Holiday Message from the Chairman

In 1985 Tony Bennett recorded a beautiful song, lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman and music by Michel Legrand, entitled ‘How do you keep the music playing – How do you make it last?’ – and while the lyrics refer to life in general and how to keep good things moving on, I have chosen to use this sentiment in relation to a passion of mine – Eastside 89.7 FM.

Thanks to the goodwill (financial and in kind) demonstrated by lovers of all music and the arts in general coupled with a strong sense of their community, together with Eastside’s own team of Presenters and Volunteers, Eastside has been broadcasting continuosly for 30 years – 24 hours a day 7 days a week. A significant achievement in any terms.

However, the environment in which we now operate has changed markedly.

While it is fair to say that the digital world in which we live has in many ways made our lives easier in terms of what we want to listen to, when we listen, how we listen and what we can listen to at any time, and in its provision of total social interaction, it has also increased the competition in the media and social landscape, which requires a far more focussed approach to operating our community station. That is the reality of today and the future.

Facing this reality of  change is the first part of my role as Chairman of Eastside, and I am prepared to dedicate quality time to assist the station to move into the future.

Facing reality is not always an easy option but  it’s the right one and it will require strong leadership skills at all levels of operation, within the station and  in the community – from my role as chairman to our volunteers who answer the telephones on the front desk, community leaders and our listeners taking a leadership interest role in Eastside by engaging with our Station, interacting with our events and providing vital feedback re programmes and activities.

In addition it will require outstanding teamwork skills, across our presenter and volunteer base, together with our business, general public, sponsor and wider community bases.

Couple this with passion: for our station, our people, our music, our events, our expertise in our arts and our drive programmes, our inter-active community programmes. While it is a complex challenge to grow the station, by adopting these philosophies, I believe Eastside will grow in 2014 and beyond.

At this time of the year, on behalf of my fellow directors and the Station Manager, I want to sincerely thank our whole Eastside Family of presenters and volunteers for their efforts in keeping the station on air 24/7 and moving forward.

To our business, general public, associated artists and general sponsors plus our enthusiastic listeners, your continued  financial and creative support is sincerely appreciated and I look forward to your continued involvement in helping to build Eastside’s future.

I would like to wish you all, together with your loved ones a safe, happy and healthy Holiday Season and may the new year bring you everything you wish for yourselves and those you care about.

And the song ends ‘If we can try every day, to make it  better as it goes, with any luck then I suppose, the music never ends.’

Stuart Rubin

Chairman Eastside 89.7FM