Mr. Ira ” DJ Richie” Richardson and Mr. Ralph Hodge
On Thursday 6th April, 2023, a small farewell ceremony was held at the studio of Up-Beat Radio in Rey Hill in honour of the tenure and work of veteran broadcaster, Ira Richardson, better known to many in ‘radio land’ as DJ Richie.
Mr. Richardson started his broadcasting career on the island of St. Kitts. He had travelled there at the age of nine to be cared for by his father, since he was the youngest of his thirteen siblings. At the age of eighteen, he landed a radio announcer’s job with Radio Paradise in 1972, and went by the Radio identification “Uncle Ira”.
The quality and tone of Ira’s voice captivated the hearts of the radio audience on St. Kitts/Nevis as well as people of the neighbouring islands who listened faithfully to the gospel station at 820 on the AM
waveband, beaming from the village of Conaree.
Upon returning to Anguilla in the early nineteen-nineties, he gained employment with the national station, Radio Anguilla. There, DJ Richie established and developed a close bond with two renowned broadcasters, the late Ras B and the late Iwandi I. The trio enjoyed great camaraderie, and when Ras B and Iwandi I parted ties with Radio Anguilla to venture into their own broadcasting business, DJ Richie soon made up his mind to follow them, not for a salary, per se, but on a voluntary basis.
For many years, DJ Richie worked along with Ras B and Iwandi I in their own radio station, Heart-Beat Radio, 97.7 FM, located in The Valley.
Later, Heart-Radio changed its name to Up-Beat Radio. The station’s location was also later changed.
So tight was the bond between the three that DJ Richie followed the proprietors, Ras B and Iwandi I, to the station’s new location in Rey Hill, from where the station now broadcasts 24 hours a day.
During the farewell ceremony, DJ Richie was interviewed by Mr. Steven Seligman, host of the programme “Rockin the Rock” on Up-Beat Radio. Mr. Seligman praised the work of the legendary icons Ras B and Iwandi I, and applauded them for their influence and contribution to local radio broadcasting.
He asked DJ Richie for a brief account of how he started as a radio personality in Anguilla.
DJ Ritchie said he first started as a substitute DJ and gave the honour and gratitude to former Radio Anguilla Director, Mr. Menes Hodge, who was influential in propelling him in his radio career. Mr. Seligman, himself, praised Mr. Hodge, and said that he particularly admired his relationship with Ras B and Iwandi who also had great respect for him.
DJ Richie recounted to Mr. Seligman his many talents which he had acquired in St. Kitts such as playing the guitar, singing, songwriting, bus driving and a driving instructor. He is also known as a great commercial cake-maker.
In addition, to being a DJ, he reflected on being the co-host with Harris “Mr. Cool” Richardson on the radio programme “Boat Race Crossfire” heard on Up-Beat Radio, especially during the Summer Festival season and other boat racing events. DJ Richie took pride in being the composer of that programme’s theme song, “We Love Boat Racing”.
During the ceremony a farewell plaque was presented to DJ Richie.
Mr. Seligman said: “Ira “DJ Richie” Richardson, it is our pleasure and privilege to present you with this token of our esteem and respect.”
Station Manager, Ms. Wandeesha Gumbs said: “Richie, it is my pleasure to present you this plaque from Up-Beat Radio, in recognition of the contribution that you have made to broadcasting on Up-Beat Radio, on Anguilla in general, and even on the island of St. Kitts. On behalf of the Up-Beat Family, past and present, we say thank you for your dedicated work upon your retirement.”
In responding, DJ Richie thanked Wandeesha and the Up-Beat team for their thoughtfulness and said he will always cherish the memories of working with the staff of the station.
