Michael ‘Sidey’ Andersen started working at Triple M Sydney when he was 21. Now, just a couple of weeks shy of turning 51, he’s leaving the station.
Confirming on LinkedIn that his job is no more, SCA‘s long time Imaging Director said “I never thought I’d be writing this.”
“In just a few months, I was meant to celebrate 30 years at Triple M. But the universe had other ideas.”
Whilst he admits it’s hit him hard, Andersen is choosing to see his departure as a new beginning.
“I’ve loved my time at Triple M. I wouldn’t have stayed so long if I didn’t. Maybe the universe could feel that in the back of my mind I wanted to do something different, but didn’t have the courage to take the leap?”
A winner of 22 ACRAs, Andersen reflected on his achievements and the people he’s met along the way.
“I was given the chance of a lifetime by Rusty Graham in 1995. My first job at Triple M was commercial producer working alongside Rusty and the creative team. Seeing how they did things in the cap city was an immediate eye opener.”
“With Rusty and production mentors like Simon ‘Slash’ Hicks and Wayne Fox, my skills and love for Triple M were growing by the day.”
“I can’t thank Rusty, Slash and Foxy enough for those early days.”
By 1996, Andersen had started working on some imaging for shows like Steve and Jess by Request.
“It was around this time that I met a young guy with a bowl haircut that would change my life forever – Guy Dobson.”
“Dobbo immediately become like a big brother figure to me. He must have seen something in me because he let me do whatever I wanted. My creativity just went bananas!”
“Guy also became my guardian angel. I made lots of mistakes along the way and probably could have lost my job multiple times. But thanks to Dobbo and my fairy godmother Cathy O’Connor, I scraped through to keep the dream alive.”
Andersen went on to panel Andrew Denton’s Breakfast show, and with the job came a new nickname.
“The producer of the show Richard Mortlock had flowing hair with a bald patch like Krusty the Clown. He got his nickname pretty quick. And then I became Sideshow Mike. It’s a name that’s stuck for 30 years – Sideshow, Sidey.”
“Without Krusty I never would have had the ability or courage to go for the things I ended up achieving. I don’t think I would have even made it through my twenties.”
“My big sister was Amanda Keller. The nicest person that’s ever worked in radio.”
When Denton’s show wrapped up, Andersen was in charge of imaging for the station. It was around this time that he also became one of the main station voices.
Andersen says Dobson – along with Grant Tothill and Mike Fitzpatrick – were supportive leaders that nurtured his talent while managing his personality.
“They believed in what I was doing, let me go wild creatively and I would have done anything or worked any hours to help build their vision.”
“In 2009, Triple M was knee deep in sport and along came another highlight – The Grill Team. Again, I found myself in a space where I was fully supported and clicking with the team. Matty Johns, Mark Geyer OAM and Gus Worland laughed at everything I did. So, I responded by pumping out a new jingle every 15 minutes.”
“It was around this time I worked closely with the next important person in my life and career – Jamie Angel. I’d known JA from back in the day. I’d seek him out downstairs at 2Day FM to get critiques for my on-air shifts when we were still back at Bondi Junction.”
“When Jamie took over as Triple M Sydney PD I must have made his life a nightmare. I questioned everything and fought for every idea I had. But eventually we grew to understand each other and he remains one of the bosses I respect most.”
“All I ever wanted to do was work at Triple M. Not in radio – at Triple M. I have lived and breathed it and literally given my life to the place.”
“I’m not completely satisfied with the way it ended. But I’m pretty sure Wazza would have said ‘you sent some good shit up the stick Andersen!’.”