Date & place of birth:
March 15 1953; Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, UK. No one will know where it is except Neville Farmer probably, but it's about 12 miles from Ludlow. My mother's family comes from a small village in South Wales called Cwmaman, where a local band called the Stereophonics used to practice in a small hall opposite my aunt's house.

Profession:
Marketing Communications Manager for Soundcraft, BSS Audio and Amek.

What was your first professional job?:
When I left Nottingham University with my B.Sc in Electronic Engineering, I joined Marconi Instruments in St. Albans as a Design Engineer. I was working with RV test gear, pure R&D stuff. We had one of the first microprocessor development systems that was programmed with about 24 white on/off switches - no QWERTY keyboard in those days.

What was the career path that took you to the Soundcraft Group?
Having spent some time working with the University Campus Radio (who had a half hour spot on Radio Nottingham every week), with a penchant for trying to make old radios work, I was itching to get into pro audio. By mutual acquaintance, an opening came about for a service position with F.W.O. Bauch, which I saw as a stepping stone into studio work. Little did I know how much influence that was to have on my career. Working with brands like Studer, Revox, EMT, Neumann and Urei rather spoils you, and makes you think hard about any other brands you'd want to work with. Following that came Audio Kinetics, then DDA and then to BSS. That's 10 years at BSS, and the last two with the group.

What's the next big thing to come in live audio?
Automatic drum solo timeout control.

Are big trade shows overrated?
It depends very much more on the show, markets it covers, timings, etc, than it did a few years ago, partially because information is so easy to get now. It's still a great way to meet old and new customers face to face in a short time, but the attendances do seem to be dropping at many shows.

If you could change one aspect of this industry, what would it be?
There's still a little way to go to maturity to be a totally professional business, but at the same time let's not lose the fun - it's the passion for music that made us join in the first place!

Who (or what) has had the most influence on you?
Without a doubt John Bauch. I learnt so much from him in my time with the company, and it's really nice to have an opportunity to say 'Thanks, John'. Everyone at Bauch was so professional and taught me a huge amount, and it all came down from the brothers John and Michael.

Any ambitions left?
To sing with a big swing band, and to complete my Tamla Motown singles collection. And of course to help animals, etc...

What were the last records/CDs you bought?
I've just acquired the last remaining single for my Dixie Cups collection, and a rare Otis Redding EP on Sue. The Motown ones are getting harder now, as I've got the more 'common' ones. Any donations gratefully received (especially TMG500 series).

The last live show you attended as a punter?/B>
Lesley Garratt at the Albert Hall, for my father's 80th birthday present. On the R&R side, The Hollies at St. Albans Arena.

Any hobbies away from the job?
Volleyball (along with other industry types, again by chance), and Art Deco. I'm beginning to think I am reincarnated from a seaside dwelling chap who had his best years in the early 1930s. As a guitar player, the experiences of live performance have been fantastic, and the chance to play with many talented people will be a treasured memory.

If you were to meet up with the teenage Dave Neal, what advice would you give him?
Keep your integrity, and be comfortable with your life. Never bite off more than you can chew, think very carefully about how much time you do have to get the jobs done so you don't overcommit - and make family the priority in your life. Put the guitar down - you'll never be like Eric.