Spotlight: Get to know Danny Painter

Brenthurst resident Danny Painter is making waves on the radio. Tune into Jacaranda FM from 7pm to 10pm Monday to Thursday to listen to her show Love Songs with Danny Painter. The 33-year-old is married to Phillip (42) and shares her home with pets Stitch, Kelly, Churchill (dogs), Major Tom (a cat) and Lai (a bird).

• Why should people tune in to listen to your show? What can they expect?

My show focuses on love.

Relationship love, human connection, love for one another and the world we live in.

I play the biggest, best, most beautiful love songs ever written and take voice notes and callers with love dedications from 8pm to 10pm.

It’s a feel-good show that’s family friendly; we have fun.

I laugh at me, you laugh with me, we all share our love.

• What sparked your interest in radio?

Having started in theatre at a very early age, I moved through television and film rather quickly and ended up recording voice for animated series and movies. I fell in love with the art.

I love that it is theatre of the mind and I’m able to paint the most beautiful, vivid images with just my voice.

For me, radio was the next step. And I have never been happier.

• Provide a brief description of your career history in radio – where and when did you start?

My radio career began at Rock FM 91.9 (no longer running) and I then worked on two internet radio platforms before moving to Chai FM, East Rand Stereo and briefly Yfm.

I joined Jacaranda FM exactly one year ago.

• Describe a typical day at work? What does your job entail?

Because I’m not limited to radio, my days vary.

I often have voice recordings in the morning. My agent may send me on an audition. My days are never set in stone and I am grateful for the freedom my career allows me.

I do, however, take a full day a week to prepare my shows for the following week.

I try to always run a week ahead, unless there is a breaking story.

My show starts at 7pm and I am generally at the studio by 5pm to go through the show and make sure I’m up and running and ready by showtime.

At 10pm, when the show is over, I reply to emails and messages, set up my diary for the following day and by midnight I’m home and cuddling a dog.

• What is most rewarding about being a presenter? What makes it all worthwhile?

I absolutely love sharing stories, we (the listeners and I) share everything with each other, be it laughter or tears and I could never wish for a better way to spend an evening than listening to beautiful music peppered with some of the most heartfelt love messages you will ever hear.

My show is the best three hours of my day, without fail, and I look forward to it every single day.

• Who is a presenter you look up to and why?

All my life I looked up to Barney Simon, Kevin Fine and Alex Jay.

I remember in high school (hostel) we would wait up to listen to Barney and his Uncle Paul’s Bedtime Stories.

Alex was (and still is) a radio rock star and everyone in the drama department looked up to him.

Kevin is a radio genius; he is so talented and is always willing to impart his wisdom.

They created the magic for me. They kept me company when I studied or read through scripts late at night.

They were my companions.

I still often pinch myself and am reminded how blessed I am to able to work with and learn from three of the greatest men in radio.

• Is there any advice you would give to a person starting out in your chosen career?

Always be on time. Always be prepared. Always be humble.

And know that it may not happen the way you think it should, but it will happen the way it should.

If you are willing to sacrifice anything for your dreams, they will come to you.

But you will have to sacrifice, you will have to put in the hours and you will have to work harder than you ever have before.

• Do you have any hobbies or special interests?

I have recently taken up running, which I hate, but I hear it’s good for me, so I fight through it.

I collect antique and rare books (Kelly ate half of a 100-year-old Shakespeare tome a little while ago).

• Who is your favourite musician or band?

David Bowie. I am obsessed with him, to the point that he is tattooed on my leg!

But, I get stuck on a few songs that I end up playing dead in my car for months at a time and this month I’m repeating Jacob Lee Demons, Roan Ash Heaven, Kaleo Can’t go on without you and Shakey Graves Roll the bones.

Honourable mention must go to Bobby Van Jaarsveld It’s always been you.

• Who would play you in the film of your life? Why?

As long as they get Russell Brand to play my husband, I’m not too bothered.

• What makes you laugh?

I am forever laughing at myself, which I hear is good for the soul.

• Name one thing about yourself that most people don’t know.

In my first stage production, I was a turkey. I was five.

My mom accidentally glued me into my costume when she was glueing my feathers on.

• What’s your favourite thing about Brakpan?

That we are a community. We love each other and support each other.

I see daily on Brakpan Facebook groups people helping one another to find a lost dog, accommodation, work, you name it, we are there for each other.

I love seeing kids playing rugby on the road. I love that when you go to the shops it could turn into a coffee with someone you haven’t seen in years.

We are some of the most hospitable people in the world and I am proud to be from and live in Brakpan.

Also read: Women inspiring women

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