There was a discussion on this forum recently where the global demand for steelband music was questioned (dismissed rather) by citing a fundamental (very fundamental) principle in economics.
I feel compelled to correct the record. As everyone knows, I don't fly the STEELBAND FLAG. But I have had a FRONT ROW SEAT in FOREIGN for decades observing the potential of STEELBAND MUSIC. And I think that there is MASSIVE DEMAND for STEELBAND MUSIC here in NORTH AMERICA and THE REST OF THE WORLD.
The problem is FORMAT!!!
For many years I have waited for "ALL THE TALENT IN TRINIDAD" to break through with the music globally. But I suddenly realized that is not going to happen in MY LIFETIME. They cannot comprehend the FORMATTING ISSUE from down there; nor do they have the FORMATTING skills.
Cecil Hinkson made a point a few weeks ago which turned my head around. He said that any breakthrough with the music will come from NEW YORK and not from Trinidad. It was a bitter pill for me to swallow because I had been looking too far down SOUTH for too long -- WAITING IN VAIN.
So now I have to look to the EAST and it makes perfect sense!!!
I also think that if Salmon Cupid stops trying to SELL THE E-PAN and starts trying to MAKE SOME MUSIC with THE E-PAN he could be a threat to lead the way and exploit the DEMAND. Once he gets on a stage before an audience of 3000 people and they hear the music they will start buying the MUSIC and the E-PANS anyway.
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Claude has related a poignant point that music-makers have a important role to play in marketing the e-pan and steelpan. Demonstrating it's full capabilities will form a vital part in promoting it. Salo is aware but he can be harden when it comes to listening and taking advice...
Salmon Cupid has to sell the Epan, it's his invention so I don't know of any better person to sell it. Pretty soon some one will use that instrument and put down some awesome music. Every year I complain about people making pan songs without the use of pan, the Epan is the ideal instrument for making pan songs with pan, it won't be long before it is done.
Hi Claude, maybe it is because English is not my native language. But I'm trying to understand. Are you telling about the E-pan or about spreading pan. Or is it both? Or is it just about money?
I always have the idea that the pan people is a small community which want to help each other, certainly here in the mainland of Europe. GB is an exception, 'cause they have a lot of formal colonies in the Caribbean.
I tried last year to get some help from Trinidad to spread pan into the Cape Verdian islands and the only thing I got back was "good luck", which surprised me a bit.
So better ask New York for suggestions? Who do I contact? Not asking for money, but Pans, Pans, Pans...
Unfortunately, even though pan is not about the money (for some of us), the reality is that pan cost money. But pan is also about love. So I am sure there’s help out there for you. Contact me at panatlanta@aol.com. At least I should be able to suggest how you can source some pans.
Deanne: As long as STEELPAN MUSIC is spread outside of its IMMEDIATE AUDIENCE it does not matter to me if it is the E-PAN or PHI PAN or G-PAN or INVADERS PAN or ACOUSTIC PAN or AMPLIFIED PAN.
Send me an email musicfromthetropics@yahoo.com and we can discuss your PAN SCARCITY ISSUE. Where there is a will there is a way ... a very old English expression. Maybe we can come up with a solution.
Claude