On the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the foundation of Radio Grito de Baire, we talked with Paco Miranda, an outstanding radio artist in Contramaestre and Cuba.
When did you start, Paco, in Radio Grito de Baire?
Paco: “Well, my greatest pride as an artist is having inaugurated this station, exactly on February 24, 1990. And since the first day, I’ve been here, in its studios. For a long time, I hope to continue to bring the best of me to the people who deserve it so much.”
“And since the first day, I have struggled to learn a little more about this world that is so difficult for some, but that for many, as is my case, that represents enormous satisfaction.”
In addition to broadcaster, what else have you done in Radio Grito de Baire?
I have also written a program scripts, I have directed programs, and I have specialized in sound technology, because I think that for this type of work, it is necessary to be a total artist. And I think that more or less we have carried it out in these 35 years.
What has Radio Grito de Baire meant for Paco Miranda?
Radio Grito de Baire has been my great satisfaction from an artistic and personal point of view, because it has allowed me to communicate with the people, to maintain that very own way of feeling that the audience that listens to me, both inside and outside of Contramaestre, has felt proud to be able to receive a modest message with all the very own way that identifies us as Contramaestrian by adoption, since I am not from Contramaestre, I am from Havana originally, but I have made roots in this town and in this radio station, to which I hope to continue giving my best effort.
We know of very frequent contacts that other radio artists from all over the country have with you. What is it about?
I think that’s about what I know, more or less. I like to do research, especially in terms of Cuban popular music, which has been my strength. And I have had the satisfaction of receiving the encouragement of formidable speakers from all over the island, such as Eduardo Rosillo, Rolando Zacarias, as well as producers from other stations. Naturally, Radio Baraguá cannot be missing in this list, because it was my school that prepared me to assume this job on the radio. And there are the cases of Iberencia Barriga, Emilio Núñez, Manuelito Ortega, Amarilis Arzuaga, Juana Quintana, and many others.
But in other parts of the country, I have also felt committed to cooperating with them, as is the case of broadcasters such as Radio Angulo in Holguín, Radio Bayamo, Provincial de Granma, and naturally, in the capital, Radio Rebelde, Radio Progreso. All these broadcasters have served as a catalyst for my modest effort to contribute to the fact that Cuban music occupies the place it deserves, and we are still working on that.
Do you remember the last interview you had with them? Well, the most recent one, with the colleagues from Radio Bayamo.
We were with them doing two programs , one dedicated to bolero , the other dedicated to danzón , and this has helped me express my satisfaction to a collective that also works hard, like many other broadcasters, but constantly, whatever they need, in any radio station, here I am ready to give them my best effort. Thank you very much, Paco. Happy anniversary!
