Sound of the Blues from the deep south west

THE small village of Marseillette, population 700, in the Minervois region of the Languedoc is home to a taste of the Blues every Thursday afternoon.

American disc jockey Barrie Dee unpacks his record collection once a week on Radio Marseillette and draws a local and international audience to the classics including BB King, Fats Domino and Bo Diddley.

But how did this New Yorker end up on a radio show in the south west of France?

"A friend who lives in the village was chatting with the radio station's manager and said with all these people moving into the region, why don't you have an English language show?" Barrie said.

"Although my friend said he didn't want to do it, I said I would, and with my friend as producer we came up with a 30 second promo and we broadcast our first show a few weeks go."

Radio Marseillette, which is based to the east of Carcassonne and reaches 12,000 listeners, hosts Barrie's XPat Blues programme that not only appeals to local listeners but thanks to the internet enjoys a worldwide audience.

Listening to the archive of recordings on the XPat Blues web page and you soon appreciate the links the show has made with listeners outside of France, with people often sending in messages from the US and Canada.

"The first person to call in was French who said it was great to hear the Blues as you don't hear a great deal down here in the south west, the north of France is where it's popular," said Barrie.

"I also do an announcement forty minutes into the show to say what is on in the local area at the weekend, and to help promote English speaking businesses, but I've also had guests on the show, who will play some live music for listeners."

Barrie and his wife moved to the Minervois region in 2002, after taking early retirement following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and although the couple did not know the region they soon settled into the area.

And Barrie is keen to see his programme expand to ensure the south west gets a real taste of the Blues.

"What I'd really like to do is something every night, but I play the greatest Blues performers of all time, so how bad can the show be?" Barrie said.

"I don't really have to do anything, I just say 'and now BB King' and stay out of the way, I really love it and the programme has turned into a great amount of fun."

XPat Blues, broadcasts every Thursday from 5pm CET.

Comments

[loulou]

Great article! It is a fantastic show.

[Judith Kelleyan]

I listened to the last 3 shows online last night back-to-back and loved them. Barrie is playing such great performers quite a lot of whom I know from their other work - most of what he plays is 'new' to me.

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Loulou and Judith, glad you enjoyed the shows, I'm sure Barrie will see some new fans listening in this week.
All the best, Craig

[Shawn Thornton]

Barry - Great interview. I listened to your latest show. Great Stuff! Congratulations.

[Steve Helfgott]

Wow Barrie Dee! What a win/win situation you have fun and so do we. Hearing your voice is great, and of course, thanks for spinning some great tunes and turning me on to some I never heard. Keep Rock'in....Steve

[Diane Hawkins]

Would love to talk to you and your wife, am doing a documentary on Americans Living in France.
My number is 06 79 72 16 65
or you could send me yours and I would love to give you a call.All the best
Diane Hawkins

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Diane
I would click on through to the Radio Marseillette contact page as I'm sure they'd be able to put you in touch with Barrie:

http://www.marseillettefm.com/contact.html

All the best
Craig