Photo: supplied – Millbrook resident Dave Hawkins is the host of radio show “The Antidote”
The name of the radio show, “The Antidote,” was borrowed from a song of the same name released by a band that Dave Hawkins admired.
The Antidote started in 2011 at the behest of the station manager, John Muir of Trent Radio, 92.7 FM, and is still going strong. It is growing with a listener base in 109 countries. Dave Hawkins, the show’s host, lives in Millbrook, Ontario and has been there for 12 years.
The show revolves around the host, Dave, and his passion for “great” music. The tagline for the show is “Christian music that doesn’t suck,” because as he puts it, it is a genre of music that
includes a lot of really bad practitioners, and yet, there are so many that have really genuine artistry. In fact, the fans are 50/50, half interested in the spiritual component of the music and interviews, and half who simply appreciate the varied musical offerings on the show.
The show consists of one hour segments which are a combination of music and interviews. The Antidote is on multiple platforms: Initially it starts out as a live radio broadcast through Trent Radio. Then the recording goes up on the website. It morphs into a podcast on ITunes and a video on YouTube.
Dave says, “The first shows were so bad.” But that was a long time ago. A Belgian listener recently put it succinctly, “I like what you are doing, so just keep it up.” This sentiment is repeated often enough that Dave takes it to heart and he is encouraged enough to acknowledge that doing this show has become his goal and remains his goal. It airs on Wednesdays at 9 pm.
Each show is about a specific artist, an exceptional band or a genre of music which is explored. This is not an oldies show, but instead is a study of new rock, Indie folk and folk pop, SKA, punk, metal, electronic and even horror punk. Somewhere in each there is a semblance of what translates into honest and good values. It is rock radio with a twist.
Dave looks at the innovators: some of them are famous with followers in the millions and some are known by 50 people who truly admire their work. He seeks out those that have prized
musical skills, exceptional songwriters, great lyrics, cutting edge style, and “you’ve got to hear this” quality. He loves the bands that push people’s buttons, shake them up and make them think about what they believe in. Dave, too, is very blunt and says it like he thinks it.
If Dave were left on an island who would he listen to? Top of the A-list would be the band, August Burns Red, followed by Josh Garrels. He is excited to be going to meet Josh Garrels at The Audio Feed Festival in southern Illinois soon. Then comes the singer/songwriter, Neon Soul. “He is so mind-boggling talented that he can blow you away.” he says. Dave, who really loves SKA, enjoys the non-Canadian band, “Five Iron Frenzy” with their rendition of “Oh Canada.”
And the rest is not history, but the future, as Dave Hawkins spins his music and his talk on “The Antidote.”
By Valerie Kent
