Pat Bailey was a renaissance woman, a pioneer who blazed her way into the hearts and households of millions for nearly half a century. I am humbled to say she was a mentor to me. She along with her husband Gil were the first to put me on the air. It was sometime in 1992 and I can still hear her voice now, "Sharon Gordon, Mr Bailey and I would like to meet with you." Nervous as ever, we met and the rest as they say is history. Ms Pat and her husband took me under their wings; my mother had just passed and she became my surrogate mom. Gil and Pat taught me all I needed to know about the radio side of things.
It was the early 90's and reggae music and Jamaican culture were "crossing over." Ms Bailey taught me how to be a broadcaster; how to interact with the many small business owners like Sista Cuchy of Roots Groundation and Jennifer Ewers of Brawta Jamaican Restaurant, two of my first sponsors. Ma B would say, get them as an advertiser and then ask them to sponsor. It was Ms Pat who taught me how to go out in our community and develop relationships that have remained in place all these many years later. My weekly community round-up was just a little segment on the Gil and Pat Bailey Show but for me and my family it was huge!!!
In addition to teaching me how to sell ads, she taught me how to present music, news and interviews on air. She would caution me about the balance that was necessary to keep your audience engaged and not change the dial.
There was a time when I had to "hold the gate" or be a "gateman" for many of Gil and Pat's events. Best believe it was no easy feat, but Ma B would coach me and tell me how to deal with those who would try to "beat the gate" or not pay their admission. Yes, she was something else, strong, compassionate, and a shrewd business woman who loved her people and her culture and it was she who taught me the industry and how to survive with the sharks in these murky waters.
Mrs. Bailey and I are born a day a part she Oct 28 me Oct 27; different years of course. Let's Hear It was a segment that she conceptualized and I was elated to be invited to be a part of it in 2008, when President Barack Obama was campaigning for the presidency. Ma B and I were staunch supporters of the Obama candidacy while my sister/name sake, Sharon Goldbourne, and Bro Jose (Richards) were not. Oh, those programs were dynamic… we would review the topics for each week's program and be ready for them when they called. Oh, I learned a lot from Mrs. Bailey.
With her passing, we see the end of an institution... what Gil and Pat did was trailblazing. Because of them, we can! As trendsetters, they paved the way for many. Her legacy lives on in the work that I do as the co-founder and chair of the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music; as a producer and host on my own Internet broadcast platform CPRLive.org; as a promoter of cultural events that highlight our heritage; as a renaissance woman who learned from the best. Yes, Pat Bailey, Ma B will always be with us and I can hear her now saying, "Mi daughter, how you be?" I am good Ma B and I know you are too. Your work here is done good and faithful servant. Rest in eternal peace.
Oh how I miss your laughter!!
