Arrow an inspiration to other artistes
GREAT BAY, St. Maarten – HUNDREDS turned out on Saturday (Nov. 2) in support of a benefit concert, dubbed “From My Three Homes”, for the ailing veteran calypsonian, Errol ‘De King Arrow’ Dolphin.
The concert, which was held at the Celebration Palace and organised by the King Arrow Foundation, had featured a number of local and international artistes from as far as the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and neighbouring St. Kitts and Nevis, who paid tribute to De King Arrow for his contributions to the region in the art form.
Arrow, who was born in Trinidad but grew up in St. Kitts and live most of his adult life in St. Maarten, apparently suffered several heart attacks and was not present at the fundraising event because his relatives and the organisation feared that he might have had a relapse.
Speaking with SKNVibes, President of the King Arrow Foundation, Rolando Tobias said that the turnout was excellent.
“We had a full house! The folks really came out in support of King Arrow and the entertainment was awesome. We had the entertainers from St. Maarten going onstage first as we opened the evening’s event with a few gospel songs, including songs that King Arrow himself had sung at performances over the years.
“That was well received by the general audience. Then we had the calypsonians from St. Maarten who also did an excellent job. They were followed by the contingent from St. Kitts and Nevis - Lord Kut, Phonsie and King Meeko – and they too delighted a large crowd of fans from the twin-island Federation. We however ended the evening with Singing Francine who delighted the crowd with some of her songs as well.”
Tobias noted that Singing Francine, who hails from Trinidad, “is a very close friend of King Arrow; they are actually like brother and sister and she had done several background vocals for him over the past years”.
He declared that the proceeds of the event would be going towards assisting King Arrow’s healthcare.
“He is still recovering and is currently undergoing a lot of therapy, including voice therapy, and we have a nurse that takes care of him on a regular basis. So, we are going to match the cost associated with that. But because of the kind of man he was, very helpful to everyone here on St. Maarten and St. Kitts as well, the folks really came out in their numbers. And I must admit that it was a very nice fundraising event. We raised quite a bit of funds and we have to especially thank the folks who came from St. Kitts and Nevis…the Grand Masters Band and the artistes as well as the other folks who came over with the boat although the weather was not the best.”
All of the artistes who performed at the concert felt that King Arrow was an inspiration to them in writing the lyrics of their songs and, in some cases, helped them to become who they are. Also, during their performances, the local artistes took the opportunity to render some of King Arrow’s songs.
Musical accompaniment for all of the artistes from St. Maarten - De King Stunky, King Beau Beau, The Mighty Dow, King Jacko, Singing Acquilla and the Kaiso Brat - was provided by a local band called The Orchestra, while those from St. Kitts and Nevis were backed by the Grand Masters Band.
“The Grandmasters Band did an excellent job in backing the artistes from St. Kitts and Nevis and the crowd is looking forward to their return to St. Maarten because they didn’t get enough of them,” Tobias said.
The band received several well-deserved applauses from the large patrons for their artistry in accompanying the calypsonians with their music.
According to some members of the audience, the level of the “social commentary” by the visitors was of a very high standard and should be noted.
However, it was Singing Francine who brought the curtains down on the event and captured the hearts of the audience with her sultry singing that brought memories of the past with her music.
Among those in attendance was the Prime Minister of St. Maarten, the Hon. Sarah Wescot-Williams, who towards the end of the concert expressed her gratitude to the local and visiting artistes as well as invited guests for supporting the worthy cause.
“To our local artistes, I want to thank you for putting this show together in the words of the song St. Maarten is indeed the best,” she said.
The Prime Minister commended the organisers for putting the show together and said in jest to the Master of Ceremonies, Fernando Clark, that even though they may have a mutual family member she would not want it to be said that they are family.
In presenting her contribution to the Foundation, she said that it had nothing to do with the government’s budget since during the show the MC had spoken of the budget during his presentations in jest.
Prime Minister Wescot-Williams said that the extra funds collected would go to the further rehabilitation of King Arrow and called on the audience to further contribute to the worthy cause.
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