KRISTY RAMNARINE
Kristy.ramnarine@cnc3.co.tt
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano spends the Christmas season resting in preparation for the busy Carnival ahead.
Her goals for 2025: “Continue to be positive, continue to support my family and prepare for succession. I am also making sure that I live a healthy and simple life. Continue to educate myself. Enjoy my Carnival.”
Being a present parent is at the top of her list. Her dedication to her family has shaped the lives of her sons Marcus and Machel.
Marcus is a commercial pilot with Caribbean Airlines and a former guitarist in the family’s Xtatik Band. Machel is the phenomenal King of Soca who topped off his 42-year-performing career with a black-tie affair at the Kennedy Centre, Washington, DC on November 25, to mark his 50th birthday. For half of those 50 years, Lady worked closely with Machel, first in public relations for eight years then as his manager for 17. Machel’s father Winston “Monty” Montano managed him for eight years while his current manager, Che Kothari, has been part of the team for the past ten years.
“I have said it over and over I have never been a momager,” said Lady.
“I am a mother and was a manager. We kept the roles separate so while the public blended the roles I never did nor did Machel. On the job, I was the manager and Machel was my boss. At home or off duty I was Machel’s mother and we shared and still share a very close mother-and-son relationship.
“The public quite often would comment on how he spoke to me while on the job, mixing up my role. However, we have been able to maintain the separation over the years. Both Machel and I understand or understood the difference.”
Lady grew up in Carenage and attended the St James Secondary School. After graduating she started working at the Port-of-Spain City Hall, followed by a stint at the National Housing Authority. With a passion for teaching, Lady attended the Teachers Training College in Mausica from 1969 where she met her future husband Monty. Lady and Monty graduated from the College in 1971, later got married and had two boys.
Lady and Monty moved to Jamaica to further their education, Monty studied Geography while Lady chose education. The Montano family returned to Carenage but later moved to south Trinidad where their jobs were based. The family settled at Prana Lands in Siparia, where Marcus and Machel began to develop their musical talents with guidance.
“They grew up learning and living the values of hard work, honesty, integrity, sharing, loving others, loving your own and many more,” she said.
“As parents we are proud to see these values manifest in them as men contributing to who they and who they became.”
Lady, who has a bachelor’s degree in education from UWI, taught agriculture and science in Jamaica and T&T. She was also a guidance counsellor.
Teaching her sons the value of education was a high priority for her.
“They were taught certain values and as a mother or parent I set the example for them to follow,” Montano said.
“I care for others and education is of paramount importance. They lived what they saw. I want to believe both Monty and I are good parents.”
Their wisdom and guidance are now being passed down to the next generation – Raylon, Nicholas, Meledi, Malaya, Marley and Micha.
“Have confidence in yourself, love yourself and take example from your father,” she tells them.
“I also teach them to be strong and again the importance of education. The world today is very competitive and the skilled person will always have the edge. I also try to teach them to work for themselves. Be independent. Be LOVE.”
Over the years Lady has mentored and managed other people opening her arms in one way or the other.
“I just love to help others and I feel so good when I can contribute to someone’s success or when I can help someone achieve something no matter how small,” she added.
“I have been like this since I was a very young child. I have no other explanation.”
Her motherly instinct continues to extend with the advice to other mothers: “Observe your children from an early age”.
“They will express their interest. Support them no matter what. Once it’s honest it’s positive and worthwhile. Do not force them to try to achieve what you feel you failed to achieve for yourself. Always make sure they are doing what they love. Also note
that once you become a mother your life changes,” she added.
KING OF SOCA
In 2022, Lady launched her first book, King of Soca, a biography of Machel Montano. The book is based on Montano’s 2018 MPhil dissertation titled “The Making of Monk Monte: Creativity and Commodification in Trinidad and Tobago Popular Culture.”
At first, Lady was tempted to build on it for a PhD but decided against the academic route when she understood that her intention was to make it accessible to everyone.
“Since launching the biography the feedback has been amazing,” Lady said.
“Many people were unaware of the decades of Machel’s involvement in the business.
“People have been commending us on the work done. I have been able to launch the book in Tobago also, Kingston Jamaica, New Jersey, New York and Miami. I was invited to speak at Berkeley University, in California. And I continue to get requests.”
To mark Machel’s 50 th birthday a special edition of the book has been launched.
“I made a golden case looking like a vinyl record to represent his golden birthday and the case is autographed by Machel,” she revealed.
“It also comes with speciality chocolate with Machel’s image on it. It’s the same book but we call this the deluxe limited edition. It has to be purchased through the office.”
Lady continues to work on her various projects from marketing her book to managing the Montano’s Chocolate Company Ltd.