Randy D

Ferrand Courtney Lawrence Dopwell (15 May 195114 January 2021), known by his on-air name Randy D, was a Vincentian radio and television broadcaster and live entertainment promoter.

He was considered a pioneer of radio in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a cultural ambassador, and a mentor to local music artists. His long-running program Vibes Caribbean provided a link for the Vincentian diaspora and helped promote local talent on an international stage.

Early life Dopwell was born on 15 May 1951. He attended the Wesleyan Methodist School in Kingstown and Kingstown Preparatory School; he completed his secondary schooling at the St. Vincent Grammar School in 1969. In grammar school, Dopwell was mainly interested in football. However, he gained his first experience with stage performance when he joined the Educational Tour Club and became a co-host for the club's events.

After working at the government Division of Customs and Excise for two years, Dopwell moved to the United States in 1971 to study at the New York University School of Commerce. He worked several part-time jobs in order to cover his expenses; he later singled out being a parking attendant at New York City's Lincoln Center as a special job, as it allowed him to watch some of the performances.

Dopwell then decided to leave New York City for Canada to join his older brother, who was graduating from Humber College. At Radio 705, Dopwell met fellow broadcaster Earl "Capp" Stephens, and together they formed "Disco Connection", one of the country's first sound systems, which became highly influential in local entertainment. He was instrumental in forming the Undergraduates Calypso Tent, which later became the Graduates Calypso Tent, a leading institution in Vincentian calypso for three decades.

After being fired from Radio 705—an event that led to the popular protest song “We Want Randy D” by Poorsha—Dopwell moved into new roles. He took over as host of the Night Riders program from Saluche on Nice Radio. On the same station, he also ran the Morning Shift and Caribbean Linkup programs, He was widely recognized for his support of young artists across genres, including calypso, reggae, soul, hip hop, and jazz.

In 1989, Dopwell migrated again to Canada, to get experience in television at Rogers Cable. It was here that he began producing his show Vibes Caribbean.

Besides music, Dopwell also used his platform for community development. He would make annual visits to homebound people and the Mental Health Centre, and provide meals for the homeless on National Heroes' Day. Dopwell was a carrier for the Saint Vincent segment of the 2010 Queen's Baton Relay. He was one of the recipients of the Carnival Development Corporation's cultural impact awards in 2017.

Death Dopwell died on 14 January 2021 of prostate cancer at his home in Kingstown. the New Democratic Party, The Vincentian, and the Carnival Development Corporation. He was described as a "national treasure", "icon", and "patriot" by his peers and the wider community.