Radio Jamaica Celebrating 70 Years

LIGHTING UP AFTERNOON RADIO S he is known as the host of Smile Jamaica on TVJ; the franchise holder and co-pageant director for the Miss Jamaica World beauty contest; a popular sportscaster; actress, director, producer, and writer of stage plays; and co-host of the National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards. However, to radio listeners, Dahlia Harris is a part of that energetic and entertaining team that hosts afternoon radio’s Too Live Crew . Harris replaced Markland “Action” Edwards on the ultra-popular Too Live Crew afternoon show on Radio Jamaica. Action and Burger had established an awesome synergy, which kept the show light and accessible to a large audience. Harris walked in and did what was virtually impossible: replacing Action without losing any of the programme’s listenership. The new duo has been a tremendous success. Harris said: “Basically, when you enjoy what you are doing, you put effort into it, and I try to give everything 100 percent. It doesn’t always work, but I try to give each area my full attention. I find that when you are growing up, people tell you that you have to do this or you have to do that, but it really isn’t the case. You can explore the layers that you have in you, and you can be passionate about more than one layer and be successful about more than one thing. Radio Jamaica has a personality about it and a reputation, and once you step into Radio Jamaica, you understand that you have stepped into a legacy, and you feel the importance of that legacy. You walk into a studio space, and you are very much aware of the fact that this was the space that was occupied by Don Topping, Winston Williams, Henry Stennett, Marie Garth, Dorraine Samuels, and Neville Willoughby. I transitioned into Radio Jamaica when some of those persons were still there. And now I feel almost a responsibility to ensure that what I do is a reflection of what they have done. I try to ensure that I make it right for all the loyal listeners, and I realise that our listeners love us, so we owe it to them to deliver excellence. “COVID has not affected the show significantly except that a big part of our energy is our live broadcast when we get to meet the people on the street, and, of course, that can’t happen now in COVID times,” Harris said. Co-host burger recently moved on from Radio Jamaica. The Ubiquitous Dahlia Harris Sunday July 4, 2021 Page 27