Episode 21: Straight Talk with Billy Dodds

The legendary Ricky Ross, the lead singer of Deacon Blue shares previously untold stories on the rise of Deacon Blue in the 1980s and the motivations behind his songwriting. 🎸 Ricky Ross shares stories from growing up in Dundee, being a Dundee United supporter, the formation of Deacon Blue, their chart-topping hits, and life on tour. SUBSCRIBE:  @PLZSoccer    Ricky Ross Interview Highlights: 00:00 Intro - Ricky Ross Deacon Blue 00:30 Ricky Ross growing up in Dundee 06:54 Moving to Glasgow and starting Deacon Blue 14:55 Deacon Blue Raintown 20:06 Lorraine McIntosh - Deacon Blue 28:26 When the World Knows Your Name (1989) 31:50 Deacon Blue tour and Real Gone Kid 37:47 Ricky Ross as a Dundee United fan 42:06 Ricky Ross favourite song 45:32 BBC Radio Scotland - Another Country with Ricky Ross 47:42 Riding on the Tide of Love 49:44 Rick Ross quick-fire questions Deacon Blue (1987–present)   Ross, a founding member and lead singer of the rock band Deacon Blue, helped release their debut album, Raintown, on 1 May 1987 in the UK and in February 1988 in the US. Their second album, When the World Knows Your Name (1989), topped the UK Albums Chart for two weeks and featured the hit single "Real Gone Kid." In 1993, they released Whatever You Say, Say Nothing. After splitting in 1994, they reunited in 1999 for a new album, Walking Back Home, followed by Homesick in 2001. Despite the death of Graeme Kelling in 2004, the band continued, releasing The Hipsters in 2012, A New House in 2014, and Believers in 2016. Their concert at the Barrowlands, Glasgow, was recorded and released on 31 March 2017. Their tenth album, City of Love, was released on 6 March 2020, followed by their eleventh album, Riding on the Tide of Love, in February 2021. As of 2012, Deacon Blue has sold six million albums, achieved twelve UK top 40 singles, and two UK number one albums.

Peter Martin is joined by Alison McConnell and Tam McManus as they look back on the Scottish Cup Final, discuss Celtic's chances in the Champions League next season and look into how Rangers can challenge Brendan Rodgers' side next term. 

Neil Lennon, Alan Rough, Tam McManus and Alison McConnell join Peter Martin to preview the men's and women's Scottish Cup Finals at Hampden this weekend, as well as to discuss the recently announced Scotland squad. 

Scotland's head coach, Steve Clarke, has unveiled his provisional 28-man squad for Euro 2024, featuring the standout addition of Liverpool’s teenage sensation, Ben Doak. The young forward, known for his blistering pace, is poised to inject fresh energy into Scotland’s attack. 

Snooker legend John Higgins has notched up four World Championships, three UK Championships, and two Masters titles, making him one of the sport's most decorated players. In this exclusive interview he talks about his love of football, his spectacular career as a professional snooker player and the match-fixing scandal that still follows him today. Not to be missed!

Kerry Pollock and Alison McConnell are joined by ex-Glasgow City and Celtic player Suzanne Lappin as they look back on Celtic's historic title win on the final day and how Rangers and Glasgow City will respond next season. 

Lee McCulloch, Tam McManus and Alan Rough joins Peter Martin to look back on Celtic's title celebrations, ahead to the Scottish Cup Final and if signing Lawrence Shankland in January would have swung the title in Rangers' favour. 

Lee McCulloch and Alan Rough join Peter Martin as they look back on Celtic's title winning game at Kilmarnock, how Rangers will build up to the Scottish Cup Final and who could be included in next week's Scotland squad announcement for the EUROS. 

Alison McConnell hosts the The Journos this week and is joined by Michael Gannon of the Daily Record and High MacDonald The panel discuss Celtic's title win away to Kilmarnock and how the league champions can build on their success ahead of next season UEFA Champions League campaign Also on the agenda is the current state of play at Rangers ahead of next weekend's Scottish Cup Final, managerial change at Hibernian with Nick Montgomery axed as head coach before Malky Mackay was appointed to a Sporting Director role and the Journos react to the news that Willie Collum will take over the role as Head of Refereeing in Scotland

Peter Martin sits down with Iain Munro, a former pro-Scottish footballer with an amazing international career and a seasoned soccer coach. We dive into Munro's journey to the top of the soccer world and uncover whether he harbours any regrets about his professional footballer and coaching career.