Daytime Starpoint Radio presenter Gary Van Den Bussche runs a radio
promotion company called DSG (Disco Soul Gold) and has just been awarded
'Promotion Person of the Year' in the 5th Annual Indie Soul Awards run
by Chris Clay's Soul Cafe Radio in the US.
Gary started collecting records from the age of 9 in the early 70s, so
that's 51 years ago to our reckoning as he was 40 plus VAT last year! His
love of soul music was influenced by early UK soul radio pioneers Greg
Edwards, Peter Young and Robbie Vincent. At 17 he ran a record shop
beneath a book shop called Baker Street Record in London's West End which
Gary tells us had many celebrity customers such as Paul Weller, Edwin
Starr, Randy Crawford.
Through another customer, Fitz Brown (who was a DJ at Tramp Nightclub), Gary got his first shot at DJ'ing
at the plush Tramp Nightclub in London's West End where he DJ'd at many
celebrity events for the likes of Tony Curtis, The Stones, Rod
Stewart, Joan Collins, Georgie Best, Royalty, Tony Hall, Mel Brooks, in
fact everybody who was anybody.
When the record shop closed it's doors he started plugging records during
the day and DJ'ing at night. Some of his successes included plugging #1
hits for Phyllis Nelson with "Move Closer" and Amii Stewart "Knock on
Wood".
His first stint on radio was given to him by Tony Monson on Solar Radio
which was a pirate station in those days.
After a few years at Tramp Gary left and worked at various other
venues around the south, Club Musique (Croydon), Sunset (Maidstone),
Samantha's (London) and Piccadilly Theatre (London) supporting The
Foundations for three weeks.
He eventually opened his own club at Kent Hall in Maidstone and built
up a large following which resulted in opening nights at various other
venues around the South East in Orpington, Gravesend, Ashford,
Cheam, Weybridge, Town & Country London, plus many others. Many
celebrities attended.
He was introduced to
the recording studio by Noah Johnson who taught him how to write
and produce songs. Gary's first record release was "Young Free &
Single" under Dee Gee (Disco Gary) (a cover of Sunfire) which reached #1 on John
Leech's radio show and several record deals were offered but the first label closed down before pressings started and it was taken by Upfront Records who after promoting it also closed down.
Not deterred, Gary set up Wizz Records and released around thirty
singles. He also set up a distribution company, Empire, initially from
the back of his car driving around the South East creating a buzz
distributing records received and his own white labels and progressing
to vans and telesales.
Gary changed direction and bought a Free House Pub in Hever (Kent) which he ran with his ex-wife and
family and taught himself to become an award winning chef and eventually sold the pub
and bought a restaurant which grew into a chain.
After a brief 'spell' as a hypnotherapist Gary returned to music and set up DSG. He
discovered Newcastle group SouLutions after hearing a demo of "Listen"
which they sat on for 8 years before arranging to have it remixed and
released.
DSG promotes new releases each week sending them to a
mailing list of around 860 which includes radio stations, DJs and media
outlets, most end up on radio playlists which results in them entering the UK Soul Chart.
In addition Gary does a lunchtime radio show on Starpoint Radio between
11:00-13:00 GMT as well as his "Get Down Saturday Night Show" geared to the dancefloor which moves to a new time slot of 19:00-2100 GMT
from this evening.
Join us in congratulating Gary for the work he does promoting
independent soul music for artists and labels.
Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved
3 comments:
I worked as Gary's assistant at the Baker Street Records back in the late 70's/early 80's. It was such a buzz! Lots of dj's and celebs popping in to buy the latest disco and soul tracks as recommended by Gary. Such an enjoyable few years back in the day. So nice he has gone on to be such a success playing and promoting the sounds he loves so much.
Thanks Soul Strutter
I gladly receive the news and promote them on my blackplanetradio, thanks Gary, good job
Paolo Garoli
Post a Comment