I was shocked to hear the sad news of the sudden death at home last Friday of my friend Trevor Fry, aged just 68.
Trevor was a well loved radio presenter for our local BBC Radio Bristol station, where he worked for 17 years. He loved every minute of his job.
I got to know Trevor around 2000 when I sent him a CD of my daughter, Selina, then aged 18. He loved it and played a number of tracks from it and some of her other recordings almost every night on his late night show for a couple of years. He didn't have to do this! That was the measure of this wonderful man - so kind in every way and always wanting to help whenever he could. He was genuinely interested to promote her and was always thrilled to see evidence of her increased popularity.
Many listeners asked for a copy of her CD which I sent all over the South West Region and beyond, sometimes even abroad. On one occasion Trevor over-ran his news announcement, apologising that he could not interrupt her singing "Autumn Leaves" and couldn't ruin a good rendition of a good song, and finished by saying to his producer, "Sorry Governor, I just couldn't fade her out".
Another time he said, "Well I was going to play The Eagles but someone has asked me to play Selina, so here is the request, 'Schubert's Ave Maria', sung by our own, the lovely Selina!"
News keeps coming in and we now have an opportunity via THIS LINK to hear a tribute to Trevor by another well loved presenter Richard Lewis, who also played Selina on his show regularly.
I wish to pay my deepest respect and condolences to his wife, Sue, and their children.
I am so touched by the stature and generosity of this man - there are tears in my eyes even as I type this. Everybody loved Trevor.
Trevor believed in promoting local talent and we became good friends, with me emailing him regularly on his late night show with various bits of humour, which he often read out on his show. Listeners at that time soon got to know me as well for my contributions, which was great fun - rather like blogging is today. I spoke by phone a few times on his show because he encouraged audience participation; plus of course he liked my sense of humour.
I am so pleased I have a photo of Trevor with my daughter and his son, taken by me around 2001 when Selina did a gig for him for his recorded show, along with other artists, at The Mall shopping centre at Cribbs Causeway, near Bristol.
I heard the sad news from my sister, Maggie May of Nuts In May. She came with us to that event at The Mall and she too met Trevor and his boy. Maggie is equally gutted by the news since she is a regular listener to another programme he hosted on Sunday mornings called "Sunday Starts".
Thank you Trevor for all your support for my daughter, who did make her mark for a few years singing in Bristol and surrounding areas, pubs, clubs, cabaret and church weddings and meeting success in various talent competitions.
You were so generous with your support helping young musicians and singers, like Selina in the area.
We appreciate your help and friendship more than words can tell, and I will miss you greatly, along with all your many friends in Bristol and the entire South West region.
I hope by now you might have met my darling wife Maria who passed on a year before you. I am sure she will be thanking you too.
Trevor was probably the most well loved radio presenter and he will be mourned by friends and colleagues everywhere.
I have another link to an official newspaper announcement for those interested, HERE
I feel so sad today, and rather weepy!
Goodnight Trevor - you were the best!
Until we meet again.
Goodnight Trevor - you were the best!
Until we meet again.
RIP
