| Tony Fenton | |
|---|---|
| Born | Anthony James Fagan[1][2][3] March 30, 1961 Finglas and Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland |
| Residence | Stillorgan Road, Blackrock, Dublin[1] |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Radio presenter |
| Employer | Today FM |
| Known for | Wall of Sound |
Anthony James Fagan (Irish: Toní Séamus Mac Fhághainn; born 30 March 1961), known professionally as 'Tony Fenton', is an Irish radio presenter and DJ, currently working with Today FM. He has been with Today FM since 2004, having previously presented a show on RTÉ 2fm, which he left in 2003. Fenton is "one of Ireland's favourite pop DJs".[4] Louis Walsh has described him as one of "the kings of Irish broadcasting".[5] Fenton won Music Broadcaster of the Year at the 2008 PPI Radio Awards. He has also appeared on television, including a 2007 guest appearance on The Panel,[6] plus a four stars from five meal cooked on The Restaurant.[3][7]
Fento was declared bankrupt by the High Court on 7 November 2011, having been served with the petition by the Revenue Commissioners on 28 October at Today FM's offices in Digges Lane, Dublin 2.[1][2] He had survived two different types of cancer over the previous year.[8]
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Fenton hoped to become a radio presenter from a young age. Aged deep within his early teens he would listen to the pioneers of commercial radio on stations such as Radio Luxembourg, Radio Caroline and BBC Radio 1. Benny Brown, Rob Jones and the BBC's Simon Bates were his childhood idols.
Fenton grew up in Finglas and Glasnevin. On completion of his education, Fenton began an apprenticeship as a carpenter in his dad's building company. During this time he set up as a mobile DJ with friend Barry Lang doing birthday parties at weekends, their first gig being at the local scout hall. Later, Ian Dempsey joined the duo and they traveled all over Dublin spinning vinyl at various weddings and birthday parties.
Fenton always wanted to try radio broadcasting. He noticed an advertisement by his local pirate station Alternative Radio Dublin (ARD) who were searching for some new "jocks".
In 1979, ARD employed him in his first radio job after a number of approaches. His prominence in local radio led to attention from the more powerful pirate stations. Throughout the early 1980s, Fenton was pursued by Dublin's growing radio industry. During this time he moved from ARD to Sunshine Radio and onto Radio Nova.
In 1985 Fenton returned to Ireland. RTÉ 2fm (then known as Radio 2) had begun in 1979 and Fenton's reputation and the vast audience he received whilst working with the pirates enhanced his attractability. During his early days with Radio 2 he helped grow the station's audience as presenter of a multitude of different shows throughout the schedule, including The Hotline.
Fenton left RTÉ 2fm in March 2003 to pursue other interests but, missing the buzz of radio, he joined national independent station Today FM in September 2004. There he was given a new lunchtime show to present. His show was one of the most popular lunchtime shows as well on Irish radio. A revamp of the station took place in November 2006, which saw his show move to the 14:30 to 16:30 slot. During his time at Today FM he has interviewed many famous musicians including, Arcade Fire, Liam Gallagher, Kings Of Leon, John Lydon, Al Green, Elbow, Tinie Tempah, Debbie Harry, Steve Van Zandt,
| Genre | Chat / music |
|---|---|
| Running time | 14:30 - 16:30 |
| Country | Ireland |
| Languages | English |
| Home station | Today FM |
| Recording studio | Marconi House, Digges Lane, Dublin 2[1] |
| Audio format | FM and Digital radio |
| Website | Official site |
Fenton currently broadcasts under the 14:30 to 16:30 time slot on Today FM, directly before The Last Word with Matt Cooper. He plays his own style of music, is accompanied by his producer Pamela Halton and often distributes invitations to artists for interviews and sessions. Recent musicians to have joined Fenton on his show include Al Green,[9] Elbow,[10] Razorlight,[11] Seasick Steve[12] and Mick Flannery.[13]
Each day at 15:30, Tony plays a downloadable tune as suggested by listeners. An archive of the chosen songs is then stored online.[14]
A maximum of ten snippets of hits are played on air. A caller picks their favourite by yelling a unique statement agreed prior to the Wall of Sound's commencement, usually relating to some quirky story which Tony likes about said caller. The selected song is played instantly without a word from Tony. If, as happens on the odd occasion, all ten snippets are played, Tony has tended to allow the caller choose whichever of the ten they want.[15]
Tony's XMAS Factor was won on 28 November 2008 by The Musical Suspects. Their prize was to accompany the Harlem Gospel Choir at a performance in Dublin on 3 December and sing on the roof of Marconi House for Tony's live Christmas show on 5 December.
Fenton is unmarried.[16] He is close to musicians The Corrs, having DJed with Jim Corr whom he described as " a good friend",[3][17] and attended the 2002 wedding of Caroline Corr.[18] In September 2006, he was caught by a policeman driving recklessly on the Condell Road, Limerick and fined €600.[3]
Fenton attended the funeral of Gerry Ryan in May 2010.[19] His mom was killed by cancer in October 2010.[4] Soon Fenton noticed a malignant melanoma on his leg for which he was successfully treated.[4][20] Then he developed prostate cancer in June 2011 and was successfully treated. After that he was declared bankrupt in November 2011.[4]
He arranged for six weeks off work so that he could go to Germany to have his prostate cancer treated by Professor Stolzenborg in Leipzig. Many of his Today FM colleagues thought he was on holiday at the time such was the discreet manner in which he went about his business.[20]
Fenton received the Music Broadcaster of the Year Award at the 2008 PPI Radio Awards.[21] He was nominated in the category of Best Radio DJ — National at the 2009 and 2010 Meteor Awards.[22][23]
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Tony Fenton | Music Broadcaster of the Year Award | Won |
| 2009 | Tony Fenton | Best Radio DJ — National | Nominated |
| 2010 | Tony Fenton | Best Radio DJ — National | Nominated |
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