RIP, Rich Davis. Aug. 1, 1972 – April 2014.
Credit WLRN—

“Sounds of the Caribbean” host Rich Davis died in Jamaica late Wednesday night, says WLRN program director Peter J. Maerz, who spoke with Davis’ fiancee Mexine Bisasor.

As of Thursday afternoon, cause of death has not been confirmed.

Davis, known on-air as “the man inside your radio,” hosted WLRN’s late-night music program, which was Miami’s longest-running Caribbean show on FM. He was also a local host for BBC World News on WLRN.

“Sounds of the Caribbean” has a large following of reggae, calypso and dancehall music fans. Jamaican-American reggae host Howard Duperly of 88.9 WDNA says, “It was an excellent program. [Davis] tried to keep Jamaicans and Americans abreast of some of the more modern and contemporary releases while staying true to the traditional side of what we call ‘roots and conscience’ music. It was a nice blend.”

“The entire WLRN family is deeply saddened by the unexpected and sudden passing of Rich Davis,” says WLRN general manager John LaBonia. “Rich’s energy and passion for his craft will live on in our collective memories.”

Davis was born in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, and began his career on the island in 1991. He was a volunteer on Radio Waves, now called HOT 102 FM. There he learned from reputable broadcasters like Arnold Kelly. He approached his career with passion and described it as thrilling and satisfactory.

He was interested in radio since the early ’80s, so after working in hospitality, law enforcement and corporate security management, Davis migrated to the U.S. to focus full-time on broadcasting. In 2007, he graduated from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting.

Davis as a child.
Credit WLRN

In South Florida, he joined the team atWAVS 1170 AM, the Heartbeat of the Caribbean, in 2006 and later produced “The Rich Davis Show” at WLVJ 1040 AM. In southwest Florida he produced and hosted Caribbean Sundays on WKII 1070 AM.

He was an experienced concert host in the Caribbean and across the states, and worked with some of the best talents in the music industry.

This was his personal credo, which fueled his ambitions in life: “The heights by great men reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Davis is survived by his partner Mexine Bisasor and their young son. Memorial arrangements are pending.

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