Remembering Darold Miller: Veteran Journalist and Radio Personality

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Carlton Smith – Former Colleague, ZNS & Guardian Radio
“Darold Miller was the single most popular personality in broadcasting in this country.”

Darold Miller started his journalism career at The Nassau Guardian as a sports reporter. In 1978, he joined the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (ZNS), quickly establishing himself as an astute journalist. After leaving ZNS, Miller returned to the airwaves in the mid-90s with the launch of Love 97. His time at Love 97 helped lay the foundation for the popularity of talk radio in the country.

Former Education Minister Jeff Lloyd was also a part of the stellar Love 97 team.

Jeff Lloyd – Former Colleague, Love 97 & Guardian Radio
“You know, Darold was an extraordinary talent. Let’s absolutely be glad about this. He was born for the news. He had what we call in journalism a nose for the news. He just knew where news was, and he saw in everyday events the opportunities to educate and inform the Bahamian society about what was going on.”

Lloyd, who shared the airwaves with Miller as a talk show host, recalls fond memories of those early days in private radio, particularly one in which Miller’s dedication to news coverage stood out.

Jeff Lloyd – Former Colleague, Love 97 & Guardian Radio
“This is one thing that I remember. One morning we were getting ready to go on the newscast, and there was an ambulance, maybe two ambulances, speeding down East Street North, heading towards Bay Street. Darold dropped everything, picked up the recorder, and started running down the street behind the ambulances. Mr. Jones said to him, ‘Darold, where are you going?’ He replied, ‘There’s news happening, I have to cover it.’ That’s the kind of mind he was.”

During his time as head of news at Love 97, Miller trained and mentored a generation of young journalists, including The Nassau Guardian managing editor Candia Dames and University of The Bahamas lecturer Tameka Lundy.

In 2000, Miller returned to the Broadcasting Corporation in a senior management role and helped usher in major changes at ZNS. It was also during this period that he gained national prominence with his hugely popular shows, including The Darold Miller Show. One of his most iconic moments was his dramatic coverage of the 2001 Straw Market fire, which former colleague Michelle Malcolm vividly recalls.

Michelle Malcolm – Former Colleague, ZNS
“I was in the newsroom and the call came in, and the person said Bay Street is on fire. I said, ‘Okay, thanks,’ and Darold was in the eating area of the newsroom. I went in there and simply said, ‘Bay Street on fire,’ and he said, ‘What?’ Man, Darold jumped up, and he couldn’t find a driver. Darold literally ran to Bay Street from ZNS. I think everybody remembers that. Oh my God, that was Darold, in and out of the newsroom.”

Malcolm says Miller’s relentless drive for truth stands out among his many traits.

Michelle Malcolm – Former Colleague, ZNS
“Hunger, hunger for truth and boldness. He didn’t care whose toes he mashed. He was going to get to the truth, and obviously, throughout the course of his career, it cost him several times. But that is the price you pay when you decide to be a journalist, and we don’t see that nowadays.”

Miller also played a pivotal role in the formation and growth of Guardian Radio, a contribution for which Carlton Smith says he will be forever indebted.

Carlton Smith – Former Colleague, ZNS & Guardian Radio
“I applied, and they called me. I did an interview with The Guardian. After the first interview and the second, they were making me an offer. But that offer was conditional on the premise that I could bring Darold Miller to Guardian Radio. So, at two pivotal intersections in my career, Darold Miller was the defining individual to catapult me to that next level.”