of the “Good Morning Man” Show) began to have short chit-chats as Magnus handed over the microphone to Samuels who followed him on air. Their synergy was outstanding from the onset and eventually that chit-chat developed into minutes of spontaneous banter between the two hosts. The unofficial segment became hugely popular with listeners to the point where, on the rare occasions when their interaction was shortened or absent, many would call in asking why they had quarreled and advising them to make up. RJR realized they had a winner on their hands and asked Samuels to join Magnus after the 7 a.m. news in the mornings, in effect merging the two shows to create The “Good Morning Jamaica” show, which continued until “Hot Line” began. That partnership lasted for two decades and was responsible for some of the most memorable moments on air for RJR. Dorraine and Alan on air
Neville Willoughby, who said, “I understand that you speak as well as you sing” and Dorraine responded with a crisp “That’s correct.” The crowd went wild, effectively ending the interview right there as the rest could not be heard over the cheers and clamour. Clearly they agreed that she spoke very well.
Eventually in 2004, Dorraine was asked to read TVJ’s evening newscast as she became firmly settled as the news voice of
stupor, saying that although they had never met her they consider her their friend and adding… “I want to talk to you about this, [OR] I want you to be the last person I talk to.” “One memorable day we had a caller on the family counsellor segment of Jamaica Today and the caller said he had committed a rape and wanted to come clean and he in fact did,” Samuels recalled. Samuels has developed extensive contacts with resource persons in a wide range of areas and does not have difficulty in guiding callers in the right direction. Her years of experience have honed that knowledge base. “When I just came staffers would say, I have been here 10 years [OR] 19 years and I said you must be mad. Now I’m here 34 years.” Among her most treasured experiences, Samuels tells of a broadcast trip to Bermuda during Jamaica’s independence celebrations. “It was a huge fair and arriving I saw hundreds of people clad in black green and gold. Jamaican music was playing and Jamaican cuisine was wafting its fragrance all over the grounds. It was an awesome feeling and I was filled with pride that this could happen, OUTSIDE Jamaica.”
I also dressed the part. It’s a matter of pride. I firmly believe that pride in the product and proper training should be a must for all radio announcers
RJR quickly called her in for an interview which was conducted by Winston Ridgard. Two weeks later she was asked to come in for another interview, this time with Ralston McKenzie. Then the phone rang for the third time, but this time to ask when she could start. Samuels’ response was: “Start what?” Start working at RJR as an announcer, was the quick response. As a result Dorraine Samuels joined the staff of RJR in January 1981 after an overseas vacation.
Outstanding synergy Dorraine Samuels’ first assignment after training was on the “Sunday Magazine” programme, after which she moved to “Jamaica Today” which followed the “Good Morning Man” show. “Jamaica Today” also allowed her to read the news for the first time on-air as there was a newscast in the programme. In 1984, Samuels and Alan Magnus (host
RJR and of Jamaican news broadcasting. She also did “Newsline 5” and the midday news, the three being the most important newscasts of the day.
Treasured experiences
During her time at RJR she covered the visits of many dignitaries and celebrities, including Neslon Mandela and The Pope, but regrets never having personally met Mandela or been given the opportunity to shake US President Barack Obama’s hand.
Samuels wants broadcast standards for announcers maintained. “Don Topping gave me extensive training for three months before I went on-air and I was prepared with diction, pronunciation and delivery. I also dressed the part. It’s a matter of pride. I firmly believe that pride in the product and proper training should be a must for all radio announcers.”
For Dorraine, RJR has been many things. “It has been business. It has been family. It has afforded me the opportunity to meet a wide cross-section of people. It allowed me the chance for a lot of travelling. In the process I have become a de facto counsellor, marriage counsellor, child psychologist and friend to thousands of listeners.” Dorraine Samuels (second left) Alan Magnus, Amina Blackwood People would sometimes call Meeks and the late Bagga Brown Dorraine when in a suicidal RADIO JAMAICA PIONEERS FOR SIXTY FIVE YEARS | 73