By Teino Evans, Staff ReporterAFTER SPENDING five years living in Canada, Markland Edwards felt it was time to return home in Jamaica and reunite himself with his first love, radio announcing and emceeing shows.
Markland, who had been working at Love FM from its inception in 1993, had resigned because of personal differences and decided that he wanted to get away and focus more on his family. And why not? Because Markland had been through the hills and valleys, divorce and all.
In 1998 he left Jamaica to resettle in Canada, where he lived with his second wife and their three-year-old daughter.
Markland acquired a job at CJMR1320, a multicultural Canadian radio station that recently transformed into a gospel station, Joy1250. "This was just to keep the family going and take care of certain needs," Markland said.
Markland spent a year with the radio station before moving on to the banking sector, where he worked with CIBC for two years. After a two-year stint with the bank Markland was laid off and found himself sitting at home for the better part of a year, being the MC at concerts and weddings occasionally.
It was at this point that Markland decided that he wanted to return home to his first love, doing what he loved best.
"There was always a desire to come back home because of the vibe and freedom we have in Jamaica. Canada is very family-oriented and conservative," he said.
Markland returned to Jamaica last year August and, since his return, he has been very busy. He now has more than sufficient jobs to occupy his time.
From Mega Jamz in the mornings to JACS in the nights, while doing MC duties at concerts and weddings on the weekends, Markland Edwards has indeed become a busy man.
HAPPY WITH HIS PROGRAMME
He started with JACS Cable company in September 2003 as programmes manager and, in addition to this, Markland was also given an on air position at Mega Jamz FM in January 2004. His radio programme, 'Bumper to Bumper with Spike and Markland', airs from 5 to 9 a.m. "We play the best in 70s and 80s music, with different features and profiles throughout," he said.
Despite the hectic schedule, Markland is very happy with what he is now doing.
"I always wanted to do something that gave me a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment and radio gives me this," Markland said.
It is not strange for persons attending concerts to take the MC for granted, but as Markland explains a lot rests on the MC's shoulders, as they can either make or break the vibes at a concert.
"As an MC on stage I have to be into singing, comedy and a host of other things to keep the audience entertained, especially if there are problems backstage that we want to keep the audience unaware of," Markland said.
Markland, who has proven to be a diverse and entertaining MC, got his start in that role by chance. It came while he was road manager for Joan Flemmings and the Inspires back in the 1980s.
"Going around with Joan I used to present her on stage and persons said I sounded like Barry G and from there I got started," he explained. Markland also gives credit to Winston Ridgard, general manager of Love FM, for teaching him much of what he knows through on the job training.
This, combined with his exposure to the working of the business, has helped to mould and develop Markland into what he is today, and according to him, the bottom line is that everybody is happy. "I only want to make people happy and allow them to enjoy themselves and at the end of the day persons can say it was a good concert," he said.
Markland, who grew up in the community of Old Braeton, St. Catherine, now worships at the Emmanuel Apostolic Church and says he lives his day-to-day life under the direction of the Lord.
"I live my life in the sense that as a Christian, I allow the Lord to direct my life. I leave everything in his hands," he said.
