Alison Curtis
Encyclopedia
Alison "Ally" Curtis is a presenter of radio on Irish
national radio station
Today FM
and a respected figure on the Irish music scene. She presented The Last Splash on Sunday nights from 20:00 until 22:00 and The Alison Curtis Show from 05:00 - 07:00.
The Last Splash and, later, The Alison Curtis Show, earned Curtis her three Best DJ Meteor
nominations, though she narrowly lost out on the first two occasions to her Today FM colleague Ray D'Arcy
and lost again in 2009, this time to her Today FM colleague Ray Foley
. Curtis currently possesses her own television channel and has written for Hot Press
.
She is married to Anton Hegarty, the former bassist for Future Kings of Spain
.
In early March 2011, it was announced that Curtis, who is expecting her first child, had left Today FM to return to Phantom FM
, the radio station she originally worked for before joining Today FM.
, Ontario
, but spent her formative years in Toronto
. She graduated from the University of Toronto
with an Honours BA in Anthropology
. Alongside her studies, she was actively involved in the Toronto indie scene, managing band nights, writing and editing the college paper, and drumming in a band called The Justice League.
. Working on a close-knit team, she was responsible for the show's features, guests and persuading Ian Dempsey
to play a few "alternative" artists. She also spent 3 years presenting and producing her own drive time radio show on Phantom 105.2, a show that regularly featured live sessions from Irish and international artists as well as presenting The Last Splash on Sunday nights, she also presents an alternative music show from Monday to Thursday at 22:00.
She was on the panel of judges which helped decide the Choice Music Prize
for Irish Album of the Year 2006.
She presents and produces The Last Splash on Sunday nights, which initially had 7,000 listeners; this increased over time to 40,000. She resigned from her post as producer of The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show
on the Friday before her new show (see below) began to air. The first song she played on her new first show was "Can't Go Back
" by Primal Scream
.
The new show was given to Curtis by the Today FM executives in 2008. The Alison Curtis Show staged its inaugural live Christmas special at Whelan’s
on 17 December 2008. Curtis and Ed Smith administered over three emerging acts – Cap Pas Cap, The Dirty Epics
and Mick Flannery
– as they did their respective things. On 22 December 2008, based upon listener suggestions from the previous three weeks, they complied a "time capsule" for 2008, containing the top ten items representing the twelve months of the year. A Valentine's Day
special of the show took place at Whelan's Upstairs on 12 February 2009, featuring music from Duke Special
, One Day International and Ann Scott
.
, at a show in Whelan's
. They married in 2007 and now live in East Wall, Dublin. Curtis and Hegarty own two identical black cats named Scout and Jem (after the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
).
Curtis watches The Daily Show
Mad Men and dislikes Amy Winehouse
and Britney Spears
. Her favourite Irish bands include Fight Like Apes
, who she describes as "really talented... kind of rocky and metallic and their front girl is extremely watchable, almost going into Debbie Harry
territory" and Hooray for Humans from Cork, who, according to Curtis, "are really cute, very poppy, almost Arcade Fire in the way they shout lyrics".
. Curtis was nominated in the Best National DJ category again in 2009. She lost to another Today FM colleague, Ray Foley
, on this occasion.
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| 2005 || Alison Curtis || Best National DJ ||
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| 2006 || Alison Curtis || Best National DJ ||
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| 2009 || Alison Curtis || Best National DJ ||
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Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
national radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
Today FM
Today FM
Radio Ireland Ltd, trading as 100-102 Today FM is an Irish commercial FM radio station which is available nationally. The station, which commenced broadcasting on Saint Patrick's Day in 1997, can be received nationally and carries a mix of music and talk...
and a respected figure on the Irish music scene. She presented The Last Splash on Sunday nights from 20:00 until 22:00 and The Alison Curtis Show from 05:00 - 07:00.
The Last Splash and, later, The Alison Curtis Show, earned Curtis her three Best DJ Meteor
Meteor Music Awards
The Meteor Ireland Music Awards are a group of music awards in Ireland...
nominations, though she narrowly lost out on the first two occasions to her Today FM colleague Ray D'Arcy
Ray D'Arcy
Raymond 'Ray' D'Arcy is an Irish television and radio presenter. He currently presents a weekday morning radio programme, The Ray D'Arcy Show, on Today FM...
and lost again in 2009, this time to her Today FM colleague Ray Foley
Ray Foley
Raymond 'Ray' Foley is an Irish radio presenter. He currently presents The Ray Foley Show on Today FM at weekday lunch times. Having worked at 98FM and Spin 1038 early in his career, Foley moved to Today FM in 2004, presenting the night time show The Blast with, "JP" Gilbourne...
. Curtis currently possesses her own television channel and has written for Hot Press
Hot Press
Hot Press is a fortnightly music and political magazine based in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it had a circulation of 19,215 during 2007...
.
She is married to Anton Hegarty, the former bassist for Future Kings of Spain
Future Kings of Spain
Future Kings of Spain were an Irish rock band, from Dublin.Future Kings of Spain on 28 September 2007 released their second album Nervousystem. Recorded in London and Malta with producer Ian Grimble , it was released in Ireland on the band's own label, What’s The Kim? and entered the Irish Albums...
.
In early March 2011, it was announced that Curtis, who is expecting her first child, had left Today FM to return to Phantom FM
Phantom FM
Phantom 105.2 is a Dublin based radio station, founded in 1996 as a pirate radio station. Phantom broadcasts under a contract awarded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland ....
, the radio station she originally worked for before joining Today FM.
Early life
Curtis was born and raised in KingstonKingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, but spent her formative years in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. She graduated from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
with an Honours BA in Anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
. Alongside her studies, she was actively involved in the Toronto indie scene, managing band nights, writing and editing the college paper, and drumming in a band called The Justice League.
Career
After graduating, Alison moved to Ireland. There she met another Canadian, who was searching for presenters for the then pirate radio station, Phantom, provoking the reaction: "God, you talk a lot". She was signed up and presented a drivetime show on the station. Shortly after that in 1999, she joined Today FM, as the senior researcher on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast ShowThe Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show
The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show is an Irish radio show broadcast on weekday mornings from 07:00 - 09:00 on Today FM. Presented by Ian Dempsey, it is noted for its Gift Grub feature, performed by Mario Rosenstock...
. Working on a close-knit team, she was responsible for the show's features, guests and persuading Ian Dempsey
Ian Dempsey
Ian Michael Dempsey is an Irish presenter of television and breakfast radio. He is the long-running presenter of the breakfast show on Today FM, self-titled The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, which runs from 07:00 - 09:00 each weekday morning...
to play a few "alternative" artists. She also spent 3 years presenting and producing her own drive time radio show on Phantom 105.2, a show that regularly featured live sessions from Irish and international artists as well as presenting The Last Splash on Sunday nights, she also presents an alternative music show from Monday to Thursday at 22:00.
She was on the panel of judges which helped decide the Choice Music Prize
Choice Music Prize
-Establishment:It was established by journalist Jim Carroll and manager Dave Reid in 2005. as an alternative to the industry-dominated Meteor Music Awards. The Choice Music Prize is modelled after the Mercury Prize which is awarded each year to the best album from the United Kingdom or Ireland...
for Irish Album of the Year 2006.
She presents and produces The Last Splash on Sunday nights, which initially had 7,000 listeners; this increased over time to 40,000. She resigned from her post as producer of The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show
The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show
The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show is an Irish radio show broadcast on weekday mornings from 07:00 - 09:00 on Today FM. Presented by Ian Dempsey, it is noted for its Gift Grub feature, performed by Mario Rosenstock...
on the Friday before her new show (see below) began to air. The first song she played on her new first show was "Can't Go Back
Can't Go Back
"Can't Go Back" is a song by the band Primal Scream. It was released as a single on 4 July 2008, and was the first and only single to be released from the band's ninth album, Beautiful Future. The song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 48 on 26 July 2008. The song was featured in the video for...
" by Primal Scream
Primal Scream
Primal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
.
The new show was given to Curtis by the Today FM executives in 2008. The Alison Curtis Show staged its inaugural live Christmas special at Whelan’s
Whelan's (music venue)
Whelan's is a small music venue in Dublin, Ireland, located on Wexford Street.The venue and pub was initially started by Gary Whelan and Ian Keith in 1989 and ten years later was bought by Frank Gleeson. Local musicians and actors frequent it...
on 17 December 2008. Curtis and Ed Smith administered over three emerging acts – Cap Pas Cap, The Dirty Epics
Dirty Epics
Dirty Epics are a four-piece Irish New Wave band formed in Greystones, County Wicklow, but now resided in Dublin. They are composed of vocalist Sarah Jane Wai, bassist Richard Power, guitarist Darren McCoy and drummer Alan Delaney and are managed by Nadine O'Flynn. They have performed at numerous...
and Mick Flannery
Mick Flannery
Mick Flannery is an Irish singer-songwriter from Blarney, County Cork.His debut album Evening Train resulted from his time spent studying music and management at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa in Cork...
– as they did their respective things. On 22 December 2008, based upon listener suggestions from the previous three weeks, they complied a "time capsule" for 2008, containing the top ten items representing the twelve months of the year. A Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
special of the show took place at Whelan's Upstairs on 12 February 2009, featuring music from Duke Special
Duke Special
Duke Special, real name Peter Wilson, is a songwriter and performer based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A piano-based songwriter with a romantic style and a warm, distinctly accented voice, he has a distinctive look, with his long dreadlocks, eyeliner and outfits he describes as "hobo chic"...
, One Day International and Ann Scott
Ann Scott
Ann Scott is a French novelist.She is regarded as a social realist for her novels, which paint detailed portraits of contemporary youth haunted by teenage boredom, drugs, materialism, status obsession and social trangression. Her second novel Superstars has given her a cult status in...
.
Personal life
Curtis has one sibling, her twin sister Karen, a social worker in Canada. Their father died when they were fourteen and their mother died when they were nineteen. Curtis met her long-term boyfriend, Anton Hegarty, bass guitarist in Future Kings of SpainFuture Kings of Spain
Future Kings of Spain were an Irish rock band, from Dublin.Future Kings of Spain on 28 September 2007 released their second album Nervousystem. Recorded in London and Malta with producer Ian Grimble , it was released in Ireland on the band's own label, What’s The Kim? and entered the Irish Albums...
, at a show in Whelan's
Whelan's (music venue)
Whelan's is a small music venue in Dublin, Ireland, located on Wexford Street.The venue and pub was initially started by Gary Whelan and Ian Keith in 1989 and ten years later was bought by Frank Gleeson. Local musicians and actors frequent it...
. They married in 2007 and now live in East Wall, Dublin. Curtis and Hegarty own two identical black cats named Scout and Jem (after the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee published in 1960. It was instantly successful, winning the Pulitzer Prize, and has become a classic of modern American literature...
by Harper Lee
Harper Lee
Nelle Harper Lee is an American author known for her 1960 Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird, which deals with the issues of racism that were observed by the author as a child in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama...
).
Curtis watches The Daily Show
The Daily Show
The Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
Mad Men and dislikes Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
and Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
. Her favourite Irish bands include Fight Like Apes
Fight Like Apes
Fight Like Apes are an Irish alternative rock band formed in Dublin in 2006.Their current members are Mary-Kate "MayKay" Geraghty , Jamie "Pockets" Fox and Tom Ryan , while original member Adrian Mullan left the band in 2010 due to creative differences...
, who she describes as "really talented... kind of rocky and metallic and their front girl is extremely watchable, almost going into Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry
Deborah Ann "Debbie" Harry is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known for being the lead singer of the punk rock and new wave band Blondie. She has also had success as a solo artist, and in the mid-1990s she performed and recorded as part of The Jazz Passengers...
territory" and Hooray for Humans from Cork, who, according to Curtis, "are really cute, very poppy, almost Arcade Fire in the way they shout lyrics".
Awards
While at Today FM, Curtis was nominated for the Best National DJ award on three occasions. On the first two occasions she narrowly lost out to her Today FM colleague Ray D'ArcyRay D'Arcy
Raymond 'Ray' D'Arcy is an Irish television and radio presenter. He currently presents a weekday morning radio programme, The Ray D'Arcy Show, on Today FM...
. Curtis was nominated in the Best National DJ category again in 2009. She lost to another Today FM colleague, Ray Foley
Ray Foley
Raymond 'Ray' Foley is an Irish radio presenter. He currently presents The Ray Foley Show on Today FM at weekday lunch times. Having worked at 98FM and Spin 1038 early in his career, Foley moved to Today FM in 2004, presenting the night time show The Blast with, "JP" Gilbourne...
, on this occasion.
|-
| 2005 || Alison Curtis || Best National DJ ||
|-
| 2006 || Alison Curtis || Best National DJ ||
|-
| 2009 || Alison Curtis || Best National DJ ||
|-