Radio TUCO, Natural water coming soon

Among the business initiatives are “Radio TUCO” and “Natural” water.

Radio TUCO, he said, will be an Internet radio station.

“Since 1999 we applied for a broadcast license, even before there was TATT (Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago) with no luck so we established Internet radio. We are now loading up the music and will be testing in a couple of days.” The station can be accessed by logging on to: www.

longlivecalypso.radiostream123.

com Massimba made the announcement at TUCO’s Gala Event “Kaiso - The Mother Music”, held at Queens Hall in St Ann’s on Wednesday night.

“It is a new vibration to make calypsonians hold their heads up high. It is important for us to stand proud,” he quipped.

Massimba said: “When calypsonians were blazing the trail there were no warriors to agitate for them.

He recalled in earlier years in TT when there were signs reading ‘no dogs and calypsonias allowed’, then justifying the reason to celebrate calypso with all the activities associated with Calypso History Month. “It is a nice feeling and that is what we are celebrating here tonight.” He saluted the work of past calypso legends who contributed tremendously to the art form, making special mention of the transformation on which TUCO is now embarking. He said the days of free ticket giveaways are all but over. “We have to find ways to do things to sustain our upkeep. We can’t wait on Government for handouts. If we know the power that we have then we must find ways to develop ourselves.” The Natural water, he said, is a commodity that TUCO will soon put on the market, with $1 from each sale going back to the organisation. “Let us change that mentality to make things work for us.” On the night, several awards were handed out for contributions to the calypso art form in various spheres, from singer to researcher, musician to promoter.

Among the awardees were: John Cupid, Judith Laird, Clyde Mitchell, Carl & Carol Jacob, Terry Rondon, Carey “Kinte” Stephens, Junior “Ibo” Joseph, Robert Amar, Ackbar Khan, Michael Baker and Garth St Clair.

There were live performances from reigning National Calypso Monarch Devon Seale, Junior Monarch Sharissa Camejo, National Calypso Queen Amrika Mutroo, the evergreen Brother Mudada (Allan Fortune), Drupartee Ramgoonai, Baron (Timothy Watkins), and Singing Sandra, who gave the most spirited performance of the night with “Ancient Rhythms”. Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung brought the curtain down on the evening’s entertainment.

Musical accompaniment was provided by Len Cummings & the Wailers, with The Pips providing background vocals.