Radio Trinidad

Radio Trinidad is the oldest radio station in Trinidad and Tobago. It started broadcasting in 1947 at 11 Maraval Road in Port of Spain on the frequency 730 AM. It had programs like soap operas, news, and passing parade. The announcers included June Gonsalves, Barbara Assoon, Glen Antoine, Sam Ghany, Ken Laughlin, and most popular Bob Gittens. In 1976 the station 95 FM was introduced. The frequency 730 AM is now a station playing inspirational music and having other church and religious programmes. Radio Trinidad is now located at the Guardian Building in Port of Spain. The theme song for sign on and sign off was unique.

There were very popular radio programs such as Auntie Kay which was a children's talent show. The backing band was Choy Aming and the featured pianist was Dolitt Ahee. This program was scheduled on Sundays at 2.00pm. Sometimes it would move to the Astor Cinema and I believe it would record the program on Saturday and broadcast it on Sunday. There were quite a few very interesting programs on Radio Trinidad such as Sunday Serenade, a show that featured Performers of the day. As a matter of fact The Mighty Sparrow appeared on this show singing "Jean and Dinah" and was catapulted to the top ranks of the calypso art form. Interestingly enough, this show began at high noon on Sundays. There was also the Cook Caribbean Jazz program. Cook Caribbean was a Trinidad Recording Company that made 78rpm records and continued into the 331/2 format. I would imagine that Radio Trinidad must have a wealth of Music stored in that format in their inventory. The calypso songs of that day were mostly if not all on that label.The Indian hour was at 6:00 pm every day. Who could forget those melodies. Trinidad is a land that fosters thoroughbred horse breeding, and there were horse races at the Queen's Park Savannah, The Arima Race Track, Union Park, and I think also on the sister Island of Tobago, Radio Trinidad covered all these events,and even brought live commentary when the horse races were in Barbados.