Andy Kershaw

Andrew Kershaw
At the unveiling of a blue plaque for the Who at the University of Leeds on 17 June 2006
Born	Andrew J. G. Kershaw (1959-11-09) 9 November 1959 (age 57) Littleborough, Lancashire, England
Nationality	British
Occupation	Disc jockey
Years active	1981–present
Relatives	Liz Kershaw (sister)

Andrew "Andy" J. G. Kershaw (born 9 November 1959) is an English broadcaster, known for his interest in world music.

Kershaw's shows feature a mix of country, blues, reggae, folk music, spoken word performance from the likes of Ivor Cutler and other music from around the world.

Kershaw was born in Littleborough, Lancashire, on 9 November 1959. His sister is fellow broadcaster Liz Kershaw. The son of a headmaster and headmistress, Kershaw's parents instilled in him the ethics of education and self-improvement at an early age. As a party trick aged two, he would name the whiskered military men in his father's history books of the Great War, but he never felt the love or pride from them that he did get from his grandparents, who provided a home from home. Watching the first American space walk on TV in 1965 made a strong impression of adventure, possibility and achievement on the young Kershaw, as did his education at the hands of the German ex-refugee nuns at Rochdale Convent.

He was educated at Hulme Grammar School in Oldham where he took A-Levels in History, Economics and Spanish. He left the Economics examination half way into the allotted time in order to attend a Bob Dylan concert but still achieved a Grade A pass in the subject. He then studied politics at the University of Leeds from which he failed to graduate, his decision to apply for a place there being solely with an eye on the position of Entertainments Secretary for Leeds University Union. Kershaw was elected Entertainments Secretary in 1980, midway through his second year. A full-time commitment to a non-sabbatical office, he booked bands including Ian Dury, Dire Straits, the Clash, Elvis Costello, Iggy Pop and Duran Duran - the latter paid £50 from Kershaw's own pocket to support Hazel O'Connor.