WEBB INTERNET RADIO

Celebrating 9 Years of CROP-OVER Coverage

KENWEBB.com & SMAC Productions

Join AUDREY ADAMS from July 31 to August 5

for

DAILY REPORTS from CROP-OVER 2008

Welcome to Webb Internet Radio's (WIR)coverage of CROP OVER 2008! WIR founder, internationally recognized radio personality Ken Spider Webb is on another assignment and has asked me to fill in for him this year. It's going to be a tough job, but as they say . . . someone has to do it and I am happy that it's me! Thanks Ken, for the opportunity.

TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEWS, DOUBLE-CLICK ON THE ARROW.

August 2, 2008            New Calypso Monarch chosen at Pic-O-De-Crop Finals

What a night! For the first time, the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals was held at Kensington Oval, after being held in the past at the Stadium. If sheer numbers of people is any indication, I would venture to guess that all of Barbados was in the house! Ten performers competed for the coveted title of Calypso Monarch: Sheldon Hope, Enobong, Mr. Impact, Romeo, Classic, Blood, De Announcer, Red Plastic Bag, Adrian Clarke, and John King. The crowd is a tough one to please and each artist gave their all to garner the support of those in attendance and curry the judges favor. For those of you unfamiliar with Calypso and Calypsonians . . . Wayne Simmons, Corporate Communications Specialist for the National Cultural Foundation provided this description, "Traditionally the participants in this genre have been identified as social commentators, so called because of their recognition of events positive and negative affecting the livlihood of the masses, for which their voice calls the attention of the authorities to make wrong things right. Conversely, the same voices also applaud things which have gained public approval." With that said, there were many statements made that the audience wholeheartedly agreed with by responding with wild applause and laughter! Many of the topics were political in nature, then there was what seemed to be a number of messages sent by Calypsonians to fellow Calypsonians, I only wished that I'd had the back story and history on some of the issues, but next year, that won't be a problem because I have this year to get up to Crop- Over speed!

And the winner . . . ADRIAN CLARKE,(pictured left, with Hugh Durant, Corporate Communications Manager for Cave Sheperd) a vetern Calypsonian and an individual who has ben consistent throughout the many years of performances. He was a Party Monarch and an entertainer who is fearless of competition. This year the winning songs were, I Am A Bajan and Put That In Yuh Song.The crowd was enthusiaitic when he performed the second song and it was quite obvoius that he would be the overall winner. Clarke took heme the title Calypso Monarch, a fully loaded Toyota Corolla, $10,500.BD and a trophy the size of, well, Barbados! Congratulations Adrian! Edwin Yearwood was also crowned The People's Monarch, which is a competition organized by Starcom Network News, catering to the public and their preferred person/music of the festival. Listen to Michael Callender's interview of Adrian Clarke by double clicking on the arrow above.

August 1, 2008            I'm here in Barbados!

Barbados is as beautiful and as tranquil as I remembered it! My flight was delayed and arrived at about 3:30 P.M. instead of 11:30 A.M. as I'd hoped for, needless to say, I have yet to put my toes in the sand, but I have felt the warm breeze and been soaked by a brief and refreshing rain. More on that later.

I was met at Grantley Adams International Airport by Allison Allende, a representative of the Barbados Tourism Authority and she graciously whisked me through customs and into a waiting car that took me to the host hotel, the Barbados Hilton. Once I arrived, I was greeted by Michael Callender (that's him in the photo to the left), Ken Webb's associate, who handed me a rum punch . . . Ahhhhh Bajan hospitality! Because this is my first Crop Over, I asked Michael to tell me what I could expect. You can listen to our conversation simply by clicking on the arrow next to Michael's photograph. I have much more to share with you . . . last night we dined at Wispers, a new (2 years old) restaurant on the beach and today we went to Aerial Trek and had lunch at Fisherpond Great House . . . more on that later too. Tonight we depart at 5:25 to attend Pic-O-De-Crop Finals being held at Kensington Oval. Don't forget, you can reach me at Audrey@THEADAMSREPORT.com. Visit: KenWebb.com

JULY 31, 2008              I'm on my way to Barbados to cover Crop-Over 2008!

My journey begins in New York City. I depart on an Air Jamaica flight in the wee hours of the morning, arriving in Barbados early afternoon with plenty of time to enjoy the sun and sand before my first assignment. I have visited Barbados on many occasions in the past, but this is the first time that I  have visited during the celebration of Crop-Over. As a first-timer, I hope to give you a unique perspective. Ken and his partner Michael Callendar have filled me in on some of what I can expect, and I hope to bring you photographs and interviews from some familiar faces and voices with news from home! If there is something you would like to see or something you want me to see, please write me a note. I will do my best to give you a terrific overview of the festivities. Reach me at Audrey@THEADAMSREPORT.com. Visit: KenWebb.com Check back here tomorrow night for news about my day.