“Peter Boyce, you have been selected to be on the CBC board!”, from the time I got the call from the PM I have been practicing. As you can see from above picture I spent quite a bit of time “on a board” before it was explained to me that’s not what they had in mind.

Now I am watching CBC TV and listening to CBC radio stations like madd so I can make valid contributions when I participate as a director on the board of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation.

It is quite an honor to have been selected by the Prime Minister to be a board director on a corporation as prestigious as the CBC. Considering my controversially nefarious reputation which is now even more re-enforced by the colorful discourses exemplified on this blog, some might think the PM is taking a chance. How ever I endeavor to rise to the occasion, or the occasions when meetings are convened and emit a level of performance and representation which would be a credit to the industry.

The CBC board contains a diverse selection of people including Leroy Parris of Clico as Chairman, Vice Chair Janette Layne Clarke and also not one but TWO pastors, so I know we will have some fun.

I would like to publicly thank the PM for having the confidence in my abilities to give me this opportunity to serve.

In the mean time I will continue my “board” practice, I am certain at some time Chairman Leroy Parris will convene a directors meeting in CBC yard and we will be giving boards expected to be adept at being “on them”, I want to be ready!

Yesterday’s media headlines announced that Ian Estwick was no longer the top man at the NCF, of course Boyce Voice had already told you his ass was gone from every since.

Ex NCF CEO Estwick stated in the media he had nothing to say. Well allow Boyce Voice to say it for him.

The termination of Estwick brings an end to a five year reign of cultural victimisation and vindictiveness which had been unleashed on cultural industries during his tenure as CEO. There are two Estwick memories that have imbued themselves on me that I would like to relate to you in as concise a manner as I can.

Back in 2005, I was invited to a business lunch as the then President of the Barbados Association of Tent Managers at the British High Commission. The purpose was for cultural industry reps to network with visiting UK business people with a view to developing business opportunities.

Estwick attended as NCF CEO also representing our cultural industries and this is how he chose to do it. Over lunch, he proceeded to explain to this African gentleman based in the UK how in Barbados people in cultural industries consisted of persons who had “failed academically”,could do nothing else and therefore became entertainers..

That is how as CEO of NCF he chose to articulate on our behalf, that’s why his ass is gone!

I also vividly remember a meeting at NCF where Mr. Estwick as chairman blatantly ignored and refused to recognise my efforts to make contributions and participate in the discussions, he then dropped some remark about how he ignores people who oppose him publicly. That’s why the ass is gone….!?

Wait, I am sorry, did I say “The ass”? I profusely apologise I meant “his ass”. That’s why HIS ASS is gone!! OK? Don’t want to get my ass in trouble, me and my uneducated Cawmere self. That’s why my ass is still here!

I attended a meeting at government house yesterday where a fellow entertainer remarked to me after all the arrogant abuse that had been suffered by us under the previous CEO, he was now gone and we were still here…

Estwick’s chaotic NCF reign can be described in the words of Shakespeare as “a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury, signifying nothing…”

Or in the words of Boyce Voice, “His ass is gone!”

I now see why Gabby did not want to let go of that cultural ambassador job. I don’t blame he. You know what is $6000.00 a month plus $350 traveling allowance? That is what the Nation newspaper is reporting Anthony “Gabby” Carter was paid monthly for being our cultural ambassador.

Maybe we should be celebrating that it was recognised that an entertainer was worth $6000 per month. It is however, unfortunate that this same financial latitude was not extended to other members of the entertainment fraternity. I remember the meager increase in Party Monarch prize monies which was granted by government in 2007. Also last year, I remember how NCF CEO Estwick took back an event pass from Captain Sawyer and other calypsonians because they did not judge in the calypso competitions. Government could even give a $40 ticket to calypsonians further less substantial monies.

The fact that Gabby was paid $6000 monthly, we should not be vex. I also see that Philip Goddard was getting $15000.00 a month and he can’t even sing. Gabby should have been getting more. But the same monetary fairness should have been applied to other entertainment entities across the board.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander…
(Not that I am calling Gabby a goose and you a gander but you know what I mean)

The headline in today’s Nation newspaper is likely to send the calypso fraternity in a panic, “Back to the NCF”.The thought of the administration of Crop Over being put back into the hands of CEO imbecile Estwick is enough to make a person go Madd.

But wait, there is more. The article goes on to state that reports indicate that both Carol Roberts AND Ian Estwick have been dismissed from the NCF (National Cultural Foundation). To this Estwick is reported as saying “He was at work today and expects be at work tomorrow morning (today).” (I have to be careful when I quote Estwick as he threatens to sue me)

Don’t mind he and all that talk. His ass has been terminated! He probably means he will be going in this morning to clear out his desk. He needs to get his ass out and make way for the new guy. Instead of worrying if Estwick is going to be there you need to start guessing who will be the next CEO.

I hate to disappoint Boyce Voicians Ken, Leon and Asiba, but it is not going to be me. While I am overwhelmed by your confidence in my abilities, the diverse responsibilities of such a post along with its restrictiveness would not be congruent with my nature. That is not to say I would not have a tangible contribution to make in another form. More on that later.

The cultural industry need not be deterred by the changes that are occurring. Be assured that all will be well in the final analysis. Boyce gives you his personal assurance of that. I will miss Carol Roberts. I found her to be very effective in the brief time I interacted with her recently.

As for Estwick I am yet to write a fitting epitaph to summarize his NCF CEO stint, but for now I will use two words, GOOD RIDDANCE!

Boyce is leaving the computer!

Good Boyce Voice day to you, here are pics that were emailed to me by me by my New York contact that I thought you would be interested in, take a read and check the pictures including the snow pic Darron contributed at end… 

NY EMAIL; “Thought I would send you some photos of the Prime Minister’s first official visit to New York (NY).  This is at the annual Cocktail Sip of the Friends of Barbados DLP Association, NY.  It was held at Nazareth Hall and Bajans turned out in large numbers…over 500 people….I spotted several bees in the place but this is NY and everyone is a B..ajan.

SThe PM’s congratulatory cake.

 PM being interviewed by Richie Rich of Zync TV.

 Some of the large crowd which attended the event. Some in line for the buffet others on the dance floor doing their thing.(me;what do they eat at these things anyways, do they eat fish cakes or pretzels?)

Finally Here is a picture taken by Darron after a big snow storm they had up in New York where he is visiting, looks like a postcard so you should download it and send it to your friends.

Any readers out there in the world who attend events or take any interesting pics are welcome to email them to us and if approved we will publish on Boyce Voice.
For every photo published we will renumerate you with a profuse thank you.

Have a Good Boyce Voice Day!

Who gabby think he is….

I waiting to cuss he stink

Who gabby think he is…

Before you get all excited and telephone Gabby with the news that Boyce say he gun curse he, the opening you see above are lyrics from Gabby’s own calypso “Who Gabby think he is”.

Which brings me to my point, Gabby seems to think he will be Cultural Ambassador forever. Anthony “Gabby” Carter is more than my friend, he gave Madd comedians our first big break performing in Battleground calypso tent when we had just left Combermere in 1982. I have a tremendous respect for Gabby; you need to read one of my first posts “What the ass is a cultural ambassador anyways?” where I lamented that Gabby was not given enough real power and authority to go with his prestigious title.

However, the Government has changed and protocol dictates that all ambassadors and boards of directors appointed by the previous administration make their resignations available to the new government. I read in the newspaper where ambassadors from New York, United Kingdom, Africa and Timbuktu have sent in their resignation letters. But not Gabby. He is maintaining his position and waiting to see what the new Minister will do.

So all the remarks wunna drop, saying that Gabby like he “switch sides” and how he sing pun de DLP celebration motorcade, even Kidsite throw a song punch at he at the Rihanna tribute show. But Gabby is not budging.

Lets vote on it Boyce Voicians. Do you think Gabby should relinquish the post of cultural ambassador as protocol dictates or were you so happy with his tenure you would like him to continue? VOTE NOW!

Gabby, Me and Blood at Barbados Music Awards last year…. I told you we are friends

Rick started to cry after he made the above statement, he was so overwhelmed after winning the Boyce Voice poll for “Political Jingle of the Road”

Here are the official results tabulated by Darron’s calculator

3rd Kimberley Inniss “Tell David that I Wid Dem” (18%, 18 Votes)
2nd Various Edwin Alison T.c etc” We Movin’ With Owen” (32%, 33 Votes)
1st Lil Rick “We Wid David and Dem” (44%, 45 Votes)

Kudos to all of the performers and producers for doing outstanding work in election campaign jingles, producers like Darron Grant and Nicholas Brancker.
Did you notice all the performers are from Bacchanal Time Calsypso tent? cause we are the best yuh idiot!

Except for Rick but he is in Bacchanal Time so much he is like ours…

Congrats to Hypa Dog Lil Rick from Boyce Voice,
You can take a listen to his winning Jingle here.

P.S; Want to congratulate Ricks manager Santia too, don’t know what she did but congrats.

Boyce Voice has been watching the developments at the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) with keen interest and so should you.You should know by now that the NCF Chairman and board recently resigned and I bet you are wondering who the new Chairman will be…..

Well wonder no more, a reliable little birdie told me that the new Chairman of the NCF will be a Mr. Ken Knight and the Deputy Chairman Mr. Colin Spencer. Do you know who Ted Knight is? I don’t, I have never heard of him as it relates to culture, that should mean he might bring an untainted slant to the administration of culture.

Well I have heard of Colin Spencer, ace controversial calypsonian, he usually sings about the government now he will be representing the government as NCF Deputy Chairman.
Colin has a wealth of experience that should serve him well in this new position.
Lets see if our little birdie turns out to be correct, other wise it will be a dead little birdie and I will keep his car.

The position of NCF CEO is what has me worried. I am not hearing that that position is vacant. A little birdie also told me Ian Estwick might be remaining as CEO.  That’s not bad news that’s HORRIBLE news. This is something the Industry needs to take notice of, as you know Estwick has been a bugbearer in our industry for years. How ever in order to get an unbiased opinion on Estwick’s performance, if Peter Wickham can do a poll so can Peter Boyce Voice.

So we invite you to comment on Ian Estwick’s performance as CEO NCF and also vote in the poll. Lets see if we are right about NCF Chairman and Deputy Chairman other wise I will be posting a picture of a dead bird…

I previously quoted from it but today Boyce Voice invites you to take a read of the full Nation Newspaper editorial which speaks to the involvement of entertainment in the results of the this month’s general elections.

Entertainers participating in politics and endorsing candidates is not unique to Barbados, it has been an accepted norm for years internationally. Recently Oprah endorsed U.S candidate Obama and it is widely rumored that Frank Sinatra had a hand in the election of John F Kennedy to the Presidency of the United States back in the 60’s.

Speaking of the United States politics I just want to get this comment in, what do you feel is motivating Hilary Clinton to run for President of the United states? Do you think she has seen the perks that the position can bring as experienced by her husband?

If I was Bill I would be careful though, if Hilary were to become President and had to spend late nights at the Oral office I would never really be sure… oops sorry my bad, I meant OVAL office…

All Hail Steve Blackette who now takes over as our new Minister of Culture in Barbados.

This announcement was made yesterday by Hon Prime Minister Mr David Thompson. Do you know Steve Blackette? You should. He has been working as a freelance announcer on Starcom Network radio station for some years now, I used to do Madd Half hours shows with him on Saturday mornings, so I know him personally.

When I heard Steve was now Minister of Culture, I was cracking my brain trying to remember if at any time we might have disagreed and I had cursed him, there is nothing worse than when you curse somebody and then they end up as Minister over you.
Fortunately that never happened. Steve was always a very likable chap and was always cooperative when I did shows with him.

If he brings that cooperativeness into his management of the cultural industries I am sure all of us should benefit, if he doesn’t, well then I might have to curse him after all.

All jokes aside, Boyce Voice would like to welcome Steve Blackette as the new Minister of Culture, It will be interesting to see the changes a fresh head administrator will make in this industry. Will the Festival Events Bureau still be taking over the running of Crop Over this year? or will it go back to the National Cultural Foundation (NCF)?

Who will be running the NCF? and whose ass is going to get sent home? All these are questions which need to be answered! What questions or suggestions would you have for the New Minister?