National award for Karl Young, says Grange

BY ALESIA EDWARDS Observer staff reporter edwardsa@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, June 28, 2010

OCHO RIOS, St Ann – The late founder of Jamaica's first reggae radio station Irie FM, and Zip 103 FM, Karl Young, is to be awarded a national honour, the Government said Saturday.

The announcement was made at a thanksgiving service in this town for Young, who is better known as 'Chief'. Young died in a hospital in Chicago, United States on June 10 after ailing for some time.

Minister of Sports, Culture and Entertainment Olvia 'Babsy' Grange made the announcement before hundreds of mourners who turned out to celebrate Young's life and work at the cruise ship pier in Ocho Rios, the same town where Irie FM is based.

Minister Grange did not say which award would be conferred on Young. However, she said his family had agreed to accept the award, even though Young had repeatedly turned down previous offers to be rewarded for his work.

Grange was among a throng of relatives, friends, employees, media representatives, politicians and well-wishers who paid tribute to the business icon during a nearly three-hour prelude to the official service.

"Karl had been recommended many times for a national honour and every time I think of Karl's response he was too humble, he didn't want any recognition," Grange told mourners.

"Today, we want to show Karl's family that Jamaica loves Karl, that we recognise his work, that the Government wants to pay the highest tribute it can to his work and his memory and so Karl will receive a national honour," she said.

In a tribute from the Media Association of Jamaica, Chairman Gary Allen said the media fraternity had lost a true son who was dedicated to the growth and development of media in the island.

Allen praised Young for revolutionising the media landscape through the creation of both reggae radio stations, even as he reflected on fond memories of Young whom he described as a very colourful individual.

"He was loyal in his support," said Allen. "Karl has demonstrated loyal support to the industry for as long as he was a part of it. Karl Young is respected by all of us in the media."

He described Young as frank and forthright in his approach and said that the media fraternity was saddened by his passing.

Several tributes were paid to Young in song and dance by members of the entertainment industry, including the Cari-Folk singers, AJ Brown, Jabez and L'Acadco Ensemble.

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National award for Karl Young, says Grange