The Tribune

By Lesh

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

OCTOBER 12 is celebrated annually as Discovery Day in the Bahamas, but it has special significance for another reason. The government broadcasting monopoly ended on October 12, 1993 when 100 Jamz became the country’s first private radio station. On Friday, when it celebrates its 19th birthday, 100 Jamz will while proudly boasting of being the number one ranked radio station today.

When the station started, one of its flagship programmes was “The Eric and Ed Show”, a humorous wake-up show hosted by well known Bahamian personality Ed Fields and Eric “D” Ward, a top US trained radio personality with roots deep in the heart of Rum Cay.

Nineteen years later, Eric Ward, is now general manager at 100 Jamz.

“I think the station is going to continue to expand and I think that through some of the promotional ideas that we have coming up in the next few years, It is just going to get better. You have to remember that 100 Jamz was the spring board for all of the other stations that Tribune Radio manages, such as Cool 96, Y98, Classical 98.1 and Joy FM. Without Jamz, none of those radio stations would have been possible,” said Mr Ward.

Mr Ward believes 100 Jamz has been a trend setter, influencing a number of new stations since the radio market was liberalised.

“(Changing the law) created variety and it give people more listening entertainment opportunities. Our station has remained competitive over the years by just giving good quality promotions and playing the best music possible,” said Mr Ward.
Mr Ward remembers JamFest as one of the most poplar festivals in the country hosted by the Jamz team.

“We had people like Boyz 2 Men, Wyclef Jean, Dru Hill, Beenie Man and other pretty big artists. The last JamzFest was in 1999, and we are working on bringing it back,” said Mr Ward.
This multi-artist, international music festival held at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre showcased the talents of top R and B, Hip Hop and Reggae artists from the United States and Caribbean.
The visit by Sean “P Diddy” Combs to the Jamz studio in 1998 is remembered by man Jamz fans.

Puffy, as he was called at the time, had the town buzzing. Listeners who tuned in received an unexpected treat. Hanging out with DJ Randy C, Puffy had cars pulling up outside the station to just catch a glimpse of him. Young women and men waited in anticipation.

Local musicians came prepared with demo tapes, hoping that Puffy would listen to their tracks and give them a fast track to stardom.

Puffy shared with the JAMZ crew that he loved the Bahamas and it was not his first time visiting. “Bahamian women are so beautiful, chocolatey and delicious looking. They’re also very intelligent and articulate,” he said.

The Jamz team was strong then and it is even stronger now. Some of the most talented Bahamians radio personalities work for the station.

DJ Fynes made the Jamz team proud in 2006 when he triumphed over his Caribbean counterparts a second time, successfully defending his title as the Heineken Green Synergy Champion DJ.

DJ Xcitement also received top honours in 2006 when he was crowned DJ of the Year at the Future Entertainment DJ Awards held in Nassau.
As one of the newest members to the Jamz team, Natural Empress has become one of the most popular personalities in the country. She joined the team in 2007 and is now widely known as a musician, dancer, model, business entrepreneur, radio DJ and mother.
Mr Ward said music lovers can look forward to the station getting better in the years to come. He hopes 100 Jamz fans can celebrate next year at the big birthday bash being planned to celebrate 20 years.