Endowment Fund for Calypsonians

‘Get Through’s’ Illness Spurs Fraternity To Act

A concerted effort is currently underway to establish an artist endowment fund which aims to assist calypsonians financially in instances when they need medical intervention.

While the establishment of such a fund has been discussed for many years now, a decision was taken recently to do so, prompted by the hospitalization of veteran calypsonian, Cyril “Get Through” Felix, who suffered a mild stroke recently and is also ailing from other medical complications.

Get Through, a co-founder of Take Over Tent (TOT), fell ill in August and has since had to be hospitalized. However, his younger brother/caretaker, Norman Boyce, said that while Get Through remains in good spirits, he cannot move around much and would need financial assistance to aid in his recovery.

“He’s coming along gradually but is in a serious but stable condition,” Boyce said. “As you know, you would get sick instantly but it will take a while for you to recover. He’s my only brother so I’m playing my role by taking care of him in whatever way I can and keeping in touch with him.”

Prompted by Get Through’s situation, a group of calypsonians and other members of the calypso fraternity organized the “Chanting For Get Through Committee”, which is now putting systems in place to host a benefit concert, “Chanting For Get Through Show”, slated for Wednesday, October 12 at the National Cultural Centre (NCC).

The show will take the format of an after-work lime on NCC’s grounds followed by the main event inside the NCC.
Chairman of the organizing committee, calypsonian/songwriter, Mac Stephen “Lord Help Me” Aubertin, said all calypsonians performing at the event will do so free of charge.

Calypsonians slated to perform include Invader, Black Pearl, Herb Black, Robbie, Pep, Ashanti, Educator, Lady Leen, Twop Chans, Ti Carro, to name a few.

Tickets for the “Chanting For Get Through” show cost $25 each.

While admitting that the artiste endowment fund was long overdue, Aubertin said the initiative is another important step in the calypso fraternity taking proactive effort to take care of its own.

“Coming out of the discussions, we saw the opportunity to establish a fund for calypsonians. Some of us are fortunate enough to have permanent jobs but others depend on calypso for their livelihoods. So that fund will be there to assist calypsonians who are in need of assistance, such as in Get Through’s case.”

Aubertin said discussions are ongoing regarding how the fund will be financed. However, the possibility of calypsonians contributing towards a group medical coverage plan is on the cards.

The committee held its first press conference in the Cultural Development Foundation’s conference room recently where the media was apprised about the plans being implemented ahead of the show as well as the need for such a fund.

Director of Carnival, Teddy Francis, said Get Through has been a pioneer in the calypso fraternity in creating the platform for marginalized sections of society – including Rastafarians – to have a voice on the calypso stage.

Francis said that the overall aim of the movement spawned by Get Through’s illness is the setting up of the artistes welfare fund from which calypsonians can benefit in their time of need.

Former Calypso Monarch and representative of Artistes Representing Themselves (ART), Invader, said Get Through’s situation just proves that while calypsonians do their utmost in using their voices to bring about social change, they, unfortunately, are not immune to the vicissitudes of life.

“The artistes have come to realize that the time is nigh,” Invader said. “I was very happy with the initiation of the welfare fund because I think it is absolutely necessary that the artists put something in place for themselves by way of some group insurance.”

Long time friend and co-founder of TOT, Truscott “Sookou” Augustin, said Get Through provided him an opportunity to gain legitimacy as a Rastaman in society in the early days of the movement.

Describing his friend as “an amazing guy”, Augustin said Get Through was also instrumental in either launching or restoring the careers of calypsonians many tents deemed rejects or clowns, including Sky Hawk, Observer, Soul and Sleeping Serpent. He described Getthrough as “a community man” who opens his home to friends and assists people in need.

“In 1982, when Get Through came up with the idea of establishing a calypso tent, I figured it was a good idea,” Augustin said. “We decided that since people love music, we could use that as a way of proving our worth. I’m really into my football but Get Through gave me that opportunity to be involved in something new, something novel.”

Augustin said Get Through and relatives have agreed that donations to the calypsonian’s recovery be made to his (Augustin’s) bank account number: Bank of Saint Lucia (BOSL) account # 141115406. For queries, Augustin can be contacted at 724 1227 or 452 5132.

Sixty-six-year-old Get Through, who lives at Maynard Hill, gained wide acclaim for his hard-hitting calypsos that date back to 1981 when he started his calypso career. In 1982, his social anthem, “What De People Chanting” made him a force to be reckoned with on the calypso scene. The song won him the Road March title and he placed third in the Calypso Monarch.

In 2001, his “Marchand Posse”, which extols the many positives that emanate from that economically-challenged community, only amplified his true measure as an iconic artiste. The song still serves as inspiration for the Castries suburb that often carries the stigmas of poverty and crime.