Thank God For Tracy

For more than 12 years 2CCR FM90.5 listeners have been switching on the mellifluous tones of Tracy Steyn on Thank God It's Friday.

Tracy started listening to 90.5 two years prior to hosting the programme because of its sound of style influence and smooth jazz dominance.

The charismatic South African said word about the station quickly spread in her community and even overseas visitors would ask what CD she was listening to as the music was brilliant.

She used to listen to the then host of TGIF Pablo, and request songs. Pablo used to invite her to be a guest on the programme and one day she was asked to look after the show for six months - it became a permanent spot.

A proud Christian, she loves the music she plays. She is inspired by black gospel music because the majority of artists sing of their experiences."Music is a universal language and transcends so many cultures and beliefs," Tracy says. Tracy believes she was ordained to be on radio by the amazing responses to the programme she has received over the years. An inmate at Long Bay Jail once wrote her a long letter thanking her for the lovely music and inspirational messages. She also used to receive regular calls from a Parklea Jail prisoner.

The calls thanking her for her inspirational messages have been countless. She even had a call from a person thinking of committing suicide. After listening to Tracy the person thought about life and the will to keep living."I remember there was a time I went to the station with the intention of resigning because I was going through a traumatic time in my life," she says. But a listener rang and commented that she was such an inspiration to people."I nearly fell off the chair because I had not mentioned my intentions to anyone. Talk about divine intervention," she says.

TGIF focuses on gospel jazz, rhythm and blues and urban gospel.

"I receive the majority of my CDs directly from the artists in America," she says."My passion is to witness to people about the love of God through music." Tracy speaks in a gentle way of her experiences rather than preach. This programme begins at 7pm every Friday and is for all age groups. Email Tracy: tracysteyn@hotmail.com.