By Margaret Sheard …..
Roland Eyerich is a new presenter on BRT Radio where he has a music programme in German which is enjoyed not only by his fellow countrymen but also listeners of all nationalities. As Roland says, music is for everyone. It was his birthday on Sunday 16th April and he decided to have a small get-together with some of his friends on Monday 17th at The Soulist Coffee and Music House in Alsancak, where he is a frequent visitor and friend of Alper Cengiz, the owner.
We went along to the Soulist in the evening to find a nice group of people who had joined Roland to celebrate his birthday. Everyone chatted together and then a cake arrived and Alper, who had been quietly setting up his sound system, sang Happy Birthday with everyone joining in. The cake was shared with the guests and Alper then entertained us with some great blues and rock music which had everyone tapping their feet. Knowing it was one of Roland’s favourite songs, Alper sang “Stand By Me” which we all really enjoyed.
We were pleased to see Ralph and Sarah at The Soulist, who we had also met up with during the afternoon, and also we met Roland’s wife Connie for the first time.
Chris said the Soulist takes him back and reminds him of the 2i’s Coffee Bar which was in Old Compton Street in Soho, London, which ran from 1956 to 1970. It played a formative role in the emergence of Britain’s pop music culture in the late 1950s, and several major stars including Tommy Steele and Cliff 
Richard were first discovered performing there. The name of the 2i’s derived from earlier owners, Freddie and Sammy Irani, who ran the venue until 1955.
It was a very nice evening in very pleasant surroundings and in good company. Thank you for inviting us Roland and also thank you Alper for your brilliant music.
Roland has a weekly international music programme which is in the German language for Blues and Rock music listeners on Bayrak International Radio which is aired on a Sunday at 9pm (Cyprus time). Click here to go to this channel or tune in to FM 87.8 and FM105 for live streaming.
The show is in German but his intention is to bring, through music, other foreign people to his show. There are already English, Turkish, Dutch and of course German listeners.
