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History of Reggae in the FieldsReggae in the Fields started in the spring of 1977 when producer and host Junior Smith was a student at Carleton University having immigrated from Jamaica three years earlier. It has evolved into what a community newspaper publisher describes as "just about indispensable" for the local, English speaking black community. While aimed at a West Indian audience, Reggae in the Fields has a wide listener ship of all ages and backgrounds. More than 100 reggae performers have been interviewed for the show including Marley. The show was also an early supporter of Ottawa's reggae/worldbeat Garnet Challenger and the Connection Band who have been featured a number of times. The focus for many years was the music. Around 1990/91, the show broadened to include issues and current events affecting the black community of Ottawa at the request of listeners. As Smith says, "Artists come and go but the issues stay here." The Prime Minister of Jamaica, P. J. Patterson, and the Jamaican High Commissioner to Canada have been interviewed. Hookups with radio stations in Jamaica have been done a number of times such as on the occasion of the funeral of former Prime Minister Michael Manley where the show linked up with Radio Jamaica to carry live coverage. Different months have different themes. Besides Black History Month in February and December for Christmas and seasonal programming, a series of programs done a few years ago on the education system gave West Indian parents information on how schools and school boards work in Ottawa. Black History MonthReggae in the Fields celebrates Black History Month with history features and biographies of black Canadians and others. Contact Reggae in the FieldsUniversity Centre Room 517 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1S 5B6 E-mail us. |
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