“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”

Is this a man or a goat?

In light of the news story report of a goat being arrested for armed robbery in Nigeria    http://www.caribnnet.com/Weird-World/12423.html

I think its time we start looking at goats differently.

While they are some that might scoff at the thought at a man transforming himself into a goat as reported in the news, maybe we need to stop and laughing and think for a minute…

How do you know the goat you have in your yard is a real goat and not a man in disguise? 

 Some time ago Barbadian authorities were on the look out for missing Nigerians,  

Did any one notice our goat population seem to increase dramatically after that?

How do you even know the goats we have down here are not Nigerians who have transformed themselves because they don’t want to go back.

While Nigerians might have problems fitting among Barbadians because of their accents as goats they would have no problem.

You might have a woman and you think you are being horned but you can’t catch her with any one, think!!

Is there a goat living by her house?

You might need to go outside and have a conversation with it. Man to goat.

This is a possible man goat who shares horns

This Nigerian goat incident also has international implications, if a goat can commit an armed robbery it could possibly also engage in acts of terror.Don’t let its democratic easy going grass eating demeanor disarm you these animals are lethalIt’s only a matter of time before these

Furry beasts are recruited by El Qaeda to spreadTerror through out the world. If they are not being used already.

I believe an intense study of goats could reveal the answers to questions which we have long searched for, example where is Osama Bin Laden?

For years the United States have been trying to find Osama and have been unable to, is it possible they have been looking for a man when instead they should be looking for a goat?

Have you noticed that in photos Osama has a long beard much like a goat?

Dos’nt that beard look fairly goat like to you?

Now that President Obama has fully taken over this is a matter that should be bought to his attention.

When Obama spoke of “change” was he aware that men could also “change” into goats? Maybe he did!

With the coming of CSME and the possibility that not only Caribbean people but goats will be able to move freely from one territory to a next, we must watch to see what effect this has on our crime rate.

This should be brought to the attention of PM David Thompson as he is now spearheading CSME.It needs to be researched exactly what kind of “grass” the goats down here are into, they could be goats being used as drug mules. This should be brought to the attention of Police Commissioner Darwin Dottin who might not have knowledge of exactly how criminal savy goats have become.

Obviously what is said above would give you reason to be concerned, How can you tell if your goat is really a goat and not a man that change into a goat?

Follow the below instructions;

Grab your goat’s head with both hands!

Put your face right up to the goat’s, if it has trouble maintaining eye contact with you and is acting like it has something to hide, chances are its a man.  

Call the police immediately! 

Do not attempt to apprehend the goat yourself as they can be dangerous and have a tendency to “butt you out of their lives”. 

While a goat above might look innocent like a little kid, remember you can’t judge a goat by its picture,

This has been a public service goat announcement from PBoyce who assures you, he is NOT a goat…..

Women can also turn themselves into goats, and eat you out of house and grass, see above pic

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!

Jamal Woolard plays slain rapper Notorious B.I.G. in Notorious

I have not updated Boyce Voice for over two weeks and deserve licks….
I will make a pledge not to repeat such behavior again and apologise to Tracy Fyahkros, Asiba and all the readers.

Let me digress back (if there is such a term) to my topic “The Notorious Industry”.
I am referring to the Rap music Industry which has its roots in the United States of America.
Notorious would be an apt description because of the new movie release on rapper Biggy Small based entitled that, “Notorious”.
What caught my attention recently was an online news item where four men were stabbed at the after party for that same movie.

It reminded me of the asininely violent behavior which is a norm by practioners in the rap music industry.
Rappers usually “diss” one another in the lyrics of their songs, which is ok, but then they go a step further.
That rivalry continues off stage sometimes resulting in rappers shooting and killing one other.
It’s the equivalent of our calypsonians not only singing about one another but killing one another too, so Gabby might go looking for RPB to take him out if we followed the example of the rappers.
Rappers sing gangsta lyrics and then turn round and live gangsta lives for real.
Let’s look at a white parallel, Who appears in more violent mafia and gangster movies that Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, but when the movie is over the role is over and they become movie stars living a glamorous life of luxury.
You don’t see them going around town toting guns shooting at one another and the police.

It is unfortunate that the section of the entertainment industry that is so deviant happens to be black.
The Rap Industry is now responsible for misleading a generation of young black males into believing being a gangsta is the “life” and going to prison is a badge of honor.
The “Notorious” Industry is therefore an apt title.

By the way, in case you didn’t know “Notorious B.I.G was gunned down in Los Angeles in 1997 reputedly by a rival rap gang. Ok then…..

Quite an educational session is in store for to at the BMA workshop on from tomorrow,some big industry names both local and international will be making presentations.
What is laudable about ronnie’s efforts as that he has a complimentary session that everyone can attend so even cheap people can benefit.
The pay session is worth much more than $50 too, check out the info below

January 3rd- Olympus VIP- Sheraton. There are two sessions. The morning session (Turning Music into Gold) which is complimentary, and sponsored by the US Embassy and COSCAP, runs from 9AM- 12 Noon. The Platinum workshop, sponsored by the Arts and Sports Promotion Fund, comes with a $50 entrance fee, and runs from 12:30 Noon until 4:30PM. There will be live performances, demo submission etc at the platinum workshop. To register for the workshop, call 256-4364 asap as the venue, Olympus VIP, has limited capacity – 91 seats. Your registration will be taken over the phone, and your fee will be collected.
 
Guest speakers- Platinum Workshop

Regina Belle (Grammy and Academy Award winner)
Don Pooh- Executive Producer for Mary J. Blige
Kirk Shannon-Butts- Editor- GLAMOUR Magazine
Datwon Thomas- Editor In Chief- XXL Magazine, Executive Editor- KING Magazine & Rides Magazine
Tim Ralph- Manager- BET J
Rodney Gill- Vice President- Media- BET
Dre Knight- Producer- Sizzla etc
Casely- Epic Recording Artiste
Craig Skilling- International Booking Agent- Epic / Bad Boy Records artistes etc.
Walter Greene- Sister 2 Sister Magazine
Ruben Rodriguez- Pendulum Records (USA)
Erica Smith- CEO- COSCAP
Nhojj- New York based recording artiste- Independent success story
Hector Lincoln- MTV Tempo VJ
George Thomas- Got Rhythm
 

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!

As a Barbadian, I am ashamed and appalled at the actions of the Royal Barbados Police Force as it relates to the imprisonment and subsequent charging of reporters Cherie Pitt and Jimmy Gittens for attempting to execute their journalistic duties yesterday.

It sickens my ass when I see officers who are supposed to be charged with the fiduciary responsibility of upholding the law taking that same authority and using it against citizens who are going about their law abiding duties.

It sickens my ass when I see when I look in today’s newspaper and see a picture of a big burly male Police Officer shoving female reporter Cherie Pitt for attempting to take a picture of a man that has been accused for being a drug dealer.
What message is being sent by the Police who are supposed to be protecting our women from domestic violence?
Is the legal authority of the Royal Barbados Police Force to be used to protect officers accused of drug activity?

I am appalled that the Police should behave in such a disgusting and disreputable manner and then have the audacity to charge Jimmy and Cherie for obstructing justice. It should be the police who should be charged for obstructing the journalists and assaulting Cherie Pitt.
 
It sickens me when I read of the limp and historically proven impotent words of Police Commissioner Darwin Dottin promising a full investigation into the matter.

The question is who guards the guards?
This incident more than ever provides an example of the need to have an external authority to investigate and have the power to take action against Police officers who abuse their legal authority.

The action of the Police force in this matter reeks of the Gestapo tactics which takes place in Zimbabwe and other oppressive dictatorships around the world.
It is our duty as right thinking Barbadians to pay attention and speak out against this blatant example of the Police making a mockery of justice in a most sickening and contemptuous way.

It is a proven fact that oppression of a society usually starts with intimidation of the press then it’s only a matter of time before they come for you…

I leave you with this famous quote…

“In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up.”