I’m not just an insufurably grumpy geek, I’m not just the guy complaining about everything in the corner of the office – I’m also the annoying one passing on CDs of new music all the time and raving about new bands I’ve heard.

I get my music in many different ways – promoters and bands send it to me (en mass some days), I get mp3s, I use the BBC Introducing uploader, I use MySpace BUT mostly I make use of 6music.

Not just to discover music that’s just been released but to discover music I might not have heard the first time around for some reason.

BBC 6music is the only station in the country brave enough to let its presenters have a say over what they play.

OK I’m not disputing the fact that BBC 6music have a playlist, they do – in fact they have three, an A, B and C list – but they also give their presenters a free choice over some of the songs they play.

In fact they even have a link to their message boards from the BBC 6music Playlist page giving listeners the chance to discussion, dispute and debate the playlist.

That gives it one of the most diverse music profiles in the world and a selection of brilliant presenters that are interesting to listen to and engage with.

The live sessions on station from some a massively diverse range of musicians and the live music at gigs and festivals and the archive sessions with people like John Peel all make for more than just a DJ led station with the odd tested song.

If you cut BBC 6music you should cut BBC Radio 3 as they’re both as important as each other when it comes to core BBC broadcasting just with different music tastes.

If the BBC gave John Peel a budget, a blank piece of paper and an empty radio station to fill – 6music is what he would have come up with.

Save 6music – please  - for the sake of British music and the next generation of music fan.

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