Hope taking a break

AFTER FOUR YEARS in the calypso arena, and consistently making it to the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, Sheldon Hope is taking a break.De Digicel Big Show singer said he had made the decision at the end of the season last year. He placed fifth then in the finals, the highest he has ever gone.Hope stressed that his decision had not been informed by any frustration, disappointment or dissatisfaction over anything.“I think that after four years, you need to relook, rethink, restock, revisit and give yourself that space to think about certain things; probably come with some different approaches, etcetera, etcetera,” he explained.He said he was not sure whether he was going to sing this year, but it gave realisation to a dream he had had from the time he entered calypso. Good for me“When I came into this calypso arena I wanted to do a song about my name; so to have that was good for me. So I didn’t have any problem coming to do it this time,” he said.Another factor involved in Hope’s decision to take a break was his grandmother’s illness, which he said had affected the entire family.“Running around and doing tent and all these kinda things, it’s kinda hard knowing in the back of mind, you know, the grandmother, who was always so vibrant and stuff, is now in a bed unable to move sometimes. “That’s really hard. I think it’s best for me to kinda take a little breather on it. “I think that I have done what I needed to do, and persons have stood up and taken note of the progression of where I am now . . . . The article will be written after the results come out; but no matter what happens, whether it is first or last, I want persons to understand that my decision has absolutely nothing to do with results,” said the singer who placed ninth this year with Hope and Last Days Revisited.Hope had “learnt much” over the years and was “really happy” for the opportunity to participate.“I think the atmosphere in the calypso arena is a bit volatile, but you still can remain peaceful in the midst of it all . . . when you have a good resolve in your faith in God and that peace that is there. “So I’m pretty cool amidst some of the interesting things that I have observed; but I guess that is all part of competition and people deal with the competition a little differently from most. “I’m happy that I’ve made the four years . . . . I would think I have improved and I’ve learnt a lot along the way. A lot of persons have held my hand and brought me to this point,” he said.Hope’s favourite song remains the Red Plastic Bag-penned Man’s Love Song, which he did the first year with The Call from Gabby.“I think I’ve grown; so I’m happy,” he said with a peaceful smile.