On De Scene : Amy Winehouse said to jump St.Lucia Carnival?

Ricky T made note of this British singer in "Like a Jumbie" singing "If you come to get on mad like Amy Winehouse in Jazz just push dem down push dem down" which flavored de song with some humour . However, I personally did not expect this ,which has been the lastest gossip in the Carnival circles. Amy Winehouse , who has been enjoying the island for the past few months; has indicated interest in joining de Carnival celebration which is indeed embracing the island's culture. I read this interesting article on this little gossip and I thought I share with you.

Band offers Amy Winehouse free costume ?

Is there anything such as “too outrageous” when it comes to antics on our carnival route? And what type of behaviour would carnival bandleaders fear from the not so polished British pop star Amy Winehouse who has, according to sources close to her, expressed a desire to hit the carnival road for St Lucia carnival? Word is that
Winehouse has already made contact with a local carnival band, against the wishes of her father.Top carnival bands on the island like Red Unlimited and Just 4 Fun have indicated that there is room for the British star in their bands-—once Winehouse is willing to comply with the rules and regulations of their bands.Both bands are expected to be over 1000 revelers strong this year and Red Unlimited’s band leader Thaddeus Antoine said he was willing to offer a free costume to the British celebrity to be part of his band while Andy Delmar,
band leader for Just 4 Fun told the STAR that once in Just 4 Fun, Winehouse would receive special treatment, but would “still have to pay for her costume!”“I think carnival is open to everyone, we encourage foreigners to jump,” said Delmar. “There’s space in our band, we just launched another VIP section last week, Gucci.Comments from Red’s band leader were similar.“We don’t discriminate, there is room for Amy, and there is room for all. Amy would be added publicity for the band. We don’t take into account drinking or drug use when letting people into band, you just have to abide by the rules on the road.Amy is very welcome, in fact we have a free costume for her, she just has
to say when!”It may not just be abiding by regulation that has to be considered when it comes to Winehouse who has been hospitalized at least four times according to reports, because of “dehydration” and “fatigue” while on an “extended vacation” in St Lucia. There is no way to tell whether the frail looking Winehouse, would be able to cover the entire extended carnival route.It does seem, however, that Winehouse is attempting to connect with local events ...

Source: http://stluciastar.com/content/

What band should she play in ? Whichever one she decides, if she does ,I know she will become addicted to Carnival. So all other Mas from Caribana to Nottinghill right back to the Caribbean , look out a Carnival Junkie in the making!

Peace and Soca

Rochelle

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The Rounds - September 30, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Lately, I’ve found mehself thinking about the life of a soca artist. Not anyone in particular…just what it’s like to sing WE music for a living. If you spend your weekdays chained to a desk, or changing poopy diapers, it sounds like the career of a life time. But there’s so much more to singing soca music than travelling the world and entertaining adoring fans.

On Friday, Trinidadian soca sweetheart Nadia Batson released a letter to the media bemoaning some of the not-so-fun realities that come with the territory. She seemed pretty ticked off about Show Promoters who negatively exploit artists they’ve booked. She echoed the feelings of so many artists I’ve met, who have not been paid for their time and work, or haven’t received OTHER things that were promised under contract.

It’s important to spend your entertainment dollar supporting promoters, like Dr. Jay who work tirelessly to set a standard of excellence. That will benefit the industry as a whole. If you’ve never been to a Dr. Jay party, get your tickets NOW for Soca or Die 7 on Saturday, November 3rd. Trust me, you’ll see the difference! Like Iwer George says in the second verse of Fete After Fete. Artistes want Dr. Jay…doh take no chance.

It was just announced that Alison Hinds long anticipated solo album will finally drop on November 6th. She is the undisputed “Queen of Soca” (write that down, IS de name of she Album - Soca Queen), but till now, she has never had the mainstream clout to produce a commercially viable album. So, now it’s happening…and I’m curious to hear what it sounds like. The collection is executive produced by Salaam Remi. He’s worked with Amy Winehouse, The Refugees, and fellow soca artiste Kevin Lyttle. Which makes me think, there sure eh go be anything sounding like Wine and Go Down and Stick.

Soca Music is a young medium that is still fighting for international respect and acceptance. So it’s a VERY hard road when artists can’t even expect their local radio stations to play their songs outside the Carnival season. So the pay off comes from a grueling tour schedule that takes some artists away from their families for months at a time…like Bomani, who’s spending his birthday on de road in Toronto tonight while promoting tourism as Caribbean Week comes to a close.

It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. And I’m so glad they do. It gives me the sweetest music to motivate me on the treadmill. Soca gives Dr. Jay and entire Kingdom to be prince of. And it gives YOU something to look forward to each and every blessed Sunday.

I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Tell us what you think about Living La Vida Soca by texting 9.3.5.9.3.5 . Now, back to de docta.

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