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April 2015

Clifford “Cliffy” Walsh - Toronto - Director

 

Clifford “ Cliffy” Walsh, they call him the “record chef” is our newest member having joined the organization in 2015. Growing up in Greenwich Farm, Kingston Jamaica his father being the owner of a small sound system influenced his introduction into the world of music. Cliffy would often accompany him to play at small parties in their area in the late 1960’s to early 1970’s.

Migrating to Canada in 1980 Clifford took his small vinyl collection with him (albeit with nothing to play them on). While in Canada he made contact with Winston"Bobby" Daley an older associate from Greenwich Farm and ardent vinyl record collector living in Detroit. On weekends Clifford often made trips to Detroit to hang out but often would end up in the kitchen whilst Bobby and his friends went record hunting expeditions. On their return he would receive whatever ”brukings” (Jamaican slang for extras) Bobby and his friends could spare him.  For “Cliffy” life as a real collector had begun.

He names Van McCoy as one of his favorite artiste.

Gilbert "Gil" Scott – Jamaica

Gil Scott was a member of the planning team for the 2017 Memorial Weekend (MWE) 20th anniversary hosted in Jamaica. An eloquent speaker he did duties as Master of Ceremony at our Dinner and Award function 2017. Gil was also instrumental in raising sponsorship for this milestone event.

A lover of Vinyl Gil has played at two MWE events; New York 2016 (Friday night Meet & Greet) and Jamaica 2017 (Monday picnic). He also attended our inaugural Retreat 2018 in Florida and was invited to our meeting as a guest.

Some of us may recognize the name “De Student” on the Collectors Korner Now network (CKN). That’s Gil.

 

Veronica Airey-Wilson – Connecticut - Director

Jamaican born, former Deputy Mayor of Hartford, Veronica Airey-Wilson was recently named –co-chair of the Connecticut chapter of the Vinyl Record Collectors Association and Director on the board of the International body.

Veronica Airey-Wilson’s passion for music and entertainment was greatly influence by her parents at the early age of ten. The Aireys were music lovers who used their home as a gathering place for newly arrived immigrants from the Caribbean.  The new arrivals depended on the Aireys for Jamaican meals and parties which occurred on weekends at their home in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  While her parents served beverage and food, Veronica functioned as the DJ, playing the latest 33 and 45 records on the family Hi-Fi.  At age ten, she developed an acute sense of pleasing the crowd musically.

Over the years, Veronica’s love for music, her outgoing personality, her passion for recognizing good entertainers, her strong business skills and her commitment to advancing the Caribbean culture has influenced the direction of entertainment in the Greater Hartford Region.  This include promoting groups like the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Temptations and the Supremes while in high school.

In later years, as the first woman President of the West Indian Social Club, Ms. Airey-Wilson continued pushing her passion for music by utilizing the WISC’s facility to promote artists like the Chylites; Byron Lee; Fab5; Bob Marley; Dennis Brown; Gregory Isaacs: Marcia Griffiths; Merritone Music and Others.  As Deputy Mayor of Hartford, she seized the opportunity to expose the Caribbean culture to the larger community by creating Caribbean events in the downtown area of the city.

Veronica welcomed the opportunity to continue to demonstrate her love and commitment for promoting quality music by joining other music enthusiast from around the world when she became a member of Vinyl Record Collectors Association in 2014.  She continues to make major contribution to the development of the Connecticut chapter and the international body of the Vinyl Record Collectors Association.

Clayton Young - Florida - Member

 

The man with the velvet voice, Clayton joined the VRCA membership in 2012.  One of those collectors who has preferred to be under the radar, his motto being “walk softly and carry a big stick”. Be aware however that he is armed to the teeth, his weapon of choice being vinyl.  With his calm demeanor and willingness to participate, he is most definitely an asset to our organization. Currently President of the Kiwanis Club of greater Broward County Sunrise Chapter, Clayton is very passionate not only about the music also about giving back to those less fortunate in society and has been actively engaged in Christmas in July fundraisers which help homeless children in Florida.

His love for music was nurtured in Jamaica with influence from his father who was a lover of Jazz. Clayton was a DJ with the Ovation Disco before migrating to New York in 1975. Regrettably he left his records and had to start afresh in New York where he made a connection with Michael Barnett who in Clayton’s words “became his key mentor and exposed him to a new world of collecting”. Another co-host on collectorskornernow.com network Vintage Vinyl show Clayton always treats his audience to an entertaining feast of various musical genres. 

Winsome “ Lady C” Charlton - Florida

 

Winsome “Lady C” Charlton became a member of VRCA in 2013. A trained broadcaster she was assistant producer for the “The Radio One Club”, a popular radio show on BBC. She is credited with introducing ska music over the British airwaves. “Although the music evoked controversy, she promoted airplay for Desmond Decker’s tune ‘Israelite’.

In Florida she became a radio personality at WAVS, and has been entertaining listeners with her cool voice for over 30 years reaching millions Lady C is credited with the distinction of introducing the first 24-hour/seven-day-per-week Caribbean radio station in South Florida.  A woman passionate about her endeavors to share the extraordinary individuality of the Caribbean region. Winsome expresses this through her ardent love of Caribbean music. It was this eagerness to draw increased awareness to the distinctive music of the Caribbean that led her in 1994 to found the Reggae Soca Awards, which she has tagged the 'Caribbean Grammys'.

Volunteerism is part of her mantra, and she sits on many boards of charitable organizations.

“Music is my business and I hope my business brings you some pleasure; whatever you do always live the life you love and love the life you live.”  Words of wisdom from “Lady C”.
 

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