CONGRATULATIONS to "EXODUS" for breaking through the "TONG BARRIER" and making it to the "BIG FIVE FOUNDATION"

[Claude Gonzales]

I am personally thrilled to see EXODUS included in the "BIG 5" and I love the VISION put forward by the "BIG 5" -- in the music industry, COLLABORATION IS KING. I want to buy two tickets to the JULY 22ND show for TWO PEOPLE from St. John to attend.

Let me know how to hook it up!!!

[ARTHUR W TRAVERSO]

More power to the BIG FIVE FOUNDATION and it has nothing to do with any zone because I think it is more a visionary agenda. Personally I think Trinidad All Stars could stand on its own but it shows that they are not a selfish band and the other bands will learn from them because they have been successful for years and do not focus on Pan alone. With regards to the top South bands, have you'll notice that SKIFFlE Steel Orch just came back from a successful tour of Virginia and they put on a nice show for the south mothers this past Mother's Day( check my post on PAN TRIVIA). While NLCB Fonclaire is focusing on getting back in the elite circle with their new arranger Leon Foster Thomas the four time Medium band champions Pan Elders looks like they are working on a fifth title instead of elevating to the Large bands because most people are saying that they have nothing else to prove in Medium. I feel bad for the Tobago bands because the inter island ferry and heavy duty ship transportation will affect them if the T&T Government don't have their shit together come 2018 Panorama time not to mention that their daily goods supply has been affected.

[Cecil hinkson]

Ah taking Invaders, Silver Stars, StarLift, Birdsong, Skiffle, Fonclaire and Supernovas and starting meh own Foundation, amd ah making merrytones CEO.

[Claude Gonzales]

Cecil: You have NO REASON to complain!!! This whole BIG BANDS-taking-a-stand move was YOUR IDEA!!! As long as they don't do like the CIP and present a 2000+ page manifesto (I could live with a two page document) -- I will remain HOPEFUL.

[Cecil hinkson]

Don't get me wrong here people, I'm happy to see Steelbands finally doing something for Steelbands.

[merrytonestothebone]

Claude...you self...what kinda dotish post is this...Again yuh have men putting meh mouth in fowl business...So you doh know that Exodus is one of the original "Big 5"?...The "Big 5" has nothing to do with location...these 5 bands have been the best of the best over the last 20 or so years or so...plain and simple...is has nothing to do with inclusion either...the "Big 5" IS the "Big 5"...you self man...

[Bugs]

Yea Merrytones tell him...

Buff Claude... He trying to back-door Rolly Polly. No place for gangstas in the Big-Five Foundation.

By the way Merrytones did see the gangsta move Claude's team - Golden State - use on San Antonio's star player. Imagine if CIP had tried that on Rolly Polly?

bugs

[merrytonestothebone]

Not me an allyuh two Expats nah...I have nothing further to say about the CIP either...

[Claude Gonzales]

merrytonestothebone: Yuh is ah HONONARY EXPAT!!!

[merrytonestothebone]

Further on the "Big 5" issue...the only other band that was looking like they would have made it a "Big 6" was Silver Stars, but they fallin' on they tail these last few Panoramas...Invaders too kinda knocking on the door over the last few years...That is why I have my misgivings about this "Foundation". To me it is nothing than an elite members club...Next thing yuh hearing is that they want they "own Panorama" too with 150 or 200 players a side....Wait...it comin'...

[Claude Gonzales]

I see the FOUNDATION more as a concept, than an accomplishment list!!! If they are going to put on shows and advertise their product and work as a team to give Trinidad Pan a bigger global presence -- I am for that. So I am hopeful!!!

On the EXODUS thing -- that is my FAMILY BAND and I have spent hours and hours in numerous houses on and above St. John Road (over decades) listening to conversations about the "TONG BIAS" which they somehow managed to penetrate over time.