Edwin Pouchet of Silver Stars
Staff Article
Interview Recorded: February 12, 2006
We are at the Queens Park Savannah where the Panorama Semi-finals is taking place. Many of the bands are already here and anxiously awaiting their turn to perform on stage. We are interviewing some of the movers and shakers within these bands to share a general idea of what goes on behind the scenes. We are here with Mr. Edwin Pouchet, Captain of Silver Stars.
TRINBAGOPAN: Mr. Pouchet, how has Carnival 2006 been for you?
EDWIN: As far as the Panorama goes, it's been difficult because we have been short of at least 25% of the players. It's the worst I have seen and I really believe something is wrong. In talking with some of the Pan Players, the government boasts of six hundred million U.S. dollars for the Carnival Season but the money is not trickling down to the Pan Men. You are playing in Panorama for four hundred dollars and today is the Semi-finals so you are playing free. In the Finals you are playing free for prize money. The Pan Players do not get any money and that is what is keeping them away. Now they know that it has money in it. Not that they are not dedicated, but if they are going to have money in it, they should get a share in the prize. When they hear a calypsonian getting four hundred thousand dollars and a car, it is kind of difficult to tell these guys they are going to play all this Panorama Music for four hundred dollars (which comes up to about 75 U.S. dollars). I can understand how they are feeling.
TRINBAGOPAN: What do you all have planned after Carnival?
EDWIN: Silver Stars is a band that works twelve months of the year. When we came back into Panorama, we made a decision we were not going to become a one-dimensional band. We have activities right up to December.
TRINBAGOPAN: What song would you all be performing today?
EDWIN: We will be playing a Calypso I composed entitled 'High On De Pan' sung by Eunice Peters.
TRINBAGOPAN: Who is the arranger for the band?
EDWIN: I am the arranger.
TRINBAGOPAN: Any final words?
EDWIN: I would like to wish all the bands good luck today. I really must say that the standards of music and the performances of the bands really went up a notch.
TRINBAGOPAN: Thank you sir.
Silver Stars in Pictures
Panorama 2006 Interviews | Trinbago Pan Homepage
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