Dorset guitarist Jim Cregan joins Tony Hadley on new podcast

Jim, who lives in Christchurch, is probably best known for the more than 20 years he spent in the Rod Stewart band which he joined in 1976.

He became the superstar’s musical director and co-wrote some of Stewart’s biggest hits including 'Passion' and 'Forever Young'.

Music icon Rod Stewart has given his support to the podcast Jim also played the guitar solo on Cockney Rebel's 'Come Up and See Me (Make Me Smile)', spent five years working with Katie Melua and was the guitarist on four of his ex-wife Linda Lewis’ albums.

But now at the age of 74, when many people might be enjoying their retirement, Jim’s career has taken a fresh turn after he signed up to take part in a new podcast called 'Stars Cars Guitars'.

Already available on all the major platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify, the series is the brainchild of his friend, broadcaster Alex Dyke.

Jim said: “To be honest my answer to most things over my career has been ‘yes’ now what’s the question, so that’s how I was recruited.”

Dyke then informed him another name from the world of music was also going to join them – Tony Hadley, the former lead singer of Spandau Ballet.

The three got together and immediately hit it off as they chatted about their careers in the music industry, their love of cars and, of course, Jim is very well qualified to talk about guitars.

So far highlights have included a visit to meet the collector who now owns all the cars from the TV show Minder, the first cars they owned and tales of smashing up hotel rooms.

The project has already been backed by Rod Stewart who has recorded a tongue in cheek video encouraging people to listen in and there are plans to invite him to appear on a future podcast.

Jim said: “It’s the easiest job I’ve had and I’m loving every minute of it.

“It has got a bit of retro feel and we’re definitely aiming it at the 40 plus age group.

“I feel lucky to get the opportunity to tell some of the stories from the world of music I hope people will be interested in.

“The banter between us is great and we all go into it totally unrehearsed and just see where it takes us.”

Jim is still very much involved in music and has a studio at his Dorset home where he still records.

He grew up in the county and attended Poole Grammar School before moving away with his family at the age of 17 to Ruislip, on the outskirts of London.

After he left Stewart’s band and went through a divorce, he returned to the UK initially living in Cobham in Surrey but his heart remained in Dorset where around 25 members of his extended family still live.

He said: “I had an idyllic upbringing in Dorset and I loved it here. When I first came back, I was living in Cobham with my partner.

“I came back having lost pretty much everything that I had through a divorce with my American wife.

“We had a daughter but we didn’t like the snotty school she was at.

“I really wanted to give my daughter Ava, who is now 15, the sort of upbringing I had growing up by the sea in an area where all my family still are.”

He added: “My family have a couple of beach huts on Mudeford Spit and I’ve got a little sail boat and a paddle board. It’s an incredibly safe and wonderful place to live.

“I’m so happy living in this part of the world here I can’t tell you.”

So what can listeners look forward to in future episodes of the “Stars Cars Guitars” podcast?

Certainly, some stories about Jim’s friendship with Rod Stewart which has been an enduring one.

He recalls a recent lunch at the star’s home where the car-crazy singer showed Jim a Lamborghini he recently acquired.

Jim said: “I’m not as much of a car aficionado as Rod and as many people know he is a huge Celtic supporter.

“A Lamborghini dealer had got in touch with him and told Rod he had the perfect car for him in, of all colours, a perfect Celtic green.

“The guy brings it round and drops it off but Rod was too busy to test drive it. When he did get into it there was a problem, the seat wouldn’t go back far enough so Rod could drive it.

“He asked me to have a go and he was right – the seat just wouldn’t go any further back.

“So rather than ending up looking like your granny with his chin over the steering wheel, back went the car to the dealer.”

Listeners will also be treated to some stories about Jim’s love of guitars although he never actually got his hands on his first guitar which his parents bought him for Christmas when he was just 13.

He said: “It had a photo of Elvis on the front of the box with some buttons on the neck. When you pressed them, it pushed down and created a chord.

“However, it was mail order and it never arrived so my mum and dad ran out and bought me a real Spanish guitar and presented it to me.

“The Elvis guitar never did show up so here I was left with a real guitar and I had to learn to play the damn thing.”

Anyone interested in listening to Jim on the "Stars Cars Guitars” podcast can visit https://www.facebook.com/starscarsguitars