Vibe 98.9 launches across the Sister Islands

Julie Hutton of Cable and Wireless (right) is pictured
with Batabano Committee Chairman Donna Myrie.


Kenny Rankin (left) and Quincy Brown flank Searlina
Bodden at the start of Bracchanal.


Searlina Bodden of Monster Media/Spin FM and Aaron
“Docta” Solomon are surrounded by revellers during
the parade.


Awaiting the start of Bracchanal are from left:
Vibe 98.9 FM Director Gary Rankin, on-air personality
Aaron “Docta” Solomon and Special Events Manager
Wade Frisbie. Photo: supplied


Aaron “Docta” Solomon plays a packed party at
Esperanza to cap off the Vibe FM Sister Islands
Launch, sponsored by Cable and Wireless.


Monster Media Managing Director Kenny Rankin
watches as two young parade-goers wave Vibe flags
at Bracchanal.


Students trail behind the Cable and Wireless truck at
the 2005 Bracchanal Parade.

Friday,  June  3, 2005

For some time now the Sister Islands haven’t had much choice when it comes to radio listening but with the launch of Vibe 98.9 FM, a subsidiary radio station of Monster Media, last month, radio listening choice is finally widening for residents on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

The launch was christened with a full weekend of activities in Cayman Brac, sponsored by Cable and Wireless.

“We have a lot going on recently what with the launch of our sister station Spin 94.9 and the success of March’s Million Dollar Run, but a launch in the Sister Islands has been in the works for a long time.

“The residents of Cayman Brac in particular have been calling for the Vibe and now they have it for good,” said Monster Media Managing Director Kenny Rankin.

Vibe 98.9 FM’s marketing team brands the station as “The Station for the People” and as such packed the three day trip full of community interaction and a series of live remotes visiting such local Cayman Brac mainstays as Divi Tiara Beach Resort, Captain’s Table Restaurant, Brac Reef Resort and Edd’s Bar – where the Vibe DJs played a packed party of Caribbean music.

“The manager of Divi Tiara came up to me after her live call-in back to the station and said ‘Cable and Wireless brought the Vibe but now are you going to take them back?’ I just laughed,” said Julie Hutton of Cable and Wireless who was present for the launch celebrations.

Local nightspot Esperanza was the scene of the final Vibe FM appearance where DJ Docta rocked a record crowd under the red light of an outdoor DJ booth. Crowds took to the dancefloor at Esperanza for the DJ’s feel-good mix of new and roots reggae, Calypso, Latin and soca.

“I knew that people in the Sister Islands were ready for the Vibe but I was not prepared for the reaction we got,” stated Aaron “the Docta” Solomon, who disc jockeys both afternoon drivetime and Weekend Traxx on Saturday mornings. “Everyone loved the music and just wanted to be around us. It was a good time.”

Ms Hutton was very happy with the final results of the Vibe 98.9 FM launch in the Sister Islands.

“We enjoy every event that we do with Monster Media,” she stated. “This one is close to our heart, though, as we got to get so close to the people and really interact. We pride ourselves on that connection at Cable and Wireless. That’s why you see us supporting so many different types of events.”

Now Vibe 98.9 FM is officially broadcasting in Cayman Brac the team will be periodically visiting the Island.

“We look forward to regularly visiting with our DJs and staff,” said Mr Rankin. “It’s good for everyone’s morale – both in the Sister Islands and on staff. This is why we are – and always will be – the station for the people.”

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