How long have you been in the entertainment industry? In the entertainment industry from age of 12. I was first a gospel singer. In the calypso arena for 28 years.
What other jobs have you had? Receptionist. A secretary for an Accounting firm for 23 years. Hostess of Afternoon Delight at VOB [Voice of Barbados]. Community Service Officer with Probation Department the last 14 years.
How did you become tent manager of Cave Shepherd All stars? I became tent manager when Vere Browne became Acting Chief Executive Officer of National Cultural Foundation. He had said he would have to shut down the tent. I said I would take over. I would run the tent. He asked me if I could. I said well I believe I could because I was doing so much already.
How did the name all stars come about? I took over the tent in 2008. The name All Stars came about as a result of the amalgamation between Conquerors Calypso Tent and Klass Kaiso so we chose that name.
Have you taken any risks as tent manager that paid off or didn’t pay off? Running the tent is a risk because All Stars pays people who contribute time and energy. Whether singing or just helping. Every show advertised is a risk. Sponsorship helps. We have fared well with good decisions. Going forward will be more interesting in 2016.
Cave Shepherd All Stars is seen as premier home of social commentary. How do you keep that standard up? Keeping up is fairly easy since people understand what the tent delivers so calypsonians gravitate to All Stars if they want to be considered seriously. Patrons look forward to serious social and political issues.
Running a tent is as easy as you make it seem? Running a tent is no walk in the park. It’s a lot of planning. Lots of thought process. Patience and being able to make hard decisions way ahead of the season and working them through.
How many people in total are you responsible for? There are 30 people involved in All Stars and 11 artistes. I have helped artistes with song and with things such as not riding the rhythm well. This can happen if the writer has too many words in the lines.
You also are a backup singer. Ever thought of doing a solo performance in your tent as a guest act? I have often thought of doing a solo. However one would have to learn an entire song. I think I fear forgetting the words. But I have said I would do a CD.
As backup singer you guys do a lot of wardrobe changes. How important is image to your roles? Image is very important since the first thing people see is the IMAGE. After you start to sing they refocus to how you sound. The stage should always be vibrant.
What is the lowest point you have been as tent manager? I don’t think I have experienced any low points. Things have always worked out in the positive. But the hardest lesson I have learnt would be dealing with so many different personalities and having to treat each individually. They are competing against each other in the same tent so they may discuss issues that has to remain a secret to their opponents.
What is your most memorable moment if you can pick one? Most memorable is being the first tent to win at Kensington Oval in 2008.
What do you look forward to every year as tent manager? Every year I love to see the new costumes worn by the calypsonians. Hearing the fresh ideas that make the songs and getting to the end of the season successfully.
Not withstanding past members. How many soca titles has the tent won under your management? Two.
How do you reboot when season is over? When season is over I take it easy. I travel soon after to restock my business for Christmas. This is therapy.
You were recognised by the St Lucia Calypso Association in 2012. Any more awards? Springer Memorial School – Contribution to culture in Barbados 2009. Institute of Gender and Development Studies – Outstanding work in Calypso march 2011. Barbados Music Awards – Cornerstone Award – 2011 BATMAN [Barbados Association of Tent Managers] – contribution to Calypso 2006.
What is your pet peeve? I get angry when people do not behave professionally in a professional setting. Say untruths to tarnish people reputation. Make fun at things that are serious issues. Time and place for everything.
If you could do anything differently in your 28 years on the calypso arena what would it be? I would love to get involved in the development of the younger students of the calypso art form. I would also live to get sponsors more involved in participating in the calypso tents.
