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Posted: Thursday 26 June, 2014 at 11:49 PM

“The first time onstage was a very terrifying experience” says Monarch

Clement ’Monarch’ Ogarro
By: Javone Vickerie, SKNVibes.com

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – EVERY performer when taking the stage for the first time is unaware of what could happen. However, in Clement Ogarro’s case, his first time was terrifying. 

     

    Ogarro, also know by his stage name ‘Monarch’, has had four National Junior Calypso titles under his belt. The former calypsonian said that before he started performing in front of large crowds singing Calypsos, he sang regularly in church.

    “I had performed before in the church but now this is a national audience. This wasn’t just the church in the village. I remember my first competition; I got as far as the Semi-Finals in 1973 and the competition was held at the old cinema Apollo.”

    Ogarro explained that his first performance before a large crowd was at age 12, and among the audience were many people with whom he was not acquainted. And because of that, he added, it was a very terrifying experience. However, after a few years onstage, he grew accustomed to it and it felt like a place of enjoyment. 

    He told SKNVibes Entertainment that because of his success during the Junior Calypso Monarch Competitions, his mother, who did not appreciate his involvement in the art form, had a change of heart and he had gotten her full support to continue singing Calypsos. 

    Success came at a rapid pace for the young calypsonian, who many people believed had the potential of being rated among the big guns in the Federation. 

    “I think because success came as quick as it did, within three years I was the Calypso King of St. Kitts and I had a popularity thing going, as people were convinced that I was going to be one of the best calypsonians in St. Kitts,” the former calypsonian said.

    He noted that back in those days band practice and rehearsals were a hassle as travelling from the city to the village was sometimes difficult, especially at nights. 

    “Some of the rehearsal places were outside Basseterre. Places like St. Peters, Monkey Hill with the JB and Bad Revs. So I had to get two different modes of transportation from Boyd’s to Basseterre then from Basseterre to St. Peters.”

    Ogarro said that he remembers in the 70s when the Ministry of Culture and the Carnival Committee had decided that junior calypsonians needed exposure. 

    As a result, he noted, the winner of the Junior Calypso Competition was given a shot at the Senior Calypso Competition. 

    “As the Junior Calypso King, I sang in Senior Calypso Competition. I got to sing with Ellie Matt and GI Brass Band which was very famous all over the world. I wasn’t even thinking of winning! For me, it was an awe moment,” Ogarro said.

    He added that apart from his moment of awe, the opportunity to meet some of his idols, such as Sweeney, Ellie Matt and other famous local calypsonians, was an unforgettable experience.

    In 1979, Ogarro said he had an unfortunate experience at the senior level of the Calypso competition which fueled his decision to resign from competiting. 

    “It took away the fire I had for the competition and that was the last year I could have competed at the junior level. Basically, the situation in a synopsis, I was singing with Ellie Matt in his tent and then he pulled out of the competition, and along went his band.” 

    Ogarro added that because he was practicing with the band, in order for him to compete in the Semi-Finals he had to sing with the Melotones Band from Cayon. 

    “It wasn’t their problem! They didn’t have a mic and the cord couldn’t take you out to the stage. I didn’t make it to the Finals that year! As young as we were then, myself, Lord Kut and some other calypsonians formed our own tent,” Ogarro said. 

    Even though Ogarro migrated to Houston Texas, USA, he said that he did not stop singing Calypsos, but after 1992 he never returned to competed in competitions. 

    Where is he now? 

    Clement Ogarro is currently the General Manger of ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation; a position he has held for the past two years. He is also a former Carnival Chairman who is responsible for the name ‘Sugar Mas’. 

    Editor-in-Chief'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.
     
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