The Rounds: What happens in Miami, makes The Rounds!

Dr. Jay's Rounds: Originally aired on Sunday, October 18, 2009
"Soca Therapy" on Flow 93.5 FM

In this edition:
- Miami carnival round up (USA)
- El a Kru new album (Antigua & Barbuda)
- Crossovah's Ricardo Drue shoots a video with Patrice Roberts (USA)
- Lil Bitts starts a new charity organization (Trinidad & Tobago)
- Shurwayne Winchester and Y.O.U. about to celebrate 1st anniversary (Trinidad & Tobago)

Good evening soca lovers, I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s rounds. Even though it's carnival time in Los Angeles, I’m back Toronto! Last week at this time I was back stage in Bicentennial Park, Miami for the 25th Anniversary of Miami Carnival. This year two carnival committees joined forces to put on the biggest event in its history. The big show at the end of the parade was featured performers from all over the Caribbean, young and old alike. David Rudder, Swallow, Iwer George, Peter Ram, and Biggie Irie, Skinny Fabulous, Problem Child...DEEP BREATH...Fay-Ann and Bunji...the list goes on. This year, the parade had about 25 thousand paying patrons, not to mention the thousands that lined downtown Miami to see the bands roll by.

Antigua's King Swallow and Nurse Karen

I sure do miss the sun and the music, but I grabbed a lot of good info while i was away...especially for YOU. I got to interview Tizzy for a Miami radio station. Did you know that EL A KRU has a new album out featuring all of Tizzy’s heart pumping songs from Antigua Carnival 2009. It’s called “De Road Show”, and it’s available on iTunes and your favourite online retailers. She says her favourite song on it is a track called “Groovy”. So we all need to buy a copy and give it a listen.

Tizzy in Miami

The next night, I hosted some TV interviews behind the scenes at a fete called Miami Vice. That’s where I got to meet Florida’s own Caribbean boy band, Crossovah. Now, I know they don’t like me saying that..but when you have 4 cuties all you rep different islands, who are cute, fashionable and sing like R&B stars...what else do you call it? Patrice Roberts was there that night too. She told me that she will be featured on a new groovy track called “Nah Leavin’” by Ricardo Drue, who is the Trini member of Crossovah. Ricardo and Patrice shot the video for Nah Leaving yesterday.

Ricardo Drue of Crossovah

While I was in Florida, Trinidad’s bite-sized soca darling Lil Bitts was using her star power to affect change. She and three friends started a new organization called M2BC, that stands for Music to Benefit Charities. They held their first initiative called Do Re Mi Karaoke last week Friday. In a packed high school class room, they raised about a thousand bucks for charity. Nice work ladies!

Nurse Karen and Lil Bitts at the FLOW studios

Lemme see, what else... Shurwayne Winchester and his new Band Y.O.U, had just one official performance in Miami. They absolutely rocked University Fete with a stage performance like I’ve never seen before. There was great music, choreography and energy that was nothing short of contagious! Y.O.U. will be celebrating their 1st anniversary together on October 27th in Trinidad.

Shurwayne Winchester and Nurse Karen in Miami

Last night, I checked out performances by Ms Paige, Mista Vybe and Shyann Bailey at De Enforcas 15th anniversary party at Embers banquet hall.  Congrats you guys... it’s a big year for you. Especially with your first even best international DJ nomination at the Soca Awards. If you haven’t cast your ballot, as of October 6th voting has begun at triple w dot soca awards dot com. Make sure you surf on over to support your favourites.

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. For more information on these soca stories and more, visit me at Nurse dash Karen dot com. Or follow me....nurse Karen on twitter. Now back to de docta!

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