Dear Editor,

So very often, we as human beings take certain things/situations for granted and we hardly pause to marvel and to acknowledge the immense impact these things/situations have on our everyday lives and the environment in which we function. One good example is the air we breathe; another is the trees around us and of course there is the sea which is laden with food and is a medium for inter, intra and international travel and connection. Man’s very existence depends on these to a large extent. That’s how important these things/situations that we take for granted really are! In like manner there are some among us who continue to give and give and give and yet the acknowledgement and the praise they deserve are hardly mentioned publicly. Even though we fall short in our acknowledgement of their daily contribution, their work has impacted our lives and those of others around us. I draw our attention to some of our local radio personalities who have made outstanding contributions in our social, educational and cultural development. These persons have exhibited an appreciable degree of dedication, commitment and professionalism as they evoke happiness, enlightenment and comfort to us through information, education and entertainment. Three such personalities whom I have met on the radio waves bear testament for a job well done.

Just over twenty years ago VON Radio opened its doors to the people of St. Kitts – Nevis, the Leeward Islands and the Caribbean in general with Mr. Evered ‘Webbo’ Herbert as its General Manager. From the onset Evered Herbert threw himself in the thick and thin of things and exhibited a willingness, a boldness and the ability to lead from infront. His creative mind has led to great programming but his ‘Let’s Talk’ programme sure does get results as he has managed to bring some of our greatest minds together to debate the issues that affect us all. A marvelous job he has done getting persons from the different political divide to join him and talk. His Thoughts for the Day are always inspiring. I didn’t quite agree with the answer to the quiz, ‘What’s in the mortar besides the pestle?’ – but I loved the way he carried us with him through it all. In 1998 when Hurricane George tried to wreak havoc in our twin island Federation, instilling fear in us, Webbo’s theme song that dreadful night was, ‘You are not alone’ by Michael Jackson. It sure brought some comfort in that turbulent time. For all these and for giving us that wake up call each morning, Thanks Webbo. For making a conscious effort to select songs with great and uplifting lyrical content, thank you!

Throughout ZIZ’s forty plus years of broadcasting it has produced great radio personalities: JUNIE LIBURD with SOUL SERENADE, GOLDWIN CAINES with MUSICA LATINA, Lord Black and Louvina Phipps – Maynard just to name a few. Today however, I will like to focus on a current star, ‘JAZZY D’. In my view she truly loves what she does. Out of her love for her job and the public that she serves, she has educated herself about the carious artistes and she knows verbatim the lyrical contents of so many songs. She gets into what the artistes are saying that it is not unusual for her to encourage them and the rest of us to S-I-NG. ‘JAZZY D’ has such voice control, not to mention her control of the English Language. It is so rich when she mixes Standard English with some of the everyday dialect that we hear throughout her nature land, St. Kitts. She caters to all her listeners in a very human and professional way. Shall I call her genius? There is much more to the lady than that. She obviously has done her research on the local sayings and remedies and it is a thrill to hear her engage her listeners on such things from time to time. Lest we forget there were days when she referred to some persons by their Christian names only. She loves music obviously and every so often brings back the historical facts about the bands in St. Kitts – Nevis and the roles the individual musicians played in them. ‘JAZZY D’ brings a style that is all her own to her shows and her programme on a Thursday morning is a hit. She makes it so easy and refreshing for us to stay with her every time. She deserves all our thanks and praise.

Laughter is said to be therapeutic, a good medicine and anyone who can make the citizenry laugh in these serious times must be considered great. I attribute a certain degree of natural greatness to that radio personality, ‘Sugar Bowl’. This is the man who brings joy and laughter to our hearts even when we are facing some of our harsher moments. I truly believe that everyone who listens to ‘Sugar Bowl’ must find something to laugh about at some point. His music is usually up – tempo and this certainly urges us to dance and to have a moment of happiness. He is an entertainer, extraordinaire and he has done so much to make the people of St. Kitts – Nevis unwind. You are making quite a difference. Thank you!

To all those Radio Personalities who brave inclement and harsh conditions sometime to give us our wake up call, thanks; to those who create programmes with a view to bring about positive change, thanks; to those who continue to do an outstanding job of informing, educating and entertaining us, thank you! May you continue to lead by your outstanding example!

Charles Bussue

Gingerland, Nevis