Frank Gray

Close to the Listener Frank Gray

A compelling account of the author's lifetime of experiences in radio broadcasting in Asia beginning with the Vietnam War years while in Laos (1969-75). It begins with his experiences with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) at Lao National Radio. This leads to four years of studio work in Vientiane with Christian and Missionary Alliance (C& MA) while most of his working life has been with Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) which began in California then extended to the Philippines in 1982. The book covers major events such as People Power revolution in Manila (1986), new developments in Cambodia, Mongolia and Indonesia - including recovery stage following the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami in Aceh - as well as the opening up of the former Soviet Union and collapse of the Cold War. It was also a time of great technological change and innovation - both in media and Christian mission. The book is peppered with first-hand accounts of cities visited and there are numerous references to his family life. The author is married with four children and eight grandchildren and is currently retired and living in UK after returning there in 1991.