Deserving stalwarts to be recognised at “Kaiso” Hall of Fame

Pat Aaron are among the Hall of Fame Inductees

The organizers of the Dominica Calypso Hall of Fame say they are about to induct a number of deserving stalwarts and others they have decided need to be recognised for their contribution to the art form.

They’ll be doing so at a function scheduled for Thursday evening (9th February) at the Fort Young Hotel.

The Hall of Fame Inductees named are the Swinging Stars Band, calypsonians Clive Hurricane Jean Jacques and Vaughn King Shakey James, writer Pat Musician Aaron, and former Gaylords Power Union frontman and former calypsonian Gregg Breaker Bannis.

The organizers say Hall of Fame Recognition Awards are also being made to recently deceased Urban Harrigan, Bernard Rabbit Alexander and Tasha P Peltier.

Those getting honourary mention have been identified as June “Sandy” Norde, Juliana “Jah Lee” Alfred, Myrtle “Yakima” Massicott, Edna “Lady Edna” Laronde, and Tarina Simon.

Ahead of Thursday’s event those behind the initiative said the Dominica Calypso “Kaiso” Hall of Fame event would concentrate on the female Calypso Pioneers.

They said at the time that they were dubbing it the special ‘Feminine Gala Hall of Fame Event’.

Swinging Stars Band will be inducted in the "Kaiso" Hall of Fame

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54 Comments

  1. Jaime Lewis
    February 10, 2012

    It is obvious that some of the critics who think that Shakey does not deserve to be inducted in this Hall of Fame are unfamiliar with the process of the induction, and also ill-informed of the history of calypso in our beautiful island. Shakey’s calypso days began as a teenager when he first competed at DGS singing about local politics in St. Joseph. From there he moved on to win several crowns, including being the youngest calypso king. Not only is he a calypsonian, but he has composed for many other calpysonians who have won the crown and placed within the finals.

    Why would one think that Shakey has received this honor only because of his academic success? In fact, his accomplishments add credence and credibility to the art form, demonstrating that calypsonians can rise to their greatest potential, including even academic success. Shakey is a role model to young aspiring calypsonians. He was a teacher at DGS, and continues as a college professor in the USA. In addition he has created a scholarship fund that supports higher education in Dominica. He continues to compose calypsoes and to perform both at home and abroad. He is not a carnival season calypsonian, but he is a calypsonian all year round. Certainly he has made major contributions to the art form and needs to be recognized.

  2. time out.....
    February 10, 2012

    I would like to thank THE MAN AlEx for ur hard work but truth be told … What has Yakima done for calypso she is kind of …what I call… a very lazy calypso she’s never won anything nor has she even as made it to calypso FANIALS if I may SAY. I don’t think that she should be amonts the greats the breaks should have taken her place!

  3. Mahaut.
    February 10, 2012

    I agree that the Swinging Stars Band deserve to be inducted , but this band has to up-grade their style of play and instruments to a more mordern form and setting. Too many times the band stop and go during a calypsonian’s presentation.
    The quality of musical notes and sounding system needs improvements

  4. miss767
    February 10, 2012

    Lady Edna,first female calypsonian who open the doors for women… Great performer and deserved the crown but never got it… Thank u Edna for all your great music

    • Anonymous
      February 10, 2012

      I would like to big up Lady edna, for all the wonderful music tht she has bless us with over the years ! I remember when she frst started singing it was I her village called “LAPLAINE . For some reason lady EDNA, has always finds herself compiting as the only female amonts the guys! Simple because she is and will always be our number one femail singer!!! she has won the crown more the twice in PORTMOUTH and she has always it to the finals in ROSEAU. she went on to winging DOMFESTER , again the only female amonts the big names!!! I believe. LADY EDNA is has work earned her place in the HALL OF FAME!!! So to u LADY EDNA , I say Thank u for a job well done !!!!

    • Anonymous
      February 10, 2012

      I would like to big up Lady edna, for all the wonderful music tht she has bless us with over the years ! I remember when she frst started singing it was I her village called “LAPLAINE . For some reason lady EDNA, has always finds herself compiting as the only female amonts the guys! Simple because she is and will always be our number one female singer!!! she has won the crown more the twice in PORTMOUTH, and she has always made it to the finals in ROSEAU. There were many times she could have won… But we all know how this goes.. she went on to winging DOMFESTER , again the only female amonts the big names!!! I believe. LADY EDNA, has work very hard to , earned her place, in the HALL OF FAME!!! So to u LADY EDNA , I say Thank u for a job well done !!!!

    • miss calypso lover
      February 10, 2012

      Well I cannot agree wit u more… LADY EDNA has earned he place in to be in the hall of fame! And the think I love most anouther is that beautiful voice she has …cause she not only sang great calypso music, buy she can sing any king of music…u go LADY EDNA!!! Enjoy yourself!u deserve it u have don’t your best for u contry !!!! Thanks!

    • teena
      February 11, 2012

      lady edna first female calypsonian? you mean first from the time you were born? do your research again and ask about brown sugar, jahlee, sunflower and the rest. even the mayor’s wife was a calypsonian before edna.

      • truth...
        February 11, 2012

        For ur imformation teena, when the first started calypso MONARCH in 1993 LADY Edna, was the first female to have made it to the finals with those guys and should have won that year! If u recall the men and women were not compiting together because the men didnot think that the women were good enough to compite amonts them , but when LAdy EDNA spoke up and said “why don’t we have one compition men and wemen together” at a meeting, they that’s how it came to pass !!!like I said is the first female. And she outstanding calypsonian!!! Thanks LADY EDNA!!!

  5. well...
    February 10, 2012

    Why are you guys s heated? i feel that you guys should voice your opinions but some of you are just blatantly pointing out errors and name bashing. this is the first year.. there will be flaws.. by the way.. if they give every calypsonian a induction in the hall of fame this first year.. who shall they induct the next time.. and the time after that? I often watch the BET awards and so on.. and ppl like Aretha Franklin and so forth have just been indicted into certain halls of fame.. They cannot put everyone in the same year! just give the organizers some time to get everything together. I think this was a brilliant idea and a long time coming!

    • Calypso Lover
      February 10, 2012

      Correction, this is the second time this function is being held. The first was 2008

  6. Pa Ecin
    February 9, 2012

    WE MUST REALIZE THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FOR THIS EVENT AND THUS THE PROCESS HAS BEGUN AND WILL BE FINE TUNED AS TIME GOES BY. WE MAY NOT AGREE WITH THE CRITERIA USED AND THE CHOICES MADE, BUT WE MUST SUPPORT THE ENDEAVOUR. THERE ARE OTHER CALYPSONIANS WHO CAME LONG BEFORE SHAKEY AND THEY TOO WILL BE RECOGNIZED ONE DAY. LET US HAIL SWINING STARS, PAT AARON, KING SHAKEY AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PICKED FOR HONOR.

    • Calypso Lover
      February 10, 2012

      Correction, this is the second time this function is being held. The first was in 2008

  7. Drake
    February 9, 2012

    Considering that the induction ceremony is every 4 years I believe that guys like Picky , “Man Himself” should be inductees. Honors should also be given to guys like Mighty DBS, Sour Sour.

  8. Chien Zombie
    February 9, 2012

    Well, first of all congratulations to all the inductees. however i would like to ask the organisers to please tell me why our grand father of kaiso, lord provoker was not considered? what happened to the likes of mighty Everknow, the spiderand the other trail blazers whose songs were banned from the airwaves in the 70’s and who stood and sang so that today we can enjoy kaiso / Somebody answer me

    • February 9, 2012

      Hall of fame means the folks who have made the path clear so that those today could learn from them ant to keep moving forward therefore I would suggest that the organisers put their thinking cap on.
      I congratulate all the names that haven been mentioned especially Swinging Stars and Pat Aaron for the wonderful music / songs that they bestow on us I would suggest that you go over your selections to be able to include those men..

  9. Just saying
    February 9, 2012

    Pat Deserves it. Congratulation!

  10. Anonymous
    February 9, 2012

    Tasha P fo what ? DOminica is ridiculous for whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat ??????

  11. Drake
    February 9, 2012

    I am still waiting for a valid reason from you as to why Shakey should not be abducted into the Calypso . To say that Shakey received consideration because of his degrees is ludicrous. Shakey wrote and sang many calypsos. Additionally over the years Shakey has done performances here in Dominica and occasionally at event in the U.S. One of the most popular calypso ever produced in dominica “ David Blow “ was done by the Shakey. Now I cannot imagine a criteria so stringent that would exclude Shakey from Hall Of Fame recognition.

    The problem with us in Dominica is we try to destroy anything that is good – the Neg Mawon mentality just won’t go away. The fact that Shakey has a remarkable academic achievement I think adds great dimension to the calypso Hall of fame. If we would focus on positivity rather than the search and destroy mentality we could have been much better off.

    • Calypso Lover
      February 10, 2012

      Didn’t you read the names of persons inducted. King Shakey was one of those inducted into the Kaiso Hall of Fame. Please read before you comment

  12. Anonymous
    February 9, 2012

    Congrats Pat, you are the best!!

  13. AdultED
    February 9, 2012

    Congratulations to all the inductees and a special congratulation to the genius Calypso writer and calypsonian Pat Aaron!

  14. ORIGINAL STUPES
    February 9, 2012

    alex and the team who made the selections betetr come clean and make public the criterea, without that information I am forced to ask the following questions:
    1. what has Tasha P done in Calypso thus far but win a crown
    2. what has Tarina done to be a Hall of Famer in Calypso what?? tell me??
    3. Why has Shakey even considered is it because he has three PHD’s.
    4. WITH TASHA P AND TARINA INCLUDED IN THAT LIST YOU ARE WATERING DONE THE IMPACT AND CONTRIBUTION OF DICE AND PAT TO CALYPSO AND THIS I CANNOT SUPPORT. SO THIS LIST IS EXTREMELY UNPOPULAR AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO GIVE THEIR OPINIONS ON A RADIO PROGRAMME ITS NOT ALEX CALYPSO ITS ALL A WE FOREFATHERS ARTFORM. NONSENSE.

    • ORIGINAL STUPES
      February 9, 2012

      WHAT DO WE UNDERSTAND AS CONTRIBUTION AND IMNPACT, HOW DID PIXIE NOT MADE THAT LIOST AFTER 41 YEARS OF PARTICIPATION AND BIG ALL TIME HIT “ANYTHING IS SOMETHING”

  15. yoyo
    February 9, 2012

    For all those who do not know about this man and the contribution he has made to calypso, let me let me take some time to educate you all about this man, called the Shakey.He is responsible for writing both songs that Tronada used to win the crown in 1981.( Hold my head up high and Rise DA rise) That same year Spider was first runner up, and Haxey was fourth with dreamer. In 1981, he wrote six songs for three guys and they placed (king, first runner up and fourth runner up).
    That same year he wrote both songs for Brown sugar who won the junior monarch and the D.G.S competition. He is responsible for writing the song that made his uncle win the crown in 1984.( Tutun President)The mighty rabbit is his uncle. In 1978, he won the junior monarch and the D.G.S monarch. He won the Dominica Grammar School competition 4 straight years, and wrote for Haxey so he was able to win the D.G.S competition twice.Apart from calypso, he wrote king David blow and also won the crown in 1979. Only Pat Aaron and the Ency deserve similar accolades as he, because was not only a competitor ,but also a great writer. He wrote every song on Tronada 2000 album.

    • Anonymous
      February 10, 2012

      I thought Ency would be among the list …

  16. Ted lewis
    February 9, 2012

    Carnival is really a roseau thing eh. what hapen to king mico aka boots from possie . I guess back in d days roseau people never listen posie competition eh.

    I calling on Mr. shem , posie mayor and leader of northern festival committee to utilized some of the funs from the festival budget and put some of Boots hits on a CD .

    This is long overdue.

    let me just say that not naming boots is just a simple ,a stupid ,wickeD act thAT YOU DID TO THE POSIE CALYPSONIAN. TAKEN FROM THE SUPERIOIR CASTLE ANOTHER OF POSIE GREAT. CLEARLY DEFEATED HURICCANE BUT ONCE AGAIN POSIE CANNOT BE RECOGNISED IN ROSEAU SO HAD TO SETTLE FOR FIRTS RUNNER UP.

    IS HUNTER ON LIST? OPPS ! MAYBE NOT CAUSE HE FROM THE NORTH. LOL

    • Domerican
      February 10, 2012

      Ted, I couldn’t agree with you more especially as it relates to Boots, the Mighty Mico. If I’m not mistaken, I believe he has won the calypso crown in Possie more than 15 times. He should at least be recognized. Regarding, having his hits on CD, I think this is a brilliant idea. I know every body in Possie remember “Rat eat the fridge of Mr. Sorhaindo.”

  17. Sisserou
    February 9, 2012

    What was the selection criteria and who comprised the panel of judges? This should have been established and announced prior to the selection process.

    • amaryllis
      February 9, 2012

      AT THIS TIME I AM NOT CERTAIN OF THE CRITERIA FOR JUDGING; HOWEVER I DO REMEMBER THAT OPHELIA MARIE, LORD TOKYO AND SOLO, WHO WAS VISITING AT THE TIME WERE AMONG THE MEMBERS ON THE PANEL OF JUDGES. THE SHOW WAS ORGANISED BY THE GHOST, WHO HIMSELF FAVORED LADY EDNA AND HENCE HE DID NOT HAVE SWINGING SAMMIE PERFORM AT ANY OF THE OTHER SHOWS THAT YEAR. CONTACT THE GHOST, KELLY WILLIAMS HE CAN GIVE THE STATS ON THAT SHOW.

      • hey.....
        February 10, 2012

        I strongly disagree wit u and, I also respect u as a person. But I will have u to know that LADY EDNA HAS EARNED HER PLACE IN THE HALL OF FAME. SHE has been singing years berfore any one of those female calypsonians!!! Dont forget she has won the crown ‘three times in PORTSMOUTH SHE HAS ALLWAYS BEEN COMPITING amonts the guy FOR years .. Not only she is bless wit that voice she won lots of other compitions because she is able to sing all kind of music !! She has always gevin us some real great calypso! For me lady EDNA IS UNBITABLE!!! We love u LADY EDNA.ed

      • tell it like it is..
        February 11, 2012

        I will have to know that LADY EDNA HAS EARNED HER PLACE TO DE INDUTEES!!! SHE HAS BEen blessing us wit great music for years. She has won the crown more times then more times then sammie she was the first female calypsonian to evercompite with the guys .lady EDNA is UNBITABLE she has the most beautiful voice… Lady EDNA does not only hs lady EDNA blessed us with great calypso music, this woman has given us so much more!!! She has has always been in the finals , there were many time when EDNA should have won the crown in ROSEAU, but she was robed over and over again!!! Do u remember when she sang “GONSALESS is my man of the year”, songs like” RAPE IS A CREMINAL acts” in 2000 she should have won. She won domfester and she was compiting amonts so good calypsonians that year , but our girl. Lady EDNA bit all of them !!! So like I said before, Lady EDNA has earned her place in the HALL OF FAME!!! Thanks lady EDNA , it was high time that dominicans honer u for ur wonderful music !!! CONGRATULATIONS ….. To u our DIVA! Keep up the good works!!!

      • deliever....
        February 11, 2012

        Rirst I would like to congratulate ,everone who mabe it but to our most outstanding female calypsonian I say LADY EDNA, U ARE OUR NUMBER ONE DIVA!!! Not only u have bless us with great calypso , but u have a voice that sings it all!!! Lady EDNA, been singing for years before SAMMIE she has won more crowns then SAMMIE will ever win in her life time! No disrespect to u sammie because I think u ok, but all know that lady EDNA has work hard to prove to her country that she has EARNED HER PLACE TO BE IN THE HALL OF FAME!!! There where many time she was in the finals with the guys , when she sang” CONSELIse is my man of the year”, it was upseting to see how they rubed her of the crown..but she didnot let that stop her she went on and compited with the guys. And she won the” DOMFESTER” title. Lady Edna, is UNBITABLE!!! U are what music and calypso is all about! We miss u ,and thank u for a. Job well done!!!

  18. amaryllis
    February 9, 2012

    EDNA WAS A CALYPSO QUEEN BUT NO MENTION HAS EVER BEEN MADE OF SWINGING SAMMIE THE YOUNG TWO TIME JUNIOR MONARCH WHO DETHRONED EDNA.

    • people listen...
      February 10, 2012

      Let me remind u that lady EDNA has won more compition the SAMMIE will ever win in her life time!!!! I like Sammie to I think she ok but u and I bouth knows that she can’t touch LADY EDNA,RECORD!!! SHE has never won as many crowns as LADY EDNA!!!!

  19. nonsenseALEX
    February 9, 2012

    CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LEGEND HIMSELF PAT AARON

  20. nonsenseALEX
    February 9, 2012

    KING SHAKEY DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A HALL OF FAMER AT THIS TIME.

    THIS IS A VERY UNPOPULAR DECISION.

    MANY PERSONS ARE OF THE OPINION THAT SHAKEYS ACCOMPLISHMENT AS A HALL OF FAMER HAS MORE TO DO WITH HIS DOCTORAATES AND OTHER DEGREES THAN CALYPSO.

    I am happy to seee any individual rise to the heights Shakey hss reached but alas I have seroious doubts as to his hall of fame status. I dont blame Shakey he did not honor himself but I am of the opinion that there are many tothers who are deserving of this accolade and were not considered. I recognise the fact that ALL PERSONS CANNOT RECEIVE THEIR DUES ALL AT ONCE BUT shakey is undeserving at this time ( repeat).

    what has happened to the mighty Picky ? King Dice has made a much more invaluable contribution to the art form than Shakey. What about MAN HIMSELF WHO HAVE BEEN WRITING FOR SO MANY DECADES AND SINGING?

    ALEX ALLU GET THIS ONE WRONG WRONG WRONG !

    • Looking in
      February 9, 2012

      You mention people like Dice, Picky…Should these guys be recognized as calypsonians or singers? All these guys do is sing songs that were written for them. Have they ever written their own song? People like King Shakey has not only written his own songs and won with them, but has also written for others as well, who went on to win. So give dues where dues is due.

    • Calypso Lover
      February 9, 2012

      Do you really know what you talking about. Do you know the history and works of King Shakey. In what way is Dice contribution more invaluable that Shakey’s. Is it because he has won multiple crowns. Not taking nothing away from Dice, he is definitely a great performer, that’s how far it goes. Shakey’s contribution cannot be measured based on mearly winning crowns.Yes, I agree with you on why Picky was not chosen. Maybe it was not his time ok. Everyone cannot be honored at the same time my friend

    • Margaret
      February 9, 2012

      Who Jah Bless no man curse. The accomplishments that he has, the world did not give them and the world cannot take them away.

      All you have to do is go and get some accomplishments of your own and you will feel much better about yourself.

      Some of you will never be satisfied untill Dice is in everything.

    • Calypso Lover
      February 10, 2012

      What do you know about King Shakey to say he is undeserving of being inducted into the Kaiso Hall of Fame. You mentioned King Dice, tell me , in what way is King Dice’s contribution is more invaluable than King Shakey. Besides being a good performer on stage and winning the crown on four occasions, tell me what else has he accomplished. Compare to King Shakey, written his own songs, written for other calypsonians who have also won the crown, was president of the revamped Calypso Association I believe in 1976 and just imagine he did all that when he was only about 17 years old. Before you go crying for persons who deserve or do not deserve being awarded, please get your facts correct. Dice is a great performer and will one day get his time, but please be honest in your citics.

  21. February 9, 2012

    well pat aaron must be the ‘pen master’… that’s my nickname for him…. because beno crying about dice video eh ay ay… somebody make a vid for beno b4 he cry nah… dice should have a video for ‘stand up for teacher’… here’s beno crying papa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVFTaubQlrI

    • Domerican
      February 9, 2012

      MOTS you know I look forward to reading your comments every day. You really make me laugh.

  22. February 9, 2012

    Tasha p…. cmon what about Hurricane, and Brakes… well i guess Hunter can go in also… Tasha did well as the first female queen… but let’s be honest she has much more to prove herself… dice won 5 time, 4 straight… well the first time “animal farm’ they voleh him… we all know that…

    • sadden
      February 9, 2012

      let me correvct you dice only won 4 times 2004-2006 and then 2008. if you talking about the year the robb him was 2003 with tarzan in the jungle… now say thanks you been corrected.. he has however won over 5 roadmarch crowns subject to correction

      • February 10, 2012

        thanks for the correction… it was ‘tarzan’ n not animal farm… dem years going so fast it getting hard to keep such info in tact lol

    • Domtiguan
      February 9, 2012

      ANIMAL FARM IS A MASTERPIECE!

  23. A Voice
    February 9, 2012

    This is all well and good. It is time that we start recognising our own.

    Congratulations to all the inductees.

  24. wiser than
    February 9, 2012

    so why are they honouring tarina. what has she ever done. i really don’t get it de others i understand.

    • iiofhgio
      February 10, 2012

      they said honorable mention

  25. Watching
    February 9, 2012

    Why wasn’t Tarina or her representative invited to attend the function? Only in Dominica!

    • nightwatch
      February 10, 2012

      Alex whoever he is should not have dugged his own grave. Congratulations to Swinging Stars and Pat Aaron. hE SHOULD HAVE DONE HIS RESEARCH BEFORE NOMINATING.where is Solo with mass in the cemetery, Tokiyo with tennis-shoe tongue Dyno and the one who sang Parish-hall clash come on people give jack their jacket. Lets be real when talking about deserving stalwarts. lol

      • Calypso Lover
        February 10, 2012

        Dear nightwatch….while I respect your opinion on the matter, I cannot help but say or maybe even ask if you are full aware that this is the second induction of inductees into the Kaiso Hall of Fame. I ave therefore concluded that you are not. The first induction was held in 2008 and six(6) persons were inducted. Please read carefully….SOLO, TOKYO, IDOL, SPIDER, SPARK and ENCY. As you can see from the name, the two persons you said should have been nominated, were among the first to have been inducted. THANK YOU nightwatch. Maybe you need to get onto the daywatch instead.

      • u know who....
        February 10, 2012

        Please, please people … Give it up!!! Can’t we just congratulate .mr ALEX for the hard work, he is also a DAMN GOOD CALYPSONIAN!!! But u all don’t see his name as a INdUctees! Because ALEX love his COUNTRY,and he take’s time to do for his own !!! So instead of us trying to kill him we all should be thinking him for his hard work!!! Come on people we need to STOP ALL THAT HAte and be more THANKFUL!!!!

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