ETNT Hot Seat with Jason Williams

It comes as no surprise that this entertaining radio personality and television host, was able to answer all our hot seat questions without hesitation. Jason Williams got his start in media in 1996 and, contrary to popular beliefs, had his first job as a television host on the hit series ‘Party Time’. He then ventured into radio broadcasting, becoming as a host on 98.9FM before making his way to RED 96.7 FM. Listeners know Jason or ‘J.W’ as he is fondly called as the funny, easy-going, radio host, the equally talented host on Synergy T.V’s, ‘Synergy Nights’ and former Road March 2010 winner along with his co-worker, Ancil Isaac, Jr (Blaze). Here, he takes some time off to chat with us at on the Hot Seat.
ET&T: Have you ever accepted payola? (money or services in exchange for radio play or promotion)
J.W: Never…will never get caught up in bribe. You are just selling yourself for a couple of thousands. Some persons feel that they just taking it for a year, but that artiste will come to you this year, in 2012, in 2013 and for the rest of your career. It’s not worth it; I could do without that stress.
ET&T: Name an artiste or a song that you never thought would make it, but it became a very popular song?
J.W: When I first heard ‘Wine tuh d side’ I didn’t feel it, but in the end it turned out to be a big tune. I didn’t like ‘Body Wine’ either and it turned out good. Even though it was a calypso, All Rounder still made it bigger than life, he really sell the tune.
ET&T: Anybody in the industry ever gives you a hard time or is there someone you just can’t get along with?
J.W: Yes like promoters, they give me real ‘beams’ but because of my position people don’t really approach me or ‘come round me’ with that sort of thing. Basically they know that if they want to make it they have to come sit on my couch, and I could ‘put ur in place’, I could really ‘put ur in place’ if I want. But because of my position, they smile with me, but I know every smile is not a genuine one. I don’t get it twisted, I know the industry.
ET&T: You are somewhat of a doubles connoisseur; who has the best and worst doubles in T&T?
J.W: Hmm…..the best doubles…I would have to say Long Circular, there’s a man by Long Circular Mall whose doubles good. The worst doubles I ever had was in Canada; the bara was big like bake with a tea spoon of channa. It cost $2.00CAN and the line was real long. The woman was trying to make a hustle too and those who outside (abroad) not getting that so they buying it.  
ET&T: Is there anyone you would refuse to interview?
J.W: I wouldn’t say I would refuse to interview anyone. If KMC would come to my couch I would love to interview him. I have interviewed everybody, in fact when a person die I could pull up videos of interviews gone. But I would love for KMC to come sit on my couch. I know he had a lot to say after the Mavado interview so I would love to sit with him; let’s clear the air you know? But no, there is nobody I will refuse to interview.
ET&T: Describe your most embarrassing on-air moment.
J.W: I said Sh*! on air. I got so upset I told a man he talking sh*!.
ET&T: Were there any repercussions?
J.W: No…..no repercussions
ET&T: Express your views on the skin bleaching phenomenon being popularized by Vybz Kartel.
J.W: I think it is engraved in Jamaican culture, but I don’t really see the need for it here, for us in T&T. I know we have the VICCO turmeric cream that helps with blemishes and cuts you may have on your face, but as far as bleaching, I guess I just want to know what the health implications for that are? That’s kind of strange.
ET&T: Are you fully pleased with the results of the Government over the last year?
J.W: Well it’s a coalition Government and there are different heads and plenty people and everybody will have their own agendas. Plus Trinidad and Tobago is such a multi-cultured society that they will need to serve all the needs of the country. So as we develop we will see. They have made some fundamental errors, but it’s only one year, so we’ll wait and see what else is in store.
ET&T: In your opinion, which Ministry needs work?
J.W: I think the Arts and Multiculturalism Ministry needs work, I think they should put something in place for young artistes and artistes as a whole. As an artiste you need to travel abroad to perform and Blaze and I we had our VISAS, but you need to get a Work VISA when you going to work abroad and the process was long. We didn’t even get a letter from the Ministry that would have made the process smoother. They need to be there for the artistes… put something in place for them. Another Ministry that needs work is Tourism. I think a little bit more could have been done for Tourism, to places like Chacachacare and down the islands. They are beautiful and that should be a tourist attraction for international tourists and locals. They need to restore the island, down there is like a dump now.

ET&T: Would you ever leave radio announcing to become a singer full-time?
J.W: Not really…..I think working on radio is enlightening and fun. Plus you can reach many more people on radio and you can influence minds and they even influence you too. It’s a two-fold scenario and I have learnt so much.