A BERMUDA contingent descended on Chicago's Hyatt Regency ballroom to help pay tribute to the son of the soil for 15 years of programming wizardry in Chicago at Clear Channel Urban WGCI and Urban ACWV2Z9 (V-103).Elroy R.C Smith, the youngest of six children born to Ismay and Littenfield Smith, has transcended being a success story.

Young Elroy wasn't excited about school — in fact, he preferred doing just about anything to studying and behaving in class.

As a teenager, he began to develop a keen interest in music. He joined a singing group, The Universal Five, which soon became the Universal Four when Elroy was unceremoniously fired from the group.

"I was around 16 and we did a big performance at the Southampton Rangers Club. There were about 300 people at the show and after the show the members of the group got with me and said I was fired. They felt I wasn't a good complement for the group and honestly I wasn't because I was like the MC of the group," he admitted.

He decided to look at other ways to get involved in the music business. His fascination with radio led him to ZFB where he was informed by the programme director that he would never make it because of his inability to read.

Undaunted by this setback, Elroy went off to New York to attend an announcer's training school for nine months and when he returned home, programme director Sergio Dean offered him a part-time job at ZFB as an on-air personality.

"I wanted more education and it was time to go off to college, but I didn't have a high-school diploma and had dropped out of Warwick Secondary regrettably. I wished I have applied myself.

"Anyway I applied to Graham College in Boston and I was told the school was going to be closing in a year and a half and if I still wanted to attend I would need a letter from a minister and a politician, which I had and got accepted."

No one knew his secret that he was a college student who could not read. So Elroy did something that was truly amazing. He taught himself to read by reading an encyclopaedia every night.

"The last semester of my two-year programme I doubled up so I could complete the programme. I did nine courses and it was killing me, but I knew I wanted this degree so I had to do the nine courses and, after that, I came home and was on the radio a lot during the summer."

After his stint on the local airwaves, Elroy returned to Boston to complete his four-year degree at Emerson College where he earned his degree in Mass Communications. He then went on to do an internship at Emerson at a station called WILD, which was an AM sunrise to sunset station.

Steve Crumbley, the programme director, offered Elroy a slot doing a Caribbean show on the weekends, which eventually led to a full-time on-air shift.

"It gave me an opportunity to be on the air and I did that show for about two years and after that it was time for me to graduate from Emerson College."

In 1983, Crumbley left the station and Elroy was offered the programme director's position, but there was a major problem looming on the horizon. Elroy's school visa had run out.

Ken and Bernadine Nash, who owned and managed WILD, couldn't bear the thought of losing Elroy. They not only sponsored Elroy, they even paid his legal fees, making it possible for him to stay in the United States.

This gave Elroy his first opportunity as a programme director until 1983. He enjoyed a successful five-year run and was eventually hired by Dallas- based Summit Communications to programme their new station 100.2 JAMZ.

After Summit terminated him he returned to WILD in Boston before being hired as programme director by WGCI-FM in 1992.

"Boston was a major city where I got my career started and it was a major city that I really got a hold of. It had more of an introduction to living in America full time."

The Windy City will never be the same again after the star-studded tribute was held in honour for radio personality Elroy R.C Smith. 'Chicago is still buzzing after the programme', he exclaimed. A Who's Who in the public spotlight and a contingent from Bermuda descended upon the Chicago's Hyatt Regency Ballroom to pay tribute to the son of the soil for 15 years of programming wizardry in Chicago at Clear Channel Urban WGCI and Urban ACWV2Z9 (V-103). In a piece of nostalgia, this was the location where he met his wife Vonda of 10 years, and the rest has been beautiful music! The event was hosted by renowned motivational speaker, Les Brown, with Clear Channel Gospel WGRB (Inspiration 1390 AM) with Morning Show Host, John Hannah pressed into service as the Master of Ceremonies.

The event was punctuated with humourous moments, reminiscent of 'This Is Your Life' as several notables from various phases in Smith's life spoke candidly about his character and his selfless contributions. Elroy had been the moving force behind 'Stop The Music/Stop the Violence' and coordinated a rally last March entitled 'Black Life has Value'. Capital Hill recognised his work in a proclamation by Senate President Emil Jones Jr. It was during this time Elroy had served as Programme Director and Operations Manager for nine years for WGCI and six years as Programme Director for WVAZ-FM 102.7 and Operations manager for WGRAB-AM 1390.

Chicago Mayor, Richard M. Daley extended his greeting to Elroy by saying 'Tonight you honour Elroy R.C. Smith, who has provided the people of our city with innovative programming, music and entertainment during his time at WGCI-FM, WVAZ-FM and WGRB-AM. Elroy's commitment to excellence extends to his community efforts through which he has made Chicago a better place to live, work and raise families.' Reverend Jesse Jackson, during his recognition speech said: 'We always referred to Elroy as the conscience of the Clear Channel Urban Programmers.' He also recognised Smith's stance on consistently playing uplifting music and refusing to play songs with derogatory lyrics. Clear Channel Senior VP of Urban Programming, Doc Wynter added to that observation during his speech when he said, "We always referred to Elroy as the conscience of the Clear Channel Urban Programmers." Marv Dyson, former Clear Channel/Chicago GM of WGCI, WVAZ and WGRB, who brought Smith to the company, also spoke at the event. Recently ousted WGCI morning show host 'Crazy" Howard McGee made an unexpected appearance. McGee thanked Smith for hiring him 14 years ago and spoke about Smith's disdain for profanity. Another surprise came during Barry Mayo's speech when he announced Smith's new position as OM of Radio One/Philadelphia.

Elroy was the last person to speak and expressed his appreciation for the numerous countless accolades and awards received during his tenure in Chicago.

Elroy was more than happy to share many of his experiences that have made him one of the most recognised names as a former radio personality to one of the hottest programme directors. 'After the tribute Chicago was still buzzing. Chicago is unbelievable. I found God in Chicago, I found my wife, had my children there and now I have three radio stations there. I've lived it! I found a lot of things there', Elroy exclaimed. He heaped kudos on Thaao Dill from Hott 107.5 as the next radio personality to make it big in the USA. 'I think he is probably one of the smartest announcers that I have run into. For a young guy, he is absolutely brilliant! Ms Thang also has something to offer as well.'

When asked what advice or suggestions he had for someone wanting to beak into the business, he replied, 'become a student. I studied and to this very day I am studying. You need to have a passion for it. If it is just a job, don't do it but if there is a genuine passion for this position, take it on. Get to know people in the industry. I am able to call so many different broadcasters because they are familiar with who I am. You need to get to know whose these people are and be well read and be up on it because you never know if someone is going to challenge you right on the spot and you have to be ready. I also encourage them to go to school and so you are pretty well equipped when you come out', he replied matter of factly.

Typically radio directors toil in a virtual no man's land of obscurity, but Elroy has risen through the ranks to become as some of his local fans have described it as icon status. "Most icons do not realise they're icons and I fall into that same category. But it is an honour, it really is and when you're living it, it is really hard to see.' His next step is to see ownership on a larger scale in America. 'I would love to see that in Boston then I would have a strong FM urban there. Wouldn't that be exciting? ' he exclaimed flashing his trademark prime-time smile. He stated every day is a challenge since everything is not guaranteed as well as making a difference locally and in Philadelphia.

I had never dreamed of this. I never dreamed that God would bless me the way he has blessed me. This is just crazy! If I weren't in radio I would either be dead or in jail, straight up! I want to be a good husband and a good father and firstly a good Christian, which is number one. I want God to look down and say I am so proud of you son. It is all about having substance in your heart.' He describes his profession as an art, but still credits his strong religious convictions for his accomplishments over the past 15 years. 'This whole blessing of what has happened to my career is only by the grace of God, because honestly I was set up to fail. I did not do well in school. I did not do well furthering my schooling. I did, but I was so far behind in college I did not take time out to learn the fundamentals', he said. When asked if he saw himself as a success story he replied it is hard to tell when you live it.'

'It is not that I am unappreciative but it is hard to see yourself as a success. My dream was to come back home, but when I got there God had a different plan for me', he added. Smith has garnered numerous industry awards and has become one of the most sought after speakers and workshop leaders in the radio industry.

Effective August 1st, Elroy will join Radio One in Philadelphia which is the number one black -owned radio conglomerate in the US with over 70 radio stations. He will be the Operations Director of WPHI, WRNB and WPPZ in Philadelphia. 'I will be responsible for a Gospel station, a R&B station and a Hip Hop station. It is just amazing, so that is where my head is. I have a lot of work to do. I have to go into Philadelphia and make a difference. After becoming so familiar with Chicago for 15 years, it is like starting all over again, but I will be alright, my adrenaline is up', he added.

Undoubtedly Elroy has become a tour de force and has the name recognition and professional reputation to support it.

Bermuda's Very Own, Elroy R.C. Smith was the guest of honour as movers and shakers in the radio industry paid tribute to him, in Chicago. After 15 years as Programme Director at WGIC-FM and WVAZ-FM, Smith will become Operations Manager for Radio One in Philadelphia on August 1st.