The many persons who patronized the Stardom Tent Queen Show on Wednesday night were left deeply dissatisfied when 2014 calypso sensation Leona, walked out of the Sisserou Hotel venue without performing.
Master of ceremonies, Alex Bruno, announced to the crowd that Leona, who is a member of the Showdown Mas Camp Tent, decided not to perform at the Stardom event after her request to be accompanied by her own musicians was turned down by the Tent’s organizers.
However, Showdown Mas Camp Executive member, Daryl Bobb, told Dominica News Online that it was only he, as guitarist and keyboard player, Cowen Hazel, who sought to accompany Leona because “she didn’t feel comfortable with the Stardom band.”
He said he had spoken to three members of Stardom Tent who gave the assurance that they would be allowed to play.
Bobb said one of the main organizers of the Tent objected to that arrangement just before Leona went on stage and as a result, they decided not to participate.
But one of theorganizers of the Stardom Tent, Norman Letang, told DNO on Thursday morning that no permission was given to have Leona’s musicians accompany her.
He explained that Bobb called at around 7:30 pm on the night of the show to say that two of Leona’s musicians were coming to accompany her.
Letang said Bobb was told this was not possible “for obvious reasons.”
“I mean you haven’t practiced to play … players cannot just fit into a band and making bad matters worse they have a unique beat and to come in Swinging Stars, you are going to change the beat,” he stated.
He noted that the Swinging Stars practiced with Leona and accompanied her during the quarter finals and will her accompany at the semi finals and he didn’t understand what the problem was.
“I mean you are not just going to take a chance and let people come in on stage in a competition… your reputation is at stake,” Letang noted. “Anything that would happen, they would say is Swinging Stars that mess up Leona.”
Letang pointed out that the matter came to head when one of the artistes was performing and Bobb and another man walked across the stage with their instruments and started setting up. “I mean this is so disrespectful, how can some body be performing and you walking on stage? In another country police would put them out,” he said.
He noted that people in the tent saw what happened and they supported the Stardom’s management’s decision of preventing the two from setting up and accompanying Leona.
Letang said in his opinion, the entire episode was planned beforehand. “My firm opinion is they had never planned to let Leona sing, everything was planned before hand,” he said.
He remarked that the Showdown Mas Camp tent is not doing so well “so they tried to mess up the competition in the hope of getting people.”
Meanwhile Leona has apologized to fans for her non-performance at the event noting that she is not going to be disrespected by Stardom’s management.
“I would like to apologize to my fans for not performing at the Stardom Calypso Queen Show,” she said in a message on Thursday. “I am not going to be disrespected and underminded by Stardom Tent and their management team. I was promised that two members from my band could accompany me alongside Swinging Stars .I was dressed and ready to perform when I was informed that my two band members, my keyboardist and guitarist, were not allowed to accompany me along with Swinging Stars.”
The calypsonian said the intention of having her two musicians accompany her was not to replace Swinging Stars band members but “I wanted it for my comfort.”
“I am sure most people who saw me entering the venue could see that I was accompanied by only two musicians,” Leona said. “I apologize to my fans again but I am satisfied with my decision for standing my ground and will not be disrespected.”
stupes…..what sense does it make argue on something like that….it happened already….no one can change it…..its just sit back and watch what happens….no one knows what will happen so chill
Stupes.. Leona you just reach and you behaving like that?? You need to chill
leona waz de best woman to sing calypso dis year…. so dont worry wat dey say………….. i no u deserve de crown
Leona your actions made no sense. Swinging stars made you and put you through semis and you cutting vary. Wonder if you will bring your band everywhere you go. U too fresh… Stupes
The good lord help us the day PAT takes over the calypso association
The four individuals who were on the vehicle number PS808 wednesday afternoon planned this charade in an attempt to discredit Stardom tent, however it backfired on them. Stand strong STARDOM.
way papa politics in everything
Leona think of it the price is $20,000.00 for the monarch hope you know Bob would like that money all the talk was you are a favorite for the crown you will be one less fret for him after he has destroyed you.
stupes!!!
What a country? Every thing is upside down everything is inside out, and if a didn’t know better I would think We are living in an Animal kingdom. RO, RO, After DRAMA, After Drama. IT hurts to read all that drama from outside of Dominica. Can we all get along???????????????????
leona you beinga child influenced by demons . today u big, tommorow u not.. dont diss starz for these trivial nonsenses
I am weeping and wailing what have happen to my love, Calypso.YOW YOW YOW see what they doing,they just comming,with all their HATRED,and now they want to KILL my LOVE.”CALYPSO”
PICKY;YOU are the CALYPSONIAN with the most RELEVANT CALYPSO this season. “RUMORS” and I will borrow your cry.
RELAX RELAX my PEOPLE,STOP using all the LOVE you have to HATE,that is DISTROYING the STATE.
TOO much CONTROVERSY in this SEASON,it is fsat becomming a SILLY SEASON.
The funny thing is that, the general public barely understands anything about this technical music zafeh, nor is it interested if the brass or the bass or the guitar or the keyboard sound good or is tuned properly… Are these people serious?
Explains why Woksop, Mighty DBS and Sour-sour will take home the road march money and sponsorships.
From today I need to register a Paparazzi Agency in Dominica. We need photos to accompany this showdown
Well this tent has just lost me as a fan. I will not go back to mass camp. Now I see why no business want to sponsor their camp.
I was very disappointed in Bob and his advice to this poor girl. Don’t you think that $750 is a lot of money especially when you do not have any? For a camp who don’t like to pay it’s calypsonians. Ironic, very ironic.
Being in bands all my life, and being a singer…. And considering I was not at the show I can only state this. A band is not just a bunch of people jammin. A band is a brotherhood a family if u will. You don’t just take on new members to the family and expect things to just happen like magic. Unless there is the warming up (rehearsal in this case). It may not have been in the singer’s best interest to have this done. Also band members have attachment issues to their craft. They do not like ‘strangers’ stepping in They r comfortable with their band brothers and they know them their mistakes their strengths etc. they don’t know the walk in’s. And that makes them uncomfortable. But lastly it was very disrespectful to try and set up while the band is performing no matter what. If anything it should be done as discreetly as possible during a break. GET THINGS IN WRITING. If u are seeking permission to make a change, get everyone involved to sign off on the change. Good luck!
Lots of times, Matt is blamed for stirring up roro but this time around I supported him 100% for encouraging Leona to perform for various reasons.
Matt went as far as soliciting DR. Ricketts assistance to help Leona because Annie was complaining that Leona was unemployed and it was costing her money to come to practise… blah blah… One could sense that Annie was not in favour of Leona performing.
Bob complained about prize money being $750 and that was an insult,, but my point is, if you are unemployed and you get $750 as prize money wouldnt that go a long way in assisting your cause?
Leona herself had a cocky attitude on Q95 and believe me had it been Carlisle and Bob on that radio they would have had a physical fight,it was appalling.. Kudos to Matt for keeping his cool…
Bob,Pat, MasCamp more majee……
From the inception of the this year’s camp it was already to political… so persons coming to freeup on calypso had to deal with a calypso politics and Skerrit and Linton politics.
99% of Mascamp songs are anti-government.. well if Skerrit wrong, allyou doing wrong, wrong,wrong and destroying the art form while Leona is just one of the pawns in thier dirty game to ensure Dice gets less competitio.Poor child.
That is why I will not pay $70 to go to the park.. too much roro, there might be trouble with persons being so hotheaded and arrogant..
stupes,Leona girlI disappointed in you. All that is uncalled for. Since when Swinging Stars not good enough for you? So how they play good enough to get you to semi finals? Stupes…a joke dat man? You just lost me as a fan…..
Letang run things from his rocking chair at his home. Letang was not present at Showdown the night of the daybar. The news was related to him and he reacted to what he was told. Don’t blame Bobb, Leona or Mas Camp.
bob will be to busy in semi finals looking out for himself to look out or even play for Leona.Girl listen to me . I know u haven’t got much powers because u are using someone elses song.next is when comes to paying you after d carnival.I know you will cry.
Dominicans ,behave yourselves .Stop this bashing of people ! Leona is young ,but no fool, she has her rights too. All the Stars had to do was compromise all in the interest of calypso and the fans. I am just fed up of all this monopoly in Dominica .
Ha ha ha, it’s about doing things ‘properly’ for once in this country.
In their interviews both Bobb and Leona said that they spoke to ‘members’ of the stardom/band, but never was the word ‘management’ or ‘Mr. Letang’ used. One would think that the ‘monopolist’ band members thus had no problem, but of course, the request was not directed correctly. Again, a matter of doing things ‘properly’.
Bobb (professional background in business management, planning etc) of all people, one would think, would have known better.
monopoly? joke you making man, big head small minded woman/calysonian, her lost. As Big Bull Said “you not bigger that the art form”
Honestly, this was total BS. This young lady is being played for a fool. Swinging stars played for her previously before and will play at the semi’s and the finals but to me..she should just completely drop out. She has made a lil fame go to her head and it was not worth it. Dice again!!!
Dominican People.Some body did a deal get cid on it
I wish you all the best, Leona and I do hope you have a strong second song. We will wait and see.
RE: MODERNISING AS MUCH AS YOU Want but that could cause Labour to loose the election
So you mean to tell me a lil q talent she will that go to her head already??? Well my girl best you go and make your children cuz calypso not for you- you just hang yourself right dere! Everybody join me as I say boooooooooo
You suck, badly!
I am very disappointed in Leona — Her decision was not the right one !!!! I agree totally with Stardom Tent management not to allow the two band members to play — Norman — I agree with you
But its her decision. All u to modie. Leave Leona alone.
Leona, in the calypso arena you are just a kid. It seems your candle has burnt out long before your legend ever did!
or the other way around?
When word went out that Leona would not be participating in the calypso queen competition, numerous calypso fans called Q95 in anger to voice their dissatisfaction. Annie Aaron, one of the leaders of Mas Camp was heavily criticized. It was said that she was depriving the young lady of earning a living because she said Leona would not be available due to other commitments. I could not believe Norman Letang was reporting to DNO, “the Mas Camp Tent is not doing so well, so they tried to mess up the competition in the hope of getting people.” That is not Letang’s first bout with Mas Camp. Calypso fans must not forget Dice also had problems with him and Swinin Stars. On the opening night of Showdown Tent, can you remember what colour Tee Shirts all members of Swingin Stars and Showdown Calypsonians were wearing. We must also ask, who owns Harlem Plaza, who is one of the bosses and main writers of Mas Camp. I rest my case. It is election time baby.
Bro this is deeper than what appears on the surface.But D/cans with fowl brain are a pretentious people.
They had the red t-shirts because of the sponsor. Digicel’s color is red so stop that nonesense.
My two cents:: Leona, I love your song, I think you have tremendous talent, and I think you can go a long way, but I think you’ve bet on the wrong horse. You’ve got to look at the big picture – this messy issue can only portray you in a bad light. Stardom & Swinging Stars will survive it, because there’s backing behind it; you, on the other hand, do not, and you are subject to the good will of many. Now, that’s not to suggest that you abandon your principles, whatever they may be, but what it does call for is an analysis on your part of what is small matter and what is big, what is worth staking an intractable position on and what is not – essentially, you need to choose your battles well. You don’t have much room to play with and you can’t afford to step on toes that could potentially propel you forward, and Swinging Stars can. As an up-and-coming singer, you will potentially get a chance to tour with other calypsonians, especially in North America. Swinging Stars has been the go-to band for most of these calypso shows – what happens if a promoter wants to include you but the band decides to veto playing with you? You think the promoters going to hire an additional band just for you? I doubt it. You will be left out in the cold. That is not what I’d like see happen. Please, look at the big picture, smoothe things over with these people, and move on. For your career sake.
Well said.
Leona send Picky to deal with dem fellas
I love calypso and I support all the tents , but what happen last night was absolutely disgusting !!! A blind mice could see that Lenoa did not want to perform , they kept going back and fourth the last few days as to whether or not she would be performing .
I mean really you not comfortable with swinging stars , yet you made it this far in the competition . You and Bob made me so sick with the reasoning you guys gave to the media .. No unity between the tents … Mascamp behave like they’re on a political campaign . Bob deserves just as many boos as Leona , I have heard him contradict himself too many times this season , example when renegade announce their tent he said he wish them well , few days later he performed at Mascamp and throw words in song at the renegade tent .. Seriously !! Then he sings about being a true Dominican calypsoian , what a contradiction !!!!
Shame on Leona an Bob with that disgusting stunt they pulled last night ,
I hope the clash of the tents is cancelled , cause if they could not compromise last night , next week will be IMPOSSIBLE .
See nonsense! Awa wi pal, lame excuse leona! You should have just go with the flow and play with swinging stars,not to say is first time swinging stars performing with other artist.
First it was Sandy now it is Leona. Maybe the women should have their own thing.
DNO, you should know better. You owe it to the people whose names are published in such manner as mine is in this story, to seek the other side. Doing so would only complement your story.
I hope the objective of this story was met. I continue to be the person that I know I am, and my works will resolve me from your negative press.
Peace
ADMIN: Alex, we only said you made the announcement that Leona was not performing. We did not mention or say you were part of the decision process in the matter. As a matter of fact, we don’t even know if you are involved in any decision making at Stardom.
Based on us saying you made the announcement, what other side would there be? You wanted us to call you to confirm whether you made the announcement or not?
We don’t see what negative press you are talking about. Part of your job as MC at such events is to make different announcements, which you did.
u mean absolve you? just wondering
Yes, absolve. Thanks.
Ok Alex…..STOP being sooooo “sensitive’ for your own good. First you wanna attack Carlisle and now DNO..LOL. Really, what did you wan DNO to do? Relax Bro we know who you are so quit being a pain in the bahhind
. Just remember that Change Must and Will Come soon
Assertive, NOT Agressive
And the same thing Alex bashed Carlisle for, sating that Carlisle does not know what is in his head; is the same thing he did to Leaona, like he lives in Leona’s head. Double standard. Hypocrite.
Alex you are so HYPOCRITE
Alex B. First of all putting to strangers on a stage a talking about passport was very unprofessional. DA Standards on doing things needs to elevate. First your approach to issues needs some up bring. People a watching from around the globe. And one more thing next time please cover the mike because the way you spoke to your co-host last night was no to pretty.And Please lets get rid of that big old crown.Lets make it smaller. Your friend.
two
Leona my dear, you are allowing yourself to be used and abused. You can stand on your own. Though I am not a Mas Camp fan, I love you song and support you, but after last night, you have lost me as a fan.
Don’t you all see what is happening? Stardom and swinging stars is trying to bring down Mass Camp. First they messed up Vigilante and now Leona. I guess who next. Norman, calypso does not belong to you. Free up the art form. Everything is all about Norman, Swinging Stars and Stardom.
true say.