"It was a privilege and I felt honoured because they could have chosen anyone but they chose me." These were the words of Calypsonian Denyse Plummer as she commented on how she felt about having PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars play her song at Panorama. Her exuberance shone that day (as you can see in these photographs) as Plummer, waved the flag for the band.
"When they said what they were doing and they asked me, I was very happy and it was a role I felt I had to play. I felt I had a duty to perform," continued Plummer, who has been in the arena for 28 years. Her Carnival story included a baptism by fire in Skinner Park back in 1986, where she was pelted mercilessly when she took to the stage to sing. Several musical accolades later, her roster of songs and titles are almost too numerous to mention, from 'Woman is Boss' and 'This Feeling Nice', 'Right Here' and 'Nah Leaving' to being crowned NWAC's Female Calypso Queen and winning the Calypso Queen of the World title a record four times � and also winning the Young Kings competition for good measure.
Her on-stage costumes were legendary, and her trademark call, "What ees deeees," still makes Trinbagonians smile. Her own smile as she waved the flag for Silver Stars, however, is just as infectious. When asked how she felt on stage performing such a role, the 10-time National Calypso Queen disclosed: "When you take to that stage you're making a statement. You feel very powerful. You have an important role to play. It is a great joy to work with Silver Stars."
So is Plummer busy this Carnival or has she decided to take a break from performing? Posed with this question, the fashionable and jolly Calypsonian divulged that she has indeed been working."I have been working right through Carnival. I have been performing at private, corporate and All-Inclusive events. The season has been very good to me. I have also recorded one pan song � Shock Attack � written by Edwin Pouchet and Alvin Daniel and a Groovy Soca called Rock and Roll written by Superblue."
But does the artiste have a favourite song for Carnival 2013 (aside from her own of course)? The 'Woman Is Boss' singer immediately blurted: "Superblue's 'Fantastic Friday' and Iwer's 'Bubble'. They are the most beautiful songs for Carnival."While most of us know and see Denyse Plummer as a Calypsonian always performing on a stage, there is another side to the icon... a simple, loving mother. Questioned about her family life, the recipient of the Humming Bird Medal Gold (for Culture) insisted, "I am very proud of my family life. I am proud of my husband who is a great golfer (he just won a tournament) and I am very proud of my two sons. One is qualified and the other has just been accepted into university. They are both great golfers too. My children have never given me any trouble," she said with a laugh.
So what advice does she have to offer to mothers out there?"I have never spanked my children. I speak to them. From the time they are toddlers you need to speak to your children. The secret is speaking to your children. Don't just tell them don't do something, tell why or why not. Give them examples. Give them a lot of love, make time for your children and at the end of every day, ask them about their day and most importantly, tell them you love them every day!"The expert Calypsonian also sent her greetings out to the nation. "To all the other bands that played my song, my love is with you. I wish the whole of the nation a happy and safe Carnival and I ask everyone to look out for our visitors and take care of them."