Veteran Calypsonian Cecil “Checker” Burnette, a semi-finalist in the 2016 Calypso competition, says he has set his eyes on the crown and is entering the competition on Saturday with full confidence.
The 52 year old who is a tailor by profession has been singing calypso since 1988, and has “no intention of giving up”, he said during an interview with Dominica News Online (DNO).
“I am very confident. Everything is set and I am ready to go,” he said.
Checker feels that he has been knocking at the door of the calypso monarchy for many years and has not abandoned that possibility despite making it clear in his song this year, entitled “I Ain’t Going Nowhere,” that he will be back every year to sing calypso whether he wins or not.
“I am always knocking at the door… My highest position was fourth place and I have been coming close,” he explained. “Last year was the first time in 27 years I didn’t make it to the semifinals.”
Checker advised young calypsonians to keep focused and never give up.
“Never give up, whether you win, you lose, like my song says, you come back… I have been in the competition since 1988 and I have never stayed out from the competition,” he advised. “Keep at it, practise a lot.”
He continued, “God has blessed me with good health and I have been there from since.”
He also advised young people “to stay away from trouble and drugs during the 2016 Carnival celebrations.
Checker called on his fans to show up in large numbers to support him and the other calypsonians.
Checker made it for the first time into the Calypso finals in 1988 for ten consecutive years after that, from 1988 to 1998 he was part of the final line-up.
He placed fourth in 1991, 1992, 2004 and 2011.
Checker was crowned Stardom King of the Tent title once, with the song “Deviants”.
He will join 19 other Calypsonians at the Newtown Savannah on Saturday January 23, to battle for a spot in the calypso final competitions carded for February 5.
You that saying that.
Cheating Nation
They like to cheat in everything in Dominica!!!! every year they give the same person crown, and it is time to move forward, let someone else take the crown / Karessa take it again, people like Checker, Picky and them veteran guys let them get a chance, I am not going to the Calypso show to see one man win all the time!!! money, I have to waste man, Dominicans like to cheat. And Charis D deserves a place, I prefer her song and her performance than Janee. Some of the calypsonians who place in the finals need not be there.
Congrats great performance….
Congrats you made it to the finals.
My boy good luck but it aint easy to beat Dice and karessah
You that saying that,
You that saying that. Not Jah or him,good things come to those who wait, time will tell.