Radio’s odd-couple are a hit

By Shaun Inguanzo
THEY’RE best described as radio’s odd-couple, hitting the airwaves right in the heart of Melbourne’s south-east.
Almost 60 years of life experience separates 72-year-old pensioner Desmond Kelly and co-host, 13-year-old school student Bryce Eishold.
But last Sunday night on Casey’s community radio station 3SER, both young and old united for the first Desmond Kelly Show, hosted and produced by radio prodigy Bryce, with content provided by Mr Kelly, who has enjoyed number one chart busting songs in Sri Lanka and India throughout the 1960s and 70s, and who still provides entertainment locally today.
Mr Kelly, now a Dandenong resident, this week spruiked the talents of Bryce, who began his radio career several years ago with 3SER’s Dandenong and District Junior Football League radio show.
“I am a 72-year-old pensioner with a show on 3SER, but what is more amazing is that it is hosted by a 13-year-old boy, who I am sure is the youngest radio presenter in Australia,” Mr Kelly said.
“I am very surprised by the professional attitude, and just everything about this young bloke.”
Bryce, who lives in Berwick, said the junior footy show, which he co-hosted with friend Brendan ‘Blondie’ Grey on Sunday mornings in 2004, had given him the broadcast bug.
Nowadays, Bryce holds the unofficial title as golden tonsils around 3SER with his responsibilities of three shows per week, and training new presenters in using station production equipment, a technique he calls ‘panelling’.
But with such a natural talent for radio, it’s almost as though the medium chose Bryce.
“Well, my teachers always called me bit of chatterbox, and I like to have a chat over airwaves with people when they ring up,” he said.
“I also like playing music and sharing the music with the community.”
Bryce said he and Mr Kelly met for the first time last Sunday when they presented the first Desmond Kelly Show.
Mr Kelly had been asking station manager Geoff Ablett for a timeslot in what is now a tight schedule at 3SER.
The only option was to share a Sunday night with Bryce, but Mr Kelly couldn’t be happier.
“The show went extremely well, it was 100 per cent professional,” Mr Kelly said.
“Bryce is unbelievable, he was tutored by Tommy Carter who is the jazz man (at 3SER) and has been at the station a long time.
“Our previous manager David Lenton also took him under his wing.”
Bryce says he hopes to one day land a spot on a commercial radio station, but until then you can tune in to 97.7FM and hear the young presenter between 4.30pm and 6.30pm on Fridays, or on the Desmond Kelly Show with Mr Kelly between 5pm and 6pm on Sundays.