An Odyssey in Reggae and Journalism

When you get to know Howard McGowan, two things stand out, his loyalty and unflinching approach to tasks. In the case of the former, I can speak unequivocally as his 34 years with the Tastee Talent Contest is testament to same. While for the latter, his fierce battle as captured in his book in getting The Gleaner to cover Reggae in a meaningful way underscores this. Indeed, those who now report on the local entertainment scene owe a debt of gratitude to him... A must-read for music lovers and budding journalists.
Simone Chanpong,
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>Do you love Reggae Music?

This mesmerizing memoir recounts Howard McGowan's almost 5-decade odyssey in Journalism, specifically his 23-years at The Gleaner from 1974 to 1997 and his unbroken 34-year tenure with the Tastee Talent Trail. The book explores the challenges McGowan faced in persuading The Gleaner to provide extensive coverage of Reggae Events and documents his progression from a sub-editor to The Gleaner's first Entertainment Editor, thereby paving the way for a slew of entertainment journalists today in Jamaica.

The must-read encompasses his no-holes-barred coverage of entertainment/entertainers and contains colourful anecdotes regarding same. It also delves into the politically tumultuous period in Jamaica from 1976 to 1980, during which he was tasked with covering both General Elections. This book is not just an inspiration for future journalists and music lovers but a national treasure as it documents Jamaica's history and the development of the music industry in Jamaica.

About the Author

Hitherto his arrival at The Gleaner in 1974, coverage of Reggae was hidden behind a veil. Following his stint in architecture gained in New York and his foray into Creative Writing and Journalism, McGowan chose to return to Jamaica, and in so doing, established himself as a topflight entertainment journalist. With his in-your-face style journalism, Howard McGowan removes that veil to reveal the music's potency.