Impressive Line-Up for 100.4 Smooth FM

Legendary radio presenters Andy Peebles and Dave Lincoln head the line-up on the Northwest's new radio station Smooth FM.

Former Radio 1 disc jockey Andy Peebles famed for his Soul Train show on the BBC station, will host a new evening music programme of soul ballads every weeknight from 9pm till midnight when Smooth FM launches on March 2nd.

Andy, who started his radio career in the Northwest at BBC Manchester in 1973 before moving to Piccadilly Radio, will be joined on weekdays by fellow radio legend Dave Lincoln. Dave will move to mid-mornings Mon to Fri in addition to his current Sunday morning show. Dave spent 20 years in radio in the Northwest and was labelled the man who launched commercial radio in Liverpool as the voice of Radio City.

The station will also have a locally staffed newsroom, along with a dedicated station producer and programmes assistants.

Smooth FM will broadcast across the Merseyside, Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire regions on 100.4FM, providing listeners with a station dedicated to a broad mix of smooth classics from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Jamie Cullum, Norah Jones and Sade.

Andy Peebles said: "It's great to be back on air every day in the region where I started on radio 31 years ago. Smooth FM will have some of the areas best broadcasters playing great music to help the listeners chill out."

Chris Best will move from his current mid morning slot on JAZZFM to take up the reigns at breakfast from 6am, while Mike Chadwick, who has built a dedicated following for his celebrated Cutting Edge weekend shows, will now also provide listeners with an eclectic fusion of contemporary jazz music each week night.

Derek Webster joins Smooth FM from 2BR to present the evening drivetime show from 6pm. Runcorn born Derek has spent many years broadcasting in the Northwest on stations including Red Rose.

Steve Collins, who has been a daily voice on JAZZFM for five years, will continue to present the weekday afternoon show on Smooth FM.

House of Blues hosted by Elwood Blues of the Blues Brothers will make a weekly salute to the mothers and fathers of contemporary music every Sunday afternoon while Richard Searling?s Soul Sauce will continue to entertain lovers of soul music.

GMG Radio Group Programme Director John Simons said: "We have some of the regions most experienced and well loved presenters on our new station who will perfectly complement the mix of mellow music."