Let’s Talk St.Thomas

A PodCast

Virgin Islands broadcasters catch up and discuss life as it was on St. Thomas during the early years of broadcasting in the Caribbean Islands. From the beginnings, early technology, news and cultural events and other tidbits of St.Thomas Trivia. The mini podcast with WVWI's Rick Ricardo and WBNB-TV's Matt Locker is a five episode run, each between about 8 and 11 minutes long. The original recording was in 2013 and recently discovered. Production is complete with a new episode dropping every week.

This is the last known recording of it's type before Ricardo passed away in February 2025.

(C) 2025 Matt Locker

Additional copyrights acknowledged. Produced for historical preservation and reference. Not intended for commercial use.

For permission to use, please drop me a note on the contact form. Thanks!

Episode 1, “Saying Hello”

BIOGRAPHIES

RICK RICARDO

Rick was born on April 22, 1936, in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands to Florence Quetel-Hodge Ricardo and Earl Ricardo. He grew up in St. Thomas and graduated from Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in the Class of 1953. Upon graduating high school, Rick moved to New York and attended the RCA Institute until he was drafted into the US Army in 1959. Rick served in the US Army from 1959-1964 as an Army Specialist 4th class based out of Fort Hamilton in New York City. While in the military, he served as an American Forces Network (AFN) News correspondent in Stuttgart, Germany, Africa and the Middle East and set a record for 1,000 interviews in one year for AFN. He loved serving his country and was very proud of being a member of the US Army, and a veteran. Upon retiring from the military, Rick returned to his beloved Virgin Islands and accepted the opportunity to work as news director for WBNB in radio and television from 1964 to 1968. He briefly worked in public relations for ITT, as well as for the Virgin Islands Legislature. Rick returned to his first passion of broadcasting at WSTA, WVWI, Radio One.

As a result of his passion and commitment to broadcasting, Rick had an illustrious career that spanned some 45 years on the radio. He enjoyed his work of reporting news to the people of the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean, covering every subject from daily news and sports to national political conventions, elections and disasters. Rick was a member of the Radio-Television News Director Association of America. His voice was the trusted one V.I. audiences relied on to accurately report about events both at home and around the world that affected their daily lives.

Rick passed away in Feb of 2025.

MATT LOCKER

From humble beginnings at a Caribbean television station, WBNB-TV (CBS), Matt has become a masterful chameleon of performance. He was the very first guy in the "Corona-On-The-Beach" commercials that would become iconic, while his presence anchored news desks as both reporter and weather forecaster. When Hollywood called, he answered—landing a role in "Weekend At Bernie's II" that showcased his natural screen presence.

But Matt's voice became his true calling card. Across radio waves spanning New York state, New Jersey, and the Virgin Islands, his distinctive sound has captivated audiences. The theater stages of regional playhouses and the bright lights of New York City have witnessed his dramatic range, creating the perfect foundation for his greatest passion: voice acting.

Listen closely, and you've likely heard Matt's voice guiding you through everyday moments—from Discover Card's trusted tones to the smooth persuasion of Pepsi campaigns. His vocal versatility has brought life to brands like KFC, Pizza Hut, Revlon, and innovative products like Q-NOL Ultra Co-Q10 and Slimshots.

The industry has taken notice. Matt's exceptional work earned him nominations for both the prestigious "Audio Verse" awards and the coveted Society of Voice Arts and Sciences "Voice Arts" awards, particularly for his compelling performance in "Powder Burns: An Original Western Audio Drama."

Born under the bright lights of New York City, raised in the tropical paradise of the US Virgin Islands, and now calling New Jersey home, Matt Locker embodies the spirit of a true storyteller—one whose voice continues to resonate across mediums, markets, and generations.