Vincentian music producer honoured in New York

Granville Straker, the man who is credited with giving many Vincentian soca artistes and calypsonians that recording break, was recently given a moment of honour at the Three Star Juice Lounge on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.{{more}}

The Lounge, owned and operated by Grenadian Robin “Sweet Sensation” Gilgeours, bestowed the honour on Straker “For His Excellence in Worldwide Music Production over the Years.”

Straker, who migrated to the United States over 60 years ago, in accepting the honour said: “I appreciated someone honouring me… I felt very good, my hard work paid off; it’s good to see that someone appreciated what I did.”

Also expressing appreciation was his wife Beverly, who added “he has done a lot for the music industry and it’s good to see he was remembered.”

Both, in making the comparison of the industry from their early entry to modern times, explained that with all the changes in technology, the business has changed and as a result, musicians don’t want to produce as before.

Straker will be remembered in St Vincent and the Grenadines for his local music outlet, which he operated on Grenville Street in Kingstown.

Although that record shop has been out of business for many years, Straker still owns and operates Straker’s Records World, located on 242 Utica, between St John’s and Lincoln Place in Brooklyn, New York. He opened that business in 1966, then located on Nostrand Avenue.

According to Straker, who hails from Vermont, “it was the USA outlet that triggered the Vincy operation”.

Also honoured at the function was president of Charlie’s Records, Rawlston Charles, “for his excellence in worldwide music production over the years”, as well as the Queen of Calypso McCartha Linda “Calypso Rose” Sandy-Lewis for “continued greatness in Calypso and Gospel Music worldwide.”

Joining the list of musical luminaries was the King of Calypso and Ballad Music, Slinger “The Mighty Sparrow” Francisco, with the “Lifetime Achievement for Superiority in Music Worldwide,” and Robert “Lord Nelson” Nelson, the granddaddy of soca for “continued greatness in Soca music worldwide.”

The event also featured a cast of renowned performers and entertainers such as Mighty Sparrow, Lord Nelson, Calypso Rose, Doctor Witty, Singing Dianne, Princess Pat Muko, Sweet Sensation, Glenda Ifill and Mikey Jarrett, and Vincy’s own Winston Soso.

And, it was a wealth of talented musicians who provided the back stopping, including the maestro Frankie Mc Intosh.(RT)