FromeFM presenter, Dave Watkins, has been given national recognition on two fronts recently, with a nomination in the British Blues Awards and an invite to the Hebden Bridge Blues Festival too. After hosting Blues Train from 2011, this February saw a change of name and logo, to become Dave Watkins’ Blues & Roots show and it seems that people from far and wide have been taking note.

Dave explains, “I have been part of the British Blues Awards nomination panel for a few years now, which has been very interesting but I didn’t think I would end up being one of the nominees just yet! There is a section for Independent Blues Broadcaster for all UK based blues radio shows and I have made the list for the top six presenters this year. There is pretty much a blues show on every community station these days, plus several stand alone podcast shows too, so to make the final six shocked me. I don’t expect to win but to just see my name there is great and made my day.”

Hebden Bridge has been voted the top Blues Festival in the UK over the last two years and Dave was approached by the organisers to host a DJ set between acts on the Main Stage. This takes place on the 23rd to 25th May.

“This is a great honour for me; it turns out they have only asked three presenters across the country to get up on the stage and play some tunes. They sort out some accommodation for a night for my wife Jen and I to go, plus the access all areas pass too but the biggest thrill will be seeing my name on the official event t-shirt! I will be playing my set at the end of the Saturday night bill, following the headliners and before their famous midnight jam sessions.”

The voting for the British Blues Awards takes place from May 1st at the main website: www.britishbluesawards.com and Dave hopes that by sharing this news, he will help to make the people of Frome more aware of the quality of programming available now on FromeFM.

“My show is aired on stations around the world and has listeners from all over but I sometimes feel sad that more local people don’t tune in. Other shows at the station have the same problem and while we are happy to be heard worldwide, we would love it if more Fromies got in touch. Sometimes I think that people feel they don’t like blues music but all I ask is that they try me out. I play the best in contemporary new blues music but play other forms of Roots music too and often surprise people along the way. The show airs live every Wednesday between 8-9pm via 96.6FM or www.frome.fm but I urge people to check out the other shows too, I don’t think the quality has ever been as good as it is now!”