[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he imagined image of a member of the much discussed Dennery Segment is a young man in tight jeans and a graphic T-shirt cavorting suggestively up and across a stage, spewing double entendre but catchy lyrics.
Whatever else may be said about the group’s membership, they are undeniably popular, their performances are fun and their sometimes five-worded choruses always infectious. Especially at carnival time, Dennery Segment songs stir male and female hearts and other body parts to go where they’ve never been before—including splits that only the fittest of gymnasts would dare attempt. So, to hear them opening in prayer on Monday, at the opening of a two-day workshop, instead of their usual “bend dong for the hmm” was something a shock for those in attendance, your reporters included.
Sixteen members of the Dennery Segment, also referred to by the organisers as “The Boys,” were on hand to receive tips from seasoned campaigner Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson and the Tourism Authority’s Clinton Reynolds, among others, on a range of subjects: stage presentation to public speaking, teamwork and marketing. Doubtless what they heard will serve the Dennery Segment well during their US summer promotional tour.
Shannon Lebourne of Empire Media is the project co-ordinator of the US tour. He said, “Our guys see now it’s not just another gig they’re about to undertake. They know now they have an opportunity to be career musicians, career artists with a sustainable future for themselves and their families.” Boo Hinkson offered the artists valuable advice on how to register their music, keeping in mind that the industry was one without pensions. Good management, therefore, is essential.
Shannon Lebourne: “The demand for these artists is tremendous. People across America want to see our Dennery Segment artists, to put faces to the sound that has captured so many hearts at home and abroad. People want to get to know who these boys are.”
Despite that some Saint Lucians would have the music of the Dennery Segment X-rated, others see “The Boys” as effective promoters of Saint Lucia as a tourist destination. “What stands out is the originality of their music,” said Lebourne. “Their lyrics, their rhythms, speak of Saint Lucia and our history.” In short, let their critics cry in their bouillon; the Dennery Segment is what it is and obviously their countless fans love what they offer.
Lebourne’s sentiments bring to mind the careers of Elvis Presley, Little Richard, The Beatles . . . whose output was once considered drug-related, devil’s music. John Lennon was considered bad for American youth by Richard Nixon, and denied a green card, at least for a time.
The Dennery Segment artists are scheduled to do twenty shows in New York, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami and Texas. But the group’s management expects the number will rise, judging by mounting interest by other US promoters. Audiences will range from 1,500 to 5,000 people, mostly from the Caribbean diaspora.
Of course, few Saint Lucian undertakings get off the ground without some taxpayer assistance—whether carnival or Mercury Fest. According to Lebourne, the group’s proposal to the government included several elements including visas, airfare, ground transportation and subsistence allowance. “There’s not a final figure on it. Initially the prime minister said he would fund from his desk one element of the proposal. From the top of my head that’s about EC$40,000. Other government support from the Ministry of Culture is in the tune of subsistence allowances.”
The overall cost for the trip is just over EC$100,000 after taking “creative measures” such as renting one house for accommodation instead of a 4-star hotel.
There is also private sponsorship from Digicel in the form of free phones to the entire delegation, waived roaming fees for the tour, branded T-shirts and US$2,000!
