Every year consistently without fail, the Royal Barbados Police Force does its utmost to stop Euphoria!
In our first year 2005 they denied police security and then spent the entire weekend of the show harassing the euphoria venue owner contriving reasons the show should not go on. They failed.                                 
 In 2007 the letter we sent to police requesting security mysteriously disappeared and conversations we had with them they could not remember having. They failed to stop the event then too.                           
Now in 2008 the Police once again  has stepped up to the plate in its draconian and even more aggressive efforts stand in the way of cultural entrepreneurs.Not only are they denying security but by calling the media to ensure that the message is sent that Euphoria production is in joepordary achieves a more sinister objective we will reveal.                         
Why has the agency whose primary task is to prevent crime also added to its objectives stopping an entertainment event?         
Let Boyce tell you why, because every Euphoria event has been on the same night as cohobblopot. Therefore the police has been constantly used as a tool to protect the financial interests of the government by stamping on private enterprise.
Even if you look at their call to the media, as you would know the police is not known to be a friend of newspapers as media has a nasty habit of reporting on incidents of abuse done by the police.                                 
The malicious intent of the timing of their phone call is to effectively remove “euphoria” as competition so that cohobblopot tickets would be free to sell. 

In all the previous years that we have had Euphoria there is one person who stood by us in these times of difficulty with the police.
 That person is our now Prime Minister David Thompson. Back then he was David our legal advisor and he was very effective in representing us in these Police issues.
I can honestly say if not for the efforts of David there would be no Euphoria.

Guess who I have written too?

Euphoria Cliff hanger continues tomorrow….

Local entertainment company, Euphoria Inc. looks set to stage one of the hottest casts of  Barbadian artistes and bands for Crop Over 2008. At a time when all eyes and ears patiently await the release of music from Barbados’ top entertainers and producers, the organisers of Euphoria will pay tribute to the Barbadian contingent of musical ambassadors who have dominated the soca industry in recent times whilst at the same time providing a platform for several emerging artistes. 

The all star line up which will feature performances from soca diva Alison Hinds, Edwin Yearwoord, Khiomal and Adrian Dutchin of Krosfyah, Lil Rick, Peter Ram, Biggie Irie, Mr. Dale,Blood, Rameses and Jabae 
will join Contone, Pong, Fraud Squad, Stabby the Guard, Versiwile, Unda Dawg and many others at the Wildey Gymnasium on the 3rd August, 2008. DJ’s will include Jon Doe, Dave Smooth, Bubbles and Hurricane.

“The organisers promise that this event will empower all Barbadians to support Bajan brands particularly at a time when the changes in the global economy are likely to impact on the earning capacity of all Barbadians. We need to support each other now more than ever as a demonstration of our collective strength as a people but more importantly we need to create viable platforms to promote, market and exploit the talent of our artistes.Events such as Euphoria are a true demonstration of a Bajan brand which contributes positively to the entertainment sector and to the wider Barbadian economy,” states torganisers.   

Early bird tickets will start at at an affordable price at $30.00.

For more updates and a full line up of the confirmed artistes log on to www.pyramidartists.com for more information

In September 2007 Pyramid Entertainment became the first entertainment company from the Caribbean to sponsor a music truck at Labour Day Carnival in conjunction with Mount Gay Rum. The 40 ft truck set the Eastern Parkway ablaze with performances from some of the Caribbean’s leading soca entertainers. Alongside the Pyramid line up of acts which included Lil Rick, Peter Ram, Biggie Irie and Barry Chandler, was soca queen Alison Hinds, Omar Mc Quilkin and Tizzy from the El A Kru band, Antigua. Also on board was Bajan born, New York based deejay Dahved Levy and AJ Calloway (formerly of BET).
The truck attracted significant media attention as it proceeded along the carnival route of the Eastern Parkway in high visibility to the more than 1 million spectators and revelers who attended the Labour Day celebrations.
This year, Pyramid and Mount Gay Rum will once again join the Sesame Flyer’s band as it celebrates its 25th year in the entertainment business as one of the largest mas bands in New York.  Sesame Flyers not only boasts over 1500 revelers but has won the title “Band of the Year” for ten consecutive years. Sesame Flyers International remains one of the most highly respected community oriented organizations in New York and recently made yet another unprecedented step when it launched Sesame TV, an online television programme featuring some of the work of the organization and its affiliate companies. 
Following on the success of their hugely popular hits at Barbados’ Crop Over this year, Pyramid artistes will join a line up of other hugely successful Caribbean artistes on the branded music truck to entertain their fans and promote their music. 
Pyramid is proud to be associated with the Sesame Flyers band as it celebrates its 25th year in the entertainment industry. “We are heartened by the professionalism of this organization and welcome the opportunity to celebrate with them under this year’s theme “Caribbean Heritage.” Music is enjoyed by people of all nationalities and the opportunity to perform and promote our music during this prestigious year for Sesame Flyers will undoubtedly further fuel the harmony, integration, diversity and unity amongst all Caribbean people. The alliance between Pyramid Entertainment and Sesame Flyers is a true demonstration of Caribbean unity and has greatly expanded the promotion of our artistes beyond those which were previously utilized during the Labour day celebrations,” says CEO of Pyramid, Santia Bradshaw.

Here are the official results of the 2008 Crop Over preliminaries sent to Boyce Voice from the NCF, those of you who think we are not friends are wrong, check the results….  

19 –PIC-O-DE CROP SEMI-FINALISTS 2008
All Stars   Adrian Clarke    Adrian Clarke
All Stars   Ronnie Clarke    De Announcer
Bacchanal Time  Charles Smith    Romeo
Bacchanal Time  William Waithe    Classic
Bacchanal Time  David Piggott    Kid Site
Bacchanal Time  Rameses Browne    Rameses
De Big Show  Anthony Carter    Gabby
De Big Show  John King     John King
De Big Show  Sheldon Hope    Sheldon Hope
De Big Show  Clairmonte Pilgrim   Pompey
Headliners   Anderson Armstrong   Blood
Headliners   Ishiaka McNeil    Ishiaka McNeil
House Of Soca  Jude Clarke     Hee Haw
Super Gladiators  Andre Inniss    Dre
Super Gladiators  Patricia Noel    Lady Isha
The Experience  Chrystal Cummins-Beckles  Chrystal
The Experience  Margaret Holder    Enobong
The Experience  Rommell Hall    Rommel
The Experience  Mathew Clarke    De Original Clarke Dan
Trimart Hit Parade Anderson Ward    Mr. Impact

19 – PARTY MONARCH FINALISTS 2008
TENT    NAME     SOBRIQUET
All Stars   Kimberley Inniss    Kimberley Inniss
All Stars   Miguel White    Miguel
Bacchanal Time  Khiomal Nurse    Khiomal
Bacchanal Time  Justin King     Justin King
Bacchanal Time  Donella Weekes    Donella
Bacchanal Time  Rameses Browne    Rameses
Bacchanal Time  Peter Wiggins    Peter Ram
De Big Show  Natalie Burke    Nathalee
De Big Show  Stedson Wiltshire    RPB
De Big Show  Terencia Coward-Thompson  T C
De Big Show  Ryan Chase     Buggy
De Big Show  Jafar Burnett-Burnett   Jafar
Headliners   Michael Mercer    Mikey
Headliners   Anderson Armstrong   Blood
Headliners   Dale Rudder    Mr. Dale
House Of Soca  Jude Clarke and Owen John  Hee Haw & Dragon Slayer
House of Soca  Daniel Borman    Jimmy Dan
House of Soca  Owen John     Dragon Slayer
Tomorrow’s Children Jamar Bradshaw    Jay-B

Reigning Monarch
Headliners   Ricky Reid     Lil’ Rick

RESERVE
De Big Show  Elenza Brewster    Serenader

He might be wrong and he usually is, but this week during an interview on CBC radio he was dead right… Well let’s say just “right”.
Blogging about veteran entertainer Smokey Burke and some comments in an interview with Admiral that was literally right on the money.
 Smokey stated that because of the support the United States entertainment industry got from its government, the sector in turn generated billions of dollars and contributed greatly to the U.S economy annually.             
Boyce agrees with this statement one billion percent!
The U.S government supports the industry without getting involved and unfairly competing against the people in it.   In 2007 the movie industry grossed over $9.7 billion in ticket sales, yet you will never hear Condlezza Rice or Vice President Cheney planning to produce  movies and get involved in the entertainment business, they leave that to the persons who specialise and make their living in that sector.   
In Barbados there seems to be perennial mindset by certain misguided officials that Government should be using its awesome power and might to extinguish and crush entrepreneurial cultural spirit. The current Crop Over showdown now on of the mighty government Cohobblopot vs. local entertainers Euphoria event is a blatant example of that perversion of power. 

Looking for a place to take your chile* this Saturday?
(*Chile is Bajan for Child)
Well Pyramid Entertainment has a special kids event on 19th July 2008 which you can read about below….If you notice how well it is written its because I didn’t write it, it’s a press release they sent Boyce Voice….

The spacious grounds of the Plantation Garden Theatre will be transformed into a fantasy playground with activities which include rock climbing, jumping tents, a petting zoo, train rides, face painting, balloon artistes, several games and special guest appearances throughout the evening by various children’s television characters. The evening will climax with a showdown of performances by some of the season’s hottest soca artistes - Lil Rick together with his son the Unda Dawg, Peter Ram, “Soca Queen” Alison Hinds, Mr. Dale, Biggie Irie, Philip 7 of the band Masala, Statement, William Watts, Buggy, the Fraud Squad, twin brothers Barry & Bruce Chandler of the Jabae band, Shanta Prince, Hypasounds, John Mahameed, Stabby the Guard and Nard to name a few.

CEO of Pyramid Entertainment, Santia Bradshaw

noted that, “the event was inspired by the participation of several of the artistes on the Pyramid roster at various children’s parties and children homes during Trinidad carnival to promote their music. During our last visit to Trinidad, Lil Rick, Peter Ram, Mr. Dale and Biggie Irie were so overwhelmed by the reaction of children to their music and the opportunity to meet and take photographs with them that they insisted that we not only host an event of this nature in Barbados but also to donate all profits to a children’s charity.”
Based on the overwhelming public response to this initiative by some of Barbados’ most loved entertainers, this event is likely to become an annual event during the Crop Over season. The demands of the entertainment industry often takes several of the artistes away from their families in order to make a living. Our intention is to create an event which allows the artistes to give back to the community and also to provide an outlet for the artistes to enjoy a fun filled day of activities with their families as well,” Bradshaw added.
Admission to the event is $20.00 per person and entitles all ticket holders (adults and children) to five (5) passes which can be redeemed for access to any of the activities, food and drinks. The event is slated to start at 1 pm and finish at 7pm.
All profits from the event will be donated to the Children’s Variety club,

 

“

Like sands in the hour glass”
“So are the “Days of our Controversial Lives”

I hope you are happy now…
All those people who have been harassing and all the media who have been constantly dropping remarks…
I told you I would soon have to withdraw my controversy apology. Yesterday’s broadcast media heralded my Boyce announcement that the controversial “Euphoria” event is on, As usual on the same night as Cohobblopot.
I also made some statements as to how authorities were forcing artistes to sign exclusive contracts in order to prevent Euphoria from going on. On one hand you have offical statements being made stating events will be given out to allow the private cultural industries to get involved in Crop Over.

On the other hand you have underhanded nasty tactics being used maintain control of the most prized Crop Over asset aka “Cohobblopot”. I understand they are attempting to get people to sign off on 2 year agreements, which means they dont have any intention of releasing control any time in the near future. But yet people standing up in front a microphone and talking bout encouraging entreprenuers to get involve in Crop Over, it makes my ass sick.

So it can be officially stated that you have come to the end of your quiet time ladies and gentlemen, its time to kick some ass!
The immediate reaction I have been getting from people is” I know he couldn’t help”; he could not let a whole Crop Over go and not cause no problems”.
I am pretty disappointed you had no faith in me, I knew I couldn’t do it, but I am hurt that you didn’t think I could.
They are several things that are wrong with that Cohobblopot scenario,Things that need to be spoken to,
so let’s speak to them then!

Stay tuned to Boyce Voice and the media for more, as we commence in what can be termed another episode in the “Days of our Controversial Lives”.

I have been standing in bedazzled wonderment at the metamorphosis of the event which is known to be the climax of our Crop Over festival aka “Cohobblopot”.

It morphs and morphs and morphs, like a “Terminator” special effect.
First cultural authorities started out by saying there would be NO trini acts headlining crop over events that the government staged. 

Then they changed their position and announced that Machel Montano from Trinidad was going to be headliner.
Alright that’s one trini in the “pot” because of Caricom and all that. All right we went on.

Next I see in the media, Trinidadians Patrice Roberts and David Rudder are now being added to be all headliner acts of Cohobblopot, also I hear that Sparrow and Farmer Nappy are included some where in the mix as well.
That’s quite a change in position that started out NO TRINIS will be headlining Cohobblopot.
Next I read that negotiations are now being finalised to include the Brian Lara fete in Cohobblopot. OK then!
There is so much Trini injection into our Cohobblopot that all that is needed to complete the transformation is an appropriate name which optimizes the metamorphosis taking place. Boyce has a suggestion … “Trini-Pot”!
It’s short, to the point and captures the essence of the now diluted event, and best of all its easier to spell…

P.s or what about this one… The “Trini- Metamorphosis-pot”,  thats if you must have a long name

Big Beautiful and Happy

If you think Big is Beautiful more power to you! I read in the media that the organiser of the annual Miss Big and Beautiful Beauty pageant lamenting on the challenges and obstacles which stand in her way.

Lead by people like health professional Dr Henry Frazier, the competition has received some harsh criticism for featuring full size (aka fat) women as encouraging obesity and a lifestyle that leads to heart disease.

One of the innovations that promoter spoke of putting place was the requirement that all the “Big” women in the pageant MUST join a gym.
Now to me that doesn’t make any sense, obviously women following that advice will get smaller which seems to go against concept of being “Big and Beautiful”. If you are going to the gym how will you make that 200 lb minimum weight requirement to enter the competition?

The promoter should not sway from her principles, she needs to “screw her courage to the sticking place”
If you believe that being Big is Beautiful Stand Up for it!
If Asiba and other skinny starve out people don’t like fat girls, that’s their frigging business.
They are men out there who will do any thing for a plus size woman so who the ass are you to say they are not beautiful.
Remember Captain Sawyer 2005 calypso about how he likes them “Big and Fat and Thick”? that is the national anthem for some men.
If I was the promoter I wouldn’t change a damn thing, in fact I would be promoting my contest and my girls will be better and bigger than ever and if you don’t like that well you know what you can kiss, that’s big too!

Where is the Controversy this Crop Over?
I am hearing that question at the Beach, at the Supermarket and at the shows…

People have been writing letters to the media asking in an almost adamant manner where is the controversy.

I am constantly being asked “Boyce wha happen? Wha I ent hearing you this year?”
It was the basis of a newspaper article just last week. In that interview I shed some light on why I had not been keeping noise and explain how I had been doing things differently. It’s almost like I have had to come up with an excuse as to why I have not been fulfilling my usual nefarious role.
The people seem vexed and annoyed. 

There are some people who are of the firm belief that in order for Crop Over to be succussfull there must be controversy, I have even heard that back in the 80’s the then NCF would strategically plan with key calypsonians creating controversial issues at key times to stimulate interest in the festival.For all the years I have been around previous NCF CEO Estwick has never called me and said “lets stir up some trouble Boyce!” I am almost hurt.

So I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere apologies this year for not stirring up any trouble.I apologise for not attacking NCF and Government nor cursing anybody’s ass.

But wait a minute….
To all you controversy lovers out there, all my fans who follow Boyce contentious issues with “Days of our lives” fanaticism, there is still hope on the horizon. Soon there is a possibility you will get your hearts desire, after all what is Crop Over without controversy.
I might soon have to withdraw my apology!