Jim Lawson

Born back in the mists of time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth…well, the year that Sir Edmund Hilary climbed Mt Everest, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and when Watson and Crick unravelled the structure of DNA, The Ancient One truly lives up to his name. After spending 33 years in teaching, the last 25 as Head of Biology, I successfully applied for early retirement (2008) and moved lock and stock (I didn’t possess any barrels at the time) to the beautiful Isle of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland, to join my partner, The Landlady. (now known as Mrs Ancient One) As a retired person, I looked around the various voluntary openings that existed and one led me to the local radio station, Cuillin FM. I thought I might be able to help out sorting cds or something. Within a couple of weeks I was asked if I wanted to present a program and trained up as soon as I said “Yes”. Launched onto the airwaves was the show “Strangely Strange but Oddly Normal” and I was able to foist some of my shedload of music onto an unsuspecting public. From mainstream rock/folkrock the contents slowly evolved to full blown progressive rock with leanings towards the symphonic melodic areas. The title of the show also changed to “Strangely Strange and The Ancient One”, which initially confused listeners as they expected 2 presenters, and thus the show title was shortened to simply “The Ancient One”. The show has appeared onCuillin FM,North Highland Radio, Pipeline Radio International and. More Music Radio The Ancient One show on Progzilla Radio is a 3hr show going out fortnightly, (every Tuesday night at 21:00 UK) highlighting the best in progressive music, so expect lots of modern progressive music, but with the odd excursion back in time to the classic works of the late 60’s/early 70’s, all showing a more symphonic nature. Every 2nd Saturday at midday UK, there is the chance to hear an Ancient One Archive Show from 7 years ago, and every 5th Sunday between the hours of midnight and 02:00 UK, The Ancient One presents 101 Dimensions a show featuring ambient, electronica, krautrock and more with no mic work.

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“Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 81”

May 18, 2018

I’m delighted to announce that The Ancient One Show No 81, “Featuring….Vol 3”, is now available as a podcast. The featured band on this show is The Samurai Of Prog and features a track from each of the 6 studio albums thus far released. Playlist 1 The Nice – Brandenburger (excerpt used as Intro) 2 […]

“Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 80”

April 16, 2018

I’m delighted to announce that The Ancient One Show No 80, ” An Eclectic Mix Vol 2 inc The Turntable Haul”, is now available as a podcast. Playlist 1 The Nice – Brandenburger (excerpt used as Intro) 2 Black Mountain – Space To Bakersfield (IV) 3 John Holden – Tears From The Sun (Capture light) […]

“Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 79”

April 1, 2018

I’m delighted to announce that the Ancient One Show No 79 is now available as a podcast. This is sub-titled “Tall Tales Vol 1” and comprises only 7 epic length superb pieces of prog. Playlist 1 The Nice – Brandenburger (excerpt used as the intro…from The Immediate Collection) 2 Agusa -Kung Bores Dans (Tva) 3 […]

“Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 78”

April 1, 2018

I’m delighted to announce that The Ancient One Show No 78 (Mixed Bag Vol 2) is now available as a podcast. This is my 3rd birthday on the station. Playlist 1 The Nice – Brandenburger (excerpt used as the intro) (The Immediate Collection) 2 Mike Oldfield – Ommadawn Pt 1 (Ommadawn) 3 Tiger Moth Tales […]

“Podcast: The Ancient One – 3rd Year Birthday Party Show”

March 9, 2018

On 4th March 2018, Progzilla Radio celebrated being 3 years old. Presenters were asked to do 60 minute shows throughout the day to help celebrate. The Ancient One show presented on the day is now available as a podcast. Playlist 1 The Nice – Brandenburger (Excerpt used as the Intro) 2 Moon Safari – Yasgur’s […]

“Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 77”

March 5, 2018

I’m delighted to announce that The Ancient One Show No 77 “The German Special” is now available as a podcast. Playlist. 1 The Nice – Brandenburger (excerpt used as Intro) 2 RPWL – The Fisherman (Beyond Man and Time:2012) 3 Neuschwanstein – Intruder and Punishment (Battlement:1978) 4 Frequency Drift – Cold (Laid To Rest:2012) 5 […]

“Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 76”

February 21, 2018

I’m delighted to announce that The Ancient One Show No 76 (Featuring…Vol 1) is now available as a podcast. Playlist 1 The Nice – Brandenburger (Excerpt used as Intro) 2 Manning – The Last Psalm (Tall Stories for Small Children) 3 Juha Kujanpaa – Aurora (To Where My Wings Will Take Me) 4 The Flower […]

“Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 75”

February 11, 2018

I’m delighted to announce that The Ancient One Show No 75 (The Concept Show Vol 1) is now available as a podcast. Playlist 1 The Nice – Brandenburger (excerpt used as the INTRO) 2 Isildur’s Bane – Sagan Om Ringen Pt 1-11 (Sagan Om Ringen 1988) 3 Jon Anderson – Olias Of Sunhillow Pt 1-5 […]

“Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 74”

January 25, 2018

I’m delighted to announce that The Ancient One Show No 74, “Best of 2017 The Short(er) Ones”, is now available as a podcast. Playlist 1 The Nice – Brandenburger (Excerpt used as Intro) 2 Samurai of Prog – On We Sail (On We Sail) 3 The Inner Road – Sanctuary (Sanctuary) 4 Spaceport Union – […]

“Podcast: The Ancient One – Edition 73”

January 25, 2018

I’m delighted to announce that The Ancient One Show No 73, “Best of 2017 The Long Ones” is now available as a podcast. Playlist 1 The Nice – Brandenburger (Excerpt used as Intro) 2 Kaprekar’s Constant – Bluebird (Fate Outsmarts Desire) 3 The Emerald Dawn – Musique Noir (Visions) 4 Monarch Trail – Sand (Sand) […]