News

Communities across the Cayman Islands are being encouraged to show support to frontline workers by downloading free ringtones to their phones. The ringtones are an extension of governments ‘Conch Call Salute’ to frontline workers’ and feature the iconic sound of the conch shell horn set to a catchy musical beat.

Conch shell horns have a distinctive sound and were frequently used in days gone by to get attention or to make important announcements. That tradition is being revived in a unique new way, using smartphones, to pay tribute to the frontline and essential workers who are working hard to keep the corona virus at bay while the country slowly reopens.

Commenting on the initiative, Hon. Dwayne Seymour, Minister for Culture stated “Most people have a cellphone and downloading a free ringtone is a fast, easy and effective way to show support to the people who have been making huge sacrifices to keep us all safe during Covid-19. We all know someone on the frontlines, whether as a family member, friend or neighbour and they deserve to be acknowledged for the great job they have been doing, and continue to do, in these unusual and trying times.”

The ringtones were created using the sound of conch shells being blown by Cayman’s own Wray Banker and Deal Ebanks, and were musically produced by local musician Beneil Miller, making them authentic, unique and entertaining. There are three toe-tapping melodies to choose from - soca, pop and trap – and the public is encouraged to pick their favourite tune and put it on their phone.

The Government hopes that the distinctive ringtones will evoke a sense of pride, resilience and togetherness across the Cayman Islands, and would like to see thousands of downloads primarily in support of those on the frontlines.

“Although frontline workers have been at the forefront of Governments containment policies, their efforts have been supplemented by the public sheltering in place to jointly achieve a successful outcome,” said Minister Seymour. “In this regard the ringtones also signify that as a community, we are all in this together,” he continued.

The Conch Call Salute to frontline workers was launched in May using radio stations to broadcast a short message of appreciation to frontline workers, followed by the sound of the conch shell horn. The salute takes place daily at 6:59pm and the Cayman Islands government would like to thank Radio Cayman, DMS Broadcasting, Hurleys Media, Big Fish and Star 92.7 for their partnership in bringing the Conch Call Salute to the public. We also extend our thanks to Wray Banker, Deal Ebanks and Beneil Miller for making the conch call ringtones possible.

The free ringtones are available from the community news section on the government’s corona virus website (www.gov.ky/coronavirus) and can be downloaded here.