About Caribia Digest

Caribia Digest is the creation of two longtime U.S. Virgin Islands residents, Robert L. "Bob" Wilmer and the late Rudolph "Rudy" Parker (and his wife Merle Shaw Parker).  In 1991, they hit upon the idea of creating a magazine that would be akin to Billboard® - Bob being a solid fixture in both publishing and radio, and Rudy being a diverse businessman and lover of Steel Pan and Calypso.

Bob sought out his radio colleague Anita Davis to provide current Caribbean and local music industry contribution, and the three incorporated and Bob sought a designer (Karen Mozzo) for the distinctive Caribia Digest "splash" logo and the Steel Pan man design that adorns the magazine and this web site today.

Over time, it became clear that the word "Caribia", meaning "all things Caribbean", was subject to fluid interpretation, as Caribbean people and those who chose to become permanent residents of the islands, had diverse tastes in music, life, and style.  And so, by the time it was published, Caribia Digest resembled more of a lifestyle publication with an emphasis on music and entertainment.

The first issue incorporated radio personalities, Jazz on Steel Pan, radio airplay charts, and fine dining.  The second issue included Afro-Caribbean traditional music on St. John, Caribbean dance, Virgin Islands Carnival, and dub poetry.  In both efforts, musical genres and musicians spanned Country, Calypso, Reggae, Classical, and Jazz.  Profiles of such individuals as playwright David Edgecombe, songstress Ophelia, Calypsonian The Mighty Pat, and the late Andrew "Funkyman" Shacove provided a vibrant diversity to the pages of Caribia Digest and demonstrate to this day just how blessed these islands are... filled with a love of all things Caribia!