response 39 of 39:

Apr 5 14:48 UTC 2010

Since 2002, a stable group of 6 BBC DJs have dominated my listening to
folk & world music radio programmes.  In a short three weeks, half
that group is off the air, and I'm somewhat in shock.   After eight
years, these voices had woven themselves pretty thoroughly into my life.

-- Charlie Gillett died on March 17.  Charlie was one of the key
broadcasters in the evolution of the "world music" marketing
pigeonhole.  He'd been sick for some time; he was disabled out of his
full-time weekly show in 2006(?), and about 18 months later he
returned on a part-time basis, doing two shows every six weeks for
Radio 3's "World on 3."  He left that show due to health 
problems in January 2010, and the
last we heard was that he was scheduled for heart bypass surgery, and
a few weeks later came the announcement of his death, age 68.   Tons
of tributes from listeners and music professionals on his website
forum at http://www.charliegillett.com

-- Verity Sharp, one of the two rotating hosts of Radio 3's "Late
Junction" since the show's beginning, has left.  No further
information about her departure has been available.  "Late Junction"
was one of my favorite radio shows ever, a mix of world, classical,
folk and jazz.  Verity has been an enthusiastic advocate for British
folk music.

-- Archie Fisher has left "Travelling Folk" on BBC Radio Scotland.
Archie had hosted the show since 1983, and he turns 70 this year.  I
have conflicting reports, none authoritative, about whether he retired
voluntarily or was pushed out.   I suppose I could ask him when he
plays a concert in East Lansing later this month.   So far the signs
are that Radio Scotland intends to keep the Thursday night slot for
folk music.