The Mighty Sparrow’s long and illustrious career was honoured on Wednesday night when he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Copyright Organisation of T&T (COTT) at its Music Awards ceremony at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s.
It was the first time the awards have been held since 2008. The 80-year-old calypsonian received a standing and rousing ovation from the large audience when he was introduced by the show’s hosts, Independent Senator Paul Richards and comedienne Nikki Crosby.
Sparrow was also announced as the recipient of the International Songwriter Award and on receiving his award sang the opening bars and a verse of his calypso Slave in which patrons joined in.
Sparrow has had a lot of public support especially after it was announced last week that he did not get financial assistance promised last year by the last government to pay his medical bills.
Sparrow was hospitalised for three months in the United States in September 2013 after suffering a stroke.
In February, during a function in Siparia, promises were made that his bills would be footed by the State.
International Groovy Soca Monarch Olatunji Yearwood walked away with two prestigious awards for Ola—Song of the Year and Groovy Soca Song of the Year.
International Power Soca Monarch/Road March champion Machel Montano copped the Songwriter of the Year, People’s Choice Music Video and Soca of the Year for Like ah Boss. Not present to collect his awards in person, Montano’s acceptance speech was screened.
The Calypso of the Year award was won by Engine Room, sung by Jelani Kojo.
Appropriately themed Transformation: Past, Present, Future, the COTT Music Awards 2015 Ceremony had the glitz and glamour of the Grammys, complete with red carpet and guests elegantly attired in evening wear.
For the occasion Queen’s Hall was transformed into a high-tech, cyberworld, its foyer beautifully designed with mime artistes, costumed in white, on pedestals greeting guests as they arrived at the venue.
Though having a few technical glitches, Wednesday’s reprise of this celebration of local music in its myriad forms, ran smoothly, starting just after its scheduled 7 pm opening.
The tight, compact production ran for exactly two hours.
In attendance and presenting an award was Community Development, Culture and the Arts Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly.
The night’s presenters included 2013 World Championships gold medalist Jehue Gordon, Grammy-Award-winning songwriter and performer Angela Hunte, Miss T&T (World) Daniella Walcott and a host of other performers and local celebrities.
The programme was opened by The Hilaire Brothers rendering the National Anthem and there were also performances by Orange Sky, 5 Miles to Midnight, Crazy, Queen Omega, Isasha, Los Alumnos de San Juan, Positive, Rembunction, Drupatee, General Grant, Young Rudd, Mark Hardy & Jimmy October, Mr Renzo and Isaac Blackman.
Following a short address by COTT president John Ryan Romany, original COTT member and Performing Rights Society official Diana Derrick and TUCO president Lutalo Masimba (Brother Resistance) were announced as the recipients of long service awards.
Golden Achievement Awards were also given to Ella Andall and Rakesh Yankaran.
COTT CEO Josh Rudder also gave a short address.
COTT MUSIC AWARDS 2015
New Female Songwriter
of the Year—
Samantha Johnson
New Male Songwriter of the Year—Jerome Atwell
Jingle of the Year—Massy Stores /Shaft (Lucy)
Publisher of the Year—World Beat Publishing
Music Video of the Year (People’s Choice)—
Like ah Boss
(Machel Montano)
Reggae/Dancehall
of the Year—
Endless Summer (Kes)
Best Collaboration (People’s Choice)—
Young Rudd, Mark Hardy, Jimmy October
Soca of the Year—Like ah Boss (Machel Montano)
Most Popular Local Song (People’s Choice)—
Cloud 9 (Lyrikal)
Soca Parang of the Year—Corn Soup (Marcia Miranda)
Breakout Artiste of the Year (People’s Choice)—Ricardo Drue
International
Songwriter of the Year—
Mighty Sparrow
Groovy Soca of the Year—Ola (Olatunji Yearwood)
Calypso of the Year—Engine Room
(Jelani Kojo)
Gospel Song of the Year—Mighty Healer (Positive)
Chutney of the Year—Rooplal Girdharrie
Chutney Soca Song of the Year—No Gyal Again (KI)
Female Songwriter of the Year—Fay Ann Lyons
Songwriter of the Year—Machel Montano
Song of the Year—Ola (Olatunji Yearwood)