Anthony Rea and the Charm Offensive

4 months ago

Melbourne has a thriving and vibrant live music scene. Sydney, not so much. One of the key differences between the two cities is Melbourne's community radio stations - particularly 3RRR but also 3PBS. These stations provide a channel for new and alternative voices to be heard, and have long been a pathway to mainstream (or cult) success - for both artists and radio personalities.

In the days before crowdfunding was a thing, thousands, if not tens of thousands, of loyal subscribers have kept these stations going, allowing them to continue to grow and become an integral part of Melbourne culture.

And if you think about 3RRR, you almost cannot do so without bringing to mind - the Ghost, Stephen Walker - a driving force both on and off the air, and program manager for 14 years. Stephen is part of the reason 3RRR is the success it is today, and therefore a big part of the fabric of Melbourne music culture.

So, thank you, Stephen, on behalf of musicians and radio listeners across Melbourne and more broadly. If I think about it now, I can still hear that unique voice "Plant you now, dig you later".

Friday evenings will never be quite the same again.

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