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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 realised 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.
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 James, and Matt, 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 Dutch Street Organ) which he bought in november 2011.
Before that he owned a Fairground Organ for 8 years, buying it as a wreck, and rebuilding it into an impressive musical instrument. He also has a Pianola in his living room.
It's always best to smile and nod at James's impressive range of hobbies and activities.
Now the section of the Pirate FM Website that may send your virus checker spinning due to a double entendre or two!
James is famous for owning and traveling mechanical organs. He goes to all sorts of events across Cornwall and beyond in his spare time. Here is the story of James and the organs...



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Why do you have a big organ?
Hmmm... good question. I've always been facinated by their mechanism. My interest in mechanical music started from a young age. I spent many long hours sat listening to the music, captivated by what I saw and heard.
For the last 9 years, i've owned and traveled organs in my spare time. They provide entertainment at some of Cornwall's biggest events.
Dutch Street Organ named "Het Blauwtje" (The Little Blue One)
It plays music automaticly. It reads holes that are punched in strip of cardboard.
Since the 20's its entertained on the streets of Holland. The instrument has undergone a lot of changes though life. As various fashions and tastes have come and gone, the instrument has been modified and changed.
Today, it is a tuneful instrument with a highly ornate carved front, painted beautifully.
I'm very lucky to own it. Its a really different thing, not often seen in the UK, so when you see it out and about, be sure to have a listen and say hello.
James Dundon gets you home with a BIG smile, more chances to win £5,000 on the Secret Sound, Real-time travel updates, and the Listener Headlines with your news of the day!
It kicks off with Doing the Decades from 2, before we celebrate the better end of the day through til 7pm, Monday-Friday.
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Love for Luke
This got everyone talking, and in the end, we had good news!
Wind problems
Densil has problems on the day Cornwall is battered by 70MPH gales.
A worrying thought
Densil gets worked up that they may close public toilets
I think I wanna marry you!
The Wardrobe malfunction (09/01/12)
The girls in the sales office were laughing at a problem with my trousers. I got Tiff in to explain.
Its in the jeans!
"Wearing jeans for three months without washing them doesn't make them smell worse" was a newspaper headline that I put to the test with Delicious Dawn from reception!
The GOAT that sounds like a screaming man
The latest viral sensation. We thought it was very realistic.
O Christmas Tree
When I saw the tree going in up reception, I had to borrow a prop for a cheap gag...
Unusual instrument...
We've had the whistling Maroon 5, and accordians from The Wanted. What about a kazoo?
Why are we getting more listeners?
Latest audience research showed that even more people are tuning into Pirate FM? Why?
Densil from Bude had the answer!
Smurfs hanging from car bumpers?
Why? Why am I seeing more and more cars with a little smurf hanging on the back bumper swaying around. I did online research, and all I found were people asking the same question.
Densil had a thought, but you'll also hear John giving the OFFICIAL answer.
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James' mechanical music facination took a whole new level when he spotted a Pianola for sale on ebay
It was made sometime in the 1920's and having taken apart, he discovered it’s never received much attention (James found mice droppings inside the mechanism!)
It does need some work, and James is hoping to get in the shed to restore it, but it does play quite well (if you pedal fast!)
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If you'd like to send a message to James Dundon, please use the form below. He will try his best to get back to you as soon as he can!











