Do that £1BTN thing
Time is running out and it only takes £1 to keep YOUR 1BTN on air. Together with all the existing rewards we have added a new, £1 pledge.
Due to some exciting developments and help from supporting businesses, we have been able to extend the fundraising deadline to 20 December, but don't delay: if you do 1 thing today make sure you do that £1 thing.
Why we need your £s
As with any volunteer-led organisation funding is a daily challenge. For the last two and half years our 180+ presenters and community groups have all donated their time for your listening pleasure, so now we’re asking for a little something back to keep that going.
And for businesses - Brighton and beyond - this is the perfect opportunity for you to reach our growing audience of diverse listeners via sponsorships and partnerships.
Specifically, we urgently need funds to:
- Replace and upgrade our original (donated/second-hand) studio equipment.
- Help with the overall running costs and annual broadcast licence fees, while we continue to build our future revenue streams.
- Bring to life our plans to create a second studio, wholly dedicated to community and charity projects.
Our story so far
1BTN - formally known as 1 Brighton FM - launched in April 2015 with the ambition to create a not-for-profit radio station that not only provides a mix of varied and eclectic musical genres, but also directly involves the community.
We've achieved a lot in the last two and half years; we joined the local DAB+ service in December 2015, and, in February of this year, Ofcom awarded us an FM community licence, broadcasting on 101.4 in the Brighton area.
Our listenership extends far past the boundaries of Brighton though; we have listeners throughout the UK, and to the four corners of the globe. The quality and diversity of the music we play ensures we will continue to appeal to a wide, music-loving audience.
We currently have a roster of 180 volunteer presenters broadcasting more than 100 live shows per month. Our presenters include DJs, musicians, artists, promoters, music enthusiasts, local community groups and charitable organisations.
Our regular and guest presenters have a strong local presence, and many with national and international recognition. It would be impossible to name them all here, but head over to the Rogue's Gallery on our website to read their bios.
We're involved with a number of local charities and community groups such as the YMCA; Audio Active, a ground-breaking music organisation, working with young people; and Kiss My Disco, a club night run by adults with learning difficulties in Sussex.
Our creators
Michael Jukes - A Wolverhampton boy born and bred, Mickey became obsessed with underground music at an early age; from tuning into as many pirate radio stations as possible via his makeshift aerial, to falling for the hip hop sounds of the early eighties and joining a breakdance crew.
His passion for funk, soul, rare groove and US house music soon followed, and after catching the record-buying bug in the early nineties he began DJing and promoting club nights in the Midlands.
Mickey’s been a Brighton resident since 2005, but the ambitious idea to start a radio station came in 2013 following a stint with another station. Realising there wasn't a local station that catered for the many and varied sounds of his record collection, he set about finding suitable studio space and 1 Brighton FM was born.
Christopher Galloway - Born in Luton his first musical memory was asking his mom for a Kalabiba (guitar). Chris moved to Bracknell where he was exposed to 2 tone, sixties soul, reggae, hip hop and funk, which laid the foundations for his life-long passion for great music.
Chris moved to Brighton and ran a record shop called Pure Pleasure Music. It was there he met three like-minded music lovers; they went on to form Soft Rocks, releasing the first of many edits on their own Soft Rocks Recordings imprint in 2003.
He's been DJing for 25 years, making music and running labels for 15, and his other projects include Kinfolk, Roots Unit and Salinas Jockey Club. Chris was recently given the City College’s Achievers Award for his 1 Brighton FM work.
Guest DJs
We're proud our studios have been graced by some living musical legends; Norman Cook, Nancy Noise, John Morales, Mark E, Omar, DJ Nature, and Tim Sweeney to name but a few. Many of them have also kindly put together some Guest DJ Mixes, exclusive to 1 Brighton FM, for you to play, download and enjoy.
