Tribute to Karl Young PDF Print E-mail
Sunday, 27 June 2010 00:00

Salutations

On behalf of the entire media management fraternity, the Media Association Jamaica Limited, of which IRIE and ZIP FM are members, I wish to express our sadness that we will no longer have the personal support of Karl in our activities.

 

Membership of MAJ

This is a very strange position for us to articulate, because it will come as a major surprise to many that though he has been supportive, committed, loyal and resourceful to the MAJ, in the almost 18 year membership and support that Karl has given to the MAJ, we cannot recall him attending more than ONE meeting.

My colleagues recall that his attendance was to introduce Brian, whom he presented as IRIE FM’s representative at our meetings, with the full authority to speak on behalf of his team.  I was not in the association at that time, but about five years ago when I came to see him here in Ocho Rios about some MAJ business, I invited him to one of our meetings.

Karl told me, in his own style something to the effect that “Me no inna di whole heap of chatting, chatting business, you know”. Some o the lickle foolishness, whey dem come wid – just run dem man – dat no need no meeting”.  Of course, I have edited that report, so that I do not breach any Broadcasting Regulation.

Ladies and gentlemen, that demonstrated two things about the man.  One was the absolute frank and forthright approach that Karl had on issues.  You knew where he stood and why.

Secondly, it also demonstrated the clarity with which he sees things.  A few years ago I discussed with him an approach the government was taking on the use of frequencies for radio.  When I called Karl to seek his view and support, he gave me a very colourful message that he said I could give those who are not taking their money to invest it, but who want to make decisions that “mash up di ting”.   
(I interpreted the message and tried to deliver it).

Loyal Support

Karl has demonstrated loyal support to the industry for as long as he has been a part of it.  While he was not at our meetings, we knew that every position that Brian took had the weight of Karl behind it.  And sometimes if Brian was not supportive of some of the positions, we automatically knew that there was no point in us trying to push that point, because what that actually meant was that Karl was not going down that road.  In fact, we have come to accept that once Brian says, “Boy, I talk to Chief about that and we cannot support that”, - the matter was a closed deal for IRIE’s support.

Even when Brian was Chairman of our association, we knew that Brian’s strength was bolstered by the tremendous support of Karl’s input coupled with Brian’s presentation.  And Brian has been able to rely on us because he has been Karl’s representative.

Pioneering Work

Karl Young is respected by all of us, his competitors, for changing the media landscape in Jamaica.  His bold vision to enter the industry with a reggae formatted radio station, bolstered by a strong Jamaican and African cultural flavour was a blow to many of us.  His success was our management dilemma.

What’s more is that Karl established transmitter sites at locations where we thought were unreachable or unworkable and he introduced through IRIE FM a coverage pattern and a sound quality that brought his Grove Music Studio expertise through radio to our vehicles and our homes wherever we are.

I am reluctant to admit it publicly, but there are still a few places Karl, where when I hit the seek button in the car, only two radio stations are found, and they are not mine.

Personal Mention

I have a deep personal admiration and respect for Karl born out of two very special things.  While I was in the news side of the business, we once had a conversation about me working for IRIE.  But in true Karl style he told me the facts, “I want to step up my news thing now and as a man from next door in St, Mary and wid your good friend Andrea here, yu no think onnu would mek a good team?  Before I ventured an answer, he went on to say, but mi no have dem heap a money and benefit this and benefit that wey you a go want….so you haffi really want to do it.  When I called him a few days later, before I said anything – he said – hey, no badda wid tha ting dey wey wi did a talk bout you hear sa?  So wey you did call mi bout?

Again, that honest straightforward, inoffensive approach that you just have to love and respect the man for, even if you are disappointed or disagree.

The second personal reflection has to do with the love, care and admiration with which my very good friend and classmate, Andrea Williams speaks about Karl.  All I would say is that anyone who causes a friend of mine to speak so respectfully and loyally about them, will automatically and always make me respect and admire him.  And Karl you had my admiration and respect.
 

Salute

So ladies and gentlemen, we from the media industry salute Karl Young, sympathise with his immediate, work and extended family – and we say to Chad, there is a lot of goodwill in the bag that your Dad has left for us to offer you and the IRIE FM family, and we offer our full support in this difficult time and for years to come.

Rest well our friend and colleague.  Rest well.

 

 
Home | Executive Committee | Chairman's Statement | Presentations | Press Releases & News | Events | About Us | Contact Us | Links
32 Lyndhurst Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica | Telephone: (876) 969-3546 | Fax: (876) 632-1541
EMAIL ADDRESS : mediaassociationjamaica@gmail.com