“In my opinion, they are not represented as well as they ought to be. There is no Musician’s Union in this Republic, even though there are prominent examples in other jurisdictions. Accordingly, players are always left hanging out to dry; then, orchestras - unsponsored single pan, to large [orchestras]. The buck stops at the office of the President of Pan Trinbago.” –– Gregory Lindsay
Whether you love him or hate him - there is no doubt that he is one of ʽthe straws that stir the drink.’ Furthermore, he is clearly quite comfortable in all three classes of the republic - Workers, Warriors and/or Philosopher Kings. However, we are not talking about Plato’s Republic. We are speaking about the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the focus is the national instrument - ʽPan’ - and the faith of its community, and culture.
In a When Steel Talks exclusive this passionate, dedicated and highly motivated manager, performing artist, administrator, and panist - Gregory Lindsay - shares his steelband experiences and vision for Pan going forward.
Replies
Well said Gregory. Well said.
"this is a collective fight, a fight of generations for the future of the movement."
I wonder how many of the delegates understand the importance of this BATTLE and the DESPERATE NEED FOR THE PAN WORLD TO REPLACE BEVERLEY RAMSEY-MOORE.
What an engaging interview!!!
Gregory - yuh hit de nail on de head. Pan is jes ah instrument like other instrument. It cyar play itself. Is only when de panman / woman start tuh play dat the magic does arise. Unless dey form ah musicians union, an doh play until dey get pay, dey go always be beggin fuh "stipend - appearance fee - handout" from dem culture vulture an dem who drawin big big salary. Imagine wha go happen if all steelband cancel dey membership ah PT...? Ah organization cyar exist witout members. De panman / woman eh get nutten from PT an dey go nevah get nutten because it doh represent de interest ah de players. Everybody an dey famalee (except de panman / woman) - dem PT officials / security company / sound system company / de transport company de judges etc does get pay fuh Panorama - all de panman get is ketcharse. Stay strong, bro.
George: Read this!!! And what the PAN MAN getting out of that? We know how many schemes the EXECUTIVE MEMBERS run to fill their pockets -- but what does the PAN MAN get for all his hours of PRACTICE and TRAVEL and OVERALL PRODUCTION.
"Around ten percent of the adult population of Trinidad and Tobago derives some element of their income from the staging of Carnival. Carnival generates direct injections of foreign currency to the tune of over US $74 million, in just the week prior to Carnival Monday and Tuesday; this money goes almost completely to small and micro-enterprises."