‘Total local’ station wins soca award

The station, based at Coffee Street, San Fernando, operates with the tag line“We Are Culture Krazy.” (WACK) and has an estimated on line following of more than 250,000 in countries as diverse as the United States, Yugoslavia, China, Japan, France and Switzerland .

The station’s programming includes locally produced music in a wide range of genres including steelpan, chutney, calypso, jazz, soca, parang, gospel and jazz, as well as live interviews and talk segments for our avid listeners.

WACK chief executive officer Kenny Phillips, who was in New York to collect the station’s awards at the gala event said the “total local” format allows maximum exposure for local artistes who get a chance to be heard without international media competition.

“Three years ago, on November 8, we entered the market at a very timely point in media and broadcast history,” he said.

“It was a time when the majority of local FM radio stations had seemingly pulled back from offering a wide and consistent range of local and Caribbean content. We embarked on the opportunity and liberated the local entertainers and content of our Trinidad culture.”

He said their efforts have paid off, particularly with its on-line listeners. The station now has an Internet-based “Shout Box” crew, as well as a local WACK Fan Club.