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James Dundon
As a young man, James never thought about making a career out of radio. Originally he started as a volunteer for Truro Hospital Radio, then when he realized how he loved it, he did some voluntary work behind the scenes at the BBC, he was poached by Pirate in 2004, and worked part time while he completed a degree at the University College Falmouth.
The cheeky man can usually be heard in the evenings, but he's a bit of a swinger. (When James or Neil are on their holidays, you can hear him covering their shows)
Off air, James is busy acting as the 'Station Producer'. You know the jingles and voiceover bits you hear on air? James makes all of those. While making all the audio, and brewing up the kettle for Bob and James, he still manages to keep a tidy desk (unlike Neil).
Theres never a dull moment in Dundon's life. He's the kind of guy that's got a list of hobbies, he likes to take his organ out, (he owns a Fairground Organ). Something he restored from a box of bits a few years ago. It's always best to smile and nod at James's impressive range of hobbies and activities!
Contact James...
James' Ebay Buy
See me pumping away furiously at a 1930's pianola that has now filled my living room...
Yes, I know I have a mechanical music problem.
James talks to the Stars...
Listen again to some of the people we've had in for a coffee and a chat.
Mika
James had a catch up with the man who produces those catchy pop songs. Hear Mika talking about how he nearly got kicked out of Music College, and his struggle to get a record deal.
Frankmusik
James talked to the young man that made this massive album on his computer in his bedroom above his grans lounge!
The Feeling
James caught up with the band to talk about getting a record deal and new material...
James's Organ Fan Club
Everyone loves my Fairground Organ.
Here's a little section of the Pirate FM website that keeps you up to date with where you can see me out and about with the mighty music machine, plus more information about the instrument!
About my Fair Organ
I got word of a organ in bits for sale in Rye, Sussex. The organ itself hasn't played for many years. The bits were mostly there, it was just a question of tinkering with it to get out the right noises! After a long car journey there and back, it was agreed it was the one. It was loaded up with the stuffing of an old mattress and embarked in a 11 hour journey back down to Cornwall.
The box of noise arrived, and over the next 12 months it ensured the neighbors were kept well entertained. (The couple living next door to us actually immigrated to Spain!).
The Organ is played with the use of Cardboard books, a system that dates from the 1900's. This was one of the first forms of recorded music, before Gramophones or LP's. A series of air signals, bits of wood and leather operating as valves sending the air to the appropriate places to play the right notes.
I spend hours every year on upkeep of this Fair Organ on maintenance alone for it to be in top playing condition, although I am also always working on new projects and imrovements for the instrument.
Here it is- the finished product...


When I brought the organ it didn't play, but most of the bare basics were there...

I did a bit of DIY and with MDF and plywood, to create a traditional looking front for the organ...

Here is the card music going through the back of the organ. You can also see the big bass drum on the left of the picture...
and some of the 'choons' I have on the shelf to select to play on the organ...

Here I am in the back of the trailer feeding some more music through...

Past Events...
Cornish Traction Preservation Club Rally
and I wasn't just making music here! I also had the pleasure to open this super 2 day Rally.

St Mawes May Day
A little damp, but the residents of St Mawes gave me a good welcome, here I am ready to play before the crowds turned up...

The South West Organ Festival
Dingles Steam Village in Lifton, Devon, held the 'South West Organ Festival' (Easter Weekend).
It was a great 4 days in the sunshine, sadly the only picture I managed to take was in the dark! We went playing into the night underneath the shooting stars. here I am wearing a tea cosy with my good mate Sarah.

The Pirate FM Easter Fayre!
As a little treat for the staff at Pirate I brought my Fair Organ along to entertain whilst the Easter Bunny doled out the eggs...

Falmouth late Shopping
I was at Falmouth every Thursday on the run up to Christmas...

Cornwall Animal Hospital Open Day
During the dog show, I was there providing some entertainment.

Keep checking back for all the latest about my lovely organ...
Hair today, gone tomorrow
I was the mentor for Natalie Olivey in Pirate FM's Cash Mountain. She made me have my head shaved to boost her funds for the Precious Lives Appeal!
Here I am with my full head of hair...

looking a bit nervous as Jo (Nat's mum) looses her hair...

Here I am in the studio (3rd August) doing the show for Neil Caddy

Thanks for everyone who donated so generously for the Precious Lives Appeal. Find out more about the Cash Mountain competition and the funds it raised by clicking here.
Listen to the Family Fun Day!
Hear about my head shave experiences and more of the fun we had at Natalie's Family Fun Day. Also listen out for my mothers reaction to my new hairstyle!









