The Rock that Talks

Newfoundlanders can speak at length on just about any topic-and that's what they do, in their own time, on "Voice of the Common Man"

by Katharine Mott

"Dat you Bas?"

"Yiss, my love, what do you want to talk about today?"

There's hardly a Newfoundlander or Labradorian alive who isn't familiar with these words. Bas Jamieson was an exceptionally popular host on the VOCM radio call-in show in the province. Retirement has called to him a few times, but each time his fans objected. He has been gruff at times, understanding and encouraging at others, knowledgeable about a range of topics, and superb at getting the thoughts and opinions out of people without seeming to rush them.

VOCM radio, known affectionately in the province as the "Voice of the Common Man," runs talk shows each evening, Sunday through Thursday. These shows, called "Nightline," are perhaps the most popular forum for public communication in the province. Matters of community interest are discussed, political issues are raised and debated, or sometimes people just want to tell a story of something that happened to them. The discussions might be heated, but they're always informative and entertaining.

It's been my experience that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can speak at length on just about any topic, perhaps more so than other people in this country. Quebecers are outspoken about matters of a political nature, certainly, but NL'ers have stories and opinions about everything. People of all ages and levels of education-you may hear a homebody, a school student, a bus driver, a doctor or a politician-call in to express their thoughts on a range of topics.

It's the callers who drive the topic and content-and it's their opinion that counts, not their social class. Those who really want to know what the people of the province think and want, like Premiers and Ministers of the House, keep their ear to VOCM-and they've been known to call in with their opinions as well.

While clearing land and building a sportfishing lodge some years ago, I spent several months living in a tent in the wilds of Labrador. I was removed from the noises of my normal lifestyle-ambulances, cars, radio, doorbells, telephones-and from knowing what was happening in the world outside our tent site. I can't say that I missed all those things, but I did miss conversation. My days were spent on land-clearing matters, and cooking for a crew of five or six people on a two-burner camp stove. At the end of the day conversation was the last thing anyone wanted-flat out on the air mattress with a soft pillow was more appealing! My relaxation was my wee radio and headset, with fingers crossed that the atmospheric conditions would permit reasonable reception of VOCM.

George MacLaren was the regular host at that time, with periodic visits by Bas. No matter who was hosting for the evening, callers would invariably call the host "Bas." I wonder if they still do that for host Linda Swain!

I was a lurker on other people's conversations, and learned a lot. VOCM's "Nightline" broadened my appreciation of the culture of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. And the culture is different in each place. Language, the delightful accent, expressions, humour, matters of significance, customs and values-these are all there for the hearing. It's programs like "Nightline" that help to preserve this culture, too. Wouldn't you hate to meet a Newfoundlander with an Upper Canadian accent? Or a Labradorian devoid of the expressions you sometimes need translated?

I learned that you can't hurry a Newfoundlander when he wants to tell a story; just sit back and listen! One day the topic was highway speeding and apprehension by the constabulary. A few stories were told, some with horrid results, some comical. Then an older chap called with his beef: he had not been speeding. In fact, he proudly said that he was driving cautiously and prudently, well below the speed limit. Host George gleaned that it was at about half the posted speed limit. He was apprehended for driving too slow, and he was indignant! "Me and the missus was leaving Goobies…" His long-winded tale told of passing certain landmarks, vehicles that passed him, comments made by himself or the missus, and so on. George tried to hurry him by jumping ahead with a comment like "and when you got to your destination, what happened?" Mister was not to be hurried. Instead, he reprimanded: "You're not listening. I'll start again. Me and the missus was leaving Goobies…" George was heard to mutter "oh no," but clammed up for the rest of the tale which, by the way, was not dramatic.

In the rest of Canada we are somewhat passive about political information-we get it in the form of press releases, newspaper articles, short clips on the radio or TV. Many don't trust the media or don't believe the politicians, so tend to disregard the information. Not so in Newfoundland and Labrador. VOCM reaches a wide portion of the isolated communities, often before news is broadcast on TV or radio, and usually a day or so before the most current newspaper is delivered locally. In this province, callers don't just react to matters of interest, they help to shape public policy and accept or reject political action.

When I was living in the tent in Labrador the matter of denominational education was high on almost everyone's interest chart. Night after night it was guaranteed that there would be an opinion expressed about whether the churches or government would have the right to organize and administer education in the province. There were a few rules for the callers-no swearing, no slander, and no promotion of any one religious group. One evening an early caller's remark spurred a flurry of calls with heated comments about one side or the other. A bit into the two-hour program a calm, reasonable gentleman called saying, "Dis is not good for da kids. Dere's fights in the home, fights in the school, fights on the street, and fights in the schoolyard. Dis has gotta stop now."

Buddy's comment seemed to resonate with those who wanted the matter resolved, and shortly thereafter a referendum was called to introduce reform to education. So somebody had been listening!

Some think that CBC radio is responsible for keeping Canada together. Programs of national interest and music for the eclectic tastes are there. You can connect on an AM or FM frequency almost anywhere in the country, remote or otherwise. But in Newfoundland and Labrador it's VOCM that keeps the people of the province tuned in, turned on and tied together. Let's hope it never changes. They aren't just a half hour later in the province, they're leaps and bounds ahead!

~ Katharine
e-mail: katharine@saltscapes.com

You can tune in to VOCM on Sundays through Thursdays, 8:00 p.m. to midnight (NL time) via the Internet. Go to www.VOCM.com.