User:ArtyMusic
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ARTY MUSIC (RT-Music.com)[1]
is the co-operative name for projects undertaken by Russell Thorpe aka Rusty Nails, a former Triple Jay announcer.
RUSSELL THORPE was born in the UK. He took on the name 'Rusty' from 'Russell' and added the 'Nails' in 1967. He was then studying with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and was late for rehearsals after a particularly heavy night out drinking the 'rusty nail' cocktail (a volatile mix of Drambuie and good scotch whisky !!!). His co-cast members chanted the 'Rusty Nails' name as he entered late and the name stuck. It was the era of silly DJ names - and to supplement his acting income (pretty much nil!!) he turned to spinning discs using 'Rusty Nails' as his stage name. In 1972 he went to live in Hamburg working at The Star Club and The Top Ten Club. Residing there on and off for two years he took out the 'Best DJ Award in '72 and '73' and became known for his wild and crazy antics both on and off the stage..... In 1974 he returned to England and began working with Jimmy Savile and struck up a wonderful live DJ partnership with Keith Shirland(whereabouts unknown) - again becoming known for wild and crazy - and occasionally dangerous - stage antics. In 1976 he went to Australia and began working with the infant radio station 2Double Jay (Triple Jay) - a medium wave youth radio station based in Sydney and widely recognised as the home of new and Australian music. He was to stay with Double Jay (Triple Jay) and - as it became known - Triple Jay - for nearly 16 years. During this time he earned the reputation as an avid new music supporter - always ready to give new artists a 'fair go' - and skilled radio presenter. His peak was in the 'golden age' of Australian Rock in the mid-80's when he hosted the top-rating breakfast show - affectionately known as 'The Jay Team' (a thinly-disguised poke at the then top TV show - The A Team !!) - alongside the incredibly talented trio of comedians and writers, Adam Bowen, Angela Webber and Lance Curtis. Following the untimely death of Lance Curtis, The Jay Team fell apart and Rusty continued on breakfast almost alone - but giving early opportunities to a couple of rising stars HG Nelson (Roy and HG) and Gretel Killeen amongst others. At this time he also starred in several TV shows - the most notable being 'You Gotta Be Joking' for Channel Ten, a hidden camera stunt show. For personal reasons he returned to the UK - but continued to feed new music and UK music gossip to his mates at Triple Jay. He worked at BBC Radio One for several years and then for Talk Radio UK. In '95 and '96 he was part of a consortium that bid for a London FM licence and although causing a stir in the community the station (called first 'Downunder FM' and then 'Nomad FM' and aimed at the growing 'backpacking' and 'ex-pat' community in the capital) did not win and sank without trace - having been sold to an independent radio group by some of the consortium without the agreement of the others (ouch !!!). Currently he is managing artists from Australia and New Zealand. His roster includes Tim Freedman and The Whitlams: from Melbourne SPARGO and London-based The Sound Movement and from Australia via New Zealand ARON OTTIGNON and his ARONAS project - and HOLLY O.
