ttgapers.com

Local artistes yesterday described the closure of New York-based radio station WLIB (1190 AM) as a blow to the region’s music industry. Known as soca’s premier radio station in Brooklyn, New York, for about 30 years, the station informed its mostly West Indian staff last week that it would be halting the airing of Caribbean programming.

Instead, the station has adopted a new all-talk format after partnering with Air America. The new format comes on stream from March 31 and will have as its exclusive focus, American politics.

Calling from his New York flat late yesterday evening, Sparrow said: “Now is not the time to be sad to level accusations at anyone for the closure of WLIB. In a left-handed way, it is a golden opportunity to create something new for Caribbean people. It is an opportunity for mega Caribbean entrepreneurs, like Colonial Life Insurance Co (Clico) and Sandals.”

“We already have an experienced and well-trained staff that is now unemployed and eager to work, and we have enough magnates and conglomerates in the Caribbean, people like Michael Lee Chin, to step forward. The people here are waiting with bated breath for some kind of action from them. We are doing our part and what little we can do. I have already spoken to city officials and they are all willing to assist. The people of Grenada, like Terry Forrester, are very interested in making some kind of contribution, and he (Forrester) has already initiated discussions with the Grenada Government to do something.”

About Clico investing in a radio station abroad, agency manager Neil Jones said yesterday that Sparrow had not approached the company with such an offer. He said Clico had a good relationship with Sparrow and would listen to what he had to say. National Lottery Classic Soca Monarch champion Bunji Garlin was at a loss for words when he first heard the news.

“I don’t know what to say,” he said. “I find this move kinda unfair. But when people checking business they don’t check fair from unfair. That (WLIB) was kinda the main life source to survive out there. Now with that gone I don’t know what will happen.”

Road March champion Shurwayne Winchester said when he heard the news he became depressed. “It’s the only station that really played that Caribbean blend and besides the fact that it will take a toll on the art-form, it’s also that a lot of men getting laid off,” he said.