A Perth man has swapped taxi radio for a chance to get his voice heard right across Perthshire. After years as a taxi dispatcher for a Perth taxi firm, John Dare, 43, will begin hosting Lunchtime Live from Monday 19 September, noon till 2pm, on Heartland FM (97.5 in Highland Perthshire and 106.6 In the Perth area).
John’s sharp humour, while at work co-ordinating taxis, prompted cab customers and drivers to joke that his talents were wasted and he should get his own radio show. Now John has responded to the challenge and is going live on Heartland FM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes.
The new presenter muses that taxis gave him “a dose of depression, a large waiste-line and a low credit rating” but it gave him a chance to laugh as well. He enjoyed winding up the drivers at the taxi firm and always had a witty comeback on the cab radio.
“I was looking for something new and taking over the live desk at Heartland is just what I’ve been looking for. I’m going to give it my best shot.”
He’s one of several people who  has responded to regular appeals from Heartland’s Station Manager, Bruce Patterson, for new talent to step forward.
John’s new show, Lunchtime Live will include comment from John and a mix of music requests from listeners, who can also take part in the lunchtime quiz and sing-along-song. 

Souped Up Schedule
Changes to the weekly schedule of the station are to be introduced from Monday 19 September. 
Rookie broadcaster Lauren Murray, will move into a prime Saturday slot with the Lauren New Release Show going out between 12pm and 1pm following Celtic Celebration.
A Saturday night change will bring On the Weekend to air at the 10pm slot to be followed between midnight and 2am by DJ Fat “Soul Man” Sam.
The Pulse, Stevie’s popular mix of Scottish Indie, Punk and Rock will now go out at 10pm on Thursday evenings. Jason O’Flynn’s Essential Classics, a classical music programme, will get a new, earlier time of 7pm to 9pm on Wednesdays.