this morning and I liked her little programme. It's a lot less energetic than Marty's, but all God's Creatures got a place in the choir. George took it up an octave afterwards with something with a bit more life and personality in it. But then he's a professional broadcaster. But fair play to Trish all the same.

Aidric · 29-03-2014 6:48pm

jmcc wrote: »

Must be about time for Yvonne to chime in with the latest advertisement for something that Marty is pushing on his show. This must be the only thread on Boards.ie with its own commercial breaks.

Regards...jmcc

Frankly it's unbelievable that it's chiming along unchallenged. It's hard to keep track of the amount of puppet accounts on this thread.

I wonder if some sort of retainer is in place from dear old 'Mart'.

Yvonne23R · 31-03-2014 9:17am

Aidric wrote: »

Frankly it's unbelievable that it's chiming along unchallenged. It's hard to keep track of the amount of puppet accounts on this thread.

I wonder if some sort of retainer is in place from dear old 'Mart'.

Well actually Mart has just announced that the Verona trip is now sold out completely.

And the opera on the cards in the Verona arnea is "Carmen" by Bizet. The programme will also be coming from Venice and the sunny towns around Lake Garda.

There's a comp this week to win a trip to two with access to Marty and the gang and to the opera. Just answer the question: in what Spanish city is Carmen set in? Text 51554 Keyword Marty, or email the Show.

He can't say fairer than that!

SaveOurLyric · 31-03-2014 11:25am

Super Yvonne, thanks. If you're not in you can't win!

A big group of us went to <> in the concert hall last night, all dolled up in our finery. I was thinking Marty might have been there but we didn't see him. Early start in the morning in Limerick I guess, so too difficult for him to make it. I'm sure he would have been there otherwise. it was FANTASTIC! I don't think you would hear better in <>. the slave chorus was divine. hopefully Mart will give it a whirl again this week.

Yvonne23R · 31-03-2014 4:02pm

I noticed that Niall Carroll was singing Marty's praises today over the lunchtime hour what with Verona and all he's doing for classical music in Ireland. This won't go down well in all Quarters. :rolleyes:

twinklerunner · 31-03-2014 4:35pm

Yvonne23R wrote: »

I noticed that Niall Carroll was singing Marty's praises today over the lunchtime hour what with Verona and all he's doing for classical music in Ireland. This won't go down well in all Quarters. :rolleyes:

Did Niall Carroll also play tracks from Johnny Cash's new album today?

SaveOurLyric · 31-03-2014 8:08pm

twinklerunner wrote: »

Did Niall Carroll also play tracks from Johnny Cash's new album today?

Sorry, but I didnt hear Niall's Show. Perhaps you could try Amazon ?

bbability · 31-03-2014 8:14pm

Marty Whelan will be remembered as the man who saved Lyric. I had a listen this morning to his show and it's like a breath of fresh air. Not a care or worry in the world and that's the way it should be. So what he veers off a bit with the natter but it's wonderful radio. A pleasure to listen to.

jmcc · 31-03-2014 9:07pm

bbability wrote: »

Marty Whelan will be remembered as the man who saved Lyric.

He's not dead, is he?

Regards...jmcc

Yvonne23R · 31-03-2014 11:15pm

twinklerunner wrote: »

Did Niall Carroll also play tracks from Johnny Cash's new album today?

No, I didn't hear it, but I don't think it's the kind of music that's played at that time. You might have heard it on John Kelly's programme later on. It all blends into one, I know.

Yvonne23R · 31-03-2014 11:16pm

jmcc wrote: »

He's not dead, is he?

Regards...jmcc

???

Yvonne23R · 31-03-2014 11:16pm

bbability wrote: »

Marty Whelan will be remembered as the man who saved Lyric. I had a listen this morning to his show and it's like a breath of fresh air. Not a care or worry in the world and that's the way it should be. So what he veers off a bit with the natter but it's wonderful radio. A pleasure to listen to.

That's a lovely thing to say, and I agree with it.

SaveOurLyric · 31-03-2014 11:39pm

bbability wrote: »

Marty Whelan will be remembered as the man who saved Lyric. I had a listen this morning to his show and it's like a breath of fresh air. Not a care or worry in the world and that's the way it should be. So what he veers off a bit with the natter but it's wonderful radio. A pleasure to listen to.

I think that's very well put. Thanks.
In time, it will be seen that without his Trojan efforts and great talent, Lyric would not have survived the slash and burn of public expenditure during the recession. That Lyric is now thriving as we return to more normal governance of our sovereignty, is a great testament to Marty's skill, charisma, tenacity, professionalism, unparalleled gift of the gab, and not least, his great innate musicality.

jmcc · 31-03-2014 11:53pm

Yvonne23R wrote: »

???

Well speaking of people in the past tense generally means that they are either dead or fired.

Regards...jmcc

Lyric fm's Breakfast show presenter - Marty Whelan.

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