Four-time Panorama champions Republic Bank Exodus will play in position seven during the National Panorama final but yesterday threatened to sue Pan Trinbago if they are not allowed to play their new tune, Kees Dieffenthaller’s Savannah Grass, over their semi-final choice of Austin “Super Blue” Lyons’ Rag Storm.
Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore was sent a pre-action protocol letter yesterday for what band manager Ainsworth Mohammed said was an unfair and unjust decision not to allow the band to change their tune for the March 2 final.
Attorney Antonya Pierre, of Hove & Associates, said the law firm had been retained to fight the matter on Exodus' behalf. The letter said after playing Rag Storm in the semi-finals Exodus gave PanTrinbago on February 19 that it had decided to change its tune of choice to Savannah Grass.
“Our client obtained advice on the correct interpretation of the rules of the competition. Those rules do not preclude a competing band from resenting a different composition at the final or any prior stage,” the letter stated.
“Indeed, the rules are silent on the matter of origin, arrangement or presentation of its tune of choice, save that a competitor may be disqualified if it should offer a tune that had been played at a previous Panorama competition.”
Meanwhile, attorney Fareed Ali said he believes Exodus “lies between a rock and a nail’s head."
"Where the law does not provide for changing the song and Pan Trinbago has to decide, Pan Trinbago ought to provide reasons for barring Exodus from changing the song,” Ali said.
While Exodus will play in the seventh position in the final, defending champions bpTT Renegades were meanwhile drawn at number three while arch-rivals Desperadoes will appear in first position.
Below is the order of appearance of the bands:
1. Desperadoes
2. Nutrien Silver Stars
3. bpTT Renegades
4. Shell Invaders
5. HADCO Phase II Pan Groove
6. Massy Trinidad All Stars
7. Republic Bank Exodus
8. Caribbean Airlines Skiffle
9. T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps
10. First Citizens Supernovas