This Much I Know: Phil Cawley

I’ve always been a bit of a showman deep down. My idea of misery is a world without music.

I grew up in Chapelizod on the edge of Dublin city, it was very rural back then. I had two brothers and two sisters. I was the youngest. I was a spoilt child, or so I am told.

At school, I was the class clown. I wasn’t into performance as such. It was more of a one-man show or nothing. At home, I’d be the one dragged down to tell jokes when we had visitors.

I had terrific adventures when I was a child. My father was from Mayo and I spent lots of time on the farm. I milked cows, saved hay.

I remember in primary school, from as early as fifth or sixth class on, being obsessed with the pirate radio stations around at the time. It’s like when you see your favourite bike or toy or computer as a child, I got a flutter in my stomach over anything to do with radio. I knew that’s what I wanted to work in.

I wasn’t very academic. I went to Senior College Ballyfermot for my Leaving Certificate and did one of their post Leaving Certificate media courses in radio and television production. They were pioneers of media courses in Ireland. A lot of well known names went through those doors.

The best advice I ever received was from an instructor there, to always remember the six Ps: ‘proper preparation prevents piss-poor performance.’ Thats why us DJs always do our prep before we go on air.

I went straight into working on stations like Radio Dublin, Magic 103, and, aged 18, I got a job on 2fm where I remained from 1986 to 1989.

I used to watch Larry Gogan in studio. I was enthralled by him and how he handled things. He was exactly the same on air as off. He was very generous with his time. He showed me a specific way to wear your headphones so that you can hear yourself properly.

If I could change one thing in Irish society I’d change the law on equal marriage. We should give everybody an equal chance to be loved and to make this commitment to another person. My biggest fears are heights and snakes. I turned back from doing a parachute jump once.

I’m not particularly disciplined but thank god I have a very organised wife. She is the disciplined one in this house. She even has a wall planner in our kitchen. She is a hairdresser and fitness instructor. I’d be lost without her. I am responsible of course, I pay bills on time. I absolutely hate owing money, but I do wish I was a little more self-motivated. I’m capable of doing a lot more than I am doing.

My worst habit is having the odd cigar. We eat very well, I just eat too much. I live in Wicklow now. I have three children —a 22-year-old and 18-year-old from a former relationship, and a five-year-old with my wife.

My favourite track is Johnny Be Good by Chuck Berry. It’s about 60 years old yet it can be played anywhere, all the time. It has all the ingredients of a great song.

If I could be someone else for a day, I’d be The Stig. I’m a petrol head. I have a motorcycle but I’m not a speed freak, it’s more the open space and freedom that I’m into.

I’m an early morning person, especially at this time of year. I get more work done in the mornings. But then us self-employed contractors have to be able to stay awake at night too when called upon to do so.

I’m 48 this year and I’ve been on contracts since I was 20. Even so, I still get anxious every year when it comes up for renewal. I’m lucky as there will always be a place for my type of voice. But I’ve put away a year’s salary. Just in case.

My wife Rochelle is a New Zealander. They are so laid back. We met on Inishbofin eight years ago when she was doing a half marathon.I do believe in fate. I knew immediately that she was the one for me.

I’m a Christian in the sense that I believe in the goodness of Jesus in the same way as I believe in the goodness of Gandhi. But I think it is an embarrassment for us to be asked to believe in virgin births and transubstantiation.

I have at least 6,000 songs. Everything from Benny Hill’s Ernie - The Fastest Milkman in the West to Coldplay’s Clocks. I like a song with which I can have an emotional connection.

My biggest challenge has been to be taken seriously. I know I’m ‘only a DJ’ but at times people think that means all you can do is spin discs. I’m a professional DJ and would love to be given the opportunity to talk more on air.

Recently my brother turned 50 and said to me “you only get one life”. Of course, I’d heard that one before but this time it sunk in. I may only have 25 more healthy summers to go. I want to live them to the best of my ability, to be a nice person. It’s thats simple .

* Listen to Phil Cawley on Today FM 100-102, Friday nights 7pm to 10pm and Saturdays 11am to 2pm