Q & A

How did you become involved (with the station and your program/s)?
I have been listening to Nostalgia on RTRfm since I became single about 17 years ago – when a friend of mine told me about it – because she knew that I liked the big band dance music and singers of that era.
So one Saturday morning when I was listening to Nostalgia, there was a call out from Reg Brearley for new presenters for the show. I had always wanted to do it because of my participation in and my love of music – especially of that era – but I was always waiting for the right time. But we all know what that means. So I made a decison and I telephoned the station, and was a guest on Reg Brearley’s show presenting some of my favourite recordings. I would like to thank Reg Brearley and Richard Leslie for training me on air with their wealth of experience (they have both been on air for many years).

How long have you been with RTRfm?
I have been on air since May 2010, but really only on my own since Sunday 14th November, 2010 – then the week after – it was APRA Week which was quite hair-raising – but when you have done it once it is OK.
Then my following show was on Sunday – Boxing Day 2010 – all on my own (solo) in the studio – plus our many loyal Nostalgia listeners who I seem to have built up a great rapport with over this time.
I would just like to thank everyone on Nostalgia, and RTRfm for the chance to share my music with our many Nostalgia listeners.

What do you enjoy most about presenting?
I enjoy the research and planning of the programme – and because we play the music of the 40s, 50s, 60s – I can identify with this – because I lived through that time – in Scotland – and I heard all the music of that time – and even participated at one time as a performer – and because many of the Nostalgia listeners are ex-pats from the UK – they enjoy most of what I play by phoning me and telling me – and also quite a few of my friends who still live in the UK listen to my programme on the internet – but mostly through re-streaming because of the time difference.

Strangest experience at RTRFM?
One Sunday morning when I came in – the studio was empty – the Winamp was playing and I had no idea how to switch it off – so I had to ring our programme co-ordinator Reg Brearley at 6am on a cold Sunday morning to find out how to do it – and Reg talked me through it so everything went well.

Favourite RTRFM program/s?
Nostalgia, of course – then Saturday Jazz, Global Rhythm Pot, Giant Steps, Sunday Morning Coming Down.

What do you do in real life?
I retired a few years ago and love to travel (I have a huge list to try and get through). I also enjoy live music (I was a founding member of the Ellington Jazz Club – which was a long overdue venue here in Perth – a place that has live music 7 nights a week – not always jazz). Also enjoy cinema, especially non-English speaking films and art films e.g. Paradiso and Luna. I like the local repertory theatre scene here in Perth – and enjoy the weather in Perth most of the time.