Q & A with East Coast Gold's newest host, Guy McDonald
Guy McDonald is the newest voice on East Coast Gold, so we sat down with him to get some insight into the man who will keep you company from 6 am to 10 am on Saturdays and Sundays. He is no stranger to radio and will bring his own unique brand of radio to East Coast Gold, as you will find out in this Q & A.
Gordon Graham caught up with Guy McDonald this morning ahead of his debut show tomorrow. Listen to the interview below. Find our Q & A with Guy under the podcast.
Where were you born?
Addington Hospital in Durban. So I had the smell of the sea in my nose and sand between my toes from day 1. I now live in Cape Town.
What do you love about radio as a medium?
I love the adrenalin rush of going live. There are no retakes, no rewinding, and starting again. It's real, it's brutally honest and it’s a chance to give of yourself to an audience.
Where do you listen to East Coast Gold?
On my laptop, mostly.
Who has influenced you the most in your life?
Besides my parents, my wife Bronwyn is a massive influence. She is overtly positive and though that irritates me sometimes when I want to moan, it also means that I’m always forced to practice what I preach and have learnt from Norman Vincent Peale.
If you were a musician, who would you most like to collaborate with?
Eric Clapton – I would love to be a drummer or pianist and recreate his Unplugged album with him.
When you were little, what did you want to be?
A radio DJ, A helicopter pilot and an Actor. I’ve achieved 2 out of the 3 and once got to Act like a Helicopter Pilot.
What motivates you to get up every morning?
My wife shouting at me through my sweetest of dreams.
If you had to be on a reality TV show, which one would you choose?
The Amazing Race! I love to travel and adventure and I’m intrigued to see how my wife and I would work together as a team under pressure.
If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?
The
Scottish Highlands. I’m directly descended from the Kings of Scotland
(I seriously am) and a year of wearing my kilt with no underwear, eating
Haggis & sipping single malts sounds simply sensational! Also, I
want to experience the Scottish Summer which is apparently once a year,
on a Wednesday between 3 & 4 pm.
Where did you grow up?
My formative years were in Estcourt followed by Pietermaritzburg.
Toilet paper, over or under?
Oh, definitely over! I mean, c’mon!
Were your parents strict?
They were, but also very supportive and believed in me. As an only child of only children parents, I was never spoiled and always taught the value of things. Usually with a caning when I forgot.
What do you most like about getting older?
I like the independence of character it brings and how you care less about what other people MIGHT think of you.
What book are you currently reading?
Inspire – Life Lessons from the Wilderness by Ben Fogle.
Who are your all-time favourite music artists?
How much space do you have? The Waterboys, Johnny Clegg, Eric Clapton, Deacon Blue, Live, Simple Minds, The Cure, Nina Simone.
Who are your top three real-life heroes?
My Dad Derek (pictured below)– he is the perfect example of what it means to be a Gentleman. Johnny Clegg for his ability to traverse two very different cultures & help us appreciate our differences/similarities. Pieter Dirk -Uys, in his prime he was able to make a very divided country laugh at itself. He was also a mentor to me as a young comedian.
Catch Guy's show on Saturdays from 6-10am on East Coast Gold.
For loads of fantastic 60s, 70s and 80s classics, listen to East Coast Gold via the ECR app or here. We’re also on various other platforms, including Alexa (just enable the ‘East Coast Gold’ skill); MyTuner, Radio Garden; iono.fm, Radioline or OpenRadio.
Who's on-air when?
Gordon Graham, weekdays
6-10am and Sundays 2-6pm.
Jane Linley-Thomas, weekdays 10am-1 pm.
Damon Beard, weekdays 1-5pm.
Dave Guselli, weekdays 5-9pm and Saturdays, 2-6pm.
Guy McDonald, weekends 6-10am.
Alex Jay, Saturdays 10am – 2pm.
Jill Stewart, Sundays 10am - 2pm.