Entertainer’s Surprise Music Personality
If there was any doubt that Guyana has great music producers and writers at least one person is proving that our country can hold its own for quality and content. A relatively humble character Burchmore Simon is often seen backstage providing moral support and extra care to his and other artistes who are not from his camp.
While the focus at this time is mainly on the singers, kudos are in order for Guyanese musician Burchmore Simon who is proving even more that he is worth.
Artistes can attest to the fact that he is always willing to listen before offering his wisdom yet he avoids the lime light but his talent just simply can’t.
That came to bear recently when Tennisia DeFreitas copped the 2010 Junior Calypso crown. Aside from taking his advice and being true to herself on stage she use his song “Mama I don’t want to be born” as a serious message that will pull the heart strings of any one who dares to listen.
He also arranged the music for the song that judge Sean Bhola dubbed “the best heard in a long time.” He was instrumental in ensuring that DeFreitas won three children school Calypo titles.
But unlike most who would burst onto the stage in excitement when his song won the Junior Calypso Monarch title Simon, quietly celebrated and offered praise to his God from backstage.
Simon who manages 12 artistes, has over the years ensured that Mashramani always has quality Guyanese music. In fact, he has already created and launched an album with various artistes for Mash 2010 titled ‘Wine till Yuh drop 5: Devil doer.
This follows rhythms such as Sarsparilla, Koction, Kapadulla and Teesam on which Guyanese artistes such as Passion, Shelly G, G-Money, and Beverly aka Little B as well as those from his camp have all enjoyed recording songs.
In the absence of a national award Simon was bestowed with the Guyana folk festival US award for his contribution to Guyana’s culture and heritage musically. He also copped the Accolade for being the Best music producer for the period 2004-2008.
Simon additionally has written probably the most popular Soca song on radio for 2010 sung by Reigning Road March queen ‘Vanilla’ that encourages Guyanese to get ‘High’. That song has qualified for the Carib Soca monarch finals billed for February 20 and it has also been submitted for the 2010 Road March crown.
It should be noted that for the past seven years, save for the senior calypso Mash competition Simon has ensured that his artistes present quality music at all the Mashramani music competitions. Though he has never been shouting about it his artistes have always placed in the top three.
Simon has also been instrumental in steering the careers of artiste the like of Adrian Dutchin, the three-time Soca monarch and Wilbur ‘B52’ Levans, a three-time junior calypso monarch to being among Guyana’s best entertainers.
And he also manages Soca artiste Jumo for who he has produced countless singles and the artiste’s lone album.
This year he also arranged and co-wrote B52 high energy Soca dubbed ‘carry on’ as well as Orlando ‘Bones man’ Johashen’s ‘is we own.’
Simon, a father of two who hails from Haslington, East Coast Demerara, has been a mentor to Melissa Roberts aka Vanilla to the point that she too is now in the music producing business and his dedication to Guyanese music has resulted in her being the 2007 and the 2009 road march prizes.
Even as his artistes prepare to take on the competition to see who will be crown the 2010 Carib Soca Monarch and road march titles Simon is in studio working on several tracks.
Under his management, at present he has 12 of Guyana’s best artistes that include Big Red, Ossie O, current Chutney Champion, Rajesh Dubraj, Newcomer and sure shining star, Jovinski.
He also controlsd the duo of Phoenix and Nancy who are currently on tour in China. Incidentally, Simon who is the CEO of Kross Kolor, has much to celebrate as his label is in its tenth year of recording, producing and arranging quality music for Guyanese artistes. He has also done work for international acts such as Gillo, T.O.K, Elephant Man, Maka Diamond
At present he is working to complete an album for Dave Martin. Simon also does work for major corporate citizens such as Banks DIH, DDL, GT&T and DIGICEL. Simon is also working on logistics as he has already finalised a Europe that will feature Times 2 and Vanilla during the summer of 2010. In his ten years of dedication to writing, producing and arranging Guyanese music Simon has completed 26 albums in his studio and more than 500 songs spanning all genres.
By Mondale Smith