Agitate, Educate, Organize ...

[Chris]

I note that the show on Saturday night should have been with Dodou Cissoko - live kora and more music discoveries.
Charlie is a living legend and a difficult man to replace but we have to make a start. Gerry did a great Ping Pong with Richard Williams and I quite like the idea of Rita Ray and Max Reinhard as a double act - Max used to do a great W.M. show on South African Airways and maybe still does. So I don't believe there is a shortage of presenters who could take up the challenge.
Can anyone help me with the some insight on the politics of Radio London.
Are the listening figures available to the public? What are the figures for Gary's show which comes before our show, then for Charlie's show and also the reggae show that follows.
The current timing seems to fit in with the other music programmes on Saturday and it would be logical to keep the slot as music but I would'nt mind if the day changed.
But I would like to have a few facts and figures before sending my email.
I can't believe that BBC Radio London programme selection is down to whether one man likes the content or not. After all it is our money.

[Euan]

Trying to do my bit to keep the programme going, in some form or other, but my email to David Robey on the address above bounces back. Is the address above correct - has anyone had any feedback?
I can only agree with what has been said before - there must be a place for World Music on the BBC Radio London station and then they should do a much better job of promoting it : when was the last time you say a flyer for the programme at one of the many concerts around town.
I'm not giving up yet.

[Joe B]

I have just found the web site after wondering what was happening to the show - the announcement before the programme was very corporate.
I am new to this type of music and it certainly refreshes a jaded palate.
I have listened to Lucy Duran on World Routes which is more academic - like doing a PHD - and Andy Kershaw - which is more like doing an HND - but Charlie's programme is a perfect combination , nicely filtered, sometimes challenging and accessable. Would make a great degree course.
I have finally found a radio show I look forward to so I don't want to lose it overnight but the lack of traffic on this subject is a bit worrying.
Anyway my email went through so suggest you try again Euan.
Get well soon Charlie

[Nikki Atkinson]

However, one thing remains true: the last time Charlie was off air for several years in the early '90s, the London scene hit a trough without its neighbourhood notice board, which is exactly what local radio ought to be providing. And whether the London-phobes in the rest of the country like it or not, London is the engine which drives the national scene. These days, with the added factor of listeners all over the country and the world via the net and the replayer, that's even more true.

During Charlie's absence back then, I tried to fill the gap when I had my World Routes (where did you hear that title since?) hour on Jazz FM, which deliberately aped the gig notice board format in the second part of the show - and happily brought Charlie back onto the air when I needed a stand-in from time to time.

The question remains: if BBC London won't do it, who will? Certainly not Capital or any of the commercial stations. Wonderful though quirky Resonance FM is, it doesn't have the reach. Contrast how buoyant world music is in London compared with the folk scene, where it's stronger in most other parts of the country than it is here. The difference: I believe a major factor is that there hasn't been a folk programme on the airwaves in London since the poor effort there used to be on Capital in the early '80s.

Solutions: don't have any right now. And we're still wondering if these new regulations being suggested by the dinosaur copyright collection agencies to bar internet access from the UK to "overseas" net radio willl stop people from listening to our own fRoots Radio, since it's hosted in Paris by Mondomix.

Feels like two steps forward, three steps back right now.

Yesterday, while listening to PM on Radio 4 I am sure I heard mention of Channel 4 having plans to have a radio station of their own, though admittedly I think this would be for the broadcasting of news and current affairs (and that this would be seen as directly challenging BBC news output). I think the service is intended to be online. Perhaps, they may see fit to offer some kind of music programming, at a later stage, which marks them out differently from what BBC and other commercial stations may be offering? Just a thought.

[Ian A.]

Yesterday, while listening to PM on Radio 4 I am sure I heard mention of Channel 4 having plans to have a radio station of their own, though admittedly I think this would be for the broadcasting of news and current affairs (and that this would be seen as directly challenging BBC news output). I think the service is intended to be online. Perhaps, they may see fit to offer some kind of music programming, at a later stage, which marks them out differently from what BBC and other commercial stations may be offering? Just a thought.

You heard correctly, and let's just say that some programmes of a world music nature have already been commissioned by Channel 4 Radio from a new production company with a little bit of expertise . . .

Their online station just launching is part of the run up to their license application for a package of digital channels.

[Debbie Golt outerglobe]

Just to say that I got a reply to an email I sent to David Robey - (who's been away) thanking him for such a long run and free range for Charlie's shows, urging that the slot be maintained for the industry and seeing what one could do to be part of it in future (gist) and he wrote back thanking me in turn for my nice comments saying what we know that Gerry is sitting in until August and ... that he hasn't decided what to do about the slot yet....

(I'm next doing my bit on Resonance fm www.resonancefm.com 104.4fm on Thursday 7-8pm Clear Spot (see radio strand in forum))

Debbie Golt

www.outerglobe.com www.african-essence.com

[Nikki Atkinson]

[You heard correctly, and let's just say that some programmes of a world music nature have already been commissioned by Channel 4 Radio from a new production company with a little bit of expertise . . .

Thanks, Ian. Are you able to say more on this, or is this sensitive information?

[Ian A.]

Are you able to say more on this, or is this sensitive information?

Will flag it up when I hear official news. Hatching chickens, jumping guns, stable doors etc . . . !

[Chris]

Good news that there is some competition.
Hopefully Radio London can take a leaf out of the Radio 3 quote book and allow themselves to keep a programme which does not necessarily give people what they want but gives them something that they did not know they wanted.
I had better work that phrase before I send Mr Robey my next email but it sounds like he is still open to suggestions.

[Leon Parker]

Having read all that has been said here and taken on board what Charlie has said which it is very important not to waste time on people who are not interested. Instead we go over, under or around them to get what we want.

I am up for a stand and I have experience of this type of campaign in a past life. We may not get what we want but it will send a message to the BBC. The result could not be what we expect but I feel it has to be done. Remember this why pirate radio came into being because of attitudes of people who we pay with are licence fee who think they know what the public wants.
I spent the weekend Dee Jaying what you would hear on Charlie’s show at the RFH Southbank. Jamie and myself where bowled over by the interest and are we doing it again! We believe it has mass interest and weekend proves this.

Yes we do need to back this up with fact and figures and also some big names in the industry would also help.

One point is that digital radio will free up lots of analog space on the airwaves.

I did suggest to Jamie that at the DJ rely we could hold a meeting before the event and set the wheels in motion.

[RLTL]

The question remains: if BBC London won't do it, who will?

There's always Resonance. And I do think someone should start a discussion on this matter on BBC London's Message Board, if there isn't one already. There are many possible ways of filling that Saturday night slot with specialist music, not necessarily of the kind that Charlie plays - let's hope BBC London stays with music in that slot (I don't believe it's David Robey's intention to reduce music any further than he already has, but it certainly doesn't hurt to lobby just in case).

Richard

[Con Murphy]

Good to see things went well at the weekend, Leon. As for a meeting on the 22nd - not sure why, but I feel slightly uncomfortable about using the occasion to discuss the post-Another Saturday Night world. It just feels like that's a discussion for another day, and this event should be a celebration of the show's life. Don't know if anybody else feels this way.......?

[Chris Walsh]

I know what you're saying Con, and I agree. My only misgiving is that the likelyhood of getting us all in a room together other than at the relay is rather slim. What do others reckon?

- Chris Walsh

[howard male]

I reckon where there's a will there's a way. I would certainly make every effort to attend a meeting scheduled on an alternative date as I share Con's misgivings about doing anything on the 22nd.

[Leon Parker]

My point is that, getting every one in the same room. I know how these things work see ing the opportunity before we start the DJ relay. I am happy to meet any time any day.