From hosting house parties and small bar-b-ques, Kerwin Bollers and Rawle Ferguson have moved on to become two of the hottest and best-known names on Guyana’s entertainment scene.
If it is not being the Disc Jockeys (DJs) for some of the biggest events in Guyana, it is coordinating one of the hottest pageants in the country – and let’s not forget either that these two names are synonymous with hosting some of radio and television’s most popular shows.
So it was surprising when they took time out of their busy schedule to sit and chat with The Scene to give Guyanese an insight into their lives and what they love to do most – entertain!
Kerwin gave us a jaw-dropper when he revealed that he was a former nursery school teacher. Can you believe it? This suave looking entertainer who – and this is no secret – has a number of the ladies swooning over him, stood in front of toddlers and taught them. It took us a few minutes to get our minds around that, and we are sure you have the same problem.
But let’s move on. While Kerwin was teaching children, Rawle was doing some plumbing.
The two have teamed up and have definitely come a long way from teaching kindergarten and fixing pipes; instead they are now living out the dreams they had as young men. Watching the duo move around town, one would want to admire their fast-paced celebrity lifestyle. But as they told The Scene earlier this week, it was very hard work and a strong sense of commitment which got them where they are today,
Jamzone and Hitsville
The two met as young DJs eight years ago and because of their similar dreams and aspirations, they hit it off immediately, or as Rawle puts it, Kerwin’s creativity complemented his knack for coordinating. When they first met Rawle was a DJ with his parents’ sound system, Fusions, and Kerwin was steaming things up with the Deportees sound system.
Today they have moved on to owning their own television station, a feat which did not come easily. In case you didn’t know, they own Channel 4, popularly known as HJTV.
It was their passion for music and entertaining that propelled them forward, and along with courage and patience made them the success story they are today.
After they met they ventured into the radio arena, hosting shows on 98.1 hot FM. Kerwin’s spot was called ‘Jamzone’ and Rawle’s, ‘Hitsville.’ The success of the radio shows and the following of fans they gathered inspired them to move on to bigger things, and the idea to have a brand name to cover their promotions was born.
Using the beginning and ending from the names of their radio shows they christened their camp ‘Hits and Jams,’ the umbrella under which all their promotions and business adventures now fall.
When asked what had been the driving force behind their enormous success, they told The Scene that it was a genuine love for what they do and the fact that their fans gave them the fuel to keep running strong. And according to Rawle, they are not only interested in profits, but want to provide quality entertainment for the Guyanese public which has supported them from day one.
“You have to be a person among the people,” Rawle said, adding that they had remained humble and focused and had not adopted any airs. “You can’t pretend that you’re taller than anybody, just be cool,” Kerwin echoed.
They feel they owe their success to how much they try to give back to their fans. “I think Guyanese realize that we are genuine and really want to provide them with quality entertainment and activities that they really enjoy,” Kerwin said.
Jamzone
One cannot talk of Kerwin and Rawle without making mention of the phenomenal ‘summer’ event and the brainchild of the duo – Jamzone. The first Jamzone was held in 2000 and now it has moved to being the most anticipated event of the year. For all the flair and style that have characterized it over the past years, there are still more plans and ideas waiting in the wings. Some time in the near future the men plan to make the event a weekend one, similar to carnival held in some other countries, but with a touch unique to Guyana with a special emphasis on nature and ecotourism.
Plans to make the event into a package – tying in airlines tickets, accommodation and tours – are what they have in mind for the future.
Kerwin explained that these ideas have come about because they learnt that many persons returning to Guyana plan to do so around Jamzone. Therefore offering an entire package would not only prove more lucrative, but market Guyana’s abundant ecotourism qualities as well – something that Jamzone does already.
‘Squabbles’
Despite their resounding success so far, working together has not been a piece of cake. The men told The Scene that they have had their share of squabbles and misunderstandings, which they describe as akin to sibling rivalry.
“This is a competition within a competition,” Rawle said, “but we’ve matured and had years of learning how to deal with our misunderstandings.”
The journey upward also was not easy; it was marked by many sleepless nights and hours of sitting in offices waiting to meet with executives, only to be told, “Come back tomorrow.”
“But we have moved from that to actually being a part of those very executive meetings making decisions on ads and stuff,” Rawle said, sure proof of where perseverance can get you.
They have had quite a few memorable times, some of which they shared with The Scene. Pulling off the car and bike show against all odds and mashing down the road in ridiculous costumes are just two of them.
‘Our hearts are here’
Although they have travelled widely and had ample opportunities to make it outside of Guyana, they have remained here because of staunch patriotism.
“We’ve met some of the biggest names in the music industry, had many chances but our hearts lie here,” Kerwin said. And as older folks would say, ‘Don’t curse the bridge you crossed and don’t forget where you came from.’ These guys have not!
They remember the days of being let down and now they try their utmost not to do the same to others. Young persons who admire them and what they have achieved show up at the HJTV studios seeking help with some project or other. Help is available as long as time is, The Scene was told.
As is quite normal in the entertainment world, the guys have their fair share of female followers and admirers which can be a bit tedious to handle, if you know what we mean.
Asked how they deal with it in a responsible manner, the response was that they have had years of practice and by now can handle the attention, wanted or unwanted, in a mature way.
“My younger days were fabulous,” Rawle said with a smirk on his face, “but things change, I have a family now.”
“Temptations come,” Kerwin added, “but dealing with it responsibly comes naturally after so much practice.”
And if you think that they have ‘made it’ and plan to retire any time soon, sorry they haven’t!
A plush new bar is on the agenda for the very near future, a project pioneered by Kerwin. And to own their own radio station is a dream that the men hold very dearly.
When asked how they propose to do that, the reply was, “Nothing is impossible.” After all, they own their own television station now don’t they?
And Hits and Jam TV is another success story for this dynamic duo to tell.
(melc_1301@yahoo.com)