Let’s not wait to honour TT’s heroes

However, my focus is the need to give awards to ageing contributors, many of whom are in life’s departure lounge.I was deeply distressed when several national standouts in my pet fields of Culture the Arts and Sports went to meet Jesus without national recognition. Among them calypsonians Brigo( Samuel Abraham) Lord Smiley, Earl Crosby(music producer) and fabulous. jazz singer Patti Rogers. Before this year’s awards, we have ample time to get our house in order. Committee chairman, Mr Ivor Archie, who lives in Trinidad and Tobago and whom I think reads newspapers, should know of these legendary performers in calypso, pan, dance and sports.Their contributions need no introduction.

So with utmost humility, I wish to nominate for the Order of Trindad and Tobago(ORTT ) your favourite and mine....Calypso Rose (Mc Cartha Sandy Lewis), the innovative Shadow (Winston Bailey) and the long disrespected pan supremo Earl “Barney” Rodney composer, pannist and arranger of Solo Harmonites.

Neville Jules, arranger of the famous Trinidad All Stars. Carol La Chapelle( Dance and academics). It is no use having the medals and not handing them out to our deserving heroes.

Let us not wait. Other notables for medals to be decided by your august body are: calypsonians Crazy (Edwin Ayoung); Superblue (Austin Lyons); Explainer(Winston Henry); Bajan/Trini to the skeleton Singing Francine (Francine Edwards); Trinidad Rio (Daniel Brown); Ellsworth James (singer, composer, music promoter) and Sonja Dumas(dance).

Michael Paul (boxing and community service). Come on readers, send in your nominations.Help make the work of the National Awards Committee easier. Stay tuned for more!

Keith Anderson via email