Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

This Week We Feature Young Professional Keith S. L. Gardener Jr

Mr Keith S. L. Gardener Jr is our Young Professional for this week. Photo: Provided
Keith S. L. Gardener is the owner of HI.A.Grade Productions. Photo: Provided
Keith S. L. Gardener is the owner of HI.A.Grade Productions. Photo: Provided
Mr Gardener with some of the personalities in the local music industry. Photo: Provided
Mr Gardener with some of the personalities in the local music industry. Photo: Provided
Our Young Professional, Mr Keith S. L. Gardener is also a dedicated family man. Photo: Provided
Our Young Professional, Mr Keith S. L. Gardener is also a dedicated family man. Photo: Provided
By Cathy O. O. Richards

Known by almost all persons on the sister island of Virgin Gorda as one of the territory’s most affectionate young men, a man whose intrinsic values especially when it come to the love for family and his off-springs stand out as exceptional, Mr Keith S. L. Gardener Jr is our Young Professional for this week.

‘Keithy’ as he is affectionately called, is the son of Mrs Rose Gardener and the late Mr Keith Gardener Sr, both very popular persons especially on Virgin Gorda.

“I grew up on Virgin Gorda where I had my early education at Bregado Flax Educational Centre (BFEC) before moving over to Tortola where I attended the Althea Scatliffe Primary School. I then went on to the Elmore Stoutt High School and graduated in 1998. Then in 2000 I attended the MMI (Motorcycle Marine Mechanics Institute in Orlando Florida) where I later graduated and came back to Virgin Gorda and worked at Little Dix Bay Hotel as a Marine Mechanic for about 8 years before going out on my own.”

Our Young Professional prides himself with the fact that he holds two professions: Marine Mechanic and Sound Engineer. 

Self-taught musician

“Although I am a Marine Mechanic by trade I’ve always had a love for music from since I was a child, I would work every time school is on vacation and I bought myself all the instruments and equipment I wanted to learn and was my own music teacher,” he related.             

Presently, Keithy is employed at the Rock Cafe Club, also known as Club Ecstasy, in Virgin Gorda as a Sound Engineer. He also manages his own entertainment and production company, Hi.A.Grade Productions, which provides sound system rentals, music productions, studio recording, artist management and other services. Reigning Calypso Queen Sistah Joyce is one of the popular artistes his company has worked with.

He said currently he is working on getting certified as a Sound Engineer as he noted that, “because in today’s world as good as you are you must have the papers to show,” underscoring the importance of education and the reason why persons should never stop trying to elevate themselves especially with youthful years on their hands.

According to our Young Professional, he will always have fond memories of his father who has been his main source of inspiration. “My father is my biggest inspiration. If it wasn't for him I would not be exposed to all genres of music,” he said.

Goals

For Keithy, in 5-10 years from now, he sees his company leading the way with the services they provide in the recording industry. “I am hoping to have a top notch recording studio where international artistes can come on vacation and still work on their music.”

He said that while most people have hobbies he has managed to turn his into his job. “There is no feeling like doing what you love and getting paid for it,” he said with a smile.

Words of wisdom

Sharing some advice to the youth of today, our Young Professional Keith S. L. Gardener Jr said: “My advice to the youth and even adults would be that it is never too late to learn. Put God in everything you do, surround yourself with positive people and being educated is a must.”

11 Responses to “This Week We Feature Young Professional Keith S. L. Gardener Jr”

  • qc (28/08/2015, 10:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    aanother strong local
  • Jam Session Massive (28/08/2015, 12:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Nuff Big Up's" to the man on nurturing his music talents while setting a positive example in the community while promoting family values.
  • family (28/08/2015, 13:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good man very good youth
  • Favorite Girl Cousin (28/08/2015, 15:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations Cuzzo... Doing Big Things out here!!!
  • Cilo(Big Sis) (28/08/2015, 15:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow this one caught me by surprise....big shout out to my lil bro...proud Big Sis.
  • Nice! (28/08/2015, 21:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Really great!
  • Proud (28/08/2015, 22:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Proud of your accomplishments indeed even as a young supportive father.. Jah bless brother
  • ta ta (29/08/2015, 15:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    keep reaching for the stars young man
  • 123 (29/08/2015, 20:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    god bless you young man!
  • Mr Dj (29/08/2015, 21:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big Up to this brother right here. Shows that hard work pays in the end. Keep up the hard work sky is the limit..
  • QueenStatus (01/09/2015, 07:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Truly deserving of such an informative article, keithy your truly the best.... proud to know that your a fellow Virgin Gorda who exhibits the true characteristics of being well mannered, helpful and a young professional. Queen B


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.