Editor
His real name is Rossanno Chaitsingh.
But he is known in the entertainment and radio announcing fraternity as “The Musical Surgeon” and “The Ladies DJ.”
Others simply call him “Dr Ross.”
He has been a radio personality/announcer on Trinidad Broadcasting Network (TBC) since 2006. On the network he is attached to Vibe CT 105FM (the nation’s station) whose parent company is Guardian Media Ltd (GML).
The other radio frequencies of GML are SLAM 100.5FM...Progressive Urban, 95.1FM The Best Mix; Aakash Vani 106.5 FM; Sangeet 106.1FM; and 730 AM Inspirational Radio.
GML’s flagship includes T&T Guardian newspaper and Cable News Channel 3 (CNC3).
Having been one of the most popular and successful Disc Jockeys on the radio frequency for so many years, Ross has now added parang soca to his passion– and already he has been heating up the air-waves this Christmas season with his latest hit titled ‘Family Business’ which he released in October 2021.
His other soca parang selections are Woodman, Christmas on the Road and Drinking Hard.
All four songs have been on the top chart, even on competitive radio stations.
His début into parang soca began with the Woodman which was released in September 2008. Christmas on the Road, which was his second hit, was released in November 2010 while Drinking Hard made its way on the airwaves the following year.
In an interview at Guardian Media, Ross noted that the “entertainment sector, and by extension artistes, my fellow DJs, and promoters, have been incredibly supportive of my music.”
Asked to elaborate on his four songs, the former marine technician, who used to repair radars and communication equipment on ships locally and internationally for 15 years, said Myron Bruce (popularly known as Incredible Myron B) and himself wrote Woodman, Christmas On The Road and Family Business while Katrika Clarke, Bruce and himself penned Drinking Hard.
Giving an insight on the concept of each song, the highly acclaimed radio announcer explained that the idea behind Woodman is that he (the Woodman) is a handyman who goes about the neighbourhood helping women in need with their household chores for Christmas.
He said Christmas On The Road is a concept that involves individuals coming together and celebrating Christmas by parents until the next day.
“The idea behind Drinking Hard is to raise awareness about drinking and having fun during the Christmas season, but without causing harm to others, as there is an increase in traffic fatalities around this time of year,” he said
The story of Family Business– a song which is highly rated as one of the best soca parang hits for 2021, “is that I met up with my friend Crazy D and we were sharing similar stories that happened to us during the Christmas season visiting our family members and their husband wasn’t aware that we were family so we had to explain to them that we are family. Which bring about the phrase “me and your gyal is family.”
Christmas On The Road and Drinking Hard featured (Tinman) and Family Business featured Crazy D.
Asked whether he had anticipate such a great response to the songs he said, “It was for fun when I initially started singing. This year 2021, I decided to put more effort into promoting and creating music, and on the house- to- house Riddim, I released my new song Family Business ft Crazy D.”
Ross has paid glowing tribute to Myron Bruce whom he said inspired him.
The Incredible Myron B is my motivation for singing soca parang. He has been not only an inspiration, but also a couch and a good friend to me for many years,” Ross said
He added, “Fans and colleagues in the entertainment sector have always reacted positively to my songs. It always makes me happy when fans call and sing my song to me on the radio. On the day I released my song, I received a call from a fan who already knew the lyrics.”
Ross said he enjoys his job at Guardian Media/Vibe CT105 FM and interacting with the hundreds of callers to the radio station.
He fell in love with music when he was 15 years old.
At that age he used to listen to his grandmother’s records on her gramophone and fell in love with the rhythm of music.
“Gart Nedd, a local DJ, came to my birthday party and played music. I became extremely facilitated and asked if I could practice on his DJ equipment, which he agreed to, assisting me in honing my skills. S we form a DJ sound system called Ice Men in the early 90’s. We used to go home by a DJ known as Signal to Noise and he would let us use his equipment to learn. Later on, as I grew in my skill I started to move and play with the massive Dr Hyde and was expose to radio on 98.9FM and the rest is history,” he said
Coincidentally, Signal to Noise, whose real name is Joel Morris, is programme director of Vibe CT105FM
Ross says he’s a very spiritual person and this is evident on his radio programmes as many times he quickly quote the Bible quite well if questioned on a Biblical issue by a caller. “I believe in a Creator and I know for a fact that there is a sister hood of spirits among us,” he said.
On this milestone achievement he said, “I’m ecstatic with the response I’ve received thus far.”
Ross’ inspiration to pursue a career in radio announcing came when he was asked to join the TBC Network by then programme director Christopher “Chris” Boynes. Boynes proceeded to pre-retirement leave from Guardian Media in September this year after being employed with the company for more than 43 years.
On January 6, 2006, Ross started his first shift on VIBE CT 105FM as Dr Ross On Weekends
“I’ve been a radio personality for almost 16 years, and my time on the air has brought me joy,” Ross said
At present on VibeCT105FM he commands the 12 noon to 4 pm shift Monday to Friday.
He has given each day a theme and in the spirit of radio friendliness members of the public, calling into the programme to send out birthday/anniversary or whatever greetings to family members, friends and loved ones, are required repeat the day’s theme–all in the spirit of fun
Monday is titled Majestic Monday– R&B, groove and reggae music is played
Tuesday is named—One the Road with Dr Ross in which callers are allowed to chit chat about pressing matters in their community and road traffic issues they face on the nation’s roads. For this the Christmas season Tuesday is titled Christmas On The Road With Dr Ross.
Wednesday is branded– Its That Kind of Wednesday with Dr Ross where any topic can be discussed.
The theme for Thursday is Lightning and Thunder—mostly retro/old school/love music played. Also, the biggest reggae selections are aired. It is dubbed Tunes from the Mountains.
Friday’s session is Fire Truck and Flames in which a mix of party/fete and other selected songs command the frequency.
“The mood is as though your are in a party listening to Vibe CT105FM on Fridays,” Ross said.
On his Monday to Friday shift is largely followed by members of the protective services , housewives, office staff, maxi and taxi drivers, bars, builders and retail stores nationwide among the many.
So what’s next for Ross in 2022 and what can his fans look forward to?
“In 2022, I will launch Dr Ross Studios, a production company that will specialise in music videos, graphic design, and audio production for genres such as soca, parang soca, soca parang, dance hall, and reggae.
Ross can be found on Facebook and Instagram @djdrross and his website is wwwdjdrross.com or google his name djdrross.