On March 18, 2011, the most progressive urban station in T&T was born and after 365 days of bringing the best in urban radio, SLAM 100.5 FM is ready to turn up the volume. Today the one-year-old frequency continues to prove it's a force to be reckoned with having been able to etch out its own niche in an increasingly competitive market.
According to programme director Joel "Signal To Noise" Morris, SLAM is much more than just a radio station-it's a team, a family, a movement. "I have to give credit to what Guardian Media Ltd has brought to the station. It's beyond my expectations and we have even greater plans in store." Morris says the past year has been one of growth and tremendous success.
"I feel very proud and satisfied. I still feel very excited and I also still feel that burning passion," Morris stated in an interview on Wednesday. To celebrate the momentous occasion, SLAM gave fans the opportunity to share in the fun with giveaways in the form of food vouchers, hampers, T-shirts, and the ultimate prize, an all-inclusive weekend at a resort in Toco.
"It takes a lot to stand out in a time when there are about seven urban radio stations on the air but we have been able to do that. You have to be able to stimulate your team and your strategy has to be different and we have accomplished that," he said.
We're on target
Morris knows all too well the challenges of a start up business-but having been in the entertainment industry for over 20 years, he's also very well equipped to handle them. He notes that the station has been able to grow considerably since it burst onto the airwaves last year and corporate T&T, he says, is taking notice.
"The base of clients and the level of advertising that we have is commendable for a new radio station. Most of the key advertisers were on board with us for Carnival and we were one of the official stations for the International Soca Monarch which I consider to be the biggest event in Carnival," he added. But that's not all.
SLAM, which was also the official station for the recently concluded BGTT Secondary Schools Football League, has been able to pull off a successful five-week Carnival Concert series, which featured the likes of some of the biggest names in soca, including Bunji Garlin, Fay Ann Lyons and Destra Garcia.
Definitely an emerging leader in the radio industry, Morris says even the competition has been forced to stop and listen. "We have over 20,000 fans on our Facebook page and when you look at that for a first year, it's a measure of great success," he said. "Some stations which have been out there for five and even eight years just have about 23,000, that says something."
SLAM has successfully managed to penetrate not only the ears but the hearts of T&T. And with a strong team of experienced and effervescent announcers bringing their best voices forward, SLAM 100.5 FM is proving that it's going places, fast! "We're on target," said Morris. "We're going to be all in your face...so you might as well get to know us."
The slam family
Monday to Thursday
6 to 9am-Morning SLAM-Super Jigga TC, MVP Sophie & Dj Situation
9 to 12noon-The PreSet-Serala & Aswaad
12 to 3pm-The Control Room-Ezel & John Boy
3 to 6pm-The Drive Mode-5Star Akil, Watty & Joey
6 to 9pm-SLAM City-Jet Lee & Dj Dori
9 to 12midnite-SLAM Room-J Angel & Dj Young Kingston (Thursday night with Dj Marlon)
12 to 3am-Vibes Fusion
Friday (SLAM Party Weekend)
6 to 9am-Morning SLAM-Super Jigga TC, MVP Sophie & Dj Situation
9 to 12noon-J Angel & Dj Situation
12 to 3pm-Lurbz & Aswaad
3 to 6pm-5Star Akil, Watty & Joey
6 to 9pm-Ezel & John Boy
9 to 12midnite-Ryan Spartan & Dj Tech
Saturday
6 to 9am-Wake & Shake-Mc Spex & Travis To-Da-World
9 to 12noon-5Star Akil, Watty & Joey
12 to 3pm-Lurbz & Aswaad
3 to 6pm-Ryan Spartan & Dj Tech
6 to 9pm–J Angel & Dj Marlon
9 to 12midnite– Distruction Sounds
Sunday
9 to 12noon–J Angel & DJ Duane
12 to 3pm–Lurbz & Aswaad
3 to 6pm-Ryan Spartan & Dj Tech
6 to 9pm–J Angel & Dj Marlon
9 to 12midnite–Mc Spex & Dj Young Kingston
