StereoType Records

Stereotype gets to know Goodhope FM’s Ian Ward

Ian Ward

By Carey Saaiman

With the passion to be in radio since the age of 8, Ian Ward waited 17 years before he got his break in the industry. He is now a father, animal rights-activist and voice-over artist for TV and radio commercials, and has his own radio show on a Sunday on Good Hope FM.

Success is no stranger to Ian and he is passionate about what he does, and still manages to stay humble. “Fame is man-made; no one is greater than God,” he says.
Good music, good food, good humour and fast cars are a few of the things Ian enjoys. He says that music is subliminal messaging and puts you in a good mood. He reckons that the same goes for gangster music. “Don’t get me started on the Kill the Boer song,” he jokes.

Music is theatre of the mind, according to Ian, who finds it fun to play guessing games with his listeners. He also lets us in on a secret about radio DJ’s and their shows. “Sometimes we plan our show to make it sound impromptu,” he says. That sort of preparation is vital because you need to work hard to get to where you need to be, regardless of your methods.”

When asked what the biggest problems are in the world right now, Ian said that the killing of elephants in India, water pollution and new generation racism is what bugs him the most. He believes these things can be made better if parents teach their children the right way at home, and we need to work together to protect our elephants.

Katy Perry and Jamiroquai are two of Ian’s favourite international artists at the moment. Locally he is enjoying Chad Saaiman, Byron Clarke, Lloyd Jansen, Keeno Lee, Danny K and more recently our rock sensation Prime Circle. He does believe radio is going to evolve; and he sees a future in outside shows and a better sharing of knowledge. He leaves us with a simple yet inspiring quote to end off with: “Don’t forget to be awesome.”

A FACT YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT IAN:
He sings in a cover-band, and refers to himself as a ‘wedding singer’.

You can find Ian on Facebook: www.facebook.com/awesomeward. Listen to his show Sundays on Good Hope FM 12-3pm.