Pining after NBN

THE EDITOR: On January 14, 2005 I put my usual routine aside and visited the last hurrah at NBN on #11A Maraval Road, Port-of-Spain. Back in the year 1974, I fell in love with the voices at NBN (just remembering NBS the best: NBN set the trend) especially the female voices. Over the years I communicated with Hansley Ajodha, Hnnoomansingh, David Elcock, Wendel Constantine, Don Lee, Ashford Jackman, Gail Seegobin, Dennis Murray, Mr Clement, Gerald Lampow, Debra Maynard, Sharon Pitt, Kelly Bukridee, Raffie Mohammed, Jared Gobin, Sharon Ramlogan, DK, Phillip Lopez, Allan Diaz (the honey voice), David MacIntyre, (Mac Daddy) Perch, Wayne LeBlanc, Lisa and Allyson, John Victor, Lucy Arthur, Barbara Salandy, Brenda Da Silva and others.

Remembering the 610 studio at 17 Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, I was frequently in touch with big brother Dave Elcock and his morning show. It was a tall order to remember his characters such as Rowdy Mc Noisy, Sir Jack Union, Hosa Horopo, General Booghouse, Granny and others. It seemed that I was always in the same vein and kept up my correspondence. When Dave introduced a joke competition on the radio, I prepared for it and was successful in winning joke of the day, joke of the week and joke of the entire series. It was unbelievable though I look at life now in a move divine nature, it is always healthy to laugh. It was also a great privilege to be one of the earliest callers to connect to Radio 100; sending social greetings such as birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions.

I miss Larry Yearwood with the “voice of one,” “wonderful world” with Carla Redhead, Ed Fung and of course Peter De La Bastide. When I switched to Radio 100, listeners weren’t afraid anymore to hear their voice or name on the radio. For this Carnival I am gonna miss Sharon Pitt saying “Get your winning bone in place.” Then there was David MacIntyre who is such a cool “MacDaddy.” He made sure to mix that music which set your mind right, even if heading to your destination on the “black carpet.” In the evening around 6.10 pm, Allan Diaz started you of with a “blow your mind” song or instrumental. I remember hearing this evening musical grooves in the offices, maxi-taxi, taxi, private vehicles, homes, east-west corridors. Of course, there were problems at NBN, but the technical operators covered it so professionally that the programmes went on smoothly.

I left the NBN building, gave my hugs and well wishes and decided to listen for the last time at home. Actually, I fell asleep and awoke around 2.00 the next morning to a tone on my 100 dial and felt sad, really. After all is said and done the memories would stay on my mind because there are so many things to say about NBN it will take books. I also believe that the NBN staffers were hurt by the destruction of the true Trinbagonian media family life. My dream is to see NBN occupying a vast land where there would be a re-union and the working environment would be in a better facility, high class technology, spacey car park and a place to keep workers’ children safe while their parents toil and to hear once again the announcer say, “do not touch that dial it is a hundred percent hot.”

GREGORY J NEPTUNE
Port-of-Spain