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Jus’ Curious

Seein the new GT&T Christmas ad was refreshing since they tek loooong to bring something to counteract Digicel, but lookin at it an hearing it on the radio had me thinking…why they dont utilize the talents of the las two jingle competition winners?

Dont get me wrong seeing Celeste and Ms. Marshall on tv is quite appealing an catches the attention of many men…its a great ad but wha happenin deh? is it because they r christian young me?…no that can be it Eddie Neblett is all over the tv an radio talkin about “come talk wit me”.

Bearin in mind i dont work for blue power an therefore donno the selection process involved, but promoting soem an not others shows, to me, some level of linkx v.s. no links…jus curious about y this is!

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Guyana’s Musical Heritage

Like most young guyanese i am unaware, in the most part, of the vast reserves of guyanese music that have been made. it is for ths reason i am asking persons who may be able to provide us with some of these treasures to please make them available.

Musical giants like dave Martins and the Tradewinds have made significant musical contributions to Guyana and the wider caribbean with their unique way of portraying stories through music. These tracks are favourites of many of our parents and are even enjoyable for young people to listen to. Besides the obvious pleasure that can be gained from hearing some wholesome music, it will also instill a degree of pride in us as guyanese knowing we have such a rich musical heritage on which we have built the current musical environment.

I appreciate greately the works being put out by artistes today, but at the same time we cannon disregard those that have paved the way for the new breed of local musicians.

I would also like to know if the other types of musical entertainment can be promoted and showcased via the various forms of media. E.g. steel pan music has played a major role in the musical development of many young people in this land. Though this is the case there are only special times during the year  this mucis is heard on the radio. Can someone tell me why this is so? We have jazz musicians and even rock bands here, are they not good enough to be given ariplay on the ONLY radio station?

If we wish Guyanese music to develop effectively we need to ensure that proper exposure is given to it, rather than having our people go overseas develop their talent and then return like slingshot and natural black. We must put greater emphasis on local music on the radio and on television rather than having special 30 min “segments”  of local music. This cannot be enough to foster development…..

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My Review & Some Questions

The much anticipated and hyped Accolade Awards of Guyana has concluded and the results are in, the winners announced. congradulations to all the winners your hard work has paid off, but this post is not aimed at kissing the asses of the organizers of the event, this is to highlight some burning questions Ihave concerning the event as well as others that have been brought to my attention.

The first issue concerns the ticket prices. Since the event has passed I feel at liberty to say the event was poorly supported, not for lack of support for local music, but as a direct result of the outrageously high ticket prices. The event did not only make history as being the first music awards of this type in Guyana but as also being the most EXPENSIVE show to be held at the National Cultural Centre. The organizers failed to consider the reality of the spending power of the average Guyanese. I hope they reconsider their pricing procedures next time.

The next issue concerns the exclusion of some artiste from the awards. Bearing in mind Idont know the criterion utilized by the judges to determine who won what, it is still a mystery to me as to why NATURAL BLACK did not win an award. Other than Eddie Grant, it may be safe to say that Natural Black is the most recognized Guyanese reggae star on the international scene. Despite his contributions as well having one of the best R&B songs in recent history along with a great video, it evades me as to why FOJO recieved no award. It also puzzles me as to why artiste such as Typheon & Jory were not recognized.

I may be wrong but by all indications the winners were selected from a certain group of people. Therefore no lynx no award. I may be wrong…MAY be wrong…

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Boxed Freedom

For most of my childhood and right up to about the time I was eleven years old my mother and I got around either on her bicycle or by bus. Back then taking a taxi was a really big deal; and a luxury afforded to us once every few blue moons. Back then I looked forward to the treat of a box of Demico’s chicken in the rough, fries and a roll the Friday night of daddy’s payday (that was when Demico made sense, of course). Those who met me during or after 1999 would and have never asked would not know that I did not grow up having such luxuries readily at my disposal.

After one time, however, is another and God blessed my family so that we moved from, maybe once a month, being able to take a taxi, to taking taxis on a daily basis. From 1999 I never set foot on a bus in Guyana until, I think, 2006. Some people were not too pleased but I didn’t see the problem; it got me from point A to point B, and cost far less. I do understand the argument that buses generally use the roadways with complete disregard for the law or for other motorists as well as pedestrians. However, I have heard another argument that “God has moved you from one level to another and you should not go back.” I, of course, disagree.

As far as I am concerned, God has blessed us in that He has given us more financial freedom. I believe that if I am to accept the notion that because am able to afford a taxi for every errand I need to make I have to do so and I should not take a bus, that I once again put myself in a box. I. I believe that in that way would once again place restrictions on my life and therefore negate that freedom which God has allowed me to enjoy. And really, economics has a lot to do with my decision. For one taxi fare around town I can take four buses, and so complete more errands. Why should I pay $300 or $360 to get from home to the Sports Hall, for example, when I can pay $80 and be put off at the exact spot? God has blessed us, yes but “to whom much is given much is required” and with what He has given me I will use in the wisest and most efficient way I can manage. It is my intention to show Him, in whatever small way, that I have not taken His gifts for granted nor am I abusing them.

True freedom is having the opportunity to choose today one way, and tomorrow the next.