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photo by steed media service
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Reggae Link Radio Executive Producer, Restaurateur
In Joe Neish’s native country of Jamaica, reggae music is the common
thread for the people on the sun-soaked island paradise. The Chicago
businessman and restaurateur plans to give radio listeners a taste of
the tropics by creating Reggae Link Radio — Chicago’s only mainstream
reggae radio program dedicated to promoting Caribbean culture and
music. “As long as I’ve been in Chicago, I’ve never heard reggae on
mainstream radio. You hear reggae on college stations for a few
minutes, and then that’s it. I wanted to take reggae to the next level.
I thought mainstream radio would be the right place to do it,” says
Neish.
Hosted by WNUR’s (Northwestern University)
beautiful “Ladies of Reggae Radio,” Petina and Silky, and club deejay
DJ Lenky on Crawford Broadcasting’s Power 92, it airs Sundays from 9
p.m. to midnight. Its debut Aug. 12 gave reggae lovers something they
have been waiting on for years. The Consul of Jamaica estimates there
are 70,000 Jamaicans in the Chicago area.
Neish, a trained chef, has lived here since 1970. Influenced by his
father and their family picnics, cooking great food came naturally for
him. Neish operates one of the most popular dine-in restaurants on the
city’s South Side, Uncle Joe’s Tropical Cuisine. “I wanted to bring
something new to Chicago, something it’s never had before, something
different,” Neish says. “I like good food. I like to watch people
eat.” –tony binns
Uncle Joe’s Tropical Cuisine
8211 S. Cottage Grove
Chicago, IL60619
(773) 962-9935.
Please visit the Web Site at www.reggaelinkradio.com.
