Grooving with Shurwayne

1 Who were the people who influenced you the most to start singing, at the beginning of your career and since then?

The Baron locally, and internationally Abba….The Carpenters influenced me the most into the field of singing, can you believe that!

2 As an entertainer which would you rate as your most memorable and satisfying performances/presentations/experiences?

The Shurwayne Winchester Children Show held in Tobago was my most memorable performance. Being part of the cultural contingent that visited India and representing Trinidad and Tobago was the best presentation. The trip to Germany as part of the cultural contingent as a result of accomplishment of the Soca Warriors was the best experience.

3 Where were you born and where did you grow up?

Born in the Scarborough Hospital in Tobago and grew up in the village of Signal Hill.

4 If you had to perform for an audience who has never heard or seen you before and had only two of your songs to perform, which would you? And if you had to perform one other song from a Trinbagonian artiste which would it be?

I would perform “Don’t Stop” and “Look the Band Coming” and “Trini to the Bone” by David Rudder.

5 At what schools/institutions did you receive your education?

Signal Hill Primary School and for my secondary education, Elizabeth’s College.

6Your favourite meal or dish/food, and drink?

A Tobago Sunday lunch, yes the Crab and Dumplin’ dish and coconut water or grapefruit juice.

7What is your greatest fear in life?

Not exploring my full potential, this is my biggest fear.

8 What are your greatest accomplishments, musically and otherwise?

To do four concerts of my own. The Shurwayne Winchester Evolution Concert in Grenada, St Marten and St Lucia then followed by the Shurwayne Winchester children’s show in Tobago. The children’s show means the most as Tobago has always been left out of concerts of the magnitude that SWLimited and BWV entertainment were able to give. For other accomplishments the most important is my parents’ smile seeing that I am doing something that I love and making them proud. They sacrificed so much for me.

9 What would be the most perfect day?

The day that a soca artist is standing receiving a Grammy and the world feeling the full intoxication of what they have been ignorant to for far too long. My music, my people, our soul soca.

10 What is your most prized possession, tangible and intangible?

My family and my voice.

11 What was it like growing up in your family?

Growing up in the Winchester household in Tobago was a blessing. We were far from wealthy tangibly but we were rich in love and togetherness “Hard work pays off Shurwayne,” – that was my dad’s words and mom’s words were “Believe in God and push on”. My brothers made sure I was never alone. When things were good we all had, and when things were bad we all shared the burden. We knew what not having meant but it showed me how to cherish when ever I received. For this I am ever grateful.

12 Your favourite form of relaxation?

Anything to do with water and I am relaxed, I love nature. Also swimming and watching sci-fi movies.

13 Of all your shows, concerts, performances which would you like a first-time audience or listener to experience?

Shurwayne Winchester at my Evolution Concert in St Marten…that is a show I would love a first time audience to experience.

14 If you could dine with anyone in history who would that be?

I would be honoured to dine with Martin Luther King.

15 If you had to solve the ills that prevail in TT what would you do?

Rebuild the nucleus which is the family. Everyone wants to be a badman, no one wants to be a good one.

16 If you could hire any singer and/or band to perform in your living room, who would you choose?

Any singer or band to perform in my living room who would it be? The Beatles.

17 What advice/recipe for success would you give to young people coming into the business?

The only advice that works, be true to yourself, learn the art form, do your home work on performance and singing and believe in God.

18 What is there about you that you would like our readers to know (i.e. that they may not know already)?

I am thankful for the love shown and opportunity to be just me (Shurwayne Winchester) and not what others wish me to be.

19 What daily (and/or in general) motto do you live by?

Live each day as if it was my last, that’s my motto that I live by.

20 What are your favourite calypso and soca songs (not yours)?

Almost anything from Merchant, Baron, Shadow, Nelson and Calypso Rose.