Shakedown Radio Podcast

Chris Caggs: A Legacy in Australian Radio Chris Carragher, professionally known as Chris Caggs, is a veteran Australian Radio DJ, Music Programmer, and Podcaster whose voice has shaped the soundscape of urban and dance music across Australia for nearly three decades. At age 48, Chris stands as a cultural bridge between generations, genres, and geographies—his career spanning 16 permanent radio residencies and syndication across more than 200 community stations via the ComRad Satellite Network. 🚀 The Birth of a Dream: Pump FM 99.3FM In July 1998, Chris Caggs’ dream came to life when he joined Pump FM 99.3FM, Australia’s first dedicated Hip Hop & RnB community radio station. Broadcasting from Killara on Sydney’s North Shore, Chris co-hosted the Tuesday night show “Bedroom Vibes” alongside Mista C, delivering slow jams and urban anthems to a growing audience hungry for authentic street sounds. The show aired from 10 PM to midnight, becoming a staple for Sydney’s late-night music lovers A B. Pump FM quickly evolved, relaunching as 99.3RM later that year and expanding its format to include Dance and RnB on Monday and Tuesday nights. By August 2000, just ahead of the Sydney Olympic Games, the station rebranded as Dance FM 94.5FM, marking a new era in genre-specific community broadcasting 🎧 DJ-FM 87.6FM: Dance Radio Revolution Later in 1998, Chris joined DJ-FM 87.6FM, a 24/7 dance music station serving Sydney’s Inner City and CBD. Operated by the Roberts Media Group and helmed by Robert Iezzi, DJ-FM featured a powerhouse lineup of DJs including Frank Chiment, Antonio Avati, Joe Avati, Susie Stapleton, Dave Einfield, Andre Waitsman, Joe Corte, and Rob Brizzi. Chris launched a weekday 4-hour dance show, initially airing from 10 AM to 2 PM, later shifting to 1 PM to 5 PM. The station was backed by major sponsors including Telstra, Central Station Records, SBA Music (aka Pulse Music), Carlton & United Breweries, Noizenet Music, and more. Rebecca Tynan served as the marketing and communications manager, helping elevate the station’s profile A. Originally proposed by Central Station Records as “Central FM,” the station faced technical hurdles—specifically, a transmitter issue in Lakemba that prevented linking all 87.6FM transmitters across Sydney. Eventually, DJ-FM was taken over by Timmy Byrne of Melbourne’s Kiss 90FM and relaunched as Rhythm FM 87.6FM. The brand later returned to Melbourne as Kiss FM Dance Music Australia, broadcasting on 87.6FM, 87.8FM, and 88.0FM 🌅 Groove FM: Sydney and Brisbane In October 1999, Chris joined Groove FM 96.9FM Sydney Wide, hosting the weekday breakfast show and contributing to music programming. The station operated from the Wild FM studios at Railway Square and was supported by Darren Leigh, Mike Scott, and Fabrizio Vilardo. Chris’s presence extended into weekend mornings on Groove FM 94.5FM in May 2000 and again in December 2000 through January 2001 Groove FM attracted high-profile guests and collaborators, including: • Rene Rivkin (The Rivkin Report) • Rodney O • Bessie Bardot • DJ Sefu • DJ Nino Brown • MC Waxx • Yvette Duncan (MTV) • Zoe Naylor (MTV) • Natasha Zuvela (MTV) • Osher Gunsberg (Channel [V], The Bachelor, The Masked Singer) In August–September 2000, Groove FM 97.3FM Brisbane launched just before the Sydney Olympics. Chris hosted the breakfast show and programmed music alongside Fez Lateef of Added Flava, Adrian Day, Dustin & Anna, Patrick Donohue, Scott Ferris, DJ Kina, and Kristian Hernandez 📻 Northside Radio FM 99.3 Chris’s tenure at Northside Radio FM 99.3 (formerly 2NSB) was marked by genre-defining shows that celebrated urban music. He hosted “Thursday Flavours,” a Hip Hop & RnB showcase from 2001 to 2003, and frequently filled in for “Soulscope” with Georgina Reed. His programming style blended classic soul with contemporary RnB, creating a sonic bridge between eras. Northside Radio became a platform for Chris to spotlight emerging artists, support local talent, and engage deeply with Sydney’s multicultural music scene. 🔊 2RDJ 88.1FM: Inner West Legacy From 1996 to 2006, Chris was a fixture at 2RDJ 88.1FM, broadcasting from Burwood and serving Sydney’s Inner West. His shows featured Hip Hop, RnB, and Dance, and he collaborated with MC Maurice, DJ Ales K (host of Klubbed Up), DJ Fly Girl Tee, Ms Hennessey, Lorraine Alex, and others. 2RDJ was a training ground for Chris’s programming instincts and a launchpad for his broader radio ambitions. His decade-long commitment to the station helped shape its identity as a hub for urban and dance music. 🌍 Syndication and Global Reach Chris’s voice has traveled far beyond Sydney. His shows have aired on: • Kool FM 98.3FM (Innisfail, North Queensland) • OZZ Mixx Dance Radio (Melbourne) • V1Radio (Melbourne) • 4Play FM (Queensland) • Tune 1 Radio (Perth) • Starter FM (Sydney) • Liquid Radio (Sunshine Coast) • Urban Movement Radio (Brisbane) • MixxBosses Radio (Sydney) • Str8OUT Radio (Melbourne) • Mix It Up Radio (Brisbane) 📰 Media Features Chris Caggs has been featured in numerous publications and media outlets, including: • Request Magazine • Radio Info Newsletter • The Place Magazine (North Queensland) • Player FM • The Music Network • Groove ON MEDIA • Revolver Mag • Three-D World Magazine (Sydney) • Scene Magazine (Brisbane) • The Queensland Independent • North Shore Times 🎧 ShakeDown Radio: The Global Mix Show Today, Chris continues to innovate through ShakeDown Radio, a globally accessible mix show that blends RnB, Hip Hop, Dance, and EDM. Syndicated across platforms like iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Podomatic, Player FM, and Mixcloud, ShakeDown Radio has become a cultural touchstone for listeners in Australia and abroad C. 📜 Radio Station List Chris Caggs has broadcasted on: • Pump FM 99.3FM • Dance FM 94.5FM • DJ-FM 87.6FM • Rhythm FM 87.6FM • Groove FM 96.9FM Sydney • Groove FM 94.5FM Sydney • Groove FM 97.3FM Brisbane • Northside Radio FM 99.3 • 2RDJ 88.1FM • Kool FM 98.3FM • OZZ Mixx Dance Radio • V1Radio • 4Play FM • Tune 1 Radio • Starter FM • Liquid Radio • Urban Movement Radio • MixxBosses Radio • Str8OUT Radio • Mix It Up Radio 🗞️ Magazine & Media List Featured in: • Request Magazine • Radio Info Newsletter • The Place Magazine • Player FM • The Music Network • Groove ON MEDIA • Revolver Mag • Three-D World Magazine • Scene Magazine • The Queensland Independent • North Shore Times