Q & A

How did you become involved with the station and your program?

I have been the coordinator/presenter of Spoonful of Blues since RTR rose, Phoenix-like, from the ashes of 6UVS-FM in 1992. To answer how I became involved is also to answer the next question… 6UVS-FM started broadcasting in 1977 and was largely a station offering ‘Fine Music’ – classical music and talk shows from the campus of the University of Western Australia. A group of UWA students saw the need for a wider representation of musical programming and formed NCM (Non Classical Music), which began broadcasting shortly after the station took to the airwaves. I was friends with one of these guys and started operating (in those days someone presented and someone else operated the desk) for various NCM programs and then presenting shows of my own.

I was one of the original ‘Vershun Posse’ presenting Vershun Galore, the fore-runner of today’s Jamdown, and I’ve presented on Black and Blue, Global Rhythm Pot, Still Dreaming, Life On Vinyl (a 12 part series running a musical parallel with David Attenborough’s Life On Earth TV series), Folk West and Sunday Morning Coming Down.

How long have you been with RTRFM?

Since 1977… I may be the longest-serving volunteer presenter at RTR?

What do you enjoy most about presenting?

The music… it’s magic and it transcends age, creed, colour, gender… I really enjoy playing it and it’s great to get to talk to the people that are listening.

Strangest experience at RTRFM?

Getting locked out of the station as I was letting Dave Hole in for an on-air chat on Spoonful! For a moment the claws of Panic began to clench. I ran into Planet Video to see if there was a back door, and someone at the counter had one of those little electronic thingumies to open the station door. The Gods were kind with that bit of synchronicity…

Current favourite release?

Oi Va Voi. These guys are seriously splendid. I hope they get to come out to Australia.

Favourite RTRFM program/s?

Oh, lots of ‘em, Spoonful, obviously, SMCD, Giant Steps, Full Frequency, Jamdown, Drastric, look it’s silly, they’re all great programs on RTR!

What do you do in real life?

I’m a Drama teacher at a Perth high school (so what’s real?).