Wednesday, September 7, 2011

BVI's Five-Time Road March Champs in 2011: Showtime Band



The BVI's Showtime Band has continued to excel since its formation in 1999. The band has won five consecutive road march titles and continues to shine.

When British Virgin Islanders think about their annual festival, they look forward to celebrating their culture with both food and music. The music for festival time in the British Virgin Islands is the VI's own style of calypso and soca. Traditionally, the islands were known for fungi music, which is played with handmade instruments such as the ukulele and the squash. Since the 1980s, with the influences of Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis and the nearby U.S. Virgin Islands, the BVI has cemented its own brand of calypso music.

BVI's Festival Music
 Several bands have come out of the BVI, including Caribbean Ecstasy, with songs like "Push Pipe" in the 1980s, Adjik with "Ram," Awesome Crew and Prime Time, who sang "Bernie," inspired by Weekend At Bernies (1989). The band Elvis White also comes from the BVI and they sang the hit "Sexy Waist." In 1999, Showtime Band came on the scene and made an impact instantly. Today, they have accomplished eight albums, several hits, a growing fan base and road march titles.

Who is Showtime Band
Showtime's lead vocalists are Raul "Jougo" Sprauve, Renrick, "Mac Daddy" Massac and Eustace "Boss" Freeman, all original band members since 1999. Kerry Nichols is on keyboards, LeeSean Smith handles the drum machine, also called the rhythm box, and Glen Lamothe is a guitarist. Jougo's brother, engineer, Ramon Sprauve and Osbert "Cushung" Pole, the bass guitarist, were both members of the 1990s BVI sensation, Primetime. Kevin Sweeney, a rhythm box 'genie,' is also a founding member of Showtime and is currently on a short hiatus. Crystal Frett and Andrea Sweeney are also contributing members of the band.

The managers are Roger Frank and Ottley Hodge, another founding member. Since its inception, the band has gone through several metamorphoses, but stands strong today, and gave several outstanding performances during the BVI's 2011 Emancipation Festival. Showtime has not only performed for audiences in the BVI, but has also shared their music with fans in St. Thomas and St. Croix in the USVI and in Miami. They have collaborated with both local and regional artists. Locally, they have worked with hip-hop artist, Aaron 'Da Jedi' Parillon, in "Invisible" and with [Lincoln Ward](http://www.lincolnward.com/) in "See You Again."

They have also shared tracks with Sowande and Terra Mike and teamed with Trinidad and Tobago's Shurwayne Winchester on the 2007 Road March, "Soca Pledge Remix," from their 'The Family' album. Most recently, they teamed with singer and producer, AJ, of the former Xtaushun Band who sang "Energy" and with JJ, formerly of Xtreme Band, for another Road March. The collaboration resulted in the 2011 Road March "Buns of Steel." Other Road March songs from Showtime include "Hula Hoop" in 2008 and, in 2009, "Circles" which may be deemed their biggest hit. In 2010, two songs won, "Yo-Yo" and "Whine Like Crazy," both from the I Am album. Older songs that are recognized by fans include "Madoo," and "B.V.I.," a tribute to the BVI's beauty and culture.

How Road March is Determined
 For local bands, during the festival, the prize sought is the coveted Road March title, a competition in which only BVI bands can compete. The winning Road March song is chosen from the songs that are played in front of the judges during the August Monday parade. The person charged with ensuring that the Road March competition was properly handled in 2011 was Miss Nakema Bell of the BVI Festival and Fairs Committee. According to Miss Bell, the Road March judges consider the total number of times a song is played by a DJ or a band, the originality and creativity of the song and the band's overall performance of the song. Bands have to submit an application and compact disc with the songs to be considered as contenders for the Road March title. The song with the most points at the end of the parade is declared the winner. In 2011, there were two dedicated judges for the Road March Competition.

What's Next for Showtime Band
 2011  proved to be another successful year for Showtime Band. They are booked regularly in the BVI in Tortola and in Virgin Gorda and are getting positive feedback from their fans. In addition, they recently released their eighth album, The Journey, with eight tracks, including "Buns of Steel, "Pushing Bush" and "Surround Me." According to co-manager, Roger Frank, Showtime is aiming at a sixth consecutive Road March title in 2012. In the near future, they hope to perform at New York's annual West Indian Day Parade. Roger also shared that "the (fans') support has been tremendous and had a driving force to keep the band going." The band regularly performs community service by linking with a cause of their choosing to show their gratitude for the support of their fans. For more information and for bookings, please visit their Facebook page.

Sources:
  • Telephone Interview with Roger Frank, co-Manager of the Showtime Band on September 6, 2011
  • Telephone Interview with Nakema Bell, BVI Festival Committee on September 2, 2011
  • Showtime Band Facebook Page
  • Showtime Band is 2011 Road March Champion, BVINews.com accessed September 6, 2011

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