how's charlie?

[Roger Bradley]

It's weird the sense of loss I've been feeling for MY Saturday Night show. Who is going to filter out the best of the new releases for me now? As well as reminding me of those half-forgotten classics from time to time?

Utterly, utterly selfish! The World hasn't stopped spinning and the Music will always be there.

I'm not too optimistic about what BBC London will do next, but hopefully it values the Saturday Night audience enough to stick with it in some similar new format.

To Charlie I want to express my deepest thanks for the decades of pleasure you've given me. I wish you all the best for a smooth recovery and I look forward to hearing more from you when and where you feel able. When one door closes, others always open.

[Patrick Stroudley]

Charlie, I am so sorry that you cannot continue with the shows. You are absolutely right to put your health first, and I join all the other listeners in wishing you a full and speedy recovery.
I've been listening to you on and off, mostly on, for what must be over 30 years - Honky Tonk started around 1973, I think.
A quick breeze through the LP and CD collection reveals a frighteningly high proportion of music that I first heard on one of your shows. I'm currently watching a tape of a programme on Cajuns - I first heard Cajun music on the show, and eventually many years later, followed the trail to New Orleans, and into the heart of Cajun land, even partying at crawfish boils. Still can't move my flat feet fast enough to dance to it properly though.
And that's just one example - there are many other artists and types of music in my collection where you blazed the trail. Thanks for the journey - it was great!
And I hope and suspect it's not over by any means.
But first get fit and well, and enjoying life. You deserve it more than most

[Jane]

Well, Charlie, I just wanted to join everyone in wishing you a speedy recovery. Of course it would be great to see you at WOMAD, if that works out, but in any case just take care of yourself.

Jane

[judith]

Charlie, we over here, though saddened we will not be hearing your voice on Saturday Night, are relieved to see your words on the screen. Thank you. Rest well.

Judith

[Alan Balfour]

CharlieI've been listening to you on and off, mostly on, for what must be over 30 years - Honky Tonk started around 1973, I think.

Referring to my pocket diaries, the first Honky Tonk was Sunday 5th March 1972 and the final one Sunday 31st December 1978.

[dave o]

likewise I 've been a listener since honky tonk and now there's going to be a charlie shaped hole in my life. In Japan great craftsmen become living national treasures and, in my book. Charlie is one of ours but the important bit is the 'living'. I am sure it has been a massively difficult decision for Charlie to make - selfishly I hope that when he gets better he might revisit that decision but until then all I hope for is a swift and total recovery.

[Alastaw]

Charlie,

Though we have never met, it was still a shock to come to the forum late this evening and read of your condition and your decision. All of us who have listened to this show and Honky Tonk know how hard the decision was and respect it.. as others have said lets hope you can maybe use this space to keep putting that music out there. I for one will miss the programme enormously and know I will be making less informed purchasing decisions.

Take care of yourself

[Guest]

Nah!!
Still got a couple of World Service Progs to do with you Charlie!!
Get better soon....B12 needs you.
(before they knock the building down!)
All best wishes
Ralphie

[outerglobe debbie golt]

Just to recognise the power of all these messages - which say what I would too - + add my voice also, and thank you for all the support. Here's to a fast full recovery Charlie + great Womad and hope to see you soon.

I think it's very strong of you Charlie to step back and respect your health, not everybody has the wisdom to listen to that warning. You made/make a tremendous difference - with an open minded, honest and supportive attitude to bubbling up musicians and promoters as well as names, to say nothing of the impact and treats for our open ears.
The direct import of your shows (on the various airwaves) for my artists is brilliant too. We still quote you in pr releases and enjoy the compilation slots and key contacts you shared. And my prizes of records and tickets are/were excellent! I do hope you can keep the World Service stuff on.

It's not up to Charlie, but it could be up to us to tell BBC London we want a good related show in 'our' key Saturday slot!

[Ray the Red]

Charlie, I also want to say best wishes for a speedy and full recovery. Obviously we'll miss your voice but health comes first. Good luck.

[ericg]

yet another wellwisher - there must be thousands out there thinking over the sounds heard during ping pong.

[don]

wow, just checked the "latest show on demand" and heard the news.

Charlie, it's obvious this has been a labor (sorry, labour....other side of the pond and all that) of love for you. I'm sure the decision was far from easy. If it means anything to you to have a complete stranger from halfway across the world say thanks, Thanks.

Others have mentioned here the impact you've had on everything from their personal Saturday nights to the industry as a whole. Can't comment on much of that, but I can say that as a listener for (....what?, only about 1yr? 2yrs?) I've discovered an embarrasingly long list of artists that I need to add to my collection. I've passed along some of those to at least a half-dozen others who have also picked up a keen interest for various artists that have at some point meant something to you. One expects that they will, in turn pass along some of it. In this sense, your work is still continuing.

A friend whom I see rarely, and who is mainly an indie-rock fan getting info from local college radio asked me recently what I was listening to. I had no idea how to respond. I blame you for that. Directly. Is there a word for Seasick_Steve-Daara_J-Camille-Abdel_Gadir_Salim_All_Stars-Aïwa-The_Books-Psapp music type? That's a off-the-cuff sampling of artists I'd *never* have heard of without you. Again, thanks.

Perhaps the catagory was best (almost) discribed by Joe Strummer:

"[...]It's um, um, well, it's kinda like
You know, it's got a bit of, um, you know."

Ragga, Bhangra, two-step Tanga
Mini-cab radio, music on the go
Um, surfbeat, backbeat, frontbeat, backseat
There's a bunch of players and they're really letting go
We got, Brit pop, hip hop, rockabilly, Lindy hop [...]"

That still overlooks the gospel, Tuvan throat singing, ...

Thanks Charlie, and get well soon.

-don.

[Quintin]

It goes without saying that I endorse everyone's kind and wise words but I just wanted to express my personal thanks for the hours of sheer enjoyment and pleasure you've given me over the years. To be able to talk to so enthusiastically and intimately over the air waves is an extraordinary gift whch you have in spades. Thanks and lets hope you're able to make it to WOMAD. Get well soon

Q

[Gustavo]

I work at a media dept in a world music label and Charlie's programme is one of those factors that made my job much more than a 9 to 5 job - it made it a passion.

His direct approach is balanced with his care and respect for other's opinions. I do appreciate that - also, I appreciate people that do believe and love what they do. And that does come across when listening to his programme.

Also, he is (he doesn't like the word DJ, but here it is) the DJ who most influence my choices.

And if a request by someone like me does any difference, please use your resources to keep us tuned to your fascinating world.

All the best for your recovery,

Gustavo

[wastedpapiers]

sorry to hear you have been unwell. look forward to hearing you on the radio again soon. all the best Michael Hazel and Archie