Doug Wendt has been one of the most influential people in the country in bringing Reggae and World Beat music to the American public. He began his career in the Bay Area as Host and Producer of the pioneering commercial radio reggae program The Reggae Explosion on KTIM AM & FM in San Rafael, CA from 1974-1977. Since then he has both hosted and produced various commercial and public radio reggae programs. Doug worked as a journalist contributing articles to Rolling Stone, Beat Magazine and others publications as well as penning liner notes for reggae recordings issued by Island Records, Heartbeat/Rounder, Putumayo and other labels. He was instrumental in promoting many popular reggae festivals and films. Aside from all of his work as a DJ, VJ, journalist and consultant he has accumulated an extraordinary archive of live and recorded reggae and world beat music and videos which he has been in the process of digitizing for posterity. The funds from a Rex award will help him continue to convert his vast personal library of music to digital form.

The Ralph J. Gleason Award is in memory of music journalist Ralph J. Gleason, a major figure in the advancement of music in America in the 1960s, whose openness to new music and ideas transcended differences between generations and styles.