Vicky B swings the tempo

SHE was just seven years old when she attempted to sing her first calypso on stage at the Erin Road Presbyterian School. The once shy, little Vicky Boodram broke loose that day to set the stage on fire with her song, “Tassa Tempo”. She captivated her audience with her sweet melodious voice and charisma and style on stage. Since then, she has held the spotlight on stage and radio, even without a godfather in the entertainment business. Vicky went from being calypsonian to professional radio announcer and also serves as a judge for the “Children of Mastana” television series. She was barely a child herself, when she was called to judge the children talent show. She also judged the Indian Cultural Pageant in 1995 and ’96. 

At 16, she became the youngest radio announcer with 106 FM reading the news and also writing her own radio programme. She holds a BA degree in business and marketing and is working towards an MBA degree through distant learning with a London university. Now 22, Vicky also teaches business classes and lectures at private colleges for students who are pursuing an associate degree in marketing and business. At her work place at radio 90.5 FM at Valpark Shopping Mall, Valsayn, the brilliant and beautiful Vicky is at ease. With six years experience on the job, she knows exactly how to please her audience. “After a time it is like drinking a cup of tea. Being an announcer is a second job to me. What I must prepare for is lecturing to students who are into tertiary level classes,” she explains. While still at primary school she was considered a “star”. “Back then, I was really into my calypsos. It was not Indian song for chutney, but calypso. I was determined to enter into the calypso arena and make a hit,” she said.

She was six years old when she entered the National Calypso Queen competition and she became a finalist. It was during this time that she became known to many people. Her songs “Sweet Soca Baby” and “Mother’s Love” were popular, particularly in the Penal area where she lives. She laughed out while reminiscing, “I was invited to every show that came to Penal. Be it calypso or chutney. I was asked to sing in every event and I believe that promoters really admired the way I took to the stage to deliver my songs. I was a bright East Indian girl who really wanted to be a calypsonian,” she said. This, she believed caught the attention of everyone involved in culture. After completing her CXC exams, she signed up for A-Level exams and was called by the brand manager of 106 FM, Faz Ali, to do “The Morning Show” from 9  to 12 each day. This stint really catapulted her to the top. Soon she was at board meetings and making decisions that were implemented at the station.

She also does the “Home Stretch” programme from six to eight pm and on Sundays she is on with “Roja” from 10 am to 2 pm. Vicky who is an only child to school teacher Ramjass Boodram and Indra Boodram (housewife), says that she was not one who got everything on a silver platter. “I was never a spoilt child with everything I wanted at the snap of my fingers. I saw my father doing school work way into the night. And somehow I became attached to paper and books,” she said. Her father’s commitment to his teaching profession really inspired her to study and to make books her best friends, she said. As a result, she wants to go as  far as she could in attaining the highest level of education. “My father did not preach to me about my studies or anything. I had his blood and I was as determined like him to succeed. I wanted to get into my books and master all my subjects. And with a little encouragement from both my parents I was able to do it,” she noted.

Vicky’s secret to remembering everything that she learns is studying early in the morning. She wakes up at 2 am to do five hours of studies before leaving her home on mornings. Her dream is to one day manage her own business. “I would like to set-up my own office and to produce goods and services. I would like to be independent and this I believe is everyone’s dream. To be independent,” she said. Asked whether she would go back on the calypso stage she said that she is bent of attaining her degree and maybe she would start writing her own calypso for the future. As for performing? Her only response was a smile.