It is “time” for Rihanna to do a Soca song and put the genre on the international map”, that’s the “Timeless” position being put out by Ronnie Morris from the Barbados Music Awards.
Ronnie has been getting quite a bit of heat for this on my Facebook page and my FB friends Joyann and Marva insist I must make a comment so I am Boycing it.

I admire what Ronnie has done with the BMA’s and recognizing the contribution of Bajan artistes both old & new, Obviously he has a passion for our Soca music and would wish to see it grow and that is why he would have made his comment.
However I do not agree that Rihanna an obligation to do Soca music or any other Bajan genre.
The point was well made by Mark on FB, why should Rihanna target 3 million people in the Caribbean when you can target 300 million internationally.
She will release a Soca song and do what, try to win “Tune of the Crop”? When instead she could be on the top of the Billboard charts.

I think we should all be extremely proud of Rihanna and how she promotes Barbados.
She was on Rick Dee’s the other day and guess what? She shouted out Barbados and let Rick know that we listen to him here.
That is the kind of publicity you can’t buy.

When she wins awards and international attention is on her, she shouts “Barbados!!” Christ, what more do you want!?

It is noteworthy that many of the international potentials who perform at B.M.A’s do not do Soca.
The reason they choose ballads is because that’s what the international scouts are looking for.
So it’s therefore unfair for us to expect Rihanna to sing a “come and wine pun my bumpa“ song.
What Rihanna needs to do is keep on being successful and hailing Barbados and as Bajans we need to appreciate it more.
Kudos again to Ronnie and the great job he has been doing with the B.M.A’s helping to also put Barbados entertainment on the international map.

Boyce Note; if Rihanna ever does decide to do a Soca collaboration, there’s a popular artiste known as “Ali Singh” that might try a thing with her…

Big News from the Timeless, the Barbados Music Awards will be going regional! From next year the Barbados Music Awards will be no more but will be replaced by the “Caribfest Awards” a brand new initiative from the Ronnie Morris/Russell Ruck Timeless team.

The Caribfest Awards will be seeking participation from artistes in Antigua, Bermuda, Guyana, Haiti, Trinidad, Cuba, U.S territories Puerto Rico, and U.S Virgin islands etc, all the territories in the region.

Ronnie said that funding had becoming problematic as it related to the Barbados Music Awards but there was more potential sources for funding an awards competition which encompassed the Caribbean.
It was stated persons in the different islands had been very receptive to “Caribfest” and after its start up respective governments will be approached for their support.

Here is how the nomination process will work for “Caribfest”; there would be a committee of 20 persons that would be selected from the islands along with 5 international judges, the committee would then nominate artistes from all the areas. The eventual winners would be decided by the voting public from throughout the region.

In response to persons including myself, who expressed concern over the demise of the Barbados Music Awards especially after the excellent show which was staged on Sunday, Ronnie stated, if enough funding was made available to Timeless, they might still do the Barbados Awards event but it all depends on the support they get.
Ronnie wrapped up by saying local artistes now having to compete with regional counterparts for awards would now raise the bar as it relates to entertainment standards.

At the conclusion of the press conference there were no snacks served, which was ok cause I am not one of those people who go to events looking to get things to eat, so I did not notice there were no snacks nor drinks.

Boyce is out

I cut my hair and practicing Snizing which is what Tyra Banks calls smiling with your eyes, cause I looking to be a show stopper when I step on the red carpet at the BMA’s on Sunday yuh idiot!!
Below is a release Ronnie sent on what will be happening that night, I don’t see my name down to do anything so I guess he is saving me to be a surprise guest. Dorothy will also be there, after all, she knows Rihanna…

Patrons who purchased tickets to the 2010 Barbados Music Awards, being held on Sunday, January 10th at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, are in for a treat, as the event will be staged as a double feature which will begin with the entire 5th Anniversary Awards ceremoney, then end with a full concert by American Idol queen Fantasia.

“The concept is to have the full 2-hour Barbados Music Awards ceremony, complete with the award presentations, awesome performances by Barbados’ best including Edwin Yearwood, Natahlee, Livvi Franc, Jaicko, Ruby Tech, Ruth Collymore and others, along with the awesome Michael Jackson tribute which includes the phenomenal talent of Cerish Breedy, Tanya Clarke, Kareen Clarke, Ria Borman, Dwayne Husbands, TC, Omar McQuilkin and Alison Hinds among others.

Following that there will be a brief intermission, and fans will then be treated to a 45-minute Fantasia Live in Concert, which, to our mind, is a spectacular celebration of five years, being acknowledged by the global music industry, through the presence and participation of the likes of Joseph Jackson and Fantasia Barrino, along with the numerous major executives and global media which will be joining us for the event’, Ronnie Morris, Director of the annual Barbados Music Awards said.

The Barbados Music Awards is considered to be one of this island’s most prestigious annual events, and is also recognized as the Caribbean’s finest annual music awards event.

Happy New Year from Boyce Voice, want to wish you the best for 2010 etc and so on and so forth.
Let us resolve to make New Years resolutions and stick to them and one of mine is I will update Boyce Voice more regularly, so let’s get to it then.

I open up this New Year by writing about something old, no I am not writing about myself, I am writing about two amazing television shows that are living proof that when you create an excellent and quality product, it is timeless and will live on forever.

Am Boycing about the television shows “The Honeymooners” and “The Twilight Zone”.
On 2010 New Years day two television Network channels showed marathon back to back episodes of both those shows, so you might ask, what’s so damn amazing about that??
This,” The Honeymooners was produced in 1955 and the “Twilight Zone” is from 1959.
Despite the age if these “television dinosaur productions despite the fact that they are in black and white, in 2010 over 40 years since they have been produced, they still continue to be entertaining .

When I watched Jackie Gleason as Ralph Crandon in “The Honey Mooners” I still found him to be funny and the plots to be hilarious. In contrast to some current stuff that I find boring, Example “Everybody Loves Raymond” they must mean everybody except me, and “Tyler Perry’s House of Pain” cause that’s how I find Tyler’s so called comedy, painful to watch.

“The Twilight Zone” still continues to be intriguing and well written. Taking you into “another dimension of time” with guest appearances by young stars that made it big afterwards like Clint Eastwood, William Shatner, Robert Redford and more.

The original “Honeymooners and “Twilight Zone” Television shows are examples of how “form is temporary but class is permanent”.

The man was so talented that they were able to take his rehearsals and make it into a major box office movie, Boycing of course about the late great Michael Jackson.
The success of the movie“This is it” proof that MJ is and always will be the indisputable “King of Pop”.

“MICHAEL JACKSON’S THIS IS IT” made motion picture history as the highest grossing concert film of all time. And now, the two-disc album companion to the movie Michael Jackson’s This is It released by Sony Music’s Epic Records makes its first week debut in the #1 spot of the Billboard Top 200 album chart, as well as the Soundtrack album chart. U.S.

If the Michael Jackson rehearsals could create such an impact imagine what would have happened if he had been able to do the show itself.
Before he died tickets to his concert had already started to go through the roof and believe it or not after he died many fans elected to keep those tickets as souvenirs whether than return them for a refund.
Such was the greatness of the Man Michael Jackson.

Let’s bring it closer the home, despite the fact the MJ has passed on, he continues to be one of the popular reoccurring characters I voice imitate on my PBoyce Show radio show every Saturday on 98.1 FM. Such was the greatness of Michael Jackson.

So have you seen “This is it” yet? And I don’t mean any cheap down load on a 24 inch screen either, (I will not call certain people name) make sure and get into the cinema and see it on the big screen and Dolby stereo surround sound.
Viewing the last production of MJ deserves nothing less; such was the greatness of Michael Jackson!

You could not have asked for a better demonstration of the true feelings of government to cultural industries. I am Boycing about the recent demolishing of the unfinished auditorium at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Center to make room for a car park and offices.

They were not just demolishing an auditorium they were demolishing culture.
In an country that is sadly lacking in adequate entertainment venues government while playing lip service to cultural industries is finding time to destroy one.

Why waste money on an auditorium when they can just continue to issue empty promises, like the promise to refurbish the Empire Theatre, I so tired hearing bout that then. Or the promise to fix up Queens Park theatre and reopen it, I don’t know if you can still call them promises, when is it that a promise crosses over and simply becomes a blatant lie. If a fruitless promise is given often and long enough it must be upgraded to a lie.

I didn’t mean to demolish the hopes and dreams of you in the cultural industries; government is doing a good enough job at that.
While government talks the talk it is time they walk the walk, if they are so sincere about the development of culture they need to show prove it.
By demolishing that unfinished entertainment auditorium, government demolishes our hopes and by extension demolishes culture.

Workman Demolishing Unfinished Auditorium

Ronnie Morris is moving up in the world, this local entrepreneur is about to break into the international scene in a big way, see his press release below.
Barbados may very well be witnessing the rise of a home-grown global music industry mover and shaker right before our very eyes.
Ronnie Morris, Director and founder of Timeless Barbados Inc and the Barbados Music Awards, is moving rapidly towards becoming a force in the global music industry.
Just months after being appointed as a member of the management team for Grammy winner Regina Belle, Morris has now officially added two more platinum artistes to his roster.
Grammy-winning soul diva Stephanie Mills was so impressed with the level of professionalism she encountered when in Barbados for the recently concluded Ultimate Soul Weekend that she held an extended meeting with Morris at the Hilton Hotel, expressing her keen interest in working with the young man as part of her team.
Similarly, super-group En Vogue, now globe-trotting in preparation for their highly anticipated reunion album set for release in the first quarter of 2010, also held a meeting with Morris mainly with regards to handling all of their business affairs and bookings within the Caribbean islands.
Intense negotiations took place even after the acts returned to the US, and on Monday, October 12th both acts signed on the dotted line to have Ronnie Morris serve as their official representative for the entire Caribbean region on an exclusive basis.
To fully understand the magnitude of his signings, the three acts which he represents have together sold close to 100 million records Worldwide.
All told, with his position as Deputy Chairman of COSCAP, recent appointment as Chairman of SHABEAU Magazine, Director of the Barbados Music Awards, Ultimate Soul Weekend and the current development of the soon to be up and running record label Gold Coast Records, of which he is CEO underway, along with his various positions of responsibility with the Springle Entertainment Group of Las Vegas, Nevada (head of their Caribbean and Latin American Division) and, of course with Regina Belle, Stephanie Mills and En Vogue, this island could very well be witnessing the rapid emergence of a major force in the global music industry.
Indeed Trinidad’s E-Zone Magazine seemed to have a premonition, as it listed Morris among the most influential executives of the Caribbean’s music industry in 2008.
Morris credits God, the assistance of the BIDC, Invest Barbados, various private sector sponsors, his business partner Russell Ruck, US business partners Brian Springle and Regina Belle, his public supporters and the strong ever-present support of his family (particularly his mother, grandmother, step father and aunt Margaret Morris) for his achievements.
“I hope that all of what is happening is seen as upward movement for all involved in Barbados’ music industry. We can make our mark. COSCAP, Pyramid, Hit Island, the new Association of Music Entrepeneurs, Invest Barbados, the BIDC, Enterprise Growth Fund, Gilbert Rowe, Freddie Hill, Al Gilkes, Good Vybz, CRS, Triple E, the NCF, Ministry of Culture, South Central, Got Rhythm, Richard Stoute and others are all putting in long hours to develop the local industry. Phil Phillips, Sonia Mullins, Santia Bradshaw, Ruel Ward, Phillip Forrester, Kerrie Armstrong and her business partner Allison are all proving that Barbadians have the brains and experience to manage major acts, and so I am but a small part of what is going on as this little island prepares to make a big splash on the global music scene”.

Boyce Voice is leaving the building

The furor being raised by the Swiss police arrest of Oscar-winning filmmaker Roman Polanski is in the Boyce focus today. While you often hear about the “price of fame” this situation is showing one of its many benefits.

76 year old Polanski has been on the run from an arrest warrant stemming from a sex charge he drugged and raped a 13 year old girl back in 1977 in the U.S state of California.
He confessed to the deed by fled to his homeland France before he could be sentenced while the case was still in court.
There he stood for decades, still making movies and winning academy awards which he could not set foot back in the U.S to collect.
Now he has been arrested there has been much public proclamations over what a great director he is, the great films he has done and the contribution he has made to the industry.
There has been support for Polanski coming from high ranking French politicians and famous Swiss personalities denouncing the shameful act of their Swiss police of arresting him for the U.S. There has also been support coming out of the United States with major movie stars signing a petition demanding his release led by people like Whoopi Golberg and Woody Allen. ( Well I could see why Woody would support him)

Now here’s the thing, if you take away the fame and film accomplishments from Polanski what do you have? A pedophile that raped a child and then escaped punishment.
If you were to discover your neighbor had done that you would be appalled and any bet you would not want a child molester living next to you, maybe if he was famous, maybe that would be another matter, you tell me.
If we forgive Polanski maybe we should start forgiving all the Priests who interfered with lil boys as well, provided the priest made a tangible contribution to the community since then.
Maybe the fact the victim wants the charges against Polanski dropped is germane to this situation, maybe the fact it happened in 1977 makes continuing with the case a mute point, you be the judge, I am only Boyce Voice.

The BMA nomination meeting happened last night, see the full list of nominees here first on Boyce Voice, we would like to congratulate all the winners, don’t see my name here though, this is the second year I have been omitted, wait till I see Ronnie then… Best wishes to everyone

Soca Up-Tempo Single

Edwin Yearwood- In De Middle A De Road

Mikey- Rhythm Section

Timmy- Tim De Tool Man

Soca Mid-Tempo Single (Male)

Blood- Back It Up

Mikey- I In Dat

RPB- Something’s Happening

Soca Mid- Tempo Single (Female)

Alison Hinds- Chocolate and Vanilla

Natahlee- What We Do

TC- Hot Sun and Rhythm

Best Social Commentary

John King- My Caribbean

RPB- Home Drums

Sheldon Hope- Last Days

Best Collaboration

Alison Hinds & Richie Spice- King and Queen

Ayana John & Elephant Man- Pose

Kirk Brown, Justin King & Tejay- Shawty Get Low

Song of the Year

Edwin Yearwood- In De Middle A De Road

RPB- Something’s Happening

Shontelle- Battle Cry

Album of the Year (Artist / Group)

Ayana John- Ayana John

Krosfyah- Kings of the Groove

Shontelle- Shontelligence

Album of the Year (Compilation)

Monsta Piece- AWOL

Tone Deaf Studios- Chaos

Various- Soca Tite Choonz

Producer of the Year

Anderson “Blood” Armstrong

KB Sharp

Peter Coppin

Songwriter of the Year

Edwin Yearwood

Mr. Dale

RPB

Backing Vocalist of the Year

Indra Rudder

Lisa Howell

Ria Borman

Instrumentalist of the Year

Darien Bailey

James Lovell

John Roett

Best Music Video (Male)

Jaicko- Oh Yeah

Kirk Brown feat. Justin King & Tejay- Shawty Get Low

Philip 7- Looking For

Best Music Video (Female)

Livvi Franc- Now I’m That Chick

Shontelle- Battle Cry

Tarah- Push Back / Love De Carnival

Best New Artist

Cherish Breedy

Ria Borman

Sir Ruel

Reggae Artist of the Year

Buggy

Kirk Brown

Hotta Flames

Jazz Artist of the Year

Kellie CaDogan

Rosemary Phillips

Black Clay Soil

Gospel Artist of the Year

Mya Daniel

Sheldon Hope

Toni Norville

Soca Artist of the Year

TC

RPB

Edwin Yearwood

Pop / Rock / Alternative Artist of the Year

Philip 7

Kite

Rihanna

Rap / Hip- Hop Artist of the Year

Trezay

Nitro

Ruby Tech

Soul / R&B Artist of the Year

Shontelle

Jaicko

Ayana John

Band / Group of the Year

Krosfyah

Strategy

Fully Loaded

Entertainer of the Year (Male)

Edwin Yearwood

Kirk Brown

RPB

Blood

Buggy

Entertainer of the Year (Female)

Alison Hinds

Shontelle

Rihanna

Ayana John

TC

Song of the Decade

Rupee- Tempted To Touch

Edwin and Khiomal- Sak Passe

Biggie Irie- Nah Going Home

Alison Hinds- Roll

Rihanna- Umbrella

Band / Group of the Decade

Krosfyah

Strategy

Massala

Fully Loaded

The Merrymen

Entertainer of the Decade (Male)

Edwin Yearwood

RPB

Rupee

Anderson “Blood” Armstrong

L’il Rick

Entertainer of the Decade (Female)

Alison Hinds

Rihanna

Toni Norville

TC

Natahlee

2010 BMA HONOUREES

Cornerstone Awards

Arturo Valentino

JoAnne Sealey

Andrea Gollop- Greenidge

ANTHONY BRYAN

Natahlee

Herring

Biggie Irie

John Sealy

John Roett

Tony Thompson

Lifetime Achievement Award

Tony Hoyos

Living Legend

Marvo Manning

BMA Award of Excellence

Terencia “TC” Coward

BMA Platinum Award

Shontelle- (Shontelligence, T Shirt)

International Award of Excellence

Toni Braxton

Fantasia Barrino

International Lifetime Achievement Award (In Memoriam)

Michael Jackson

Those of you that thought that all the NCF was bout was making money , shame on you NCF haters! Allow me to bring your attention to this fantastic workshop opportunity that the National Cultural Foundation is organizing.

It’s a Song Writing Workshop that commences from 15^th September, bare big names are presenting at it and the best part is, its absolutely free!

So if you feel you have potential to write a song but didn’t know how this is what you have been looking for, if you already write, there’s nothing wrong with listening to others who have excelled in the artform and getting some tips on how to improve your skills.

Otherwise you might end up like me; I obviously need a writing workshop myself.

Look who in it (told you I needed writing lessons) calypsonian Chalkdust from Trinidad and our own Red Plastic Bag, so what are you waiting for? Did I mention it is free?

Check the official email below sent out by NCF for more information.

You are invited to the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination (EBCCI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development & Culture and The National Cultural Foundation presents The Song Writing Workshop. September 15, 2009                                                        Public Lecture by Dr. Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool September 16 – 18, 2009                                              Workshop sessions with Dr. Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool September 19, 2009 (10:00 am – 3:00 pm)             Special Workshop Session for Junior Calypsonians with Dr. Hollis “Chalkdust” LiverpoolSeptember 23 – 25, 2009                                              Workshop sessions with Mr. Stedson “Red Plastic Bag” Wiltshire September 19, 2009 (10:00 am – 3:00 pm)             Special Workshop Session for Junior Calypsonians with Mr. Stedson “Red Plastic Bag” Wiltshire October 1, 2009                                                                Workshop for Arrangers with Mr. Roger Gittens.