On De Scene : Happy Birthday Nurse Karen

Good Day All , and what a good day it is ! This is a very importune blog but I felt the need to do this. So yes today November 12th is the birthday of Nurse Karen , the one who brings us all our soca news and one who reminds us all of all those behind the music and in the forefront. If you are an avid reader of this blog you would know that she tries her best to show appreciation to artists on their birthdays and I think it is all our turn to show appreciation for hers!

2009 bought doubt to Nurse Karen as she questioned her role in the industry after a very disturbing event (Click Here) and all of us who understood her role reminded her of how much she is needed in this industry and how far she has bought soca music through her literature and campaigns such as SOCA NOW! Not only is she well known in the soca circuit but she is also known for her beautiful poetry which she continues to share with the world. So today as she reflects on her life and blessings I want to let her know on behalf of all soca lovers out there HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOCA BABY!

Feel free to leave your wishes and remember to check out her latest work "Questions For Mary" on the album "A Caribbean Christmas" a Mastermind Productions. You can click HERE to purchase the album which features Mista Vybe, Dean Williams, Shawn Noel and a host of other artists.

Much Love Nurse

Rochelle Signing out from TNT!

Peace and Soca

P.S. Thanks iDude for the photo , great Job!

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Booster Shot: International Soca Monarch CEO Quits

Three months to go till Carnival in Trinidad, but the bacchanal has begun early!  Gregory Fernandes, resigned as CEO of the Caribbean Prestige Foundation yesterday.  That's the organization responsible for producing the International Soca Monarch, Groovy Soca Monarch and Schools Soca Monarch competitions each year.  

It's pretty obvious that there has been some serious tension among the executive ranks of the CPF lately.  His resignation comes rather suddenly, following a press release issued from the Caribbean Prestige Foundation that distances the organization from comments made by Ferndandes earlier this week.  

At a news conference on Tuesday, Fernandes made comments expressing displeasure with the government's policy that prohibits the staging of major events at large national sporting facilities like the Jean Pierre Complex and Hasely Crawford stadium.  Fernades called on the government to reverse its policy because there's nowhere else big enough to host an event like Soca Monarch. He also criticized the new Academy for the Performing Arts.

Well, one would expect the organization to have his back right?  As if!  Nah bredrin, these people didn't stall at all.  Insead, they issued a release stating that the Foundation was not associated with the news conference hosted by  Fernandes, where both promoters and artistes alike protested the lack of suitable venues. The CPF press release praised government initiatives...and kinda hung Fernandes out to dry.  As a Scorpio, I rate loyalty so this one gets a great big *suck teet* and *eyes roll* from me! 

Although the lack of confidence from his colleagues was enough to cause him to close that door, Fernandes says it's not the end of him and Culture in T&T.  He has been with CPF since the very beginning and is one of the key players behind starting the Soca Monarch event in Trinidad and Tobago.

Well, the show will definitely go on.  We're just not sure where, and who will be at the helm.

Love and Soca!

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: TEMPO TV to celebrate its 4th anniversary

I can't believe it's already been four years.  I had only just begun reporting on the the international soca music scene when the little bright idea that was "MTV Caribbean" first went on the air.  TEMPO is about to hold their annual anniversary celebration at the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix. This year's theme is "Lights, Camera, Action!”   It goes down on Saturday, November 14th.

So, who's gonna be there?  Naturally the cast will show of a variety of music styles from various islands. But you wanna know about soca, and far be it from me to deny giving you exactly what you want.  

Soca:                                                                                         

Iwer George - 3-time Trinidad and Tobago Soca Monarch

Ziggy Ranking - The singjay with that deep sexy voice

Dancehall:  

Shabba Ranks -  Jamaican dancehall living legend

Ce'cile - The raining bad gyal of dancehall

Reggae:

Tarrus Riley - Winner of  HOT 105FM's Reggae Runnins 2009 Caribbean Heritage Award  

Gramps Morgan - Performing from his successful 2009 debut solo album, "2 Sides of My Heart"

Salsa:

N'Klabe - One of the hottest bands out of Puerto Rico

Local Cruzian Acts:

UMB Soldiers - 2008 St. Croix Road March Champions

Cherise King - 2008 VI Idol Winner

Mada Nile - Known as "Fyah" in the VI, she represents Rastafari in her rootsy reggae music

There's also an action-packed pre show featuring; Hart Attak band, Junior P, Sabor Latino, Sabbatical Addah, DJ No Limit (Antigua), DJ Devon (Trinidad), Fyah Emblem, DJ Saigon, and DJ Cool and Deadly.

Tickets start at $35 for general admission and go right up to $125  US.  

Let me know if you're going.  I would love to hear what it's like!

Love and Caribbean Music, 

Nurse Karen

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Eye Unit: Happy Birthday Destra!

Today is Destra Garcia's 32nd Birthday.  Having been born 9 months after Carnival, you can be any more of a Carnival Baby than that!  At 7 months pregnant I would imagine that her own birth isn't the only one on her mind.

Happy Birthday Destra!  Have a wonderful day counting your blessings, and being appreciated by those who love you.

I've attached the video for "Wine It".  I just find this one soooo cute.  Perhaps there will be some acting opportunities possible for the soca darling?

To send your own birthday greetings to Destra, you can message her on Twitter @DestraGarcia

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen


P.S. I want to send out a special greeting to DJ Marxman of Toronto's world renown Kingdom of Soca. Happy birthday to you too!!! You may him as the in house DJ on the Soca Therapy radio show with Dr. Jay. May the party continue all month... Follow him on Twitter @Marxman_KOS

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The Rounds: RIP Almanac, etc...

Ok Allyuh, I have good news and bad news. Bad news first: I didn't report anything whatsoever about Anya Ayoung-Chee, because her recent sex tape (miniseries) buzz has NOTHING to do with soca or carnival. (If you don't know who I'm talking about...don't worry about it.) Good news: The Rounds are posted below! Carry on...

The Rounds: Originally aired on Flow 93.5 FM in Toronto "Soca Therapy" on Sunday, November 8, 2009

In this edition:
- Soca or Die 10 a success (Canada)
- Destra's Birthday (Trinidad and Tobago)
- Synergy TV Soca Star 5 starts this week (Trinidad and Tobago)
- RIP Alamanac (Trinidad)
- HD bus driver shot (Trinidad and Tobago)

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Well, Toronto he’s done it again. Last night SOCA or DIE 10 proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this city is the international Soca mecca, when thousands of you packed kool haus to see a show with surprise cast! Wow, allyuh must really trust Dr. Jay. Well you definitely had good reason to. Soca or Die 10 delivered the goods with Grenadian soca fave Tallpree, Vincy bad boy Problem Child and Bajan General Edwin Yearwood putting on amazingly strong performances.

Surprise birthday cupcake Cake for the celebrating Scorpios and guests!

To all the Scorpios who were celebrating last night, Happy Birthday!!! Thanks for making our birthdays memorable too. One soca Scorpio who you won’t catch in a fete anytime soon will be turning 32 on Tuesday. Destra Garcia is taking it easy as she awaits the January arrival of her first child. She might as well get some rest now, since the plan is to reappear post bebe late in the Carnival season.

These days, I seem to be talking a whole lot about WHEN soca stars are born. But do you ever wonder HOW? Well Fireball and Umi Marcano got their chance at stardom thanks to a Trinidad based idol-style singing competition called Synergy Soca Star. In the past 4 seasons of the TV show, other winners have been Blue, O.G and Chinee. Well Season 5 is about to get underway on Wednesday, November 11th, and SupaJigga TC will be back at the host. Then, just a few days later on Saturday, the brand new crop of 15 finalists will dive headlong into the real deal by giving their 1st public performance at the St. James amphitheatre. Boy do I wish we could watch it here in Canada.

Trinidad lost another Calypsonian artiste this weekend. St. Lucian-born Calypsonian Almanac passed away in hospital on Friday due to Liver cancer. He migrated to Trinidad when he was 14 years of age, and was blind for all of his adult life. Over his career he composed more than 400 calypsoes, spent time teaching the craft to the next generation and even performed alongside Trinidad’s top acts in the genre. We at Soca Therapy would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of Anthony Francis as we all mourn the loss of this important cultural figure.

Last but not least, a member of Machel Montano’s entourage took a bullet in the wee hours of yesterday morning. The driver of the HD tour bus was involved in a scuffle at a KFC restaurant that got a wee bit out of hand after police were called. He was shot in the foot, but he’s stable and recovering at home. Another man present at the time endured two gunshot wounds.  At last report, he was still being treated in hospital.

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. For more information on everything mentioned here, visit me online everyday at Nurse-Karen.com,  follow me on Twitter, and be sure to send me b-day greetings ALL WEEK!  Now, back to de Docta!

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