Just the other day I was writing a post entitled �Happy Birthday Michael Jackson� who would have thought �that a few short months later that I would be writing a post on his death.When I first heard a news flash come over on the radio saying Michael had been hospitalised I thought it was one of those publicity stunts to bring attention to MJ�s tour.

Next I heard it announced, Michael Jackson was dead, which I took in unbelievable stunned silence. Michael Jackson can�t die, I mean he is Michael Jackson; can the Smooth Criminal Thriller Billie Jean MJ really die?Then the tributes and music started confirming the saddening news.

He was the indisputable King of Pop and one the greatest entertainers in the world. He was a visionary who revolutionized the entertainment world with his videos and music. His immense popularity broke through demographic barriers of age class and colour. He was loved by all. Except those who hated him, and to hate him would mean you had to know of him, such was the extent of his fame.

I have been doing a comical vocal imitation of Michael on radio for the past 20 years. If I did an impression now of Mc Hammer who was big in the 80’s, people would be “Mc who??” But an impression of MJ never failed to entertain the masses because everyone knew who he was. Now on the eve of his comeback concert, he is gone, space walking to that musical studio in the sky, reflecting the words of one of his own songs, Michael Jackson is �Gone Too Soon.�

Zahra said she was going to lick me down if I didn’t post this below info! and it didn’t sound like the good lick either, it sounded like the lick down that leads to concussion and hospitalised.

So let’s talk about Barbados 246, you are probably wondering why does Boyce want to talk about the area code, is he sponsored by Lime?

 You are freaking wrong, Barbados 246 is the name of a brand new entertainment collaboration consisting of Pyramid Entertainment & Krosfyah Venrures.

You can read about it below,I just want to put in my two cents worth to say its a promising sign when two of the island’s most powerful entertainment entities can join forces for the worthwhile objectives they have set.

If you doubt what soldarity of entertainers can do stop and remember 2004 when the Concerned Entertainment group brought Crop Over to its knees with the withholding music strategy.

Not that I am saying this collaboration has those objectives that’s me fantasising.

Well I will shut up and let you read before Zahra licks me down, thats the end of my two cents..

“Barbados 246” is the name given to a Joint Venture among some of Barbados’ leading entertainers -

Edwin Yearwood, Khiomal, Adrian Dutchin, Lil’ Rick, Peter Ram, Biggie Irie and Mr. Dale.

“Barbados 246” is a musical production which will showcase the past and present repertoire of the

artistes as well as the diverse talents of the island’s leading entertainers.

“Barbados 246” is a cultural business initiative designed to promote the brand Barbados locally,

regionally and internationally.

Partners

1. Krosfyah Ventures Inc. which represents the Krosfyah band, Edwin Yearwood, Khiomal, Adrian

Dutchin.

2. Pyramid Entertainment Management Inc. which represents Lil Rick, Peter Ram, Biggie Irie and Mr.

Dale.

• All artistes will perform with the Krosfyah band.

• Guest acts will be added to the lineup depending on the nature of each show’s production.

Barbados 246 Objectives

• To create a music production featuring the best of Barbadian artistes that will be promoted locally,

regionally and internationally.

• To assist in the marketing of Barbadian brands of services and products including those outside the

entertainment industry through the use of the name of the country and the area code 246.

• To create an outstanding Barbadian show of the highest standard to form a viable touring package

for festivals, concerts and other performance venues worldwide.

Key Components of the Show

• A professionally produced show featuring the best of Barbadian talent

• The past and present repertoire of the artistes will be featured thereby augmenting the traditional

format of Crop Over presentations

• Each show will be fully rehearsed and include choreographed dancers and special effects.

• Each show will have a separate and distinct theme setting it apart from all the others.

• All artistes and members of the backing band will wear appropriately themed clothing for each event and will incorporate the Barbados 246 branding into the visual presentation.

If it was up to Walter Maloney Face Book peeps and all Barbados would have to stop all that stupid partying and wukking up that you been doing and staying home and focusing on your bills.

I could hardly believe my eyes when I read the headline.

National Union of Public Workers President Walter Maloney wants to stop all feting and shows in Barbados because of the economic conditions;

So Reggae on the Hill want calling off, Teshia needs to stop Fantasy Fridays and Stephanie chase and Nelly done away with all those fetes and beauty pageants.

The NUPW President is crying shame on entertainment promoters and the wasteful activities they are engaged in.

What is the aim of having these shows? He asks

“What is the case for having reggae this Calypso that?”

“What does it prove dancing? It is not going to help the country”

I don’t recall last time I heard some one make such entertainment ignorant statements.

What Maloney is talking It reminds me of a four letter word starting with c, bare c***

As the President of a workers union, he does not realise all the people he is seeking to put out of work.

At shows not only entertainers are employed but also security guards, backstage crews and food and drink personnel.

Boutiques benefit from increased clothing sales, Radio and Television benefits from increased advertising revenue. More money is injected into the economy.

Maloney wants to know what purpose that dancing serves, how does it help pay your bills? Soon he will ask what purpose does watching TV serve?

All the television watchers Chantelle, Fenelle need to throw their TVs outside. No more “Criminal Minds” for you Bobby, does watching that help pay your bills?

If Maloney look at those people who let losing their jobs and mortgages get to them and then end up shooting themselves and their families, he would see why it is good to get out and relax every once in a while.

So if you want to go out and enjoy Beanie man, the Marley’s, Krosfyah, Jon Doe and Indian, who the ass is Walter Maloney to stop you?

In a nut shell Maloney’s statements are financially reckless and culturally flawed, or as we would say, he talking bare c***!

*Crap;

Disturbia, Chris you are scaring me tonight

Disturbia, cuffing me with all your might

Disturbia, you ain’t what I use to what you like

Disturbia, disturbia

Rihanna needs to redo the song Disturbia and put herself and abuser hubby Chris Brown in it.

Maybe that is the duet they are thinking of doing together a Disturbia part 2.

It seems the whole world Oprah included, is disturbed by the fact that Rihanna has returned to the side of batterer boyfriend Chris “Bite muh” Brown.

It is discussed ad naseu

m on CNN’s Larry King every night

Previously abused show bizz personality Robin Givens has given advice, Dr Phil and all the American TV morning shows have been all shouting in tandem that Rihanna going back Chris beat up Brown was a bad idea.

And to add injury to insult now it is now reported that Rihanna is in the studio doing a song with Chris “Bust Ya face” Brown.

So while radio stations have been pulling Brown’s songs off the radio to support her, Rihanna is doing a song with the specimen, can you imagine that?

FYI to Rihanna believe it or not there are other men in the world to choose from, in fact research has shown they are billions of them. You need to stop this “Disturbia” path you are on before it’s too late. 

Besides Oprah says no, and if Oprah says no, you tell Chris beater boy Brown to go.

To finish this “Disturbia” Post I will humbly offer for consideration a lyric rewrite to Rihanna for the duet with “Chris “bust yuh ass” Brown.

Disturbia, Chris Brown you are doing shite

Disturbia, I am leaving your ass tonight

Disturbia, hitting this girl Rihanna aint right

Disturbia, disturbia

“The thoughtless theories of thirty thousand thespians” that’s a phrase I constantly repeat to myself, before any appearance whether it be radio television or a public speaking event. This was taught to me by the late Jeannette Layne Clark, the purpose was for me to practice pronouncing my “th’s” properly to correct the speaking fault most bajans are famous for…

I attended Jeannette’s “Speak for your self” course back in 2004 and because of the tutoring efforts of her and Sharon Marshall I started to pronounce my “th’s” correctly, so when you hear me on the radio saying three instead of tree, that is Jeannette’s teachings living on in my speech..

When you hear me speaking badly well you know that would not please Jeannette, she was known for calling up broadcasters and correcting them for their mangling of the English Language.

Jeannette was a woman who spoke her mind, back in December 1983 she said of Madd’s first yuletide release the song should be “thrown into the inner recesses of the nearest dust bin” even when she told you off she did so eloquently.

Which then led to Madd immortalizing her in our next release “Janet” which continues to get airplay all like now.

Jeannette was renowned for her proliferic writings, her weekly newspaper columns “Lick Mout Lou” and “Private line”.   Also the novel “A Villa in Paradise” and her hilarious comedy pieces “Okras in de stew” “Partners in profit” and the long running stage production “Pampalam”

I had the privilege of being directed by Jeannette in 30th anniversary Pampalam in 2007, which was the last one staged.

I was Ali Singh in the “Partners in Profit” piece for that year and I learnt a lot and enjoyed it immensely. Ali Singh got to ride a bicycle on stage every night that was bare fun.

Jeannette was brave enough to put the controversial Peter Boyce in her production which some people would not have dared to do. 

Also in that Pampalam were Marvo Manning, Merle Niles, Sade, Janice Perryman, Wendell Thomas Yolanda Holder, Eleanor Rice and Angela Weithers. 

The production was written, produced and directed by Jeanette.

At the end I got every body to sign the program for that year, but I missed getting Jeannette’s and drove around with the booklet for months intending to pass and get it signed… It’s too late now…

I sat with with Jeannette on the CBC Board on the one meeting she attended as Deputy Chairman before she resigned because of illness.

When I attended Jeannette’s funeral I made sure and pronounced my “th’s when I was singing the hymns, 

Jannette is gone but her excellence and legacy lives on

“The thoughtless theories of thirty thousand thespians”

If you desire to be a professional and “qualified” entertainer musician my buddy and associate Chris Harper has teamed up with the prestigious Berklee College of Music to offer barbadians an opportunity to be qualified.

Note use of the that word “qualified” that is something I find those of us in entertainment don’t pay enough attention to. Since no compulsory educational qualifications are needed to be an entertainer we can just say “I is an entertainer” and that’s it. Sometimes I read in the court pages an entertainer is charged for something and its someone that in all my 30 years in the business I have never seen them yet, but them pulling we down claiming to be part of our industry.

Thats why it would be good if it were mandatory that to be deemed an entertainer you needed some qualification, not only for that reason but because we have something to fall back on should times change.

That’s why its important to take advantage of this opportunity that Chris is offering us and I would like to publicly compliment Harper on his laudable efforts to uplift and educate the industry.

Over the past five years Berklee College of Music has partnered with Notes to Note Inc. to conduct the Barbados leg of their annual scholarship tour. This year the project has been strengthened and is an official project of the office of International Programs which will allow students to access more of the college’s resources through addition scholarships and financial aid.

 The scholarship office released the follow statement on the scholarship tour.

 ”Berklee travels the globe visiting over 40 cities annually seeking those talented musicians who we feel are an excellent match to the college.  By participating in a live audition and interview, applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships towards the full-time program or the Five Week Summer Performance Program.”

 The scholarships auditions will take place on Saturday 21^st February from 9:00am at the Barbados Community College.                 

Persons from Barbados and the region who wish to take part in the audition process need to complete the application for admission online at https://www.berklee.edu/apply/.

  On Thursday 19^th and Friday 20^{th of} February at the Barbados Community College at 5:00pm each day there will be a lecture on the admissions process and a pre-audition workshop respectively. These will be conducted by Vice-President of student affairs Steve Lipman and Professors John Pierce and John Marasco of the Berklee College of Music.

For further information on auditions please contact:

Chris Harper  

Managing Director

Notes to Note Inc.
phone (246)427-2555
email: notestonote@caribsurf.com 

What could have possessed Chris Brown’s brain that he could think could raise his hand and hit our Bajan Superstar Combermere Queen Rihanna?

Hast he eaten from the root of ignorance, is he on drugs or is he just a dumb ass?

There we were looking for Rihanna to perform at the Grammys last night and to see her win some more awards and shout out “Barbados this one is for you” one more time.

Next thing we hear this morning how Chris Brown and Rihanna were driving on their way to Grammys got in an argument and Brown injured a Fenty in her face and turned himself into Police. As a result of the incident neither of them made it to the awards.

When you look at a superstar of the stature of Rihanna her face, her legs, her entire body is worth millions of dollars.Look at all the lucrative endorsements Rihanna is involved in, Clinique, Nike, JC Penny Jeans and you would see what Brown threatens when it crosses his little brain to hit her.  

Rihanna needs to set an example for all the females out there who have been hit by stupid ass men, press charges against Brown and leave his dumb chewing gum endorsement ass.  Rihanna is way bigger than Chris Brown and she doesn’t need to be associated to have him to help her career.

I already told my son I don’t want to hear him listening to Chris Brown music or watching his videos again, Chris Brown he needs to see Rihanna Fenty and dont see she, good!

Brown should now be Persona non grata  as it relates to him visiting Barbados in the future and if Rihanna doesn’t leave his ass, it’s going to be me and her or to bajanise it “me and she”!

Jason strikes again! And so does the remake syndrome

I see that on February 13th 2009, a remake of Friday 13th slashes its way on to our cinema screens, note it is not another sequel as the 13 others before but a remake of the original.

It seems to me that the Hollywood has reach the end of its creative cycle and is finding it increasingly hard to produce any thing new that is good, hence they are going back to the good old classics favorites we grew up with.

Evidence can be seen in the proliferation of remakes which are now being churned out by the tinsel town movie making machinery.

There are so many old movies and TV series that are being remade its amazing, Starsky and Hutch, Knight Rider, Battle Star Galactica, Beverley Hills 90210 and Charlie’s Angels.

They also remade Psycho, the avengers and Mission Impossible; of course some of these remakes were so bad the original should not have been touched at all. (Look what they did to Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”)

Let’s not forget all the classic songs that are now being sampled and released to a new generation as though they are new.

What is the significance of this? Does this say that in this millennium Hollywood and indeed the world has peaked and reached the end of its creative cycle.

Let’s not forget the new installments of Rocky and Rambo, plus a Terminator 4 is now in production as you read and we have the Terminator TV series. 

The entertainment events of our past are now the highlights of our future.

I am sure there are quite a few more remakes you can add that I might have missed and like Arnold they are now promising …..

“I’ll be back”

Monday is the night I go to the movies, 8.30 pm the Globe Cinema is the choice of P Boyce.

My Face book friends often query this “strange” behavior “wha I see that movie weeks ago I coulda burn that for you” or  “you could have gone on www see movies free.com and watch that for free on your computer, why you wasting money?”

Well let me tell you why I leave home go to the movies, for the “entertainment experience”.

I enjoy the anticipation of simply “going to de theatre” looking forward to a night out.

I enjoy viewing the poster displayed outside the cinema promoting the movie which helps to heighten your anticipation of seeing the same film.

I look forward buying my theatre pop corn, hot dog and soda to snack on as I view the flick.

Then the cinema darkens and they pull the curtains the night’s entertainment begins with the “Coming Attractions” wetting your appetite for the flicks to come.

Sometimes the coming attractions are better than the movies them selves.

I love to sit back and view my movies on a big screen and I don’t tell me you got a 60 inch TV, I mean the massive cinema scope larger than life dimensions you get only in the theater.

I love my Dolby stereo and surround sound where the audio brings you into the movie.

It is a total escape, you don’t have your wife telling you the T.V to loud or your kids vex cause they want to use the computer.

You get away from your worries, bills and ringing phones, well if you turn your cell off.

It is the social interaction as you and the audience become as one, 

It is entertainment experience that I am after, stop home and view movie down loads on an 18 inch computer screen? I think not!

Hope you had an excellent Christmas eating the Ham, Black Cake. Jug Jug and enjoying the things associated with this festive season.
A musical airplay trend that I have noticed in recent years is where radio stations no longer play exclusively Yule tide music in the days leading up to Xmas.
Years ago it was a standard that for the entire month of December it would be 100% Xmas selections that would dominate the radio.
I can speak to this with authority as I remember having a half hour on radio in the 90’s and having to seek permission from the Station Program Manager to play some non yuletide music I wanted to promote.

What is the possible negative impact of this? We here in Barbados don’t have snow and all the weather related characteristics that signal Xmas, the only thing which signifies that is the music. So if you are hearing less Xmas songs you are feeling less in the yuletide spirit which means you less inclined to go out there spending and injecting the much needed money into the economy.

Our retail industry depends on the ambiance generated by songs like “Dreaming of a white xmas” the xmas shoes” song (which I hate) ““little drummer boy” to motivate customers to come out.
A great percentage of the annual store retail sales happen at Christmas, December revenue becomes the savior of many shops and is the reason they exist.
One should then see the possible danger that might develop if we see a trend where less Xmas music is played in December which will equate to fewer retail sales less financial activity and become a possible danger to the economy.

Boyce Voice takes this opportunity to wish you the best of the season!