Bittersweet victory for Chucky

Calypsonian Roderick Gordon (Chucky) said winning his first major title, Independence Monarch, one week ago was “bittersweet” because his father, the late Roland Gordon, was not there to share in that victory. The senior Gordon, well-known musician, calypso judge and cultural activist, died on January 29, 2010, just as his son was beginning to enjoy success in the calypso arena. Recounting how he felt when he was declared winner of the competition last weekend, Chucky said: “I was elated. But I went through a range of emotions. Initially, I did not expect to win. Winning was not a part of my thinking from the conception to the semis. I felt it was a bittersweet victory since daddy was not there.

“He worked a lot in terms of my development as an artiste. I would have liked him to see the fruits of my labour.” Chucky’s mother, Glenda, his sister Mandisa, brother Rodney “John Boy” Gordon and aunts Margaret and Roslyn were there to support him on the night of the competition.  “My relatives being there acted as a buffer to daddy’s absence,” he said Chucky had a successful Carnival season this year. For the Independence competition he enlisted the help of songwriter Larry Harewood, San Fernando based arranger Junior Ibo Joseph and musician Errol Ince. He also worked with cultural activists Norvan Fullerton and Michael Lucien and for his stage presentation, he worked with the Malick Folk Performers and Jeunes Agape Choir.  

 

He said when he went on stage, he remembered some advice his father gave him: “Daddy  spoke to me about maintaining a large posture on stage. He advised me not to bend down. Try and maintain a wide berth. I know I’m short.” He said his late father’s deep ties to music were a major influence in his life. "Daddy was a judge, music teacher and musician. We worked with the Junior Panorama champions. He was heavily involved in parang with Amantes de Parranda. He directed junior parranderos. I had to act and sing.” He said his father encouraged him to develop his versatility. “Today I am seeing the benefits of sticking with soca and calypso. I am getting recognition for being in the Soca Monarch (Bad Ting). I am getting kudos for calypso. I intend to continue embracing all areas of the art form.” He said he first ventured into calypso as a pupil of Newtown Boys’ RC School when his uncle Sedley Joseph (Penguin), a former National Calypso Monarch, wrote two songs for him, Walk and Drag and Macaroni Pie. "He peaked my interest. I was still singing from Forms One to Three. I took it seriously when I entered from Form Five to Lower Six. Chucky, who won $500,000 for topping the competition, said he plans to share his winnings with his mother and will make a donation to the Malick Folk Performers. “ I intend to invest in more quality productions and solidly my efforts. I often record soca songs in Barbados and Antigua. I am learning to play the trumpet and piano.”

 

At present Chucky is busy at work on his pan song which will be released soon. He expects to enjoy a long reign: “I will reign for 25 years. The next competition is in 2037. I’ll be 50.” Chucky attended San Juan Government Secondary and St Augustine Senior Comprehensive Schools. “I really developed myself academically  and I took a keener interest in the arts at St Augustine. I performed in two plays written by Ronald Amoroso. I started getting  awards. I vowed to continue singing soca, dancehall, pan music and parang,” he said. He graduated with a BSC in Social Work from UWI, St Augustine, and is currently employed as a social worker with the Family Court. He is currently pursuing an  MA in Human Resource Management at Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, Mt Hope. 

 

Chucky’s calypso milestones:

• In 2004– placed 4th in the National Junior Calypso Monarch, won the Pathfinders competition and several other smaller competitions. Also in that year Chucky took part in the Schools Parang Festival and won the Best Male Vocalist title.

• In 2005 he qualified for the semi-finals of the National Calypso Monarch competition, was a Young King finalist, won the Tunapuna and Laventille calypso monarch titles and placed fourth in the Stars of Tomorrow competition, and was a member of the Kaiso Karavan calypso tent.

• In 2006  Chucky was the second youngest person, at the age of 19, to become a National Calypso Monarch finalist. He also placed fifth in the Young Kings competition and won the Tunapuna Monarch for a second consecutive time. Chucky also made his first ever venture into the soca arena with his debut hit “See You,” with which he placed third in the International Groovy Monarch competition. 

• 2008  Chucky won the best male vocalist title for the second time in the play Canboulay.

• 2011 placed fifth in the International Groovy Soca Monarch competition with My Bad Ting. Michelle Loubon 

 

Calypsonian Roderick Gordon (Chucky) said winning his first major title, Independence Monarch, one week ago was “bittersweet” because his father, the late Roland Gordon, was not there to share in that victory. The senior Gordon, well-known musician, calypso judge and cultural activist, died on January 29, 2010, just as his son was beginning to enjoy success in the calypso arena. Recounting how he felt when he was declared winner of the competition last weekend, Chucky said: “I was elated. But I went through a range of emotions. Initially, I did not expect to win. Winning was not a part of my thinking from the conception to the semis. I felt it was a bittersweet victory since daddy was not there.

“He worked a lot in terms of my development as an artiste. I would have liked him to see the fruits of my labour.” Chucky’s mother, Glenda, his sister Mandisa, brother Rodney “John Boy” Gordon and aunts Margaret and Roslyn were there to support him on the night of the competition. “My relatives being there acted as a buffer to daddy’s absence,” he said. Chucky had a successful Carnival season this year. For the Independence competition he enlisted the help of songwriter Larry Harewood, San Fernando based arranger Junior Ibo Joseph and musician Errol Ince. He also worked with cultural activists Norvan Fullerton and Michael Lucien and for his stage presentation, he worked with the Malick Folk Performers and Jeunes Agape Choir.  

 

He said when he went on stage, he remembered some advice his father gave him: “Daddy  spoke to me about maintaining a large posture on stage. He advised me not to bend down. Try and maintain a wide berth. I know I’m short.”  He said his late father’s deep ties to music were a major influence in his life. "Daddy was a judge, music teacher and musician. We worked with the Junior Panorama champions. He was heavily involved in parang with Amantes de Parranda. He directed junior parranderos. I had to act and sing.” He said his father encouraged him to develop his versatility. “Today I am seeing the benefits of sticking with soca and calypso. I am getting recognition for being in the Soca Monarch (Bad Ting). I am getting kudos for calypso. I intend to continue embracing all areas of the art form.” He said he first ventured into calypso as a pupil of Newtown Boys’ RC School when his uncle Sedley Joseph (Penguin), a former National Calypso Monarch, wrote two songs for him, Walk and Drag and Macaroni Pie.  "He peaked my interest. I was still singing from Forms One to Three. I took it seriously when I entered from Form Five to Lower Six. Chucky, who won $500,000 for topping the competition, said he plans to share his winnings with his mother and will make a donation to the Malick Folk Performers. “ I intend to invest in more quality productions and solidly my efforts. I often record soca songs in Barbados and Antigua. I am learning to play the trumpet and piano.” At present Chucky is busy at work on his pan song which will be released soon. 

 

He expects to enjoy a long reign:“I will reign for 25 years. The next competition is in 2037. I’ll be 50.”  Chucky attended San Juan Government Secondary and St Augustine Senior Comprehensive Schools. “I really developed myself academically  and I took a keener interest in the arts at St Augustine. I performed in two plays written by Ronald Amoroso. I started getting  awards. I vowed to continue singing soca, dancehall, pan music and parang,” he said. He graduated with a BSC in Social Work from UWI, St Augustine, and is currently employed as a social worker with the Family Court. He is currently pursuing an  MA in Human Resource Management at Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, Mt Hope. 

 

Chucky’s calypso milestones:

• In 2004– placed 4th in the National Junior Calypso Monarch, won the Pathfinders competition and several other smaller competitions. Also in that year Chucky took part in the Schools Parang Festival and won the Best Male Vocalist title.

• In 2005 he qualified for the semi-finals of the National Calypso Monarch competition, was a Young King finalist, won the Tunapuna and Laventille calypso monarch titles and placed fourth in the Stars of Tomorrow competition, and was a member of the Kaiso Karavan calypso tent. 

• In 2006  Chucky was the second youngest person, at the age of 19, to become a National Calypso Monarch finalist. He also placed fifth in the Young Kings competition and won the Tunapuna Monarch for a second consecutive time. Chucky also made his first ever venture into the soca arena with his debut hit “See You,” with which he placed third in the International Groovy Monarch competition. 

• 2008  Chucky won the best male vocalist title for the second time in the play Canboulay.

• 2011 placed fifth in the International Groovy Soca Monarch competition with My Bad Ting.