Open letter to ECR

I can remember the date of your inception as Radio Port Natal. One of my friends was employed as an announcer (DJ terminology came later I think). It was an exciting moment when we first heard her voice over the air. At that time females were not allowed to read the news. The logic of the argument seemed illogical. What a great time when the first female newscaster was heard!

At that time the radio station aimed everything towards the people who were in the buying seat – adults. The music that was featured was adult contemporary and saw the introduction of many "new" bands to the east coast audience. New overseas artists were featured as well as rising talent in the South African music industry. The radio buzzed with melodious music from all around the world. It was music that we enjoyed and our kids enjoyed it as well. The music ranged from folk, to ballads to rock to pop. We had our radios on all the time. We heard new artists and rushed out to buy their records (yes - Vinyl). The residents of this golden coast were united in their support of Radio Port Natal. Announcers came and went and we had our favourites. There were news broadcasts every hour on the half. First in English and then in Afrikaans and the music was great, the announcers were funny and smooth talking and never resorted to swearing and dubious topics.

Eventually all good things have a shelf life and ECR rose from the ashes of Radio Port Natal. At first all was hunky dory, a few announcers had stayed to form continuity. And once again I had my favourites but enjoyed all. The Afrikaans announcers soon left and the radio became English. The music remained adult contemporary for a while but soon other waves began creeping in – subtly at first and then more blatantly. The adult contemporary music began to dwindle and more and more pop crept in as did foul language – although to give them their due they mainly used the clean version of the song. One day I heard one of my dancers singing along to a song that raised my brows – all ten years old of her singing words that she had no knowledge of. Songs became very sexual in nature and I still gave my (now 11 year old) dancer lifts.

I teach Ballroom and Latin dancing mainly to kids so I am always looking for good music that they can relate to. So I still listened to ECR. I loved most of the DJ's. Then a new breed of DJ's came in and with them slightly different ethics and slightly different values. I always believe in giving people a chance but the newbies have had their chance and I am migrating elsewhere – at least during their time slots. I will still listen to my favourites but I am looking for a new station that will give me what I need while I am driving to and from my dance lessons and my duties at the school where I teach. I love the news and the newsreaders and the traffic reports, Jane, Cameron and Damon – your shows rock – humour, music and comradery. Sershan your shows have become more thoughtful. I am not a morning person but I enjoyed the breakfast show when I was teaching. It accompanied me though many a traffic jam.There are some other newbies that I listen to if I am in the car.

Let me state once again – I know change happens and I really do give the newbies a chance but I will not listen to something that irritates me, embarrasses me or serves up a cacophony of so-called music. It is a free country – sort of!

I am now finding that I am muting too many songs while driving - so can someone tell me where I can find a nice mix of adult contemporary music – please….

The subject of this letter ties in with my blog written on Sunday 1st March – "Music Fills my soul". - http://veralex325.blogspot.com/