BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN our last “Where are they now” article about former Road March winner and Calypso Monarch Chesil ‘Mark The First’ Hamilton, his life before winning was the focal point.
In this publication however, focus will be placed on what the former king has been up to over the past three decades.
In 1974, the former calypsonian captured the Road March title and saw additional success in 1983 when he won the National Carnival Calypso crown.
The 59 year-old explained to SKNVibes Entertainment that as a 19 year-old his popularity grew enormously throughout the Federation but remaining true to who he was and staying humble was always his main aims.
“My life otherwise didn’t really change. I still remained simple because in those days not because you won something means you had a whole load of money so you can up your life style. It was not something that made you wealthy, maybe popular but certainly not wealthy.”
He said his experience being a calypsonian had its advantages which included gaining much respect from persons within the Federation and leaning from senior calypsonians with whom he had the opportunity to work.
“It was not about getting popularity, but more importantly it was about gaining respect. Every person comes through stages in their lives when they like what are doing to be recognised and respected before any thought about the tangible rewards…”
Following his 1974 win, Hamilton explained, he continued participating in calypso competitions, but for him it transitioned into a hobby rather than a competition where feverish battles for the top honour would take place.
From 1974 to 1978, Hamilton said that he continued to perform and 99 percent of the time he was fortunate to have made it into the finals of each competition; also placing in the top three on different occasions.
“Then in 1979, it was not a good year for me. I didn’t have very good material like I would normally have and my interest was kind of going away at that time. I can’t remember participating in 1980 to 1982, then when 1983 came I returned to stage at the Independence Calypso Competition and I placed Third Runner-up.” Hamilton said.
Later in that year he won the National Carnival Calypso Competition.
The educator
“Even when I stopped performing in competitions, it still became like a hobby to me. I never saw it at as a profession because I also became a school teacher at Estridge Primary School in Mansion that time.”
He also taught at the Tabernacle Primary and Cayon Primary Schools before moving on to a different aspect of education in later years. Closer into the 80s he ventured into educational broadcasting where he did extensive training in Barbados.
“I did courses in Mass Communication and so I ended up in different fields of education before I left to go somewhere else to where I am right now”.
Digging his heels further into his work
After leaving the field of educational broadcasting, Hamilton said he began working at a shoe factory located on the C.A. Paul Southwell Industrial Site, which was one of three major companies producing at the same capacity.
“It was called ‘Caribbean Shoe’ and we used to manufacture shoes that were sold locally and regionally, and used to produce them in a wide variety such as dress shoes, police boots, work shoes, steel toe.”
Where is he now?
Then in 1984, Hamilton found employment at the Social Security Board where he has worked for the past 30 years.
“I developed a career in the Social Security field and I am currently serving as Manager of the Public Relations Department.” Hamilton said.
When asked about the difference between the National Carnival then and now, Hamilton had this to say: “I haven’t been attending most of the events, especially the Calypso shows. I still take an interest and I was asked to judge on more than one occasion.”
Hamilton added that he never took up the offer as he believes that one day he might return to the art form. “I always say I don’t want to judge in a senior calypso show just in case one day might return to the senior show and I want to keep that clear”.
He has however judged National Junior Calypso Competitions and school-organised Calypso Competitions.
Editor's Note: SKNVibes solicits suggestions from the public in identifying other individuals who have made significant contributions to the calypso art form in St. Kitts and Nevis. Feel free to email us at newsroom@sknvibes.com or call us at (869) 466-9242 or (869) 662-3901 and pass on the relevant information.
