This one is going to be Hott! The Hypa Dawg has been fired! The newspaper headlines screamed, now the truth has come to light we are recognizing the apology that wasn’t heard, actually was heard and what we thought was the truth, was not. Let’s get down to “Brass tacks”.
This topic of Lil Rick being “fired” from Starcom Network has been discussed extensively on my Peter Boyce Facebook page, so I will not bore you by repeating details..

It is already known Rick made a mistake and played a song on Hott which contained profanities and Starcom claimed they fired him because he didn’t apologise for such, even though it turned out he did.
Even if Starcom had a problem with Rick and decided he would no longer be allowed on their airwaves, I see no problem with that.

My problem is the systematic and vindictive campaign that the “BIG” Starcom then unleashed on against the “Little” Rick.
They turned the full blast of their Brass Tack calling radio show to focus on Lil Rick, and had not one but two Starcom presenters on to show the public how all of a sudden the person that for ten years had made Hott the most listened too station on Saturday afternoons was now the worst thing on radio.
(I say afternoons cause I know on Saturday mornings U are locked into the P.Boyce Show on 98.1).

Was Lil Rick a big enough topic to featured on social issue call in program “Brass Tacks”? If Lil Rick had pulled a gun on someone in parliament or driven over somebody’s foot. I would have understood, but because you losing him to a next station that bothers you so much?

However what I find most reprehensible, is that Starcom persons contacted companies who sponsor Rick to inform them that they are severing ties with him and why. Obviously such a move would be directed to affect Rick’s sponsorship income.
It’s one thing to terminate a man, it’s a next to go out of your way ensure you affect his other means of income. Don’t you think Rick still has to eat and has the Hypa Kids to support? To me that action by Starcom was dirty; I guessed because Rick played dirty lyrics on the air Starcom thought they would do something dirty in return.

The effort that Starcom put into publicly lambasting and castigating the Little Rick on radio, newspaper and Facebook seems to be a monumental attempt to discredit Rick in the eyes of the public. If I go by what I have seen coming from the public on Facebook it would appear they have failed.
I will stop here before I am fired by Starcom, I have never been hired by them in the first place but that doesn’t matter.

The Lesson we can learn from all this is, when one door slams in your face another “Slam” door opens. Does that make any sense? Stupes, I am such an idiot, I gine home…

Boyce has left the building!

On the 19th June, 2010 Rickey Reid a.k.a Lil Rick played a song during the Mackeson Triple Tunes live radio show which contained explicit and offensive lyrical content. Despite initial reports by Starcom Network Inc that Lil Rick did not apologise for his actions, I wish to confirm that upon realizing the error which had been made, Lil Rick played the radio friendly version of the recording. He also immediately contacted Mr. Ronnie Clarke, Programme Manager of Starcom Network and Mr. Ricky Nurse CEO and Divisional Manager of Brydens Distribution, the sponsor of the Mackeson Triple Tunes show to which he is presently contracted to inform them of what had transpired. After concluding dialogue with both individuals, Lil Rick apologized to his listeners on radio for his actions.
In a statement issued on the 24th June, 2010 on Hott 95.3 FM’s website- www.hot953fm.com Starcom unequivocally stated that Lil Rick did not apologise for his actions. This assertion was repeated at page 3 of the Nation newspaper’s article of the 25th June, 2010.
Starcom would later admit through Mr. Ronnie Clarke during the Brasstacks programme on the 25th June, 2010 that Lil Rick did in fact apologise for his actions.
It is also questionable why Starcom would seek to upload the extract of the incident on its website but omit to upload also Lil Rick’s apology which would also have been in their possession. The attempts by Starcom to deliberately mislead the public both in the electronic, radio and print media thereby causing the public to question Lil Rick’s motives and also his remorse for his actions is reckless.
Starcom has further misled the public by deliberately giving the impression that Lil Rick was employed by them at the time of the incident and was therefore fired during the course of his employment. In their online statement issued on the 24th June, 2010 Starcom made reference not only to various documents which members of staff would have signed but also implied that Lil Rick had on occasion been counseled, reprimanded and disciplined on three prior occasions in accordance with “established employee protocols.”
This was coupled with an announcement on various radio stations of Starcom Network that the circumstances under which Lil Rick had been “fired” would be ventilated on the Brasstacks programme on the 25th June, 2010. Also at page 3 of the Nation newspaper’s article of the 25th June, 2010, Mr. Trevor Yearwood quoted Starcom Network Inc. as having taken action against Lil Rick “in keeping with our established employee protocols.”
Over the course of the past few days, both myself and Lil Rick have been inundated with telephone calls about him being fired from Starcom. This has been further agitated by headlines in the Nation newspaper which have read as follows “Dawg Gone- Starcom fires Lil Rick over dirty lyrics” and “ Starcom defends decision to fire popular DJ” on the 25th June and 26th June, 2010 respectively.
I wish to categorically state that Lil Rick was not employed or subject to a contract of employment by Starcom Network at the time of this incident. At the material time, he was under a contract for services with Brydens Distribution which commenced on the 2nd May, 2009 to provide several services to the Mackeson brand including the hosting of the Triples Tunes programme between the hours of 12-3pm on Hott 95.3 FM. To the best of my knowledge, Brydens Distribution entered into an agreement directly with Starcom Network Inc. with the understanding that Lil Rick would host the weekly programme. At no time during the course of Lil Rick’s engagement with Bryden’s Distribution has he received any formal document or protocols of any nature relating to his on air presence or relative to Starcom Network Inc.’s position as it relates to the broadcast of the show.
I am in possession of official correspondence from Ms Veoma Ali, Advertising Manager of Starcom Network Inc. dated 23rd June, 2010 and received on the 24th June, 2010 addressed to me in my capacity as the manager of Lil Rick stating inter alia that, “we wish to officially submit our decision to no longer allow Ricky Reid (Lil Rick) on the airwaves of the Starcom Network of Stations.” There is no mention in the said correspondence of Lil Rick being subject to a contract of employment. I again question the motives of the authors of Starcom Network’s press releases and the subsequent statements of its agents as they seek to convey impressions which are false and reckless in nature and content.
Starcom has also implied that Lil Rick’s acted in a way which was in contravention of customary practice at Starcom Network Inc. with respect to the playing of music which was not in their system. I can confirm that the song which Lil Rick played was not in the system at Starcom Network Inc. However, it must be pointed out that Lil Rick’s actions were not an irregular occurrence in the course of his on air presence at Starcom and it was well known and condoned by the station over the years that he would play songs from his laptop or from CD’s brought onto the premises. To imply otherwise is to mislead the public that he was acting contrary to established and accepted practice by the management of Starcom Network Inc.
I have by letter dated 25th June, 2010 expressed my concern to Starcom Network Inc. in my capacity as Lil Rick’s attorney-at-law that some of the statements published by Starcom via the internet and in the local press are grossly defamatory and are calculated to cause injury to his reputation.
I have demanded a public retraction of the published statement, an apology in terms to be approved by me and I have notified them of our intention to claim monetary compensation for the injury to Lil Rick’s reputation.

SANTIA BRADSHAW
Attorney-at-Law

Have you checked out Karaoke competition at Braddies Bar recently? They have some hot judges, Me for one, and M.C is not bad either.
Had a great time judging that event last friday night, read belows release for a full report:

On hearing a stage name like Commander Bond one would immediately think of a combination of a militant, sweet talking and crafty person. Keith Agard is no James Bond but last Friday night at Braddie’s Bar he gave a charismatic and energetic performance, commanding the stage and audience with a prize winning performance. For his showmanship and the entertainment value he provided he won a special prize from Managing Director of LIME Alex McDonald who came to Braddie’s Bar to view the competition. According to McDonald, ‘I was thoroughly entertained by his performance, and for his lively and enjoyable performance I will give him a prize, a LIME cell phone.”
The men have once again taken up the top positions; besides Agard, Kenrick Murrell was the second qualifier last Friday for the Elimination Rounds in September at the Plantation Theatre. He sang the Soul and R&B inspired “Some kind of Wonderful”. By his impressive vocal talents and confidence in his performance he won the judges and the audience’s approval.

Normally when professionals in the entertainment industry pass through Braddie’s Bar on Friday nights they just check out the competition, but last week Philip 7 of the band Masala showed his versatility by singing the Karaoke version of Superstition by Stevie Wonder to open the competition on a high note.
The LIME Barbados Karaoke Championship has the biggest cash prizes for a Karaoke Competition with $5,000, a Professional Recording and a 32’ inch flat screen television. The judges for the night were Ricky Aimey and Peter Boyce with Janelle Walcott as the Emcee. See you Friday night when the championship continues with registration opening at 8:00pm and judging starting at 10:30pm.

All Jokes aside, I was shocked by what I read in MP Dale Marshal’s statement as it relates to what transpired between him and Minister David Estwick in the now infamous “Parliament Gun Incident”, whether you are a “B” “D” or a “Q” any right thinking Barbadian should be appalled of the manner in which this altercation allegedly unfolded in our honored halls of parliament.

In this social climate in which we live, where there is much discourse on “who is a good role model for our kids”, it is blatantly obvious that what is in Parliament masquerading as honorable ministers falls far short of providing such, unless we want our children to grow up to be thugs and uncouth louts.
All the talk about how Vibes Kartel and Movado would influence our youth, we already had negative influences of a higher order right here in our parliament waiting to rear its ugly head, or gun.

Lets look at some of the highlights of this Parliament incident shall we?

One minister shouting at the other “I am going to slap you cross your head”

“come back outside if you is a bad”

A minister displaying a gun menacingly and bellowing “I ready for you now”

Is this what is in Parliament running the affairs of our country? Is this what we are sending overseas to represent Barbados?

Not only is the behaviour puerile but it is also dangerous, When a gun is involved one can never tell when an “accident” might occur, though it would seem to me the language used might indicate any accident would be in fact deliberate.
When Parliament in its warped wisdom also refused to put a gun policy in place, is another negative sign that was sent to the Barbadian public, that decision can be seen as a ministerial endorsement of the gun.

When I read of the behavior of our politicians in “the gun” incident I feel a certain degree of shame.
Throughout the course of my plebeian existence as an entertainer, I have participated in meetings that were extremely contentious and volatile in nature and none have ever sunk to a level where I was threatened with a “come outside if I bad”.

There are many examples of good leadership examples that we have to follow,let me give you a few, Senator Branford Taitt, Dr Allyson Leacock, Sir Roy Trotman and our own Prime Minister David Thompson, these are examples of people who express themselves eloquently and can command attention and authority without having to shout or invite you to come outside and fight.

I think it’s time the good men and women of our Parliament pull themselves in check and recognize the responsible role they play as leaders of our country and as examples to our citizens, not just the youth but too everyone.

I write this blog with the full knowledge that for Boyce Voicing my views, I too might be Minister disciplined with a “slap round my head” for my effrontery.
But someone needs to impress on our “Honorable” ministers to leave out the puerile and bombastic behavior and proceed with the business of running to country in a dignified and respectful manner befitting of your position.

Long before the competition started last Friday April 23, competitors in Round two of the LIME Barbados Karaoke Championship were sizing each other up and there were whispers of the ‘big guns’ being out on Friday night at Braddies Bar. By 10:00 pm the crowd both inside and out was buzzing with excitement to see who would be the singing knockouts for the night.

First on stage and commanding the audience’s attention from his first words, Grantley Sylvester did justice to “Only You” performed by The Platters in the 1956 movie “Rock Around The Clock”. Finishing the night in second place Grantley said, to master a song it takes practice and “all songs have a message, once you find that message and find the tune you can sing it without even needing to see the words”.
Mary Clarke took first place in this qualifying round, blowing the audience away by singing “The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” by Gladys Knight. Mary, from Pinelands in St. Michael, has been singing for 37 years and is no stranger to the stage. She has come through the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Shows, sang with the Barbados Gospel Mass Choir and entered other competitions. In a bold voice Mary declared she was very confident about her chances but will see what the competition looks like as time goes on.

A great night was had by all and long after the competition was over patrons stayed on to sing, eat and drink into the early morning. Another two will be chosen from a field of twenty this Friday with registration from 7:00 pm. So come early to make sure you get registered for the contest which starts at 10:00pm.

It was a prestigious event that attracted the crème de la crème of Barbadian entertainment, which is why it was so surprising they let me in, Am blogging about the COSCAP fund raising gala hosted at the Barbados Hilton on Saturday night.
It was an event that I had touted saying it was worth bathing for and it lived up to expectations, in fact it was worth 2 baths.

The décor at the Hilton was pretty magnificent with the lighting and special effects, the COSCAP girls looked good as well. I started the evening by complaining to them about the fact they took away the wonderful ticket that I thought would have made a perfect memento. After being told like Ali Singh I “Can’t get it back” I moved on to enjoy the proceedings.

To me the highlights were; The Food: I enjoyed the potatoes you know that is my favorite food, plus I had loads of vegetables and then I had loads of fruit for dessert, while eating the musical entertainment was by the Mike Sealy Quartette which included renown drummer and entertainment specialist Antonio “Boo” Rudder who also honored us by doing a song at a point. Honored was the word I used but M.C Market Vendor Vic Fernandes had a different opinion as it related to Boo’s singing when he came on afterwards.

Then The speeches came, they were concise and impactful, we heard first from Chairman of Foundation Glyne Murray then Chairman of Sony Music UK Paul Russel. Paul spoke of the Brit school which focuses on developing cultural arts, and one of them must be comedy as he was quite humorous in his presentation.

I thought it was really grand the recognition given to the Merrymen for the sterling contribution them made to the barbadian musical landscape, they have been together for over 45 years, that’s quite an achievement. Our Hon Prime Minister David Thompson was there and presented the first ever COSCAP Award of Excellence to the Merrymen on behalf of the foundation.

What I loved about the after dinner entertainment segment which was MC’ed by Cassandra Crawford, was the diversity of genres which were presented.
Example: Simone Pipe and his white protest music, he was the first up and sang a song lambasting the establishment, lambasting government who say we should have a voice but then want to tell us what to say, and this was right in front the PM then. It was refreshing to hear music other than calypso with a strong social commentary content.

Also enjoyed Cherish Breedy and Ayana John.I loved Black Kla Soyl, she sang, danced and played drums too, in case you didn’t know it she is the daughter of the late El Verno Del Congo”. I loved her segment, she reminded me of Sheila E from the 90’s who also drums and sings.

Don’t think I didn’t enjoy the other performers but I had to leave early and barely missed Kareen Clarke when she performed and prayed for the people present, I could have used the blessing, Darn.

My only disappointment for the night was not seeing Erica Smith CEO of COSCAP up close, I saw her once pass me obviously not paying attention to plebs like myself and then she was gone before I could say “hello, is it me you’re looking for” (by Lionel Richie)

A lot of you were wondering what Peter Ali Singh Boyce was doing at a $300 a ticket event,I would have to thank Tami for having the good sense and taste to take me along with her.I would like to congratulate COSCAP, Norman Barrow and Event Coordinator Ebonie Rowe for a well executed event

The Lime Karaoke Competition started Last Friday night at Braddies Bar, and guess who was one of the judges, P.Boyce me self along with musical stalwart Ricky Aimey, It was a most enjoyable night out! you know I don’t get out often and when I do I usually got bored. But the entertainment was engaging from country and western to ballads to oldie goldies, if you are looking for a great Night out, Braddies Bar on Friday nights is the place to be. Wait I did I mention the MC? How can I forget to mention MC Janelle, who is not only pleasurable to the eyes but presented the event with an impressive degree of confidence and competence. Check below for the press release on the results of the competition but make sure and be there to see it for your self…

An eager crowd gathered inside and outside Braddies Bar, every window and door filled with faces peering in creating an exciting atmosphere. People from all corners of Barbados gathered at this Dover Christ Church Bar and Restaurant to see who would be first to jump in the ring for this vocal battle.
Round one of the LIME Barbados Karaoke Championship started last Friday with the first two qualifiers for Eliminations Rounds being chosen. With only one point separating them Judith Alexander and Shelly Chase sang their way closer to the big cash prize of $5,000.
Chosen from a field of twenty contestants, Alexander of Bush Hall, St. Michael sang an expressive and crowd pleasing rendition of Tammy Wynette’s Stand by Your Man. Chase delivered Jennifer Hudson’s, ‘One Night Only’ with plenty passion, singing the entire song from memory. This Husbands St. James resident ensured she needed one night only to secure her place in the Elimination Round.
Within the coming weeks, the first (20) twenty people will be registered at Braddies Bar on Friday nights between 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm. More information can be found on the website www.barbadoskaraoke.com or the facebook page Barbados Karaoke Championship

Soon I will be $5000.00 richer and on tour all over the world performing, how? By winning the first ever Lime Karaoke Barbados competition that’s being staged by Plantation and Pyramid.
This will be the first time ever that you can sing Karaoke and get such a big cash prize, so start brushing up on your singing and read the details below…
The Plantation Theatre in association with VOB 92.9 FM and Pyramid Entertainment present the LIME Barbados Karaoke Championship 2010 with the biggest cash prize of $5,000 to date for any Karaoke Competition. The first qualifier will be on April 16, 2010 at Braddies Bar Dover, Christ Church and continuing every Friday until August 27, 2010.
Karaoke has become a featured event in Barbados and now singers have an opportunity to compete for the large cash prize of $5,000. The successful semifinalists and finalist will have a chance to display their talents on a bigger stage at The Plantation Theatre in September and October. The Championship is open to residents of Barbados who are not professional singers. Second Prize is $2,500, Third Prize $1,500, with $500 for each of the other seven finalist and sponsors prizes. The winner will also receive a professional recording from Pyramid Entertainment and go forward to the Caribbean Karaoke Competition. More information can be found on the website www.barbadoskaraoke.com or facebook page Barbados National Karaoke Competition.
(J.W)

All Rihanna did was ask the boy if he could get it up and that has been causing fuss galore. You would think that this is the first time in musical history that a woman has sung such a sexual song.

Madonna has been doing it for years and we can leave out Dorothy’s favorite Lady Ga Ga who is singing “she wants to take a ride on your disco stick” or she wants “your vertical stick”.
So with all these wuckless songs being sung why should a good and honorable magistrate choose to attack Rihanna’s song.

Why on the call in programs and Bajan blogs Rihannas song is generating a feedback of rage?
Let me give you my Boyce Voice opinion.
Rihanna has had the audacity to challenge the masculinity of our gender. She challenges the man asking if he can “get it up”.
How dare she! Now if she had said she wanted “it” bad that would have been no problem, if she had said she wanted to “ride it” that would have pleased mankind greatly. But she is issuing a challenge and mere men see it as a threat to their sexuality.

Rihanna is representing the sexually uninhibited females now on the rise. Who discard feminine stereo types of being shy and timid and instead are brazen and out spoken.
You see them on Facebook with their challenging status updates on what kind of man they are looking for and how they like to “get it”.
So lets not be “hard on” Rihanna…… hmmm let me rephrase that, Let’s not “get down” on Rihanna for choosing to voice the mood and the language of our new generation of females.
Next time you hear Rihanna asking “can you get it up?” Get it up or Shut Up!

Guess who is running Crop Over 2010? if you said NCF you would be dead wrong. If you had said “Festival Events Bureau” you would have been dead right. At the NCF Crop Over Launching the “team” that was constantly touted as the new “unit” which would be running this year’s Festival would be this new Bureau.
While it seems they were not introduced at the launching under this FEB name that is what they referred to themselves as in meetings with cultural stakeholders.
So when something goes wrong at Crop Over now, you don’t curse the NCF you now curse the FEB.

This formation of Festival Events Bureau was never something I was in favour of, it was an idea that was the brainchild of the previous administration and that’s not a political statement that is the truth.
I remember going to meetings with the previous government and myself and other cultural entities speaking up against the formation of this “Bureau” whose principle objective was to operate commercially and generate a profit and put cultural development objectives on the back burner.

If you were to put “Festival Events” in the Boyce Voice search engine You would see the numerous times I spoke on this entity so therefore it would be hypocritical not to speak on it now it has been formed under this new admin.

To Quote myself if I may be so bold, on September 26 2007 I wrote on Boyce Voice.

“on Tuesday 21st August 2007 to be exact Government hosted a cultural industries consultation at the Barbados Hilton. You remember, the one where I puked. Prime Minister and Minister of Culture Owen Arthur, proudly announced the forming of the Festival Events Bureau which was to “save” Crop Over from the “inept bungling of the imbecile NCF”.

That’s what I said back then, I somehow assumed and maybe that’s because I heard people standing on platforms making the statements, that there would have been an effort by this new administration to “free up” Crop Over and encourage more private enterprise and entrepreneurial participation.
Have all those good intentions now gone out of the window?
We are now left to see how this “Festival Events Bureau” operates, will it run Crop Over or ruin it. If I were to go from FEB’s stated objectives which I saw before which was to “milk cultural industries dry” we should be in for an interesting Crop Over 2010.