Dick is THE Country music authority in east central Scotland. His dedication to the music was recognised in 2000 when the Country Music Association (CMA) awarded him a Contribution To Music Award.
By his own admission, Dick Barrie is over sixty, overweight and over-the-hill -- but when there's a chance to help the special little people of our area, he can still put a skip in his step!
On October 2nd, Dick will be one of number of Forth folk taking part in the Great Edinburgh Run, pounding the pavements of our capital and hopefully adding to the total cash being raised for Cash For Kids.
To sponsor Dick personally, click on www.everydayhero.co.uk/dick_barrie and use the link to donate a wee bit of sponsorship to this waddling warrior!
Through his love for Country music he's also met many of the business' biggest names and become firm friends with some of them. A great example is Reba McEntire who was instrumental in setting up Dick when he was presented with his award. (A jacket publicising cookies! Strange!)
Dick meets country superstar Toby Keith
Dick with Nashville lovely Julie Roberts
Here are some more of country's biggest stars, hanging out with Dick!
Country legend George Hamilton IV meets Dick
Allison Moorer
Charley Pride
Reba again!
John Randall and Jessi Alexander
A very tired Dick after running the Edinburgh Marathon!
With folk singer Tom Paxton
Dick in the studio with Mavericks' bass player Rob Reynolds, and Edinburgh's Dean Owens
Dick gets his special FORTH2 Help A Child Appeal award for raising another £1548!
Dick with Nashville singer-songwriter Billy Yates
Dick, backstage with Alison Krauss & Union Station
Dick on-air with another Barrie Country!
Dick with Charlie Landsborough (noted songwriter, troubador and hippie!)
Dick and Nashville's latest hunk Deirks Bentley
Dick with Texas singer Kevin Fowler
Dick with rising Nashville star Jace Everett
Dick meets one of his idols - singer/songwriter Rodney Crowell
Find out more about Edinburgh, The Lothian and Fife's country music legend by checking out his own website at www.dickbarrie.co.uk
To give you an insight into our presenters we kidnapped their headphones and made them answer some questions!
What would you be doing if you weren't on radio
Exactly what I'm doing now, while I do broadcast -- operating the cargo business at Glasgow Airport, enjoying overseas travel, watching speedway racing, soccer and baseball.
Best gig or event you've been to?
Garth Brooks at Aberdeen 1995, Reba McEntire in "Annie Get Your Gun" onBroadway 2002, Dr Hook at the Glasgow Apollo 1972, Chuck Berry in Glasgow 1964, and the Beach Boys at the SECC around 1991. Among many others.
Favourite album of all time and why
Apart from Greatest Hits things (which can be classics themselves) I'd say JohnnyCash's "The Songs That Made Him Famous", Phil Spector's "A Christmas Gift For You" or Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
Favourite single of all time?
Carly Simon:"You're So Vain"
Best advice ever given to you?
In broadcasting, the week before I started on Forth, my pal Bill Black (then, as now, playing country on Radio Clyde) told me that -- if I kept playing the good tunes, the well-known singers, not be too avant-garde, I'd not go far wrong. Since both us us are still doing so, 25 years on, I think that was good advice!
My perfect evening would be. . . . .
Watching speedway with my pals on a warm summer evening, then moving on intotown for a nice quiet candlelit meal with my best buddy and finally heading hometo enjoy some late-night relaxation with some great sounds on the music-machine.
If you were an animal which would you be?
A cat. Absolutely definitely. Independent, relaxed and totally in charge!
My best moment in radio so far has been. . .
Having Reba McEntire call in from Nashville, and inform me I was to get my CMAAward, in October, 2000.
Most embarassing moment on radio.
Have you heard one of my shows?
My favourite local place is. . . . .
Coming from out of the area, that's not so easy to answer. How about sitting in my squeaky seat, in Studio A at Forth House?
If I had a million pounds I would. . . . . .
Travel to as many nice places as I could, while I still could!
The boss* doesn't know that I...
Think in truth the "boss" knows more than I thinks she knows. Every time!
Pet hate?
People who promise great things for the Forth2 "Help-a-Child" Appeal, yet never seem to come up with the cash they have boasted they'd collect! I've come up against a few of these in my time.
My party piece is...
Probably boring the pants off my friends by not drinking, and thus staying staid and sober at parties, while all around me are doing their own, alcohol-fuelled arty tricks!
If there was a film made of your life who would you like to play the part of you?
For the younger me, I suppose Euan McGregor could do just catch me -- for later in life, how about Billy Connolly?
I couldn't do without my...
Personal electronic organiser. It was until recently a Psion 3c, but has now become a Palm Zire 71. Absolutely essential.
