The top adult contemporary radio station in the Bahamas, Love 97 FM, provided the launching pad for a new radio program from media veteran, Jay Michaels.
After years of working in every facet of the broadcast industry Jay Michaels decided it was time to spread his wings and fly through the airwaves of one of his favorite places in the world, the Bahamas. Jones Communications Ltd. powerhouse station, Love 97 FM, covering most of the Bahamas was the perfect spot to set this rocket called ﾓRewind the Rhythmﾒ into orbit.
At first, Jay was questioned by his media friends in the U.S. on why anyone would do a program that featured the “deeper cuts” of rhythm and blues and classic hits artists. Today many programmers who have tight play lists and strictly adhered to formats can’t afford to take risks. However, at Love 97 FM, Wendall Jones, at the helm of Jones Communications Ltd. and Assistant General Manager, Tony Williams enjoy the success of their multi-faceted adult format.
Williams shared Michaels vision upon hearing a demo of “Rewind the Rhythm” and instead of the usual placement of a syndicated program in the late night weekend slot it is being programmed into the weekdays.
Love 97 FM has had great success featuring “oldies”, a term that makes Michaels cringe, on Nostalgic Tuesdays and Old School Thursdays. “Rewind the Rhythm” runs on those days at 6pm. The program is also featured for Sunday Brunch at 3pm. ( EST)
“Rewind the Rhythm” went from the dream of this entertainer from the city that was the birth of much of the music, Philadelphia, to reality thanks to his old media friends who kept Jay focused on developing the program. Jay has done more for the Bahamas through his American programs in touting it as the best vacation destination in the world, so it made sense to have “Rewind the Rhythm” as the birthplace of his passionate program.
Jay Michaels is not a man of ego to take all the bows, he gives props to all of the recording artists and stars who he is still proud to call his friends and to his partners in what was a work in progress.
Friends like John St. George, of St. George Productions, who have worked with Jay several times over the years and media visionary Jim Wilson of the Vegas Buzz Radio Network and the Bahamas Information Network. Jay says, “If you do not surround yourself with good people there is no way you can achieve success”.
Among Jay Michaels first guests on Rewind the Rhythm is the legendary “soul man” Sam Moore who gives Jay a little inside scoop into an exciting new recording project he is doing with award winning producer and American Idol judge, Randy Jackson. Other guests on upcoming shows include long time friend “Mr. Show and Tell”, Al Wilson, Maxine Nightingale, Kenny Vance, Dion and many more who helped score musical history.
Is it scary stepping away from the mainstream and hanging your own shingle? Jay will be the first to tell you, “yes!”. However, when you walk into the studio and you are in control it does give you a feeling like no other.
Many of Jay Michaels old friends in the Bahamas like the successful clothier, Pat Paul of Paul & Shark and the world renowned Enrico Garzaroli of the famed Graycliff and Graycliff Cigar Company both echo the same feeling. “If Jay Michaels is involved in something here in the Bahamas it will be successful, Jay has done more to promote the Bahamas through U.S. radio and television, it’s nice that the Bahamas is giving back something to him!”
Again, Jay Michaels is thankful to Love 97 FM for sharing his vision. To date sponsorship for the program is beginning to read like a who’s-who with retailer John Bull and the John Bull Business Centre and Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty.
Jay Michaels, along with St. George Productions, have begun developing ad campaigns, jingle production and Internet development for clients in the Bahamas. This dynamic team will also be securing advertisers for other dayparts on Love 97 FM. Michaels and St. George have both echoed that since the Bahamas Radio station gave them a platform for Rewind the Rhythm they want to somehow give back through business.
A television version of the program could be in the works within a year and that too will debut in the Bahamas or as Jay would tell you “truly heaven on earth!”
Rewind the Rhythm is heard throughout the Bahamas on Love 97 FM (97.5 FM) or on the web at www.jonesbahamas.com the program airs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm and Sundays at 3pm. (all times EST)
